An Alchemical Manuscript by Arnaldus de Bruxella

189 Pages·2004·4.3 MB·English

Au Alchenieal Manuscript by Arnaldus de Drusella

Wed. Wilsou
Osiris, Vol, 21936), 220-405,

Stable Ua:
Ips sea agen, 249-782 2281038201 9A2SIC2NISAAAMIADSELENCORIELD

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An Alchemical Manuscript by
Arnaldus de Bruxella

PREFACE

“The vohume here daeussed fer came ery atencion in 993,
ring che preparation of the Censes of Medicuel end Ransistance
Dtanuscepts im the United Stetes and Canada, ie amiporaice

‘nor evident, asd theaugls the Kasiness of the Tabearzn
OF Ligh University. Mp. Hawaro Savoy Eras, it we Teuned
to the Liary af Congres in upder thet a setaled hehieal
description might he diawn up for tke fortheuming, Cataiogue
of Latin and Vernasatar Atchiial Manaccribs inthe United
States end Canada. ‘Vis tuly scafinred rhe siti! impression
petn ine wiles, and { sshed ptemninion, which the Universice

uturicies gracimly areneded, €0 write & eposis, ate on the
seabuscripe with a view e9 mating ie Sitovioa nga Senos kaowen
"That study, originally mach mars liniced in desiyn, hae nave
s70en to Gie presat sia partly Ieasun. che cumenes al the
lume soars invited comgatisen ih ther af the mit
seauding ionvmorats fn the history af alchemy, and petly hecawse
icaecmed desire, in work on euch a subject t zie an ing
translation of all passages aecusring in foreign languages. This
rarice of tanslation wi, i: i hoped, mafe it easich far eae
‘esconal chemists and hiwewiaus of chemistry te caity on the
valuation of the muatscal ats ies fine stage, far which my ova
‘ciiipmest is inadequate. namely, the intergretacian of ee ancient
recipes i terms of madera chemistry. Ali nce viel of the
recent resesich in 1his End hax not ore Fouad ity way into the
historia, and since the aus in the grea snoaos
ein, precisely an iqteded 4 the start, baer some to fot &
soet of anuotated Iiblingrphy of tie auch, it ha secmal
sabisable to wake of the adex a guide ce this ltoatuet ab well
ds a slostary of techaieal teraa, ta Append L wilt be found
BiWlogeaplieal deals separdigg che works most eomunouly
referred ta, incudinyg 4 few alchemical munuicrpts that have
fave yee been edited or Fully described in pa

An 4 Sei Ue ile the ceanseript it ne, no revoke
nary principle, wi nce! inwight inns the hisary of alchemy
bh shoud prave usin have the prvcilng istic cheaies
ennfirmed sa ampecesively and wich ach a weateh of dea. Fat
example, eke Renassancs af ths 73th ecnturs has Ioug len held
superior to that ofthe sth so chat it a aunpriae co ind Avant
or Drcssits aking hs mse solid ard eubstanal crcaties ‘rom
sich gph and early 4th century authorities ae ALawazee Macs

Jus op Rhinnsctees, und thers thongh nat, a6 it Saypene,
Jom Recer Bacon. The sh century in genevlly cccoguined
12 4 pesiod of aesive experimentation he nf arial) theoncal
progiess, wid we find dhe later a mame nearly eonmemapacary
wentises ward theend of his volume runaing en visiensallegotce,
anil parablee, with onl a alight vencer of science though
Agim. ta take @ point of deal. the doetcne atthe teansmuration
cereale has Tong bees fle ta have come telation tothe ileal
ocrrine af the Irenmubanation af the eucharistic bee! and
wine; and this mvanvscipt ia une passage uses “ teansulstine
fiacan "a an ontand-cut syvenym for © alehenny.” As far
texts, there appear 1 he seme fren eretsee im the prevent
compilacon that have rever heen printil; while the impoctane
Samite sorta in olhiia, hy Auaentes Mast stands 9a sscceaiom
seer dilferane fan all of the pelted edison ard probably muuch
supers. critical edition af this work ou the vais af te
varia fost sud seem to he one of de det wail roles TRAE
could be pained Comm 4 finer study of the manner

‘The classic xpology for che his ores study ofthe ose iene
seas nffered by Doccue-Lectiwey st th. evel of the pectace ta is
LAtvolepe Gresque "Do noe ake i xx 9 mere gla 1 words
SELany un conetusion that one daes not taste urs mein inveatic
gating that on which ocher men have waste thine" Againse
the backeecund of today’s sconce alchemy apyears a8 an unit
fated superstian, but vse in io histtieal perspctive ie can
Ee sccn as a sie, even a natntal amc inevitable stage, in the
wa my wasn

evelopinent of the humin understanding of ceria. natoral
Phuamens. "The vicious and often serprinng tancfor ation,
isappentazces, and reappearancen hich che ahjecse af the
urmimcing world walerg rant have sexed 1 euutlene
generations of men an be. merely eapeicious, urpredicette,
incomnucheas ble. Though It is rot always 20. recognized.
the tse geet stp tawaid aetence was undouatedlr mapc, which
at lave embodied che ies of causalty. although it wae asully
willing to oredicae: causal cannection un the busie of a single
observed irstanoe or even on a vivid imayination ox hope at 10
‘what migh: oc ought cy be. Another important ster forward
was the early Greek des, commonly acoredieeé to EMPEDOnLES,
MF fue indamenal element, sath water, airy and. Bee, from
vehicle alliage wuse eaade. ov he Got ena af ess there is 4
AitiaceSoeeshadowing of th idea oft slid, guid, and gussous
aren of water, AnErUTLE, ia rationalizing the theory of the
fine elements, not only eecopuczee the dstinioa becveen ce
rmecluanicalrisvire a substance ane what 96 eb n call

their chemical enmbieation, nil srenie to eevelop a doctrine of
the pracdealy limited paasbilty of chemres! chat any
combmauan heing capzble — if ame car but Gud the sight

prasesee — of heing hioken deayn inte its constituent elements
tnd recombined to firm sorncthing diferent. It was inevitable,
‘ie experimentation went on, chat shins shal dike uf nea
Govon the bauer metal by Reis o¢ nthe process aad cerca
toting chor as steer oe gold. Tha seas botn, in the est ov 20M
cencuty A. 11, the sleherical tendtinn Against Ache gold
smiths droped thor sana ters Far the party of the precious
metals, od for ccatusce, down inta Arahic times ane bryand
the eamtace herwmrt the tx ihcuris camcinncd, wth nat enugh
caparimental evidence to ext sitser doin conclusively
Ive asele wentry Ie dicaneries of ehe aroiie cherie seer
foe a time co have made the afchemdeta mhully eidiewls, hat
the rooene development of muclear chemletry “woul suggest
tha ey may hove heen justified ia thes aime, though ese ata
i heir hed

a the present eGort to eatinate the sigrficance of the manu
secipt of Anran a Barus, 1 have aad invcvale aid ftom Me
Caen7s Mareti, of the Cilory uf Congres, Profesor Laws
“rwursoine. of Columbia Universny, Tir, Tasonows ©, Berea,
cE the Cattlle University af Ameri, and. Mian Ans Mi Bru,
Cf che Fabcary of Congres, al af whom Rave read che wonogesah
fn monunerih Farm. Dro PRvraaes, far gurpance of Iie a4,
hat spent aime ne on the origiaal docnvent, ate! is largely
responsible for the aligames! of fasts sot Fath in she ft part af
Apperdie UL Bas Ntci, hy her estanaive knowlege mf che
ihdogeaphy of cael prindig, hae saved we feb seers! vnfuc-
funate encore. Dr, Davin Miro, Consultant in Bispacie
Literarare at the Library of Cong-em, Bas aided rae in the
interpretation of the Catslan rerminalogg. | am alen ohged
te Dr. C. A DRawse. of the United States Depatement nf Agri=
ceutwice, Me Jom W Mons, of the Thited States War Depa:
rasct, De. Hancey A. NTUrLLr, Amooiste Proesear of Chestietey
a1 Lekigh University, Me, Monee €. Eros, of he Divison
of Laburatries and Research af the Sew York Stcee Uaasd of
Mestiy and Dune Avanioe Starrragsrtess O, 8. db, and Bir
unnsia M. Pasicss, of St. Antli's Prnry, for sacious helpful
sugeestions. ‘Yo che Amedar. Counel af Tearned Societies,
which tow sponsored the genetal pence! at a extsiogue of the
alchenveal matuscrines in this county, mp since-et thanks ae
uc fie porn lug me oo catry out sn extensive a separate ead
of this particular vilume; also to the Libraey of Congres,
‘hich fas geceealy plied ies many reaourese at aur digponal
for che funtheranes of the underting.

(8a fot Ietannre, ereryane wha worl inthis falda iedehoed
tthe poner in such studies, Mavens tas Marner, sid tis
<coutinuator and somes: cei, the German historia of ulchemy.
EO. saw Tameunstty Gur instrmarinn rrgztding Grech a
eripts to the tease ol the Catalogue de Menacrite lceimigies
Gras, or manuscripts ip England, “0 Mts. Tr, W. Shwwit, Jar
suinvéer'pte en the eomiinent, ea Laws THORNTIKE, whe in Bit
hen Itest selumes as chine the parteutar service of bringing
rier onto the wilderness of pseudansovae alchnreical writings
ascribed to Revo Liner aul ARSALU oF uta Neva: lkewioe,
fo the preat collections ot carly aehemiel Htrzinre. cated by
Grevranono, hy Zetoxey, anc hy Mawaer: to bey FHRGHEOS for
abotste iblingaphical dewih rezanting various ediians oF
clerical works: and 0 the dictonaren of alchemical ems,
ag Wr watson
vwll-agh indlspeneable vor ccecacch in these folds, by Henao,
by Jeuttcon, aad atoatcomapashensively by Sexeincces. inal.
Tog referepoer 1m enrrent hooks ard perindies® Wecsstare oi
AU phases nf the suljact Tan rofnaiy. indited ta the
Santos sitliograpbice in suatessive numbers of fick and in the
Inevoduction ta the Uta of Seance © acme almest ieamoral 0
fave the pathway of the student of history made so casy 2
eee aide ender

Bibvong of Congres, Wadham D.C.

Tenanher gry e435
‘5: ATSHYMIEAL OUENLSERIDT BY ABNALDGS OF RRURILLA 205

PONTRETS

ofr, Wserpiaa ad History of the Naonerige 26
Fi, ge, Anmius ap Dveaieue ae Finer and Soho 20

UL G28, Hoeges on Brokering, Meenoworking, lat ors 338
U6. § 2g46, Origioand Development the Alcamica Tadic = 352
¥. yrgn Recipeesn eke Cone Might ana Malley of Vitae 6g
Bi, f jpn. Th Canize of Won Aleatesty and Galdemnshe os ake
Fit, § heyy Vie Phhoaphe Pane and 36 Hine of Ue os ay
IIL § ep. Pangaion, Hlesin, Ditladon, Scbfnation, ad
‘lena wes
Lk. § Atgg Cenentusion a7 ia Aleka Pavoee MM
X. § grat Ore Tein, inluding Peaectin and Muldplcaion 32
SE, §reqtsg, Genta Beare of Cee Cereury Alcbemny = 346
MEL GasS-cge, Other Tesnaren + Allegri, Medio, Magica 48

Appendix J. Lief Abbrev References 0
Sppentix'€ ‘ence ane ote] Selecions nhs Maange soe 362
Sinema 1. ra ae Ge Adina de emer 33
Sptenlin 1W. Breuer the far Pole Bed
Ajnutian ¥. Engine te Feels vere By
ska of Sauer aid Tecbasal Tessa an
ska Of Title od Tipe : oe
ILLUSTHATIONS
Tigwre 1 Distilling Spperatu, the ts Separate ve
Figure + Thaling Apporss, Avsembled for Uae oa
Fis ta Vit of Alber! Signe Sede
Hla cq Diagram of Cie Fanlimertale et Alchemy sso. fang $4
a6 watson

1
TDasunuenioy Aww wletued ce THE seastacauy

2. The Library of Leigh Universi, at Bechfehem. Penn
spleania, conties 2 oompetuium of alchemy, im Lacn Catab,
and Heian (oth soe later alitions ia Frenel), compel and
ceapied a: Naples hetuern 14 and 14g by ARSaLGHS DF B
SEEZa, ho sas one of te earliest of Neapolitan printers, ‘The
‘lame crmuprine sone hundzeds of individual ceipes, 4 nuroher
af diagrams, score Tite nf alchemical eyrcole anol uf slehersical
wrters, and avel ching aspera alchemical realises, al which
howt fern seem co by a2 Pet ungsine, hugh fee af useet
‘een are teonrdled ae etiins on other mumacripts, Theis
ae lea saver enlectiona of slcheruiea verve, inludhey asteen
ftoanets in Tekan, a group of 108 lies ia Lata, aad ancther oF
29 Fes ia Cats. (1) ‘The crameripe fe on paper, 244 lew
Gaumbered éxlii in a modern haul, aul s-220 in the original
hand, bue omiteing ¥86, 195, 199, wal 200) 24.3. 209 or,
Jn Uouble cahimne; hoend in 13h cestury brown half Russia
learher, rebuckee, with 4 fy-lexves a Feat und ac buck, These
sini a watermark wit the initials LV. Co aed the fewecdetis
fon 4 crowed shield, sumewhat in the stele af AssgeTs. 1. nae
acy, 7aro-72v2 {piuthly im Asian type of the réth venir)
2. Except for f. 7ge13e, which are ima enacser ind rassiby
earlier band ateargly anygestie of Gevrmen acgia, the <7tie
compilation, satting Inte aéuiions, ix inthe. Se and. cegular
Weil of a single tbe, Aaneacace fia Catelarson fri Smo")
1pm Liaour cr Taesenuta, The ack was dane in thre periods
‘oF shout a year cach, sence eight yetty prt, a & evitn "or
deeer. scriba’ suluetipions sentered dnugh the hook. The
Uhre matieat (5 kal. Jan. 1493, & aqg@t pridie wal. bam e473,
f nyga; 2a Nav. 347g, qth all at Naples) are in a semeatat
Gal red ink tha: appease un much uf the eubrisation nf 49-96

0) While © ete deepan of dhe nonneit wil nyt ent
aud 13g 153. These vestians, eagecher with f+ rl ennsaining
flat are nov the Fes to taste, were pparendy left me973,
Sich the vubivation sandy pally completed

$y im about :4St che work wae ronmed, some Leaves were
eareanged, additonal rabies were inseted in 2 hrightct-colared
indy, cernin nen ceete weee copied and vere rubvicated shally
in the brighter ted, and che work af anatter and prohably cali
serine (( tas, with a date on f. gpa: Rneum atin daeinien
sf, 13 Mai) wae incurperaeed and supplied oth acdiconal rubies
in the same rent ink, The watermark in chese additonal leaves
fe che sesanes, i: 4 design identical wich Baguer, Tl, 20. 9664,
vehcch fe dated ar Venice, 143%; ber how thin ix he lated
ith the date {af compositor ar copying} an f gpa nut else.
The wescermar ia fg also tan acer eles elf ly
drawn (probably Baagees, Tl ne. 3613, Venice, 1489}. The
x sulseriprions Ine 1g8e fy Bal. May rye x Hepes, aha
Dew, C rpsii4 Fee f 280; €7 Desf igh; tg Bee, aya —
‘wich no socntion of place except Naples, fryeh ane. fry)
se all in che Brighter ce ank except om 8 £958, whee thr ase,
in apparent hate used the asdirary black. Lutiag this year
the ark yew under the compiler’ hand. Tn Match he inteided
tn stop wita £370 (which, by an enzar ir. muhering aRer tog
ke 2a marked a5 17H, a6 appeses fram hac fz row rae aetna
Cable if contents, ilaslle. To thi the original hand has added
Finis ae for {73 ater oe Wat af ohaaterstilen fap che aber
Phen) 4 trac which athe wont clases sith the Macch ft
talephon. But hy Trceanbes aches wevke had heen copied acd
incorparced, aul a heifer cable al ermtents (fo ji-by, giving
‘only title an inept wb nn hat a wlragter jth was slaw
up in ehe compier's sou hand and peeited 1 the entice murs,
his lic, owing for re errors in sumherng, corespinds
perfecly 10 the cent a8 far 2¢ fig, but then aad ile acd
‘neigit for to works chat were never copied, a at lest were nah
inecepoeated ne» the manuseipy

4 Aprarendy the compilation was now interrupted én another
feughe gears, ‘The ast Iwo rubrics ate in Mack, on Lesvos noe
covered by sither thle of contents +N bal, Sept. glo (f arsth
and ¢-nones Sepe, 1490 (€ 20e9), both eget a1 Neples(zalled
bby Wald came, Parthenope, co Farge) “Le aalectians, o5
ut orf weeson

clarwhere in the volar. axe cridenly aot entesed ia the order
ie which chey were copice. Uecwee. Ubi me Stnemburs
te esopiler mi Ive mel + eertain dector af arts and medicine,
one Guivana BAEse OF Skea, whe eae thatthe presetiption
for warm medicine an f. rgka wae eticiciouy alee io cues ot
quart lever. ‘The note ta his effet, dace 20 Out, r48q and
ier dicectls after the cofaphos. al fi Sept, 48h, # unm
Valle in che aciginat hand bot in a diferent ped ink, From
‘study of ehe nacermacka ons puis a Title conGiriaign ato the
georril onlee in whic the varias ssetiane were transcebed,
or 1 + 48, rages, and ¢29-16a the mark it an mvs hen, one
12 Baigur T¥. ni 14334 Fram Provenoe, 4, or wr prude
Palerma 162). For L- viscrg® and sill fia che second, ut
chronolgieally site, table of wontents) ir + ooeeet. foued fa
Baraver, 1, rns. yhig (Padua, Genes, r43g 149) Wh (Naples
1486, sprOUETTI FOE Maley aly tyeyrqgg). ete, For
Eo cxg-228 and 1y7 216 the marke ave chiefly crowns, verging
cousiderably and nt easly wdentifaate in RRIQUNT

‘After 2490 there is net mach indcaian ato whet happened
lo thes book unal abou 158, when ie exe to the hans af @
french ave, P. Roca m, who aseme to have in impresce!
with the Faerie) aspect of he aequiiting. Ow fia, beside
his signatre, sande." Kmpens ex," and on 12° Ce pees
Tivse ma cous siz egcu." 1 he wha appeare ca Fave goven
fhe boul its tle, in Prator des Ascimicer (Fin), baer rade
‘he ro.gh egimnines a? an alpbahetec fades an cersin Hank
Pages ( anvhangh, 2160), and en have fled eut the fen tahlon
af contents, pring atthe eloce ofthe esooad one = Finis, +384."
wits WAL his chareotert managran

A fome other Trenehapeshing sehiolar must hare owned
cor wsed the buvk aba! his time. Oh fi ima fine hend oF the
ewan Ialf of the NYT c, fe the news "Ce ure ext nae?
[or inser] en mon gare! vse salehivvic imprizad 2 bale”
‘This may refer uo ehe large vilumme by Cian rer t0. GestaKDto,
Bera aichindat Raskn,1963), wich prints tn ent. Ty p. 78-100,
the fi crace in this manuscrct, the Semite recta, thrugl i ©
widely varying text. Rut Gaara would have heen nore
likely en write an anoatacion in Halin thaw in French. Henn
wan grand Tiyce " probably indicates awnership rachee than