Base metals, like lead, iron and tin, were seen as more primitive than gold and silver, which were regarded as " noble" .

人们认为铅，铁和锡等贱金属比被认为是 “贵重”的金和银更原始。

The operative side deals mostly with something called " transmutation" – where the intent is to transform base metals, like lead, into gold.

作方面主要处理所谓的“嬗变”——目的是将贱金属，如铅，转变成黄金。

Baser metals would breakup under the beating." Airy" in this line refers to the buoyancy of gold leaf.

贱金属会在敲打下破裂。Airy“指的是金箔的浮力。

The elixir was supposed to be the supreme, universal medicine, capable of prolonging life indefinitely as well as of transforming baser metals to gold.

长生不老药应该是至高无上的万能药，能够无限期延长生命，还可以将贱金属转化为黄金。

Transmutation, as a branch of alchemy, sought to " improve" the state of these base metals, just as the speculative side of alchemy aims to seek truth and enlightenment.

al变作为炼金术的一个分支，试图“改善” 这些贱金属的状态 ，就像炼金术的投机方旨在寻求真相和启示一样。

107) Unbelieving Chemists: The reference is to the eighteenth-century fascination with alchemy and the perennial search for the " philosopher's stone, " which would transform base metals into gold.

107) 不信的化学家：指的是十八世纪对炼金术的迷恋以及对“点金石”的长期探索，这种石可以将贱金属转化为黄金。