A coal porter, an alchemist and a rich man who hopes vainly to profit from alchemy. Etching, 18th century.

[Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified]

1 print : etching.

Peter Grevious Carry-coal. Ee'ry day at my back, I carry this pack,/ To keep up the chymical fire:/ And yet when all's done the phylosophers stone, our projects will never acquire ... Lettering continues: "Mercurius sublimate, a chymist. With the flattering hopes, of transmuting base metals,/ Converting to gold, copper pots, and brass kettles. I draw in the my bubbles to empty their purses,/ Make off with the booty and laugh at their curses.// Crucible Little Wit. a projector. Was ever a man so besotted as I,/ With chymical projects to drain his purse dry./ When I had enough had I been but contented./ This cursed misfortune had then been prevented"

Wellcome Collection 36431i