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Honors English 1 The art and science of transforming base metals into the noble metals, silver and gold. This is the most common definition of the word , the word however means working with melted metals. There is more to then just the transmutation of metals, i ....

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.... that would make them rich, also many alchemists were hired by lords and noblemen who wanted to know the secret so they could become wealthier then they already were. Basically they saw easy money and would waste their lives and money to find out how to get it. There was another side to alchemy them just changing lead into gold, people not only wanted to be rich but they also wanted to live forever. The Elixir was the substance that would extend the life of the user. They thought that the elixir would start its own transformation in the human body, incorruptibility and hence longevity. (Halleux 140) By making these substances would sometimes ge ....