Lives of the Adepts. | Nicholas Flamel,

PETER BONO.

THIS adept, born in Lombardy, was an inhabitant of Pola, a seaport of Istria, where he says he made the much desired transmuting metal of the sages, in the year 1330, and wrote a complete treatise on the art which he published. Lacinius, a monk of Calabria, has printed a faithful abridgment of it.

See Mangeti Bibliotheca Chemica Curiosa The Curious Chemical Library, 2v, fol. Cologne, 1702.

THE MONK FERARIUS.

ABOUT the beginning of the fourteenth century, this Italian artist gave to the world two treatises; the first, Of the Philosopher’s Stone original: "De Lapide Philosophorum"; and the second, The Treasure of Philosophy. They are printed in the Theatrum Chemicum The Chemical Theater, 6 vols. 8vo, Strasburgh, 1661.

FLAMEL.

NICHOLAS FLAMEL was born at Pontoise, in the time of Philip, whose reign commenced in 1328. His parents were poor, and left him little more than the house in Paris, which he continued to possess till his death : he bequeathed it to the Church : it stands in the Notary-street, at the corner of Marivaux-street, opposite the door of St. James’s church, which is called the Marivaux door, from the name of the street.

Flamel’s father had not the means of giving him much education. He earned a livelihood at Paris, as a scrivener a professional copyist, copying deeds and writings in Latin or French. In his time, the business of copying books employed a numerous class of persons, as printing was not then invented.

It appears from Flamel’s will, in which he is entitled a scrivener, that his riches never made him change his profession. He shewed a good natural genius, by his proficiency in painting and poetry, as well as his acknowledged ability in chemistry. Towards the year 1357, he became an Hermetic student, the manner of which is best told in his own words.

“The Lord God of my life, who exalts the humble in spirit out of the most abject dust, and makes the hearts of such as hope in him to rejoice, be eternally praised.

Who, of his own grace, reveals to the believing souls, the springs of his bounty, and subjugates under their feet the crowns of all earthly felicities and glories.

In him let us always put our confidence ; in his fear let us place our happiness ; and in his mercy, the hope and glory of restoration from our fallen state :

And in our supplications to him, let us demonstrate, or shew forth, a faith unfeigned and stable, an assurance, that shall not for ever be shaken.

And thou, O Lord God Almighty, as thou, out of thy infinite and most desirable goodness, hast condescended to open the earth, and unlock thy treasures unto me, thy poor and unworthy servant, and has given into my possession the fountains and well-springs of all the treasures and riches of this world.

So, O Lord God, out of thine abundant kindness, extend thy mercies unto me, that when I shall cease to be any longer in the land of the living, thou mayst open unto me the celestial riches, the divine treasures, and give me a part or portion in the heavenly inheritance for ever,

Where I may behold thy divine glory, and the fullness of thy Heavenly Majesty, a pleasure so ineffable, and a joy so ravishing, which no mortal man can express or conceive.

This I entreat of thee, O Lord, for our Lord Jesus Christ thy well-beloved Son’s sake, who, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth with thee, world without end. Amen.

I, Nicholas Flamel, Scrivener, living at Paris, Anno 1399, in the Notary-street, near S. James, of the Bouchery, though I learned not much Latin, because of the poorness and meanness of my parents, who notwithstanding were (by them that envy me most) accounted honest and good people.

Yet, by the blessing of God, I have not wanted an understanding of the books of the philosophers, but learned them, and attained to a certain kind of knowledge, even of their hidden secrets.

For which cause sake, there shall not any moment of my life pass, wherein remembering this so vast a good, I will not on my bare knees, if the place will permit of it, or otherwise in my heart, with all the intireness of my affections, render thanks to this my most good and gracious God :

Who never forsakes the righteous generation, or suffers the children of the just to beg their bread ; nor deceives their expectations, but supports them with blessings who put their trust in him.

After the death of my parents, I, Nicholas Flamel, got my living by the art of writing, ingrossing inventories, making up accounts, keeping of books, and the like.

In this course of living, there fell by chance into my hands a gilded book, very old and large, which cost me only two florens gold coins;