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THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE 169 of credulity would have been taxed if our grandfathers had been given a description of our radio wireless telegraphy, and air-liners. It must further be remembered that these adepts, like those of the present day, were few and far between. It is not surprising that the majority of those who sought to solve the secret of transmutation failed in their endeavours. Among the great names of the world of science, there are few Curies, Edisons, or Marconis. Such individuals pursue their own studies indifferent to the applause of the crowd. The results of their labour can only be confirmed and utilized by those who are qualified to confirm and apply them. There is one other point which cannot be overlooked: it is stated simply by Elias Ashmole in his preface to the “Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum, containing a collection of the works of our famous English philosophers, who have written of the Hermetique Mysteries in their own ancient language.” The passage is as follows:
"Gold, I confess, is a delicious object, a goodly Light, which we admire and gaze upon ut Pueri in Junonis avem ; but, as to make gold (saith an incomparable author) is the cheapest intent of the Alchimists, so was it scarce any intent of the ancient Philosophers, and the lowest use the Adepti made of this Materia.
