New Philosophical Furnaces

...and the natures of metals; likewise for testing, examining, melting, cupellingoriginal: "capellanda"; a process of separating precious metals like gold and silver from base metals like lead by heating them in a shallow, porous vessel called a cupel., and separating metals, so that nothing is lost, certainly by a concise and very easy way, and indeed with great profit, etc.

In the fifth part, the construction or preparation of iron, earthen, and glass instruments, and others necessary for the aforementioned four furnaces, will be taught; other necessary and most useful manualsIn this context, "manualia" likely refers to practical hand-operations or techniques rather than books. will also be taught.

And indeed in the first part, once the construction of the first furnace has been outlined, I will also reveal how by its benefit spiritsVolatile liquids obtained by distillation., oilsUsually essential oils or liquid extracts from minerals or plants., flowersoriginal: "flores"; in early chemistry, these were solid substances produced by sublimation, appearing as a fine powder, such as "flowers of sulfur.", and other most useful medicines are made, as well as their powers and use, as faithfully and without deception as can possibly be done. And indeed I do not doubt that those who understand will approve of this work, but the unlearned ZoiliThe term "Zoilus" (plural "Zoili") refers to carping or hypercritical critics, named after a Greek grammarian known for his harsh criticism of Homer. will despise it. For it is said in a proverb:

He who builds near a public road is forced to hear many things from detractors, but especially from the wretched common people, etc.

But it would be better if such Thrasonesoriginal: "Thrasones"; a term for braggarts or boastful people, named after Thraso, a character in Terence's play 'The Eunuch'. would bring something more excellent to light before they criticize the labors of others.

Therefore, let no one judge this work prematurely, before they have been perfectly informed about it; for then I will not doubt that the author shall carry away praise from it.

And if by some chance, for anyone who has built this furnace and is working or operating with it, all things do not immediately succeed according to their heart's desire; let them think to themselves that perhaps they have erred in some part (for it is a new and unknown work, in which anyone can easily make a mistake)...