A course of lectures on chemical science, as delivered at the Surrey Institution / By Goldsworthy Gurney.

  • Gurney, Goldsworthy, Sir, 1793-1875.
Date:
1823
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A course of lectures on chemical science, as delivered at the Surrey Institution / By Goldsworthy Gurney. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    pious, and ridiculous search after a menstruum which shall change all other metals into gold, and an elixir which shall prolong human life in- terminably, first pointed out the direction, and afterwards cleared the path, which has at length conducted us to the admirable science of modern chemistry. Alchemy, like all the other abstruse sciences, must be referred to an Egyptian origin. We can trace it thus far back, but there we are compelled to leave it, enveloped in that mist of obscurity which surrounds it, in common with all other Egyptian learning. Alonzo of Castile (surnamed the Wise by his admirers, and the Astrologer by those who were disposed to ridicule his pretensions), was the great modern patron as well as preacher of alchemy and astrology; and he speaks of an Egyptian as having been his instructor in both these arts. It may be stated here, that the transmutation of metals was not only regarded as possible, but was firmly believed to have been performed, in many instances, and by various practisers of the art. In fact, Alonzo of Castile himself, in the Book of the Treasure, as it is called, boasts of actually possessing the secret, and of having used it to increase his wealth. He says, “ in secrecy I was instructed in this inestimable treasure, and there- with did I increase my wealth.” A copy of this