required for the propagation of the Glory of the most Wise, and most powerful GOD our creator. Wherefore, since it is a thing unworthy, and to the Divine Majesty ungrateful, for Man, who should be a Consort of the Divine Nature, to wax brutish with Brutes, I present to you, my most faithful Friends, and Patrons of this Science, this most rare History: having as time, and my Ability would permit, recollected all things, and have faithfully commemorated them. Therefore, omitting all paints, and flourishes of Rhetorical Expressions, I will forthwith betake my self to the discovery of all, whatsoever I both saw, and heard from Elias the Artist touching this. For truly, I was not so intimately familiar with him, as that he should instruct me in the way of preparing the Universal Medicine, after the Method of Physico-artificial Chimistry: yet he supplyed me with such Reasons in the Method of Healing, as I shall never be able to commend his worth with condigne Praises. Therefore, most curious Favourers, and true Lovers of the Chimical Art, accept of this little work, as a mean Gift, or if you had rather, peruse if only for recreation of the mind; for in it I shall relate all things whatsoever, that were discoursed of between him and me, at several times: humbly requesting, that with the same benevolence you have received other of my small Treatises, you would also accept of this Novel, which I freely dedicate, and officiously give to you, for a motion, and increase of Admiration. Farewel, avete, favete. Your most humble John Fredrick Helvetius. CHAP.I. Most Excellent, and Prudent Sirs. Before I enter upon the Description of the Philosophick PIGMY, (in this little Theatre of Secrets) overcoming and subduing GIANTS, I pray permit me here to use the words of Vanhelmont, taken out of his Book De Arbore Vitæ, fol. 630. and here Transcribed.