Curious Collection on Bismuth

A decorative woodcut header is composed of two horizontal rows of repeating floral and scrollwork motifs.

It is,

now handed over in these present pages to your friendly favor and kind judgment, a writing that originates not only from three learned men, whose names and memories will remain in good remembrance even for late posterity, but which also brings forth all manner of remarkable things to your mind for a more mature consideration. For although it cannot be denied that in our time there is no lack of such books which treat of the very useful study of noble Chymie chemistry, of which one finds many and sufficient testimonies in the public bookstores; but also, on the other hand, a great multitude of ill-disposed people is encountered who seek opportunity to slander such magnificent science with untimely babble; yet it is placed beyond all dispute that this beloved study brings to mind not only the countless benefits of GOD toward us humans, but also directs our hearts toward many hidden wonders of the divine omnipotence, concealed from the ostentation of men, which we must regard with all the more wonder and attention, the more we see that day by day, even more glorious and to the world entirely unknown arcana secret remedies are brought to light by such people who possess a deeper insight into this science.