An ornamental woodcut headpiece consisting of three crowns, each enclosed within a circular floral wreath. The central wreath is topped with an additional small crown. The wreaths are supported by a rectangular base frame with decorative floral flourishes at the ends.

Preface.

Not because common custom has made it almost a necessity to adorn every book (especially chemical original: "Chymischen"; in the 17th and 18th centuries, alchemy and chemistry were often treated as a single discipline ones) with a gilded preface and to send them out into the world—works which are filled more with flowery speeches, false promises, and supposedly true secrets original: "Arcanis"; from the Latin 'arcanum,' referring to hidden knowledge or secret medicinal preparations, or truths declared to be sincere and intended for the benefit of one's neighbor as their ultimate goal original: "Endzweck"; than with short-