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had been painted in a chequered design of red and gray, and
near the door a triangle was formed by old horseshoes that
had been fitted into the boards. A large coral tree stood under
one window, and a cupboard of dark carved wood with
brass mountings was placed under the other. A life-size
doll representing a Moor was set in one corner, and along
the walls lay blocks of tin and copper ore. The blackamoor
held a dried palm leaf in his hand.
When they were seated and the first interchange of
amenities was over, Ulrik Frederik—they were
speaking in French—asked whether Burrhi would not with his
learning and experience come to the aid of the searchers
after wisdom in the land of Denmark.
Burrhi shook his head.
“’T is known to me,” he replied, “that the secret art
has many great and powerful votaries in Denmark, but I
have imparted instruction to so many royal gentlemen and
church dignitaries, and while I will not say that ingratitude
or meagre appreciation have always been my appointed
portion, yet have I encountered so much captiousness and
lack of understanding, that I am unwilling to assume again
the duties of a master to such distinguished scholars. I
do not know what rule or method the King of Denmark
employs in his investigations, and my remarks can
therefore contain no disparagement of him, but I can assure you
in confidence that I have known gentlemen of the
highest nobility in the land, nay, anointed rulers and hereditary
kings, who have been so ignorant of their historia naturalis
and materia magica that the most lowborn quacksalver could
not entertain such vulgar superstitions as they do. They
even put their faith in that widely disseminated though
shameful delusion that making gold is like concocting a
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