236 History of Akhytny. 



have been the very rational one of limiting all excess of diet, 

 and enjoining punctual and frugal meals. 



The history of alchymy has been greatly enriched by the 

 labours of the celebrated Eli as Ash mole, who in 1652 pub- 

 lished his " Theatrum Ckemicum Brittannicum, containing se- 

 veral! poeticall pieces of our famous English philosophers, who 

 have written the Hermetique Mysteries in their owne ancient 

 Language." 



The most remarkable piece in this collection is the " Ordinall 

 of Alchimy, by Thomas Norton," illustrated by several comical 

 cuts. It treats in separate chapters of the objects of the occult 

 science ; of the difficulties of attaining them ; of the different 

 methods of pursuing them ; of the characters of the elements ; 

 and of the five concords, of which the first is Patience, the 

 second Assistance, the third Instruments, the fourth Situation, 

 and the fifth Planetary Influence. It is difficult to select from 

 this production any specimen capable of conveying an idea 

 of its merits, that can come within the limits of a quotation. 

 Perhaps the following lines, picked out of the seventh chapter, 

 touching " the Regiment of Fiers," may serve to convey some 

 idea of the author's talents in the double capacity of poet and 

 philosopher. 



" In many authors written you may see, 

 Tolum consisHt in i^is regimine ; 

 Wherefore in all things so proceed. 

 That heat work no more no less than it need ; 

 Wherein many of Geber's cooks 

 Deceived were, though they be wise in books. 

 Such heate wherewith a pig or goose is scalded 

 In this arte Decoction it is called ; 

 Such heate as dryeth lawne karchiefs lair, 

 In thirty ojierations serveth for our ayre ; 

 But for divisions you must use such heate, 

 As cooks make when they roaste raw meate. 

 Ignis hmnidus another fier alsoe 

 Is, and yet seemeth oppositum in adjecto : 

 Another fier is fier of desiccation. 

 For matters which be imbibed with huraectalion. 

 Ignis corrodetis serveth in this arte, 

 EUmcnla propimiua wisely to depart, 



