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Attributed to Jean d’Espagnet

The Summary of Physics Restored

A Fresh English Translation from the Complete 1653 Latin Enchiridion

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The Summary of Physics RestoredThe 245 Canons · English

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The 245 Canons · English

Latin

Cum vniuersi machina vnicum sit corpus, vnica Natura vniuersalis pluribus naturis ac corporibus, tanquam partibus, per sua media & vincula cohærentibus constans, mirum videri non debet, quod huiusmodi membra forti, licèt arcano, nexu inter se deuinciantur, & mutua sibi conferant auxilia; neque enim relationem tantùm, verum etiam communicationem habent, & commercium quoddam multiplices illæ naturæ exercent; extremæ nempe per medias, mediæ verò per proximas: Per spiritus autem emissarios fit illa communicatio: omnes enim Mundi plagæ, omnes naturæ, etiam indiuiduæ spiritibus abundant, quorum plurimi iugiter effluentes adfluentibus cedunt, & ita per continuos spirituum accessus & recessus fit quædam partium Mundi & naturarum renouatio. Hæc est Naturæ vniuersi scala Iacobo patriarchæ in visione reuelata: illæ sunt Mercurij pennæ, quarum ope ipse Deorum nuncius antiquis mysticè dictus superûm inferorumque limina frequenter adire credebatur.

English

Since the structure of the Universe is a single body, a single universal Nature composed of many natures and bodies as parts held together through their intermediaries and bonds, it should not seem strange that these members are joined to one another by a strong, though hidden, bond and lend each other mutual aid. For these manifold natures have not merely a relation but also communication and a kind of commerce: the extremes through intermediaries, and the intermediaries through their neighbours. This communication takes place through emissary spirits. Every region of the World and every nature, even an individual nature, abounds in spirits. Many continually flow out and give way to those flowing in. Through the constant arrival and departure of spirits there is thus a kind of renewal of the World’s parts and natures. This is the ladder of universal Nature revealed in a vision to the patriarch Jacob. These are Mercury’s wings, by whose aid he, mystically called the messenger of the Gods by the ancients, was believed frequently to visit the thresholds of the upper and lower worlds.

About This Reading Edition

The complete 1653 Enchiridion physicae restitutae, conventionally attributed to Jean d’Espagnet, with Latin and a fresh English translation, all 245 canons, the title and maxim, address to students, epigram, original marginalia, 140 modern annotations and the complete supplied Diotimos study apparatus.

Historical Text and Translation

Anonymous, Enchiridion physicae restitutae. Geneva: Jean-Antoine and Samuel de Tournes, 1653. ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Rar 4790; digitised by e-rara, doi:10.3931/e-rara-21407. Conventionally attributed to Jean d’Espagnet; the original title page is anonymous.

About Diotimos Editions

This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.

Rights

The historical Latin text is a public-domain work. The supplied 2026 fresh English translation, readable Latin transcription and Diotimos editorial material are published with the site owner’s authorization.