lchemist could claim with seeming plausibility that
he was prolonging his life by his magic; whereas a younger man might
assert that, knowing the great secret, he was keeping himself young
through the centuries. In either case such a statement, or rumor, about
a learned and wealthy alchemist was likely to be believed, particularly
among strangers; and as such a man would, of course, be the object
of much attention, the claim was frequently made by persons seeking
notoriety. One of the most celebrated of these impostors was a certain
Count de Saint-Germain, who was connected with the court of Louis XV.
His statements carried the more weight because, having apparently no
means of maintenance, he continued to live in affluence year after
year--for two thousand years, as he himself admitted--by means of the
magic stone. If at any time his statements were doubted, he was in the
habit of referring to his valet for confirmation, this valet being also
under the influence of the elixir of life.

"Upon one occasion his master was telling a party of ladies and
gentlemen, at dinner, some conversation he had had in Palestine, with
King Richard I., of England, whom he described as a very particular
friend of his. Signs of astonishment and incredulity were visible on the
faces of the company, upon which Saint-Germain very coolly turned to his
servant, who stood behind his chair, and asked him if he had not spoken
the truth. 'I really cannot say,' replied the man, without moving a
muscle; 'you forget, sir, I have been only five hundred years in your
service.' 'Ah, true,' said his master, 'I remember now; it was a little
before your time!'"(2)

In the time of Saint-Germain, only a little over a century ago, belief
in alchemy had almost disappeared, and his extraordinary tales were
probably regarded in the light of amusing stories. Still there was
undoubtedly a lingering suspicion in the minds of many that this man
possessed some peculiar secret. A few centuries earlier his tales
would hardly have been questioned, for at that time the belief in the
existence of this magic something was so strong that the search for it
became almost a form of mania; and once a man was seized with it, lie
gambled away health, position, and life itself in pursuing the coveted
stake. An example of this is seen in Albertus Magnus, one of the most
learned men of his time, who it is said resigned his position as bishop
of Ratisbon in order that he might pursue