Treatise on the Philosopher's Stone

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—published; and since this present little book is kept either in great secrecy or at a high price by many greedy individuals original: "Geitzhälfen"; literally "greedy-throats," referring to those who hoard alchemical knowledge for profit rather than sharing it for the common good., I have been requested by friends both far and near to commit it to the press original: "Truck" for the sake of sincere truth; otherwise, they intended to have it produced elsewhere. Therefore, I could do no other than to make haste with this, so that it might be added to the other [parts of the author’s work].

Now, as for seeking a patron original: "Beschützer," literally a protector or guardian; it was customary to dedicate books to influential figures to ensure the work's safety and the author's reputation. for this work, I was briefly guided by the historical account—written and occurring a few years ago at the home of my most gracious Patron—concerning the Elias Artista A legendary figure in alchemy, the "Elijah of Artists," prophesied by Paracelsus as a master who would reveal all secrets of the art at the end of time. in his Golden Calf original: "Vitulo Aureo"; referring to the famous 1667 book Vitulus Aureus by Johann Friedrich Helvetius, which describes a mysterious stranger performing a gold-transmutation., but also by the friendly oral explanation given by him right here only a few weeks ago. I hope—