84 The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony. 



which exist in gold and mercury, with 

 the exception of the Star of Sol ? From 

 this can be prepared potable gold 

 (against leprosy), spirit of mercury (that 

 sovereign remedy for the French disease), 

 and many other medicines. I pity the 

 ignorance of our adversaries, for they 

 speak of those things which they do not 

 understand, and, therefore, no weight 

 whatever can attach to their words. In 

 vain would the stable boy attempt to 

 teach the donkey to tune his voice to 

 sweet harmonious music, for he cannot 

 learn. In our Art only those are 

 qualified to deliver a sound opinion who 

 have listened to the voice of experience. 

 Any other person, whatever high-sound- 

 ing title may be attached to his name, 

 is no better than an ignoramus and a 

 charlatan. 



But, before I go on to the practical 

 part of this treatise, someone may ask : 

 How minerals and metals come to contain 

 poison ? What poison is ? How anything 

 can be purified, and have its envenomed 

 nature removed? These and similar 



