The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony. 197 



gentle heat, the precipitate will gradually 

 be dissolved and fixed in the oil : for the 

 fire consumes its viscidity, and it becomes 

 a red, dry, fixed, and fluid powder, which 

 does not give out the slightest smoke. * 



When you have reached this point, 

 my friend, you have the Medicine of 

 men and of metals ; it is pleasant, sweet, 

 and penetrating, and may be used with- 

 out any risk. Without being a purga- 

 tive, it expels all impure and morbid 

 matter from the body. It will restore to 

 you health, and relieve you of want in 

 this life ; nor can you ever discharge to 

 God your obligation of gratitude for it. 

 I fear that as a monk and religious man 

 I have transcended the proper bounds of 

 reticence and secrecy, and spoken out 

 too freely, t At any rate, I have told 



* Keep reverent silence : for now the King enters his 

 bridal chamber, where he will delight himself many 

 months with his spouse : and they will only leave the 

 chamber when they have grown together, and produced a 

 son who, if not the King of Kings, is at least a King, and 

 delivers his subjects from disease and want. 



t Our Author fears that he has said too much. If you 

 share this opinion, his anxiety will be joy to you. It is 

 marvellous that when a Sage has thrown ever so little light 

 on this subject, he immediately regrets having done so. 



