The Book of THOTH - Stories of alchemical transmutations

Stories of alchemical transmutations

The Golden Calf of Helvetius
The Story of Wenceslaus Seilerus Allegorical letter about an alchemical adept
A strange 19th century story about transmutation
Salomon Trismosin's alchemical wanderings
Bernard of Trevisan's quest for the Stone
van Helmont's experiences with transmutation
Pico della Mirandola's mention of transmutation
Ashmole's account of Tincture found at Bath Abbey
Pope John XXII's decree against alchemy
Robert Boyle's Account of a Degredation of Gold
Ashmole's account of Edward Kelly's transmutations
Other accounts of Edward Kelley's transmutations
Denis Zacaire's account of his alchemical work
Archibald Cockren's alchemical discoveries
Edmund Dickinson's experience of transmutation
Albertus Bayr discovers transmutation through evoking a spirit Cagliostro's transmutation in Warsaw
The Transmutations of Dr. Price The Golden Calf

The famous story of an alchemical transmutation reported by John Frederick Helvetius. The Golden Calf, Which the World Adores, and Desires..., London 1670

Chapter III.

At the Hague, on the sixth Calend of January, or the 27th of December, in the year 1666, a certain man came to my House in the Afternoon, to me indeed planely unknown, but endued with an honest gravity, and serious authority of Countenance, cloathed in a Plebeick Habit, like to some Memnonite: of a middle Stature, his Visage somewhat long, with some Pock-holes here and there dispersed: his Hairs were indeed very black, yet not curled, little or no hair on his Chin, and about three or four and fourty years of Age: his Countrey (as far as I am able to conjecture) is the Septentrional Batavia, vulgarly called Nord-Holland.

After salutations ended, this new Guest, with great Reverence, asked, whether he might have freedom to come to me; because for the Pyrotechnick Art sake, he could not, nor was he willing to pass by the Door of my house; adding, that he had not only thought to have made use of some Friend to come to me, but had also read some of my little Treatises, especially that, which I published, against D. Digbies Sympathetick Powder, in which I discovered my doubt of the true Philosophick Mystery. Therefore, this occasion being taken, he asked me, whether I could believe, that place was

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given to such a Mystery in the things of Nature, by the benefit of which a Physician might be able to cure all Diseases universally, unless the Sick already had a defect either of the Lungs, or Liver, or of any like noble Member?

To which I answered. Such a remedy is exceedingly necessary for a Physician, but no man knows what and how great are the Secrets yet hidden in Nature, nor did I ever in all my Life see such an Adept Man, although I have read and perused many things, touching the verity of this thing, or Art, in the Writings of Philosophers. I also enquired of him, whether he (speaking of the Universal Medicine) were not a Physician?

But he answered by denyal, professed, that he was no other than a Melter of Orichalcum, and that in the Flower of his years, he had known many things, from his Friend, rare to the Sight, and especially the way of Extracting Medicinal Arcanums by the force of Fire, and that for this very cause, he was a Lover of this so noble Science of Medicine.

Moreover, long after other discourses, touching Experiments in Metals, made by the violence of Fire, Elias the Artist spake to me thus; Do you not know the Highest Secret, when it is offered to your sight, viz. the Stone of Phylosophers, you having read in the Writings of many Chymists most excellent, touching the Substance, Colour, and strange effect of the same?

I answered, not at all; except what I have read in Paracelsus, Helmont, Basilius, Sandivogius, and like Books of Adept Phylosophers extant. Nevertheless, I think, I am not able to know the Phylosophick Matter, whether it be true, or not, although I should see it present before me.

Whilst I was speaking thus, he pulled out of his Pocket and Ivory Box, in which he had three ponderous Fragments, in magnitude scarcely equalizing a small Walnut; these were Glass-like, of the colour of pale Sulphur, to which the Interior Scales of that Crucible did adhere, in which this most noble Substance was liquified, for I suppose the Value of it might equalize twenty Tun of Gold. But after I had plighted my Faith, I held that Cheimelion [or precious Treasure] of this Stone, within these my hands, for almost a quarter of an hour, and from the Philosophick Mouth of the Owner, I heard many things worthy of note, touching the same, for humane and Metallic bodies. Indeed, I, with a sad and afflictedly afflicted Mind, restored this Treasure of Treasures to him, the Lord and Possessor, who gave the same into my hand for a very short space of time; and yet I did that (after the manner of Men overcoming themselves) not without the greatest action of thanks, as was fit in such a Case. Afterwards I asked him, how it came to pass, (since I had otherwise read, that the Stones of Philosophers were endowed with a Rubinate, or Purple Colour) that this his Philosophick Stone was tinged with a Sulphureous Colour?

He answered me thus: O Sir, this is nothing to the purpose: for the Matter is Sufficiently mature.

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Moreover, when I entreated him, that he would give to me, for a perpetual remembrance, one small part of the Medicine included in his Box, although no more in bulk than a Coriander-Seed; he denied, answering: O no! For this is not lawful for me to do, although you would give me this whole Roome full of Gold in Duckets; and that not be reason of the price of the Matter, but by reason of another certain Consequence. Yea, surely, if it were possible, that Fire could be burned with Fire, I would sooner cast this whole Substance into the devouring Flames of Vulcan, before your Eyes.

A little after this, he also asked me, whether I had not another Room, the Windows of which were not to the Street-side; I presently brought this Phaenix, or Bird most rare to be seen in this Land, into my best furnished Chamber; yet he, at his Entrance (as in the manner of Hollanders is, in their Countryes) did not shake off his Shoes, which were dropping wet with Snow. I indeed, at that very time, thus thought: perhaps he will provide, or hath in readiness some Treasure for me; but he dashed my hope all to pieces. For he immediately asked of me a piece of the best Gold-mony; and in the mean while layed off his Cloak, and Country Coat; also he opened his Bosom, and under his Shirt he wore in green Silk, five great Golden Pendants, round, filling up the magnitude of the Interior Space or an Orb of Tin. Where, in comparing these, in respect of Colour and Flexibility, the difference between his Gold, and mine, was exceedingly great. On these Pendants he had inscribed with an Iron Instrument, the following Words, which, at my request, he gave leave that I should coppy out.

The form of the Pendants, and words engraven thereon, are as follows.

I. Amen. Holy , Holy, Holy, is the Lord our God, for all things are full of his Power. Leo: Libra. II. The wonderfull wonder-working wisdom of Jehovah in the Catholick Book of Nature. Made the 26 day Aug. 1666. III. [Sun. Mercury. Moon] The wonderfull God, Nature, and the Spagyrick Art, make nothing in vain. IV. Sacred, Holy, Spirit, Hallelujha, Hallelujha. Away Devil, Speak not of God without Light, Amen. V. The Eternal, Invisible, only wise, Best of all, and omnipotent God of Gods; Holy, Holy, Holy, Governour and Conserver deservedly ought to be praysed.

Moreover, when I, affected with admiration, said to him; My Master, I pray tell me, where had you this greatest Science of the whole World?

He answered, I received such Magnalia from the Communication of a certain Extraneous Friend, who for certain dayes lodged in my House, professing, that he was a Lover of Art, and came to teach me various Arts; viz. how, besides the aforesaid, of Stones, and Crystal, most beautiful precious Stones are made much more fair than Rubies, Chrysolites, Saphires, and others of that kind. Also how to prepare a Crocus Martis in a quarter of an hour, of which only one Dose infallibly heals a Pestilential Dysentery. Likewise a Metallick Liquor, by the help of which, every Species of the

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Dropsy, may be cured certainly in four dayes space. Also a certain Limpid Water, more sweet, than Hony, by the help of which, I can extract the Tincture of Granates, Corals, and of all Glasses blown by Artificers, in the space of two hours in hot sand only. Many other things like to these he told me, which I neither well observed, nor committed to memory; because my intention was carryed further, viz. to learn the Art of pressing that so noble juice out of Metals for Metals; but the Shadow in Waters deceived the Dog of his piece of Flesh, which was substantial. Moreover, this Artist told me, that his Master, who taught him this Art, bad him bring a Glass full of Rain water, with which he mixed a very small quantity of a most white pouder; commanding me (here the Disciple of that Master proceeds in his Discourse) to go to the Silver-Smith, for one ounce of Cupellate Silver, laminate, (or beat very thin), which Silver was dissolved in a quarter of an hour, as Ice in hot water. Then he presently gave to me one half of this potion, by himself so speedily made, to drink, which in my mouth tasted as sweet Milk, and I thence became very cheerful.

He having related these things, I ceased not to enquire of him, to what end he had instanced this? Whether the Potion was Philosophick?

To this, he answered, You must not be so curious.

Afterwards, he told me, how he, by the command of that Laudable Artist his Master, took a piece of the Leaden gutter of his house, and when the Lead was melted in a new Crucible, the said Artist drew out of his pocket a Casket full of Sulphureous Powder, of which, he took a very small part upon the point of a knife, once, and again, and injected the same upon the Lead in Flux; presently giving order, that the Fire should be blown with two pairs of Bellows strongly, for exciting the heat more vehemently; a little after, he powred out of the Crucible, most pure Gold, upon the Red stones, which were in the Kitchen. I (said this most pleasing discourser to me) did commodiously behold this verity of the Transmutation of Metals, but was so astonished with fear and admiration, that I was scarcely able to speak one word. But my Master heartening me, said, Cheer up, and be contented: take for your self a sixteenth part of this Mass, which keep for a Memorandum; but the other fifteen parts distribute to the Poor: and I did as he said. For, (if my memory deceive me not) he bestowed this exceedingly great Alms, on the Sparrendamen-Church; but whether he gave it at distinct times, or not, or whether he told it down in the Substance of Gold, or of Silver, I asked him not.

And at length (saith he, speaking of his Master) he directly taught me this great divine Art.

Therefore, the Narration of all these things being ended, I most humbly entreated him, that he would shew me the effect of Transmutation upon impure Metals, that I thence might have the better assurance of those things by him related to me, and my Faith being confirmed, securely give credit to the real Truth of the matter. But he very discreetly gave me the repulse; yet taking his leave of me, he promised to return again after

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three Weeks, and then shew to me certain curious Arts by Fire, as also the way of projecting; making this Provisoe, if it should then be lawful for him.

The three Weeks being elapsed, according to his word, he came to my House, and invited me to walk abroad with him for one hour, or two, as we both did, having in that Time Certain Discourses of the Secrets of Nature in the Fire, but in the mean while, this well spoken Companion in the way, was not lavish, but rather too sparing of his words, touching the great Secret; affirming, that this singular Mystery tended not, but to the alone magnifying of the most illustrious Fame of the most glorious God; and that very few men considered, how they might condignly Sacrifice themselves by their Works, to so great a God; uttering these Expressions no otherwise, then as if he had been a Pastor of the Church. But I, in the mean time, fayled not to solicit him, to demonstrate to me the Transmutation of Metals. Moreover, I beseeched and intreated him, to vouchsafe to eat with me, and to lodge in my house, urging him with such Earnestness, as no Rival, or Lover, could ever use more perswasive Words, for winning his beloved to a willingness of gratifying him above all others: but he, agitated by a Spirit of so great constancy, made void all I endeavoured.

Nevertheless, I could not choose but speak to him thus: Sir, You see I have a very convenient Laboratory, in which you may shew me the Metallick Transmutation. For, whosoever assents to him, that asketh, obligeth himself to him.

It is true (answered he) but I made a promise to you of imparting some things, with this Exception, if at my Return, I be not interdicted, but have leave to do the same.

All, and every of these, my requests being in vain, I instantly, and earnestly besought him, that (if he would not, or by reason of the Heavenly Interdiction could not demonstrate what I asked) he would only give me so much of his Treasure, as would be sufficient for transmuting four grains of Lead into Gold. At this my request, he, after a little while, pouring forth a Flood of Philosophick Mercy, gave a small particle, as big as a Rape-Seed, saying: Take of the greatest Treasure of the World, which very few great Kings, or Princes could ever see.

But I, saying: my Master, this so small particle perhaps will not be sufficient for the tinging of four granes of Lead.

He answered; Give it me. I accordingly gave it him, conceiving good hope of receiving somewhat a greater particle instead thereof; but he breaking off the one half almost of it, with his thumb-nayl, threw it into the fire, and wrapping the other up in blew paper, he gave it to me, saying, It is yet sufficient for thee.

To which, I with a sad Countenance, and perplexed Mind, answered: Ah Sir! What mean you by this? Before I doubted, and now I cannot believe, that so

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small a quantity of this Medicine will suffice for transmuting four grans of Lead.

O, said he, if you cannot rightly handle your Lead in the Crucible, by reason of the so very small quantity thereof, then take two drams, or half an ounce, or a little more of the Lead; for more must not be tinged, then well may.

To him I again said: I cannot easily believe this, viz. that so little of the Tincture, will transmute so great a qualtity of Lead into Gold.

But he answered; what I say is true.

In the mean while, I, giving him great thanks, inclosed my diminished, and in the Superlative degree concentrated Treasure, in my own Casket, saying: Tomorrow I will make this Tryal; and give no notice to any Man thereof, as long as I live.

Not so, not so, answered he, but all things, which tend to the Glory of God Omnipotent, ought by us singularly to be declared to the Sons of Art, that we may live Theosophically, and not at all dye Sophistically.

Then I confessed to him; that when I held the Mass is his Medicine in my own hand, in that short space of time, I attempted to raze something there-from with my Finger Nayl, but I got no more, than a certain invisible Atome; and, when I had cleansed my nayl, and had injected the collected matter, wrapt in paper, upon Lead in Flux, I could see no transmutation of it into Gold; but almost the whole Mass of Lead vanished into Aire, and the remaining Substance was transmuted into a Glassy-Earth.

At the hearing of this, he smiling, sayed: You could no more dexterously play the Thief, than apply the Tincture. I wonder, that you, so expert in the Fire, do no better understand the fuming Nature of Lead. For if you had wrapped your Theft in yellow Wax, that it might have been conserved from the Fume of Lead, then it would so have penetrated into the Lead, as to have transmuted the same into Gold. But now a Sympathetick Operation was performed in Fume, and so the Medicine permixed with the Fume, flew away: For all Gold, Silver, Tin, Mercury, and like Metals, are corrupted by Lead Vapours, and likewise converted to a brittle Glass.

While he was thus speaking, I shewed him my Crusible, who viewing the remaining Substance, perceived a most beautiful Saffron-coloured Tincture, adhering to the sides of the Crucible, and sayed, To-morrow at nine of the Clock, I will return, and shew you, how your Medicine must be used to transmute Lead into Gold.

In which promise of him, I rested secure. Yet, in the mean while, I again and again requested information of him, whether this Philosophick Work, required great Charges in the preparing, and a very long Time.

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O my Friend, answered he, you very accuratly affect to know all things; yet I will open this to you; The Charge is not great, nor is the Time long. But, as touching the matter of which our Arcanum is made, I would have you to know; there are only two Metals and Minerals, of which it is prepared. And because the Sulphur of Philosophers is more abundant in these Minerals, therefore it is made of them.

Then I again asked him: What the Menstruum was, and whether the Operations were made in Glasses, or in Crusibles.

He answered: The Menstruum is a Celestial Salt, or a Salt of Celestial Virtue, by the benefit of which, Philosophers only dissolve the Terrene Metallick Body, and in dissolving, the noble Elixir of Philosophers is produced. But the Operation is performed in a Crucible, from the beginning to the end, in an open Fire. And the whole Work may be begun, and plainly ended in no longer time, then four daies: Also in this whole Work, no greater Cost is required, then the value of three Florens. Lastly he added; Neither the Mineral, from Which, nor the Salt by Which, is of any great Price.

I again said to him: My Master; This is strange, for it is repugnant to the sayings of various Philosophers, who have writ, that at least seven, or nine Moneths are imployed in this Work.

He answered: The true writings of Philosophers are only understood by the truly Adept. Therefore, touching the Time, they would write nothing certain; yea, I say, no Lover of this Art, can find the Art of preparing this Mystery in his whole Life, without the Communication of some true Adept Man. In this respect, and for this Cause, I advise you, my Friend, because you have seen the true Matter of the true Work, not to forget your self, and thirsting after the perfection of this Art, to cast away your own Goods; for you can never find it out.

Then I sayed: My Master, although I am so unknown to you, as you are unknown to me; nevertheless, since he was unknown to you, who shewed you the way of finding out the Operation of this Arcanum, perhaps you may also, if you be willing, notifie to me somewhat, touching this Secret, that the most difficult Rudiments being overcome, I may (as the saying is) happily add somewhat to things already found out; for by the occasion of one thing found, another is not difficultly invented.

But the Artist answered: In this Work the matter is not so. For unless you know the thing, from the beginning of the Work to the end, you know nothing thereof. Indeed I have told you enough, yet you are ignorant how the Stone of Philosophers is made, and again, how the Glassy Seal of Hermes is broaken, in which Sol gives forth Splendor from his Metallick Rayes, wonderfully coloured, and in which Speculum, the Eyes of Narcissus behold Metals transmutable, and from which Rayes the Adept gather their fire, by the help of which, Volatile Metals are fixed into most fixed Gold, or Silver. But enough for this time, because (God willing) on the Morrow, we

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shall have occasion of meeting yet once more, that we may talk together touching this Philosophick matter; and according as I said, at nine a Clock, I will come to your House, and shew you the way of Projecting.

But with that happy Valediction for one night, that Elias the Artist hath left me most sad in expectation unto this very day. Yea, the Mercury of Philosophers did with him vanish into Aire; because from him I did no more again hear so much as one word. Yet he, (because he promised that he would come again to me betimes the next morning) half an hour before ten, sent to me another unknown man, signifying that, that friend, who yesternight promised to re-visit me this morning, by reason of other urgent business, could not come, nevertheless, at three of the Clock in the afternoon, he would again see me. But after I had, with a most vehement desire expected him, till almost eight a Clock, I began to doubt in the truth of the matter. Besides, my Wife also, a very curious Searcher in the Art of that Laudable man, came to me, troubling me, by reason of the Philosophick Art, cited in that aforesaid Severe, and Honest man; saying, Go to, let us try, I pray thee, the Verity of the work, according to what the man said. For otherwise, I certainly shall not sleep all this night.

But I answered; I pray let us deferr it till tomorrow; perhaps the man will come then. Nevertheless, when I had ordered my Son to kindle the fire; these thoughts arose in me; That man indeed, otherwise in his discourses so Divine, is now found the first time guilty of a Lye. A second time, when I would make Experiment of my Stollen Matter hid under my Nayl, but to no purpose, because the Lead was not transmuted into Gold. Lastly, a third time, he gave me so very little of the Matter, for tinging so great a Mass of Lead; that he almost drove me to Desperation.

Notwithstanding these thoughts, I commanded yellow Wax to be brought, wherein to wrap the Matter, and finding Lead, I cut off half an Ounce, or six Drachmes. My Wife wrapped the Matter of the Stone in the Wax, and when the Lead was in Flux, she cast in that little Mass, which, with Hissing and Flatuosity, so performed its Operation in the Crucible well closed, as in one quarter of an hour, the whole Mass of Lead was transmuted into the best Gold. Certainly, had I lived in the Age of Ovid, I could not have believed, any Metamorphosis more rare, than this of the Chimical Art; but if I could behold things with the hundred Eyes of Argus, I should scarcely see any work of Nature more admirable. For this Lead, mixt with the Stone of the Wise, and in the Fire melted, demonstrated to us a most beautiful colour, yea, I say, it was most green; but when I poured it out into a [Cone, or] fusory Cup, it received a colour like blood, and when it waxed cold, shined with the colour of the best Gold: I, and all who were present with me, being amazed, made what haste we could with the Aurificate Lead (even before it was through cold) to a Gold-Smith, who after a precious Examen, judged it to be Gold most excellent, and that in the whole world, better could not be found; withall, adding, that for every Ounce of such Gold, he would give 50 Florens.

The next day, the rumour of this wonderful Metallick Transmutation was

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spread all over our Hague; whence many illustrious men, and lovers of Art, made hast to me, among which, by name, the General Examiner of the Moneys of this Province of Holland, Dn. Porelius, came to me, with certain other illustrious men, earnestly desiring, that I would communicate to them some small particle of my Artificial Gold, to prove it by legitimate Examens: these, for their curiosity sake, I willingly gratified; and we went together to the house of a certain very curious Silver-Smith, by name Brechtelius, in whose Workhouse, the Excellency of my Gold was evidenced, by that form of Probation, which Skillful Artists call Quarta, viz. when they in a Crucible melt three or four parts of Silver, with one part of Gold, and then by hammering, reduce that mixture into thin Plates, on which they pour a sufficient quantity of Aquafortis, by which the Silver is dissolved, but the Gold settles to the bottome, like a black powder. Afterward, the Aqua fortis is poured off, and the golden powder, is again put into a Crucible, and by strong fire reduced to Gold.

But when this work was ended, we supposed, that one half of the Gold was vanished, yet in the very deed it was not so: for we found that the Gold, besides it own weight, had transmuted some part of the Silver into Gold, viz. two drams of the Gold, transmuted two scruples of the Silver (through the abundance of its Tincture) into like Gold Homogeneal to it self.

After this, we, suspecting that the Silver was not well separated from the Gold, did presently make a mixture with seven times as much Antimony. And after this Examen, we lost eight grains of Gold; but when I had again evaporated the Antimony, I found nine grains of Gold, yet in colour somewhat pale. Thus, in the best Tryal of Fire, we lost nothing of this Gold, And this infallible kind of Probation, I thrice performed in presence of those most noble and illustrious Men, and found, that every Dram of Gold acquired from the Silver for an augmentation to itself, one Scruple of Gold: and the Silver, is pure good, and very flexible. So, according to this, the five drams of Gold, attracted to itself from the Silver, five scruples; and (that I may together, and at once, comprise all that remains to be said) the whole weight which that Laudable Powder, in quantity so exceeding small, did transmute, was six drams, and two scruples, of a more vile Metal, into Gold, in such a wise fixed, as it was able perseveringly to sustain the most intense Torture of Fire.

Behold! thus have I exactly, from first to last, commemorated this History. The Gold I indeed have, but where, or in what Land or Countrey Elias the Artist is at this day hospited, I am wholly ignorant, for he told me, his purpose was to abide in his own Country no longer then this Summer; that after he would travil into Asia, and visit the Holy-Land. Let the most wise King of Heaven (under the Shadow of whose divine Wings he hath hitherto layn hid) by his Administratory Angels accompany him in his intended Journey, and prosper it so, as he living to a great Age, may with his inestimable Talent greatly succour the whole Republick of Christians, and after this Life gloriously behold, and partake of the prepared Inheritance of Life Eternal. Amen.

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The Story of Wenceslaus Seilerus

The following story of the Friar Wenceslaus Seilerus who found some transmuting powder in his monastery, is a kind of moral tale, in which the hero is repeatedly tricked and deceived by people who wanted to gain his secret. However, this tale is based on a real documented individual, Wenzel Seyler, who was later ennobled as Wenzel von Reinburg by the Austrian Emperor Leopold I. His story, no doubt with many embellishments was written up by J. J. Becher.

Becher, John Joachim [1635-1682]. Magnalia Naturae: or, the Philosophers-Stone Lately expos’d to publick Sight and Sale. Being A true and exact Account of the Manner how Wenceslaus Seilerus The late Famous Projection-maker, at the Emperours Court, at Vienna, came by, and made away with a very great Quantity of Pouder of Projection, by projecting with it before the Emperor, and a great many Witnesses, selling it, &c. for some years past. Published at the Request, and for the Satisfaction of several Curious and Ingenious, especially of Mr. Boyl, &c. By John Joachim Becher, One of the Council of the Emperor, and a Commissioner for the Examen of this Affair... London, Printed by Tho. Dawks, His Majesties British Printer, living in Black-fryers. Sold also by La. Curtis, in Goat Court on Ludgate hill, 1680.

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The Translator

To the Reader.

There is no ingenious man that is not unaquainted with the Curiosities to be met with in the World, who hath not either seen som Transmutation of Metals, or at least heard so many witness that they have seen it; as to be perswaded that their is such Thing as the Philosophers-Stone, or Powder of Projection. Only there be some great men (as his Highness Prince Rupert, who hath seen the Projection at Frankfort, in Germany) who seem to question whether such a Pouder or Tincture is prepared with Profit. But this Doubt is hereby now fully cleared and resolved, from the great quantity of this Tincture left buried by the Abbot Founder of the Church it was found in: (as this Relation informs you) for it is not credible that the Abbot was Master, before he had done the Work, of such an immense Treasure, as he must needs have had to draw so much Tincture from: which could not be extracted (if the Preparation thereof is without profit), from a lesser quantity of Gold than it gives or yield again in the Projection: so that the same quanity of Gold as it yields again must have been spoiled to make it; which it is not credible an Abbot of Germany was Master of, as is said. And, for the Truth of this Relation, besides that, it is attested by many men of great Quality, good parts, Probity, and Modesty, by the Emperor himself; by Count Wallestein who was Resident here a year ago; and by Dr.

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Becher at present in this City. It is so publickly known through all parts of Germany, chiefly about Vienna where this was transacted, that to doubt, or deny it, were as absurd, as if one denyed that the West-Indies have bin found out of late years, or that there be ships at Sea, because he hath seen neither.

But among the many remarkable Passages in this Relation, one thing is most worthy of Observation, viz. the Honesty of F. Fra. Preyhausen, who deserves to be chronicled for his Faithfulness and Truth to F. Wenceslaus the Finder of this Pouder: for he wanted neither frequent Opportunities nor specious Pretences to effect what som Princes could not forbear to attempt (i.e. to rob Wenceslaus of his Powder) tho without a certainty of Success, and tho he was himself sure of Success, for he was thrice, for a good while each time, entrusted with the Box, and might find Excuses enough for it: yet he not only did not succomb to the Temptation of getting All, as they did; but did not so much as deny, purloin, or withhold the least part of the Pouder from F. Wenceslaus, even when (seeing how he squandered it away) he had a good pretence to keep back some for his use: and might justly have claimed and reserved some for his own use also, not only for his Services, but for the great Dangers he had exposed himself to for his sake; thus keeping True to the End, even against his own Right and so great a Temptation. A faithful man who can find? (Pro. 20.6.) But here such one is found, and that among the Fryers! Whence I am glad to Observe, That all the Fryers are not quite so black as some make them; and to see that among them, as well as among other Sects some good men are to be found who make conscience of an Oath, and keep it tho to their loss. Thanks be to F. Francis’s Honesty for so much as we know of this whole Concern. I am sure that if he had what his Honesty deserves, what the Emperor hath done for Wenceslaus had bin bestowed upon him; and that Wenceslaus himself, whilst in the Dungeon, would have said with all his heart, that if he would do for him what he hath done, he would deserve what he hath not had, I mean the whole Pouder: But Honesty meets seldom with what it deserves.

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Magnalia Naturae:

Or, the

Truth

of

The Philosophers Stone

Asserted:

Being exposed to Publick Sight and Sale in our Daies.

The place where Wenceslaus Seilerus (who is the main Subject of this

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following Discourse) was born, I am not certain whether it was at Vienna, yea or no; But I am sure he was of the Austrian Country: and his brother did wait upon the Count of Weissenwolf, the younger. After, Seilerus himself, when he was about the 20th year of his Age, he was cast into a Monastery of the Augustine Fryers at Bruna in Moravia: where, after his year of Probation, he took the Habit upon him, and was admitted into the Number of Fryers, though it were against his Will, as he afterwards confessed, and as the Event did make appear: For having once made Profession of the Order, he did continually strive and study how he might free himself from the Monastery, and seeing that could not be done without Money, and Money, in his Circumstances, could not lawfully be obtained: He began to study an indirect way for the obtaining thereof, for his fellow Fryers having often muttered to him of some great Treasure hid in their Monastery, he had a great desire to find it.

And in order thereunto, he did not scruple to learn the Magick Art, if any one had been ready to inform him therein: wherein Fortune seemed to favour his desires, for there was an old Woman, a Cow-keepers wife, living before the Gate of the Town, and Fortress, who was skilful therein, and he came to be acquainted with her upon this Occasion.

The younger Monks and Students, as they were called, are allowed some set daies, every week, to walk out of the Gates of the City, to enjoy the open Air and to refresh their minds, supposed to be wearied with study; In these Relaxations one Company dispersed it self here, another there, as they think fit for their Divertisment. But Fryer Wenceslaus (for so I shall hereafter call him) made use of this Occasion, alwayes to visit the said old woman, and on the pretence of drinking New milk, to interogate her concerning her Art. And in a short time he got so much into her Favour as to obtain from her a small Wax-ball marked with certain Figures or Characters, which was of that Virtue, That, if it was laid upon the Ground, it would presently run to the place where any Treasure was hid: (This Ball I afterwards saw often in his Custody, and handled it with my hands.)

It happened afterwards, That, as the Custom is for the old Fathers when they grow weak, to have some young Fryers to assist them; so, Fryer Wenceslaus was assigned to attend an ancient Father, who was a Cabalist, and a lover of Magick, in which studies, at any Vacancies, he spent his time. He often told Fryer Wenceslaus, That there was a Vast Treasure hid in the Church of their Monastery; to whom Wenceslaus replyed, That he had got a Ball which, he was assured, had the Virtue to discover hidden Treasures: And, thereupon he shewed him the Ball, and the Characters impressed thereon, which the old Father did seriously consider, and much valued them.

A while after, as they two were walking alone in the Church, afore day, after Mattens, they Tryed the Ball, by laying it down in several Places, but found no effect; At last, placing it near a certain Pillar old and ruinous, it began to shew its Efficacy and Virtue by its often running thereto: This they Interpreted for a certain Indication, That the Treasure was there hid; but how to come at it was the Question. They had neither

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Leave, Means nor Opportunity to break down this stony structure, neither did they certainly know at what height or depth thereof the Treasure was laid in it. So that upon these Discouragements they were forced to let it alone.

But it happened afterwards, That, a great Tempest arising, The whole Church, as especially this decayed Pillar, was so shaken and spoiled, that to prevent its falling down, the Abbot was necessitated to order it to be demolished. And in regard the old Father, whom Fryer Wenceslaus attended, had skill in Architecture, and by reason of his Infirmities could not be otherwise serviceable to the Monastery, he was therefore appointed to oversee the Masons; which Office he and his Assistant Fryer Wenceslaus did willingly undertake, and were very sedulous in their Attendance, and discharge thereof. When the Pillar was almost all pulled down, They found therein a Copper-box, of a reasonable bigness, which the old Father presently snatched up and carryed it into his Cloyster, and immediately opened it: Where, at the Top, he found a piece of Parchment, on which there was some Inscription and Writing: I once had a Copy of it, but I lost it amongst my other Letters; But this I remember, It contained the number of the years wherein the Church was built, and the Name of the Abbot the Founder thereof, who had been an Envoye at Ratisbone; I do also remember, That amongst other Writings, there was this Motto, AMICE TIBI SOLI, which I English thus, Friend, to thy self alone. Under this Parchment there were other Letters laid, marked with Characters, which contained Directions how to multiply the Powder, as the Inscription shewed: and under them there were four Boxes full of a red Powder.

When the Boxes were opened, Fryer Wenceslaus was quite out of Heart, having lost his preconceived hope of some great Treasure therein: for he verily believed that, if there were not old Pieces of Gold, yet some Diamonds, or other precious stones must have been lodghed there. And finding no such thing, but four Boxes of darkish colored Powder, he was so impatient at the Disappointment, that, if he had been the sole Manager of the Business, he had thrown away Boxes, Powder and all: For at that time he was so little acqainted with Chymistry, that so much as the Name was not known to him, and he had scarce heard of the word Tincture.

But the old Father was not so Transported, but told him, That perhaps some Medicinal Virtue was contained in the Powder, and that the Character in the annexed Papers might possibly discover its Use, and therefore he was resolved to study some Books, to find out what those Characters meant: In the mean time he would carefully keep the Box.

Not long after, The old Father sent Fryer Wenceslaus into the Kitchin of the Monastery, to see if he could find an old Peuter dish or Plate, which was no longer fit for use, and if he could, to bring it to him; which he accordingly did, who thereupon caused a Coal-fire to be made, and put a Crucible into Fryer Wenceslaus hand, to place therein; This was the first Chymical Operation that ever Fryer Wenceslaus performed in all his Life, and for which he was so unfit, that he placed the Crucible upside down, so

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that the old Father himself was forced to set it in its right Posture. They put the Pewter Plate broken and folded together into the Crucible, which being presently melted, the Father took out some of the Pouder (so much as would lay upon the point of a Knife) which was in one of the four Boxes, and wrapping it in a little wax, he cast it into the Crucible upon the Pewter, and commanded his Assistant Fryer Wenceslaus to blow up the Fire, adding these Words, Now I shall see whether I have well decyphered the Characters, and whether I have found the use of this Pouder.

As soon as ever the Powder was cast in, the Pewter stood still, came to a suddain Congelation. Then the Fire was suffered to go out, and the Crucible to wax cold, which being broken, there was found a ponderous mass of Metals, very yellow and variegated with red lines: Upon which the Father made Fryer Wenceslaus to go out into the Town, upon pretence of getting a Book to be bound, and wished him to go to some Gold-smith, and shew him this Mass of Metal, alleadging to him, That he had some ancient Roman Coins of Gold, which he had melted down, but for want of a sufficient Fire and other Defects, he had not done it exactly; and therefore he desired the Gold-smith to melt it over again, and cast it in an Ingot; The Gold-smith gratified him therein, and Fryer Wenceslaus, at the command of the Father took off a small piece, which he Preserved, and then asked the Gold-smith, What the rest was worth? Who, after he had weighed and tryed on the Touchstone, did value it at Twenty Ducats (which are worth two Crows a piece) at which Rate Fryer Wenceslaus sold it to him, and receiving the Money, returned joyfully home. The old Father did only desire the remaining Portion of the Gold, which he had reserved, but suffered Fryer Wenceslaus to injoy the Ducats, yet with this Advice, That he should discover it to none in the Monastery.

But Fryer Wenceslaus, though he had not been Master of so much Money for a long time, was not satisfied therewith, but entertained various thoughts in his mind, whether he should by Flight free himself from that Bondage and Slavery he was in, whilest he had the Advantage of so much Cash? Or else, whether he should stay so long there, till either by Flattery or Craft, he had got the Copper Boxes from the old Father. To the first of these Cogitations he was edged on, by the eagerness of that Desire he had to leave the Monastery: But then, the great Heap of Gold which he might make with the Powder, as he well conjectured, if he could get it into his hands, did somewhat abate his Fervor, and perswade him to stay. For, though he was yet altogether ignorant of Chymistry, yet the precedent Tryals had given him so much Light, That he was fully perswaded, The Box contained and was worth a vast Treasure; and, though at that time, the Rareness of the Powder, and the multiplication of it had very small Influence upon his Thoughts: yet, because he had a share in finding of it out, by means of his Ball, he therefore thought that half of it at least did belong to him.

But there was another thing which more perplexed his mind, and that was the Fear, That the old Father, either out of a Principle of Devotion, or of Vain-Glory, should discover the whole story of the Business to the Abbot, and by that means should make away all the Pouder; and he was rather

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inclined to these Cogitations, because he had observed, That the Father, who before had been more remiss in hiding the Box, now of late was so solicitous to preserve it, that he kept it continually in his Desk, and scarce stirred from it, except when he was to go to Church with Fryer Wenceslaus.

Being moved with these Considerations, he was induced to demand boldly some Quantity of this Powder of the old man. The Answer he received, was, That he was yet too young to know how to dispose of, and to keep well this Powder: besides, he wanted no Money whilst he was in the Monastery; and, if he should procurea summ by means of this Powder, in his present Condition, it would be very prejudicial both to his Soul and body, and he might become thereby of all men most miserable: Moreover (proceeds the Father) This Powder may have many other Vrtues and Operations which are yet unknown both to you and me, and therefore I will farther study the Writings annexed to it, and hereafter I will be mindful of you, but at present I will not part with any of the Powder, only you shall have every week two Crowns allowed for your Divertisements: thus the Father; But this fair story founded not well in the Fryers ears, who had a private Design (unknown to the old Father) to leave the Monastery.

In the Interim it happened, That as they two were returning from Mattens, early in the Morning, the old Father complained of Cold he had got, and a great Rheum in his head, and desired Fryer Wenceslaus to go to the Cellar and fetch him a Cup of Sack, he did so, and upon his Return he found the Father taken with a Fit of an Apoplexy, and Speechless: whereupon, the first thing he did was to find out the Key of his Desk, and taking from thence the Copper Box, he carryed it to his own Cell, and hid it there. This being done, he rang the Bell in the Fathers Cell to call up the Monks, who came flying with all Diligence to bring him some Remedies, but they were too late the Father being quite dead: Hereupon his Desk was presently sealed up, and solemn Ceremonies according to the occasion were performed over his dead Body. But who more inwardly joyful than Fryer Wenceslaus, from whom Death had removed his Rival, and made him to be Master of all the whole Treasure.

Hereupon he began to deliberate with himself how he might make his Escape out of the Monastery with most Safety and least Suspicion. But herein many Difficulties did accrew: He was grown a little deboist and prodigal by the Opportunity of the 20 Ducats abovementioned, which he had to spend; and by that means he had incurred the Emulation of his Fellow Fryers, who did urge the Pryor and Superiour, That, the old Father being now dead, and so Fryer Wenceslaus discharged from his Attendance on him, he should for the Future be bound to a stricter Discipline, both in reference to his Studies, as also his frequenting the Church. Moreover his Ducats were all spent, and no opportunity offerd to make another Tryal, or if he had, he could not hav sold the Product of it.

In this Anxiety he resolved to open his mind to another Monk, a Comrade of his, one Fryer Francis Preyhausen, That so they might mutually consult

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together what was best to be done: for you must know this Fryer was intimate with Fryer Wemceslaus, as having entred into the Colledge at the same time; and, being also a young man, was weary of a Monastical life, as well as he.

Whilest these things were in Consult, there happened a Solemn Disputation in the School of the Monastery; Where among other Theses, Fryer Francis, under a Moderator, was obliged to maintain, That Mettals can not be transmuted: And it chanced to be the turn of Fryer Wenceslaus to be the then Opponent: But, as he had made no great Proficiency in his Studies, so Fryer Francis easily bafled him, and exposed him to the laughter of the Auditory; so that in a great Passion he broke out into these Words, Why do you laugh? I can practically demonstrate the thing to be true? To whom the Moderator with great indignation, answered; Hold they peace, thou ass, wilt thou also be an Alchymist? I shall sooner be able to turn thee into an Ox, than thou to transmute the Metals. Herewith Fryer Wenceslaus’s mouth was stopped.

When the Disputation was over, Fryer Wenceslaus took occasion to confer with Fryer Francis; when they two were alone together in the Garden belonging to the Monastery, Fr. Francis thus accosted him, You have this day publickly affirmed in the Disputation, That you were able to Transmute Metals; ’Twas unadvisedly spoken of you, whether it be true or false; if it be true, and it come to the Abbot’s ear, you will not enjoy your Liberty very long: Besides, there is a great muttering in the Monastery, That the old Father and your self, found a Treasure in the Church, and, That the Masons saw a Copper box, and that a Monk of the Augustine Order sold some Gold to a Goldsmith, and that you did take from the Kitchin a Pewter plate; Moreover, the suddain Death of the old Father is not without some Suspicion; and altho you may alledg, That the money was sent you by your Friends, and it were true, that they did send you some, yet it being probable that some came another way, for which and other reflections, you would never scape Scot-free out of the Monastery, ‘twas well the Moderator took you for a Buffle-head. But, if what you have affirmed be false, you do ill again that way, by asserting that which you are not able to demonstrate. I do therefore earnestly desire you to declare unto me, as to your intimate Friend, the whole truth of this Matter.

Whereupon Fr. Wenceslaus fell down at his Feet, humbly beseeching him to swear not to discover what he should reveal to him, but to afford him his help and assistance, and then he would disclose that to him, which, upon their stealing away from the Monastery, would procure great wealth to them both, and advance them to high Dignities; and that they would equally share Happiness between them, and run alike hazard in all things. In a word, the Bargain was soon made, and they without loss of time, went into F. Francis’s Cell, where they took their mutual Oaths one to another. And then

F. Wenceslaus declared the whole Intregue and the procedure thereof to F. Francis, withal desiring him upon the first occasion to go into the City to buy there a pound of Lead, which being brought to him, he changed it into Gold, observing the Method the old Father had observed before: The

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transmuted Gold was carryed back by F. Francis into the City, and there sold to a Jew, for an 100 Ducats, though it were worth more, his pretence was as the former, that it was melted down out of ancient Coin and Meddals. Having received this Money, and thus made a strict League and Friendship with F. Francis, and the Art being now found true for the second time, they were more intent upon their Design of Escaping out of the Monastery.

But that which retarded their Resolution, was the Season of the year, it being then Winter, and a very hard one too, for they well understood, that they could not then safely take so long a Journey as they were to undergo, if they would by their Flight elude the search, (which would be made without doubt with all diligence possible after them) and avoid the punishment usually inflicted upon such an occasion. Hereupon they thought it more convenient to deferr their intended flight till the Spring following, and they were the rather induced thereunto because they had found means to pass that time merrily, by getting now and then a Cup of Wine, and a couple of roasted Pullets, which F. Francis (who was well verst in that Trade) knew well how to get, and to convey into their Chamber. But because F. Wenceslaus had as great a mind to taste ot Womens Flesh as of that of Poultry: and had lighted on a certain Austrian Drab fit for this purpose, he caused therefore some mans Apparel, with a Periwig, and sutable Accoutrements to be made ready for her.

Having thus disguised her Sex, they gave her the Name of Seignior Anastasio, and she came often to the Monastery, on pretence, That she came from Vienna, to visit her Cosin F. Wenceslaus, pretending she was his Kinsman; this lasted a while, but the Visits of this Seignior Anastasio was so frequent, that at last, he was observed to come into the Monastery sometimes, and not to go out again, by reason of his staying all night in the Cell of F. Wenceslaus, who did thus live for some weeks in dishonest Love with him: and, when he went either to the School or to the Church, he alwayes carefully carryed his Key with him.

But a matter of that Nature could be kept close no longer; soem Rumour of it came to the Ear of the Abbot or Prior, so that one Morning as F. Wenceslaus was at Mattens before day, The Abbot demanded of him the Key of his Cell, which he was forced to deliver, (but how willingly, any one may guess). The Abbot immediately, with the Pryor, and some other Monks went to his Cell and there found Seignor Anastasio naked in the Bed.

At this sight there was a general Consternation on all sides, none knew what course to take, F. Wenceslaus his mind was more in his Chamber than in the Chappel canting out his Mattens; as for Seignior Anastasio, she was doubtless as much at a loss; for, to run without her Cloaths out of the bed before such venerable Company, was no wayes thought convenient, and, as for the good Prelates, they were also uncertain how to steer; some advised to declare the matter to the Magistrate, that so Anastasio might be thrust out of the house by the Secular Power; others feared, That if they took that course, they should derogate from their Rights and Priviledges; and, if Seignior Anastasio should chance to be whipt, and to be put into the Stocks

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for dissembling her sex, the noise of such a thing would affix an indelable Character of Infamy upon their Monastery.

After some Deliberation, they concluded, That presently Anastasio should put on her Clothes, and, after a severe Reprehension, should be ejected out of the house, in the Morning before Day. And, as for Fryer Wenceslaus he was called from Mattens, and shut up in his Cell, the doors being well bolted and barred on the outside, until four Walls were prepared to enclose him, which were already built, only something was defective in the Door, which was supplyed the next day.

Whilst this was a doing, Fr. Wenceslaus found Opportunity to secure his Copper Box, and to gather together the Pouder, and by means of a Rope to let them both down at a window to Fr. Francis, who staid there on purpose to receive them; and withal he conveyed down a Letter to him, the Contents whereof was, To desire the said Fryer Francis not to forsake him in his Distress, but to use his utmost Endeavour to contrive a way for his Deliverance, withal minding him not to violate his Oath about the Powder, but to keep it safe, for as yet, to his great Comfort, it was intire.

The next day, Fr. Wenceslaus was kept Fasting, and in the evening his Back was scourged with many cruel lashes, and afterwards he was shut up close within four walls, and for a Month fed with nothing but bread and water; during which time, the Severity of the Stripes he underwent, the Disaster of Seignior Anastasio, and the hazard of the loss of his Powder did so afflict him, that he was even ready to despair; but this did somewhat relieve him, that he carried a string with him into the Dungeon, and casting it out at the hole, received sometimes both Letters and Victuals from his Comrade F. Francis: and indeed the desperate Condition of Fr. Wenceslaus did so affect his heart, that he bent all his Endeavours to excogitate ways how to free him; at last an happy opportunity offered it self upon this occasion.

Prince Charles of Lichtenstein was a great Favourer of Chymistry, and he had a Steward of his house at Bruna, to whose Friendship F. Francis had insinuated himself, and by him sent a Letter and some of the foresaid Pouder to the Prince, in which he related the lamentable Condition of Fr. Wenceslaus, and implored his Ayd for his Deliverance.

The Steward having sent the Letter, and going to Felisbourg the Princes seat, was scarce arrived but that the Prince bestowed upon him a more profitable office than that which he had before, and this Message concerning Fr. Wenceslaus was so favorably received, That he strictly injoyned him to return speedily to Bruna, and to assist Fr. Francis to the utmost in order to the Deliverance of Fryer Wenceslaus. And to that purpose, he Committed his own Seal to his Custody, to be made use of for than End, if there were occasion.

Thus the Steward returning home, did presently Consult with F. Francis to deliver F. Wenceslaus; and being delivered from his Prison and Cloyster, to

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hide and shelter him for a while in the house of his Master the said Prince of Lichtenstein: untill some convenient opportunity could be found for his passage out of the Town, and for his conveyance to the Prince of Felisburge. In order whereto Fr. Francis took Care to provide a false Key, fit to open the Dungeon, which he more easily did, because the Padlock was on the outside of the Door: and on a certain day, when Mattens were ended, he brought his Project to its desired Effect, for he opened the Door, and took out Fr. Wenceslaus, locking the Door again; and disguising him with a Cloak, Coat, and Periwig which he had prepared for that Purpose, he conveyed him through a by-gate in the Garden of the Monastery, to Lichtenstein’s house, where he shut him in a Chamber, locked the door, and Sealed it up in two places with the Princes own Seal and a Labell appendant.

The next day when the Monastery’s Porter, according to his Custom, was carrying his Bread and Water, about noon, to Fr. Wenceslaus, Lo, he was not to be found! whereupon a great Tumult was raised in the Monastery, and from thence the News to the Count de Collebrat, Governour of that Precinct, who presently commanded the Gates to be shut, and search to be made in all houses, not excepting Lichtenstein’s house it self. When they had diligently searched every Corner of this latter house, at last they came to the Chamber that was sealed up: Here the Steward of the House interposed, and told them, That that Room was the Closet of the Prince, which he had sealed up himself with his own Seal, and therefore, it could not be opened without great danger and hazard of incurring his high Displeasure.

Whereupon they desisted; and F. Wenceslaus remained hid there for some weeks, untill at length he found means, in a disguise to escape out of the Town in the morning early, at the very first opening of the Gates, and so was conveyed, with other officers, in the Princes own Coach, to Felisburgh. Being arrived there, he was courteously received and well treated by the Prince, before whom he made a notable demonstration of his Art.

But the Prince soon found, that a man in his Circumstances and of his Abilities, could not be long concealed in his Court, because the Abbot of Bruna having sent Spies after him, would certainly find him out, and would also obtain a Mandate from the supream Consistory at Vienna concerning him. Whereupon (though, as some think, the Princes Intent was to gain the whole Tincture from him) he advised him to go to Rome, and there obtain a full Discharge from his Monastical life, and to secure himself from the Abbot, which favour he profered to obtain for him by means of his Agent there: And to accommdate him for his Journey, he gave him a Bill of Exchange for 1000 Ducats, and withal provided an Italian, his Chamberlain, to bear him Company on his way.

But you must know Fr. Wenceslaus had sent away his Comrade Fr. Francis (who privately had made an Escape) to Vienna with the Tincture enjoyning him to get him a private Lodging, to abcond himself for a while, till he could commodiously contrive his Journey to Rome.

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Soon after the Italian Chamberlain and he began their Journey, and when they were about half a Daies Journey from Vienna, the Chamberlain on a suddain picked a Quarrel with him, and holding a Pistol to his Breast, threatened to kill him, unless he would deliver him the Tincture.

F. Wenceslaus being thus unexpectedly assaulted, was much abashed, and calling God to Witness, protested, That the Tincture was not, for the present, in his hands, but that he had sent it before by his Companion F. Francis to Vienna whom the said Chamberlain had himself seen to undertake that Journey a few daies before.

The Chamberlain was the rather induced to believe his asservation, because upon Search both of him and his Portmantle, he found nothing at all of the Tincture therein. Hereupon, They came to Terms between them, F. Wenceslaus was to give the Chamberlain 100 Ducats, and an Amnesty to be for their suddain falling out, and so they agreed and bid one another, Farewell.

The Chamberlain, being a Covetous Italian, was glad of the Money, and F. Wenceslaus was glad to be rid of him, having escaped such an hazard, and being now likely to attain Vienna, where he arrived in the Evening of the same day, and told his Companion F. Francis what had hapned to him in every Circumstance upon the way. He being a subtle man, did easily perceive by his Relation, what was the Mystery of his designed Journey to Rome, and that his Bill of Exchange was but a meer Collusion, whereupon they both resolved to take another course for their safety, in order whereunto, by means of a Saxon whose name was Gorits, a crafty fellow, and a Clerk in the Chancery of Bohemia, they became acquainted with one Count Schlick, a person of great sagacity, then living in Vienna, a great Faavourer of Chymistry, but had lately received some affronts from the Court, he was very glad of their acquaintance, and presently took F. Wenceslaus into his Protection, and brought him to his House, where he made some Tryalls, and withal gave him some of the Tincture, that he himself might make one.

But as for F. Francis, he always lodged abroad. After some Weeks, Count Schlick told F. Wenceslaus, that he could no longer secure him after that rate at Vienna, for both the Clergy and also the Prince of Lichtenstein, had an ill Eye upon him, for his sake; and being already disfavoured at Court, he should runa further hazard, by concealing of him; nevertheless he would shew him what courtesy he could, and if he pleased, he would send him to one of his own Country-Houses and Castles in Bohemia, where he might remain in greater security, and accordingly he prepared all things for the Journey. F. Wenceslaus did easily perceive the intention of the Count, for before he had observed , that the Count’s Footmen did observe him as narrowly as the Monks had done in the Monastery, and therefore perceiving what was to be done with him, he made his Escape through an Arch in the Wine Cellar, built after the Italian fashion, the day before he was to go to Bohemia (a place designed for his perpetual Imprisonment) and retiring to the lodging of his friend F. Francis, to whom having related what had hapned to him again, upon deliberation they both agreed to extricate themselves out of all these hazards, and to acquaint the Emperour with the

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whole matter.

And to introduce them into his presence, they knew none more fit than a Spanish Count called de Paar (whose Brother named Peter, was Hereditary Post-master, in the Emperours Hereditary Country) he was a great Alchymist, a Factious and Seditious man, and one much troubled with the Gout,yet he had found means to creep into the Emperours favour: therefore this gain unlookt for was no less acceptable to him, than to the others before, for he had heard a great while before of F. Wenceslaus, and had an extream passion to be acquainted with him, and fancied that he should see strange things in him, as King Herod did of Christ, whose first, he acted the part cunningly enough, as you shall presently hear. They agreed together, that

F. Wenceslaus should abide Incognito at his House, where he was as much observed as at the House of Count Schlick.

Here he made another small Tryal, whereupon Count Paar went to the Emperour, and discovered to him the whole Business. But his Imperial Majesty who (by reason of the great and weighty concerns of the Empire, doth not only not much regard or value Learning, as his Father did, except what contributes to his Recreation, as Plays, Musick and the like, but also had a particular aversness from Alchymy, holding that for a meer Imposter, which did cost his Royal Father and his Uncle the Arch-Duke Leopold, so much expence, both of Mony and Time) gave no great heed to the Proposition made by Count Paar, especially it having been related to him, that this F. Wenceslaus was a fugitive Monk, and had led a dissolute life; and moreover by Report was accused of Magick.

The Spanish Count Paar having heard this Repartee of the Emperour, being a subtil man, and easily foreseeing those Objections would be made, had armed himself against them: upon which he thus replyed to his Imperial Majesty; That he did confess, that there was a great weight in all the Objections made by his Majesty, yet without presuming, being so mean a person to Impose upon his Imperial Majesty, it seemed to him, that though the Case were extraordinary, yet nevertheless the Dictates of common Reason were to be obeyed, which doth advise sometimes to consider of things, abstracted from the persons they concern, it being evident, that some men though ill in themselves yet have been the Authors of Useful Inventions, of which Truth, Instances might be given near at hand, in regard his Imperial Majesty had many notable Inventions in his Archieves, which owed their Originals to bad men, yea, some of them accused of the same miscarriages as F. Wenceslaus, and since it is true, that some good things are done by some bad men; it being no less true, that all men are Sinners, must we therefore reject all their laudable Inventions and all the good Works they do. A notable Example whereof (preceeded he) lyes as yet fresh before your Majesty, Joseph Burrhi was accused of Heresy, and being taken at Vienna, was sent to Rome, but after Pennance, he was pardoned upon the score of his knowledge, rather that of his person, and the Germans his Accusers were by this means deceived; of which I myself (says he) at that time being Burrhus his Commissary at Vienna, did forewarn them, but in vain. Your Majesty (said he farther) is a person, with whom God seems to deal after a peculiar

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manner, having wonderfully delivered you from many imminent dangers, and now in these necessitous and indigent times, cruel Warrs being also in prospect, your Hereditary Countries being also exhausted, the Divine Bounty seems to offer you a mean and way how you may most pitty and spare your Subjects: It is the Devils Policy to cast suspicion upon all extraordinary Assistances, that so he may make them useless; but (says he) it is as great a Sin not to accept of things when offered, as to abuse them when they are accepted. As for myself (saith he) I have no great reason to be a Friend to Chymistry, having suffered so much loss by it, as your Imperial Majesty well knows, neither did I find any Truth in the Art, save only in this Pouder of F. Wenceslaus, and the transmutation made thereby. But as in referrence to that Tryal, he dared pawn his Credit it would succeed; and if his Majesty would not believe his word, yet he might depute some persons to see a Trial made; for his part, he thought he was bound in Conscience to discover the whole business to his Majesty, referring it wholy to him, whether he would graciously accept the Proposal and protect the person that made it, or else discard them both; still hoping nevertheless, that his Majesty would not take his good Intention in ill part, nor exclude him from his Favour; wishing for a Conclusion, That he would cause one Trial to be made under the Inspections of some persons; unprejudiced, that so his Imperial Majesty might be satisfied, at least in this one thing, that he had not made the Proposition to him without sufficient reason: Thus he concluded his Harangue. The Emperor, as he is gratious to all Suitors, so he gave favourable attention to the Count’s discourse, and commended him for it; Only (saies he to the Count) “Alchymy is a subtil Imposture, and though you yourself may mean honestly, yet perhaps you also may be deceived thereby, otherwise I do not (adds he) at all despise the wonderful Works of God, but do highly value them, and accept of his Gift with all hearty thankfulness, and I do well know how long my Father took very great pains in that Art; and how highly he prized that little which was shewed him by the Baron Chaos, and rewarded him for it; besides, I know full well how to make a distinction between the Art, and the life of its Professors”. Only least he should expose himself, and shew himself too easy, he gave the Count order to make another Tryal, and to procure the Presence of other skilful Persons both of the Clergy and Laity: That so he might make him a more exact Relation of the Matter with all the Circumstance, and receive further orders of his Majesty concerning them.

Count Parma [Paar] being returned home from his Audience: The very same day he sent to Father Spies and Dr. Becher to invite them to Dine with him the next day, adding these Words in his Message, That he had a Business to communicate to them from the Emperour. The next day, they all accordingly met. F. Wenceslaus being present, where after Dinner Count Paarmade known his Commission, and forthwith caused an ounce of Schlachenwald Tin, and a new Crucible to be bought, which Materials being prepared and tried, and for fear of Inchantment, ex abundanti cantesa; sprinkled with Holy water: The Trial began, and was finished within a quarter of an hour, one part Tinged, ten Thousand parts into Gold, which was so graduated by the Tincture, that it was almost Friable, and was striated and distinguished with red Veines interspersed, of which, as likewise of the Tin before it

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was tinged, both the Count de Paar, and also Father Spies, and Dr. Becher, each of them took a little piece for a perpetual Memorial of the thing. The rest was sealed up with their three Seals, and the same quantity of the Powder as this Projection was made with was also enclosed with it, and the thing was by all three suscribed to.

The next day, Count Paar went to his Imperial Majesty, and delivered it to him, making also a full Relation of all the particular Circumstances in the Trial.

Hereupon the Emperour enjoyned him to treat Fr. Wenceslaus kindly, and to assure him of his Favour, moreover advising him to refrain his ill and scandalous life, and to satisfy the Clergy, that he would reassume the Monastical Habit, and for the rest he would take Care; and till he had enquired further into the thing, he would for his Security send him into some private place.

The Count returned home very joyful with this Commission, and the very same Evening he caused F. Wenceslaus to be re-vested with his Monks Habit by two English Fathers of the Augustine Order, Father Dunoll and Father Vostaller: A Letter was also writ to his Abbot at Bruna, informing him, that he might set his mind at rest concerning him, because he had laid aside his Monks habit, and cloathed himself with other Apparel, for no other Reason, but because he would free himself from the hardship of a Prison, and to make a Journey to Vienna, to discover a great Secret, which he had, to his Imperial Majesty, which being now done, he had again resumed his Monks habit.

All this was done to perswade him, that they meant him nothing but good, to make him call again for all the Tincture from his Comrade, and to keep him from conversing any longer with those which before were his most intimate Aquaintance, as counting himself sufficiently secured against all Violence, by the Emperors Protection, and his Monks Habit: So that Count Paar was as a Father to him, and he, on the other side, as his adopted son. These two new Friends, undertook a Voyage together, to a Country-house of the Count’s (adjoyning to a certain Lake) which he had in Hungary, distant about a dayes Journey from Vienna.

Being come thither, the very same night they two being alone in a Chamber, The Count plucked out a Decree of the Emperor’s (as he pretended) which was sealed up, adding these words, My Son, Into what Gulf of Misery art thou cast? Here I have a Command in writing from the Emperor, to demand the Tincture of Thee, and if thou refusest to deliver it, then to my great Grief, I must execute upon Thee the Sentence contained in this sealed Decree.

Fryer Wenceslaus desired to read the Decree; but, the Count replyed, If it be opened, it must be immediately executed! and withal plucking a Pistol out of his Pocket, he directed it to his Breast, Sighing, and breaking forth in these Words, Into what miserys are we both Cast! Yet

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notwithstanding if thou wilt harken to my Counsel, (from whence thou maist gather my Love and Fatherly Care, and free both of us from this great Misfortune, and make our Condition very happy) I will give it to thee.

Nothing was more grateful to Fr. Wenceslaus than to hear this Condition, and having given him his hand that he would follow it:

The Count began thus, ’Tis certain (saith he) That you and I do both stand in need of the Emperours Protection, and ’tis as certain, That we shall be forced to deliver the Tincture to him. My Advice then is, (which I refer to you for your approbation and consent) I will pretend, that being injoyned to make a stricter Examination of this Tinging Powder, that I have employed it all, in order it its multiplication, to try whether it might be augmented for the greater Benefit and Advantage of his Majesty. However, we may both be sheltered under the Continuance of the Emperors Protection, and yet we may keep the Tincture; And after the time designed for its augmentation is elapsed, we will easily devise some colorable Excuse, to evade it; as, That the Glass was broken, or some Error committed in the Operation. For the Truth is, (said he) The Emperours Court is not worthy so great a Treasure; it will be Prostituted there and made common. But to ingage thy self to me in a greater degree of Faithfulness, Thou must not refuse to give me half the Tincture, and we will take a mutual Oath to be faithful one to the other, as long as we live, and for what now hath passed between us, it shall be buried in perpetual oblivion. The Emperor shall never know any thing of it, neither shall he ever have any of the Tincture.

Fr. Wenceslaus was fain to make an Agreement on those Terms which were drawn up in writing, subscribed with both their hands, and confirmed by their mutual Oaths; and so the Tincture was divided betwixt them. The Count made Tryal by himself alone the next day, with some of his proportion thereof, to try whether he had not been deceived therein: but he found it Right and Good.

Having staid a while at his Country House, he was about to return to Vienna; but he was taken so grievously sick of a fit of the Gout, that out of the intollerable Torment which he felt, he drank some Aurum Potabile, which Burrhy had given him heretofore; but with this Caution, That is was not yet perfect. Having tasted a few drops thereof, he presently felt a most grievous and vehement pain in his Joynts, so that he could hardly perform his Journey with Fr. Wenceslaus to Vienna. But the first night after his coming, he was so afflicted with heat, that all his Entrails seemed to be on a Flame; as he complained himself. The Day following his Physician, the Son of Dr. Sorbat, whose Name was Kreisset, who was also Physician to the Emperors Army was sent for, who considering his present Condition, applyed to properest remedies he could, which availed him nothing, but bad Symptoms did grow upon him, that the third day his Case was judged desperate.

The Count himself was also being sensible of his Death approaching, caused his Brother the Master of the Post-Office to the Emperor, Count Peter de

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Paar, his only heir, (for the sick Brother was a Batchelour) to be sent for about night: to whom he spoke in these Words:

It was foretolf to me heretofore in Italy, That I should obtain the Tincture, and, That soon after I should dye! The first part of the Prophecy is fulfilled, and the latter is near to hand to be accomplished; I know, That you have bestowed as much time and Expence in this Art as myself; I have nothing more valuable to leave you, and which, nothing can be more acceptable to you, than a Notable Portion of Tincture, which I have sealed up in this Desk, and shall entrust in the hand of may Confessor, who upon my decease, shall deliver it to you.

After which words, he delivered the Desk to his Confessor, who was present and heard him speak them. Count Peter not imagining his Brother was so near his End, took his leave of him for that Night, and rode home, because it was very late. And his Brother soon after departing this Life, his Confessor also took Coach, and went home to the Monastery of St. Francis, not far distant from the Emperial Post Office at Vienna. The Death of the Deceased Count being signified to his Brother, by his Footmen who had accompanied the Confessor home.

The Count immediately rose out of his Bed, being but newly entred thereinto, and cloathing himself, gallopped at two of the clock in the morning, to the Monastery of the Franciscans, and, after he had knocked fiercely at the Gate for admittance, the drowsy Porter arose and let him in; the Count desired to be admitted to the Speech of the Confessor of his newly deceased Brother, but it was replyed, It was an unseasonable time for such a Visit, in regard the old man was weak, and weary, and being newly returned home, was laid down to rest. The Count was not satisfied with this Answer, but was very earnest with the Porter to accompany him and some of his Attendants to the old Father’s Cell: he making Excuses, the Count rushed in presently himself, and awaked him, demanding the Desk which his Brother had deposited in his hands, as now rightfully belonging unto him.

The Father was much surprized at his suddain irruption and demand: which he did the more suspect, because it was made at such an unseasonable time of the night: wherefore he desired the Count to hold himself contented till the Morning, and then he shouls have the Desk delivered unto him without fail, only he desired to deliver it in before the Father Guardian, and that he would then give him his acquittance for the Recept thereof. The Count, not content with this Answer, by the help of his Attendants and Servants, endeavored to get it from him by force.

Whereupon a Tumult arose; The Watch was sent for, the Monks were also gathered together, and a Spanish Bishop of the same Order, the Confessor of the Empress Margaret, then lodging in the Monastery, was also roused out of his sleep, who hearing such a tumultous Noise in the Monastery, a priviledged place, was so much concerned thereat, that he enquired into the occasion, whilst the Count was yet present, and understanding that it arose upon the score of a sealed Desk: he demanded it of the Father who had it in

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keeping: which having received from him, the next morning he carried it with him to the Emperor, and complained grievously against the Count, as being the occasion of that nights Uproar: In the meantime, as soon as it was day, the noise hereof was spread all over the City: and among the rest it reached the Ears of F. Wenceslaus, who presently hastned to Court, and by means of the Empress’s Confessor obtained Audience, he related to the Emperor the whole Story how the Count had used him in Hungary, how he had extorted from him half the Tincture, how he was necessitated, by a forced Agreement, not to discover any thing hereof whilst he was living, but was now free from the Obligation of his Oath by the Count’s Death, that he was very glad that the Tincture was at length come into the Hands of the right Owner his Imperial Majesty, for whom he had long before designed it; he did therefore now implore nothing more of his Imperial Majesty, but that he would afford him his Protection, against the Violence of Count Peter Paar, his Postmaster, and his Adherents.

The Emperor perceiving the wonderful Series of this Affair, presently entertained F. Wenceslaus at his Court, and committed him to the Care and Inspection of Count Wallestein, the Imperial Governor of Hatschirr.

About this time, the Post-master above-mentioned dyed also. F. Wenceslaus being thus received into the Emperours Protection, had his Lodgings assigned him by the Imperial Bowling-Green, where he made some Tryals before the Emperour and Count Austin of Wallestein his Guardian, and in the Pallace of the Johannites in the Carinthian-street, he made one of his 15 Marks, as they say, out of which Transmutations the Count Wallestein made him a Gold Chain, to keep in perpetual Memory of the thing. Moreover he did deposite some of his Tincture in the Court, for augmentation, and, as farr as I can judge, by the Process delivered to me, he had a great desire to get the Mercury of Silver, how far he proceeded in it, I do not certainly knowl, but some affirm, that he made some progress therein.

In the mean time he both desired to be acquainted with some noted Chymists and eminent Artists, and several Imposters and Sophisters intruded themselves into his acquaintance, so that from thence resulted very frequent junketings, drinkings and merry meetings, and many foolish trifling Processes wrought by him; from whence F. Wenceslaus learned rather several cunning and subtil Impostures, than any real augmentation of his Pouder: But the noise and multitude of so many Importunate Visitants, being cumbersom at Court, where F. Wenceslaus had his Diet, under the severe inspection of Count Wallestein, he thereupon pretended, that he had occasion to make some sorts of Aqua Forts and other Menstruums, which would be dangerous to the whole Court, and cause such noysom Fumes and odious Smells, that they could not safely be prepared in that place; therefore a Laboratory was built for him, in the Carinthian Fort, where the Emperors chief Engineer did dwell, his name was Fischer, a great lover of Alchymy, and who shewed himself very officious to him, assisting him to build strange and most nonsensical Furnaces which can ever be seen; and besides being not a little pleased with his good fortune of the neighbourhood and acquaintance of the Owner of so rich a Tincture; but this intimacy lasted

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not long, as the event soon made appear: for when F. Wenceslaus had scarcely well fixed his habitation, and settled his things in order, the Engineer was forced to leave the splendid dwelling there assigned him by the Emperour, and to go to Javarin in Hungary, to dwell there, his Wife also, as some give out, being vitiated into the bargain; F. Wenceslaus also fell very sick, and he that waited upon him in his Chamber dyed suddenly, not without some suspicion of Poyson, and he himself also lay without any hopes of recovery, in this case J.A.C. P.C. L. de S. who before had bought some of the Tincture of him, and had paid him for it a thousand Ducats, designing to take this opportunity of his illness, and decease so apparent, and so to get and enjoy his Tincture without money, sent to him one Biliot, a French Physician, to steal from him, under pretence of a Visit, both the said thousand Ducats, and the rest of the Tincture: Fortune did favour him as to the first part of his Design, but in the latter she did fail and dissappoint him, for F. Wenceslaus had hid his Tincture more carefully than his thousand Ducats: at last, the Sick man, contrary to all mens expectation began to Recover, and F. Francis who was sent to Rome to obtain a Dispensation for him, to absolve him from his Vow, having obtained the same returned home; whereupon presently F. Wenceslaus laying aside his Monk’s Habit, took a Wife and was married publickly to one named Angerlee, who had ministred to him in his sickness, and had otherwise been very assistant when he wanter her; she was a very subtil and crafty woman, yet accounted at Vienna but little better than a common Harlot, and she was the worse thought on, because her Sister had been naught with B.D.L. and by his advice and assistance had caused her Husband to be made away with, for which Fact, he the saud B.D.L. was Sentenced to Death: but, though afterwards pardoned by the Emperour, yet was deprived of all his Dignities, degraded of his Nobility, and cast into perpetual Prison in the Citadel of Gratz, where he dyed Miserably; and his Whore, F. Wenceslaus’s Wives Sister, was the same day to be Beheaded in open Court, before the Judgement Hall, the Scaffold and the rest being already prepared, but by the intercession of the Wife of Castell Rodrigo, the Spanish Embassador she was set free, yet afterwards, upon the account of her leud life, and dishonest Practises, she was killed with a Pistol-shot.

Fr. Wenceslaus being linked by Marriage into such a Familty, did then fancy for a time, That all the Elements did conspire together to make him happy: for why? he was visited by Persons of the highest Rank, and withal was mightily respected by the most eminent Ladies, Countesses and Princesses: As for me, as Spectator of this Scene, I considered him in this Fools Paradise: Whilst it put me in mind of Cornelius Agrippa, who, in his Book of the Vanity of Sciences, under the Title of Alchymy, sayes, That if ever he should be Master of the Tincture, he would spend it all in nothing but Whoring; for women being naturally covetous, he could thereby easily make them to prostitute themselves, and to yield unto his Lust.

And it seems that not only F. Wenceslaus was so mighty a Proficient and so stout a Souldier in the School of Venus, That he was brought very low by the French Disease, but also that his Wife Angerlee dyed of it. After whose decease Fr. Wenceslaus exceeded all Bounds of honest Modesty, and dayly let

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loose the Reins to all sinful and voluptuous excesses: for from that time he had obtained the Tincture, he spent in two or three years time more than Ten Myriads of Crowns, in all manner of Luxury: and he foresaw well enough, that I could not last and subsist long at that rate: for the Tincture would not maintain him. And to turn it into Gold, or sell it for a small price would turn to no Account, as he had alwaies hoped it would by Augmentation, and thereby to gain an inexhaustible Treasure.

But on the one hand, his Want and Necessity was such, and on the other hand, the Solicitings of those who would buy of his Powder, were so importunate that he could not resist so great Temptations: And therefore between both, he resolved upon a dishonest Shift, which was to sell for great Rates, Poudred Cinnabar, red Lead, and the Caput Mortuum of Aqua fortis boyled, and such other Ingredients in stead of the true Pouder, mixing also there with some few Filings of Copper, that Foolish ignorant People might mistake the same for a Gold-making Pouder: to some he sold it without any such Cozening Addition as Coppar: And if they were not able to tinge with it, he would lay the Blame on their Impatience and Unskilfulness in making the Projection. To others, he pawned some of his Counterfeit Tincture for a great summ of Money, which he pretended, he had a present use for: but he was loath to spend his Tincture in projecting, because he hoped to augment it with a Thousand-fold advantage: And that they might see the Tincture was genuine and true, he took some of it and wrapt it up in a little Wax, with which he mingled a little of his right Tincture, which he called his Crocus, or Pouder of Reduction, and so tinged therewith.

By this meand he got very many 1000’s of Crowns, and over and above he got

P.C. de L. and C.L. to be his Assistants and Partners in these Mysteries. But the Impudent sort, among which A. C. P. and his Cosen C.B. are to be reckoned, he gave them whole Ingots which he had cast, consisting of equal parts of Gold and Silver; then filing some of them, and dissolving it into common Aqua forts, which he brought with him, he affirmed that now his Tincture was exalted into a Menstruum, which would presently change Silver into Gold: and that as soon as ever the price or value which was to be paid for its purchase should be put thereto, it would be converted into Gold.

It hath been also further related to me, That he grew to that Degree of Impudence, as to tinge some sort of Coins after this manner into Gold, before the Empress Dowager and the Emperour himself. Yea, this fellow was so arrogant, as to cause his own Effigies to be drawn on some of those false Coins which he did attempt deceitfully to put off.

Yet this matter could not be kept so secret, but the more prudent began to smell the Cheat, and to mutter something about it; which was very ill taken in the Emperours Court. For he was in such Credit there, that it was not safe to impeach him, as being received into the Emperors Protection, both against the Clergy and the Secular Power, and even against the skilful in the same Art. For great men are loth to acknowledge their Error; but think themselves, tho under a Mistake, to be as infallible as the Pope himself.

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Those who were not much concerned in the Matter, suffered it so to pass, as taking little Notice of it; but some true Philosophers were very much aggrieved, That so infamous an Impostor, after so many Vows and Protestations made by him to the contrary, and after such evident Proofs of his former debauched Life, after so many villanous Crimes committed, and his base Prostitution openly of so noble an Art of Chymistry, should yet notwithstanding that he ranted it up and down in his Coach in Masquarades, before the Emperours Court, be maintained and protected by him. But others, who had been cozened by him of great Summs of Money, even to many thousand Ducats, with his adulterate Tincture, could not rest satisfied, but brought in their Action against him at common Law: where, after some time and much Expence, they obtained Judgment against him, but it was never put in Execution, though all other means were tryed.

Now the Emperour, unless he would have left his Favourite Wenceslaus to the Jurisdiction and power of his Judges, and Rigor of the Law, must needs interpose: for the Complaints were made against him for his insolent and abusive practises were so many, and the Fame of them was spread so far abroad in the world, That his Imperial Majesty thought it more convenient to have the Noise of it altogether supprest.

To be short, The Emperour paid all his Debts, and that he might prevent his farther opportunity of Cosenage, he got from him the rest of his Tincture, and then advanced him to the most Ancient Order of Barrony in Bohemia, by the Title of Baron Seyler of Seylerburgh, and afterwards made him Hereditary Master of the Mint of Bohemia: and having thus preferred him, he sent him away from his Court to Prague, where he now lives very gallantly; and hath made Fryer Francis the Steward of his House: having married a Second Wife, called Walded Kircheriana, a handsome woman, and of a Noble Family.

In the mean time, a Rumor was spread all over Germany, That the Devil had carried him away Soul and Body. Which Report, though it might have some good grounds, yet, for this time it was not true: but he hath very great reason to fear that it may prove true, at last, if he doth not amend his Life: and the Event thereof we must expect.

I have described the Series of this Story both to vindicate the Truth, and also to satisfy so many Curious, who have despicable thoughts of Chymistry. If I have mistaken in any Passage, Fr. Wenceslaus is yet alive, and I earnestly desire him to amend and rectify my mistakes, and to vindicate himself, by giving the World a more exact Account thereof, that he may no longer lye under any unjust Reflection.

For a Conclusion, I heartily wish, That if God should bless any lover of this noble Art, with some such like Treasure, he would use it better than Wenceslaus hath done: for the Glory of God, the Benefit and advantage of his Neighbour, and the furtherance of his own everlasting Salvation. Allegorical letter about an alchemical adept

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This allegorical letter which I recent uncovered in MS. Sloane 3667 (folios 15v-16v) in the British Library, a compilation of short pieces dated to the middle-late 17th century, is of interest as it has some parallels with the myth of the discovery of the tomb of Christian Rosenkreutz recounted in the Fama Fraternitatis. It is written as a drama rather than as a factual account of some events. The author leads the reader through his story building the suspense, teasing us with a few details, such as the astonishing way in which news of his master’s death was conveyed a great distance through the use of a certain instrument. He keeps us waiting many paragraphs before telling us the secret. The author does to some extent give the game away, because he is so eager to capture the attention of his potential reader that he appends to the rather formal opening about the letter communicated to him by Duke Frederick the words “come and see”. This enticement to read would be of course out of place in a genuine letter. The story itself is a fascinating one, that suggests the existence of a adept working for many years in so secret a manner that even his servant did not suspect the truth. This adept passes on his knowledge to his nephew thus keeping the wisdom he had gained within the family circle. There are many parallels with the Rosicrucian myth. The quiet secrecy and dignity of the Adept, his desire to help others through giving of alms, his generosity to the writer of the letter in rescuing him from the life of an orphan, and his interest in curing diseases; his secret chamber, which was both an oratory and laboratory; his great wealth, though outwardly simple style of living. His spiritual knowledge was in some way bound up with highly developed technology, the ever-burning lights (also found in the Rosicrucian allegories), and the mechanical contrivances such as the telegraphic device. At the end of the story, as with the Rosicrucian myth, we are left holding the feeling that the knowledge known to these adepts was never to be openly revealed, and that somehow a tradition of esoteric mystical and alchemical wisdom continues hidden behind outwardly undemonstrative and quiet individualities. The impression is given that esoteric wisdom is nourished in secrecy and quiet dignity, and that it can only be found though undertaking the kind of inner quest pursued by the Rosicrucians or the adept recounted below, and cannot be had in the brash clamour of the market place, among the hustlers and image makers. These allegories told their readers in their own time of the seventeenth century, that they must look within for the wisdom they sought, a message which is of even more relevance today when there are so many more distractions to the contemplative life. Adam McLean ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

An Allegorical Letter

about an Alchemical Adept

The following letter communicated to me by the Most Serene Prince Frederick Duke of Holsatia and Sleswick relates things strange and unheard of, come and see.

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My Friend,

You have desired of me an account of the life, death, inheritance and heires of my master B.J. of happy memory. I returne you this answer in Latine as yours to me was, though I be not exactly skilled in it.

He was by nation a Jew, by religion a Christian, for he believed in Christ the Saviour, and openly made profession of the same. He was a man of fervent honesty and gave great alms in secret. He lived chastely, a batchelor, and took me when I was about 20 years of age out of the house where orphans are maintained by the publick, and caused me to be instructed in the Latine, French and Italian tongues, which I afterwards by use added the Jewish or Hebrew. He made use of me so far as I was capable in his laboratory, for he had great skill in physick and cured most desperate diseases.

When I was 25 years of age, he called me into his parlour and made me swear to him that I would never marry without his consent and knowledge, which I promised and have religously kept.

When I was 30 years of age on a morning he sends for me into his parlour, and said very lovingly to me, “My son, I perceive that the balsome of my life by reason of extreme old age coming on,” (for he was above 80 years of age), “is well nigh wasted, and that consequently my death is at the doore, wherefore I have writ my last will and testament for the use of and benefit of my brothers sons, and you: I have laid it upon the table of my closet, wither neither you nor any mortal ever entered, for thou doest not so much as knock at the door during the hours set apart for my devotion.” Having said this he went to the double door of his closet and daubed over the joynings thereof with a certain transparent crystalline matter, which he wrought with his finger till it became soft and yeilding like wax, and imprinted his golden seale upon it, the said matter was immediately hardened by the cold air, so that without defacing the seal the doore could no way be opened.

Then he took the keys of the closet and shut them up in a small cabinet and sealed the same as before with the said crystalline matter, and delivered the said cabinet, after he had sealed it, into my hands, and charged me to deliver the same to none but his brothers sons, Mr Jesse, Abrah, and Salomon Jootha, who at that time lived in Switzerland, the eldest of them being as batchelor.

After this he returned with me into the parlor and in my presence dropped the Golden Seal he had made use of into a glass of clear water, in which the said Seal was immediately dissolved like ice in hot water, a white powder settling to the bottom, and the liquor was tinged with the pale red of a provaince rose. Then he closed the said glass vial with the above mentioned transparent matter, and charged me to deliver the said vial together with the keys to Mr Jesse.

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This being done he repeated upon his bended knees some of David psalmes in Hebrew and betooke himself to his couch, where he was used to sleep after dinner, and commanded me to bring him a glass of Malago, which now and then he sparingly made use of. As soone as he had drunk of his wine, he bid me to come to him, and leaning his hand upon my shoulders, he fell into a quiet sleep, and after half an hour time he fetched a deep sigh, and so yeilded his Soul to God to me great astonishment.

Upon this I according to my promise writ unto Switzerland to give notice of his death to Nephews and to my great wonder that very day after my blessed master died I received a letter from Mr Jesse, wherein he enquired whether my master were dead or alive, as if he had known every thing that had passed, as indeed he did, by means of a certain instrument, of which I shall make mention.

A little after his nephews came, to whom I gave an account of what had passed, at which Mr Jesse heard with a smile, but the other brothers not without astonishment and wonder. I gave the keys together with the glass in which was the fairest golden solution, but they refused to meddle with anything that day, being tired with their journey, but on the morrow, after I had carefully shut all the doors of the house and none but they and I being present, Mr Jesse took the glass vial and broke it over a china dish which might receive the enclosed liquor, and then took some of the liquor and put it upon the transparent matter with which the cabinet was sealed, and immediately the matter which before was hard as Crystal was resolved into a thickish water. So he opened the cabinet and tooke thence the keys of the closet.

Then we came to the door of the closet where Mr Jesse having seen the seal he wet it as formerly with the aforementioned liquid, which immediately gave way, and so he opened the said double doors, but shut it again, and falling down upon his knees prayed as we also did, then we entered, and shut the doors upon us. Here we saw great miracles.

In the midst of the Closet stood a table whose frame was of ebony, the table itself was round and of the same wood, but covered with plates of beaten gold. Before the table was placed a low footstool for to kneel upon, in the midst of the table stood an instrument of a strange and wonderful contrivance, the lower part of it, or pedestal was of pure gold, the middlemost part was of the most transparent crystal in which was enclosed an incombustible and perpetually shining fire, the upper part of it was likewise of pure gold made in the form of a small cup or vial.

Just above this instrument hung down a chain of gold, to which was fastened an artificial crystal, of an oval forme filled with the aforesaid perpetual fire, on the right side of the table we took notice of a golden box and upon the same a little spoon. This box contained a balsam of a scarlet colour. On the left side we saw a little desk of massy gold, upon which was laid a book containing 12 leaves of pure beaten gold, being tractable and

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flexible as paper. In the midst of the leaves were several characters engraved, as likewise in the corners of the leaves, but in the space between the centre and the corners of the leaves were filled with holy prayers.

Under the desk we found the last will of my deceased master, whilst we were in the closet, Mr Jesse kneeled down leaning upon the desk, and with most humble devotion, repeated some of the aforementioned prayers, and then with the little spoon took up a small quantity of the foresaid balsam and put it into the top of the instrument which was in the midst of the table, and instantly a most grateful smell ascended which with its most pleasing odour, did most sensibly refresh us, but that which to me seemed miraculous was that the said fumes ascending caused the perpetual fire enclosed in the hanging crystal, to flash and blaze terribly, like some great star or lightning.

After this Mr Jesse read the will, wherein he bequeathed to Mr Jesse, all his instruments and books of wisdom and the rest of his goods to be equally divided between him and his brothers, besides he left me a legacy of 600 golden ducatoons as an acknowledgement of my fidelity.

And accordingly first enquiry was made for the instruments and books of wisdom. Of those that were on and about the table, I have spoke already. In the right side of the closet stood a chest of ebony whose inside was all covered with plates of beaten gold and contained 12 instruments all of beaten gold wonderfully turned and contrived with several characters engraven upon them. From thence we went to view a large chest containing 12 looking glasses not made out of glass, but of a certain wonderful unknown matter. The centre of the looking glasses were filled with wonderful characters, the brims of them were enclosed in pure gold, and between the said brims and centre they were polished looking glasses receiving all opposite images.

After this we opened a very large chest or case in which we found a most capacious looking glass which Mr Jesse told us was Salomon’s looking glass, and the miracle of the whole world, in which the characterisms of the whole universe were united.

We also saw in a box of ebony, a globe made of a wonderfull matter. Mr Jesse told us that in the said globe was shut up the fire and soul of the world, and that therefore the said globe of itself performed all its motions in a exact harmony and agreement with those of the universe.

Upon this box aforementioned, stood another which contained an instrument resembling a clock dial, but instead of the figures of the twelve hours, the letters of the alphabet were placed around this with a hand or index turning and pointing at them. Mr Jesse told us that this instrument would move of itself, upon the motion of a corresponding and sympathetic instrument which he had at home, and that by this instrument my happy master had signified to