The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony. 177 



serpent.* The Alchemist has then a hot 

 and ignitable substance, in which won- 

 derful possibilities are latent. It is dis- 

 solved into an oil, which should be 

 purified and clarified by transfusion and 

 distillation. Three drops of this oil in 

 two ounces of wine may be administered 

 internally, but with great caution, and 

 not oftener than twice a week. The 

 proportion should be determined by the 

 peculiar circumstances of the disease, 

 which should, therefore, be known to the 

 physician. 



This is a remarkable acrid sub- 

 stance, comprehending within itself 

 many arcana, but there is no need to 

 reveal everything at once to the ignorant. 

 Some Arts must be kept secret, in order 

 to stimulate the spirit of enquiry, f Who- 

 ever would follow in my footsteps should 



* The serpent is that which mingles with the King, 

 and he calls it a serpent of stone, because it is a salt. 



t Whoever understands the immense importance of 

 extracting essences from metals will value this acrid oil, 

 which is really the great metallic solvent, and without 

 which the entrance to the Great Arcanum, and to the 

 throne of the kingdom of chemistry, would be closed. 



N 



