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THe English Philosophical Transactions have now a long time been pub∣lished, and are grown into Vo∣lums; also the French Diary, doth consist of and hath compleated five Tomes: And likewise the German Academy is now imployed in putting forth their fourth Vo∣lume:
so great every where at this day hath been their studious labour, and so great is the Aemulation, and strugling of the most flourishing Nations betwixt themselves: that every one of them do seem to hope in a small time to vanquish and triumph over Nature. Truly it is a most Noble Im∣ployment, and such an one as former Ages hath been unacquainted with: to which if there shall be added, the greater Munifi∣cence of Kings, and Princes, there is no doubt left, but that at last from thence, there will redound great Advantage to the Publick.
All of these are imployed about new In∣ventions, and observations, in the Ma∣thematicks, in Natural Knowledg, or Philo∣sophy, in Anatomy, in Chirurgery, in Me∣dicine in General, also in the Books of Politicks, Histories, and other Books late∣ly Printed to adjudge, and revive them. Also they have mixed many things which particularly belong to the Chymical Art: but they if compared with the rest are but few: although from thence a more plen∣tiful crop might certainly be expected, than from any of the other Sciences.
Upon this very occasion, I evolving those kind of writings, it came into my
mind that perhaps it were convenient, that those most excellent Academical men, were by some publick admonition excited to bestow more pains for the future upon that Art, in whose deep Well lies hid an infinite plenty of Arcana's, or secrets. To this intent therefore we have written this Book, and Intituled it Destillatoria Curiosa; I say Curiosa, for neither is it such, that it should be extold by us with high Encomi∣ums, nor can it promise of it self very great advantages, or utility, but this praise is sufficient for it, if by occasion of it, a Spur shall be added to men of sublime in∣genuity, and expert Artists, that thereby they may not only find out the like expe∣riments, but having found them out, com∣municate them without envy.