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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 UrbigeraniXXVIII–XLIII: Water, Fire and Preparation · Original

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Original English Page · Branch 52 of 194

XXVIII–XLIII: Water, Fire and Preparation · Original

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Original English

XXXI. If after the first Distillation an exceedingly corrosive and extremely penetrating red Oil does not ascend (which as soon as it begins to appear in the Neck of the Retort, the Receiver must be changed) it signifies, that the Distillation has not been rightly perform'd, and by Consequence, that the internal Fire of our metalic vaporous Water, being burnt up, and corroded by its poisonous Vapor, and the outward Fire, is still mixt with it, and with the Caput Mortuum.

Modern English

XXXI. After the first distillation, an exceedingly corrosive and penetrating red oil should ascend; the receiver must be changed as soon as it begins to appear in the retort’s neck. If it does not ascend, the distillation has not been correctly performed. Consequently, the internal fire of our metallic vaporous water, burnt up and corroded by its poisonous vapour and the outward fire, remains mixed with the water and the dead head.

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.