Dedication, 1572-01-03, Thomas Erastus to Caspar Ulrich Graf zu Reinstein und Blankenburg
| Author: | Thomas Erastus |
| Recipient: | Caspar Ulrich Graf zu Reinstein und Blankenburg |
| Type: | Dedication |
| Date: | 3 January 1572 |
| Place: | Heidelberg |
| Pages: | 3 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=2782 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Thomas Erastus, Disputationum de medicina nova Philippi Paracelsi pars altera, Basel: Pietro Perna 1572, sig. Aaa2r–Aaa3r [BP.Erastus.1572-01]
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| Abstract: | The work, a treatise on metals, was begun during the Count's stay with Erastus due to illness and was written partly due to requests from friends and colleagues. Erastus recognizes the Count's superior understanding of both natural and legal matters, which influenced his decision to dedicate the work to him. The treatise aims to provide a scientific basis for understanding metals and dispel misconceptions spread by the likes of Paracelsus and his followers. Erastus hopes his treatise will offer insight and caution for those less knowledgeable and save them from imprudent actions or decisions. He offers this work as a sign of his steadfast respect for the Count. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
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[sig. Aaa2r] Inclyto ac generoso Sac[ri] Rom[ani] Imp[erii] comiti, D[omino] Gasparo Vlrico, Comiti Reinsteini, Domino Blanckenburgi, &c. Domino suo obseruandissimo.
Tractatum seu disceptationum de Metallis, quam sub idem fermè tempus commentari cœpi, quo Amplitudo tua, illustris ac generose D[omine] Comes, morbi grauissimi causa hîc apud nos commorata est, sub inclyto ac generoso nomine tuo publicè omnibus legendam nunc exhibeo. Cum enim amici quidam vehementer, non tantùm precibus à me peterent, verùm etiam argumentis multis flagitarent, & tantùm non cogerent, vt famosæ illius Quæstionis de Artificiosa Metallorum viliorum in nobiliora transmutatione enodationem conscriberem, facilius petitioni eorum locum dedi, quòd in animo meo tuæ præstantiæ, quicquid futurum eßet, destinauissem. Rem igitur aggressus sum: at seriùs multò, quàm volebam, absolui: partim negocijs impeditus, partim quæstionis difficultate retardatus. Etenim præclarè videbam ad rei adeò intricatæ exactam declarationem, facilioremq́ue perceptionem præcognosci quædam oportere: scilicet quid metallum sit, vnicam ne an plures habeat species, quo modo generentur, quo loco, & ex qua materia singula à Natura fabricentur, & huius generis alia. Itaque prædicta prius exposui: ac tum demum ad principalem quæstionem descendi. Antequam finem disquisitioni imposuissem, tu iam sanatus ad tuos redieras. Nunc ve- [sig. Aaa2v] rò cum in secunda parte disputationum nostrarum aduersus Paracelsum de metallorum ortu & causis quædam essent disputanda, placuit eorum loco hanc tractationem subijcere, duab[us] maximè de causis. Prior et princeps est, quod rectè vtiliterq́ue compluribus viris bonis, qui partim propter inscitiam naturalis Philosophiæ, partim propter ingenij naturæq́ue probitatem & nimiam credulitatem, partim propter diuites & speciosas impostorum pollicaitationes deceptos se nondum plenè vident, consulturum speraui. Vt enim non reuocentur ab errore, in quo mersi hærent, omnes, (quod ne optare quidem audeo: propterea quòd in hoc luto hærere summa est aliquibus voluptas) aliquos tamen cognita rei impoßibilitate, vt sic loquar, et impietate, cautiores et prudentiores porrò futuros confido. Qui in hunc Labyrinthum, (ex quo minimè facilis est reditus, propter Syrenum cantus mira suauitate amplißimisq́ue promißis aures demulcentes) ingreßi nondum sunt, facilius sibi cauebunt, opinor, ne imprudenter prolabantur. Altera est, quòd huius quæstionis explanatio cognata & affinis est disputationi de Mistis imperfectis: in qua me non omnmia quidem, at plurima tamen repetere oportebat eorum, quæ hîc mihi enucleata memineram. Causas editionis attigi: nunc cur sub illustri & clarißimo nomine tuo, comes generosißime, apparere voluerim, dicam. Atque vna quidem dicta iam antè fuit: quod scilicet in animo meo tunc tibi destinarim, cum scribere incepissem. Vt igitur animum me eundem retinere Amplit[udo] tua perspiciat, quod tunc volui facere, nunc re ipsa præsto. Vt autem & tunc vellem, et nunc præstem, [sig. Aaa3r] nobilißimæ & præstantißimæ ingenij atque animi tui virtutes perfecerunt: quibus ita me tibi interim, dum salutis tuæ curam mihi credidisti, arctè diuinxisti, vt nunquam postea cogitare desierim, quomodo animi mei obseruantiam tibi testatam facerem. Altera causa est, quòd ex principibus viris excelsoq́ue loco natis & constitutis non multos noui, qui de his rebus, de quibus in præsente tractatu disserimus, te melius ac rectius iudicare poßint. Etenim sic cum iuris scientia naturalium rerum speculationem aptè coniunxisti, vt inter dißidentes sententias præclarè arbitrari noris ac poßis. Gratius tibi ob id quoque futurum factum hoc meum spero, quod in memoriam reuocabit, in quam tum vitæ periculum à Paracelsi discipulus quibusdam abreptus fueris. Sed hæc alîus sunt loci & temporis. Hoc in præsentia monere volo, si quis ex huius libri lectione fructus ad homines redeat: atque alij cautiores facti sumtib[us] ac laboribus inutilibus parcere discant, gratiam illos Amplitud[inis] tuæ omnem debere: cuius virtute & gloria non minimum est factum, vt & scripserim & publicauerim. Tu ergo, inclyte & Generose comes, quem in noui anni huius initio (quem tibi cum multis deinceps alijs felicißimum et gloria plenum comprecor) libellum tibi ceu strenam offero, constantis meæ erga Amplitud[inem] tuam obseruantiæ testimonium extare patere. Heidelbergæ. 3. Non[is] Ian[uarii] anno M. D. LXXII.
Amplitud[inis] ac Generos[itatis] tuæ obseruantis[simus]
Thomas Erastus, Medicus.
English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 16 July 2023. Attention: This translation is a machine translation by artificial intelligence. The translation has not been checked and should not be cited without additional human verification.
To the illustrious and noble Count of the Holy Roman Empire, Lord Caspar Ulrich, Count of Reinstein, Lord of Blanckenburg, &c. my most reverend lord.
I now present to the public for all to read, under your illustrious and noble name, this treatise or discussion on metals, which I began to comment on at almost the same time when your Lordship, illustrious and noble Count, stayed among us due to a very serious illness. Indeed, when certain friends not only asked me vehemently with prayers, but also demanded with many arguments, and almost forced me to write the solution to that famous question about the artificial transformation of base metals into nobler ones, I more easily conceded to their request, because I had intended in my mind for your excellence, whatever was to come. So I undertook the matter: but I finished much later than I wanted: partly hindered by business, partly delayed by the difficulty of the question. Indeed, I saw clearly that for the exact declaration of such a complex matter, and for easier understanding, certain things should be known in advance: namely, what a metal is, whether it has one or more species, how they are generated, in what place, and from what material each is made by Nature, and other things of this kind. So I first set out the aforementioned: and then I finally descended to the main question. Before I had put an end to the inquiry, you had already healed and returned to your people. Now, however, since in the second part of our discussions against Paracelsus, some things had to be argued about the origin and causes of metals, it seemed good to insert this treatise in their place, for two main reasons. The first and foremost is that I hope to provide advice to several good men, who partly because of ignorance of natural philosophy, partly because of the honesty and too much credulity of their nature, partly because of the rich and attractive promises of deceivers, do not yet fully see themselves deceived. For although not all who are immersed in error will be recalled from it, (which I do not even dare to wish for: because for some, being stuck in this mud is the greatest pleasure) yet, knowing the impossibility and impiety of the matter, as I may say, I trust some will be more cautious and prudent in the future. Those who have not yet entered this labyrinth, (from which there is hardly an easy return, because of the siren's songs with their wonderful sweetness and very great promises soothing their ears) will, I think, more easily beware not to slip in imprudently. The second reason is that the explanation of this question is related and akin to the discussion on imperfect mixtures: in which I did not have to repeat everything, but I did have to revisit many things that I had clarified here. I have touched on the reasons for publication: now I will tell why I wanted it to appear under your illustrious and very clear name, most generous Count. And one reason indeed has already been mentioned before: that I had intended it for you in my mind when I began to write. So that your Lordship may see that I maintain the same intention, what I wanted to do then, I now fulfill in reality. The noble and most excellent virtues of your genius and spirit, which bound me so closely to you while you trusted me with your health care, have ensured that both then I wished, and now I deliver. You have so bound me to you, that I have never since ceased to think how I could demonstrate my reverence for you. The other reason is that among the leading men and those born and placed in high positions, I know few who can judge better and more correctly about these matters, which we discuss in this current treatise. Indeed, you have aptly combined the speculation of natural things with the knowledge of law, so that you know and can judge splendidly among conflicting opinions. I hope this my work will be more pleasing to you for that reason also, because it will recall to memory the danger to life into which you were dragged by some disciples of Paracelsus. But these things are for another time and place. I want to remind you at present, if any benefit to mankind comes from the reading of this book: and if others, made more cautious, learn to save on useless expenses and labors, they owe all gratitude to your Lordship: whose virtue and glory contributed greatly to the fact that I wrote and published. You therefore, illustrious and noble Count, to whom at the beginning of this new year (which I pray with many subsequent ones will be most happy and full of glory for you), I offer this little book as a New Year's gift, let it stand as a testimony of my steadfast observance towards your Lordship. From Heidelberg. 3rd of January, in the year 1572.
Your most obedient servant in respect of your Greatness and Nobility,
Thomas Erastus, Physician.
