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Bbttgher 1 7 1 



verted from copper. The King proposed to secure the 

 apprentice and imprison him in the strong fortress of 

 Spandau, in order that he might continue his alchemical 

 operations in favour of His Majesty's needs. Bottgher 

 heard of the project, and probably fearing detection, he 

 fled from Berlin and took refuge in Saxony. 



A reward of a thousand thalers was offered for 

 Bottgher's apprehension, but on arriving at Wittenberg, 

 he placed himself under the protection of Frederick 

 Augustus I., Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. 

 The Elector was quite as much in need of money as the 

 King of Prussia, and he would not surrender his young 

 alchemist. Bottgher was accordingly held a prisoner. 

 He was conveyed to Dresden under charge of a royal 

 escort and kept under strict guard. 



After many attempts, Bottgher failed to supply the 

 wants of the Elector. The copper he employed remained 

 copper, and could not be converted into gold. In his 

 despair he escaped and fled to Ems in Austria, but 

 the pursuers were close at his heels ; they arrested him 

 in his bed, and carried him back to Saxony. He was 

 imprisoned in the strong fortress of Konigstein. The 

 Elector was now in great distress for money. Ten 

 regiments of Poles were clamouring for their arrears of 

 pay. The young alchemist was told that unless he 

 could make gold, he would be hanged ! 



But he was not hanged. He went on making experi- 

 ments, but with no success. At length one of his wise 

 friends came to him Walter von Tschinhaus, a maker 



