John
de Monte Snyder (approx. 1625 - 1670)
a german practical laboratory alchemist and author of "Metamorphosis
Planetarum"(1663) and "De medicina universali"
(1662). Monte-Snyder wrapped his laboratory processes in a beautiful
and fascinating garment of classical allegory (Adam McLean). One
of Isaac Newton's favorite alchemists whom he wrote an 5000 word
manuscripts titled, 'Commentatio de Pharmaco Catholico', in Latin
and among Newton's papers had been found an autographed transcript
of John de Monte Snyder's "The Metamorphosis of the Planets".
Newton extremely appreciated the treaty of the "Universal
Medicine", which he translated into English and copied with
his own hand. "Monte-Snyder, whose life and ascent remained
mysterious, seems to have been a hermetist and a spagyrist of
a real quality" wrote J J Becher in a commentary of his Works,
published in 1726. Monte Snyder visited the Court of Leopold at
Vienna in 1660.
Titles
in R.A.M.S.:
"Universal and Particular Processes", by John
de Monte Snyder, Translated from the Von Ehrenthal Manuscript
(1743. Wellcome Institute MS. 2283), 'Montesnyder. De medicina
universali'. Apparently an epitome of a work first published in
1662, perhaps made by von Ehrenthal himself. R.A.M.S. 1981. 19
pages. (UNIVERSAL: .doc, .pdf, .jpg). More
Info.
"Metamorphosis of the Planets" by John
de Monte Snyder. "A Wonderful Transmutation of the Planets
and Metallic Formes into their first Essence (with an annexed
process), being a discovery of the three keys pertinent to the
obtaining of the three principes. Likewise in what manner the
most generall universal is to be obtained is in many places of
this treatise....". 1663, (second ed. 1700). [Preface, 31
Chapters, A Momento] R.A.M.S. 1982. 89 pages. (METAMORPHOSIS:
.rtf, .pdf, .jpg). More Info.
