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Rh “with these false disciples who hold that our divine Science has no other end but that of making gold and silver. True Alchymy has but one aim and object,—to extract the quintessence and to prepare Arcana tinctures and elixirs which may restore to man the health and soundness he has lost.”

With these words the great Physician and Alchymist departed. I looked up,—Cupid, too, had flown; still his “glittering eyes” seemed to hold me. In a moment my thoughts were again concentrated on the crucible: it was too late, the opportunity which I had so long desired had come, I had failed to seize it, and my dream of being the discoverer of the “Philosopher’s Stone” had melted away into thin air.

Before, however, I go further in my narration, I will venture to place before the reader a curious passage from an early Black-letter Book in my possession, believing it to be of some value as touching on my great theme.