Page:The Art of Distillation, 1651.djvu/17

 To the Reader. and uch like, but here is not place for o large a dicoure as this would amount to. I hal only at this time relate to you how Penotus was cheated with a ophiticated Oil of gold, for aith he I gave 24 duckets for the proce of an Aurum potable which was much cryed up and magnified at Prague, but at lat it proved to be nothing but a mixture of oil of Camphire, Cloves, Fennel-eed and of Vitrial tinged with the leaves of Gold. I know I hall incurre the dipleaure of ome, but they are ophiticating, cheating mountebanks, who indeed deerve to be bound to the peace, becaue many men, I dare wear, through their means go in danger of their lives. Better it is that their knavery hould be detected, then a noble Art through their villany be clouded, and apered. Now we mut conider that there are degrees in this Art; for there is the accomplihing of the Elixir it elf, & there is the dicovering of many excellent eences magiteries, and pirits, & c. which abundantly recompence the dicoverers thereof with profit, health, and delight. Is not Paracelus, his Ludus that diolves ¶the