and destructive of labor. Thus, he prays from the heart for the most learned labors of the Most Excellent Lord Author.

Graz, March 10, 1687.

JOAN. LEONARD. BOSITIUS,

Most Noble, Most Excellent, and Most Learned

Lord, Patron, and most revered Friend!

I perused the Philosophical Scrutiny with great pleasure of mind, and I saw that in this most laborious work of yours, you not only demonstrate the possibility of the thing and the truth of the Philosophical art, but you also show a more secure path to students of Chemical Philosophy. Furthermore, you most amicably dissuade the ignorant chemists charlatans, who squander their goods because of the lapis Benedictus Blessed Stone, from undertaking this work so rashly. Proceed, therefore, most excellent man, and bring your learned offspring of genius into the light, both to avoid the frauds of the pseudo-alchemists false alchemists and to understand the texts of the philosophers. For then it will come to pass that not only the children of the Hermetic art alchemy, but even the Most Noble Magnates will receive benefit therefrom, and you will have attained an increase of honor and immortal glory. This I wish from the heart, and I congratulate you with the following epigram:

Whoever you are who seeks the wonderful secrets of Nature,
And desires to refresh yourself with sophic books.