Histoire De La Philosophie Hermétique : Accompagnée d'un Catalogue raisonné des Ecrivains de cette Science ; Avec le Véritable Philalethe, revû sur les Originaux. 3

sity of the readings he had made of these authors, both for himself and for me. This illustrious Dane was a great practitioner, and one can easily rely on his advice. He speaks as a master, and sometimes a word that he slips in, and knows how to place appropriately, gives rise to solid reflections.

I provide all this detail to forestall the objection that one might make. But where, one will say, did this writer take what he says about these different chemists? He has not read them. He therefore hazards his thoughts, good or bad.

I have hazarded little, but I have judged for myself and according to my own readings; but more often I have only spoken after the most skillful artists. This is a difficulty smoothed over; let us seek to resolve the others.

But, one will say, must one read all the authors in this ample catalogue? Must one, in order to know the