Fridrichstadt Leisure, or the Chemical Tantalus

the frequency of which we owe to the munificence of Kings and Princes, and their labors, works, and days we estimate with great merit. Oh, would that some Prince might institute a College of this kind in which nothing but Chemical matters were treated, and a reward for labor might be counted, just as the Bordeaux Academy is accustomed to do for whoever might find the best chemical medicine for patients of a different kind, the experiment of which could be instituted in hospitals or elsewhere, or an annual stipend might be paid. Such an institute would stimulate and impel curious minds so that they would no longer elaborate those common things according to Chemistry reduced to the form of an art. Why, I ask, do they not follow the preparations of Basilius Valentinus, which he teaches to prepare from Antimony in his Triumph of Antimony? Why do they not follow the compositions of Goes Vreswick and take them in hand? Indeed, the Chemicals of Glauber are not to be despised either, but they deserve their own praise. Truly, the labors of these men require a most experienced Chemist. The learned world is obligated to the Most Glorious Louis XIV, King of France, since he instituted the Paris Academy, in which, among other things, such Chemical matters are published every year that sustain the most illustrious fame. And as is clear, they are not slaves to the Chemical art reduced to the form of an art. If we choose this path, medicines will respond much better to the wish of the patient. Regarding the L. P. B. Blessed Stone of the Philosophers, so that I may also add this, I shall be no author or persuader to anyone to direct their mind to the elaboration of that, for it is provided with its elaboration as with the structure of the tower of Babel, so that there the languages might be confounded, so that they might not understand one another, and what was requested by this or that language might not be attained. Such a confusion is also in the descriptions of the L. P. B., so that no one, unless God opens the eyes and a faithful friend informs him, could attain the true sense from writers of this kind, or reach this Corinth. Indeed, they may see the Sun, clouded by many clouds, through the thickening of clouds and the agglomeration of vapors, Phoebus cannot shine through. And thus many writers of L. P. B. obscure the sun so that it remains in Cimmerian darkness, and there is no way of emerging from them. In which Cimmerian darkness, not rarely, the will-o'-the-wisp of the sophists seduces one into labyrinthine ducts. These are the things which I wished to give to you, most excellent Chemiatrists of our Europe, on this occasion; you determine what must be done, and how you might assist the miserable state of Chemistry, into which it has been reduced by the form of an art. Farewell! Favor me! Yours, Nestor II. Friedrichstadt, May 22nd, ♄ Saturday, at the tenth hour in the morning.