Lives of the Adepts.

...sisted of six or seven meltings but in the eighth turned into scoriæ dross or slag. However, in the very same chapter where this weak argument is found, Albert acknowledges that turning metals into other forms is possible, provided the practitioner knows how to imitate the processes of nature.

Because he was more knowledgeable about natural wonders than his peers, people claimed he was a magician. This was a common label for anyone with more than ordinary knowledge during the deep ignorance of the 13th century. This reputation followed his memory long after his death. We find that the Great Chronicle of Belgium, published in 1480, records him as original: "magnus in magia, major in philosophiâ, maximus in theologia" "great in magic, greater in philosophy, and greatest in theology."

There is one surviving story of his magical abilities in the history of the University of Paris.

It is said that William, Count of Holland, was persuaded by this great philosopher to visit his house in Cologne, where Albert intended to host the prince for a supper. Albert had tables set in the monastery garden, even though it was winter and the weather was extremely harsh. The ground was covered with snow, and the courtiers accompanying William complained about Albert's lack of judgment for exposing the prince to such severe cold. Suddenly, the snow vanished. They felt the gentle warmth of spring, and the garden beds were filled with the most fragrant flowers. Birds flew about as if it were summer, singing delightful notes, and the trees appeared in full bloom. Their astonishment at this transformation of nature grew even more when, after the meal, the soft air, the flowers, the birdsong, and the delightful spring all stopped. Everything disappeared in a moment, and the cold wind began to blow with its former intensity.

By a misfortune that sometimes follows excessive study, and of which the history of scholars provides many examples, Albert lost his memory about three years before his death. He totally forgot everything he knew, except for the essential duties of religion. He persevered in these until the end of the year 1280, when he died at Cologne at the age of 87.

See original: "Histoire l'Universite de Paris" History of the University of Paris 1255, volume 3, page 213; original: "Quetif et Echardus Bibliotheca Dominicanorum" Quetif and Echard's Dominican Library, volume 1; original: "Albert Mineralium, lib. 3, cap. 9" Albert's On Minerals, book 3, chapter 9; and original: "Tolameus in Historia Ecclesiast, lib. 2, cap. 17" Tolameus in Ecclesiastical History, book 2, chapter 17.

THOMAS AQUINAS.

Albert the Great had a pupil in Saint Thomas to whom he would reveal everything he kept most secret. Perhaps Albert loved him because he found in him a great depth of piety combined with an extreme maturity of mind that deserved all his instructions.