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 to the great Silence of the Ancients, especially Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus, who dwell so long upon the Egyptian Arts and Learning, concerning most of the wonderful Phænomena of that extravagant Metal, plainly shews that there were no Traditions of such mighty things to be done by it, as the Alchemist's Books are full of. Borrichius therefore recurrs to his old Subterfuge, Egyptian Secrecy, and finds some doubtful at least, if not fabulous, Stories of Dædalus, and Icarus, and the Poetical Age, which he opposes to the positive Testimony of Theophrastus. Perhaps this may be thought to be begging the Question, since some who have written of the Philosophers Stone, have taught that their Mercury has no Affinity with common Mercury: Which has led many Persons to try several extravagant Processes to find it out. But Eirenæus Philalethes, who is look'd upon as one of the clearest Writers that has ever written upon this Subject; says expressly that (p) Natural Mercury Philosophically prepared is the Philosophical Menstruum, and the dissolvent Mercury.

After so long an Enquiry into the Antiquity of this Art of transmuting Metals, it will be asked perhaps, what may be thought of the Art it self. I must needs