An Hermetic Work.

on Load , but found no transmutation ; but almost the AA'hole Masse of Lead fieAV away , and the remainder turned into a meer glassy Earth ; at Avhich unexpected passage , lie smiling , said , thou art more dextrous to commit Theft , then to apply thy Medicine ; for if thou hadst only wraped up thy stollen prey in Yellow Wax , to preserve it from the arising fumes of Lead , it would have penitratod to the bottom of the Lead , and transmitted it to'Gold ; but having cast it into the fumes , partly by liolonce of the vaprotts

fumes , and partly- by the Sympathetic ]* : alliance , it carryed thy Medicine quite away : For Gold , Silver , Quick-silver , and the like Metals , are corrupted and turn brittle Jike to Glass , by the Vapours of Lead . Whereupon I brought him my Crucible Avherein it Avas done , and instantly he perceived a most beautiful Saffron-like Tincture stick on the sides ; and promised to come next morning , by nine in the Morning , and then would shew mo my error , and that the said Medicine should transmute the Lead info Gold .

Nevertheless I earnestly prayed him in the interim to be pleased to declare only for my present instruction , if the philosophic ] , work cost much , or required long time . My friend , my friend , ( . said lie ) thou art too curious to know all things in an instant , } -ct Avill I discover so much ; that neither the great charge , or length of time , can discourage any ; for as for tho matter , out of -AA'hich our Magistery is macle , I Avould haA'e thee know there is only two Metals aud Minerals , out of which it is prepared ; but in regard the

Sulphur of Philosophers is much more plentiful and abundant in the Minerals ; therefore it is made out of the Minerals . Then I asked again , What was the Mensirmn , and whether the operation or working Avere done in Glasses , or Crucibles ? He answered , the Menslrum was a Heavenly Salt , or of a Heavenly Virtue , by Avhose benefit only the Avise men dissolve the Earthly Metallic !* , body , and by such a solution is easily and instantly brought forth the most Noble Elixir of Philosophers . But in a Crucible is all

the operation done and performed , from the beginning to the very end , in an open fire , and all the whole Avork is no longer from the very first to the last then four days , and . the whole work no more charge then three Florens ; and further , neither the Mineral , out of which , nor the Salt , by which it Avas performed , was of any great price . And

Avhen I replycd , the Philosophers affirm in their writings , that seven or nine Months at the least are required for this Avork , Ho ansAvered , Their writings are only to be understood by tho true Adeptisfs ; Avhereforc concerning time they Avould write nothing certain : Nay , without the communication of a true Adept Philosopher , not one . Student can find the way to prepare this great Magistery , for which cause I warn and charge thee ( .-is a friend ) not to fling away thy Money and Goods to limit out this Art ; for thou shall never find it . To Avbicli I replied , thy Master ( though unknown ) shewed it

thee ; So mayst thou perchance discover something to me , that having overcome the Rudiments , I may find the rest with little dilliculty , according to the old saying : It is easier lo adde to a foundation , then begin a new . He answered , Li this Art 'tis quite othei-Aviso ; for unless thou knowest the thing from the head to the heel , from the Eggs to the Apples ; that is , from the A'ery beginning to the very end , thou knowest nothing ; aud though I have told thee enough , yet thou knoAvest not IIOAV the Philosophers do make and break open the Glassy Seal of Hermes , in which the Sun sends forth a great

splendour with his marvellous coloured Metaliick Rayes , and in Avhich looking Glass Ihe Eyes of Narcissus behold the transmutable Metals , for out of those Rayes the true Adept Philosophers gather their fire ; b y whose hel p the Volatil Metals limy be fixed into the most permanent Metals , either Gold or Silver . But enough at present ; for I intend ( God willing ) once more to-morrow at the ninth hour ( as I said ) to meet , and discourse further on this Philosophical subject , and shall shew you the manner of

Projection . And having taken his leave , ho Jol ' t me sori'owfitlly ' expecting him : but the next day lie came not , nor ever since : Only he sent an excuse ' at halfe an hour past nine that morning , by reason of bis great business , and promised to come at three in the afternoon , but never came , nor have 1 hoard of him since : whereupon I began to doubt of the AA'hole matter . Nevertheless late that ni ght my Wife ( who Avas a , most curious Student and enquirer after the Art , whereof that worthy man had discourst ) came sollirifing and vexing me to make experiment of that littlo ' spark of his bounty in that-Art , Avherely to be the more assured of the truth ; saying to me , unless this be done , I