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N bygone times there was much research among scientific men for what was termed the philosopher's stone, the art of transmuting into gold the baser metals. There was also as much labour bestowed in search of the elixir vitæ, the water of life, which, it was contended, whoever discovered, would be enabled to possess unbounded riches, as well as immortal youth and beauty. It was, however, reserved for our age to find these two most desirable blessings, and now they are within the reach of every one who will be at the pains to labour for their acquisition, and when acquired, to exercise the necessary watchfulness to retain their possession. There are, however, two conditions to acquire these gifts. The one is selling all that we have; the other, no less a sacrifice than that of life; and it is to neglect complying with these conditions, which prevents the enjoyment of unbounded wealth, and of a life which is not subject to pain, sickness, old age, or death. He who among us is desirous of possessing the true philosopher's stone, must sell all that he has, ere he can have wherewith to purchase it. True wisdom, which is true wealth, exists only in the Supreme Being; but he, having endowed man with lofty and aspiring desires, has also furnished him with the means of gratifying them. He has placed at every one's disposal an inexhaustible