The Art of Distillation/Epistle Dedicatory

by John French

To my much honoured friend
Tobias Garbrand,
Doctor of Physick, and
Principal of Glocester Hall in
Oxford.

Sir!

T is my ambition to let the world know upon what score it is that I do especially honour men. It is not Sir! as they are high born Heirs of the great potentates, for which most honour them (and upon which account I also shal not deny them their due) but as they excell in honesty, and are friends to Art. That poor Philosophers should take no delight in riches, and rich men should take great delight in philosophy, is to me an argument, that there is more delight honour, and satisfaction in the one then in the enjoyment of the other. I once read of a noble mans porter that let in all that were rich apparelled, but excluded a poor Philosopher:but I should, if I had been in his place, have rather let in the Philosopher, without the gay clothes then the gay clothes without the philosopher. As long as I have sense or reason I shall improve them to the honour of Art, especially that of Alchymie. In the perfection thereof there are riches, honour, health, & length of dayes:by it Artefius lived 1000. yeares, Flammell built 28. Hospitals with large reveneues to them, besides Churches and Chappells; for it, both they and divers more were accounted Philosophers, and wise men, which sounds more honourably in my eares then all the ratling and empty titles of honour whatsoever besides. In the perfection of this Art, I mean the accomplishing of the Elixir, is the Sulphur of philosophers set at liberty, which gratifies the releasers thereof with three kingdomes, viz. Vegetable, Animal, and Mineral, and what cannot they do, and how honourble are they, that have the command of these? They may command Lead into Gold, dying plants into fruitfulnesse, the sick into health, old age into youth, darkness into light, and what not? A month would faile to give you an account of their power and dominations. Now for the effecting of this I shall besides what I have advised in the Epistle to the Reader, say onely this; Court the mother, and you winne the daughter, prevail with Nature, and the fair Diana of the Philoslophersis at your service.

Now if you cannot prevaile with Nature for the fairest of her daughters, viz. the Mercury of Philosophers, yet shee hath other daughters of wonderful beauty also, as are the essences, & magisteries of Philosophers, which also are endowed With riches, honour, and health, & any of these you may more easily prevail with their mother nature for. This Art of Alchymie is that Solary art, which is more noble then all the other six arts, & siences, and if it did once throughly shine forth out of the clouds whereby it is eclipsed, would darken all the rest, (as the sun doth the other fix planets) or at least swallow up their light. This is that true naturall philosophy Which most accurately anatomizeth nature and natural things, and ocularly demonstrates the principles and operations of them. That empty naturall philosophy which is read in the Vniversities, is scarce the meanest hand-maid to this Queene of arts. It is pity there is such great encouragement for many empty, and unprofitable arts, and none for this, & such like ingenuities, which if promoted would render a Vniversity farre more flourishing, then the former. I once read or heard of a famous Vniversity beyond sea, that was faln into decay, through what cause I know not: but there was a generall counsell held by the learned, how to restore it to its primitive glory. The Medium at last agreed upon, was the promotong of Alchymie, & encouraging the artissts themselves. But I never expect to see such rationall actings in this nation till shadows vanish, substances flourish and truth prevail: which time I hope is at hand & desired by all true artists, & to my knowledge, especially by your self, upon which account I truly honour you. Now to your self therefore I crave leave to adumbrate something of that art which I know you will be willing for the publick good to promote. I dedicate this treatise to you, not that it is worthy of your acceptance, but that it may receive worth by your accepting of it. I present it to you (as men bring lead to Philosophers to be tinged into gold) to receive the stamp of your favour, and approbation, that it may passe currant, with acceptance amongst the sonnes of Art whereby you will continue to oblige him who is

London, Novemb. 25.
1650.

SIR,
Your most obliged Servant,
JOHN FRENCH