I think alchemy at the time was just another domain of science than anything else. To them it was like today's dark matter and dark energy or figuring out cold

I think alchemy at the time was just another domain of science than anything else. To them it was like today's dark matter and dark energy or figuring out cold fusion or reaction-less drives. These are not really bets, it's all what Newton was, a man's passion, life and legacy.