“I saw an exhibition of paintings of alchemists once,’ said Ruth. ‘It used to be a popular setpiece. There was one I liked by Joseph Wright of Derby―of an alchemist who’d accidentally discovered phosphorus. He’s just crouching there, staring in amazement at his test tube or alembic, or whatever you call it. A bloody good painting, actually.” AlchemistPhilosopher S StonePhosphorusAlembicChemical AstrologersJoseph Wright Of DerbyTest Tube Book:The Apothecary’s House Source: The Apothecary’s House
“A spirit of practicality had come to her aid. It was only human. When the earthquake stops, when the flood recedes, when the volcanic dust settles or the guns fall silent, the survivors pick their way through the rubble and debris and wreckage. A chair leg here, a first communion certificate or a bundle of love letters there. The flotsam and jetsam of the old ways―the ways that will never return.” WarFloodSurvivorsOld WaysDebrisWreckageEarthquakeVolcanic Eruption Book:The Apothecary’s House Source: The Apothecary’s House