DEDICATORY EPISTLE. 



IT is not arrogance, but reverence, 

 saintly and blessed men, that em- 

 boldens me to address you, whom 

 I do not know, but whom I admire, love, 

 venerate, and all but worship. For, 

 though you are strangers to me, I know 

 what sort of men you are, and what you 

 have attained ; so that even if you were 

 known to me, I would address you rather 

 as Alchemists, than by your own proper 

 names. In return for this dedication I 

 expect no reward but to bask in the rays 

 of your favour, and to be promoted in 

 the way you know, since you will see 

 from this book that I am in the straight 

 road, and am mounting to the bright 

 temple of knowledge by the right path. 

 Do not refuse me the kindness which I 

 here publicly confer on the lovers of 

 Alchemy, which also, the inventor Apollo 



