=Thomas Charnock= was born at Faversham (Kent), either in the year 1524 or in 1526. After some travels over England he settled at Oxford, carrying on experiments in Alchemy. In 1557 he wrote his _Breviary of Philosophy_. This work is almost entirely autobiographical, describing Charnock’s alchemistic experiences. He tells us that he was initiated into the mysteries of the Hermetic Art by a certain James S. of Salisbury; he also had another master, an old blind man, who on his death-bed instructed Charnock. Unfortunately, however, Thomas was doomed to failure in his experiments. On the first attempt his apparatus caught fire and his work was destroyed. His next experiments were ruined by the negligence of a servant. His final misfortune shall be described in his own words. He had started the work for a third time, and had spent much money on his fire, hoping to be shortly rewarded. . . . “Then a _Gentleman_ that oughte me great mallice Caused me to be prest to goe serve at _Callys_: When I saw there was no other boote, But that I must goe spight of my heart roote; In my fury I tooke a Hatchet in my hand, And brake all my Worke whereas it did stand.”[65] [65] THOMAS CHARNOCK: _The Breviary of Naturall Philosophy_ (see _Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum_, edited by Ashmole, 1652, p. 295.) Thomas Charnock married in 1562 a Miss Agnes Norden. He died in 1581. It is, perhaps, unnecessary to say that his name does not appear in the history of Chemistry. Andreas Libavius (1540-1616.) § =51.= =Andreas Libavius= was born at Halle in Germany in 1540, where he studied medicine and practiced for a short time as a physician. He accepted the fundamental iatro-chemical doctrines, at the same time, however, criticising certain of the more extravagant views expressed by Paracelsus. He was a firm believer in the transmutation of the metals, but his own activities were chiefly directed to the preparation of new and better medicines. He enriched the science of Chemistry by many valuable discoveries, and tin tetra-chloride, which he was the first to prepare, is still known by the name of _spiritus fumans Libavii_. Libavius was a man possessed of keen powers of observation; and his work on Chemistry, which contains a full account of the knowledge of the science of his time, may be regarded as the first text-book of Chemistry. It was held in high esteem for a considerable time, being reprinted on several occasions. [Illustration: PLATE 9. PORTRAIT OF EDWARD KELLEY. PORTRAIT OF JOHN DEE. _To face page 68_]] Edward Kelley (1555-1595) and John Dee (1527-1608.)