Chapter LVII: Front Matter (57)

The third is this, the truth and certainty of Alchymy shall be shown, and it shall be proved, that it is not any vain dream, deceitfull Phantasie or Fallacy, as the greatest part and number of its haters and _Ignoramus’s_ have hitherto slanderously reported; but that it is a most true Artifice, and of wondrous consequence, by the help of which, (it making use of Fire and Salt,) all contemptible Minerals and Metals, and which are of no great gain, as _Lead_, _Iron_, _Tin_, _Bismuth_, _Cobolt_, _Zink_, _Lap Calaminaris_, _Marchasites_, all other fugacious Minerals may be so fixed and ripened, as that much and true and constant Gold and Silver may be extracted out of them with small costs, but abundance of profit.

These three secrets verily are in my judgment of great moment and therefore are worthy for the great ones, and Princes, and other Fathers of the common Weal to be made partakers thereof by revealing the same unto them.

I have deemed it worth while, in a few words to illustrate the incredible utility thencefrom arising, that any one that hath but any reason may perceive it.

And first, as concerning Salt-peter, the whole World knows what profitable and needfull a subject it is. There can never be so great a quantity thereof prepared, but it may not onely be applied to necessary uses but also to such as bring a great deal of profit. I forbear to speak of its most great use and exceeding profit in making Gun-powder, which no Kingdoms, no Common-wealths can want to defend their Countrey withall, and drive off their Enemies.

And if there were no need of it for this thing, yet would it be of mighty moment, and bring in abundance of profit by extracting Gold and Silver out of the poorer Oars which will not bear the charges of melting, and now there will never be so much Gold and Silver, as that it will not be of any profit to a Countrey.

Nay more, if there were no want of Gun-powder, nor of Gold nor Silver, (which time when ’twill come, and how it should come, for my part I cannot see) yet (having Peter) we cannot be in want of Bread; and how great soever the plenty is of Wine, and Corn, and Fruits, yet there is never wont to be too much. Corn and Seeds being macerated with Salt peter afore they are sown, and the Roots of Vines and Trees being moistned with a very little of its liquor, do not onely grow more plenteously, but also produce more plenty of Fruits, and such as ripen far sooner, and are of a sweeter Tast, than if they were dung’d with that stinking Beasts Dung liquor. If then, Salt-peter be a subject so excellent, as that we can by no means want it, and that it may so easily be prepared out of Wood and Stones in plenty; if above all other things it makes the Earth fruitfull, if it can extract plenty of true Gold and Silver out of the contemptible Sand and Flints, what can we desire more from it, unless it be a sound and healthfull Body, whereby we may in fulness of health quietly and peaceably enjoy such great benefits vouchsafed us by God? But now this very same Salt being justly called the wonder of the World can bestow upon us, this very health we speak of.

I do affirm that Alchymy it self, or the Transmutation of the lesser, or meaner Metals into the greater or more noble, and into Gold and Silver, is not a vain dreaming dotage, and an opinion void of reason, but is the very truth it self, and confirmed by many experiments; the demonstration of which, I do, God willing, this Summer not rashly but advisedly set about shewing it by publick and evident experiments, and its use for the good of the Country.

Now then, forasmuch as the Countrey is every where sufficiently stored with Iron, Lead, Salt and other mineral matters, and such like contemptible subjects, and yet notwithstanding there is not at present any profit arising thereby; verily it cannot be, but that in a few years time (if such melting Houses were in all places made) Men would be rendred Masters of great Treasures. Who knows what God will do, and whether or no it may not so come to pass, that it may be said of the great ones of [our] Countrey as is mentioned in Holy Writ concerning _Solomon_. And he made Silver as plentifull as the Stones that lie in the Streets, _&c._

But that I may yet more open the Eyes of the Studious after all, and show them, by what means all these things may come to pass, and fall out true, I do hereby assure him, that there’s no need of taking those Metals for this Fusion, that are already pure enough as Iron, Lead, Tin, and already fit to be imployed about Mans use; no, those common and sulphureous leaden _Minera’s_ or Oars which are found to be uncapable of yielding profitable and venal or sellable Lead, are well enough for this Fusion and operation we speak of; and so likewise those Irony and Coppery Oars, out of which (seeing they admit not by nature of any fusion or melting) mallable fusile Copper or Iron cannot be extracted. For this Operation of ours needs not Copper, Iron or Lead to work upon, as being content with those poor sort of Oars, and with the bare Salt which the Earth is every where well replenished withall, so that there’s no cause to fear that there will ever be a want of any matter for such an Operation.

But what need I speak much of these unknown, and so very profoundly hidden secrets of nature, seeing I have openly enough taught already, in the second part of the _Miraculum Mundi_, by what means, pure and natural Gold may be gotten out of every Herb. This very thing I publickly demonstrated in my Laboratory above a year ago, in the presence of most learned Men, Professors, Doctours of Physick, and other Men both noble and ignoble, as their Testimonies, which are [under] hand affirm.

But there’s no need of that, forasmuch as the manner it self of the Operation is published in Print, and manifested to every one, and there can hardly pass over one years space, but that even a thousand Men or more may imitate the Operation and search into the truth it self of the business.

But that the well minded Reader may have a little more light, and may himself see what foundations the work I have undertaken is built upon, I have judged it altogether necessary in a few words to set afore your Eyes, what Alchymy it self is, and whether or no it has any foundation in Nature and Art. For if so be any ingenious Man gives an Herb, an Animal, or a Man any name, certainly he does it not rashly and without any ground, but well knows and understands for what cause he intitles any thing by such or such a name, and it is chiefly done on this account that by such assumed names the nature of the Herb, Animal, or Man, and its properties might be known. A few Examples will illustrate it the more.

What reason have the Physicians and Philosophers of old to call the Herb St. _Johnswort, perforata_? Because its leaves are full of small holes, and it is so signed by nature, to shew, that it has eminent virtues [and peculiarly appointed] to take away and cure external and internal stabs and wounds of the Body, and this is confirmed by experience. Why are some Herbs called _Saxifragers_? because their nature is, to cleave assunder and break through great heaps of Stones in their growing up, and to penetrate through old Walls, by the growth of their hard roots. Their Seeds likewise are like unto the smallest Sand and after a sort stonyish and do break the stony matter in the Reins and Bladder of Man’s Body and bring it forth. So a Serpent hath its denomination from creeping, because it wants Feet, and creeps and crawls along on the Earth.

A Shoemaker hath his title from his making and sewing of Shoes. A Black smith is not wont to be called a Gold-smith, because he works not on Gold but on Iron, and he hath his denomination from Iron, which he is occupied about.

The same is to be understood of the word Alchymy, which denoteth no other thing save a Fusion and liquefaction of Salt, and so it teacheth us, what cause it was for, that the Ancients called the Transmutation of Metals Alchymy; _viz._ because of the fusing or melting of Salt, without which, no particular Transmutation of the viler Metals can be perfected and accomplished. Therefore it was not an unadvised and rash action that the Ancient Philosophers did when they put the title of Alchymy on the Transmutation of Metals, but as a Gold-smith is so called from the Gold, which he is a Labourer in, so is it with this.

The name therefore doth openly point out the matter transmuting the baser Metals into the more noble, _viz._ Salt, which being as an universal Agent does not onely maturate and bring to due perfection the Metals generated in the Bowels of the Earth by a natural Operation, but it also does the same out of the Earth by the Operation of Art, Salt alone, and Fire alone are sufficient for the maturation and transmutation of the unripe Metals. For Salt (as being the Agent) is driven or forced as ’twere by the Fire to display its virtues upon the Metals and by exercising its power, to render them better and more noble, as _Paracelsus_ openly witnesseth in his _Cœlum Philosophorum_, saying, that the Corporal mixtion of metals though commixt a long time and kept so in Fusion, is neither wont to give, (nor indeed can contribute so much as ought to their Transmutation. But if so be the metals are to be perfected by any amending, they are to be conjoyned in a spiritual commixtion, and so they come to their hoped-for amendment; and this is very agreeable to the truth, and evidently signifies, that without a saline agent and fire, there is no way of attaining to a particular transmutation and bettering in the metals. _Elias_ the Prophet, whose name inverted yields the word _Saliæ_ [or Salts,] did not work his most great miracles afore he came into _Zarpath_, or _Sarepta_, that is, into the melting House [or fusing Work-shop] where he filled the poor Widows Oil Vessels, that so she might have wherewith to live in a time of scarcity. For as long as the terrestrial Salts do lie hid in barren and stoney Mountains, in which there grows nothing but _Juniper_ Bushes, and are [there] nourished by the Stars, they cannot shew forth their wonders, but they are wont then to disclose them when they come into the melting Houses. Even so is it with Salt, when it comes into the melting Shop, it doth effect so much as not onely to fill the Oil Barrels but the Cellars and Barns too, and that plentifully, but especially when the due [or suitable] Salts _Elias_ and _Elisa_ do come together, and _Elias_ is carried in his fiery Chariot into Heaven, and sundred from _Elisa_ and doth send down a double portion of his Spirit upon _Elisa_ his Companion; by which, _Elisa_ being strengthned and acquiring more strength than it had afore, is made fit for greater and more powerfull Operations.

But amongst those most great miracles, this was an eminent one, that after the departure of _Elisa_ the Prophet out of this life, there was another dead Man thrown into his Sepulchre who by the touch of his Bones was restored to life.

Therefore, like as this miracle did supernaturally happen by the divine power: Even so [doth it come to pass] naturally, by the virtues of our _Sal Mirabilis_ corroborated with a double Spirit, which doth not onely restore a dead [body] and Wood turned by the Fire into Charcoal, when it is cast into the Sepulchre, that is into the Earthen Pot or Crucible to the white Bones of our _Sal Mirabilis_, and bring it (in the space of one quarter of an hour) unto its former viridity and life, and with this very green Liquor of the Wood may other half dead Trees, as also other things be restored to viridity, and increase, and their former fertility, more than by any thing else: But also, even various dead insects, if they be put to our _Sal Mirabilis_ can recover life again. And although that this may seem a new unheard of, and incredible thing, yea a meer Paradox to any one, yet is it as true as truth it self; the true way of which Operation I will (God willing) describe and shew clearly in the first Century of my general Appendix.

But although that these wonderfull Operations of my _Sal Mirabilis_ may seem such, as to be never capable of being effected yet, to all such as know its Composition, ’tis a thing very easily accomplished. Nor can it be but that the divine wonders should be still more and more laid open by the help of my _Sal Mirabilis_, and be exceedingly sown abroad, and made known to such as are ignorant. Which being done, the World will conceive a far other guess Opinion of Alchymy, and judge otherwise thereof than hitherto it has done.

But that such as are admirers of the divine and natural wonders, may clearly see how large an extent those things I have hitherto discovered, are of, I cannot omit the adding of the solar Work or Smaragdine Table of _Hermes_, the Father of all the Philosophers, the which being in my judgment accommodated to this discourse of mine I will illustrate.

But to summ up all I will say, I have here briefly declared, that if a Spirit be elevated or sublimed from a true Salt by the help of a strong Fire, or be drawn from out of its Body, and be again returned to the same own fixed Body left behind and be restored to it in a due manner; that fix Salt, gets double the strength and virtue it had, (as hath been shown concerning my _Sal Mirabilis_) and does perform things wonderfull; which _Hermes_ and _Basil Valentine_ have hinted unto us in these next ensuing expressions.

* * * * *

_Hitherto belongs the small Circular Figure, noted =Pag. 19.= at
the beginning of the third Part of the Prosperity of =Germany=._

_The Smaragdine Table of =Hermes=, &c._

[See it at the end of the First Part of _Miraculum Mundi_.]

_The Ænigma of Brother_ Basil Valentine.

There is a Stone, of all others the least precious, out of which is extracted a fugitive [or volatile] Fire, and out of this Fire is the Stone it self made, it is of colour white and red and yet is it no Stone. In this Stone doth nature operate, and produceth a Limpid or clear Fountain, which choaketh in the Waters and swallows up his own fixed Father, untill at length a Soul be given [or restored] him, and [his] fugitive Mother be made like [him] in the Kingdom. Likewise this Stone brings power and great strength, it exceeds the Sun in Age, [its] fugitive Mother [is] prepared by _Vulcan_ and [its] Father [was] begotten by the Spirit. Likewise the Soul, Body, and Spirit consist or abide in two, out of which, all things are; these things are of one, and is one thing, conjoyning the fix and the fugitive. They are two, and three, and one, and if thou art ignorant of this, thou will be frustrated and deprived of the effect of the Art.

_Adam_ is placed in a Bath, in which _Venus_ finds her like, now this Bath was prepared by that old Dragon, when he had lost his strength and power. But now this is nothing else (saith a Philosopher) but a duplicate _Mercury_. In this is its name hidden, which is to be sought after with all diligence and continual labour.

_The Event proves the Actions._

It seemed unto me very expedient to set down here in this place, these few, but exceeding weighty words of _Hermes_ and Brother _Basil_, because they do so notably square with this Work of mine which I have here described. And therefore I do here again affirm what I have often said, _viz._ That he who knows Salts well, but especially Niter and Vitriol, and knows how to conjoyn them, is well skilled in Medicine and Alchymy; and sufficiently enough understands that the Smaragdine Table of _Hermes_ is Vitriol, an excellent Smaragd or Emrald, and that Niter is (according as _Paracelsus_ and _Basil Valentine_ have at large described) the Kingly Infant of the Sun, with whose descriptions we at present content our selves. I will make a more prolix mention of the same in my Centuries, those things that I have adjoyned here I could not, for certain reasons let slip and pass by.

Now by these few words it is manifest, what virtues Salts are endowed withall, and what miraculous effects they shew, when they are cast into the melting Fire, _viz._ Such Salts as are corroborated with a double Spirit poured down from above. These Salts (I say) are wont not onely to fill the poor Widows Oil Vessels, but even the Cellars and Barns with Wine and Corn.

But I would not that any should interpret it amiss, in that I make some kind of Comparison ’twixt the wonderfull virtues of Salts, and the miracles of the Holy Prophets: For verily the thing it self admits it, and by such Comparisons, the natural light is greatly strengthned, which thing we shall speak more at large of elsewhere.

Whosoever he be that well knows the nature and properties of Salts, and is something skilled in the management of the Fire, he will hereby easily learn thus much, as easily to perceive that there is such a thing, as a profitable transmution of the more vile Metals into the more noble ones.

But there are requisite to this Operation manual Arts, peculiar Furnaces, and singular Commixtions of Metals, the knowledge of all which, he must have that desires beneficially to employ himself in these Operations. The whole Operation with all the appurtenances requisite, and all the things thereto appertaining, shall (if God please) be exposed to be seen in my Laboratory this Summer. As my Writings lately published, and the Labours performed in my Laboratory the last year, do sufficiently enough testifie that I have both publickly and privately demonstrated and manifested the truth of the chiefest secrets which I have mentioned in my Writings. And as for what remained of being done the last year, this present Book promiseth the demonstration of, this Summer. What Writer alive, did ever endeavour the demonstration of the truth of his Writings by most evident experiments? None at all save _Glauber_.

Therefore I doubt not but that seeing this little Book offers the Countrey such great benefits and Commodity, there will not onely be some of the Vulgar sort, but also many of the Noble ones [or Magistrates] be found, to whom the reading of the same will not be a tedious thing.

And now I return again to speak of Alchymy, openly disclosing my Opinion concerning it, and firmly averring, that Salts onely have power to wash, maturate, and perfect the unripe Metals.

But some of ther may here say, if Alchymy be the fusing of Salt, by what means can it possibly ever be, that Gold and Silver should be gotten out of Salt by melting? If there were Gold in it, cannot it be gotten forth easier than by melting in the Fire? I answer, you are not so to understand it, as if huge heaps of Gold could be gotten by a bare fusing and melting of Salt. No! no such matter. But when the Metals have Salts adjoyned to them in a due manner, and so undergo a melting Fire, they do (in that fusing) display their virtues upon the Metals, and do so bring them to a maturity as to yield forth Gold and Silver. For Salts are the universal ripening Agents, both in the dry and in the moist way, as is clearly evident from the third and fourth part of the Prosperity of _Germany_, so that there needs no more to be spoken as to this.

But yet, that these things may not seem new, or altogether absurd, I say, that in all Salts there lies hidden spiritual Gold, but yet it cannot be extracted from them without the addition of the Metals. For all the things that are, are generated, encreased, and sustained by the Sun, (and amongst these may be reckoned up the smallest Vegetable) do contain the fugacious beams of the Sun hidden in them, which said beams may by the benefit of Art be made corporeal and fixt. This I taught and demonstrated more prolixly in the second part of my _Miraculum Mundi_. I will teach the same in the first Century of my general Appendix, which said Appendix shall illustrate all my Writings with more clear notes; and I will evidently show the way, by which true and natural Gold is to be gotten (by the benefit of a certain precipitating matter, out of Sea Salt, both by the dry and by the moist way. This Operation brings not any considerable profit, but doth in very truth show the possibility of the thing. But he who knows the way of conjoyning true and due [or proper] Metals with legitimate [or suitable] Salts, and of handling them in a due and true way of Fusion, will get Gold and Silver out of all the imperfect Metals, and that with no small profit; and this shall be demonstrated in my Laboratory this present Summer by God’s help.

And for the more evident proof hereof, it seems worth while to adjoyn a Story out of the Journal of _William Litgou_ of _England_, [rather _Scotland_] who Journying through _Italy_, testifies that he saw in _Trapundia_, a City in _Sicilia_, much Gold excocted or drawn out of Sea Salt; which thing, seeing it agrees with my Opinion, and confirms what I say, I will add the Words of the Authour himself as they are in _Latin_.

“The fourth City of _Sicily_, is _Trapundia_, scituate in the
West-side, and opposite to the City _Biserta_, seated on the
_Barbarian_ Coast of _Africa_, which yields pure Gold, which is
exported by the Merchants into _Italy_, _Venice_, _Dalmatia_, and
_Greece_. It is excocted in some Artificially made Salt-pits by
the more vehement beams of the Sun, which Pits are filled and
emptied every month. Now the Salt here on the Sea-shore, has a
colour like the redness of a Ruby, or Corral: The City is almost
the one half of it imployed about working thereupon. The Gold it
self being purged is distributed throughout the whole Christian
World.”

These are the words of the said Authour, I know nothing of the certainty of the thing it self, he that is desirous to find out the truth of this Relation may easily do it. As for my self, I easily credit this Relation, because of the Mount _Ætna_ which always is burning in that Island, and because of the Sulphur too, which all the Land of _Sicily_ abounds withall. And verily it seems a thing altogether likely, that when the Inhabitants of this Island upon the Seashore, make Salt of the Sea Water for their necessary use, by digging Pits in the Earth after the manner of all those hot Countries, and letting in the Sea Water, and that the warm beams of the Sun separate [or any of] the unprofitable sweet [or insipid] Water, in Vapour, and that that Water of Salt is endued with a notable sharpness; it extracts the Sulphur out of the Earth which is there in plenty every where, and it renders this [Sulpher] by the help of the heat of the Sun, constant, corporal and fixt, so as that it can be afterwards molten in a melting Furnace into Gold. If now the most hot beams of the Sun, and Salt Water can change common earthly Sulphur into Gold, why may not the same be done also by the benefit of Fire, Salt, and Art.

That all Gold is at first naturally generated of a pure Sulphur in the Earth, no body will indeed deny. That any Sulphur may by the help of Fire and Salt be fixed and changed into natural Gold, daily experience witnesseth, not onely in my own Laboratory, but in my Disciples Laboratories too, the which, visibly demonstrates, and even by manual Operation confirms the truth of those things which I have mentioned in the second part of my _Miraculum Mundi_, hereabouts.

That which is mentioned in the old Hymn of the Ancient Church-Fathers, _viz._ who made Gold of Rods or Twigs, and Gems of Stones, seems to the ignorant altogether as Paradoxal, new, and incredible: and from which ’tis gathered that St. _John_ the Evangelist made Gold of Sticks of Wood, and Gems of common Stones: I can in a few words demonstrate that both are true.

Dissolve common Sulphur, or any Vegetable in common Salt, this Solution will make the Sulphur of a red colour. Keep this Solution for at least one hours space in the Fire, you shall find a little of the Sulphur changed into Gold; to the red Salt, adjoyn the Calx of _Saturn_, melt them by Fusion into one Body, and reduce the Lead by a Cupel, you shall find a grain of Gold, it yields indeed no profit but demonstrates the certainty and possibility of Art. But if any one shall be skilled in managing this Operation in great quantity (as shall be done this Summer in my Laboratory) he will not complain of loss, but will always get profit.

But let this suffice as to the making Gold out of any Wood, or any Herb, by the help of Fire and Salt.

Let us now see by what means Stones of manifold colours may be made by the help of Salt, out of Wood or any Herb. Adjoyn to the red Salt made of Wood, a little Powder of white Flints, put them in a Crucible, and melt them in the Fire, that they may become a red Glass, resembling almost the colour of a Ruby; if you keep them longer in the melting, the red colour will be changed into a green, and have the likeness of an Emrald: After this, comes a sky-colour, resembling a Saphir, then follows a yellow, not unlike a Jacynth: then in a longer continuance of Fire, it becomes black and like an Agath. Indeed these Stones are no harder than common Glass, but as to their colours and beauty do exactly resemble the precious natural Stones.

These two _Arcanum’s_ indeed do as to the outside view seem not very excellent, but yet I believe, the well minded Reader, to whom I offer them as a pledge or Love-token for to remember me by, will not think them (seeing they teach the extracting of Gold out of any Wood or Vegetable, and how by white Flints to make Stones of several colours) of so small a moment or value, as they appear here to be, but will believe that he has a foundation laid open for him, to arrive to greater secrets.

As concerning these kind of wonderfull things, and Transmutations hitherto unknown to the World, and changing things into more noble and better Species, I will treat more at large in the ten Centuries, in which, my Writings shall be declared with more evident and clearer Explications, to which I refer the well minded Reader, concluding this Book with those Verses of _Ovid_.

_Jamque opus exegi, quod nec Jovis ira, nec Ignis,
Nec poterit ferrum, nec edax abolere vetustas._

_And now, a work I finisht have, of which, =Jove’s= wrath, or flame,
Or Sword, or all devouring time can ne’er raze out the name._

An APPENDIX
TO THE
FIFTH PART
OF THE
Prosperity of GERMANY.

Clearly and perspicuously revealing and declaring, (for the benefit
and profit’s sake of the whole Countrey) by what means those
three _Arcana’s_ promised in the said fifth part are to be
advantageously effected. Together with an adjoyned Explication
of some obscurer places which are not so clearly disclosed in
the third and fourth parts of the Prosperity of _Germany_, as
likewise in the first Century.

Friendly Reader,

_I doubt not, but it will seem a wonder to many, that =Arcana’s= of so great moment and so much utility should be laid open by me, in so perspicuous and evident a description, as for every one thoroughly to know them._

_However, any Body may easily perswade himself that I have not so done without weighty causes, which to reckon up here at present, I judge it not so altogether necessary, but that it will be more commodious to refer it to some other convenient time. The chiefest and which is the most over-swaying reason amongst all the rest, is this, =viz.= the perverseness of some abusive Men, not onely endeavouring to make my Writings envied [or hated] by Men of common rank, but also by the great ones, by their lying reproachfull slaunders; and especially most falsely averring, that those three =Arcana’s= which I promised in the Fifth Part of the Prosperity of =Germany=, are of no profit, and therefore cannot be effected with any advantage, and that I my self sought after nothing else by promising their discovery, save onely by imposing them upon [or selling them unto] others to scrape some Monies together. Now forasmuch as this is the property of Slanders, to be admitted far easilier and readilier than the truth it self, and that for this reason many have diverted their minds from the truth of this thing by busying them about these Calumnies, and so have not known how the case stands; but (on the contrary) seeing I am conscious of mine own Innocency, and am far wide of those Crimes so falsely charged on me, I have judged it most just and most highly necessary, not to suffer those most false Accusations to rest upon me, but to shew the contrary to the Eyes of the whole World, and by demonstrating and disclosing the very truth it self, to recover my honour so perfidiously and treacherously snatcht from me; the which could not possibly be done by any better way than this._

_Necessity therefore required the Work it self to speak, and to defend its own self, which indeed is a true and genuine defence, and way of stopping the shameless and lying Mouths of all reproachfull Slanderers. God will in time recompence such false Mens most wicked Works, whereby they have exceedingly injured me. Mean while every one may apply these most profitable inventions to their use, and undertake the doing one or other of the Operations whereby they may reap some benefit, which I wish them from my Soul._

_Nor do I doubt, but that a very many Men will, by following the Doctrine by me prescribed, and insisting upon the foot-steps of my Writings, which are founded on the truth, as being a sure Foundation, =get themselves no small profit=; whilest they quietly and peaceably enjoy the gainfull practising on my =Arcana’s=: And especially of that most easie secret, by which, fugacious and volatile Gold is extracted out of all kinds of Flints, (every where plentifully offering themselves, and so by the help of Lead, is rendred Corporeal. Which Work verily is such, as that one Man doth no ways damnifie another by, but may rather help and profit him. Therefore do I at present affirm to every body with that truth which God loves, and will defend, that all the following Operations which I manifest in the publishing this little Treatise, have been wrought by me not once onely but often times, and have been shown to many others, so that no body has any reason to doubt hereof, nor need he be sollicitous about any other thing but how wisely to manage, the Operation, and to be diligent about his labours. But if it should so fall out as that a Man should commit an errour or two, which may easily happen, let him not ascribe the errours he commits, to the Art it self, and thereupon to accuse it of falsity, but let him rather inquire into the occasions and reasons of his own errours, and without doubt by such enquiries will he attain his end, and get the hoped for fruit: in which thing, my first and second Century will by an easie Manuduction help him._

_These are the things which for the truths sake and to witness it, was I willing to produce. And I do hereby signifie to every one that now my publick Laboratory is at an end, and shall remain shut for time to come, which I was willing every one should know._

_[The first] Operation shewing the way of reducing any Lead, or any
Vein of Lead by the help of common Salt, [and] by Coals, into
Ashes, in the Furnace called =Stichofen=, that so the Gold and
Silver may be extracted with profit._

Take of Lead or a Leaden Vein two parts, and of common Salt one part. The Lead Oar is to be ground in a Mill, and so are they to be commixt, and by little and little thrown with a Shovel upon the Coals in the Furnace, serving to make Ashes, and which has Pipes or Chimnyes fitted thereunto to receive the fume and the ascending Flores. That molten part of Metal and Salt which falls through the Grate is to be again taken up with your Shovel, and cast in upon the Coals untill the whole Metal, or all that metallick Vein shall be turned into Ashes. Then farther, all the burnt matter, is to be freed by divers washings from all the defilements, and the remaining Ashes of the Metal or Metallick Vein, is to be reduced into a Metal in a Furnace which the _Germans_ call _Stichofen_. These incinerations and reductions are to be so often and so long repeated, untill you find (by making trial with some little piece) that your Lead is now fitted to be handled or wrought on in the Hearths or Furnaces by the Fire of Separation. For then in the Hearths or Tests it is changed into Litharge, whereby it may the more commodiously yield forth the Gold and Silver, which by the Fire and Salt are therein maturated.

_N. B._ But you are here to observe that the leaden Oars can indeed be commixed with the Salt, and so thrown in upon the Coals: But now Lead admits not of being so dealt withall, for it is not mixable with the Salt, and therefore it requires that the Salt be first cast in upon the Coals, and then must it be thrown in afterwards at top of it. And this way is to be observed and so often repeated and so long, always throwing in, first the Salt then the Lead, till the Lead being turned into ashes, hath wholly lost its metallick Fusion. The said ashes are to be washt with Water and reduced in the Furnace, on such wise as we spake of but now.

_N. B._ Other lesser Metals may be added to the Lead or to the leaden Vein or Oar, and so be reduced into Ashes together, as Tin, Iron or Copper. But yet these leaden Oars are more advantageous and profitable if they are taken alone, as being more fit for this kind of labour, seeing they have already in them Iron and Copper, and yield not any good and vendible Lead, by reason of their wild nature, and so there’s no need of burning up Copper and Tin which are already vendible.

_N. B._ Whilest this Incineration is done, many Metallick Flores does ascend up into the Receptacles appointed for the fume to go up in, and which are adjoyned to the Furnace, which (if need be) may be taken out, and by washings be freed from the Salt which ascended together with them, and by Reduction be restored or reduced to their former body: and will yield Lead which contains in it Silver, and is to be converted into Litharge like other Lead, that the Silver may be separated therefrom.

This likewise is heedfully to be observed in the other _Minera’s_ or Oars turned into Ashes, that afore their Reduction, they be thoroughly washt from all the Salt, and the light filths or defilements are to be well separated from the metalline body; for if this be neglected, the Salt being forced with the strong blast of the Bellows would carry off the Metal together with it self, and the Ashes of the Coals would hinder the Fusion of the Metal it self, and reduce the same into _Scoria’s_.

As concerning the Reduction it self, this is well to be regarded, that the Fire must be kindled in the Furnace at least two hours afore the Ashes of the Oars that are to be reduced, are to be put in, that so the Furnace may be thoroughly bright-hot within; for if it be not through fiery-hot, the Cast in _Minera’s_ melt not, and being not molten they lie in the Fire, and hinder the blast of the Bellows, and spoil the Operation it self.

These labours therefore require a skilfull Artificer, and one versed in such Operations, for they are not so very Facile as they seem to many, to appear to be.

Then farther, this is likewise to be noted, that if the _Minera’s_ or Oars that you take to this Operation are full of Sulphur, and that that Sulphur is not wholly taken away by torrifying [or calcining them] it will by its fierceness reduce in the melting the body of the good Metal into _Scoria’s_, and instead of Metal present you with Dross. And this is that Incineration and Reduction which I have showed in my Laboratory, both to Friends and Enemies; But yet I have (since that time) found out a far easier way of doing this labour, by the help of which, one Man will do more in one day, than he could otherwise in eight days. But because this way is not as yet made common, it seems not convenient in my Opinion to divulge it here; for as much as I have determined with my self in this present Appendix to disclose onely those things which I exposed to be seen in my Laboratory by others.

_By what means Gold, Silver, yea and Copper too, may with great
profit be extracted out of the poor Metallick Veins by the moist
way, and which cannot quit the costs of doing it by Fire._

First of all, the metallick Earths are to be made red hot, and to be quenched in cold Water, that so being made brittle they may be ground in a Mill. If Sulphur be admixt in them, then must they by a foregoing fireing be freed from the same, because the Sulphur hinders the _Aqua Fortis_, from duely dissolving those Oars. Being now thus prepared, they are to be put into the stronger Glasses, or into Earthen Cucurbits made of the best Clay, and the following Water is to be poured upon them, and is to cover them over three fingers breadth. The Cucurbit being filled with these matters is to be set in a Case [or Pot] full of Sand, and prepared for this use, and all the Water is to be drawn therefrom by Distillation: which is not onely all of it again recovered, but withall doth get it self an encrease or augmentation from the Salt-peter or the Salt, so that there ascends more Water by Distillation than was poured on.

The Oars are to be taken out of the Cucurbit, (or Cucurbits, if there were more Pots used) and being taken forth you must pour common Water thereupon to extract the remaining Salt thereout of, in the which Salt is found the Gold and the Silver that was in the Oars.

_N. B._ This is to be observed in this labour, that all the Spirits are not to be drawn off from the Oars even to the dry Salt; and this not onely to shun the dammage that might happen by breaking the Glasses, but also for this reason, _viz._ that there may be left behind with the Salt a little Acrimony, because of some Salts which easily pass into Salt-peter when some _Aqua Fortis_ is drawn off them. And albeit that _Aqua Fortis_ will easily turn the whole Body of Kitchin Salt into Salt-peter, yet notwithstanding ’mongst all the Salts one Salt admits of a speedier, another of a slow Transmutation, according as it is more or less akin in its nature unto Salt-peter.

And therefore to prevent this errour, some humidity is to be left with the Oars. For when all the Spirits are drawn off, and the Salt is turned into Salt-peter, the Water would not be sharp enough to hold up the Gold that is extracted, when the Solution is made, for the Water would dissolve barely the Salt-peter, and leave the Gold remaining behind with the Oar.

If this errour should chance to be committed, the Salt-peter is to be extracted out of the Oars with the Water, and more new Salt must be poured on upon the same Oars together with the _Aqua Regis_ that was drawn off by Distillation; that so this _Aqua Regis_ having been once abstracted may not afterwards transmute all the Salt thereto added into Salt-peter. For by how much the oftner the _Aqua Fortis_ is drawn off from the Salt, so much the less is the Salt turned by it into Salt-peter, and at length, it will come to such a pass as to remain just as it was afore the abstraction [of the so oft drawn off Spirit.] For this is the nature of _Aqua Fortis_, _viz._ to transmute half its weight of Salt into Salt-peter at the first time; the second time it transmutes but a fourth part; the third time much less; and at length will transmute none at all; but puts on the nature of Spirit of Salt; which notwithstanding is most fit to extract Gold and Copper withall out of the Oars _in infinitum_, if Salt be thereto added, out of which, it is wont to get it self a perpetual encrease (and be) like other Spirit of Salt.

Now then, to prevent this inconvenience, the _Aqua Fortis_ may be left off for altogether, and those Minerals and Metallick Earths may be extracted with the Spirit of Salt onely, and Salt added thereunto: onely observing this thing in the Distillation, _viz._ that some of the humidity be left behind with the Oars whereby they may be the easilier taken out of the Glasses.

Moreover this is to be likewise known, that Gold, Silver, and Copper may be extracted out of their Oars or Earths even without _Aqua Fortis_ or Spirit of Salt, if onely Salt or Salt-peter be but added. For if some Oil of Vitriol or of Sulphur be poured upon the Water of Salt-peter, or that the Water of Salt be acuated therewithall, it becomes strong enough to extract Gold, and after the extraction and distilling the Phlegm off, there follows by distilling a pleasant Spirit of Salt, or from Salt-peter a good _Aqua Fortis_. This labour therefore is more gainfull and less troublesome, than if _Aqua Fortis_ or Spirit of Salt were used thereunto.

There are other easier and more compendious ways of extracting Gold, Silver and Copper out of their Earths, which, seeing they have not been as yet shown in my Laboratory, I shall silently pass them by at present and that not without reason. But yet there is frequent mention made of the like [Operations] in my first Century, in which he who has an earnest desire to know more of those kind of ways, may make enquiry.

_The Preparation of sutable and proper Waters to extract Gold,
Silver and Copper out of poor Oars._

Take of Salt-peter one part, of common _Aqua Fortis_ two parts; these being joyned together, extract Silver and also Copper. But to extract Gold out of its Oars or Minerals, there must be taken one part of common Salt, and four parts of _Aqua Fortis_. One pound of Salt, and four of _Aqua Fortis_, make four pounds and ½ of _Aqua Regia_, the other half pound of Salt stays behind with the Metallick Veins or Oars in the bottom of the Cucurbit, and contains the Gold that was in them, and is to be extracted with common Water.

_The way of getting out the Gold and Silver out of the washt-out
Salts by precipitation, and of reducing them to their peculiar
bodies without detriment or loss._

If it be Water of Salt-peter and hath Silver in it, the Water of Salt being poured in, precipitates the Silver to the bottom. But if Water of Salt, and has Gold in it, the Gold is precipitated by pouring on a _Lixivium_ which hath in it a little liquour of Flints. And now this Water it self thus mixt by pouring (other precipitating liquors on it) yields (by decoction) most excellent Salt-peter. And the _Aqua Fortis_ and _Aqua Regis_, which ascended by Distillation, are fit to make new extractions of Gold, Silver, and Copper out of their Earths; and by iterated extractions (by the Salts and Waters thereto added) do they get a perpetual encrease, insomuch that in these extractions of Gold, Silver, and Copper, there are not required at all any other expences save those few, bestowed on firing. Therefore in the beginning of this Work there is not required ought else but one onely pound of _Aqua Fortis_, because in the progress of the Work it proceeds on to an infinite encrease, yea, enough for the extraction of many thousands of pounds.

(Hence is it that this Work is an unheard of Operation, and doth almost exceed all belief, and from which there must an immense gain of necessity accrew, because Gold, Silver, and Copper may by this means be extracted out of their poor Metallick Earths without costs.

There remains yet one thing which is to be heedfully regarded in the precipitation of the Gold and Silver. A common _Lixivium_ cannot precipitate all the Gold out of the _Aqua Regis_, and therefore I bid you add to the _Lixivium_ some liquor of Flints, and this will also appear in my first Century.

Therefore it behoves every one, clearly to see whether or no he makes use of true and genuine Liquor of Flints in his Operation, that so he may not instead of it, use a bare simple _Lixivium_ onely, and so commit a great errour, as it hath happened to some as I have been told.

But he that can’t make true and good liquor of Flints, or else has it not at hand, may substitute in its steed, common Spirit of Urine prepared in a Copper still, which together with the said liquor precipitates all the Gold out of the _Aqua Regis_.

_N. B._ But this Gold thus precipitated by Spirit of Urine, fulminates like Gun-powder, unless it be burnt with common Brimstone afore the Reduction, and that this fulminating faculty be taken away from it, which inconvenience the liquour of Flints is not wont to bring.

_N. B._ If there should be much Zink, Iron, or _Lapis Calaminaris_ in the Oars of Gold or Silver, the _Aqua Fortis_ or _Aqua Regis_ would not all ascend by the Distillation, nor get increase; but some part thereof would stay with those Metallick Earths, and with the _Lapis Calaminaris_, _&c._ and by adhering thereunto be concentrated: but yet there would not be any loss by that, for by the pouring on a Lixivium of Wood-ashes, may it be turned into good Salt-peter, of as much value as may easily recompence the charges of the _Aq. Fortis_, or _Aq. Regia_.

Besides, you are likewise to observe this, that if there should be Copper admixt in the Oars of the Gold and Silver, the _Aq. Fortis_ would extract the Copper too, as well as the Silver.

But now the nearest way of separating these two Metals from each other, is this, Let Spirit of Salt be poured to the _Aq. Fortis_, and it will precipitate all the Silver out of the _Aq. Fortis_, down to the bottom and the Copper will be left in the water; which if you put some Iron into, it will stick to the Iron, and by this means be gotten out of the water.

This water now, after the Metals are withdrawn from it, is fit to make new Salt-peter with, and by addition of Vitriol to yield a new _Aq. Fortis_ by distillation.

_Alkali_ Salts do in the Fusing bring the precipitated Silver to its former body, which otherwise is very fugacious.

The Copper is turned into excellent Verdigrease. And so the Oars of Copper, though never so poor, may be extracted, and that with no small benefit: Because the Verdigrease made of the bare Copper is twice the price of the molten Copper it self.

_The manner of making good Salt-peter in plenty, out of
Kitchin-Salt and =Calx-vive=._

Take the Stones of Lime, which have been thorowly changed or reduced into Powder by the Air, four parts: of Kitchin Salt, or Common Salt, one part, [by weight, and not by measure] whether pure or impure [it matters not:] and of this mixture is a thickish paste to be made by moistning it with Urine, or, in want of that, with Water; which is to be made up into a Pile with Wood, and so may it be made _Stratum super stratum_, of what bigness you please: and it may be done in a Furnace made for that purpose, or else in the open Field abroad in the Air. But you must beware in the building up of this Pile, that the mass of Salt and _Calx-vive_ be not too thick laid, and too much; but it would be better to make it up in balls or pellets, that so they may be well fired by the flame, which must penetrate everywhere through the pervious heap or pile: which cannot be, if the mass be spread too broad, and so stop up the passages of the flame.

The heap being made as big as you are minded to have it, the fire must be put under, and so long fed, till all the wood is burnt, and the balls themselves have been red-hot, a whole hour at least: that the Acrimony of the Salt may in so great a heat be changed by the _Calx-vive_, and get it self a milder nature, and consequently be so much the easier transmuted into Salt-peter.

_N. B._ The Salt that is on this wise transmuted, is most fit for dunging Lands, and to be used instead of the common beasts dung, as I have at large taught long ago in many places of my Writings.

This is the preparation of turning Salt into Salt-peter, which Artifice, if any be minded to work about, it is necessary for him to order his Operation this following way.

_The manner of making Salt-peter out of this prepared Salt._

First of all, this introverted Salt must be exposed to the open Air, and beams of the Sun; but yet so, as that the heap may not be moistned by the Rain, and it must lie in its heap the heighth of some three or four Feet; the which heap is to be wetted either with Man’s piss or Beasts; or if there be not enough of this to be had, then with bare water onely, that so the pellets or balls lying quietly for some days, may be dissolved and be mixed with the rest of the matter.

Now when the warm Air hath consumed all the humidity, and dried up the heap, the aforesaid moistning is to be repeated; which being again consumed, and the heap dried, the labour of repeated moistnings and exsiccations is to be so long continued, as long as necessity requireth: For in long progress of time is the Salt-peter generated, which must be washed out with water, and by decoction be reduced into Stria’s or Crystals.

This generation of Salt-peter proceeds indeed slowly on, but yet it brings a great profit. For if once the Salt-peter be but generated in such an heap of Salt, and the reliques left after the washing out of the Peter be again put to the same heap, there will new Salt-peter be generated in process of time: so that new Salt-peter will every year offer it self to be washt out of the heap: and this work may be continued without end.