In the year 1665, Daniel Muller, afterwards Professor of Jurisprudence, lived at Colmar as tutor to the three sons of a certain Burgomaster of high repute in the town, named Steinberg. Now it happened that in the October of that year a travelling alchemist was received and entertained by Steinberg as his guest, and at supper, amongst other seasonable condiments, a dish of nuts being on the table, the conversation turned on their many good qualities and uses.

The three pupils of Muller were, however, entirely absorbed in their consumption, and the nuts were so rapidly seized, crushed and demolished, that Muller, as a good-natured reproof, gave them three lines to translate from the Schola Saliterna—

which they rendered—One nut is good, the second hurts, but the third is death.

‘Well.’ said Muller, laughing, ‘this can hardly be true, for you have gone much beyond the third nut, yet there is no sign of death on you; so we can't believe in the tertia mors est.’

Scarcely were the words uttered when the alchemist started from the table in violent agitation, and, without any apology to his host, rushed from the room, leaving the company in no little amazement.

The Burgomaster at once sent his eldest son after him to know if he could in any way be of service to him, fearing he was ill.