TO THE READER, PREFACE

chemical ἐγχειρήσεις manual operations. I have used very popular terms, as the skilled will recognize. But nonetheless, it was necessary to speak frequently with the artisans. If you do not attain it; let this be your first care, that you understand the language of the discipline, which we are compelled to do in every art. When you have achieved that, read and reread what I have written; every difficulty will flee. Whatever further obstacles you may bring; these, when I have understood them, I will take care to have removed in the information of the art, although there is no one who can satisfy everyone, and as the old saying goes, not even Jupiter, whether he rains or holds back. That is all.

ON THE WORK