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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 Wilderness Rivers and Fixation · Manuscript 41r · Scan 109

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French Page · Branch 100 of 351

The Wilderness Rivers and Fixation · Manuscript 41r · Scan 109

French

Ms. 41r

Explication de la figure où est dépeinte une solitude déserte ravagée par des serpents et arrosée de tous côtés par quatre fleuves. — Fixation.

Dans cet emblème sont dépeints fort artistement des lieux déserts et solitaires, tels que sont ceux qui abondent en minéraux, ravagés par plusieurs serpents ; car les vapeurs empestées et brûlantes du soufre dont ils sont remplis y font sécher les plantes et les arbres, en sorte que tout y devient sec et stérile parce que le suc ou l’humeur est consommée par les métaux

Ms. 41r

The Manly Hall Manuscript Collection, Volume I: The Wilderness Rivers and Fixation

Ms. 41r

Explanation of the figure depicting a deserted wilderness ravaged by serpents and watered on every side by four rivers. — Fixation.

In this emblem deserted and solitary places are depicted with great art, such as places abounding in minerals, ravaged by many serpents. For the pestilential and burning vapors of the sulfur filling them dry up the plants and trees, so that everything becomes dry and barren, because the sap or moisture is consumed by the metals

Ms. 41r

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.