Preface, 1604-05, Johann Thölde to the Reader
| Author: | [Johann Thölde] |
| Recipient: | Reader |
| Type: | Preface |
| Date: | May 1604 |
| Place: | Leipzig |
| Pages: | 5 |
| Language: | German |
| Quote as: | https://www.theatrum-paracelsicum.com/index.php?curid=5838 |
| Editor: | Edited by Julian Paulus |
| Source: | Basilus Valentinus, TriumphWagen Antimonii, ed. Johann Thölde, Leipzig: Jacob Popporeich for Jacob Apel 1604, p. 267-271 [BP.BasVal.1604-01]
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| Translation: | Raw translation see below |
| Abstract: | Thölde discusses the publication of alchemical treatises, particularly those related to Basil Valentine and other notable figures like Roger Bacon. Thölde acknowledges that while the treatises are not directly authored by Basil Valentine, they are deeply influenced by the ideas of eminent philosophers and natural scientists, making them worthy of printing and dissemination. The preface highlights the contents of these treatises, focusing on the effective use of antimony in both medicinal and metallurgical contexts. Thölde specifically mentions Roger Bacon's work on the oil and tincture of antimony, emphasizing its significance in alchemy. He also refers to the Particular Tinctures and the writings of Basil Valentine, which delve into the transformation and alteration of metals, as well as the medicinal applications for humans. These works, according to Thölde, offer clear and thorough explanations, making them accessible to those interested in alchemical studies. Thölde's intention in publishing these works is to aid lovers and explorers of alchemy. He aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the art, believing that the writings are so clear and distinct that they can be understood without a teacher, except for those completely unfamiliar with alchemical terminology and concepts. He encourages readers to approach these texts with an open mind, hoping that enthusiasts will find fulfillment and skeptics will abandon their prejudices. The preface concludes with Thölde expressing his commitment to releasing more of such valuable writings, including those of Basil Valentine. (generated by Chat-GPT) |
| Back to Paratexts Back to Texts by Johann Thölde |
[p. 267] An den Kunstliebenden Leser.
Ob wol diese nahfolgende Tractätlein vom Fratre Basilio Valentino nicht gemaht noch beschrieben seyn/ ist doch so viel darauß leichtlich zuverstehen/ daß sie von vornemen Philosophis vnd Naturkündigern gefasset/ vnd dahero wirdig seyn/ daß sie in den Druck gebraht werden.
Vnd weil im ersten Tractätlein der vortreffliche Philosophus Rogerus Bacon Anglus, von dem oleo vnd tinctura Antimonij, beyde in den Menschen vnd Metallen wircklich handelt/ vnd in dem andern Büchlein des ersten theils von den ParticularTincturen/ das Capitel von Antimonio, des Basilij Schrifften gemeß ist/ vnd auch dasselbige gantze Büchlein/ den andern des Basilij [p. 268] Büchern/ vom Schwefel vnd dergleichen Mineralien/ so zum theil in den Druck außgangen/ vnnd nachmals erfolgen soll/ ein kurtze runde vnnd gründliche Erklerung thut/ hab ichs vor rahtsam erachtet/ daß sie neben andern zu dem TriumphWagen Antimonij/ des Basilij gesetzt würden/ darinn nicht allein die Medicin des Menschen an den hellen tag gegeben/ Sondern auch von der transmutation vnd verenderung der Metallen gehandelt wird/ wie auch seine andere Bücher/ vom Victriol/ Schwefel vnd Magneten beides in sich begreiffen/ derer Schrifften vnd anderer mehr/ gleichßfalß in diesen folgenden hierzu gesatzten Tractätlinen/ ein kurtzer Außzug/ vnd gleich Summarischer Bericht vorgestalt wird.
Der ander theil aber des andern angehengten Tractats/ von der [p. 269] UniversalTinctur/ neben den andern allen folgenden erkleret/ das außgegangene Büchlein/ von dem grossen Stein der vhralten Weisen.
Weil ich dann dem Liebhaber vnd Erforscher dieser hohen wunderbaren Kunst/ die Schrifften Basilij, zum besten vnd nutz außgehen/ vnd in den Druck verfertigen lasse: Also ist auch dieses mein wolgeneigter vorsatz vnd dienstwillig Gemühte/ daß ich neben dem Basilio auch andere Schrifften an den tag geben wil/ so den Schrifften Basilij nicht eine geringe Erklerung thun werden/ Ob wol sie so helle/ klar vnnd deutlich seyn/ daß fast dergleichen Philosophische Schrifften[c1] niemals an den tag kommen seyn/ vnd sie von allen/ so der Terminorum artis kündig (Dann wer mit einem Philosopho Aristotelico disputiren wil/ der muß zuvor die Aristotelische Terminos, vnd seine art zu reden/ wol verste- [p. 270] hen: Gleichfalß wer da wil in den Alchimistishen Büchern lesen/ studiren/ vnd sie verstehen/ derselbe lerne zuvor jhr Art vnd Weise zu reden/ vnd werde jhrer Sprache kündig/ folge darneben der Natur/ so wird jhme darneben eine hellbrennende Fackel darinn zu versiren vnd studiren/ nicht von nöhten seyn) fast ohn einigen Lehrmeister wol können verstanden werden/ wo einer nicht am hellen tage/ wie die Fledermauß/ flattern/ straucheln vnd jrren wolle.
Der Lieb vnd Neidhaber dieser löblichen Kunst/ wolle solchs zum besten/ dann es gut gemeynet/ auff vnd annehmen/ damit er/ der Liebhaber/ das gewüntschte Ziel vnd fröliche Ende glücklich erlangen möge/ Der Neidhaber aber/ seinen gefasseten Haß vnnd blindkühne verfolgung der Kunst/ fallen lasse/ So wil ich hernach die [p. 271] andern Schrifften[c2] des hocherfahrnen Manns Fratris Basilij Valentini, auch an den tag geben/ vnd in den offentlichen Druck/ jedermänniglichen zum besten/ außgehen lassen.
Hiermit wil ich dir gut Glück zur Kunst vnnd lange beständige Gesundheit/ von dem höchsten/ Allmächtigen Gott/ so den Menschen die Künste vnnd Gesundheit gibt vnd verleihet/ aus grund meines Hertzen gewüntschet haben/ Leipzig/ im Maio, Anno 1604.
Apparatus
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English Raw Translation
Generated by ChatGPT-4 on 12 January 2024. 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 Art-loving Reader,
Although these following small treatises are not made or described by Brother Basil Valentine, it is easy to understand from them that they were conceived by notable philosophers and natural scientists, and therefore are worthy of being printed.
Since in the first small treatise, the excellent philosopher Roger Bacon of England deals effectively with the oil and tincture of antimony, both in humans and metals, and in the other booklet of the first part on the Particular Tinctures, the chapter on Antimony is in line with the writings of Basil, and this entire booklet, like other books of Basil on sulfur and similar minerals, some of which have been printed and others are to follow, provides a brief, clear, and thorough explanation, I have deemed it advisable that they be placed alongside others in the Triumphal Chariot of Antimony by Basil, where not only the medicine for humans is brought to light but also the transmutation and alteration of metals are discussed, as are his other books on vitriol, sulfur, and magnets, which both encompass. These writings and others are also briefly summarized in the following treatises placed here.
The second part of the attached treatise on the Universal Tincture, along with all the following, explains the published booklet on the great stone of the ancient sages.
Since I am letting the writings of Basil go out and be printed for the benefit and use of the lover and explorer of this high and wonderful art, my well-intentioned purpose and willing spirit is also to publish other writings alongside Basil's, which will provide no small explanation to Basil's writings. Although they are so bright, clear, and distinct that almost no similar philosophical writings have ever come to light, they can be well understood by all who are knowledgeable in the terms of the art (For whoever wants to dispute with an Aristotelian philosopher must first understand Aristotle's terms and his way of speaking. Likewise, whoever wants to read, study, and understand alchemical books should first learn their way of speaking and become familiar with their language, and follow nature, then a brightly burning torch in studying and researching will not be necessary) without any teacher, unless one wants to flutter, stumble, and err in broad daylight like a bat.
The lover and envious of this commendable art should take this for the best, as it is well-intentioned, so that the lover may happily achieve the desired goal and joyful end, and the envious may let go of their conceived hatred and blind, reckless persecution of the art. Then I will subsequently publish the other writings of the highly experienced man Brother Basil Valentine and let them go out in public print for the benefit of everyone.
With this, I wish you good luck in the art and long-lasting health from the highest, Almighty God, who gives and grants arts and health to people, from the bottom of my heart. Leipzig, in May, the year 1604.
