On the Quintessence and the nature of the Elements

Cornelis Drebbel (1572-1633) was a Dutch engineer and inventor. He was the builder of the first operational submarine in 1620, and became well known for his Perpetuum Mobile device. He had wide interest in the sciences and particularly in chemistry, and is credited with the invention of a mordant for dyeing, a method for producing sulphuric acid, the discovery of Mercury and Silver fulminates, a compound microscope, among others. His chemistry remained rooted in alchemical ideas, particularly the interactions between the four elements.

Translated from the French version, by Adam McLean.