TJie Triumphal Chariot of Antimony. 133 



a remarkable fact that the spirit of wine 

 thenceforward refuses to mingle with the 

 red extract whence it is derived, but 

 floats on it, like oil upon water. But if 

 the tincture of spirit of wine be poured 

 on the Hver__of\Antimony, it will attract 

 it, yet the two will not amalgamate with 

 the first extract. Who can declare all 

 the wonders of God ? Or who can 

 rightly value the gifts which He has im- 

 planted in His creatures?* 



I have spoken of the extract made 

 from glass of Antimony by means of 



of their scorn. For we speak of what we have seen with our 

 eyes, and handled with our hands but those ignorant per- 

 sons suppose that they can establish a claim to wisdom by 

 sneering at that of which they can know nothing. True 

 lovers of Alchemy refuse to cast their pearls before swine. I 

 affirm, then, that at certain seasons of the year, the liver of 

 Antimony has a deeper colour and greater efficacy than that 

 prepared at other times, its curative potency being greater 

 both with regard to metals and to human bodies. As to the 

 virtues of this medicine, there is no need of any elaborate 

 recommendation. Everyone who has tried it knows its 

 value, and is ready to exchange for it its weight in gold. 



* In the following passage the Author speaks like a. faith- 

 ful teacher, who again and again inculcates the same truths 

 upon the minds of his disciples. Yet he says that he does not 

 u>e a single word too many, and therefore it will be well for 

 you to keep your eyes open, and to listen with both your ears. 



