Library of Alchemical Philosophers: Volume II - Softcover
Book 2 of 2: Library of Alchemical Philosophers
Synopsis
This Library of Alchemical Philosophers, originally published in French in 1672-73, was republished and completed in 1740-44 by Jean Maugin de Richenbourg, as Bibliothèque Des Philosophes Chimiques.
This library also includes the notes of another previous publisher of alchemical works, William Salmon, which are interspersed along this the two volumes of this work (the French edition has four volumes, but we distributed its full content in only two volumes).
Salmon (1644-1713) was an English doctor who copied, translated, abridged, enlarged and compiled from the texts of others to create divulgatory books. Salmon's works were widely read in his time, and covered an wide range of topics, beyond medicine, between them alchemy.
The object of alchemy is, as no one is unaware, the transmutation of metals; to change vile metals into noble ones, to make gold or silver by artificial means, such was the aim of this singular science, which has lasted no less than seventeen centuries.
In spite of the discredit into which it has fallen in modern times, alchemy has not lost the privilege of arousing curiosity and seducing the imagination. The mystery that envelops it, the marvellous side that is attributed to its doctrines, the fantastic reputation that is attached to the memory of its adepts, all this half-veiled combination of realities and spiritual visions, truths and speculations, still exerts a singular prestige on certain minds.
More specifically, the purpose of this Alchemical Library is, in the words of its compiler, Jean Maugin de Richenbourg:
It is evident, by the things we have just said, the necessity of making a collection, and of gathering, as in a body, the works of the true philosophers, especially those who are the least diffuse and the least muddled. In that way that some may make up for what is lacking in others, and so that they may help each other; and also so that we may more easily confer their opinions with each other, and examine the topics on what they all agree, since it is only in this case that they have spoken the truth, and consequently, only in this way we may find it.
This is the first complete English translation of this memorable work. We have added some footnotes of our own, mainly to explain some archaic terms and measurement units, hoping that this edition will simplify the understanding of these obscure topics to modern day inquirers.
Some treatises contained in this second volume:
- Twelve Keys of Basil Valentine and Azoth, by Basil Valentine.
- The Hermetic Triumph or The Ancient War of the Knights, by Limojon de Saint-Didier.
- Light shining forth by its own nature out of darkness, by Fra Marc’Antonio Crasselame Chinese.
- Secrets Revealed or An Open Entrance to the Closed Palace of the King, Experiments on the Preparation of the Mercury of The Sages..., Explanation of a Letter from George Ripley to Edward IV, Philalethes Principles for Directing Operations in the Hermetic Work , by Philalethes and his commentators.
- Treatise on the Secret of Philosophical Art, commented by Valachius.
- Summary of the Treatise on the Great Work of the Philosophers, by Philippe Rouillac, Piedmontese, Cordelier.
- The Elucidation or Clarification of the Testament of Raymond Lulle, by Raymond Lulle.
- Very Curious Explanation of the Hieroglyphics..., by Sieur Esprit Gobineau de Montluisant.
- The Psalter Of Hermophilus.
- The Ternary Unity of Celestial Virtue.
- A Philosophical Letter.
- Precepts and Instructions of the Father Abraham to his Son.
- Treatise on the Earthly Sky, by Vinceslas Lavinius of Moravia.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.