398 UNIVERSAL ERUDITION. 



refer our readers to the chapter on chymiftry 

 in the firft book. This fcience appears to u 

 in fo futile a light, that we cannot perfuade 

 ourielves to make a more ample analyfis of 

 it*. 



* As we forefee that what is here faid will be liable t 

 much objection, in order to avoid all difpute about words* 

 we entreat thefe philofophers to refolve the following que- 

 ftions. 



I. How can we make gold, any more than filvcr, cop- 

 per, iron, lead, ftones, follils, fhells, &c. 



a. How can we make (produce or create) any fubftancc 

 whatever ? 



3. Can they conceive that there is in nature two genera- 

 tions, two different manners of engendering; and where- 

 fore ? 



4. If there be two methods of generation, why mould 

 there not be more, 3, 4, 5, 6, &c. 



$. Why then do they rejeft equivocal generation, as a 

 chimera ? 



6. If there are different generations for ftones and metals, 

 may there not be alfo for infects ; and why from faw duff 

 mixed with urine may not fleas be generated ? 



7. Does it require lefs effort to create or produce a (lone, 

 or a grain of gold, than to make a flea ; lefs art to pro- 

 duce a flea than an elephant ? 



8. The creating of that which is inanimate, or that 

 which appears to u as fuch, does it embarrals them lefs 

 than the production of that which is animated ? 



9. The great or the little, the immenfe or the imper- 

 ceptible, are they not equal in true phyfics ? Is it more 

 difficult to make a rhinoceros than a worm ? 



10. If they know how to make gold (that is, to create, 

 or at leaft to change the effence of the elements of matter) 

 they can no longer be furprifed at all the miracles which the 

 Egyptian magicians performed before their king PharoaJj 

 m the prefence of Mofcs. 



(50 The 



