*** start of the project gutenberg ebook 1453 *** the alkahest by honore de balzac translated by katharine prescott wormeley dedication to madame josephine delannoy nee doumerc. madame, may god grant that this, my book, may live longer than i, for then the gratitude which i owe to you, and which i hope will equal your almost maternal kindness to me, would last beyond the limits prescribed for human affection. this sublime privilege of prolonging life in our hearts for a t...