PDF - Cunningham Memorial Library

OBSERVATIONS,
xvii
himself to be acquainted, and solemnly affirmed he
once had some of it in his possession. That these
pretcnsions should gain credit, when it is so evident
that no such liquor could cxist, may appear wonderful
(for no yessel can contain that which is capable
of dissolving all things); but when we reflect on the
cxtreme ignorance of thc agc, with respect to physical
science, and on the extensive utility of such an al.
kahest, if attainable; and when we also reflect that
" what men wish they easily believe," we shall be less
surprised at the avidity with which this, and other
equally absurd notions, such, for example, as the
" Philosopher's Stone·," were propagatedandreceived.
• The Philosopher's Stonc, During a long series of
ycnrs a subst:mce was eagerly sought for, which was to
convert lead, mcrcury, and other metals, into gold, and
which unknown substance was termed the Philosopher's
Stone, King Henry VI. gmnted letters patent to certain
per~ons, who undertook to find the Philosopher's Stone,
and these letters were to free them from the penalties of
n former statute made against attempts of n like nature.
It app('nrs that mnny of those persons, who made the
Philosopher's Stone an object of their search, wcre well
skilled in sleight of hand, and hence often performed
tricks which coul,r not fail to impose upon the great
bod)' of those who witnessed them; and in this way
must lIcnr)· Vr., and other so\'ereigns who granted si ..
nlilar protections, have been imposed on. In the present
dal' it would be a waste of time to enter into an)' minute
detcction ofsuch impositions or absurd pretensions. "'e
now know with tolcmble decisiveness that ever)' distinct
metal is a simple subslnnce, as differcnt from eveT)' other
metal as fire is from frost, ond Ihal a cT)'slal nla)' as soon