Peter Ludwig Messinus to Franz Kretschmer; 1594, September 29
| Author: | Peter Ludwig Messinus | |
| Recipient: | Franz Kretschmer | |
| Date: | 1594, September 29 | |
| Place: | Freising | |
| Language: | Latin |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Bamberg, State Archive, Markgrafentum Brandenburg-Bayreuth, Hofkammer 8927, n° 46 |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=7333 |
| Places: | Regensburg |
Edition
[f. 1r] Eximie mi Domine Doctor. Sic est natura comparatum, vt quae auidissime expectantur, eorum sit possessio, quo diutius desiderata sunt etiam postea et fruitio multo gratior. Hinc effectum est vt V[estra] D[ominatio] a nobis multum, diuque exoptatee litterae, non solum gratae, verum mihi gratissime extiterint; quibus si prouti desiderabas, per eum qui eas attulit, non responderim; quaeso noli egre ferre: non enim officij mei id negligentia factum est, sed mea potius absentia causa fuit. Interim eas quas possum habeo gratias, quod de materia phi[lo]s[oph]ica ad nos transmittere dignatus fueris; verum gratius foret, si vna et eius nomen, cum preparatione coniunxisses; nam ex solius materiae conspectu, nihil doctior sum effectus. Quamobrem vti ego, cum V.D. liberaliter nempe et amicissime egi, dum Ratisbonae simul essemus: sic mecum vicissim vt ageres (quod reuera rationi plane esset consentaneum) etiam atque etiam exoptarem. Nostra etenim iam inter nos inita, et bene vt arbitror, fundata amicitia, omnem foras mittit timorem, non angulos quaerit, omnia palam facit, vel aperte dicit. solis [ ]ij verbis, non modo est contenta, verum potius rem ipsam et effectum simul expostulat. Si nostra contemnis vestra autem tanti facitis; neminem cogo, vtere pro arbitrio quo cuiusque loco res sint habendae, quisque nostrum (vbi experientia edocuerit) facile iudicabit. Ego profecto vbi suum erga me animum sincerum. V[est]ra D[omina]tio (promissis satisfacies quaeadmodum prior feci) per effectum liberaliter ostenderit, faciam vt haud ingrato praestitisse aliquando intelligat. His igitur paucis Deum Opt[imum] Max[imum] exoratum velim vt V[estra] D[ominatio] perpetuo in sua gratia conseruet. Frisingae 29a [Septem]bris 1594.
V[estrae] D[ominationis] Addictissimus Famulus
Petrus Ludouicus Massinus
[f. 2v] [Empfangsvermerk:]
17 praesent[atum] 9uem[bris](?)
[Anschrift:]
Dem Ernuesten vnnd Fürnemen Frantz Krätzmair OberBergkhuerwalter zu GoldCronach meinem günstigen Herrn zue Hannden etc.
In GoldCronach etc.
Regest (ChatGPT-4o)
In this letter, Petrus Ludovicus Massinus expresses his deep appreciation for a long-anticipated letter he has received from Franz Kretschmer, addressed respectfully as "Your Lordship" (Vestra Dominatio). Massinus apologizes for not replying immediately via the bearer of the letter, explaining that his absence, not negligence, was the cause.
He thanks Kretschmer for sending a specimen of materia philosophica (philosophical matter, likely in an alchemical context), though he regrets that it came without a name or description of its preparation. Without such information, he laments, the material alone offers him no greater understanding.
Massinus appeals to the principles of their previously established friendship—founded, in his view, on openness and mutual trust—and expresses a desire for reciprocal generosity and transparency. He warns that favoring one’s own contributions while disregarding those of others is unproductive, and affirms that time and experience will reveal the value of each party’s efforts.
Finally, he assures Kretschmer of his willingness to act with gratitude and good faith, provided that Kretschmer likewise fulfills his promises through tangible action. The letter concludes with a pious invocation that God may keep Kretschmer in His grace.
German Translation (ChatGPT-4o)
Ausgezeichneter Herr Doktor,
so ist es von Natur aus eingerichtet, dass der Besitz dessen, was man mit größtem Verlangen erwartet hat, umso erfreulicher ist, je länger es zuvor ersehnt worden war. Daher geschah es, dass das Schreiben Eurer Herrschaft, das wir sehr und lange ersehnt hatten, mir nicht nur willkommen, sondern überaus erfreulich war.
Sollte ich jedoch nicht, wie Ihr es wünschtet, durch den Überbringer geantwortet haben, so nehmt es mir bitte nicht übel: denn dies geschah nicht aus Nachlässigkeit im Dienst, sondern vielmehr aufgrund meiner Abwesenheit.
Indessen danke ich, so gut ich vermag, dafür, dass Ihr Euch herabgelassen habt, mir etwas von der philosophischem Materie zuzusenden; doch wäre es noch angenehmer gewesen, wenn Ihr zugleich auch den Namen desselben sowie die Zubereitung beigefügt hättet – denn durch den bloßen Anblick des Stoffs bin ich nicht klüger geworden.
Daher wünsche ich sehr, dass Ihr ebenso mit mir umgehen möget, wie ich mit Eurer Herrschaft – nämlich freigiebig und freundschaftlich – als wir gemeinsam in Regensburg weilten: was im Übrigen ganz im Sinne der Vernunft wäre.
Denn unsere bereits geschlossene und, wie ich meine, auf gutem Grund gegründete Freundschaft schließt jede Furcht aus, sucht keine Winkel, sondern handelt in allem offen oder spricht es deutlich aus. Sie begnügt sich nicht mit bloßen Worten, sondern verlangt vielmehr zugleich die Sache selbst und ihre Ausführung.
Wenn Ihr das Unsrige gering achtet und hingegen Euer Eigenes hoch einschätzt – so zwinge ich niemanden: jeder möge nach seinem Gutdünken entscheiden, wie die Dinge zu werten sind; und ein jeder von uns wird, wenn ihn die Erfahrung belehrt, leicht sein Urteil fällen.
Ich jedenfalls werde, sobald Eure Herrschaft durch eine freigiebige Handlung ihren aufrichtigen Sinn mir gegenüber bezeugt hat – indem sie die gemachten Versprechen erfüllt, wie ich es zuvor getan habe –, dafür sorgen, dass sie erkennt, dass ich mich nicht undankbar erwiesen habe.
Mit diesen wenigen Worten bitte ich den höchsten und besten Gott, Eure Herrschaft beständig in Seiner Gnade zu bewahren.
Freising, am 29. September 1594
Der Eurer Herrschaft aufs tiefste ergebene Diener
Petrus Ludovicus Massinus
English Translation (ChatGPT-4o)
Most Excellent Sir and Doctor,
It is by nature so arranged that the possession of those things which are most eagerly awaited becomes all the more delightful the longer they have been desired. Thus it has come to pass that the letter of Your Lordship, which we had long and ardently hoped for, was not only welcome to me, but most welcome indeed.
If, however, I have not responded—according to your wish—through the person who delivered it, I ask you not to take it amiss; for this was not due to any neglect of duty on my part, but rather caused by my absence.
Meanwhile, I offer such thanks as I can, for Your Lordship having deigned to send us something of philosophical matter; but it would have been more gratifying still if you had included its name along with the method of preparation—for from the mere inspection of the substance I have become no wiser.
Wherefore, just as I acted liberally and in a spirit of friendship towards Your Lordship while we were both in Regensburg, so I earnestly wish that you would reciprocate in like manner—which would indeed be fully in accordance with reason.
For the friendship that has now been established between us, and well founded as I believe, casts out all fear, does not seek corners, but makes all things manifest and speaks openly. It is not content with mere words, but rather demands the thing itself and its realization together.
If you scorn what is ours but value your own so highly—then I compel no one: use your discretion in judging the proper worth of things; and each of us, once experience has taught us, will easily render judgment.
As for me, assuredly, once Your Lordship shall have shown through concrete action your sincere disposition toward me (fulfilling your promises, as I previously did), I shall make it so that Your Lordship will know I have not proved ungrateful.
With these few words, I pray to God Almighty and Most Good that He may preserve Your Lordship perpetually in His grace.
Freising, 29 September 1594
Your Lordship’s most devoted servant,
Petrus Ludovicus Massinus
