"--The desire for long life and
the acquisition of wealth have indirectly been the stimulus to
medical and physical investigation, eventually evolving science
as we have it now. The fundamental principles of nearly every
branch of modern science were the gradual metamorphoses of the
investigations of the old searchers after the "philosopher's
stone" and "elixir of life." The long hours of study and
experiment in the chase for this will-o'-the-wisp were of vast
benefit to the coming generations; and to these deluded
philosophers of the Middle Ages, and even of ancient times, we
are doubtless indebted for much in this age of advancement.
With a credulous people to work upon, many of the claimants of
the discovery of the coveted secret of eternal life must be held
as rank impostors claiming ridiculous ages for themselves. In the
twelfth century Artephius claimed that by the means of his
discovery he had attained one thousand and twenty-five years.
Shortly after him came Alan de Lisle of Flanders with a reputed
fabulous age. In 1244 Albertus Magnus announced himself as the
discoverer. In 1655 the celebrated Doctor Dee appeared on the
scene and had victims by the score. Then came the Rosicrucians.
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