ARTDISTILLATION.PDF

The Art

Distillation

By John French

Produced by

R A M S

Restorers of Alchemical Manuscripts

John French (circa 1616-1657) was an English physician who

also served as an army doctor. “The Art of Distillation” is

thought to be representative of the English chemistry of

this period. John French was follower of Paracelsus’ school

of alchemy/chemistry, which was skeptical of certain

alchemical traditions yet dedicated to seeking medical uses

for various chemicals and compounds. Note the frequent

references to Paracelsus in this work.

The Epistle Dedicatory

To My Much Honored Friend, Tobias Garbrand,

Doctor of Physick and Principal of Gloucester Hall in Oxford.

Sir! It is my ambition to let the world know upon what

score it is that I do especially honor men. It is not,

Sir!, as they are highborn heirs of the great potentates,

for which most honor them (and upon which account I also

shall not deny them their due) but as they excell in

honesty and are friends to art. That poor philosophers

should take no delight in riches, and rich men should take

delight in philosophy, is to me an argument, that there is

more delight, honor, and satisfaction in the one than in

the enjoyment of the other.

I once read of a nobleman's porter who let in all that were

richly apparelled, but excluded a poor philosopher. But I

should, if I had been in his place, have rather let in the

philosopher, without the gay clothes, than the gay clothes

without the philosopher. As long as I have sense or reason,

I shall improve them to the honor of the art, especially

that of alchemy. In the perfection thereof there are

riches, honor, health and length of days. By it, Artefius

lived 1000 years, Flamel built 28 hospitals with large

revenues to them, besides churches for it, both they and

diverse more were accounted philosophers, and wise men,

which sounds with more honor in my ears than all the

rattling and empty titles of honor whatsoever besides.

In the perfection of this art, I mean the accomplishing of

the Elixir, is the sulphur of philosophers set at liberty,

which gratifies the releasers thereof with three kingdoms,

viz. Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral. And what cannot they

do, and how honorable are they, that have the command of

these? They may commend lead into gold, dying plants into

fruitfulness, the sick into health, old age into youth,

darkness into light, and what not? A month would fail to

give you an account of their power and dominations. Now for

the effecting of this I shall besides what I have advised

in the Epistle to the Reader, say only this: court the

mother, and you win the daughter. Prevail with nature, and

the fair Diana of the philosophers is at your service.

Now, if you cannot prevail with nature for the fairest of

her daughters, viz. the mercury of philosophers, yet she

has other daughters of wonderful beauty also, as are the

essences and magisteries of philosophers which also are

endowed with riches, honor, and health, and any of these

you may more easily prevail with their mother nature for.

This art of alchemy is that solary art which is more noble

than all the other six arts and sciences, and if it did

once thoroughly shine forth out of the clouds whereby it is

eclipsed, would darken all the rest (as the sun does the

other six planets) or at least swallow up their light. This

is that true natural philosophy which most accurately

anatomizes nature and natural things, and visually

demonstrates the principles and operations of them.

That empty natural philosophy which is read in the

universities, is scarce the meanest hand-maid to this Queen

of Arts. It is a pity that there is such great

encouragement for many empty end unprofitable arts, and

none for this, and such similar ingenuities which, if

promoted, would render a university far more flourishing

than the former. I once read or heard of a famous

university beyond the sea that was fallen into decay

through what cause I know not. But there was a general

council held by the learned to determine how to restore it

to its primitive glory. The medium at last agreed upon was

the promotion of alchemy, and encouraging the artists,

themselves. But I never expect to see such rational action

in this nation, until shadows vanish, substances flourish,

and truth prevails, which time I hope is at hand and

desired by all true artists and, to my knowledge,

especially by yourself, upon which account I truly honor

you.

Now, to yourself therefore I crave to adumbrate something

of that art which I know you will be willing, for the

public good, to promote. I dedicate this treatise to you,

not that it is worthy of your acceptance, but that it may

receive worth by your acceptance of it. I present it to you

(as men bring lead to philosophers to be tinged into gold)

to receive the stamp of your favor and approbation that it

may pass current, with acceptance among the sons of art,

whereby you will continue to oblige him who is

Sir, Your most obliged servant,

John French. London, November 25, 1650

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: