Chemical Beginner

—subjects, it separates them, exalts that which is finite by nature into the infinite, fuses stones, draws out water, quickens fire, and in fire thus quickened and as if made perennial, it displays a specimen of its art and efficacy in prolonging human life. In this art, there is nothing mechanical except the operation itself and that application of fire. But the theory or speculation of the art, lying hidden in the remote recesses of Physiology original: "Physiologię"; in the early 17th century, this term referred to the general study of the laws of nature and the physical world itself, is by its own nature certainly as noble and as scientific as is Physics original: "Physica"; meaning natural philosophy, of which it is no insignificant part, or Medicine which it serves and to which it acts as a handmaid.

For the contemplation of this art alone, once its principles are known, is so lofty, so useful, and so pleasant, that it carries man away into the greatest admiration of God, and brings about a contempt for all things which are commonly held to be precious and rare. Very far removed from this art are those wicked smoke-sellers original: "fumiuenduli"; a term for charlatans who sell "hot air" or false promises, ash-blowers original: "ciniflones"; a derogatory term for unlearned laborers, and bellows-puffers original: "flatuarij"; those who work the bellows, often used to mock those seeking only to make gold through heat alone without theory, who, though they do not blush to be too rashly regarded and called "Philosophers," are nevertheless merely sooty mechanics