23. _Gold and Silver._

This Art Lazarus =Eicher= has described, but because his way is too

hard, I have shewn an easier in the explication of the wonder of the

world, and there the following melting Furnaces are also described, and

therefore I need not say any thing of them here.

All these inventions which _Farnner_ braggs off as his own, are mine;

for my unfaithful Servant taught _Farnner_ those Furnaces which he

learn’d of me.

_And at length_,

I have nothing to say to these four last paragraphs, because they don’t

concern me as the former doe, and _Farnner_ himself exposes them as

speculations and not as experiments, as I also believe that they are

only fancies and foolish imaginations: yet there is one thing which I

must answer, which he mentions in his third paragraph, that the time

will come when _Glauber_’s Alkahest must be forc’d to hide, altho it

is not wholly to be rejected. But if it be so unprofitable that it

must hide, why does he expose this to sale at fifty R. Dollers, and

the Panacæa which is prepar’d with it, at thirty? and he has already

got sufficiently by it: if it be so improffitable, why then does he

offer to Sell it to others knowingly and willingly at a price? If

_Farnner_ has rightly term’d my Alkahest unuseful and must be forc’d to

hide, he has surely deceiv’d many. But I confidently assert, that my

Alkahest will never hide, but defend it self in all places: Perfidious

calumniators, thieves and their accomplices shall hide, but not my

Alkahest. If he has found out better things than I, let him publish

them as I have done, that every man may judge whether they be true or

false: Why this boasting and wicked vanity in despising others? For

truth needs few words and less braging. In his writing in which he

sets down the value of every Secret contain’d in the last paragraphs,

namely, from the twenty first to the twenty eighth, he promises to

teach other men for no certain price, but on courtesy, those secrets

which yet are the best, if he cou’d know them. But if he can effect

those things and teach ’em to others, he wou’d not certainly teach them

gratis, for ’tis impossible for him to build those Furnaces requisite

to the making of those things in half a years time.

From which it sufficiently appears how ignorant he is of what he

writes: Certainly if his wares which he had of me gratis, should find

Chapmen, no doubt but in one year he would get some thousands of ducats.

I thought fit to answer you these things now, that I might shut your

foul mouth which was so wide open to lyes, but if after this you don’t

cease your lyes and calumnies, you will compel me to use other means

to bridle your malice. In the mean while I doubt not, but all good men

in this short Apology (in which I have not refuted thy lying calumnies

with indecent or contentions words, but from thy own obligations and

hand writing) will plainly see how wickedly and perfidiously thou

hast behaved thy self towards me. This damage which thou hast done

me, neither you nor all yours both present and future faculties, nor

all thy servants can ever repair: It remains therefore, that I say

with Job, God gave, and God has taken away, blessed be the name of

the Lord. But I don’t believe you will escape divine punishment, to

which I commit my cause at this time. It is certain that every thing

has its time, which I also patiently expecting your downfal (when God

shall take upon him the patronage of a just cause,) perhaps with these

my eyes shall sooner see than hope. Indeed I wanted not matter to

dispute these things more largely, but that for a reason known to my

self, I was hinder’d in doing it at this time. But as soon as I can,

God assisting me, I shall not be wanting to propose to all impartial

men in the world, questions to be resolv’d, from which every ingenious

and good man may see, animadvert and give judgment, how ungrateful,

perfidious, unjust and inhumane thou hast been to me.

Miraculum Mundi;

Or, A Plain and Perfect Description of the admirable Nature and

Property of that most powerful Subject, called by the Antients,

The Universal Menstruum,

OR,

_The MERCURY of PHILOSOPHERS_.

By which _Vegetables_, _Animals_, and _Minerals_ may easily be

Transmuted into most Salubrious Medicines, and the Imperfect Metals

into Perfect and Permanent.

A Preface to the Reader.

_To whomsoever this little Book (treating of the Propriety, Nature,

and Essence of that incomparable Subject, by the ancient Philosophers

called, =The Universal Menstruum= or =Solvent=, shall occurr, and is

offended in reading of those great virtues by me ascribed to it; and

because he understandeth not the thing, judgeth it not to be credited;

I would have him know, that whatsoever power I have attributed to it,

that that is in no wise a Figment, Dream, or vain Opinion, but to be

taken for a Truth, found out by a diligent and manifold Practice. But

which will be most profitable, for me to prostitute all my inventions

to the World, or conceal them? For which cause I will (at least for

the present) only point at many wonderful things which may be performed

by this universal Menstruum, but not treat of them, leaving it free

for every man to believe my sayings as far as he pleaseth; but if

they shall be credited by no man, it shall not disturb me, it being

sufficient for me to have shewed where and by what reason, the truth or

secrets of nature are to be found._

_As for the Subject whose nature and operations I have determined to

touch upon, it is like to that of which I have made mention in my

=Mineral work=, by the signal name of =Alkahest=, which appellation

I have there demonstrated, not to be imposed upon it without reason.

But seeing that long since the chief Menstruums of some Philosophers,

were called by the same name, and that I know not whether theirs were

like to mine or mine to theirs in nature and virtues, shall not much

trouble me; for it matters little for diverse Menstruums to be called

by the same name, although they do not answer one another in all

things. For even as wine is wine, although it come from =Germany=,

=Italy=, =France= or =Spain=, nevertheless each is wine, although the

one exceed the other in strength and rellish, as long as the same

nature and virtues are found in it, which ought to be in wine: The

same is to be judged concerning my =Alkahest=: To wit, that if the

virtues be agreeably to the name, from whatsoever =Subject= it be

extracted, it rightly meriteth the same name, which that it may the

better be understood, I mean by the name of =Alkahest=, a very hot,

fiery, dry, and also humid water void of all corrosive power, by which

=Vegetables=, =Animals=, and =Minerals=, are dissolved without noise,

yet not all in the same manner, and elaborated into Salutiferous

medicines, as I have shewed in the =first part of my Mineral work=.

And because I have written such things of it, many have endeavoured to

prepare such a Menstruum, every one from his own Subject; Impostors

also have offered to others, a water plainly corrosive instead of it,

fasly pretending that they had obtained the secret from me, and that

it is the same which I have described in my =Mineral work=; then one

sells that putatious =Universal solvent= to a another at a dear rate,

whose nativity and preparation lies hid with the seller, that so the

blind leading the blind both may fall into the ditch; which thing, when

I knew it, I was constrained whether I would or no, to lay open to the

Reader, what is properly the nature of my =Alkahest=, and what are its

virtues and powers, so that those who erre, may have a rule by which

they maybe able to judge of any other pretended =Alkahest=, whether it

be mine or not._

_Therefore this incomparable subject is called an universal solvent,

because by its benefit, many incredible things are performed in the

preparation of good Medicines, and also in the preparation of metals,

yet let no man believe that it dissolveth metals swiftly and violently,

like =aqua= =fortis=, =aqua regia=, or other corrosive waters, not

in the least, but worketh altogether after another manner, =viz.=

=Vegetables= and =Animals= are dissolved in digestion, by the moist

way, in which solution, the pure parts are separated from the impure._

_And Minerals and Metals also being dissolved in the moist way by its

benefit, may be washed, purged and maturated, and reduced either into

good medicines, or into better metals, but not with the same advantage

and celerity as in the dry way, by which very many incredible mutations

are presently performed, to be admired by the inexpert, too tedious

here to be treated off. Besides those two ways of dissolving, which

(that I might demonstrate the possibility of the matter) I have shewed

to some; there yet occurrs another far different from those, by which

metals and other Subjects are swiftly, meliorated to the eye, and

are maturated, depurated, and transmuted into the best of medicines,

and into purer bodies: the reasons of which, solution there is no

need to expose to every one, chiefly, because that labour requireth a

skilful Chymist and there are few who heartily search into the secrets

of nature, but most Chymists vexing themselves with vain processes,

understand nothing solid in Medicine or in Chymistry, which imaginary

Artists, when they happen upon true writings, cannot reach their sence

with their dull brains; they speak evil of the Author, disdaining his

industry and unwearied labour, in communicating his talent; whence it

comes to pass that he which brings forth any thing of good, finding

nothing but ingratitude, chuseth rather to carry his talent with him to

the grave, than to publish it to his own damage. And this is the only

cause, why I have not plainly prosecuted the use of this Menstruum in

the preparing of medicines, and meliorating of metals, but have only

pointed at what may be effected by the help of it, that it may be made

manifest, what is to be judged concerning it, and whether that which is

sold for such by others, be like to that described in my =Mineral work=

or not: I doubt not but many will quickly despond, thinking that their

=Alkahest= will in no wise perform those things which I here ascribe

to my Menstruum, and will also believe the matter not to be so easy,

as before they thought it to be, but although it arise from a vile

subject, that nevertheless its invention and use is very difficult. For

whosoever hath such a menstruum, by which these following things may

be effected, he may indeed rejoice in the possession of the =universal

solvent= or =Mercury= of =Philosophers=, having a door opened to true

medicine and Alchymy. Therefore for the sake of Searchers, I will begin

to shew somewhat of its virtues and powers, as far as I may, that the

=Magnalia= of =God= may thence be made manifest, and that I may give

occasion to every man, to render praise, and thanks to his Creatour,

who is the giver of all good._

_Of the Transcendent Virtue, Power, Nature, and Property

of this Wonderful_

Universal Menstruum.

It is worth our noting, that three Operations especially may be

performed by the benefit of this _Menstruum_.

I. It maturateth all Vegetables and Animals, being dissolved into a

Liquor, and taking away their Venom, converteth them into salutary

Medicines.

II. It dissolveth Minerals and Metals, as well by the moist as by the

dry way, correcteth their venoms, ripeneth and fixeth their crudity, so

that they may be made good Medicines; and after fixation, yield good

and genuine Gold and Silver.

III. Those Metals, Minerals, Stones, and other compact Subjects,

not dissolvable by the aforesaid waies, it dissolveth, maturateth,

purifieth, and in an hours space exalts Metals, more than the two

former Solutions can do in a whole day, whose change into better may

be observed in every hour: It dissolveth Metals and Minerals into a

penetrating spirituality, so that the Metal is not separated from the

_Menstruum_, but a solution is made of both, either by the dry or moist

way, from which the more pure part of the Metal, or that which is

Gold or Silver, after the premised fixation, is precipitated by Art,

especially if many were jointly dissolved. Whence it is sufficiently

manifest, that in all the Imperfect Metals Gold and Silver is notably

absconded, not discoverable by the vulgar Examen of Cupels: which

Operation being performed by a _Menstruum_, prepared in so gross

a manner, it is credible, that if this volatile Hermaphrodite and

spiritual Mercury were again fixed, and rendered Corporeal, that it

would be by many degrees more subtile, penetrant, and efficacious, for

the dissolving, altering, and perfecting of Bodies, than it was before.

This is its Use in general; but specially it abundantly exerts its

manifold Virtue; before whose description, it seems not amiss to point

out the common Name of this subject, and what the common People think

of it. Which, that I may expedite in few words, know, that it is

nothing else but the naked salt of the Earth, of which _Salt-Peter_ is

made. But that every salt of the Earth, or common _Salt-Peter_, hath

those Virtues which I here assign to my subject, I shall in no wise

say, seeing that it ought to be diversly prepared for divers uses,

according to which, thou maist expect divers Virtues.

This subject is necessary to be known by all the Inhabitants of the

whole Earth, to all orders and degrees of men, because not to man only,

but also to every Creature, it is profitable or noxious, according to

its various application.

This subject serveth for _Physicians_, _Chirurgions_, and

_Apothecaries_, of which they may prepare excellent Medicines against

the natural Diseases of Men. Whence the truth of that common saying

of Philosophers is undoubtedly asserted, _viz._ _That of the greatest

Venom the greatest Medicine against Diseases is to be prepared_. And

that Nitre is the word of Venoms, I have evinc’d in the second part

of my Furnaces, where I preferr it to the _Basilisk_ himself; and

that from the same Nitre, and its mediation, is to be prepared a most

excellent Medicine. In the First Part of my Mineral Work, for the

sake of Physicians, Chirurgions, and others, applying themselves to

Physick, I have shewed how by the help of my Alkahest, Medicines are to

be prepared from Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, far exceeding the

ordinary waies of Preparation.

But it is not my mind at present to discourse much of Medicines, it

may suffice to have shewed what Virtues this Universal subject hath,

and to what uses it may be appointed. I say, that it may be profitable

to all orders of men, as well to the superiour, as to the inferiour,

to spiritual and secular, noble and ignoble, rich and poor: of which

orders the Physician is not to be deemed the lowest.

That I may perform my promise, what unheard of things may be done, by

the benefit of this subject, in natural diseases incident to man, who

is obnoxious to all kind of miseries, I will in the next place reveal

somewhat for his health and comfort.

But this my Medicine, which I deliver, is not of great price, but of

great Virtue, and of which the poor as well as rich, may be partakers,

and (by the blessing of God) may be freed from every curable disease.

_The Preparation._

_Take two or three pounds of this =Menstruum=, whose corrosive nature

transmute by force of fire into a nature not corrosive; and you have

the =Menstruum= prepared, with which you shall elaborate this Medicine,

in this manner: Dissolve in this =Menstruum= as much of the first

Ens of Gold (which is to be found in all places of the World, but

especially in golden Mines more copiously) as it will attract in the

heat; so that a red Solution may be made, which digest for some daies,

with its own weight of the dissolving Wine; make separation of the pure

parts from the impure, by removing the fæces which sever themselves

from the Medicine, by falling to the bottom, this being concentrated

by an easie heat, will be a red pellucid stone; very like to a soluble

salt, which is to be carefully preserved. This Medicine will be second

to none, except the stone of Philosophers, and will be of the same

goodness, after a Hundred Years, that it was the first day it was made,

performing all things which I shew with amazement, for which no mortal

man can ever render sufficient Thanks to God._

_The Use of this Medicine in general._

This Universal Medicine will cure every natural disease both in young

and old, strong and weak, in a very small dose, without any danger, not

nauseating the stomach, as the usual Potions do; and is to be taken

in any Liquor, according to the Condition of the Sick, as warm Broth

or Gruel, Wine, Beer or Ale, Water, Milk, _&c._ from one grain to

eight grains, which is the highest dose. It operateth after a diverse

manner, according as the strength of the sick, or the nature of the

disease requires: if you continue in the Use of the prescribed Doses,

the operation will be insensible; it strengtheneth and mundifieth the

radical moisture, and in a wonderful manner expelleth every Evil out

of the Body being taken daily, every other or every third day: It

preserveth from accidental Diseases, correcteth Venom, and resisteth

infectious Airs. But if the Dose were greater, the Operation will

be more evident, by Sweat, Urine, Spitting, and sometimes by Stool,

according as you please, by encreasing or lessening the Dose; and if

the disposition of the Disease comply, it is cured by a small quantity

of this Medicine, without ocular observation; but being radicated,

requireth a manifest operation, if it refuse to yield to a small Dose

acting invisibly; because both in preparing and using this Medicine,

regard is to be had, that you neither err in excess or defect, but by

observing a _Medium_, you shall obtain both Profit and Honour.

Those of ripe years may take from one to six grains every day, if they

have leisure to attend the Cure, but if not, three grains every fourth

day, until there remain no foot-steps of the Disease: taking nothing

besides this Medicine, and keeping that day from the cold Air, and

abstaining three or four hours from Food. In the _Leprosie_ and foul

Scab, there is no Remedy safer than this Medicine, extirpating the

Roots of the Evil without trouble. Nor will you ever be frustrated in

the desired effect, if the Sick have strength sufficient to undergo the

Cure. [See its Preparation and Use more particularly described, in Part

2. _Phar. Spagyr._]

After the Description and Use of this Medicine, by which the health of

Man may be preserved, and being lost, may be restored, which is far

to be preferred to all the Treasures of the whole World. There now

follow other Secrets, shewing how by the help of this subject a man

may acquire an honest Living; and, as I have said in the Preface, this

subject may be provable to all orders of men in the World, whether

superiour or inferiour, Ecclesiastical or Political, noble or ignoble,

rich or poor, by conferring or admonishing somewhat of good to every

one in his Profession. Therefore I will now begin to teach some signal

uses of it, that it may be manifest to all men, that this is an

Universal subject, which I have alwaies judged such, and that others

with me may find it so.

In the first place, all Fossiles or Minerals digged out of the Earth,

may be perfectly examined by the mediation of this subject, what metals

they contain, how many, and how much of each: It is an infallible

Guide to the diggers and melters of Ores, saving them both loss of

time and matter. An excellent Artifice, by which the value of all

Minerals may be discovered without much labour and charge, being highly

necessary for Metallurgists, of _Germany_ especially, being quite

undone by a continual War, who may in a short time lay up great Stocks

or Treasures, to be imployed against the Enemies of their Country in

time of necessity: by whose benefit also rich Mines of gold and silver

(which otherwise would for ever lie neglected) may be discovered, when

they are swiftly and accurately examined.

The Marcasites of Gold and silver being melted by the mediation of

this, by a singular compendium, hitherto unknown, do afford more metal

than by the common way.

The volatile and immature Marcasites of gold and silver, are fixed in

the space of three hours, so that they yield more metal than they could

have done without fixation.

Those three things are very necessary and profitable to every

Magistrate having Mines in his jurisdiction, by which he may obtain

much wealth.

All Gold and Silver which is not purely melted from its Marcasite, is

swiftly purged from all additament, the Silver is separated from the

Gold, by fusion only, with small labour and cost, but in great weight.

Gold and Silver are easily drawn out of old Tin vessels, the tin being

preserved almost in the same weight, and being made better than it was

before, may serve for the same uses to which it is wont to be put.

From _Bismuth_ much silver is separated, the _Bismuth_ being preserved,

this secret being agreeable to those places which abound with that

Mineral.

From old Copper much Silver may be separated, the Copper remaining

unhurt, by which Artifice Countries abounding with this metal, may not

a little profit themselves.

Every common silver, may in the space of a few hours be exalted into

the nature of Gold, the which if it be done four or five times, which

may be in a short space of time, it giveth so much gold, as affordeth a

sufficient livelihood, over and above the costs.

Gold may be separated by fusion, from every addition of Copper, Tin,

Iron, Lead, Orpiment, Antimony, Arsenick or the like, and be purifyed

without Cupels, each being kept apart; profitable for Metallurgists and

the like, from the shortness of the time, smallness of the charge and

labour, and much gain.

Every imperfect metal without the mixture of other metals, may be

ripened by this secret alone in the fire, in the space of an hour, so

that it will yield Gold and Silver, but without gain.

There is another very gainful augmentation or increase of the perfect

metals, by the imperfect, answering to the Germination or growth of

vegetables; for even as every seed being cast into the earth, groweth

therein arising to be an herb or a tree, and taketh also its encrease

from the same by its inbred attractive power; so is it here also, for

_Sol_ or _Luna_ groweth and encreaseth in _Saturn_, _Jupiter_, _Venus_,

or _Mars_, as in their native soil, and are nourished after the manner

of herbs, and encrease from day to day. An Art not to be despised by

Philosophers.

By the mediation of this, from all imperfect metals and minerals,

yielding nothing by the usual examen of Cupels, Gold and silver is

produced in a manifold manner, being an argument that the imperfect

metals have somewhat of the perfect reconded in them, when they are

inverted and shew themselves to our sight, a work not ingrateful to

those who work in Metals.

These are the chief things which I have found may be done in metallick

works, by the help of this Subject; yet I make no doubt but there are

many more unknown to me, to be revealed to others after me who shall

make a good beginning from my writings, the which I also wish from my

heart, that the hidden mysteries of the natural wonders of God, may at

length be brought to light, for the use of mankind.

Among the enumerated Arcanums, some perhaps may seem of little worth

to the Reader; but there are some from which may be had a commodious

livelihood, so that an Artist need not be at the will of another,

without he please. O how great a thing is Liberty, which no man can

worthily esteem, who hath not been a Servant himself. A piece of Bread

is sweeter to a quiet, prudent man than many dainties, with care,

danger, and noise. It is happy for him who can say with _Paracelsus_,

_Alterius non sit, qui suus esse potest_; _Let him not be anothers, who

may be his own_. But it is good for him that would use well the Gifts

of God, not to be unmindful of his Neighbour, lest temporary Liberty

cast him head-long into the Dungeon of eternal Slavery. After shewing

this subject to be conducible to all the Inhabitants of the earth, I

have described its use in Metallicks, which is not to be indifferently

undertaken by every man, but by those only who are concerned in digging

of Mines, and melting and separating of Metals, whether they be noble

or ignoble, learned (as well spiritual as secular, exempted from

publick offices) or rude, which maintain themselves from Merchandice,

or live upon their Estates, all which may receive Fruit from these

Secrets, but not Husbandmen, Labourers, Ditchers, _&c._ but that

to these also somewhat of profit may proceed from my inventions, I

will shew in order; although the principal will redound to ingenious

Artificers, Engravers, Painters, Statuaries, those who adorn Glass or

Clothes with Silk, Gold, or Silver, and they who make Wax-work.

They who etch upon Copper, may prepare from this subject a good

corrosive water, by which (the Copper-plates being first smeared over

with a covering fit to defend them, and what Images and lines they

please, being drawn upon them with a stile or stift) by a very easie

and compendious manner, they will be eroded or eaten into.

_Painters_, by the help of this, may prepare for themselves most

excellent Colours, as _Ultra-Marine_, _Smalt_, fine red or scarlet

_Lacca_, _Venice-Ceruse_, and others necessary for their Uses, which

otherwise they must have from far, as _Italy_, _Holland_, _France_,

_&c._ and at a dear rate.

_Engravers_ and _Statuaries_ may so harden their Tools that they may

hold their points long, if they be to cut stones.

_Embroiderers_ may put any durable Colour they please upon the silk

with which they work.

They who paint Glass, by an easie work, may thence prepare all Colours

or Enamels for Glass, so that there will be no need to have them from

_Venice_.

They who work in Wax, by the benefit of this, may whiten it

exceedingly, and colour it as they please.

_Printers_ may add this subject to their Ink, which will cause it to

adhere most firmly to the Paper, and render the Letters very fair.

It is convenient for _Clockmakers_ or _Watchmakers_, if a Water be

destilled from it, which soldereth Iron or Steel without Fire, if a

drop of that _Aqua fortis_ be dropped upon it, whence the Iron growing

hot, it presently waxeth soft, as if it had been soldered in the fire

by the help of Copper.

All _Smiths_ may by it harden their Files, and other Iron Tools, as

hard as if they had been made of the hardest Steel.

_Tin-workers_ or _Pewterers_, may harden their Tin or Pewter, and give

to it an elegant whiteness, so that it will resemble Silver both in

colour and sound; neither will it easily tarnish, and by reason of its

hardness will endure longer than common Tin or Pewter.

_Cabinet-makers_ may strike an excellent Black upon Pear-tree,

Cherry-tree, Box, Walnut-tree, and other hard Woods, which may be used

for curious Works instead of Ebony.

_Skinners_ or _Furriers_ may dye their Ermins, Fox-skins, Wolf-skins,

and the like Furrs, with a Scarlet, Crimson, or deep Black colour, far

exceeding the natural.

In like manner, _Feather-dyers_ may swiftly give any lasting colour to

their Plumes.

_Taylors_ may take out spots or stains out of Woollen, Linen, or Silk

Garments, and restore their beauty.

If _Shoomakers_ put old Iron to this subject, they may therewith adorn

their Leather with an excellent Black.

_Weavers_ may render their Linen threads so fine and soft, that they

shall emulate Silk.

_Dyers_, by this, may give so firm and unchangeable a ground to their

Cloth, that the superinduced Colours shall not be corrupted or spoiled

by any Wine, Vinegar, Urine, Pickles, Air, or Sun.

_Potters_ may thence prepare a Glassy colour, not unlike to the _Indian

Porcellane_, of which Vessels may be made, having the Aspect of Gold,

Silver, or Copper, a singular Ornament for Noblemens Tables, hitherto

unknown to the World.

_Souldiers_, _Merchants_, _Travellers_, _Carriers_, and others who are

much in the open Air, may of this prepare a Varnish, in which they may

dip a Linen Cloth, which will not permit either Air or Water to pass

through it, with which they may defend their Boots or Clothes, so that

they may travel dry in the Rain.

They who make Tapestry, may restore their faint or faded colours, so

that they shall be strong and beautiful.

Mistrisses of Families may prepare of it fine Soap or Washballs, far

exceeding that of _Venice_.

_Houshold-Maids_ may with it scowre or cleanse their metallick vessels,

so as to render them neat and beautiful.

_Women_ may change the yellow, pale, or brown colour of their face and

hands into a beautiful whiteness.

_Old Women_ may by an easie way take away the wrinkles of their face

and hands; as also, the Corns of their feet, and boil their Linen to

such a softness, that it shall come but little short of Silk.

_Gardeners_ by this subject may destroy all Insects, by mixing it with

Water, and pouring it into those places where they breed, for they will

either die in their holes, or run out to die, because they are not

able to abide that fire. It also ripeneth Fruits, if a little of this

_Menstruum_ be applied to the roots, at the entrance of the Spring; and

if a large quantity of Apples be covered well over with it, they may

thence prepare a lasting Wine, Vinegar, or burning Spirit.

_Bakers_ may use it instead of Ferment or Yeast, if they dissolve a few

Hops therein.

_Brewers_ may have very strong Ale or Beer by its help, if they extract

their Hops with it.

Mead or Metheglin, as also Beer and Canary, which are upon the turn,

and growing sowre, may by this be rendered drinkable.

_Comb-makers_, and other Horn-workers, may by this soften their Horns,

so that they may imprint upon them what Images they please.

_Keepers of Armories_ may preserve their polished Arms or Harness safe

from Rust, by anointing it over with this subject.

_Bird-Catchers_ may by help of this prepare such a Birdlime as will not

be hurt either by Cold or Heat.

_Souldiers_ by means of this may prepare from Gold a fulminating

Powder, of which the magnitude of a Pease being put upon a red-hot Iron

plate will give a greater clap, than half a pound, yea, a whole pound

of Gun-powder; the same may also be prepared without Gold, only by

the addition of Salt of Tartar and Sulphur; as it is described in the

second Part of our Furnaces.

_Engineers_ and _Makers of Fire-works_, may perform many wonderful

things by help of this subject.

There may also many new Works, belonging to Weaving and the Smith’s

Art, be thence made, which may be communicated to neighbouring

Countries, whereby Money may be brought in lieu thereof to a Countrey

impoverish’d by War.

If _Vine-dressers_, or _Keepers of Vineyards_, pour a little of this

subject to the Roots of their Vines, they will have ripe Grapes, and

_Must_, or new Wine sooner than their Neighbours; of which they may

make a good advantage.

Nevertheless, Must and Wine also may be ripened after another manner,

in the Hogshead, without this Art; so that they who understand the way,

may have alwaies good Wine, when others have it sowre. A Secret very

profitable to cold Climates, which for the most part produce sowre or

tart Wines. It is also agreeable to Countries abounding with Wine, when

through a want of the heat of the Sun the Grapes do not ripen well;

which may be helped by this Art, so that it may be readily sold.

But because the greater part of men, especially of the meaner sort,

cannot be perswaded to things which they have never seen nor heard of,

I well know, that if I should in plain words describe the reason and

manner of meliorating Wines, scarce one man in a Hundred would believe

me, but would rather say, Our fore-Fathers were wise men, and got

great Estates by Wine, without the knowledge of this Art, nor did they

desire it. If Nature will not ripen our Wines, let them be sowre; yet

notwithstanding, if sometimes they will not serve the Master, they may

be drank by the Servants.

Men of this sort are incurable, neither are they (being old) easily

tamed; and young men take little care how prudently they manage their

Affairs. Hence it comes to pass, that Antiquity obtains upon all men.

But that the Vine-dresser may see that the present Age is more skilful

than the former, I will set before him only one demonstrative Example,

by which he may plainly see how much they differ.

Our fore-Fathers knew not how to make any thing of the fæces or dreggs

of Wine, but a burning Spirit or Brandy, which being extracted, the

remainder they threw away, or sometimes mixed it with the Fodder

of Cattel, very rarely dried them in the Sun, and burnt them into

Pot-ashes; but by my invention, there may be thence drawn a far greater

quantity of burning Spirit, then also a large quantity of Tartar,

and at last the Pot-ashes, which is a threefold profit. Which if you

manage the matter well, from a Pipe of Lees, you will have at the

least seven or eight Urns (_which will be about a Fifth part, an Urn

being four Gallons_) of good Wine, from the residue, you will have

the burning Spirit, and Tartar, at the last the clavellated Ashes,

the profit being four times as much as heretofore, which thing was

altogether unknown to our Ancestors. How many Thousand weight of Tartar

is every year thrown away in _Franconia_, _Suevia_, _Alsatia_, the

_Palatinate_, upon the _Rhine_, _Mosell_, and _Danube_, which would be

very profitable to those Countries, if the men were Artists.

But what doth it signifie to teach, if there be none to hear or

learn: for it is more adviseable to sit still and do nothing, than

to be largely imployed to no purpose. But I am perswaded, that after

my death, there will be some who will understand my good will to the

World, and search out the truth out of my Writings, to their own great

profit. There is an opportunity or season for every thing; Trees first

bring forth Budds, then follow Blossoms and Leaves, and last of all,

Fruit.

There remains yet another thing very profitable to Country-men; the

juice of Apples or Pears being pressed out, by the help of this

subject, such an Effervescency (or working) is promoted, as Wines

may be thence made, having the relish of the natural, and but little

inferiour in durability and strength: and although the beating of the

Apples be somewhat tedious, (which is now done much quicker by Mills)

that labour is recompensed with a good profit, by the Wine arising from

the juice; a Secret very necessary for cold Countries, which cannot

ripen Wines, and yet abound much in Apples, but by this way may save

much in the price of Wines, for which they usually pay dear.

I have indeed many Arts relating to Wines, but they belong not to

this place, my purpose here being to treat of those only, which are

administred by my _Universal Menstruum_: Arts (as I think) hitherto

known to none, or at least not divulged, that it may be manifest to the

Reader what proficiency the World hath made in good things. Whether

the matter be credited, or not, signifies little to me, I my self also

might have doubted, if I had not learned by experience; but Judgment

ought not to be given rashly; we are to know, that God doth wonderfully

dispense his benefits to those who are his Servants, and whom he hath

appointed to be his Instruments, to bring his wonders to light.

If Husbandmen moisten their seed with this _Menstruum_, it will sooner

be ripe, and have larger, fatter grains than ordinary: Which being

done, I will shew by what means they may make great profit of their

grain. The grain being whole, not ground, pour to it warm water,

impregnated with this _Menstruum_, in a Hogshead well stopped, let it

stand and ferment or work for a time, the water will extract all the

strength of the grain, the remaining husks serving to feed Hogs: If

you ferment Hops with this Liquor, or extract, it will be good Beer:

If you will not do this, you may thence draw a very good spirit, the

residue, in a short time, will be Vinegar; and if you be wise, you may

put this burning Spirit or Wine to many uses, by which you shall have

more profit than by selling it; a Secret not to be despised where grain

is cheap. I have yet one thing to add among my Wine-Arts, concerning

grain, and the Fruits of Trees and Shrubs, which is to be received with

thankfulness, as a great Gift of God to Mankind. _Viz._ It is found by

industry and manifold experience, that from Rye, Wheat, Oats, Rice,

Millet, also from Apples, Pears, Peaches, Cherries, Plumbs, Sloes,

Damascens, Quinces, Figgs; as also from Goose-berries, Mulberries,

Barberries, Black-berries, Elder-berries, and other-like Fruits of

Trees and Shrubs; from all these, I say, may be prepared, with little

labour and cost, a Drink very like to Wine, both in taste, smell, and

strength, being grateful, wholesome, and durable. For which large

bounty, the Inhabitants of cold Climates (which never see Grapes)

cannot render to God sufficient Thanks.

There yet remains a manifold use of this subject in Medicine, which if

it were rightly described, would make a great Volume, which belongs

not to this place, but shall be done more commodiously at another time

in a peculiar Treatise. It were to be wished, that this subject were

better known, and more used by ingenious Chymists and Apothecaries,

that so many dead Herbs and unprofitable Waters might not be set to

sale. What, I pray, would it avail, if the whole Mass of Blood being

inflamed with an intolerable heat (as happeneth in the Plague and other

contagious Fevers) you should wrap the head with a moistened Rose-Cake,

comfort the Temples, Pulses, Hands and Feet with Water? think you

by this to drive away the Disease? Not at all, but rather render it

worse, as Experience hath often witnessed. But it seems to me as if a

vaporary Bath or Cauldron were too hot, and one should go and cover the

Furnace all over with cold linen, to temper the heat, a thing to be

laughed at; but the wood which causeth the flame being taken out, the

Furnace cools of its own accord. By a like reason, the malignant Fire

of hot Diseases is in the space of a few hours, drawn out from the most

inward Penetrals of the Heart, by four grains (at the most) of a good

Medicine, where no place is left for external Coolers, or corroborating

Epithems. Which thing I have observed not only in one, but in many

Experiments; That the Venom being excluded from the Heart, the Body

hath returned to its due temper, and by degrees to health and strength.

To what purpose are so many Ointments, Oils, Emplasters, _&c._ when

a small quantity of a good Medicine is able to effect more than them

all? A whole year is often spent in the curing a small Ulcer or Wound,

and then left worse than at the beginning, the Bridle (according to

the Proverb) being applied to the Horses Tail, and not to the original

of the Disease. The Fountains of external Ulcers are to be dried

within, and not imprudently to be stopped up with outward Plasters,

which otherwise, without any outward Remedy, by a small quantity of

a good Medicine, may be radically cured in the space of a few weeks.

Therefore such a Medicine is to be sought, and all other trifles to be

laid aside: But what dost thou, seeing the World will be deceived, and

desireth no other? For if any Physician have a good Medicine, which is

much easier for the sick to take, than many ingrateful Potions; this

is neither esteemed nor rewarded, for if he require a Fee or Reward,

he is answered, That he gave only a few grains of powder, two or three

times, which cannot be so dear: Hence chusing a certain thing for

an uncertain, he requireth his reward according to his visits, and

prescribeth Bottles full of Physick, which may be long in taking, and

he have the fitter opportunity to encrease their number.

The same thing hath also obtained in Chirurgery, for if an honest

Chirurgeon quickly cureth an outward Evil by the help of a good

Medicine, he shall not have a due reward, but shall be told, That he

hath only applied two or three Plasters, which can be worth but little.

Therefore instead of being paid for a quick Cure, he reaps nothing but

ingratitude; so that being better taught, it behoveth him to do like

others, by employing a month or more about that Cure, which he could

perform in three daies.

For this, and the like causes, very few are treated with good

Medicines, but Physicians study delaies, after the old manner, if not

in respect of the sick, yet at least for their own profit; for if the

sick readily pays his Fees, he, either out of ignorance or voluntary

neglect, neglecteth the matter, for which he will have an heavy account

to give.

The present World doth only this, he that standeth, let him stand, and

he that falleth, let him lie, none regardeth it; every one taketh care

of his own matters; nor will he put his hand to the quenching of the

fire. That famous Patron of Art, _Alexander_ the Great, who bestowed

upon his Philosopher _Aristotle_ more than a Hundred Thousand Crowns

a year, for his Inquiries into Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals,

now ceaseth to be. The most wise _Ernestus_ Duke of _Bavaria_, and

Elector of _Cologne_, What Expence hath he not been at in collecting

the Writings of that incomparable _German_ Physician and Philosopher,

_Paracelsus_, and other such Cherishers and Advancers of Arts, our

_Germany_ hath lately brought forth? but _Mars_ (the Sword) asserting

his Empire, hath banished _Jupiter_ and _Mercury_ (Justice and Arts)

so that they play least in sight; but sure it is, that if they be not

quickly restored and advanced to their dignity, it will be to the

unspeakable detriment of the Country, and to the great advantage of

Strangers; _Which God of His Mercy prevent_.

And now the benevolent Reader hath seen, what wonderful and incredible

things may be performed by the benefit of this subject; yet I will not

deny, but that it may also serve for many more things which I know

not, being profitable for all orders of men, superiour and inferiour,

learned and illiterate, great and small, according to their several

Vocations and States. But some men may say, I do indeed believe that

many great things may be done by its means; but because thou dost not

together and at once shew the way of preparing the Universal Medicine

or Tincture by its help; there is therefore reason to doubt whether

it be the _Universal Secret Menstruum_ of the ancient Philosophers,

to wit, the _Hermaphrodite Mercury_, so much spoken of by them, every

where to be found, a thing contemptible and vile, to be found in every

Dunghil, by nature cold and hot, a great Poison, quickly killing and

quickly healing, a matter to be found with all men, which the rich and

poor equally possess, which _Adam_ brought with him out of _Paradise_,

and many more Epithets of the Ancients, which are all agreeable to that

thing. To this I answer, That in my judgment the Ancients had no other

Universal Mercury, to which all their marks do perfectly agree, and

may be applied. Do not all men know it, seeing and beholding their own

Urine, of which it is generated? Is it not a very vile matter, which we

keep not in the House, but throw out of doors, according to the Precept

of the Philosophers, to be sought in Dung? Is it not a great Poyson

when made into Gun-powder or _Aqua fortis_? and, Have not I shewn that

a Universal Medicine may be made of it? Is it not a meer Fire, and

also being pure, cold as Ice? and if you will, hath it not equally

masculine and feminine gifts? Doth it not so impregnate the imperfect

Bodies in the space of a quarter of an hour, that they generate Gold?

Is not it self impregnated by the heat of the Fire, that it bringeth

forth those Fruits? Is it not highly volatile, and presently firmly

fixed? Is it not a Water both moist and dry? a great Corrosive, and

yet being rightly prepared, an Enemy to Corrosives? Is it not most

heavy and most light? To what thing, except Nitre, doth this Enigma

of the Philosophers agree? For, What is blacker than a Crow, whiter

than a Swan, more hurtful than a Serpent destroying many, lighter than

the Wind, heavier than Gold? Is not this the true devourer of his own

Children (the Metals) the _Azoth_ of Philosophers, the Soap of the

Wise, the Urine of Boys, Sulphur vive, the Salt of Strangers, the

Secret Fire of Philosophers?

Are not all these things in Nitre? But by what method they may be there

found, is not my business to shew in this place, let it be sufficient

to have pointed out the subject in which they are to be sought and

found, which no man before me hath been so kind to do. For further

demonstration, to wit, that from Nitre a true _Universal Solvent_ (I

would not have you imagine it to be _Aqua fortis_) may be prepared,

there needeth not. But thou maist contradict it if thou canst, or name

another subject in which are all those things. Which I know thou canst

not do, if thou could’st at once take a view of the whole World.

That I have not written any thing concerning a Tincture to be prepared

of it for the Imperfect Metals, (which defect the ancient Philosophers

have supplied) thou maist think that I have not proceeded so far, and

that I have wanted time and opportunity to make a farther Progress,

nor did I ever aspire to so great things, but have contented my self

with those of a meaner Rank. But how far I have penetrated by searching

into Nitre, may be seen in the Second Part of my Furnaces, where I

have prescribed some notable Processes from a gross subject, of which

this is not the least, where I shew, that some years before, I would

have melted a Calx of Gold, and because it would not melt, I added

by intervals a Fluxing Powder, prepared of Salts, till all flowed

well, then the Crucible being taken out of the Fire, and the matter

poured out, when I expected Gold, instead of that I found Lead, but

the Fluxing Powder was very red, (although made of the whitest Salts)

being tinged with the _Anima_ of Gold, the Gold being divested of

all its dignity. Which thing, when I had considered, believing some

Secret to lie in the matter, I several times repeated the labour, but

alwaies in vain: the cause of which errour was not the subject, but

my self, who had not observed the weights and degree of Fire; or God,

who would not that I should make any farther discovery. Truly, if that

Labour had succeeded, I should long since have possessed the Stone

of Philosophers, who am now forced to sustain my Family by meaner

things with labour. But passing by this, see, I pray you, what the

most accurate _Philippus Paracelsus_ ascribeth to rude Nitre, when he

saith, _Chymistry hath discovered the matter to lie in Nitre_. Let

_Basil Valentine_, _Sendivogius_, and the ancient Philosophers, be

considered, and you shall see that all their Sayings are accomodated

to the operation of this subject, and that I have not attributed

too much to it, but rather less than is due. I could, had I a mind

so to do, compose all the terms of Philosophers with this subject,

but to what purpose so great a prolixity? He that shall once come so

far as I am, the Secrets of the Philosophers will be sufficiently

manifest to him, and will freely confess, that this is the only true

_Universal Solvent_, and that there is no other. Many have alwaies

believed this thing to be prepared of Nitre, but because they were

not fully confirmed in their minds, they tried nothing with it, and

therefore found nothing. Many men in my time have endeavour’d to fix

Nitre into a Tincture, but because they took it crude without a due

Preparation and fit Associate, such as it was when they committed

it to the Fire, such it remained; but if they had known how to have

joined an amicable subject with it, perhaps it might have been more

profitable. _Basilius_ commandeth to associate it with a brisk and

lively female, from whose embraces the Queen might bring forth issue:

All the Philosophers say, that to _Mercury_ is to be added its own

weight of Gold and Silver, (but not the common) and that of both is to

be made one indissolvable thing; for while the Gold is dissolved by

the Mercury, in the same moment the Mercury is coagulated by the Gold,

the solution of the Body, and the coagulation of the Mercury, are done

both by the same Work. Certain it is, that there is one thing among

Minerals, which is conjoined and fixed with our Nitre, and during the

fixation, passeth all colours; but I know not the end of the thing,

having never performed that labour, and by reason of my great age,

think not to repeat it; nor will I be the adviser of any man, that he

should search after an uncertain labour with a certain Loss: but if

any man in doing this shall miss his hope, let him not blame me for

giving him the occasion by this Writing, who have wrote this only for

this end, that I might make it manifest, that the name of _Universal_

is not undeservedly assign’d to it: Neither also is there any need,

that a thing of so great moment should be made known to an ungrateful

World. Any of those things which I have shewn may be done by it, are

sufficient for a man to sustain his Family.

Some man may except, and ask, Who hath revealed to thee, that this is

the _Mercury of Philosophers_? I answer, That I know it to be such from

the properties, form, and nature assigned to it by the Philosophers,

which thou also, if thou hadst Philosophick eyes, wouldst acknowledge

to be such, which is wont to hide it self from the proud, and to reveal

it self to whom it pleaseth God. If a skilful Gardener should happen

into a Garden, where he should see that wonderful Vegetable, _Noli

me tangere_, (which at the first was brought from the _East Indies_,

therefore planted and cherished with great care and admiration in great

mens Gardens) of which he had read so many portentous things, _viz._

That refusing every touch, it would fall to the ground. And although he

had never before seen this Herb with his Eyes, would he not certainly

apprehend this to be that very Herb? for the Vertues attributed to it

argue that it cannot be any other. So he whose eyes it hath pleased

God to open, so that he can apprehend all the Properties to be in

a subject, which the Philosophers affirm to be in their Universal

Mercury, Will he not, acquiescing in that, desist from seeking out

another?

Lastly, _Sal Nitre_ is the only growth, generation, and encrease of

all Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, as also their Destruction,

and Regeneration, by a perpetual Circulation of the Elements, by

which things being dissolved, do again return into the same from

which they arose: For the Nitre of Vegetables in the bodies of

Animals, by the intervening digestions and separations, is generated

into a Mineral Salt, which none will deny: and Nitre or Salt of the

Earth, is Vegetable, Mineral, and Animal, which cannot be said of

any other subject, but the Universal Matter. And even as it is the

chief Conserver of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, so it is also

their Destroyer and Death; therefore by them it is both loved and

hated. Vegetables love it, when growing in the Earth, they thence

draw their nourishment; for when the Earth is dead, or void of Salt,

it affordeth neither nourishment or encrease to feed, Christ himself

being witness, when he saith, _Ye are the Salt of the Earth_: but if

the Earth be destitute of Salt (or the Salt hath lost his saltness)

it is altogether dead, and can bring forth no Fruit. An ignorant man

saith, that Dung maketh the Earth fruitful, but undeservedly, for not

the Dung, but the Salt which lies hid in the Dung, doth this, which is

generated of Vegetables after their putrefaction, and again transmuted

into their seeds and roots which are in the Earth; the same Animals

again receive in their food, whereby their bodies are strengthned and

preserved from Corruption. For no man is so rude, but he hath learned

by experience, that Salt is the Preserver of things both living and

dead. But an ignorant man may object, that other things also have a

preservative Power, as myrrh, aloes, and other Balsamick Liquors,

which preserve Flesh and Fish from putrefaction. To this I answer,

That it is not myrrh or aloes, but their salt, which effecteth this.

Honey also and sugar preserve things, which are not salts. I answer,

That thou understandest not the nature of Salts; those are sweet

salts, the other are bitter salts, which by putrefaction are changed

into sowre and acid. Also every burning spirit of Wine, and other

Vegetables, preserveth other bodies, although they are not in form

of salt, nevertheless it is nothing else but the most pure volatile

salt of the Wine; mixed with its sulphur, which doth this; for none

of the Principles is sincere, and wholly free from the mixture of

the rest. Vinegar doth the same thing, and is a meer salt, which if

time would permit, I could easily demonstrate. What man’s senses are

so dull, that he cannot understand one thing to pass into another,

by the mediation of putrefaction, to him even great Volumes would

profit nothing. From the sweetest Must (or new Wine) Sugar, Honey,

by the help of putrefaction and Fermentation alone, is made an acid

Tartar, a strong Vinegar, and a volatile burning Spirit; all these

will presently return into a nitrous salt, which few understand, those

especially who are believed to know much. Not only Man is delighted

with salt, without which he cannot be sound and in health, but also

all Animals. Mice, above all, are very greedy of Salt, the which if

they find not, they lick the saline efflorescences of Walls, and make

a very nitrous Urine. Pigeons also frequent old Walls, which abound

with salt. Hens pick out the grains of Oats from Horse-dung, which

are full of salt, preferring them to fresh Oats, and thence become

more fruitful, in laying more Eggs, the salt concocting the small

stones which they swallow, in their Ventricles, is the first matter of

Eggshells; but if, being shut up in Pens or Coops, they have not that

salt earth, with the small sand or stones, which they usually devour,

or their stomachs being weak, doth not digest them, the Eggs they lay

afterwards, will be such as we call windy Eggs, having no shells, or

such as are very imperfect. Minerals growing in the bowels of the

earth (Experience being witness) rejoice in salt, from which they

associate to themselves bodies, and make an encrease: In like manner,

they love it out of the earth, and by it are ripened and meliorated;

amongst which Salts, Nitre, as I have said, is endowed with a singular

sympathy towards Metals. On the contrary, Minerals as well as Animals

and Vegetables, abhor salt, if they be unduly associated with it, for

so they are corrupted and destroyed; for salt being adhibited in a due

manner, is the only preserver, augmenter, and perfecter of Vegetables,

Animals, and Minerals, which all the Philosophers confess; amongst

whom, _Plato_ ascribeth to salt something divine, to whom succeeding

Ages have assented, seeking many things in salt, yea, even the stone

of Philosophers it self; but being ignorant what a true salt was, and

of the manner of applying and preparing it, they could not make any

further progress. Hence any man may easily see why the Ancients called

those Secrets by the name of _Alchymy_, _viz._ as a certain handling

and melting of salt, for which reason also they familiarly used these

words; _In Fire and Salt consisteth the Magistery_: Implying, that by

the benefit of fire and salt, a true Medicine was to be prepared, as

well for the health of men, as for the perfection of Metals.

If God prolong my Life, and grant me opportunity, I will hereafter,

for the good of Mankind, openly declare what _Salt_ and _Fire_ are,

that the incredible Vertues of those two bodies, as yet unknown to the

World, may be made manifest to all Men. One thing I will add, that the

Philosophers pointing out the Universal matter, speak obscurely, when

they say, that it is everywhere to be found, that the Poor hath it as

well as the Rich, and that no man can live without it, whence many have

sought for Air, Rain, Snow in _March_, _May_-dew dreaming the universal

matter to be in those, and when their labour hath happily ceased, they

have obtained somewhat of a nitrous salt. It is certain, that the Stars

do impregnate the Air and Clouds with their Catholick seed, which

presently falling in form of Rain, Snow, and Dew, render the Earth

fruitful and fit for germination, and that they are again drawn upwards

by the warmth of the Air, leaving their Nitre in the earth, to be

again impregnated by the stars, and again to descend to conciliate the

fertility of the earth, lest the earth at any time should labour under

a want of this universal seed, but continually applieth it self to the

vegetation of things, and preserveth a perpetual Circulation of the

Elements. Hence _Hermes_ hath written, that _That which is above is as

that which is below_. Yet nevertheless, we need not seek it among the

stars, seeing that it may sufficiently be had, by a far shorter way, at

hand, and before our feet. For so much the words of _Hermes_ intimate.

_The Words of the Secrets of_ HERMES.

True it is, and remote from every cloak of a Lye, that whatsoever is

below, is like to that which is above; by this the wonderful things

of the work, of one thing, are acquired and perfected, even as also

things are made of one, by the consideration of one, so all things are

made of this one by conjunction. Its Father is the Sun, its Mother

the Moon, the Wind carrieth it in its belly, the Earth is its Nurse,

the Mother of all perfection. Its power is perfect, if it be changed

into Earth; the subtile and thin being separated by the fire from the

gross and thick, and indeed prudently with moderation and wisdom; this

ascendeth from the Earth unto Heaven, and again descendeth from Heaven

to the Earth, and receiveth the power and efficacy of the superiours

and inferiours. In this manner thou shalt acquire the glory of the

whole World; thou shalt drive away all darkness and blindness, for this

is a Fortitude excelling all other power and strength, for it is able

to penetrate and subdue all things, as well those which are thick and

hard, as those which are subtile. In this manner the World was made,

and hence its admirable conjunctions and wonderful effects, seeing that

this is the way by which those wonderful things are effected, and for

this reason I am called by the name of _Hermes Trismegistus_, seeing

that I have three parts of the wisdom and philosophy of the whole

World. So I conclude my Speech which I have made concerning the _Solar

Work_.

These are the words of the most ancient Philosopher _Hermes_, who for

his perfect knowledge of Nature, is deservedly stiled _The Father of

Philosophers_; in which words he hath sufficiently hinted, That his

little Bird without wings (which flying day and night is not wearied)

is the Spirit and Life of the superiour and inferiour Elements, the

Conserver of the superiour and greater, and of the inferiour and lesser

World, and that it lies hid in Nitre: For the better understanding of

which, let a man throughly consider the Air, in which the _Universal

Spirit_, the first Ens or Being of all things, dwelleth, without

which no Animal can live a quarter of an hour, nor any Vegetable or

Mineral be produced; neither can the Sun shine, nor the Fire burn.

Even as the Excrements of Vegetables, Animals, and Minerals, by a

continual Circulation, are transmuted into Elements, the Elements into

Excrements, and those again return into Aliments, by an uncessant

renovation and transmutation, which Man only doth not attain.

The _Husbandman_ knoweth that the Leafs, which every year fall from

the Trees, afford a new vigour and nourishment, that the Excrements

of Cattel produce very good Grass, that the Fæces or Recrements of

Minerals, from which a Metal hath been once separated, is in a short

time impregnated by the Stars, that being melted, they again yield the

same Metal which they had done a little before: and the _Scoria_ of

metals are every where returned to their Mines, where in a years time

being recruited by the attractive power of the Universal Spirit, they

are again impregnated, so that they again by melting afford metal.

Doth not the Earth, from which _Salt-Petre_ hath been extracted,

being exposed to the Air in the interval of some months, yield other

_Salt-Petre_, and this as often as you will, as if nothing had been

extracted from it? Doth not all things which are calcined, _viz._ Lime

made of Stones, Shells, Woods, Herbs, from which the Fire hath forced

the Universal Spirit, by a very strong Appetite or Magnetism, draw the

Universal Spirit again afresh, and return into a Corporeal Nitre? Is

not the heat and vertue of the sun, the excrement or superfluity of

the sun, by which it is nourished and sustained? If heat were nothing

to the sun, the Air, by its Nitrous Essence, could never render it

weighty, nor cause it to distill in fruitful Rains; nor could the Earth

bring forth Fruit, and afford fresh nutriment and food to the sun,

its conserver: Whence it followeth, that an Excrement is alwaies the

conservation and nourishment of that thing which makes or separates

it. But here _Plato_ commandeth to rest; at another time (God willing)

more shall be spoken. We have heard, that in salt especially in Nitre,

although slighted by the unskilful, there are found most potent and

profitable vertues, as well for _true Medicine_, as for _Alchymy_. Nor

is it reasonable that any man should be offended with its cheapness

or low esteem; but he may rather think, that that which is despisable

before the World, and imaginary Philosophers, is most precious with

God, and those who know the mysteries of Nature. Therefore it remains,

that in the nature of things there is not a better subject, by which

more and greater wonders may be performed, than _Sal-Nitre_. Therefore,

I also constantly affirm, That of it may be prepared the true _Mercury

of Philosophers_: but I will not say, that I know the Preparation of

the _Stone of Philosophers_ from it, because I never went so far: But

those things which I have delivered concerning it in the correction of

metals, and other good Arts, Experience alone hath taught me; in which

I acquiesce, and all those things, if the matter should require, and it

should conduce to a good end; I should not blush to demonstrate singly

through their parts, that it may be laid open to all men, that all

these things may be performed, but not by every man; seeing that I have

not written for that end, that they should be prostituted to all men,

for then I should have wrote more fully, but that they might remain

in the power and custody of Friends. It can hardly be believed, what

great troubles my Writings have created me, while one accosts me from

this place with long Letters, willing me to unfold this or that. Others

address me with a great Catalogue of Questions, of which, if I should

answer the tenth part, I should scarcely have Bread to eat.

If the LORD see good, he will afford me time and occasion of doing yet

better things, but if not, let the Reader accept the _will for the

deed_: Truly, there are many Sciences of great moment in my Possession,

by which I could point out a safe path to Posterity, for the attaining

of higher things, but because I have alwaies studied to maintain my

Family, with my own honest labour, without detriment to my Neighbour,

I am (contrary to my _genius_) prohibited to publish more, being

constrained to apply my hands to ancient labours. Some may inferr; If

thou hast found out more, act by others, thy hands being suspended from

the Work, let it suffice thee to have disposed of thy labours. But he

that shall thus say, confesseth himself, not to know the World to be

perfidious: If I could have been made partaker of faithful Operators, I

should long since have had a free prospect of my affairs.

But it is not at that pass as many believe, men are now perfidious,

keeping no promises, every one seeketh his own, right or wrong;

Benefits are rewarded with evil, which hath happened to me more than

once; when I have adopted one for a faithful fellow-labourer, the

contrary hath happened: For as soon as he hath learned any Secret,

believing himself to be more learned than me, hath feigned divers

excuses to get away, which if he could not effect openly, and with

Consent, he hath attempted it privately; or hath carried himself so

petulantly, that I should thank GOD to be freed from him. Whence it

came to pass, that I alwaies lost my purpose, perceiving the Proverb to

be true, _He that will have his business well done, must be both master

and servant_.

But I trust, that in a short time after my death, those who shall,

distribute my Laboratory among them, where I have made a stand, will

further search out the secrets of Nature, and being lighted by my

Torch, will come to the desired end: but it will be much more grateful

to me, if my Secrets, which I have found out with great Costs, Labour,

and Care, should be known to many, than that they should be intombed

with me, without Usury. To which end I will alwaies, according to

my power, be a most ready helper and Counsellor, for the sake of

Posterity.

THE

EXPLICATION

OF

Miraculum Mundi.

Set forth

In Testimony of the truth of that Matter, and for the Advantage of the

Lovers and Followers of _ARTS_.

Reader,

_In the first place, before I prove and verifie the powers and vertues

of the aforesaid Universal subject, which I have attributed to it,

in every point, it will be necessary to make known after what manner

the mentioned Salt of the Earth performeth its Operations, that the

benevolent Reader may not be confounded, nor imagine that it exerciseth

all its Operations in one only manner and way, to wit, crude, as it

is of it self; for it doth not so, but it exerteth its power in three

manners, forms, or figures, =For Example sake=; Its first Use is in

many Businesses and Arts, as it is simply drawn from the Earth, being

purified, and is known to all men. It is applied to another use,

being first calcined by fire, and changed and exalted into a more

fixed substance. Again, for another use, it is first destilled into

a volatile Spirit, and =Aqua-fortis=. And so that subject performeth

its Operations in Figures, simple, as it is in its self, in form of a

Sun; =secondly=, as a fixed fiery Liquor; =thirdly=, in the figure of a

volatile spirit, or corrosive =Aqua-fortis=; as shall be demonstrated

below, from point to point, in order._

_Point_ I.

_In the first place all Fossiles, by the mediation of this Subject,

may be perfectly examined, what Metals they properly contain, how

many, and how much of each._

For the verifying and demonstrating this first point, I will begin to

shew, that Minerals may be most commodiously proved by the Mediation of

the Salt of the Earth, and in what manner this is to be done. First,

The Mineral is to be finely powdered, whether it be _Gold_, _Silver_,

_Copper_, or _Lead_. To a hundred weight of this, add three or four

hundred weight of Calcined or fixed Nitre, [Note, _That the small Say

weight is here meant_] mix all very well together, put the mixture into

a very strong Pot, which is to be shut with its Cover, set it upon a

small foot in such a melting Furnace, as is described in the fourth

part of my Furnaces, kindle the fire by degrees, and let the minera, or

Ore flow well with its liquor in the Pot, like water, then pour it out

into a Vessel fit for this purpose, suffer it to cool, then take out

the Regulus; if it be ☉, ☽, ♀, or ♄, weigh it in a Probatory Balance,

and you shall find how much ☉, ☽, ♀, or ♄, there is in that Ore. NB.

That Iron and Tin cannot be proved in this manner, for ♂ is not fusible

in such a fire, and ♃ is reduced into _Scoria_ by Combustion, by

reason of the Salt. NB. That if the Regulus of ☉ or ☽ come not pure,

or contain any ♀ or ♄, suffer it to run upon a Test or Cupel, with a

little ♄, till it sparkle and shine, and you shall have the Metal fine,

which is a proof that may securely be trusted, and according to that a

Computation may be made, without any fear of fraud or Sophistication;

the Regulus of Copper or Lead, need no other trial, but are judged

good. NB. That if the Ore be stubborn, and yields no Regulus in the

first melting, let the Pot be again set into the Furnace, (if it be yet

whole, putting to the Ore, giving no Regulus, a piece or two of Iron)

being covered, least the Coals fall into it, suffer it to flow, then

the iron entereth into that untameable Sulphur, existing in the Ore,

and hindering it from passing into Regulus, and suffereth the Gold,

Silver, Copper, or Lead, contained in that Mineral, to fall down, which

is to be poured out into a fit vessel, and the Regulus will settle to

the bottom, which being cold is to be separated from the Scoria; but

if you will prove whether or no the Gold containeth any Silver, or the

Silver any Gold or Copper, or the Lead any Silver or Gold, then suffer

the Regulus to flow upon a Cupel, till it sparkle with a Splendour,

and afterwards make separation by _Aqua fortis_, and you shall find

how much of every Metal is permixed with the other. There is no need

to describe this separation at large, because it is every where known,

and now very perspicuously taught by _Lazarus Erker_, so that it needs

no repetition: I have here shewed, and proved, that by the Mediation of

Nitre, Minerals may easily and speedily be examined. Therefore, this

first Point being now proved and verified, I give thanks to God, who I

trust, will further assist me.

_Point_ II.

_The Marchasites of Gold and Silver, being melted by the Mediation

of this, by a singular Compendium, hitherto unknown, do afford

more Metal than by the common way._

That which is contained in this second point is not the least amongst

my Lucriferous Secrets, but one of the best, which I have always

reserved most secret within my own Breast. Many Men have often allured

me with fair Speeches, to demonstrate it, but hitherto I have not been

prevailed with to do it, not out of envy, or that my self alone should

have that art at command, but because Faith is hardly any where to be

found, it is now reputed an honour to promise many things, and perform

few, but a disparagement to keep Promises; for I have often learned to

my loss, that when through fair Words, and Promises oftentimes more

than I required, I have been perswaded to Communicate this, or that

Secret; as soon as it hath been out of my hands, I have found the quite

contrary, for instead of a Reward, they have either derided me, or

began to quarrel and contend, and in this manner, the Benefits which I

have confer’d upon them, have been recompensed with great Impiety.

The Process followeth.

Let there be a Furnace built of good Stone, which is able to endure

the Fire, small or great, as you please, or according to the necessity

and commodity of your Labour, in the following manner. First build

an Arch about a Cubit high from the ground, the which cover and make

level above with Iron Plates, or Stone that will hold the Fire, which

shall be the foot of the Furnace, the length of which ought to exceed

the breadth four times, that is, it ought to be four times as long as

broad; by this Arch or foot of the Furnace there is yet another Furnace

to be erected, whose bigness within must behalf the breadth of the long

Furnace, and about two Cubits high from the wind holes, into which the

Wood is to be put, and in that Furnace, on that side which adjoineth to

the melting Furnace, is to be a hole, through which the flame of the

lighted Wood may strike upon the Hearths of the Furnace; and heat them;

above, let there be an Iron Cover, to that end that when the wood is

put in, the Furnace may be covered with it, and the flame may be forced

to enter by the side into the Melting Furnace, and let the Melting

Furnace, the Hearth being now perfect, be divided according to its

length, into three Chambers or parts, so that every Chamber be square,

that is, as long as broad, and between every Chamber let there be a

Wall, with a hole in the lower part, that the flame may pass freely

into the second and third Chamber, between which two let there be also

the like Partition or Wall, with its hole at bottom, and let the third

or last Chamber be close, saving its little door, let it have one only

hole, by which the flame may pass out, also on one side of the Furnace,

there is to be a hole in every Chamber, by which the Hearths may be

discerned, and the Minerals and Metals taken out and put in, but the

Chambers are not to exceed a Foot, or a Foot and a half, in heighth;

in the upper part of which, let there be a Cover or Cap of good Earth,

well luted and accommodated to it in such manner, as whensoever need

shall require it may be removed with a pair of Tongues, and put on

again. All these things being thus rightly prepared, let a Hearth be

made in the first Chamber of good Earth, which can sustain the fire,

let the Earth not be too fat, or too lean, but of a middle condition;

in the second let there be a Test made of Argill, or Wood Ashes, but

in the third Chamber, let there be a Hearth of good Earth, and in the

Name of the Lord, let the fire be kindled in the side Furnace, that the

Furnace with its Hearths may be throughly dried. Which being done, let

the Ore of ☉ or ☽ being rightly prepared, be put into the last Chamber,

that it may be made hot by degrees, and burn, but not melt, which

may be hindered by the help of the little door, and the fire may be

governed at a beck, according as it shall be necessary, and the Mineral

requireth, or shall be able to suffer; the Minerals are sometimes to be

stirred and turned well about in all parts, with an Iron Hook or Ladle,

that they may be well Calcined. In the first Chamber let there be put

so much Lead as the Hearth will hold, and when it moveth well, put

upon it, spoonful after spoonful, of the Calcined Mineral in the last

Chamber, stirring it with the Lead, and turning it with an Iron Ladle,

and let it be so long upon it, till the Lead shall have attracted all

the Metal, then the Scoriæ are to be taken out with an Iron Ladle

fit for this work, and to be kept by themselves; then again, more of

the Calcined Mineral is to be put upon the Lead, and so the melting,

turning, and taking out of the Scoriæ, is to be continued as long as

there is any of the Mineral at hand, or as much as is sufficient for

the Hearth; and if during this labour, the Lead should be impregnated

with a sufficient quantity of Gold or Silver, by the Mineral, (which

may be perceived by taking a little out in a Spoon, and examining it

upon a Cupel) then let Nitre be burned upon it, and let it be repeated

two or three times, for so the Lead will be purifyed, grow white, and

be rendred ductile, and passeth freely in the Test, without waste,

which yet would not be if it had not been first depurated by Nitre; the

Lead into which the Gold and Silver hath passed, is to be taken from

the Hearth with a Ladle, and the Hearth made of Ashes, in the middle

Chamber is to be filled with it, and the Bellows to be planted against

it, to blow the Coals to the other side, and according to the common

manner, the Lead is to be deduced into Salt, and the Cake of Gold or

Silver is to be taken out, and afterwards to be throughly depurated

in good Tests: And so in that Furnace may be performed three Labours,

and more of the Gold and Silver is retained then by any other way, for

blowing with Bellows wastes and destroys much of a Metal, and reduceth

it by burning into Scoriæ, which the sweet flame of wood doth not

do; the Scoriæ being taken out, suffer them to pass through a high

Furnace, that if there be yet any Lead among them, it may be saved, to

be used again in the former Labours, (to wit for attracting Gold and

Silver, in the first Chamber, from the Minerals Calcined in the last)

in this manner nothing will be lost, and not only more Gold and Silver

obtained, but also without so great a charge of Coals as is used in the

ordinary way. You should have always two of those Furnaces, or more (if

you have a great quantity of the Mineral) in your Elaboratory, that

whilst you work in one, the other may be repaired, and when there is

need, furnished with new Hearths.

This is the best and most profitable manner of melting the Ores of

Gold, Silver, and Lead, containing in themselves Lune, and this without

Coals, and strong blowing, but by the flame of wood only. A. the Foot

of the Furnace, B. C. D. the three Chambers, E. F. G. the three little

doors of the Chambers, by which the Minerals and Metals are put in and

taken out, H. the Cover or Cap of the Furnace, I. the Wind holes, or

Registers by which the flame is governed, K. three holes in the Walls,

or Partitions of the Chambers, through which the flame passeth, for the

heating of the Chambers and Hearths, L. the Furnace on the side, into

which is put dry wood, M. the Ash hole, N. its Cover or Stopper, O. the

hole in the side, by which the flame is conveyed into the Chambers, P.

the Iron Rods, with which the Minerals are turned, whilst they are in

torrefying and the Scoriæ are taken away from the Lead, Q. a Spoon or

Ladle, by which the torrefied Mineral is put upon the flowing Lead,

and the Lead which is impregnated with Gold and Silver, is removed

from the first Melting Hearth to the other, R. the Tongs with which

the Cakes of Gold and Silver, are taken from the second Hearth, S. the

Furnace in which the Cakes of Gold and Silver are perfectly depurated,

T. the Tests, V. the Cineritia. NB. That the Works coming from the

first Hearth, may also be perfectly finished in the second Chamber,

but it is better to do it on Tests fit for this purpose. [_The figure

of this Furnace is not printed in the Latin Copy, nor to be found

among the other Originals._] NB. That what concerns this Point, is of

greater moment than many will believe, because in our Country, there

are found in many places rich Mines, abounding with Gold and Silver,

which nevertheless are not rightly depurated by the common way of

Melting, so that they afford so little, that it will not pay the charge

of the Coals; and therefore it is yet unknown how much good Metal they

contain, but it lies hid in obscurity, which nevertheless might be

very well perfected in this manner, with great profit. I know Mines of

this sort in various places, which I have found very poor, according

to the common way of proving, but according to my Method very rich.

What Treasures doth _Hungary_, _Bohemia_, _Carinthia_, _Stiria_, and

_Saltsburg_ posses in their Regions, unknown to them, and yet after an

easie manner to be obtained? What Treasures hath _Misnia_, _Thuringia_,

_Brunswick_, and _Fichtelburgh_, hid in them, and do no good? There

is no Man of a sound mind, but may easily by labour and observation

discern what a great difference there is between the common way of

Melting, and mine, if he seriously consider the matter. A Mine of Lead

doth not want an exquisite Art of melting, because it is of small

price, nor will the loss be great, if some of it be burnt in melting,

or remain in the Earth. In like manner the vulgar way of melting

Copper, by high Furnaces, and strong blowing, is sufficient. But the

Mines of Gold and Silver, are not to be treated so grosly, but after a

more subtile and profitable manner, that nothing of them may be lost,

but may be of greater use and profit, than hitherto hath been done. For

the Mineral of Gold, although it is not in some great Rocky Mountains,

yet for the most part, it is found in Flints, and Stones containing

Iron, or in any crude Mineral in which ofttimes Antimony, red Sulphur,

and Arsenick, is mixed together with the Minera of Gold. As may be seen

in _Carinthia_ and its Confines. But how should such a Mine, if melted

with Coals after the common manner, yield its fruit without loss; for

whether it be torrefied, or not, if it be cast upon Coals, and agitated

with the strong blast of Bellows, that which is immature flieth away,

carrying with it self that which is good; that which remaineth passeth

into Scoria. For although it should be mixed with Lead, the Minera of

Lead, or Salt of Lead, yet they would not remain conjoin’d, but the

Lead is easily melted, floweth, and leaveth the Ore, which by strong

blowing is reduced into Scoria, retaining much gold, which so is lost,

as well as the other which flew away in smoak, and at the best but a

very little saved, which hath entred the Lead.

NB. But, in my way, it is necessary that the Ore should be broken

and subdued, and thereby forced to yield its Gold, if it be well

incorporated with the lead, and the volatile is preserved with the

fixt; add, that the flame lightly striking or playing upon the matter,

destroyeth nothing, and by this way, there is no metal lost. That the

thing is so, I will prove by a certain similitude or comparison; make

proof in what manner you please, of gold or silver Ore, and observe how

much good metal that contains, afterwards prove the same in a great

quantity upon Coals, and you shall find much less in that, than in

your small proof; when nevertheless the contrary ought to be, because

a great fire hath a greater force of acting upon the Ore, than a small

one; and this is the only cause, because a great quantity requireth a

more violent fire than a small one; which is averse to all crude and

volatile Minerals. But by my way, there is found as much, if not more,

in a large quantity, as in a small proof. Therefore I will here shew

yet by another manner of probation, that by the common and usual way

of melting Minerals, all the metal cannot be obtained, and sometimes

scarcely half or a third part. To an hundred pounds of the Mineral,

reduced into a small powder, add 8, 12, 16, or 18 pound of granulated

Lead, or as much as the Mineral shall need, mix the Mineral and the

powder of Lead, which with a little Spoon are to be committed to a

fiery hot Cupel, placed under a Cineritium or Muffle, give a strong

heat, and the Lead will attract all the metal from the Ore, and cast

out the Scoria or dross, which will rest upon the moving Lead; which

being done, you must have at hand a hot Iron Rod, with which you may

move and stir the Scoria every way well, up and down upon the Lead, to

the end, that if any good metal should as yet remain in them, the Lead

by that moving may lay hold on it, and catch it to it self; afterwards

suffer the Scoria for a little while to heat and burn upon the Lead,

that it may flow well; then let the heat of the fire somewhat abate,

and the Scoria will become thicker and fit to be drawn out with an Iron

rod, which is to be broad at the point, round, and sharp, that the

Scoria may be every where clean and wholly drawn away from the Cupel,

which are diligently to be kept, that nothing be lost, and lest the

future essay should be false. This being done, drive the Lead remaining

in the Cupel with an indifferent heat, then there will remain the gold

or silver, which that hundred pounds of Ore did contain; that grain

or portion is to be taken out and reserved. NB. That whilst you are

proving the Mineral, you may also impose another Cupel, of the same

magnitude and weight, and as much Lead upon it as was mixed with the

mineral, without it, suffer it to flow alone by it self. The grain or

portion which comes to be obtained from the mineral upon the other

Cupel, will be what that mineral did contain. Afterwards the two Cupels

are to be weighed apart, and as much as this, in which the Ore was

wrought, shall be heavier than that in which only the Lead flowed, so

much of Lead or Copper that hundred weight of Ore did contain; and

so much gold or silver as the grain or portion remaining in the Cupel

weigheth, and so much Scoria or dross as was removed and drawn out with

the Iron Rod.

NB. Some man may object, That the _Scoria_ cannot be so accurately

and purely removed from the Cupel, but somewhat will be left behind.

I answer, That although the removing of the _Scoria_ should not be

exactly done, which notwithstanding may be done, if diligence be used,

because the _Scoria_ to be removed are not pure _Scoria_, but as yet

contain somewhat of the Lead, which may be easily as heavy, yea,

heavier than the _Scoria_ remaining in the Cupel, and which cannot

be removed, nevertheless the proof will be just and good. But if by

a melting made in a great quantity, you shall find as much ☽ or ☉, ♀

or ♃, (NB. that Iron and Tin cannot be proved in this manner) as the

small proof demonstrated, [I think it should be, if you shall not find

_&c._ and the character ♃ should be ♄.] believe that you have not

rightly proceeded, and that that which is lost is gone in fume, or by

combustion, into _Scoria_. Seeing therefore that this proof is of a

great weight, and accordingly is to be made by a great melting Work, I

will declare that labour more copiously. _For example sake_, I take two

Cupels, accomodated to one and the same form, I weigh them singly, if

one be heavier than the other, then with a knife I pare or scrape it a

little above or below, so that they may be of equal weight, afterwards

I put them side by side conjunctly, or one before, and the other

behind, under a Cineritium; when they are duly hot, I put upon one

the Mineral, mixed with the granulated Lead, and upon the other, the

granulated Lead only; then I suffer them to flow together, seasonably

abstracting the _Scoria_ from that where the Mineral is; then I cause

both to cease. Now supposing that I have added to the Hundred weight

of Ore, 1200 pounds of Lead, and also wrought 1200 pounds of Lead in

the other Cupel alone, and each Cupel to have weighed three Lothones,

according to the weight of the City, and that I find in that Cupel in

which the Mineral was wrought, a portion of Gold or Silver, weighing

(according to the probatory weight) nine Lothones, and in the other

Cupel, a portion of Silver weighing three Lothones, which the 1200

pounds of Lead yielded: But in regard that I also added to the Mineral

1200 pounds of Lead, which also have yielded three Lothones, which I

substract from the nine Lothones, and there remaineth six Lothones of

Gold and Silver, which the Hundred weight of Ore hath yielded. NB. If

you would know whether the Mineral also containeth Lead and Copper,

and how much, then I weigh both the Cupels apart, observing how much

that in which the Mineral was wrought is heavier than that in which the

Lead was wrought alone, and so much Lead or Copper I may affirm to have

been, together with the Gold and Silver, in that Mineral; suppose the

Cupel in which the Mineral was wrought to weigh 30 pounds, according

to the probatory weight, more than that in which the Lead was agitated

alone, then I am sure that there was so much Lead or Copper in that

Mineral, together with the gold and silver (for iron and tin do not

enter the Cupel, but pass into _Scoria_, but the ☉ and ☽ remain on

the Cupel) and the remaining weight, to wit, seventy pounds, I find

all in _Scoria_, for a little flieth away in fume: in this manner it

may be observed what quantity a hundred pounds of the Ore of Lead or

Copper containeth of good Metal, and whether it have any gold or

silver or not; according to which a computation may be made, whether

it will pay the Charge in a great quantity, or not, and what gain may

be had from it. This is a most desirable proof, invented for the use

of gold and silver, which are necessarily by this way yielded in great

quantity; if it happen otherwise, the errour is to be ascribed to the

working; for the Mines of copper and lead, this proof doth not succeed

in great quantity, although by it may be certainly known how much of

either of them is contained in an hundred weight of Ore, for both these

metals are easily burnt by the fire, and reduced into _Scoria_, which

happeneth not to gold and silver, if they be rightly handled; only here

it is made appear what quantity of _Saturn_ or _Venus_ is contained in

an hundred pound- of Ore of _Saturn_ or _Venus_, which is impossible

to extort in great quantity, by the common and known way: for soft and

sulphureous metals of this sort lose much, because part is driven away

by strong blowing; another part is reduced into _Scoria_: but by my way

nothing is lost thus, and but very little remaineth behind. I know yet

another way, and that better too, of perfecting the Minerals of gold,

silver, copper, and lead, with a certain compendious profit; but seeing

that in my _Miraculum Mundi_ I have made no mention of a Work of this

sort, I shall here say nothing of it. I also know a way of extracting

from very poor Copper Mines, all the Copper contained in them, without

great labour and cost; which Mines are every where in great quantity

to be found, but are not sufficient to pay the Charge of melting in

the common way; but this my secret way will yield great profit, for

scarcely one pound of Copper will remain behind, and be lost in an

hundred pounds of _Scoria_.

_Point_ III.

_The volatile and immature Marcasites of =Sol= and =Luna= are

fixed in the space of three hours, so that they render a double

quantity of Metal, to what they could have done before fixation,

=&c.=_

This fixation is a singular secret, in perfecting Antimonial and

Arsenical Minerals, which are wholly crude, which commonly yield a

little Gold: For when Minerals contain much Antimony, Arsenick, or

Orpiment, and are torrefied in the common way, then the Arsenick or

Orpiment destroyeth much of the Gold, carrying it away in fume; but

if they be melted without a foregoing torrefaction, then the blowing

forceth away more; if from a Mineral of this sort, the yellow or red

Sulphur, Arsenick, or other rapacious substances, be diminished or

consumed, by closing it in Earthen Vessels, as many do, then by this

means the Mineral is burnt, loseth its flux and ingress into Lead,

so that much of the gold is destroyed, and reduced into _Scoria_; to

prevent which, this following way is the best: With one part of the

mineral mix half a part of Nitre, let it be kindled with a Coal, and

fixed, then the Nitre burneth away the greatest part of the rapacious

sulphur, and fixeth the rest, so that there is but little of the Gold

lost, and it keepeth its flux and ingress into Lead; if it be put into

the foregoing Furnace, and there wrought, it yieldeth all the gold and

silver which it containeth, and nothing is lost. Here some may object,

and say, That although in this manner, more gold may be obtained; yet

the Nitre maketh the work dear, which I indeed confess to be true, if

the Nitre be bought at a dear rate, but if by an artificial Culture, it

may alwaies be had at hand, it will cost little, and this torrefaction

and fixation, may be perfected with great profit.

_Point_ IV.

_All Gold and Silver not purely melted from its Marcasite, may be

swiftly purged from every Additament, the silver separated from

the Gold, by fusion only, with a small labour and cost, but in

great weight._

This way of purifying ☉ and ☽ from all addition quickly, and in an

easie manner, is a thing most profitable, and an Art highly necessary

to be known by those who handle metals; for it is sooner done, than

by the way of cupellating or blowing off with Lead, but is dearer, by

reason of the Nitre; nevertheless, the labour is easie and pleasant,

and it is done in this manner: Let a Crucible of impure gold or silver

be placed in such a Furnace as is described and depicted in the Fourth

Part of our Furnaces, let it be melted, then cast in some Regulus of

Antimony, more or less, according to the greater or lesser impurity of

the Gold, and according as it hath more or less need of cleansing for

its purification. When all shall flow and be clear in the Crucible,

cast into the Crucible upon the metal, at several times, about so much

Nitre, as there is of addition to the Gold; let it flow, then the

Nitre attracteth the Regulus of Antimony, together with the impurity

contained in the Gold, which passeth into Scoria. And this Process

doth not serve only for impure Sol and Luna, but also for such Sol and

Luna which contain Copper, Iron, Lead, Tin, Chalcitis, Aurichalcum,

and other metallick and mineral matters, Tin especially, which is

difficult to be separated from Sol and Luna by Lead, without loss. But

in this manner it may be quickly and easily done. But that my meaning

may be the more rightly understood and the less errour be committed

in working, I will here institute the Process clearly, and in express

words. Suppose to ℔ j. of gold or silver, there be two lothones of

Copper, and three lothones of Tin (_a lothone is half an ounce_) which

I would separate, and if it be done by the known way of blowing off

with Lead, there will need at the least thirty or forty lothones of

Lead, and nevertheless one part of the _Sol_ or _Luna_ will be lost;

but by my way to two lothones of Copper, and three lothones of Tin,

adjoin five lothones of Regulus of Antimony, then abstract the Regulus,

together with the addition of Copper and Tin, by the mediation of

Nitre, which may be done in the Crucible in the space of one hour,

which by torrefaction and agitation in the common way, could scarcely

have been done in 10 or 12 hours; besides nothing of the Additaments

is lost, all remaineth in the Scoria, from which, afterwards, as well

the ♃ as the ♀ and Regulus of Antimony may be recovered, to wit, if

the Scoria, in which the ♃, ♀, and Regulus of Antimony is, be put into

a Crucible, a live Coal cast in, and then the Crucible covered with a

tyle, let them flow a quarter of an hour, pour all out, and you shall

find in the bottom of the Cone a little Regulus, in which will be the

remaining _Sol_ or _Luna_, which the Scoria did prey upon; let them

be depurated on a Cupel, if they be not already pure enough: The

Scoria being again melted, cast in a live Coal, suffer all to flow

well together, again there will fall another Regulus from the Copper,

the ♃ & ♂ remaineth, and neither by Coals nor any other art, can be

brought into Regulus; but if these Scoria be driven through a probatory

Furnace, then they also yield the Tin again, and that better than

it was before. This Process is not only pleasant, artificial, swift

and easie, by which gold and silver is quickly and purely separated

from all addition, but there is also hidden in it a great mystery:

But because I have only proposed to prove those things to be true and

natural, of which I have made mention in my _Miraculum Mundi_, let

what I have now said suffice, and what is here desir’d may be found

perspicuously and satisfactorily declared in the following Processes.

_Point_ V.

_Gold and Silver are easily drawn out of Old Tin or Pewter Vessels,

the Tin being preserved almost in the same weight, and being made

better than it was before, may serve for the same uses to which

it is wont to be put._