Fridrichstadt Leisure, or the Chemical Tantalus

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Dedication.

It is a most ancient and modern custom to dedicate the fruits of one's genius to great men or occasionally to illustrious colleges. I have decided to follow in these footsteps at this time. Your Carolo-Leopoldine Academy The Academia Leopoldina, named after Emperor Leopold I. is a society more illustrious than the sun has seen in many ages, if we except the College of the Apostles under their Master Jesus Christ. I have been a member of it for 42 years, and after the pious death of the most excellent polymath Velschius, you bestowed upon me the title of Nestor II. I consider myself unworthy of such a name, as I recognize Velschius as my leader and teacher in all parts of the medical art, and I yield the palm to him. But since it pleased the appointed Fathers of the Academy, I have embraced this name, and in return as a token of a grateful mind, I offer this, my fourteenth treatise written on this subject. I chose to inscribe it with a humble spirit, and for this reason: this Academy is adorned by the best such chymiatri chemical physicians, who in this branch of study recognize few equals and no superiors, and of whom I am a student. I wish there were an opportunity to sit at the feet of one or another of this illustrious order like Gamaliel, and from his mouth to sip true wisdom, or if an opportunity were given to establish a literary exchange among us, through which we might communicate experiments to one another. But this, my final desire, is hindered by a heavier old age, which will soon deliver me to death, so that I may become food for worms. To have willed and indicated this is enough.

If I examine the fate of my life, which depends upon the mercy and clemency of God alone, I find that what is read in Psalm 91:16 is granted to me by God, for with God’s help I have led my age to the 77th year, which I will complete on the 25th of October. In this Christian-Albrechts Academy, I have taught Physics for 43 years, having been declared Honorary Professor by the clemency of the Most Serene, and I am heard as the Senior of the whole Academy, as much by reason of my vocation as by my age, and indeed the Senior of all physicians in Holstein. If I look back at the immense heap of benefits, which, as far as