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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Parallel Edition

Baro Urbigerus

Aphorismi Urbigerani

The Complete 1690 Volume · With Circulatum Minus

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Aphorismi UrbigeraniXXII–XXXI: Powers, Limits and Further Regeneration · Original

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Original English Page · Branch 164 of 194

XXII–XXXI: Powers, Limits and Further Regeneration · Original

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Original English

XXIX. Some are of Opinion, that both the Elixirs may be produc'd out of several determin'd things, as Human Excrements, May dew, (which they call also their Menstruum from above, or Water from the Clouds) &c. as also that the Grand Elixir may be prepar'd out of this, or any other Vegetable regenerated Menstruum; but since we know, that such Menstruums, which they call their Philosophical Mercury, althô they may dissolve and volatilize Metals, yet cannot meliorate any of them, this Dissolution and Volatilization being neither natural nor Philosophical, we therefore with good Reason judge all those Opinions to be only false Suppositions and ill-grounded and imaginary Notions.

Modern English

XXIX. Some believe that both elixirs may be produced from various determined things, such as human excrements, May dew—which they also call their menstruum from above, or water from the clouds—and so forth. They also believe that the grand elixir may be prepared from this or any other regenerated vegetable menstruum. But we know that such menstruums, which they call their philosophical mercury, may dissolve and volatilise metals yet cannot improve any of them. This dissolution and volatilisation is neither natural nor philosophical. We therefore rightly judge all those opinions to be only false suppositions and ill-grounded, imaginary notions.

About This Reading Edition

The complete 1690 Aphorismi Urbigerani: historical frontispiece and Latin inscriptions, title and licence, dedication, all 101 grand-elixir aphorisms, the complete Circulatum Minus with its title, address and 31 vegetable aphorisms, and the full explanatory postscript with both printed endings. Original and modern English readings, fresh Latin translations, 115 annotations and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Baro Urbigerus, Aphorismi Urbigerani, London: Henry Faithorne, 1690; with Circulatum Minus Urbigeranum and the concluding postscript. The Getty Research Institute copy supplies the governing images; EEBO-TCP A25684 supplies the structured transcription witness, corrected against those images. The frontispiece signed W. F. is attributed in library catalogues to William Faithorne.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The historical text and engraving are public domain. The EEBO-TCP Phase 2 transcription is released under CC0; that waiver does not cover associated images. The engraving is credited to the Getty Research Institute copy digitised by Internet Archive. The supplied 2026 reading, translations and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization.