Alchemical Manuscripts in the British Library

Sloane 1000-2000

Go to Sloane 1-1000 / Sloane 2000-3000 / Sloane 3000-3650 / Sloane 3650-4000 / Other collections
Back to manuscripts.

MS. Sloane 1062.
Paper. Folio. 82 folios. 16th Century.
3. f64 [Alchemical Collection from various authors, in Latin.]

MS. Sloane 1068.
Paper. Folio. 389 folios. 17th Century.
1. 'De alchymia dialogi duo; quibus premittuntur propositiones centum viginti novem, ex Tuscanico idiomate traducta per Joannem Petreium, civem Norimbergae, A.D. 1548. Quorum auctorem fuisse Joannem Bracescum Euonymus Philiater in suo Thesauro de remediis secretis testatur.' f.1.
Printed in octavo. Lugd. 1548.
2. 'Chrisogoni Polidori in libellos aliquot Alchemie Gebri Prefatio ad lectorem'.
Begins: 'Cum electos aliquot veterum libellos de alchemia'.
3. 'Gebri Arabus libellus, de Investigatione perfectionis; incerto interprete'. f. 252.
Printed Argentorati, 1531, f.56.
4. Ejusdem de Alchymia libri duos, quibus titulum fecit, 'Summa perfectionis, sive perfecti magisterii', incerto interprete. f.262. [Printed Argentorati, 1531, f.3.]
5. Ejusdem liber quem 'de Inventione veritatis sive perfectionis', inscripsit; incerto interprete. f.357. [Printed Basiliae, 1561, p.112.]
6. Ejusdem 'liber fornacum, ad exercendam chemiam pertinentium; interprete Rodogero Hispalensi'. f.369. [Printed Basiliae, 1561, p.193.]
7. 'Noven lumen Arnoldi', de Villa Nova. f.381.
Printed among his Works, in folio edition Lugd. 1520, f.300b.
8. 'Epistola magistri Arnoldi de Villa Nova super Alkimia, ad regem Neapolitanum'. [Mutilated.] f.388. [Printed ibid., f.304b.]

MS. Sloane 1069.
Paper. Small folio. 33 folios. 16th Century.
Johannis de Mohen, de lapide philosophorum tractatus, duobus libris comprehensus, cui titulus 'Reprehensorium antiquorum, quod dicitur Metaphoricum Paradigma'; cum prologo, et tabula ad finem, de regulis operis. f.50.
Prologue begins: 'Vidi senem nimia claritate fulgentem'.
Prologue ends: 'Explicit prologus Johannis de Mohen, in theoricum et practicum alkamie'.
Title of Chapter I: 'De materia principali naturae, de qua generantur metalla in suis mineralibus locis'.
Begins: 'Sunt autem principia hujus scientiae eadem'.
Cf. MS. Sloane 212, art 10, ubi pars ejusdem tractatus, sec. xv descripta.

MS. Sloane 1077.
Paper. Quarto. 50 folios. End of 16th Century 1. Recepta aliquot alchymicae; in Latin and English. f.1.
2. Dialogus inter Hilardum, necromanticum, et quendam spiritum. f.3.
Begins: 'Hilardus. Utrum post fieri lapis, qui dicitur philosophorum'.
3. Johannis Dastyn Speculum philosophiae; in libros duos divisum, cum notis in margine ab alia manu adjectis. [Imperfect.] f.4.
Begins: 'Trinitatem adorantes omnia super tria ponimus.' Cf. MS. Sloane 2480.

MS. Sloane 1078.
Paper. Quarto. 49 folios. End of 16th Century.
Ab eandem manu exaratus quae adnotationes margini codices supra memorati adjecit.
Collectanea alchymica, e variis auctoribus excerpta. In Latin and English.

MS. Sloane 1091.
Paper. Small Quarto. 223 folios. End of 15th Century.
Collectanea alchymica.
[40 items still to be described.]

MS. Sloane 1092.
Paper. Small Quarto. 83 folios. 16th Century.
1. Alchymical collections, extracted from various authors; namely, from Raymund Lully, Arnoldus de Villa Nova, Morienus, Geber, the Rosarium Philosophorum, Fernelius, etc. partly in latin, partly in English. f2, f9-15v, f44v-53, f54v-61, f63v-71v.
2. Alchymical verses, with marginal notes in Latin. f3.
Begins : 'Take of the egre bludd that is so redd.'
Printed in Ashmole, p. 362.
3. Pearce, the Black Monk, upon the Elixir, with marginal notes in Latin. f3v.
Printed Ashmole, p.269.
4. Other verses, with marginal notes in Latin. f5v.
Begins : 'Of this matter to you most deere.'
Printed Ashmole, p. 428.
5. Other verses. f6v.
Begins : 'Take winde, water, white and greene.'
Printed Ashmole, p431.
6. Eighty-four verses taken out of 'Nortons' Ordinall of Alchemy. f7,8.
Printed Ashmole, p41.
7. Verses on the same subject. f13v.
Begins : 'I am [Mercury] the mighty flos fleur.'
8. The Compound of Alchymy, by George Ripley [here called Riplae] with marginal notes in Latin; several of the stanzas are here and there omitted. f16-44.
Printed in Ashmole p123.
9. Two stanzas taken out of Ripley's 'Erronious Experiments' f54.
Printed Ashmole p192.
10. Another copy of the poem of Pearce, the black monk. [Imperfect.] f62.
11. Eight stanzas on the same subject, extracted from George Ripley's Epistle, prefixed to 'The Compound of Alchemy', to Edward IV. f62v.
Printed in Ashmole p111.
12. 'De media substantia mercurii', 'de sulphure', 'de corpore spiritu et anima', 'de sublimatione', 'de auro ferro plumbo philosophorum', 'de magnesia sive prima materia philosophorum'. From Raymund, Arnold, Geber, Fallopius, and others. f71v-82.

MS. Sloane 1094.
Paper. Quarto. 36 folios. 17th Century.
A Collection of receipts in metallurgy and alchymy; extracts from various alchymical writers, etc. ff.1-36.

MS. Sloane 1095.
Paper. Small Quarto. 90 folios. 16th Century.
Written by the same hand as MS. Sloane 1092, 1093, and others.
1. Alchymical collections and processes; partly in Latin, partly in English. ff.1-74, 82-90b.
2. 'The whole wouricke of the composicion of the stone philosophicall or greate elixir, and of the fyrste solucion of the grosse bodye.' ff.75-79.
3. An Accurtacion of the great wouricke whiche saveth halfe the tyme and laboure in the wouricke revealyd by Ripleo.' f.79.
4. 'Compendium practicale omnium scriptorum Georgii Ripleo.' f.80b.
5. Versus alchymici circiter triginta. f.81b.
Incip. 'Auratas alas mihi sol videbatur habero.'

MS. Sloane 1097.
Paper. Small Quarto. 83 folios. 17 Century.
[Written in the same hand as MS. Sloane 1095.]
Collections on Alchymy and the Philosopher's Stone, extracted from various authors; partly in English, partly in Latin. ff.1-83.
The compiler appears to have designed the following title for his collections, 'Liber Saturni, id est, de plumbo philosophorum, seu argento vivo Coagulato.'

MS. Sloane 1098.
Paper. Small Quarto. 50 folios. 16th Century.
Written by the same hand as MS. Sloane 1097; bound with MS. Sloane 1099.
Collections on alchemy; among which the following may be noticed:-
[58 items]

MS. Sloane 1105.
Paper. Small Quarto. 29 folios. 16th Century.
1. Excerpta alchymica, in Latin. f.1.
2. Tractatulus de lapide philosophorum; praefigitur titulus 'Medullae philosophiae.' ff.4-11.
Incip. 'Aurum nostrum non est aurum vulgi.'
3. An Alchymical tract intitled 'The openinge of the secreate of secreates, doone by the arte of philosophy'. ff.12-15.
Begin, 'Fyrste understand and knowe, that all our secreate maystry ye doone'.
4. De lapide pellucide Platonis, quae magnesia vocatur. ff.16-24.
5. Collectanea 'de aere nigro', Latine et Anglice. ff.25-29.

MS. Sloane 1107.
Paper. Small Quarto. 48 folios. 16th Century.
A tract intitled, 'The readyngs and reasons of Rycard de Nemore, [Wood?], Esquyer, student and dylygent sercher owt of God's worde, and the Cyvyll and Canon Lawes, and by the lawes of this realme, and by naturall and chymicall phylosophye, and by mathematicall and supernaturall precepts, of the trewe meanynge of the Statute made anno 5 Henrici Quarti, ageynst the practysers of the Arte of Multyplyenge Golde and Sylver, and that it can not be intended ageynst the holy Arte of Chymia'; with an 'Epistle to the reader' prefixed. ff.2-48.
In the eighth chapter the author endeavours to show 'that the awntyent poets in ther fables and dark tales, and some hystorygraphers have hydden this arte of chymia.'

MS. Sloane 1118.
Paper. Small Quarto. 154 folios. End of the 15th Century.
[33 items].

MS. Sloane 1127.
Paper. Small Quarto. 20 folios. 16th Century.
Written in the same hand as MS. Sloane 1062.
Collectanea Alchymica et Pharmceutica ex variis auctoribus excerpta. Latine et Anglice. ff.1-20.

MS. Sloane 1129.
Paper. Small Quarto. 197 folios. 17th Century.
Belonging in the year 1676, to Samuel Randall.
1. 'The fountain of true philosophy.' ff.79-123.
Begin. 'And first I will divide the whole arte into these parts.'
2. 'A little treatise concerning the philosophers stone, translated out of Latin, from a German adept'. ff.131-141.
Begin 'Whereas all corporall things take their beginning.'

MS. Sloane 1136.
Paper. Small Quarto. 52 folios. 16th Century.
Written in the same hand as MS. Sloane 1127.
Collectanea Alchymica ex variis auctoribus deprompta.

MS. Sloane 1139.
Paper. Small Quarto. 172 folios. 17th Century.
Written in the peculiar hand of Jonathan Goddard, M.D., Professoris Greghamensis.
Collectanea de historia naturali, et praecipui de animalibus novi orbis. ff 1-172.
By another hand the following pieces have been previously written in the volume:-
a. De quinta essentia. Belgici. f.10.
b. 'A processe for the spiritual oyle of Succinum, don by John Hujades [Hunniades].' .f.12.
c. 'De mercurius corporum metallicorum'. ff.70-72.
d. De differentis metallorum, secundum principia. ff.75-78.
e. De extractione argenti vive ex auro. ff.109,110.

MSS. Sloane 1146-1153.
Paper. Duodecimo. 100, 40, 56, 44, 37, 50, 40, and 66 folios. 16th Century.
Written in the same hand as MS. Sloane 1098.
Collectanea amplissima de lapide philosophorum, excerpta ex variis auctoribus, partim Latine, partim Anglice.

MS. Sloane 1157.
Paper. Duodecimo. 70 folios. 17th Century.
f1-70 [A Collection of receipts in Medicine and Alchymy, in English and Latin.]

MS. Sloane 1170.
Paper. Duodecimo. 16 folios. 16th Century.
Written in the same hand as MS. Sloane 1098.
Collectanea de lapide philosophico ex variis operibus exerpta. Latine et Anglice. ff.1-16.

MS. Sloane 1171.
Paper. Duodecimo. 122 folios. 16th Century.
Written in the same hand as MS. Sloane 1170.
Collectanea de Lapide philosophorum, Latine et Anglice, figuris illustratus. ff.1-122.

MS. Sloane 1181.
Paper. Duodecimo. 38 folios. 16th Century.
Written in the same hand as MSS. Sloane 1098 and 1170.
1. Collectanea de argento vivo. ff.2-5.
2. Memoranda for alchymistical preparations and processes, in English and Latin. ff.6-38.

MS. Sloane 1183.
Paper. Duodecimo, 79 folios. 17th Century.
In the hand of Master Theodor Mayerne.
Collectanea de lapide philosophorum. ff.1-79.

MS. Sloane 1185.
Paper. In small Octavo. 49 folios. 17th Century.
Bound with MSS. Sloane 479 and 2225. In the hand of Master Theodor Mayerne.
1. de lapide philosophorum exerpta ex auctoribus variis, sub titulo Mysterium Naturae. ff.1-30.
2. Turba philosophorum alchymicorum in argumentum quod 'Argentum vivum est aurum immaturum et indigestum'. ff.31-49.

MS. Sloane 1186.
Paper. Duodecimo. 41 folios. 17th Century.
In the hand of Master Theodor Mayerne.
De Lapide philosophorum excerpta ex operibus auctorum variorum. ff.1-41.
Cf. MS. Sloane 1098.

MS. Sloane 1186.
Paper. Duodecimo. 41 folios. 17th Century.

MS. Sloane 1188.
Paper. Duodecimo. 147 folios. 17th Century.
In the hand of Thomas Buckley.
f110-147 Formulae remediorum et praescripta varia.

MS. Sloane 1198.
Paper. Folio. 180 folios. 16th and 17th centuries. 1. The Ordinall of Alchimy, by Thomas Norton. ff.1-39.
Printed in Ashmole's Theatrum Chemicum. p.1.
3. Collectanea ex operibus alchymicis Johannes Reuclin, Philippi a Rovillasco, Bartholomici Fitts, Gerogii Ripleii, et aliorum, facta a Thoma Grey, annis 1607 et 1608. ff.41-63.
4. Gualteri Mapa Golia Apocalypsis. ff.64-66.
Incip. 'A tauro torrida lampade Cuithu Fundente facula ferventis radii.'
Desin. 'Nisi papaveris cena sophistica Mentis vestigia fecisset lubrica.'
5. An alchemical treatise, in English, (Imperf.) ff.68-82.
6. An alchemical treatise, in English, intitled, 'Liber Natura, sive Chaos veterum; generalem metallorum generationem, etc. demonstrans.' ff.83-89.
Title of the first chapter, 'Of the generation of metalls and minneralls in generall.' It begins, 'Because that it is impossible for any man livinge to be an exact separator of metalls.'
7. 'Formulae [remediorum] a magnifico domino Johanne Michaeli communicatae.' ff.90-128.

MS. Sloane 1216.
Paper. Quarto. 199 folios. 17th Century.
1. Some Alchymistical processes. ff.1-4.
2. Observationes quaedam ex pralectionibus medicis. ff.5-45.
3. Trait� de la gangrene par M.Du Vernay, Paris 1683. ff.45-74.
4. 'Dictata viri clarisimi Burcheri de Volder in principia Cartesii.' ff.75-128.
5. Anonymi auctoris tractatus medicus de vulneribus. ff.129-183.
6. Catalogus medicamentorum simplicium. ff.184-186.
7. Trait� de la verole [Imperfect]. ff.187-199.

MS. Sloane 1255.
Paper. 279 folios. 309x196mm. 17th Century.
A collection of treatises and poems on Alchymy, the Philosophers Stone etc.
1. f6-11. Anonymi cujusdam libellus de lapide philosophico cum figuris.
2. 'Cujusdam Georgii Eckhart Germani, scriptum de lapide Philosphico ex superiore lingua germanica in inferiorem conversum per Justum a Balbian Flandrum Alostanum philochymum, 1600'. f11v-13.
3. 'Liber sancti Asrob, senis merisiaeni e vetustissimo codice descriptus a Justo a Balbian Flandro Alostano philochymo'. f14-23.
4. A poem on the philosophers stone in Dutch, entitled 'Von dem steyn der weysen'. f23v-28.
5. A dialogue between Master and Scholar concerning the philosophers stone, in Dutch. f29-33.
6. A short treatise on Alchemy in Dutch. f34.
7. Experimentum cujusdam ignoti; sic inquit operatus sum in luna'. f 36-38.
8. Quaedam de fermentatione. f38v.
9. 'Livre alphabetal d'un incognu'. f39-46.
10. 'Aultre incognu de la maniere demixer et comment s'engendrent les principes de l'art'. f47-52.
11. 'D'un aultre la premiere requise a la secrete science de transmutation'. f53-55.
12. A short treatise on the truth of Alchemy in French. f56-61.
13. 'Plusieurs sentences necessaries de nostre divine oeuvre'. f62-64.
14. 'Demonstratio progressus naturae seu generis generalissimi seu transeuntis in suam speciem generationis metallorum'. f65-69.
15. Juste a Balbian 'Rosarium abbreviatum e manuscripto vetustissimo ignoti'. f70-71. [Printed at Lugd. Bat. 1599. p. 9.]
16. A book on Alchemy entitled Lumen luminum by Jan Van der Donck in Dutch. f72-101.
Title: 'Het boeck lumen luminum dat is het licht der lichten van Jan van der Donck.'.
17. Tractatulus de alchymia, cui titlulus, 'Modus mensinquit quidam ignotus operandi'. f102-104.
18. Justi a Balbian parvus tractatus de mercurio philosophico f105.
[Printed Lugd. Bat. 1599, p94.]
19. Quaedam de aqua mercurii. f105v.
20. Justi a Balbian 'Brevis sed non levis tractatus de lapide philosophico'. f106-108. [Printed ibid. p96.]
21. Eiusdem 'tractatus utilis et verissimus de lapide philosophico'. f109.
[Printed ibid. p15.]
22. Ejusdem tractatus de minera philosophica. f111. [Printed ibid p.19.]
23. Ejusdem tractatus, cui titulus, Compendium utile ad credendum meditationem experimentum. f114-117.
Printed ibid. p26.
24. Recepta quaedam alchymica. f116v.
25. Ejusdem Justi a Balbian tractatus, cui titulus, 'Rosarium philosophorum ex compilatione omnium philosophicorum librorum per Toletanum philosophum maximum'. f118-143. [Printed Lugd.Bat. 1599, p33.]
26. Quaedam de magica imagine prope Florentiam in coenobio Sancti Benedicti. f144v.
27. 'Sibillinum enigma' In Greek and Latin. f145v.
28. 'Compendium de perfectissime lapido philosophico metrificatum'. f146.
Incip: 'Est ; apud occultis secreto fonte sepultus'.
29. 'Massa aurea e libro vetustissimo desumpta et correcta a Justo a Balbian', versibus Leoninis. f148-150.
Incipit 'Spiritus inspirans Deus in que rota girans'.
30. Carmina varia de lapide philosophico. f152.
31. Quaedam de lapide philosophico ex Marcelli Palingenii, Stellati Poetae, Zodiaco Vitae'. f153v. [Printed in Rotterdam, 1722., Lib X. l. 213. p.316.]
32. Aenigma della pietra phisica de Lorenzo Ventura, Venetiano, f159.
Exstat in fine Laurentii Venturae libri de ratione conficiendi lapidis philosophici, ed Basel, 1571, p.200.
33. Versus de Alchimia. Italian. f159v-162.
34. 'Aenigmata de tinctura phisica'. Belgice. f163.
35. Versus quidam intitulati', Summa explicatio Solis et Lunae'. Belgice. f164.
36. Several short poems on Alchymy, the philosopher's stone, etc. in Dutch and German. f166v.
37. 'El modo della peitra'. f.183.
38. Tractatus in Alchymiam fragmentum. f.185.
39. 'Vetus carmen pro transmutatione lunae'. f189v.
40. Characteres alchymici. f188.
41. Richardi Anglici Correctorium Alchimiae. ling. inf.Germ. f190.
42. Anonymi tractatus de lapide philosophorum; ling inf. Germ. f 206.
43. Raymundi Lulii Testamentum; ling. inf. Germ. f213.
44. Several short treatises on Alchemy, the Philosphers stone etc in Dutch. f217v.
45. Conclusio summaria ad intelligentiam testamenti seu codicilli Raymundi Lullii et aliorum librorum ejus, nec non argenti vivi, in quo pendet intentio tota intentiva, quae aliter Repertorium Raymundi appellatur. f231-234.
See Theatrum Chemicum, tom. III., p730.
46. Dicta Alani Philosophi de lapide philosophico e Germanico idiomate latine reddita per Justum a balbian Alostanum. f234v-239.
See Theatrum Chemicum tom. III, p722.
47. Experimentummirabilo e libello quodam Flandrico impresso: sophisticum meae quidem sententiae'. f240.
48. 'Testamentum Arnoldi de Villanova'. f241.
49. 'Experimenta aliquot sophistica'. f241v.
50. 'Caesaris Maximiliani opus' chemicum. f247v.
51. Hermetis Trismegisti Tabula Smaragdina. f.250.
52. 'Hortulani Philosophi ab hortis maritimis commentariolus in Hermetis Trismegisti tabulam Smaragdinam'. f250-253.
53. 'Canones seu regulae aliquot philosophicae super lapide philosophico'. f254-260.
54. Georgii Ripleii 'Coelum philosophorum'. f260v.
At end 'Author fuit Georgius Riupleus Anglus 1471'.
55. Secretum nobilissimum et verissimum venerabilis Jodoci Greveri Presbyteri'. f261-274. [See Theatrum Chemicum Tom. III. p. 699.]
56. Johannis Pontani summi philosophi epistola in qua de lapide, quem philosophorum vocant, agitur. f274v-275. [See Theatrum Chemicum tom. III. p.699.]
57. Varii processus Alchymiae. f276-279.

MS. Sloane 1304.
Paper. Folio. 80 folios. 17th Century.
[4 pieces see my notes on this item].

MS. Sloane 1310.
Paper. Quarto. 97 folios. 17th Century.
'Documenti chimici in agni genere,' with an index of words affixed. Italian. ff.1-97.

MS. Sloane 1311.
Paper. Octavo. 84 folios. 17th Century.
A collection of charms, astronomical observations, etc., partly in Latin and partly in English. ff.1-84.

MS. Sloane 1316.
Paper. Folio. 26 folios. 17th Century.
[Emblematical figures in red chalk of the process of the philosopher's stone, with Latin interpretations. Vallis Novi series.]

MS. Sloane 1321.
Paper. Quarto. 40 folios. 17th Century.
An anonymous treatise upon Magnetical Physic, divided into three parts; containing:-
1. Twelve conclusions upon the Nature of the Soul. f.2-13.
The first is, 'The soule is not only in its proper visible body, but also without, neither is it circumscribed in an organical body.'
2. 'An hundred Aphorismes conteyning the whole body of Naturall magick, being the Key to open that which goeth before and which followeth after.' ff.14-19.
The first begins, 'The whole world is animated with the first supreame and intellectual soule.'
3. 'Of things necessary in a Physitian before he undertake this part of Magnetical Physicks.' ff.20-40.
Begins, 'There are many things necessary for him that understands the practize of this art, and doe any good by itt.'

MS. Sloane 1373.
Paper. Octavo. 100 folios. 17th Century.
Chemical observations 'ex libris Adolphi principis Holstatiae.' ff.1-100.

MS. Sloane 1386.
Paper. 18mo. 47 folios. 17th Century.
Various receipts, or processes in Alchemy. ff.1-47.

MS. Sloane 1389.
Paper. Quarto. 338 folios. 17th Century.
1. Excerpta ex Gregorii Horstii libris observationum medicarum singularium. ff.2-56.
2. Excerpta Thomae Willis. M.D., naturalis philosophiae Professoris Oxoniensis tractatu de scorbuto. ff.57-92.
3. Excerpta ex eiusdem Thomae Willis. M.D., tractatu de morbis convulsionis. ff.93-156.
4. An abridgement of Felix Wurtz's experimental treatise of Surgery, in German. ff.157-176.
5. Medical presecriptions; in German. f.177.
6. 'Bernardi G. Penoti (Londrada) a Portu Sanctae Mariae Aquitani' tractatus, ut videtur, de alchemia. ff.179-199.
7. Anonymi cujusdam 'tractatus variarum tartari praeparationum.' f.200.
8. Extracts from a treatise on Antimony by Basil, a monk of the Benedictine order; in German. ff.204-209.
They are inscribed 'Aus dem thriumph-wagen des Antimonii' Fratris Basilii Denedicter ordens Kurzlich der process ausgezogen'.
9. Excerpta quaedam ex Josephi Quercetani operibus de transmutatione ferri in chalybem, etc. ff.210-216.
10. Praescripta varia medica ex Euonymo, Basilio Valentino, aliusque auctoribus. ff.216b-248.
11. Quaedam ex Johannis Isaac tractatu de lapide philosophico excerpta; in German. f.249.
12. 'Tractatus de salibus et oleis metallorum' ex operibus cujusdam B.K. ut videtur compilatus; partim Latine, partim Germanice. ff.251-282.
13. Praescripta varia medica ex auctoribus diversis excerpta; partim Latine, partim Germanice. ff.282b-323.
14. Index totius libri. f.324.
15. Characteres quaedam chemicae interpretatae. f.329.

MS. Sloane 1401.
Paper. Quarto. 159 folios. 17th Century.
Mundorum explicatio, or the Explanation of an hieroglyphical figure shewing the Mysteries of the eternal, internal and eternal Worlds; a poem in two parts by S.P. with an synopsis of the contents, an invocatio, invitatio and proaemium prefixed.
[It is deficient, ending with the words, 'These are no means to gaine the heavenly ruce These are but crowns witch doth seduce Oth-']

MS. Sloane 1423.
Paper. Folio. 49 folios. 17th Century.
[Formerly belonging to Clement Drax.]
1. The manner by which assays may be made of all mines of metals, as gold, silver, copper, lead, etc., translated from the Italian by [possibly Brembatti, see Mazzucheli, vol II. p2048].
2. Chemical definitions. f27.
3. Sir George Ripley's treatise entitled, Medulla philosophiae chemicae, translated into English by some anonymous author. f27-33.
4. 'The vigitable of Sir George Ripley to the Bishop', or as it seems extracts taken from his Viaticum. f33v.
5. Sir George Ripley's treatise entitled, 'Compositio Mercurii alchymici', translated into English. f35.
6. Extracts, taken from Ripley's 'Pupilla alchimiae'. f35v.
7. On quicksilver. f36.
8. 'Here beginneth the concordance of G. Ripley between Raymond and Guido'. f36b.
9. The mystery of Alchemists composed by Sir George Ripley. f37v-39.
[Partly printed in Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum p.380, but here with an addition.]
10. An extract from Ripley's 'De Mercurio et lapide philosophorum'. f40.
11. Extracts from Ripley's works and those of other alchemical authors. f41-49.

MS. Sloane 1451.
Paper. Quarto. 44 folios. 17th Century.
1. 'Basilius Valentinus his 12 keys, abbreviated into Englishe by P.F. 1622', with some collections out of his other treatises. ff.2-19.
2. 'Aphorismi Basiliani vel canones Hermetici de spiritu anima et corpore medio majoris et minores mundi.' f.19.
3. Notes taken from Nicholas Flamel's hieroglyphics. f.21.
4. Notes from Ripley's Medulla alchymia. f.23.
5. 'Canones decem de lapide.' f.24.
6. 'The Practice of Mary the Phrophetesse upon Alchemy.' f.25.
7. In Aphorismis Basiliani; Nicho. Niger. f.26b.
8. 'Collections out of these two works of Arnen.' ff.27-131.
Begins:- 'In the name of the Holy Trinity I will write of this holy worke briefly.'
9. 'Arnen his hunting of the greene lyon.' ff.32-35.
Begins:- 'All haile to the noble company Of trewe students in the holy Alchemy.'
10. A hermit's fable in verse upon a chrystal fountain in Lemnos, close to Vulcan's cave. f.36.
11. An Alchemycal prescription. f.37b.
12. Obscure verses, seemingly on Alchemy. f.38.
13. 'Flamellus in his annotacions.' f.38b.
14. A prescription for making the philosopher's red lead. f39b.
15 A poem entitled, Pater Sapientiae. ff.40-44.
Begin:- 'Therefore of all bodies or spirittes more or lesse is called flos florum and without princes.'

MS. Sloane 1524.
Paper. Folio. 80 folios. 15th and 16th Centuries. 5. f13-39 A discourse of the philosophers stone made and compylyed by George Ryplaye translated and correctyd and set fourthe by hym out of Latyne into Englyshe, of the book of the Accourtacions and practices of Raymonde Lulii.
6. f40-58 Alphabeticum quod unum bene didicisse sufficeret ad cognitionem Dei, hominis, craturarum, et officiorum absque lectione alia, lecturientibus cere sequitur ars legendi Scripturas, ut cognoscatur macrocosmus ex nostro microcosmo tempora et statua aeternitatis demonstrata per Jo. Artopoeium.
7. f59-70 Georgii Ripley medulla Alkymiae. [Ends:'Finitur tractatus, medulla alkimia, dictur, per G. Ripley compilatus, a.d. 1476.' Written beneath, 'Truly examyned and the fault amended by me Rob Smythe.']

MS. Sloane 1552. 1. Speculum Secretorum Joh. Dastyn.
2. John Dastin, Donum Dei
3. Dornei Congeries, etc, Francof. 1581.
4. Libarii Praxis Alchym, etc, ib. 1634 in octavo.

MS. Sloane 1627.
Paper. Quarto. 66 folios. 17th Century.
[Formerly belonging to Philip Moore.]
1. f2-49 The Chimicall and arteficiall theoricke and practise of nature; a book verie philosophicall set forth for the commoditie of all such as bestowe ther studie in the true naturall philosophie by Gerrerd Dorne, 1568.
2. f50-55 Off the nature of man, the second booke of Theophrastus Paracelsus.
3. f56v-61 Certaine secret and precious receiptes translated out of Ustadius.
4. f62 Such chimicall receiptes as are exstant in Wickerus, with ther names and leafe where they are set downe.
5. f64-66 [A few chymical receipts taken from Josephus Quercetanus, etc.]

MS. Sloane 1687.
Paper. Folio. 70 folios. 17th Century.
f1-70 Coronatio naturae, sive doctrina de summa medicina, 67 Hieroglyphicis explicata, per anonymum, quibus accesserunt totidem earum explicationes in usum filiorum artis, summo studio elaboratae, per anonymum eundem. ['Crowning of Nature' series.]

MS. Sloane 1720.
Paper. Quarto. 109 folios. 17th Century.
De Nuisement. Treatise of the true salt, the philosopher's secrett and of the universal spirit of the world. [With a dedicatory epistle to the Duke of Lorraine and Barro. Printed in London 1675.]

MS. Sloane 1723.
Paper. Quarto. 122 folios. 17th Century.
Formerly belonging to Stephen Williams.
Various Alchymicall Treatises and Processes among which are the following:-
1. 'Isaac his worke upon Lead.' ff.3-17.
2. A treatise entitled 'Theophrastis Paracelsis of simple fire', with a poem in 16 stanzas called 'The practice of the campe of Philosophers.' ff.18-34.
3. The conclusion of the Chanon's Yeoman of Geoffry Chaucer. ff.35-43.
See MS. Sloane 320, f.34b.
4. 'The vegitable of George Ripley.' ff.44-47.
5. The Mystery of Alchymists by Sir George Ripley. ff.48-54.
Printed in the Theatrum Chymicum by Ashmole, p.380.
6. A short discourse of Roger Bacon as touching the Philosopher's Stone. ff.55-60.
7. Of the oil of Antimony. ff.61-63.
8. A short work on the mineral stone by Sir George Ripley. ff.64-68.
Printed in the Theatrum Chymicum by Ashmole. p.393.
9. A brief discourse of Sir George Ripley. ff.68b-70.
Begins: 'Let us take the redd earth, and...'
10. 'Salts to be drawn out of mettalls and to be turned into oyle and thereof to make the stone.' ff.70b-93.
Begins: 'My child shall know that men may draw salts out of all all mettalls.'
11. 'A worke of one Arnold a Jew borne in Poland, as he did worke in England in the yeare 1570.' ff.93b-115.
Reversing the volume are:-
12. Memoranda of some Medical Practitioner in 1683. ff.120b-117.

MS. Sloane 1724.
Paper. Quarto. 42 folios. 17th Century.
1. Michaelis Sandivogii, seu T.G.D.T. Cosmopolite vulgo dicti Epistolarum de lapide Philosophorum opagraphum: dat, Bruxella, 1646,1 647. ff.1-36.
Subjicitur descriptio sigilli societatis Philosophorum incognitorum, necnon additiones quaedam ad Epistolas.
Titulus Epistolarum, 'Clarissimo viro ac novo Cabalae Philosophorum incognitorum dignissimo sodali. T.S.P.M.S.
2. Statuta Philosophorum incognitorum cum proemio praemisso. ff.37-42.

MS. Sloane 1741.
Paper. Quarto. 108 folios. 17th Century.
Formerly belonging to Edward Reynolds.
A collection of alchymical processes and experiments in Latin, in the handwriting of Thomas Vaughan, of which the following title is prefixed, 'Aqua vitae, non vitis, or the radical humiditie of nature, mechanically and magically dissected, by the conduct of fire and ferment, as well in the particular specified bodies of metalls and mineralls, as in its seminal, universal forme and chaos; by Thomas Vaughan, Gent.' Interspersed is an account in English of several dreams relating to his wife in the years 1658 and 1659. ff.1-108.

MS. Sloane 1744.
Paper. Quarto. 212 folios. 17th Century.
Written by Thomas Robson.
1. 'Cornelius Alvetanus Azus Rodius off makinge the divine elixir or the philosopher's stone, to the moste excelent and most industrious Empress Elizabeth of England, France and Ireland Quene' f4-8.
2. 'Charitas mundi; and excelent treatis givinge light to the right understandinge and practice of this science of Alchymy, etc.' f9-13.
3. Speculum veritatis, or a disputation betwene Mary the sister of Moyses, and Azos Kinge of the Grecians'. f14-17.
4. Some alchymical processes 'taken forth of a little latine booke 1662'. f18-22.
5. The admonition of Sir Robert Greene. f22v-29.
6. 'The worke of mercurye'. f29v-32.
7. The work of the Abbot of Ramsie upon Aqua viventis, 'Taken forth of Thomas Came his Booke.' f33-36.
8. George Ripley's red and white work. f36v-39, f54v-57.
9. The worke of a Moore, being a collection of alchymical processes.f39-42.
10. 'The worke of a Jewe, a note taken forth of Sir Edward Vere his book'. f43-48.
11. 'To make [Mercury] into water by itself by George Riplie', taken from his Marrow of Alchymy. f49-50.
12. The worke on Saturn. f51-54.
13. 'George Ripley [his practise] of the first practisinge in the stone Rebus'. f59-70.
14. 'Of the seven principal degrees of Alchymie pertaininge to transmutation, or the philosopher's stone'. f73b-74.
15. 'The philosopher's heaven'. f75-77.
16. An anonymous treatise on the Philosophers Stone. f78-85.
begins: 'The vessel of our stone in whome all the magistery'.
17. A short treatise on red lead. f86-90.
18. 'A perfetct fuger [figure] of the arte'. f91.
19. 'Of the errores of certeyn practisers in this arte'. f91v.
20. 'The secret of secretts'. f92v-95.
21. 'The separation of elements'. f95v-96.
22. 'For the Kepinge of the stone or elixir'. f99.
23. 'The famous worke of Mr Blundevill', a poem in seven line stanzas, upon the Philosophers Stone. f101-109.
24. The second chapter of George Ripley's work entitled 'Medulla philosophiae chemicae, treating of the vegetable stone'. f110-112.
25. 'The most excelent and true book of the reverend Dr Alemant and Lord Barnard Earle of Travisan of the philisophers stone leaving the first second and the third and beginning with the fowerth part', with some other extracts from the same work. f113-114, 96v.
26. 'How the philosophers stone ought to be wrought'. f124v-128. It is inscribed 'Domino Regi Martino Aragoniae anno 1399'.
27. 'Howe the planets doe rule the mettalls and what mettalls the cause or signifie severally in every signe.' by Mr Forman. f128-132.
28. 'Another white and red worke out of Riply'. f132-133.
29. Alchemical extracts apparently from Raymond Lully's works. f133v-147, 149v-155.
30. 'Hic incipit Mariae Phophetise de Elixer' in English. f148-149.
31. Alchymical processes. f155-160.
32. Extracts apparently from the work of Johannes Isaacus Hollandus entitled Opera mineralia et vegetabilia. f160-168.
33. 'Saminez his worke' upon Alchymy. f169-172.
34. 'The vegetable of George Ripley' [imperfect] f172v-174.
35. Various alchymical extracts and process. f174v-192, 203-212.
36. 'A treatise of the most excelent Mr Dunstan bishope of Canterbury a true philosopher concerning the philosopher's stone'. f192v-203.

MS. Sloane 1751.
Paper. Quarto. 75 folios. 17th Century.
1. Enumeration of subjects of study, introductory to the science of Alchemy. f.1.
2. 'The famous worke of Mr Bloomefeild called Sr William Bloomfeild.' Published by Ashmole, in his Theatrum Chemicum under the title of 'Bloomfield's Blossoms, or the Camp of Philosophy'.
They contain,
a. The dream, ff.3-10.
Begins: 'When Phoebus was entred the sign of the Ram.'
b. 'Theorica'. ff.10b-13.
Begins: 'We intend now through grace divine, In fewe words of chaos to write.'
c. 'Practica.' ff.13-15.
Begins: 'Wee have sufficiently declared the Theorick.'
d. An Epilogue, f.15b.
Begins: 'Our maisterie is three, two, and one.'
3. Thomas Norton's poem on Alchemy, in seven Chapters, ff.18-72.
Published in Ashmole, under the title of 'The Ordinal of Alchimy.' p.1.
The poem begins: 'Maisterie full marveilous an arche maisterie.'
Ends: 'In the year of our Lord 1477, this worke began, honor to God in heaven.'
4. 'Ex Chysogoni Polidori praefacione in libres aliquot [Greek] ad lectorem.' ff.73-75.
Begins: 'Nam Suidas author minime contemnendus.'

MS. Sloane 1754.
Parchment. Quarto. 241 folios. 14th Century.
[Various medical and alchemical treatises. 80 items in ten pages.]

MS. Sloane 1782.
Paper. Quarto. 87 folios. 17th Century.
3. Ludovici de Comitibus disceptatio de liquore Alchaest, et lapide philosophico, etc, Venetiis, 1671. Apparently written in short hand and imperfect. ff.50, 51.
4. 'To make Mercury or quicksilver fixt or solid,' etc. f.53.
6. Some chymical processes. ff.73-83.

MS. Sloane 1787.
Paper. Octavo. 120 folios. 17th Century.
1. 'Schlustrede meiner vorigen Tractaten vom [ ] und Magneten Philosophorum et vulgari Basilii Valentini Fratris S. Benedicti ordinis.' ff.1b.-15.
2. 'Clavis oder glossa harmonica Raphaelis Eglini Iconii S.S. Theologiae D. uber die schlustrede Fratris Basilii Valentini.' ff.16-18.
3. 'Offenbarung Fr. Basilii valentini seiner verborgenen handtgriff, wie er das hohe geheimness seinen steindes reicthumbs und der gesundheit aussgegangenen lichtleins die XII schl�sselund anderen Tractaten mehr gemacht hat.' ff.19-38.
4. Processus varii chymici. ff.38b-48.
5. 'Erklarung uber die 12 schlussel fratris Basilii Valentini was scin meinung se�.' ff.49-60.
6. Processus quidam Chymici Germanice. ff.61-64.
7. Medical and other receipts, in French. ff.64b-67.
8. Chymical processes. ff.67b-69.
9. Processus quidam chymici, Latine et Germanice. ff.70-77.
10. The Marrow of Alchymy by Sir George Ripley. ff.78-106.
11. The preface to the marrow of Alchemy, in verse. ff.107-108.
12. Alchymical notes thus entitled, 'remembered out of the cursorie reading of a book of Norton's from the hand of D. Deane, 1624.' In Latin. f.109.
13. 'Accepta haec refero Tomano, qui accepit ipse ab Olao. Worm. Med. Dano. 1613.' f.110.
14. The Mystery of Alchymy by George Ripley. ff.111-117.
15. Processus quidam chymici. ff.118-120.

MS. Sloane 1791.
Paper. Duodecimo. 91 folios. 17th Century.
'Apographum Epistolarum Michaelis Sendivogii, seu T.T.D.T. Cosmopolite vulgo dicti,' de re alchymica.

MS. Sloane 1793.
Paper. Quarto. 173 folios. 17th Century.
Collectanea, chymica, alchymica, et medica. ff.1-173.

MS. Sloane 1799.
Paper. Duodecimo. 105 folios. 17th Century.
1. Dialogus inter naturam et filium Philosophiae, Egidii de Vadis. ff.2-30.
Exstat impressus apud Bibliothecam Chemicam Curiosam Mangeti, Genevae, 1702. Tom. II p.326.
2. 'Radix Mundi Rogeri Baconis. Translated into Englishe by Robert Frelove, 1550.' ff.31-73.
Begins: 'The bodies of all things being as well perfect as imperfect.'
Ends: 'For nothing wanteth to them that feare God,
To whom be all honor and glorye unto the world of worlds.'
3. Treatise on chemistry, by John Bristol; written in the form of a letter addressed to 'The Right Honble the Lady Knowles'; and dated 1614. ff.74-104.

MS. Sloane 1800.
Paper. Octavo. 111 folios. 17th Century.
English translation of the epistles of Michael Sendivogius upon Alchemy, addressed to M.S. a companion of the Society of unknown Philosophers; and of his explanation of the Hieroglyphical seal of the same Society. ff.1-111.

MS. Sloane 1806.
Paper. Octavo. 52 folios. 17th Century.
Bound together with MSS. Sloane 2228, 2234.
'The preciouse and profound practize of the auntient arte of Alchymie with the plaine and perfect way to make the Philosopher's Stone, shewing also the matter and makinge of Aurum Potabile. A secret of secrets disclosing the wonderfull workes of God in nature, and the hidden power that this sovereign medicine hath over all bodies animall, vegitable and minerall by certayne testimonie of demonstations infallible of diverse authors, holy divynes, lawyers, physicians, philosophers and poets gathered and selected by the famous philosopher R. Vall.' ff.2-50.
A translation of the treatise of Robertus Vallensis 'de veritate et antiquitate Arts Chemicae.'

MS. Sloane 1809.
Paper. Octavo. 134 folios. 17th Century.
Experimenta chymica and alchymica. ff.1-134.

MS. Sloane 1810.
Paper. Octavo. 144 folios. 17th Century.
Collectanea chymica et alchymica, e libris variis excerpta. ff.1-144.

MS. Sloane 1828.
Paper. Folio. 170 folios. 17th Century.
20. Treatise upon Alchemy, written in the form of question and answer. [Imperfect.] ff.146, 148-150.
The handwriting is the same as that of the following article.
21 Translation into English of Basil Valentine's treatise of the Great Stone of the ancient Philosopher. ff.145, 147,151.

MS. Sloane 1842.
Paper. Quarto. 117 folios. 17th Century.
1. Excerpts from alchemical books. f1.
2. 'Terra terrae philosophicae G.R. [Georgii Riplaei]. f2-4.
3. Index to the following treatise. f5.
4. 'Things written by G. Ripley; found in the ende of the Marrowe [Medulla Philosophiae Chemicae]' f7b-10.
5. Extract from the Poem of Pearce the Black Monk, upon the Elixir: with an explanation. f11-13.
6. 'The conclusion of Mr Thomas Hend for the same thing'. f13v-15.
7. Alchemical verse. f16. [Printed in Theatrum Chemicum Brittanicum, p431.]
8. Verses containing a receipt for making the Philosophers Stone. f17. [See Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum. p362.]
9. Alchemical verses. f18-20.
Begins 'I have a daughter that highte saturne.
Of my daughter withpout any dread'.
10. Alchemical Verses by Sir George Ripley. f20v. [See Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum p.393.]
11. 'Mundus philosophus et Niger nigrius nigro'. f22v.
12 'Cantilena Georgii Rypley, de Lapide Philosophorum seu de Phoenice'. f24-27.
Printed in his Works Cassel 1649, p76.
13. Alchemical receipts. f28-31.
14. 'Verbum Abbreviatum Rogeri Bachonis' per fratrem Raymundum Galfredum breviter expositum. f32-36.
15. A few alchemical receipts collected from avrious authors. f36v.
16. 'The great worke, or the great Elixir ad solem et ad Lunam by G. Riplaye'. f37-42.
17. Accurtations or shortenings of the Great Work, revealed by G. Ripley. f43-46.
18. 'A letter sent by G. Ryp. [George Ripley], Channon of Brydlington to a freind of his'. Dated 1460 vel 1476. f46v-49.
19. 'The eeasyest waye in practisinge of the Philosppers stone.' f50-53.
20. Alchemical receipts. f53v-56.
21. 'The prologue of George Rypley cannon of Bridlingtowne unto his treatise which is entitled Philorsium of the Alchimistes' f57-61.
22. 'The practice called Philorcium'. f61-77.
23. 'Medulla Varchadumia' in English. f78-98.
ends: 'Here endeth the treatise named the marrow of Alkimie, compyled by George Rypley: anno Domini 1476, the 16th year of Edward the 4th. Translated out of Latine into Englishe by Mr John Higgins Vicar of Winchester'.
24. 'The concordances of the sayings of Guido and Raymonde, donne by George Rypley'. f99-101.
In this translation a portion of the original is omitted.
25. Alchemical receipts. f102v-112.
26. 'The work of Dickinson' f112v-114.
Begins: 'When Phoebus with his rayes brighte'.
27. Exerpta e libris scriptorum alchemicorum. f115.

MS. Sloane 1854.
Paper. Quarto. 119 folios. 16th Century.
Johannis Dastini speculum philosophiae in libros duos distinctum.
Begins. 'Trinitatem adorantes omnia super tria ponimus, qui hoc ternario numero unum Deum colimus.' ff.1-119.
Ad finem excerpta quaedam ex opere praecedente.

MS. Sloane 1858A.
Paper. Quarto. 31 folios. 17th Century.
Bound with MSS. Sloane 1839 and 1855, and others.
A collection of chymical processes. ff.1-31.

MS. Sloane 1863.
Paper. Quarto. 70 folios. 17th Century.
Some chymical processes. ff.1-44.

MS. Sloane 1873.
Paper. Quarto. 85 folios. 16th Century.
The poem of Thomas Norton, intitled The Ordinall of Alchymy. ff.2-84.
Printed in the Theatrum Chymicum, by Ashmole.
At the end are eight lines entitled 'Gualteri Haddonis carmen in laudem Thomae Nortoni.'
Begins: 'Maximus ingenio scribendi maximus arte.'

MS. Sloane 1876.
Paper. Octavo. 92 folios. 17th Century.
1. Arca arcanorum abstrusae hermeticae scientiae ingressum, progressum, coronidem, verbis apertissimus explicans, ex selectissimis et celeberrimis authoribus collecta et antehac a nemine hac methodo distributa; opera et studio Arthuri Dee, Magni Imperatoris Russiae per annos bis septem Archiatri, cum epistola ad Oxoniae praesides etc., et praefatione dat Moscuae 10 Aug. 1634, praemissis. ff.1-83.
2. Tractatus Maximi Domini Dunstani Episcopi Cantuariensis, veri philosophi de Lapide philosophorum. ff.84-92.
Begins: 'Maxime intelligendum est antiquiores philosohos scientiae.' Ad Finem: 'Ulterius, Author longam depingit praxis formam, spoinosam satis, et erroneam, de industria ut seducat a via veritatis, non ulterius dirigat, cujus rei gratia religui; et tantum theoricam hujus tractatus vere auream studiosis lectoribus exhibeo.'

MS. Sloane 1881.
Paper. Quarto. 62 folios. 17th Century.
'The Golden Rotacion, Conversion, Circulation, Purification, Concatenation of the Elements: Translated out of the French: written by an Anonymous; and freely communicated to the benefitt of all true lovers of Philosophie.' ff.1-62.

MS. Sloane 1902.
Paper. Quarto. 31 folios. 17th Century.
Written by the hand of Arthur Dee (?).
1-9. [Astrological nativities, including John Dee.]
Reversing the Volume:
10. 'Schema of the nativities of Arthur Dee and Isabel Dee.' f.28.
11. 'Hermetiae Philosophiae medulla' Tractatus litteris mysticis scriptus: cum clave. f.14.
12. 'Testamentum Arnoldi de Villanovani.' f.12b.
13. 'Dionysii Zachariae de projectione super metalla.' f.12-11.

MS. Sloane 1990.
Paper. Folio. 170 folios. 17th Century.
In the hand of Master Theodor Mayerne.
Collectanea chymica: ubi plurima ad colores et ad arem illuminandi contingentia inveniri poterunt.

MS. Sloane 1996.
Paper. Folio. 184 folios. 17th Century.
Theodori Turqueti de Mayerne Adversaria medica et chymica.
1. 'La maniere d'extraire la quinte essence du frement'. f1-4.
2. 'Du sang de l'homme'. f4v-7.
3. 'Autre oeuvre d'Isaac'. f8-16.
4. Chymical receipts in French. f17-20.
5. 'Adversaria mineralium', ex B. Penoto, with other excerpts. f22-27.
6. 'Theriaque des metaulx'. f28-45.
7. Chymical processes with the title 'Dulcedo Salis ex Paracelsi libro de Secretis Secretorum non impresso, a D. Francisco Rentz, Med. D. Pomerano.' f46-55.
9.Various chymical processes, taken from various authors, in latin, French and German. f58-83.
10. Ex Theophasto collecta, vocabula, etc. f84-88.
11. Chymical processes in German. f88v-92.
14. 'Acetum philosophorum ad extrahendam quintam essentiam, et habet potestatem reducendi [Sun] and [Moon] et corpora mineralia in sui primam materiam, id est in argentum vivum.' in Latin and German. f105-108.
16. Various chymical processes in German. f110-134.