Friedrichstadt Leisure or the Chemical Tantalus

the salvation of my soul, the preservation of my body, and the knowledge of Nature are concerned, God has favored me, unworthy as I am, I call this my salvation. Twenty professors, like the Cedars of Lebanon, have fallen here in Kiel to the irreparable damage of the Muses; the Leopoldina itself has also lost more, indeed over forty, of its most beautiful and tall Cedars to the great detriment of the Medical Republic. I, however, by the singular grace of God, survive and live, and I behold the Aurora of Phoebus smiling upon the world.

The subject matter that I have treated in this and thirteen other treatises is of such a kind that it indeed deserves applause from many, and is valued as less than seaweed A reference to a common Roman proverb, "vilior alga," meaning worthless. by most. But truly, since I read and re-read such authors from an early age with great zeal, I inscribed the idea in my mind, and following the dictates of that idea, I published such commentaries on the L.P.B. Added to this is the fact that I have exercised myself in Chemistry for many years. Whether I have spoken truth or probability on this subject, let the leaders and princes of Adept philosophy judge, to whose Tribunal I appeal. Let it be decided regarding these efforts of mine as it pleases them; I shall stand or fall by their judgment.

I offer this labor of mine, Magnificent and Most Generous President, Excellent Adjuncts, and you, Excellent Colleagues, my most honorable friends, to this august Academy as your most humble client, in testimony of gratitude that you have seen fit to receive me into the bosom of your most august Academy and to address me by so honorable a name. Therefore, whatever is offered here by me, your most humble colleague, accept with a kindly face. If God grants me the usury of life for a little longer, I will contribute my token to the growth of your Centuries, of which the 5th and 6th have already appeared. I see not without astonishment and joy that our illustrious College has been increased with new members and men who are not the least among the leaders of the medicine of our Europe; and I have noted not without sorrow that very few remain from their roll who previously contributed their observations with great industry. Many, along with me, desire to read a complete catalog of all colleagues from the beginning of the Society to this day, and this very point is placed among the greatest desires of the Asclepiadean Republic A term referring to the medical profession, named after Asclepius.. It is yours to define what seems advisable here; I merely point out this desire from the mouth and pen of others. Now I have nothing to add, except that I commend your illustrious Society to the protection of the highest Deity and the clemency of Emperor Charles the Great.