Preface

of Herr Jacob Leupold.

As great a treasure and noble gem the dear mining industry of a country is, just as great is an experienced and skillful miner to be regarded, without whom one has little or no joy from such a treasure. However, so many sciences, arts, and experiences are required for such a man that a few sheets would be necessary just to touch upon them slightly. For it is not enough to handle the mallet and iron, and to smelt a metal, or to know and be able to perform all manual labor, which is indeed very diverse and manifold, but a much greater thing is required, insofar as he must also be a good and understanding Chymicus chemist, to which, however, the physical sciences are necessarily required; furthermore, a well-experienced Mechanicus mechanic and Marckscheider mine surveyor, for which Geometrie geometry provides the foundation; a practiced Architectus architect to build firmly and durably above or below the earth. Indeed, he must also be well informed about mining laws and the history of mining. Alone, he must gather all these sciences mostly from many scattered persons and places, and yet the most...