Text.Duclo.1592-01.A2r/Translation
To the Most Illustrious and Serene Prince Ernest, by the grace of God elected and confirmed Archbishop of Cologne, Archchancellor of the Holy Roman Empire in Italy, Prince-Elector and confirmed Bishop of Liège, Heldischein, and Freising, Postulator of Munster, Administrator of Stavelot, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of both Bavarias, Westphalia, Duke of Bouillon, Marquis of Franchimont, Count of Fouqre & Horne, Gaston Duclo, the deputy governor in the court of Nevers, wishes happiness and prosperity.
Most illustrious Prince, we witness with our own eyes and hold in our hands the magnificent marble works crafted by your devoted servant and most obedient citizen of your city of Liège, the exceptionally talented sculptor and architect Thomas Tollet. These works, made of various kinds and colors of marble brought from your homeland of Liège to here, stand testament to his skill. Tollet, upon your command and with your permission, braved countless dangers during these tumultuous times in France to travel and serve our most Illustrious Princes and Dukes of Nevers, your relatives, in constructing these works. This endeavor has not only greatly pleased their excellencies but has also fulfilled their desires through Tollet's work. It is impossible to describe their joy upon seeing the final touches added to works begun many years ago by your most obedient servant. His achievements, completed with such ingenuity and diligence within two years, have garnered universal admiration, surpassing all expectations.
Tollet has adorned the altar in the church of Saint Quiricus in Nevers with exquisite marble craftsmanship, and with equal skill, he constructed a marble oratory station near the esteemed burial place of our illustrious Dukes. He completed marble statues and images begun by a previous sculptor and placed them above the same oratory station, among other recent works. All have been crafted with such artistry that onlookers declare they have not seen finer sculptures in any church in France or even in distant lands. Consequently, to ensure the memory of such a talented and laudable artist endures, our illustrious Princes and Dukes ordered Thomas Tollet's name to be engraved on these marble works.
Not only will our illustrious Dukes be grateful to you, most illustrious Prince, but our entire province will never be able to offer enough praise for the benefit of having such a rare and skilled individual in his art, a man almost unparalleled in the world. His reputation has spread so widely that he has been summoned by many notable men, yet he always longs to return to your highness, refusing to commit to anyone else, eager to comply with your commands.
Upon his arrival here, I met Tollet, whose remarkable talent I recognized from his works and found him to be even more commendable in character. He avoids quarrels, does not slander, shows kindness and friendship to all, and is immune to the usual complaints and blasphemies of those who earn their living through manual labor. I will not speak further of his life and moral integrity, as he has been known to you, most illustrious Prince, for many years and is not unknown to us. Returning to his talent, shortly after his arrival and upon closer acquaintance, I suspected he might know something about Chrysopoeia. When asked if he was as ingenious in creating the philosopher's stone as he was in sculpting and polishing marble, he humbly replied he was ignorant of such secrets, adhering to the principle of not overstepping his bounds. He considers himself a devoted servant of an excellent Prince, who delights in such matters, respects and loves virtuous and honest men, and despises frauds and impostors.
Speaking on your behalf, he mentioned witnessing the projection of a gold-making powder onto mercury, transforming it into pure gold, in your presence and in Liège. This testimony lends credibility to the ancient and contemporary accounts of the Philosopher's Stone. While praising your exceptional virtues and admirable qualities, Tollet expressed his desire to return to your highness, to whom he has dedicated his life and service. I thought you would receive kindly my dedication of what I have seen and my thoughts on the gold-making powder to your name. I had initially decided to publish these works only after my death, but your singular benevolence towards enthusiasts of esoteric knowledge, your virtues, my modest service to you, and my friendship with Tollet, born of a natural affinity, compelled me to write. Although printed, these works will escape the eyes of all but your highness, as it is improper to share such mysteries with scoffers, the impious, and the unworthy. I believe I have clearly explained nearly everything that can truly be said about this matter, without arrogance. The key to the entire secret, which I have entrusted to Tollet's faith, is the furnace, capable of providing consistent and suitable heat. He built it with his own hands, according to my design, to reflect the sun's heat downward. We have learned of its certain effects through experience, and I believe no one has constructed such a furnace with such ease and effectiveness. The power lies in the fire and the mixture of these inanimate bodies. Ignorance of this consistency has caused many to miss the desired transformation, and they will continue to do so. Tollet will not describe or depict this furnace in words or pictures but will demonstrate it in practice. He has also witnessed remarkable things, which I deemed dangerous to disclose publicly. In the meantime, most illustrious Prince, please receive my efforts with equanimity. Nevers, on the Loire, on the Kalends of April, 1592.
