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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Anonymous (traditionally attributed to Anton Joseph Kirchweger)

The Golden Chain of Homer

A New Translation from the German Edition of 1723

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The Golden Chain of HomerI.19 · Volatile, Acid and Alkali

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German & Latin Page · Branch 142 of 504

I.19 · Volatile, Acid and Alkali

German & Latin

1723 pp 94–95

Man möchte aber weiter sagen: Es gehet endlich hin, eine schnelle Probe zu machen, daß man obiter etliche Subjecta zusammensetze; Aber warum nimmt er den Eßig darzu? ist nicht genug der Spir. vini als Volatile, das Aquafort als Acidum, und die Kreide als eine fixe Erde und alcalisches Subject? Warum denn Acidum darzu? Hier schicket sich nicht uneben ein fundamental. Discours, als sehr nothwendig, der denen Liebhabern, so bisher im Labyrinth gestecket, nicht ein geringes Licht, ihre so viel 1000. begangene Fehler zu corrigiren, anzünden wird. Dieses ist ein solcher Handgriff, welcher so ihn mancher recht zu appliciren wüste, er viel Umschweiffe, Unkosten und Zeit in Chymicis erspahren würde. Es ist doch zum Handwerck worden, daß jeder Laborant seine Hände in Spir. vini wäschet, da der Hunderte nicht weiß, was er ist. Sie sagen Spir. vin. muß die Sulphura extrahiren, er muß die Corrosiva dulcificiren, und die Salia clarificiren, er muß das gantze Werck als das edelste Wesen corrigiren, perficiren. Ja, sie haben recht. Aber NB. hic latet nucleus. Sage mir rationem, cur hoc faciat spir. vini? und wenn mancher seine Arbeit besiehet in finali, so siehet ers lahm und unvollkommen, daß er wünschet, er hätte es nie angefangen, darüber er doch so viel Maas des theuren Spir. vini verschwendet, und gleichwol den geringsten Effect nicht erhalten. Der Spir. vini ist so scharff gewesen, daß er das Pulver angezündet, hat doch den schlechten Effect gethan. Was ist die Ursach?

1723 pp 94–95

The Golden Chain of Homer: I.19 · Volatile, Acid and Alkali

1723 pp 94–95

One might say further: very well, to make a quick experiment one may incidentally combine several subjects; but why add vinegar? Are spirit of wine as the volatile, aqua fortis as the acid, and chalk as a fixed earth and alkaline subject not enough? Why add acid? A fundamental discussion fits very well here, and is most necessary. It will kindle no small light for students hitherto trapped in the labyrinth, enabling them to correct the many thousands of errors they have made. This is a practical manipulation which, properly applied, would save many people much roundabout labour, expense and time in chymistry. It has become a trade practice for every laboratory worker to wash his hands in spirit of wine, although scarcely one in a hundred knows what it is. They say spirit of wine must extract the sulphurs, sweeten corrosives, clarify salts, and, as the noblest essence, correct and perfect the whole work. Yes, they are right. But take note: here lies the kernel. Tell me the reason why spirit of wine does this! When many people look at their work in the end, they see it crippled and imperfect, and wish they had never begun. They have wasted so many measures of costly spirit of wine and obtained not the slightest effect. The spirit was sharp enough to ignite powder, yet produced this poor effect. What is the cause?

1723 pp 94–95

About This Reading Edition

The two-book alchemical work of 1723 in German with a new English translation, 399 notes, eight historical diagrams, chapter outlines, keyword essays, a glossary, bibliography, subject index, and 400 discussion questions.

Discussion Questions

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Aurea Catena Homeri. Frankfurt and Leipzig: Johann Georg Böhme, 1723. Traditionally attributed to Anton Joseph Kirchweger; the attribution remains uncertain. Historical diagrams from the Stiftung der Werke von C. G. Jung copy digitized by e-rara.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The supplied edition identifies the 1723 German source and historical diagrams as public-domain material. Its new English translation and editorial apparatus are published with the site owner’s authorization. The complete original files are retained unchanged.