Q. Which are the imperfect metals? A. Brass, lead, tin, iron and quicksilver.
Q. How come we by the knowledge of these things? A. By frequent observations and the experiments made in natural philosophy, which have decided to a certainty that nature gives a perfection to all things, if she has time to complete her operations.
Q. Can art bring metal to perfection so fully as nature? A. Yes; but in order to do this, you must have an exact knowledge of nature.
Q. What will assist you to bring forth this knowledge? A. A matter brought to perfection, this has been sought for under the name of the philosopher's stone.
Q. What does the globe represent? A. An information of philosophers, for the benefit of the art in this work.
Q. What signify the words, "Lux ex tenebris?" A. That is the depth of darkness you ought to retire from, in order to gain the true light.
Q. What signifies the cross on the globe? A. The cross is the emblem of the true elected.
Q. What represent the three candlesticks? A. The three degrees of fire, which the artist must have knowledge to give, in order to procure the matters from which it proceeds.
Q. What signifies the word Stibium? A. It signifies antimony, or the first matter of all things.
Q. What signify the seven degrees? A. The different effectual degrees of Masonry which you must pass to come to the Sublime Degree of Knights of the Sun.