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Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition

Attributed to Abraham the Jew

The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume I

Book of Hieroglyphic Figures

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The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume IThe First Figure and Preparation · Manuscript 10r · Scan 35

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English Page · Branch 30 of 351

The First Figure and Preparation · Manuscript 10r · Scan 35

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French

Ms. 10r

contenue dans l'horloge, et après sa préparation il est comme de l'eau pesante, gluante et simple comme il paraît dans la partie inférieure du vieillard qui est nue.

Cette diversité de couleurs et de formes est aussi marquée par le casque du jeune homme et par sa cuirasse de fer, dont la forme extérieure peut être comparée au crocus de Mars, ou à du vermillon s'il contracte quelque rouille, ou au vif-argent semblant s'il devient poli, ce qui fait que les chimistes l'appellent leur acier ou plomb des philosophes, c'est-à-dire vermillon, ou lui donnent le nom de quintessence ou d'esprit s'il est distillé, de même qu'il est marqué par le jeune homme qui frappe son casque de sa baguette.

Pour expliquer entièrement les fables il faut savoir que frapper ne veut dire autre chose dans les poètes que corrompre et résoudre en humide. Ils ont tâché de nous représenter la même chose par la massue d'Hercule (ce qui n'était autre chose que l'esprit de notre eau gluante), avec laquelle il mettait à mort toutes

Ms. 10r

The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume I: The First Figure and Preparation

Ms. 10r

contained in the hourglass. After its preparation it is like heavy, sticky and simple water, as appears in the old man's lower part, which is bare.

This diversity of colors and forms is also signified by the young man's helmet and iron breastplate, whose outward appearance may be compared with the crocus of Mars, or with vermilion if it acquires any rust, or with seeming quicksilver if it becomes polished. This is why the chemists call it their steel or the philosophers' lead—that is, vermilion—or give it the name quintessence or spirit if it is distilled, just as it is signified by the young man striking his helmet with his wand.

To explain the fables fully, one must know that striking means nothing else in the poets than corrupting and resolving into moisture. They sought to represent the same thing through Hercules' club—which was nothing other than the spirit of our sticky water—with which he put to death every

Ms. 10r

About This Reading Edition

The first manuscript in the Manly Palmer Hall collection at the Getty Research Institute: the Book of Hieroglyphic Figures, presented in French and English with 463 explanatory notes, 13 manuscript plates, 25 source details, an introduction, chapter outline, glossary, bibliography, and register of readings.

Historical Text and Translation

Book of Hieroglyphic Figures (Livre des figures hiéroglyphiques), attributed in the witness to Abraham the Jew. Getty Research Institute, Manly Palmer Hall collection of alchemical manuscripts, accession 950053, Box 1, Hogart manuscript 3; French witness catalogued circa 1800. Manly Palmer Hall is the collector, not the author.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The circa 1800 source manuscript is public domain. The supplied 2026 French reading transcription, English translation, introduction, notes, outline, glossary, register, and editorial arrangement are published with the site owner’s authorization. Source photographs are credited to the Getty Research Institute and Internet Archive in the supplied edition.