Chapter LXVI: Part II (5)

Further, every one knows that the common salt peter reduceth the common metals into a Scoria by burning them, and washeth gold and silver, and leaves them pure, concerning which fiery washing I have hitherto mentioned several things. But that the common salt peter doth perform this washing better than the pure, and this pure better and more efficaciously than the purest, is no such matter in the least, which thing experience will most manifestly open to him who will try the same. Verily a small fire will not do those things which a greater will do, nor will this greater effect such things as the greatest will, and this is so evident and manifest that there is none dares deny it.

Take one part of the _Regulus_ of Antimony and four parts of pure Tin; melt them in a crucible and pour them out, and let them cool; this mass makes all iron and steel fusile, therefore when you would melt iron or steel, fill a crucible with either of the metals, set it in a Wind Furnace, and leave it so long in the Coles till all the matter wax highly red hot. Then take off the cover and put into the crucible, half as much of the said mixt mass of _Regulus_ of Antimony and Tin, as the iron or steel put in the crucible weighed, then put on the cover, and cover it over with the Coles, and urge the fire as strongly as ever possibly you can, that so the mass you put in, may cause the iron or steel to melt. When ’tis all well molten, pour it presently forth, least the Tin flying away in fume, leave the molten iron, and so it returned to its former hardness and not suffer it self to be fused.

This matter consisting of the _Regulus_ of Antimony, Tin, and Iron, or Steel, is so hard, that you may strike fire thereout of with a flint.

Now then if you would experiment the abovesaid combustion or burning up, take a good strong crucible made of potters earth, and fill it with salt peter, set it on live Coals so that the salt peter may melt, then having cast your tin and iron in the form of small rods, heat one end of the rods so as not to melt, hold the other end in a pair of Tongs, and put it into the molten salt peter, that the iron together with the tin and _Regulus_ of Antimony may be burnt up as if it were wood, and vanish away with the flame into a fume. For almost all tin and iron are a meer sulphur, and being consumed by the flame, leave nothing else in the crucible save _Scoria’s_, which being washed with water, and boiled on a cupel or test with lead and blown off, do leave behind, the true gold and silver hidden in both metals.

For when by the flame of so pure a salt peter, the impure sulphur of the iron and tin is burnt up, it must necessarily be that what good soever was in the metals do remain behind.

I do not therefore here set down this operation, as if I would thereby promise any one golden mountains. No such matter. For I onely manifest these, and such like labours meerly for this end, that every one may know, that salt peter being brought to a requisite purity, is wont to burn up imperfect metals as one burns up wood; and it may be easily gathered thencefrom, that such a pure salt peter doth as to its virtues much exceed the common peter.

As for such like labours of burning up the imperfect metals by salt peter purified in a due manner, and of getting pure gold and silver with profit, they shall be taught in the following Century (God willing.)

For even as this first Century doth for the most part treat of fire and salt; so the chiefest part of the following Century shall treat of the wonderfull and great efficacy of purified salt peter in destroying, and reducing metals, and that with great bettering of them, and with no small profit. And albeit I was desirous of inserting in this first Century, such like profitable betterings of the metals, yet it could not well be done; principally because that there are many other things concerning the profitable use of the con-centrated spirits of salt, that I must necessarily pass over here, because the number of this Century is already up, and therefore must I refer them to the following Centuries.

And forasmuch as there is frequent mention made in this Century, of glasses and crucibles, which none can be without in the preparing and use of these moist fires, because of the many hazards and losses wherewithal common instruments are accompanied, for they often break, or else easily let out or spill the boiling matters; it is altogether requisite that I should here have manifested this excellent invention of mine, which preventeth all such discommodities; and which I hinted at in the second part of my _Miraculum Mundi_.

But whereas I have bestowed both those inventions there on the poor, of meer gift, it would be an unjust thing to take away from them what is theirs; nay rather they should have by good right more bestowed on them. So then being not able to proceed any farther as to this case, this thing onely remains, _viz._ an affirmation that neither Medicine nor Alchymy can want or be without such excellent Inventions. But yet if any one desires to have them, he may write to those two men, to whom I have given them, that they may trade for the poor; whatsoever any one that is desirous of knowing those secrets shall bargain with them for, he will not be repulsed but obtain his desire, and purchase from them the secret; the which process I will nevertheless describe, omitting the naming of the matters.

XCVIII. _The way of putting glasses in distillation and digestion,
and so conserving them, that the boiling matter be not spilt._

Take .................... with this matter fence your glass, that the matters you put into them run not out, or be spilt, and you shall not lose them.

XCIX. _The manner of preparing such crucibles as will hold metals
in flux a long time, and which can neither be broken nor melted._

R. .......... mix these matters and moisten them with common water, that they may be converted into a mass, of which you shall (by a crucible mold) frame small and great crucibles, knocking them into your mold with an heavy mallet, according to the manner I described in the fifth part of my Furnaces. Then take them forth of the mold and dry them in the air, and when they are dry use them; for they need not any burning in the Potters Furnace. They will (being rightly handled) stand a long time in the coals, and will not chap, neither will they melt with the most vehement fire.

C. _An infallible demonstration, that in salt and fire all things
lie hidden; or, that by the help of the Sun and Salt all things
are generated, arise, grow, and encrease._

Forasmuch as I caused to be stamped at the beginning of this small work, a circle with a square in its inside, and with these annexed words, _In the Sun, and in Salt are all things_; (the truth of which figure and inscription is sufficiently enough evidenced by the so many operations described in this Century;) it seemed worth while unto me, to make an assertion here in the end of this Treatise by a true and evident demonstration, that all things are procreated, conserved, and encreased by the Sun and Salt, as being the principal and most noble creatures of God; but with this provizo, that there be present the seeds of those things that require multiplication.

For though the Sun and Salt were yet far excellenter and nobler subjects than they now be, yet notwithstanding could they not produce or generate so much as the smallest herb or meanest worm (to say nothing of a Man) without seed. If we have but seed, then it is permitted us by God, to propagate the same by the Sun and Salt. The begetting of seeds, God hath reserved to himself alone. The seed therefore is for us sufficient, which if we have, we are able to propagate and encrease it even to infinity, by the efficacy of the Sun and Salt, (that universal nutriment of all things.)

The universal medicament and nutriment that the Countrey men use about conserving their Vineyards, Grounds, and Pastures, is the Dung of Cattle and Sheep; from the which Dung being laid to the roots of the Vines and Trees, and thrown into the Fields and Pastures, the Vegetables do attract their necessary nutriment, do grow and bring forth fruits needfull for the support and nourishment of Men and Beasts.

But forasmuch as this nutriment which all the Vegetables do extract out of the Dung of the Beasts is nothing else but a urinous Salt, and that we know how to prepare out of the common Salt, such a urinous Salt which may be used about dunging and fatning the Earth instead of Dung, therefore verily we may be without that said Dung, being but furnished with such a Salt; the which being Alkalizated by the fire doth extend it self much wider, or goes farther, and dures much longer in the Earth, nourishing and dunging it, than the Beasts Dung doth.

Besides it gives to all Fruits and Corn, a far sweeter savour, and smell, than Dung it self doth, the truth of which will easily appear to him that will make tryal of the same. Nay more, and what is of far greater moment; there may (by the help of such Salts) be communicated to Fruits, especially to those that grow on Trees, and to Grapes, a most fragrant odour; if instead of Dung, such Salts be used to the Fields and Gardens, and some spices or other things of a fragrant smell be mixed with those Salts, and put to the roots of the Vegetables. An example will illustrate it more clearly.

Plow up some part of some barren Ground, such as is so for want of Dung; or, even some meer sandy Ground, and throw upon it of the said salt as much as is sufficient, and by plowing mix it with the Earth it self, and sow therein any kind of grain you please, and it will spring up out of the salted Earth or Sand, and be encreased, and recompence the pains taken about it, with an hundred fold encrease of the seed, even just as if you had dunged it, nay better than with the common Dunging.

And now I pray, whence doth that faculty of growing, encreasing, and multiplying arise, save from Salt alone, which you sowed your barren Field withall? For the seed cannot purchase to it self nutriment, and aliment, growth and encrease from the barren Sand and Rain-water onely. And this you may try the truth of very easily, if you fill two wooden Chests or Boxes with common Sand, and put to the Sand in one of them one, two, or three pounds of that inverted Salt, (according to the bigness or smallness of your box) and in the other box let there be onely Sand. If now you sow divers seeds in each of the Sands, and set them in the air, moistening them with Rain-water, those seeds will indeed grow out of both the Sand-boxes and get increase, but yet that which grows where it has been sprinkled with Salt is far fuller and perfecter, insomuch that it will hold on its growth till it comes to its utmost ripeness, whenas the other seeds in the other Sand-box will by little and little perish and dye.

It evidently appears from hence that the faculty of growing and increasing, in all things proceedeth from Salt onely. If so be therefore, that Pease, Beans, Oats, Barly, Rye, Wheat, Wine, and all kinds of Fruits, do grow, and are increased by the benefit of Salt, it necessarily follows, that Salt is the subject and universal nutriment.

But that it may be understood how the common Salt (which otherwise is wont to corrupt or extinguish all the faculty of growth in those things it is mixed withall) is to be inverted or turned in and out, that its hurtfull corroding property being put off it may put on the nature of Alkalies or urinous Salts, I do here covertly set down the manner of the operation, so that it may remain hidden to mine enemies and be communicated onely to my friends.

Take common Salt, _&c._ [See the Preparation in Append. 5. p. _Prosp. Germ._]

Let them be well heated red hot together at the fire, this done, the salt will be dispoiled of its Acrimony and get an urinous property, and being used in a due quantity instead of Dung, to barren Grounds, causeth that the seeds sown therein produce much fruit. But this kind of dunging requireth frequenter Rains than that which is done with Dung; and therefore it may be better and more commodious in moorish places than Beasts Dung, if it may be done, which conjoyns the said salt, and produceth the most wished effects

But especially the said salt is far better for Vines and Fruit Trees than Dung is: for it gives to Grapes, Apples, Pears and such like Tree-Fruits, a far better savour than Dung is wont to afford: Besides, this benefit accrues to Vines thereby, that being sprinkled with that Salt, they have oft times nutriment enough for twenty years, and do every year bring forth Fruit most plentifully: whereas the nutriment of dunging will scarce suffice for five or six years.

Further, That Salt may be far easier, and with much less costs carried and transported into the high Mountains than Dung can; for a far greater quantity of Dung is required than of the said Salt, which said Salt diffuseth it self far larger, or goes much farther than the Dung, and dures longer.

I did this very spring-time last past, put such an inverted salt to some half dead Vines, which being planted in a lean sandy ground could scarce grow up a fingers heighth, and they presently began to flourish, and grew up so fast that the growth was day by day perceptible. When therefore on a certain day I was shewing some Friends of mine the melioration of metals, in my Laboratory, to be effected by the help of common salt, as they were wondring at the thing, I shewed them those Vines afore my Laboratory, that sprang up from the half dead stocks, and they measuring some of the branches of the Vines, found that in two or three months they were grown some 6, 7, 10, and 11 foot long, and the stocks or stalks whence they grew were two or three times thicker than at first; which great change or transmutation in the Vines, proceeding from the salt, would be more admirable and profitable than that of metals, if we did not look upon that transmutation of gold with such covetous eyes. And forasmuch as this transmutation spoken of, was observed in the month of _July_, and that there are almost yet three months for Vines to encrease and grow; any one may easily conjecture what an encrease the wood [or branches] of the Vines would have in the space of a whole Summer.

But let this suffice concerning the inversion of the common salt, being a most profitable promoter of the growing faculty in all things; the which things I was necessitated to declare here in the end of this small work, that so I might demonstrate those things which I asserted at the beginning of the same, _viz._ that in salt lie all things hidden, and by the seeds of things and the help of the Sun are rendred visible, palpable and essential.

_An Admonition to the friendly Reader, or a Proposition not
prescribing or tying to any body, whereby is shewn how much
benefit the Countrey may in general obtain by my not chargeable
extraction of Gold and Silver out of the fugacious or flying
Minerals._

That my inventions may be in many places profitable for the whole Countrey, I judged it worth while, briefly to declare my meditations or conceptions thereabouts; and to make a declaration of the way or manner which I judge it may most exceeding profitably be done by.

First of all, I suppose it is sufficiently well known that Princes and Noblemen are occupied or troubled with otherguess burdens and business than to employ or busie themselves with the care and enquiry after the metalline mine-pits, that are here and there in the Countries subject unto them. And if they should commit the care of these things to their servants, ’tis likely that they would rather pass their time in feastings or merry meetings, than in a painfull search of Mines and metallick Veins in the woods and mountains. And as for the subjects themselves, seeing they are altogether rude and ignorant of such arts, by what means, and with what success they can undertake such kind of Labours, any one may easily guess. These are the Causes why things of such great moment are let slip without any profit at all, and are plainly neglected. But in my judgment, though it be but slender, any Prince that hath many Subjects under his obedience, may every year gather store of gold and silver, and that without costs, if he would but onely cause a small Laboratory to be erected, wherein the poor Mines may be extracted with due waters; and leave given to such of his subjects as breath after the knowledge of such Arts, to frequent such a Laboratory, and there to learn such Arts, with this _Proviso_, that every one should bring the gold, silver and copper boiled or gotten out of the poor minerals by the help of the said extraction, into the Mony-shop or Coining-house, at such a rate as they are every where esteemed or valued at, and not transport it out of the Countrey. Now by this means, not only the chief Magistrate would without any cost and labour get no small profit by the mony, but likewise every body would to their utmost, labour in the inquisition after such poor Mines, that he might get Gold and Silver, and other Metals, out of those poor metallick Veins, and get gain for him and his. But now if the Prince or Magistrate will not permit his Subjects the exercise of such a work, but keep all to himself, any one may easily conjecture, that not so much as a man will set about searching after such Mines, but will rather hide them, especially if the Magistrate (as is wont to be sometimes done) would constrain his Subjects to such kind of Labours.

This (according to my simple opinion, no ways prescribing to any what to doe) would be the readiest way, without hurting of any man (nay rather it would help and assist many a man) of furnishing our Country with Gold and Silver Coin, which Foreigners have made it bare of. But this will not be by any way, unless the Magistrates themselves do make a beginning, as to the institution of such a work, by this means inviting and stirring up their Subjects to undertake such like Labours, which will bring great Treasures even to the whole Country. By this means may rich Mints be set up in very many places, instead of those which at this time afford Mony or Coin so sparingly, and no small portion of Copper too, mixed with it.

These few things was I willing to advise for the sake of the good of the whole Country; only laying down my simple opinion without prescribing a rule to any, hoping, that no body of what rank or condition soever they be, will take it otherwise than well.

Secondly, Every Prince and great man would mightily promote the common welfare of his poor, if he would but take the care of shewing the way of so inverting common Salt by one hours heating it red hot, and bringing it to that pass, that it may be made use of instead of Cattles dung, for the fatning and bettering of barren Vineyards, unfruitfull Gardens, and other Fields that are backward or slow in bearing Fruits: for verily, even from this very Art would redound much profit to some Countries. For, many Vineyards here and there, and many Grounds do want due tillage because of the scarcity of Dung, whereas otherwise they would prove very profitable both to the Subjects and Magistrates, if they could be fatned and made fertile by this kind of way.

Besides too, all Wines would be had in much more plenty, and be of a far sweeter and pleasanter taste, by such a medium, than if the Vineyards and Fields were dunged with Beasts dung. But as touching this thing, see more in the continuation of my _Miraculum Mundi_.

_The end of the First Century._

The Second Century
OF
GLAUBER’S
Wealthy Store-house of Treasures.

_Which doth Illustrate his hitherto published Writings, with
a more evident Explanation, and doth more clearly demonstrate
the Truth hidden in them._

The First _Arcanum_ or Secret of the Second Century,

SHEWETH,

_By what means such Metals as are imperfect, wild, and in a manner
unapt for use or sale, may be ripened or bettered by Common Salt
and Fire, so as to yield forth Gold and Silver with benefit and
advantage._

I have in the foregoing first Century, as also in the Appendix to the fifth part of the prosperity of _Germany_, described the incineration or reduction into ashes, which is to be done with Coals in a peculiar Furnace, fit for torrefaction or calcining.

Though this be a laborious way and tedious, yet is it not without its benefit, provided that a great quantity (as I have already oft times said) of the not vendible minerals and metals be thereto used. But that such an incineration may be done after a more easie and compendious manner, the following way may be made use of.

Build an Hearth of good and fitting earth upon a firm foundation, put thereupon a Furnace [or an Arch] of good stones, adjoyn hereto an Oven, [or side Furnace] out of which the fire may play and emit its flame over all the said Hearth, and pass thereout of by a Chimny made for that purpose. Upon this Hearth put those metalline earths being broken in a Mill, and commix them with the Salt, and Coals reduced into powder, and leave them for twenty or twenty four hours, that they may be all well fired and heated red hot: For by this means, the salt makes the fugitive metal in some sort constant and able to brook the fire; and the wild sulphureousness leaves the metalline mineral, and adjoyns it self to the salt, and converteth it into a vitriol or _Sal. Mirabilis_. This twenty or twenty four hours heat, gets a constancy and fluxibility to those wild metallick veins, and doth withall by that labour so fit and prepare the salt, that it doth afterwards by an easie mutation pass into good salt peter.

After that the said minerals have gotten themselves a better state by the said Cementation, they are to be drawn out of the Fire or Hearth, with iron instruments fit for such a purpose, and new and fresh minerals are to be put in, and to be dealt withall after the same manner as we said but now.

The minerals that are taken forth are to be broken in a Mill, and then the salt to be washed off with common water, and to be afterwards used about making salt peter, the which we have taught in the Appendix.

The light Coals [or Scinders] and unprofitable earth is to be separated by water, from the metalline part, and this metalline part, or heavier _limus_, being reduced and molten in the Furnace called _Stichofen_, yields a beautifull or pure and gainfull metal.

There are sometimes found in many places of _Germany_, wild, fugacious, and unmeltable minerals of lead, which for that they contain in them Sulphur, Antimony, or _Lapis Calaminaris_, do not admit of reduction in the Furnace called _Stichofen_, but do either go off in fume, or turn into dross. But being first roasted after the aforesaid manner, and fitted for liquefaction, the lead, comprehending in it silver too, may be thence gotten with profit, whereas otherwise they are wont to be dealt withall without any fruit, and are therefore given over. This incineration therefore is profitably used to such degenerate minerals.

Now if so be any would deal with vendible and good metals, and would have profit from them by incineration, he must proceed this following way.

II. _The manner of reducing lead into ashes, and so handling it
with the spirits of salt, that gold and silver may be thence
gotten with profit._

I have at large taught in my first Century, that in the ripening of metals and other chymical operations, a greater fire is endued with stronger power than a lesser, which is easie to be understood by those that have any wit.

I just now taught the maturation and bettering of unprofitable and wild metallick earths with crude and gross salt.

But forasmuch as the gross salt and a weak fire cannot of necessity put forth so much strength as a stronger fire is wont to doe, therefore for such as desire a stronger fire than the common salt, the purer part is to be (by the help of Art) drawn out of the crude salt and to be separated from its grosness and impurity, the which is easily brought to pass by distillation. And as for these fires of salts, and the procuring them in great plenty, my writings, but especially the precedent first Century, do clearly and evidently treat of them, and this second Century will yet treat of it more.

III. _The operation of incinerating the lead, or reducing it into
ashes._

Having built a Furnace such as is for Cementation, put therein a strong iron Pot, just after such a manner as the sand cupels [or pans] are wont to be made, let there be a Grate to make a fire on, let the Furnace be bigger or lesser according to the bigness or littleness of the Pot you would put in, or according to the quantity of lead-ashes you would make. Put fire under the Pot and heat it red hot, and put thereinto so much lead as is requisite for the covering of the bottom of the Pot; the lead being molten, stir it about in the Pot without ceasing, with an iron spoon having a long handle, the which labour will turn the lead into ashes in the space of about two hours. Take these ashes out, and put in more lead into the Pot, and repeat this labour so often untill you have gotten enough ashes. These ashes of lead are fitted to receive an amendment by the spirits of salts, and afterwards to yield their gold and silver by fusion, and that with profit.

IV. _The manner of bettering the ashes of lead by the spirits of
salts, and of extracting thencefrom the gold and silver with
gain._

First of all, you must have plenty of the spirit of salt or _Aq. Regis_, as concerning the easie getting such spirits, we have mentioned the way at large in the foregoing Appendix, and will yet treat more of them in this present second Century.

Besides, you must also provide your self of red or reddish kind of flints, which (besides iron) do also contain in them a volatile gold. Out of these is the tincture to be extracted by the spirit of salt, or by _Aq. Regis_; after that manner I delivered at large in the first Century, and in the Appendix to the fifth part of the prosperity of _Germany_, and will yet farther teach more clearly and more compendiously in this Century.

These extractions are to be poured upon the lead-ashes, that they may be well moistened therewithall; the unprofitable phlegm is to be evaporated by a gentle heat, and the fire to be augmented that the spirits also may follow; of which more heavy spirits there will be enough remaining in the secret Cementatory Pot, and as much as is sufficient for the due operation upon the lead, that so being bettered it may afterwards prove a gainfull emitter of its gold and silver.

He that has a desire of exercising this labour with greater profit, may satisfie his desire, if he will but pour on such extractions twice or thrice upon the said lead ashes, that they may be con-centrated by them afore they are cemented in the Cementatory Vessel, and may be reduced into the bettered lead. For by this means, all the labours and costs will be more largely recompenced, and the more plenty of gain gotten.

This now is the making the lead-ashes, whether you do either _per se_, or by the help of the other metals, convert it by Cementation into a better metal.

V. _A brief description of the secret Cementatory Pot, which
admits not of any spilling, and which is sealed with the Seal of
=Hermes=, of which I made mention in the first Century._

Build with Stones or Clay or Potters earth such a Furnace as that is, which I described in the first part of my Furnaces, as necessary for the making of spirit of salt. But let the lower part thereof be a little broader that so the Metals being cast upon the Coals may not stick to the walls of the Furnace and so be somewhat lost, but may fall directly down on the live Coals. It must be made four square and of such a bigness as may serve the purpose according as you are minded to cement a greater or lesser quantity of metal therein.

VI. _Of the Cover of the Cementatory-pot, what it ought to be, that
so it may suffer nothing to goe away in fume._

This Cover of this Cementatory Box or Furnace which I told you was to be made of the Lute of Wisedom, is not properly a Cover but a Leaden Cistern, serving for the reception of those spirits which are driven up by the fire out of the Lead-ashes. This Lead receiver is to lie in another Leaden Cistern, which is to be filled with water, and ’tis to be so fitted to a pipe that is to come out of the Furnace, that the ascending spirits passing thereinto may be the better refrigerated by the water, and the sooner condensed, and saved for farther uses.

VII. _Of the use and benefit of this secret Cementing Pot._

When any one has a mind to cement the Lead ashes, from which the extractions of the coloured Flints have been sometimes abstracted in the said Cementatory Box, and to graduate them, or so bring to pass that they may contain [or hold the] Gold and Silver, let him first of all fill his Furnace with Charcoal, and let him so order it that his fire may kindle by little and little till the Furnace be well heated red hot; till this is done, the Cover that is at top is to be taken so long off, that so neither the heat nor smoke may pass out at the side through the Pipe into the adjoyned Leaden Cistern.

When the Furnace is thoroughly heated, and that ’tis now time to begin the Cementation, the top of the Furnace is to be shut with its Cover, that the heat may be forced to pass through the Pipe into the Receiver. Having so done, you are to fill an Iron Spoon or Ladle of your prepared Lead-ashes, and put them into the Furnace at the fore-hole which serves for the throwing in your Coals, the which ashes are to be so put in as to cover the Coals over, but not so as to choke them but that they may have air enough to burn, and that the fire be not put out, but doe just in that manner as you are wont to distil the Spirit of Salt. By this means all the Spirits that remained yet behind in the Lead-ashes, will betake themselves into the Receiver, and the Ashes of the Lead will be bettered by the graduating and tinging spirits, and will part of them be reduced into a body, and part will yet retain the form of ashes, and fall down through the Grate to the bottom of the Furnace. Then the Furnace is to be again filled with Coals, and more Ashes are to be put thereon with a Spoon as afore, and this labour is to be continued so long till all the Ashes are consumed.

All the labour being finished, take out your Ashes together with the lead reduced into a body, melt them in the Furnace which is called _Stichofen_, they will melt wondrous easie, then put some small part thereof to the Test, thereby to try whether or no they are enriched enough, to be turned into a Litharge and undergoe the metallick separation.

If they won’t as yet brook the trial, let the Lead be again turned into Ashes in your Iron Pot, and repeat the whole afore prescribed labour, and that so often till at length the Lead be rendred rich enough in Gold and Silver, the which may be converted into Litharge after the usual manner, and separated from the Gold and Silver. The Litharge being taken away, and gathered together, and broken in a Mill, serves for farther uses in this operation. The _Regulus_ of the Gold and Silver that is left upon the hearth is to be taken out and to be farther mundified in a Cupel after the accustomed way.

This is that more compendious incineration and reduction of Lead, which kind of bettering it, enricheth the operators with Gold and Silver.

_N. B._ That in this Cementation the sharp spirits do carry over with them some of the Volatile Lead into the Receiver, and there it settles to the bottom; the which powder being freed from all the Acrimony of the spirits by due washings, and being then dried, may be used to all such intents and operations to which the Mercury of Saturn is wont to be used, and which is made by dissolving the Lead in _Aq. Fortis_, and precipitating it by Salt-water.

_N. B._ This distilled Mercury hath more hidden under it than the other hath; for it carries hidden in it a Volatile Gold, which may be separated from it and improved about the gradation and Tincture of other Metals, and that with no small profit, concerning which we will say more afterwards.

Thus, friendly Reader, hast thou my more compendious incineration and reduction into better Metals; the which I would not hide from thee, and hereby shall I satisfie those to whom the way prescribed in my Appendix is too tedious and laborious and they may make use of this way instead of that other, which withall is easier and will without all doubt yield more Gold and Silver than that other way.

VIII. _Another emendation or bettering of Lead by the graduating
extractions of coloured Flints._

Extract either coloured Flints, such as have in them Volatile Gold or Sand or Clay, by the spirit of Salt or _Aq. Regis_, and draw off the Liquor by Distillation. If you thereto add Salt afore their extraction the dissolvent will receive encrease from the Salt, especially if done in such an instrument, in which a great quantity of extracted matters may be abstracted in a few hours, without either Cucurbits or the other commonly known distilling Vessels, and the same operation may be continued a long while. By this means, there is not onely the least loss of your dissolvent, but it rather gets no small encrease from the Salt. By this instrument also, thou maist not onely prepare great store of sharp spirits necessary for thy operation at the beginning, but likewise commodiously extract your Minerals, and separate the dissolvent again from the Minerals so extracted, so that you shall not lose the least particle of your dissolvent.

But forasmuch as all the Gold, Silver, and Copper may much easier be separated from its _Menstruum_, by this so unheard of and never seen instrument, than by the way of precipitation, ’tis altogether better and safer for a Man not to precipitate his extracted Metals, but rather draw off the _Menstruum_ from them, that so he may have them dry. And though that all the spirits go not wholly off, so as that nothing of them abide with the Metals, yet they do no hurt, but rather exalt the Litharge that is put unto them into an higher degree, as it also does to the Ashes themselves of the Lead, when they are cemented together in the afore described cementing Furnace; in which Cementation the Volatile Gold is, together with the corporal Gold conserved, and which otherwise would vanish away in the common melting Fire.

But if so be that any one has a mind to precipitate the Metals extracted out of poor Mines, after the manner prescribed in the Appendix, to the intent he may after the precipitation make Salt Peter of the remaining Waters, he may reduce the _Calx_’s of the Metals, and principally of the Gold very easily and without any loss, by this following way.

IX. _The manner of reducing the precipitated and washed =Calx= of
=Sol= without any loss._

The precipitation of Gold by _Lixiviums_, Liquor of Flints, Spirit of Urine, Solution of Mercury, hath been clearly enough described in the Appendix to the fifth part of the prosperity of _Germany_; but yet the reduction of the same was past over in silence, because of the too much hast of the said Book. Therefore it seemed unto me necessary to insert the same here, for their sakes, who have but little knowledge, or in a manner none at all in these affairs; for should I go to propound such a thing for the skilfull Chymists, I should but do what is already done, especially because he deserves not the name of a Chymist who is ignorant of the reduction of the solar _Calx_.

But forasmuch as it may so happen, that even the unskilfull may set about this extracting of the Minerals, and yet be ignorant of the way of reducing the Gold though they should have extracted it; therefore have I judged it not amiss to illustrate that reduction by my describing thereof here, the which being divers, according as the precipitation is made by such or such a means, doth also require different operations.

X. _The reduction of the solar =Calx= precipitated by the Liquour
of Flints._

Albeit that Borax reduceth every _Calx_ of _Sol_ to its former body, if it be therewith mixed and melted in a Crucible, yet that would prove too dear, if somewhat a greater quantity thereof be required for the reduction; for there must be of it at least twice or thrice as much in weight as is of the Gold, if you would have a due reduction of the Gold made. The reason is this, because the Flints precipitated to the bottom together with the Gold, and so sticking on to the Gold impead its fusion so that it cannot rightly come together into its due body. Hereupon is it necessary that there should be the double or treble weight of Borax added to the Gold if you would have all your Gold return unto its former body without detriment.

But whereas there are also other matters to be found which make the Gold fusible and are not so dear as Borax is, the use of such things is to be admitted, but especially when a great quantity of Gold is to be reduced. Otherwise if it be but little Gold that is to be reduced, and you have not the aforesaid matters at hand, one may for such a small trial use Borax. But where there is a greater quantity to be reduced the following matter will be found to be far more profitable and beneficial.

XI. _How the Gold which is precipitated by the Liquor of Flints, is
to be melted without Borax, by the Glass of Lead only, which is
of a far meaner price._

Take of your Gold precipitated by the Liquor of Flints and dryed, one part, of Glass made of Lead and beaten into powder, three parts; the which mix well with the Gold and put into a Crucible, which said Crucible let be put into another bigger one (for which operation the Hassion pots are most fit) that so if the Gold chance to flow out of the inner pot, it may stay in the outer and be conserved. For the Glass of Lead is of such a nature that it usually perforates or runs through the pot. Having thus done put your twofold Crucible containing your commixed matters into a wind Furnace, such an one as I have described, and when you have covered it, put Coals under it [or about it] and urge your fire for one quarter of an hour, that all may well flow, then pour it out, and separate the _Regulus_ of Gold with a stroke or two from the glass of the Lead; which said Glass hath attracted to it self all the flinty matter, and suffers the pure and malleable Gold to settle to the bottome into a _Regulus_.

_N. B._ If your glass of Lead be still yellow as it was before the operation, ’tis a sign that all the Gold is separated therefrom; but if it be of a green colour ’tis a sure sign that it has as yet some Gold mixed with it. For Gold being mixed with Glass shews its being there by yielding a skie-colour, the which skie-colour is necessarily changed in the yellow glass of Lead into a green; because every yellow and skie colour do in their commixtion beget a green.

Now then that you may get out the reliques of the Gold out of the leaden Glass you must proceed the following way.

XII. _By what means the Glass of Lead which as yet contains in it
some reliques of Gold is to be dealt withall, that it may let
them goe out of its body._

Melt that Glass of Lead in a well covered pot, that I mean in which you suppose some Gold to be, and being well molten cast in a little iron filings, and mix it well by stirring it with an iron rod, and leave it in the fire thus molten, for one quarter of an hour, that the sulphur of the Glass may be killed by its corroding of the iron, and may let fall a leady _Regulus_ wherein the Gold will be, and which (in the first melting) the Glass held up, will separate it by the Cupel from the Lead.

_N. B._ But here you are to observe that the filings of the iron are to be used very sparingly to this precipitation; for by how much the more iron is added, so much the greater will the _Regulus_ of the lead be, and consequently require a greater Cupel, which is not so necessary.

For put case the Glass of Lead in which the Gold is suspected to be is about one pound weight, and there is but about a _Quinta_, or certain small weight of Gold; now it is not necessary to have any more than one Lot of Lead or thereabouts, precipitated thereout of into a _Regulus_, to which precipitation is required no more than one Lot of the filings of Iron. For the _Regulus_ of Lead precipitated out of the Glass, doth for the most part answer in weight, to the weight of the Iron filings used about the precipitation, or to speak more clearly, you will get so much leaden _Regulus_, as the Iron is you added.

The remaining Glass becomes black and is unprofitable for any farther melting with Gold, but yet needs not be cast away, because those _Scoria_’s do yet contain much Lead, and therefore serve to be mixt with such Pots as you have used and broken about Metals, or with other wild and hardly fusile metallick Veins, to render them fusible, being I say commixt with these, and put in the Furnace which the _Germans_ call _Stichofen_, do not onely yield forth all their Lead, but withall draw out the Metals out of those matters which were mixed with them in the melting. But they are principally profitable for the melting and reducing of those Metals, which do not onely very difficultly admit of fusion by themselves, but withall do, being mixed with the Ashes of Tin, so much the more difficultly suffer themselves to be reduced by melting, unto their former bodies. But in defect of such Metals and Minerals, as are not but with much adoe tamed by Liquefaction, you may put to that black Glass of Lead, one fourth part onely of filings, or _Scoria_’s of Iron made into powder, that so both the matters thus commixt may be molten in the Furnace _Stichofen_. So by the addition and help of the Iron, all the Lead will be reduced to its former body, and will withall extract out of the Iron whatsoever of Gold and Silver lay therein hidden; so that by this means there may be reaped a great benefit from this reduction of the Glass of Lead. But yet that Lead is to be tryed by a foregoing tryal, whether or no it be rich enough in Gold and Silver to quit the costs of separation? For if it be not, it must be used to the afore described incineration, that so there may be no loss either of the Gold or the Lead.

XIII. _The preparation of the Glass of Lead, for the reducing
such Gold as being precipitated by the Liqour of Flints, is of
difficult fusion._

Take of white and fusile Flints [or Pebles] one part, and of _Minium_, or any other Ashes of Lead, or else even of Litharge it self four parts, each of which being powdered apart, you are to commix and melt them well in a strong double Pot, then pour them out, and you will have a Hyacinth-coloured Glass, the which Glass is to be powdered and mixt with the Gold, and it makes the Gold Powder which resisteth melting fusible.

XIV. _Another way of reducing Gold precipitated by the Liqour of
Flints._

To one part of this hardly-melting Gold which is precipitated by the Liqour of Flints, admix two or three parts of Litharge, which matters put in a strong double Pot, and cover it well, and melt them well down in a Wind Furnace, that the Litharge may draw unto it self all the Flints, and all the Gold may separate. Having separated the _Regulus_ from the _Scoria_’s of the Lead, you must precipitate these _Scoria_’s, which do as yet hold in them some small portion of Gold into a small leaden _Regulus_, with the filings of Iron, as we shewed you but now, that so you may also have even that residue of Gold. The _Scoria_ are conserved by being reduced in the Furnace _Stichofen_, according to the operation already spoken of.

XV. _Another way of rendring the Gold precipitated by the Liqour of
Flints fusible._

Take of the said Gold one part, and the fixt Salt made of Salt Peter and Tartar, by combustion or calcination, three parts; commix them and melt them down in a crucible well covered. In this co-melting the Salt swallows up the Flints, and the Gold being at liberty settles to the bottom. Pour out the molten mass, and separate the _Regulus_ of the Gold from the Salt, the which being dissolved with common water gives you your Liqour of Flints, to be again used to precipitate more extracted Gold.

This Salt doth not so easily perforate the Crucibles as those Glasses of Lead do, and therefore is it to be accounted of as the best and easiest of all these three prescribed ways.

XVI. _The way of reducing Gold, precipitated by the spirit of
Urine._

The spirit of Urine or of _Sal. Armoniack_ doth perfectly precipitate all the Gold out of the _Aq. Regis_; the which being washed and dried, doth not admit of reduction after the manner of the other Gold, for if it be but onely heated a little before it becomes red hot, it presently takes fire, and fulminates with a far more dreadfull noise than any Gunpowder. For if you put a small portion of the same, and no bigger than a Pea in a Silver, Iron, or Copper Spoon, and put it on the Coals that it may wax hot, it will give such an horrible crack, that ’twill even dull the hearing, and make a dent in the Spoon as if it had been beaten in with a Hammer. From whence it may easily be conjectured, that if somewhat a bigger quantity be put in a Pot on the Fire, it would make Pot and Furnace flie, by its so dreadfull thundring a stroak into most small shivers.

So then there is need of great wariness, to prevent the happening of so great danger, which is easily prevented by the following manner of operating.

XVII. _By what means the fulminating force of Gold precipitated by
a =Lixivium=, or spirit of Urine is to be taken away._

Mix with this Gold precipitated by a _Lixivium_, or by the spirit of Urine, half a part of Sulphur reduced into Powder, and let the said Sulphur be removed therefrom by burning amidst live Coals; for so being despoiled of that fulminating force, it may without danger be reduced by any kind of such matters as promote fusibility.

XVIII. _By what means Gold that is despoiled of its fulminating
force, by means of Sulphur may be reduced._

Forasmuch as this Gold is void of all impurity, there needs [not] the addition of such matters as promote fusion, seeing it is of it self prone enough to melt. But yet least some grains of the Gold should stick on to the Pot, ’tis expedient to add some portion at least of such a kind of matter as accelerates or hasteneth fusion. And for this work, Borax, and the dry Liqour of Flints are excellent, of which if you add but one half part onely to such Gold, (or, if you take of the Flints prepared with Salt of Tartar) it will by that means presently melt, and the Borax, or Liqour of Flints will not retain the least doit of the Gold.

XIX. _The manner of reducing the Metals that are not gotten out
of the Waters by precipitation, but are freed from them by
abstracting them._

The Metals which are extracted out of the Mines, and freed from the waters by the abstracting of the dissolvent, cannot be so pure as those are which settle to the bottom by precipitation. For it is very rare for Gold and Silver to be found in metalline Veins, Stones, or Clay, without being commixed with other Metals; because for the most part, Copper is mixt with Silver, and Copper or Iron with Gold, the which being unseparated in the reduction makes the Gold and Silver impure. But now in the precipitation one Metal is freed after another from the _Menstruum_, and are not mixed with each other. But on the contrary, in the way of abstracting it, all the metals remain mixt together without any separation, and require a new separation and consequently a double labour, and more expences.

This inconveniency may be easily remedied by him who is versed in the knowledge of my dry separation of Metals. I have mentioned it in divers places of my writings, So that it would be needless to trouble the Reader with a superfluous rehearsal of the same in this place.

But forasmuch as every one hath not by him all my writings, I believed that it would be worth while, if I should here set down that Laver or Bath which washeth off the Metals with the help of Salt peter by the dry way. For, without the knowledge of this Artifice of separating the extracted Metals from each other, there would be yet requisite much labour, and much costs for the obtaining of the said Metals. But they are very easily, and with little labour, and with small costs separated the one from the other by the way here by us described, and indeed with more gain than is wont to be had by the way of precipitation.