given him, which were considerable. And now, in the mean while,
Johann, who at one time promised well in practical life, had taken
to Alchemy; and was busy with crucibles and speculations, to a
degree that seemed questionable. Father Friedrich, therefore, had
to interfere, and deal with this "Johann the Alchemist" (JOHANNES
ALCHEMISTA, so the Books still name him); who loyally renounced
the Electorship, at his Father's bidding, in favor of Friedrich;
accepted Baireuth (better half of the Culmbach Territory) for
apanage; and there peacefully distilled and sublimated at
discretion; the government there being an easier task, and fitter
for a soft speculative Herr. A third Brother, Albert by name, got
Anspach, on the Father's decease; very capable to do any fighting
there might be occasion for, in Culmbach.

As to the Burggrafship, it was now done, all but the Title.
The First Friedrich, once he was got to be Elector, wisely parted
with it. The First Friedrich found his Electorship had dreadfully
real duties for him, and that this of the Burggrafship had fallen
mostly obsolete; so he sold it to the Nurnbergers for a round sum:
only the Principalities and Territories are retained in that
quarter. About which too, and their feudal duties, boundaries and
tolls, with a jealous litigious Nurnberg for neighbor, there at
length came quarrelling enough. But Albert the third Brother, over
at Anspach, took charge of all that; and nothing of it fell in
Johann's way.

The good Alchemist died,--performed his last sublimation, poor
man,--six or seven years before his Brother Friedrich; age then
sixty-three. [14th November, 1464.] Friedrich, with his Iron Teeth
and faculties, only held out till fifty-eight,--10th February,