The Summary of Physics Restored

Name: The Summary of Physics Restored
Author: Attributed to Jean d’Espagnet

A Fresh English Translation from the Complete 1653 Latin Enchiridion

Explore the Lexicon

The Summary of Physics RestoredThe Historical Title Page · Latin

Swipe or use the arrow keys.

Latin Page · Branch 8 of 375

The Historical Title Page · Latin

Book Mode

Latin

ENCHIRIDION PHYSICÆ RESTITVTÆ, IN QVO VERVS NATVRÆ CONCENTVS exponitur, plurimique antiquæ Philosophiæ errores per canones & certas demonstrationes dulcidè aperiuntur. Tractatus alter inscriptus ARCANVM HERMETICÆ PHILOSOPHIÆ OPVS: In quo occulta Naturæ & Artis circa Lapidis Philosophorum materiam & operandi modum canonicè & ordinatè fiunt manifesta. Vtrumque opus eiusdem Auctoris anonymi. SPES MEA EST IN AGNO. GENEVÆ, Sumpt. Ioannis Ant. & Samuelis de Tournes. M. DC. LIII.

English

A HANDBOOK OF PHYSICS RESTORED, in which the true harmony of Nature is expounded, and very many errors of ancient philosophy are clearly disclosed through canons and assured demonstrations. A second treatise, entitled THE SECRET WORK OF THE HERMETIC PHILOSOPHY: in which the secrets of Nature and Art concerning the matter of the Philosophers’ Stone and the manner of working are made manifest in canons and in an orderly sequence. Both works are by the same anonymous author. MY HOPE IS IN THE LAMB. GENEVA, Published at the expense of Jean-Antoine and Samuel de Tournes. 1653.

1.The combined title advertises two distinct works. The linked digitized part contains the Enchiridion, ending with canon 245 and FINIS on printed page 179. This edition translates that entire work, including its preliminary address and epigram. The separately paginated Arcanum is a companion work, already issued as a separate Diotimos edition; its text is not duplicated here. The original title names no author; the attribution to Jean d’Espagnet follows the library catalogue.

2.Enchiridion means a handbook or manual. The Diotimos reading title, The Summary of Physics Restored, follows the established English title tradition while retaining the sense of restitutae. Physics here means natural philosophy, encompassing matter, life, the heavens, and their divine cause. The source prints dulcidè, an unusual form where dilucidè (‘clearly’) appears to be intended; the Latin retains the printed form and the English follows that contextual sense. This is a disclosed editorial interpretation, not a claim that the scan prints dilucidè.

3.Spes mea est in Agno means ‘My hope is in the Lamb.’ It is an explicitly Christian motto. The ornamental title device is accounted for separately below; its maxim is publishing paratext rather than an additional canon.

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.