A row of four decorative fleurons or crown-like ornaments are placed above the header "Preface."

Preface.

finally thereafter will have attained the desired purpose of the Philosophers' Stone original: "Lapidis Philosophici" so eagerly sought by us. Now, in my opinion, it matters little how the Phoenix is reduced to ashes, whether it happens in whatever way, either by the wet or dry path original: "vel via humida vel sicca", cold or warm; I would still hope to find what is sought. It is enough original: "sufficit" if I have the true radical solution original: "Radical-Solution." In alchemy, a "radical" solution was one that dissolved a metal back to its "root" or primary matter, rather than just breaking it into smaller pieces. of the gold, for then I possess the true mercury of the philosophers original: "Mercurium Philosophorum".

But now I will remain silent about what I have seen in my time (for I was raised from my youth among chemical labors original: "laboribus Chymicis" and, though I say it without boasting, have undertaken strange affairs therein), [and] how much sophistry original: "Sophisterey" has been practiced in the destruction of gold original: "destructio auri". One person had a solvent original: "Menstruum", another a powder, this one this, that one that; but if one looked at it in the light, it was nothing but the kind of solution original: "Solution" that could also have been accomplished with aqua regia original: "Aqua regis." Literally "royal water," a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids, it was one of the few substances known to dissolve gold, but the author distinguishes this mere physical dissolution from a true alchemical "destruction.", and which I am generally accustomed to calling division original: "divisio". For it is nothing other than breaking the gold into the smallest particles original: "minutissimas particulas", and more is required for this than one imagines. For my part, I consider the many solvents original: "menstrua" with which the gold [is treated]...