H _The second or lowermost Bottom where the Lixivium is kept
without running out._
_Another way of making Excellent Salt-petre in great Quantity out
of Lime and the Lee of Wood._
Take the aforesaid Lime and Wood-ashes, of each as much as you will;
and twice as much Horse-dung or Cows-dung, mix these matters exactly
in a wooden Vessel or Tub, with Mans Urine or beasts Piss, and make
it of the thickness as the thicker sort of Mortar that the _Masons_
use, is wont to be of. You must have good store of this Paste made.
Then make a certain arch of boards, which said arch must be some
three, four, six or more feet broad, and deep or high, and the length
of it must be double to that (or twice as much, as broad, and deep,
or high) according to the conveniency of the place, and the quantity
of Salt-petre you would make. The arch thus made, must be all over
dawbed with the aforesaid mixture, the thickness of an hands breadth,
just as we see Vaults, or Arches built up, of Stones and Lime upon
wooden arches. Now when all is duly ordered, there must be put some
Fire in under the vault of the arch, at first it must be very gentle,
least the arch (of wood) as being the very foundation and supporter
of the (other) arch should presently kindle and be burnt, which must
not be, but be kept whole rather, untill the arch or covering thereon
which is made of Lime, Ashes, and Dung, be perfectly dried. This done,
there must be dawbed on, upon the said arch formerly made, more of the
aforesaid prepared Calx, of about an hands-breadth thickness, and you
will find that the humidity of this latter mass or second arching will
be in a short time attracted by the first arch, and that this second
pargetting will soon be dried: When this is done, there must be again
the third time made another dawbing on, after the afore-prescribed
manner. And this Operation is to be so long and so often repeated
untill the arch be a foot or two in thickness, which when so, it is
strong enough, nor needs it any more its wooden prop, and therefore
now the Fire may be put thereto, and it may be burnt. And thus have
you a vault or arch prepared, which is a most commodious instrument to
make a quantity of Salt-petre by: And now if occasion require, and the
condition of the place will permit, there may be built or made three
or four arches after the same manner; though it be better to have them
placed one by another, and to be of less magnitude or capaciousness;
for so they are more convenient for Operation, as any one that
practiseth hereabouts will easily apprehend and find.
Likewise it is better to build this arched Vault which we have called
an Arch, long and narrow, than short and broad, because the Fire
being put under one part of such a long Chimney-like Vault, will very
well diffuse its heat to every place thereof, and so keep the arch
continually hot.
When this Chimney like vault is wholly dry, it must be again moistned
with Mans or Beasts Piss, that it may thence contract more new
humidity, which we observe will easily be, seeing we know that it is
made up of Horse or Cows-dung, and not barely of Lime, for then it
would not so readily and easily receive the humidity, as when Dung
is mixt with it; the wetted Chimney-arch must be dried by the force
of Fire put thereunder, the which may also be a little augmented
proportionable to the bigness and thickness of the vault or arch.
NB. You must take good heed, that the fire you put under be not too
much augmented, and so hurt your arches, but let it always be such as
may suffice to dry your arch by little and little, or else the Dung
will be burnt up, and the already generated Salt-petre will be spoiled,
for the Fire can easily endamage the Petre.
But now when we shall have often thus moistned the said arches with
Piss, and shall take notice that they (_viz._ the arches) do attract
no more thereof (_viz._ of the Piss) as being already filled with the
Salt of the Urine, the which may be done in some four or six Weeks
time, there must be little bits broken off with an Iron Instrument in
several places of the arch, and these bits must be powdered and be
dissolved in Water so to make a Lixivium of it, be filtred, and after a
due evaporation made, must be Chrystallized and dried; the dried Salt
matter must be put upon the Fire to see if it will flame or not: If we
shall find it thus to be and to burn like Salt-petre, we must break
down all the arch, and by the help of a certain Mill, reduce it into
powder very fine, and pour hot Water thereupon, to extract the Lixivium
with, then evaporate it as much as is convenient, and set it by in a
cool place to Chrystallize; this artifice of Boiling and Chrystallising
shall be declared in proper Figures or Cuts in the end of this Work.
But now if so be we perceive that the Salt extracted out of those
little bits of the arch do not as yet flame up, ’tis a sign that it is
not as yet sufficiently animated by the air: For the air gives life,
which the Fire strongly attracteth, so that by the help of the Fire
the air and life are attracted, whereby the Salt is animated and made
inflammable. The Fire therefore here, is to be again administred (or
put under) and the arched matter to be continually moistned with Rain
water; and that Rain water is best, which (if it may be had) falls down
when the Wind is in the North; though when there is no Rain water to
be had, other water may be substituted in its stead. This pouring on
of water is to be so long continued (always, permitting the Furnace or
Arch to be rightly dried afore it be sprinkled with new water) untill
the Salt, sticking in the arch, be found to be sufficiently animated by
the benefit of the fire and air, and be inflammable when you make trial
thereof by the aforesaid method.
This is a compendious way of making good Salt-petre in quantity enough,
by only Lime, Wood-ashes, and Mans or Beasts Piss. If you proceed
rightly on, you may get you a great quantity of Salt-petre in a most
short space of time, and that for small costs, & in a manner no labour
at all. The Lime and Ashes from whence the Petre is extracted, may be
mixed again with new lime and new ashes, and other arched vaults be
made thereof, upon which Urine must be continually poured in like
manner as we taught afore, that so they may be animated by the help of
fire and air into Salt-petre. But if you have always at hand new Calx,
or Lime and ashes, it is better to make new arches, thereof in the
place of those you have pulled down, and to imploy the residue of that,
out of which the Salt-petre hath been already extracted about dunging
some barren Soil, especially the moister sort of Ground, because it is
impossible so thoroughly to separate all the Salt that nothing abides
behind in the reliques.
This way I communicate to all, but I reserve for my Friends only the
way by which, with the help of other Waters that cost nothing, and may
be had in every place, a far greater quantity of Salt-petre may in a
yet shorter time be prepared by the said arches, than is done by the
help of Mans or Beasts Urine. Nay more, there are some waters which in
eight days time, we have observed to have been coagulated into burning
Salt-petre, which secret verily may be practically improved with most
notable benefit in all parts of the World that Men live in.
Besides the subjects already mentioned, here offer themselves to our
Hands many others which are obvious to all, of which such arches may
be made, and which will yield more Salt-petre than the afore recited
matters will; but let what has already been delivered, suffice. I
cannot here forbear, but must tell you that there are some subjects to
be found which (without the making the aforesaid arches, though there
lie notwithstanding abundance of secrets therein) will bring a most
notable benefit, and that belong not to this place, and which may be
changed in three hours space into excellent Petre; which labour (or
operation) I keep for my Friends, and should it be divulged, it would
bring nothing but hurt, and therefore it is better to be silent: There
shall more secrets be delivered in the following discourse, where we
speak of the Northern Monarche.
_Here follows another way of plentifully extracting =Salt-petre=
out of Rocks and Stones without Vegetables or Animals._
To the intent therefore that it may be sufficiently evidenced, and
that I may prove it to be true, that Salt-petre is an universal Salt
or Subject, and is consequently contained in all the things the World
possesseth, I judge it a thing worth while to set down here some proofs
or trials thereto accommodated.
It hath been sufficiently enough already shown in the first part of the
_Prosperity of Germany_, that good Salt-petre may by Art be extracted
out of all the subjects of the World: But the way of so doing was not
at all disclosed. For as much therefore as all Men do so greedily
desire it, I determined with my self to describe first of all, the
Presses requisite to the extraction of Salt-petre out of Wood, to the
end that so it may evidently appear unto all Men, that it is a thing
agreeable to nature, and that it is most easily accomplishable, to
press a juice out of any Wood, which may be turned by the air into
good Salt-petre. But as for the circulatory Vessels, I was not willing
(then) to communicate them, but rather kept them a little longer for
my Friends, which said Vessels I have notwithstanding set down in this
Third Part.
Likewise it seemed not expedient unto me to reveal unto such as are
enemies, the transformation (or changing) of Animals, much less of
Minerals into Salt-petre. Yet however I have done so much by my
Manuduction, as for any wise Men easily to understand the same by what
hath been exhibited, and I have in some sort opened it, that such
things are possible to be done. But I have not so clearly shown the
way of effecting the same, least I should take away the occasion of
other Mens exercising their ingenuity in bethinking themselves how it
is to be done: Otherwise, it is not prohibited any one to seek a fuller
information, from those that have knowledge in these affairs.
Therefore forasmuch as the way of extracting Salt-petre out of Stones,
is look’d on as a most impossible thing by such as are not skill’d in
this Art, I have determined to describe the same, for the sake and
benefit of such as succeed us; The knack of this Artifice consisteth
more in the knowing of the Stones, than in the extracting of the
Salt-petre out of them, for the extraction is not any other way to be
done, than as the making of their Lee out of the common Nitrous Earth
is wont to be, concerning which thing, _Lazarus Ercker_ hath written at
large. The knowledge therefore of the Stones, and the preparation of
them whereby they may communicate (or let go) their Nitre unto Water,
is the principal thing, and without that, there cannot be any thing
done in this Operation.
First of all therefore ’tis necessary that the lover of Chymistry
knows, that there are various Stones to be found that yield Salt-petre,
_viz._ all such Stones of which (being commonly calcined by the force
of the fire) they make Lime for to build houses withal. For there lies
hidden in these kind of Stones, abundance of Salt-petre, which cannot
be gotten out thence by the help of common Water by any kind of way or
method: But when they are burnt with a violent Fire, they yield an hot
Salt, extractable by the benefit of common water; which Salt indeed
is not Salt-petre, but yet may most easily be turned by the air into
Petre, like as it was formerly Salt-petre afore the Stone was burnt,
and now first got another nature by the burning.
The truth of this thing, _viz._ That there resides natural Salt-petre
in all Stones, which may be burnt into Lime, may be proved on this wise
following:
Take of these Stones which Lime may be made of, ℥ _ss._ or ℥ _j._
powder it very fine, pour thereupon as much of the best _Aqua-fortis_:
Place the Glass in which this matter is contained, in a warm place upon
ashes or sand, that the stone may be dissolved in the _Aqua-fortis_:
After it hath thus stood for about one quarter of an hour, take out
your Glass out of the ashes or sand, though the stone be not wholly
dissolved as yet, and pour thereon drop by drop, some Lixivium of wood,
untill the ebullition of the Lee or Lixivium poured upon the dissolved
stone ceaseth, and (the noise ceasing) you shall perceive some kind of
Salt produced from them thus commixt, _viz._ from the dissolved stone
and the Lixivium. Pour some common Water upon this Salt, so much as
may serve to dissolve the Salt in a warm place, the solution being
made let the Liquor be filtred, or be strained through some thin Linen
cloth, that so the part of the stone undissolved, and the fæces may
abide behind in the Filter or Linen cloth: The filtred Liquor must be
coagulated into Salt by evaporating it away in a brass Vessel, then you
are to weigh it: And now that we may exactly know, how much Salt-petre
was in that ℥ _ss._ of the stone, you must proceed on farther thus:
Take the same quantity of _Aqua-fortis_ as you used but now, about the
solution of the Lime-stone, and pour thereon likewise the same quantity
of Lixivium, that you used about the precipitation of the dissolved
stone, and let there be made a precipitation, let the precipitated
matter be coagulated into the substance of a salt, and then also weigh
how much this quantity of salt is: and now, as much less weight, as
you observe to be in this salt than in the first Salt in which the
Lime-stone is, so much Salt-petre was there in that half ounce of
Lime-stone. This is a most certain trial, and by this means may we most
easily find how many pounds of Salt-petre, are contained in an hundred
weight of stones.
NB. To the end that the proof you make, may be most certain, we must
use the lesser Centenary, or hundred weight, as being more usual, and
more accommodate for the trying of Metals.
And albeit, that the using of Aqua-fortis to this Operation, is
altogether without profit, where you would extract that salt in great
plenty out of the stones, yet notwithstanding, it is not so slight or
trivial a thing to know a certain way of trying what stones do most
abound with Salt-petre, that so if we have a mind to extract Salt-petre
out of them, we may take those, in which it lies in a plentiful manner.
Besides, those stones which do commonly yield a Calx or Lime by
Calcination, and which the Bricklayers use; there are found other
stones, out of which there cannot be made any Lime by Calcination,
and yet nevertheless, abundance of Salt-petre may be thence extracted
without any previous Calcination. He that delights himself in this
work, must exactly know aforehand such kind of stones: Forasmuch as
no body would easily perswade himself that Salt-petre is contained in
them. Nor do I think that ever afore this time the way of extracting
Salt-petre out of these kinds of stones was used; but whether there
was no body that knew that there was Such a Salt contained in them,
or judged it a thing not to be regarded, this I know not. But this I
know well enough that that way of extracting Salt-petre out of them was
never observed and used in _Germany_, though there lies a most notable
quantity of Petre in them, and easily extractable thence, did we but
know the way.
Therefore, forasmuch as there is plenty enough of such stones in all
places, and that Salt-petre may easilier be made of them, than of wood,
I could not forbear, but must needs open and disclose this artifice for
the good of the Country, and clearly explain it in this place.
Therefore, as concerning those stones which are here mentioned, there
is such a plentiful store of them in most places, that they even make
whole Mountains; they are in substance like a soft and tender stone,
whitish in colour, [or of a shining colour] ashy colour’d or reddish,
and are easily broken, and may be fashioned into all kind of shapes, or
figures; and therefore they are frequently used about building Houses,
for the making various Ornaments about the House, as for the corners
of the Houses, the Doors, Windows, Steps or Stairs, or other External
Ornaments. As long as they are yet in the Mountain, and not exposed to
the air, they are of a considerable hardness enough, and do always hold
it. When being used about Buildings, they are put in such places, where
they may abide at all times dry, or else always moist.
But if so be they are one while dry, and another while moist, and
are always obvious to the air [or weather] they easily become soft,
and there scales off from them yearly, a little portion of the back
of a Knifes thickness, like Meal, so that they are yearly lessen’d,
and are not at all fit to build stable, or durable Houses with. The
Stone-Cutters can easily distinguish these kind of stones from others,
nor do they willingly use them where there is plenty of others to be
had. And now, if you should go about to make your trial with these
stones, like as you did with those that they make Lime of, according to
the afore delivered Probation, so to know what quantity of Salt-petre
is contained in them, it will not succeed so, because the Salt-petre
becomes Volatile in the Calcination of it, and doth for the most part
fly away into the air: and much less can you with [bare] water extract
ought out of the Crude, and not Calcined stones; for such do not yield
any Salt-petre at all, unless they have been placed in a moist air
for about half a years space, whereby they may of themselves fall in
pieces; for being so ordered, they easily yield forth their saltness
to the water that is poured on them, and consequently yield plenty
of Salt-petre. Of which thing, this is a most certain Testimony, if
(_viz._) such stones are laid in some dry place, whereto the Rain
cannot come, and we do most frequently sprinkle them with common water,
and they do thereby turn into a powder. And if it fall out otherwise,
’tis a sign that there is very little Salt-petre to be found in them,
and that the labour you shall bestow about them will be in vain. But
such stones as grow soft, and fall in pieces, in six or eight Months
time, do promise notable Rewards for your Labour, _viz._ a great
quantity of the wisht for salt; an hundred weight of these kind of
stones thus fallen in pieces, will easily yield you ten pound of
Salt-petre, more or less according to the Condition of the stone. The
extracting of the Lee, or salt, is done with common water, in the same
manner as the Lixivium is otherwise extracted out of that Earth which
is digg’d up in the Stables where Beasts stand; which way of extracting
Salt-petre, of coagulating and perfecting it, is clearly and perfectly
enough described by _Lazarus Ercker_, heretofore the Emperours chief
Overseer of the Metallick Affairs, in his most experienced Book of
his Art of the proving of Metals; insomuch, that I esteem him to have
rendred the hardest, or most difficult part, very clear, and therefore
I will referr the well minded Reader thither.
But for as much as every one cannot buy himself a Book of such great
bulk, only to get thereby the knowledge of the way of extracting and
evaporating Salt-petre, I have judged it worth while to set down here
for the sake of the Chymical Students, such directions as the aforesaid
_Lazarus Ercker_ hath delivered us hereabouts. For I was never of the
mind to cast off such things as have been well delivered by other men;
I only add unto them, those things that are mine: Let others do the
like, that are the Authors of any new thing, that so there may arise
some benefit thereby unto our Neighbours, for whose sake, that we may
(_viz._) serve them, the most great and blessed God hath bestowed on us
such various knowledge.
But that we may get a certain knowledge of distinguishing the said
stones, I think it altogether necessary to treat of them more at large.
Therefore although this kind of stones are plentifully enough, to be
found every where in the World, yet they are not known, or regarded,
because we cannot perswade our selves, that there is any the least
portion of Salt-petre contained in them; for albeit, that an hundred
pounds of such stone should contain in it ten pound of Salt-petre, and
we should reduce the same into a most subtile powder, and should labour
to extract from thence a Lixivium or Lee, with either cold or hot
water, yet should we not hereby get so much as one Ounce of Salt-petre.
The reason is this, because there is not to be found in such a stone as
soon as ever it is digged out of the earth, any Corporal Salt-petre,
which may be extracted by means of water, but there lies hidden only
a certain Soul or Magnet of Salt-petre, by the virtue of which, that
which gives a Corporeity thereunto is to be first attracted out of
the air, to the end that Salt-petre may arise thencefrom. And this is
hereby evident, for were it otherwise, and were there in that stone any
Corporeal Petre at the first digging, it must necessarily be extracted
thencefrom by the help of water; but we find it impossible to make any
such extraction, unless that stone be before laid for some certain time
in the air, and doth, together with its softness, acquire (or make)
Salt-petre in a Magnetical manner.
But for all this, we know that this our reason so exceedingly well
founded, will not yet satisfie the unskilful, unless we make it yet
more clear unto them with other Expressions, and various Examples; but
I pray how is it possible to declare all such Circumstances to one that
is utterly ignorant. ’Tis too much labour to boil Meat for another, and
to thrust it into his Mouth too. It is surely sufficient enough to have
shown the truth, and discovered the way by which the operation is to be
contrived, though all things be not founded on such palpable Reasons.
But forasmuch, as the work, which I treat at present of, is an
altogether new thing, and unknown to any men, the necessity of the
thing requires, that we do a little more openly and clearly exhibit
(and set down) the whole knack.
We presuppose, that it is a thing well known already, even to all,
that each thing hath in it its peculiar magnet, by the benefit of
which, it attracteth unto it self from the air, or earth, whatsoever
is profitable for it; and especially, because we have largely treated
thereof in our Works; insomuch, that we deem it altogether needless
to repeat the same here. However ’tis requisite that I add thus much,
_viz._ That the Minerals do abound with a certain Magnetick Virtue,
more than other things do; and that they do attract their Life, Figure,
or Shape, and Essence, out of the air, like as the Animals do, that so
they may be nourished, and encrease; but being destitute, or deprived
thereof, they are observed to be as it were dead, and bound, or wholly
void of vigor.
As for Example. Let the Minera, or Ore of Vitriol, or Alum, be digg’d
out of the Earth, that the Vitriol, or Alum in this Minera, be already
duly digested and ripened, the salt may even presently be extracted
thereout of, with common water. But if they have not as yet attained
their full maturity, there is no salt extracted thence, unless the
Minera be first torrified, or calcined. Nay more, a Minera, or Ore,
that is yet less ripe, will not yield any Salt, neither by the force of
the fire, nor without it; but must be yet farther exposed to the air
for some time, that so it may first attract that out of the air, that
is requisite to make Vitriol or Alum of, and thus (these things being
first done) the Alum, or Vitriol, is most easily gotten thereout of, by
a convenient Extraction and Evaporation.
We made mention in the second part of the _Philosophical Furnaces_,
of a certain Minera, or Ore of Vitriol, which is plentifully found at
[_Herckeroda_ in _Hassia_] sticking in that Earth, which in that place
they make their Crucibles or Pots, in great quantity with; and we
shewed a way of making a red and sweet Oil of Vitriol thereof, yet with
this Caution, _viz._ That we shall not have from the said Minera, not
the least portion at all of this Oil, if we do not expose it, broken
in bits, to the cold air, for half a year, that so it may fall into
powder. Such as have heeded this going to work, have made thereof amost
sweet Oil; but such as have neglected the doing this, which I published
out of a sincere heart, and have reduced the said Mineral into fine
powder, and laboured to extract a salt thencefrom, by boiling it in
simple water, bestowed their labour in vain, because of their refusing
to expose that Minera for a while to the air, and they received not
so much as one Grane of Vitriol; and thereupon they took occasion to
slander me, and to accuse me of Lying.
But now, when they have observed that this Mineral that they cast
away, being exposed to the air, had attracted therefrom a salt by its
Magnetick Virtue, when it had lain so long as to mould into powder of
its own accord, and that thereout of a Vitriol doth proceed, they were
enforced to believe that there lay hidden some Vitriol in those stones;
which notwithstanding, could not be extracted by means of water, and
so they have afterward publickly confessed, that what they afore
gainsay’d, or oppos’d, was agreeable to the truth.
Thus likewise, there are various sorts of Copper (Ores) endued with an
attractive power, and upon that account, there cannot be separated any
Metal, by fusion, when it is first taken out of the Earth, unless we
have first exposed it for some Months unto the Air.
Every Nitrous Earth, out of which Salt-petre hath already been
extracted, doth (when it is again exposed to the air) attract
Salt-petre anew, and this we observe to happen in all Wood-ashes, but
especially in Lime-stones Calcined; for, it attracteth more salt out
of the air, than its weight was afore its being Calcined. For, at the
first time, you will scarce get _ij._ or _iij._ ℔. of salt out of
a centenary, or hundred weight; now by how much the longer it lies
exposed to the air afterwards, so much the more plenty of salt doth it
yield, as is sufficiently well known already. He that is ignorant of
that we speak, or else cannot understand it, let him make trial, and he
shall find that what we say is a truth. Such as are Ideots do extreamly
need these kind of Admonitions, that so, the business being the better
understood, we may take from them all occasion of ignorantly detracting
from my Writings.
I say again, that if the stones which we here treat of, are but well
known, though they do not at the first yield any salt, by endeavouring
to extract it with simple water, yet is there no difficulty at all
therein, nor should we at all mind that, but let them only be left in
the air for some due time, and by this means they will plentifully
enough attract, and yield us, by a convenient extraction, good
Salt-petre. The Ancients did extract Salt-petre, chiefly out of stones,
which way of Extraction is now wholly lost, or out of use. All the
_Europeans_ do now extract their Salt-petre out of the Earth of the
Stables where Beasts stand; albeit, that the very Name it self of
Salt-petre, doth declare, what matter it was first produced out of,
_viz._ out of Rocks and stones: For ’tis as much as to say, salt educed
out of Rocks.
Nay, even to this day there is Salt-petre extracted out of Rocks in
the _East-Indies_, the which they transport thence in Ships into our
Lands: Our Commonwealth of _Amsterdam_ only doth yearly receive some
thousands of hundreds of that Salt, which is extracted out of the bare
Rocks without the addition of any other thing; I wonder what the reason
is, that, that way of extracting is unknown to us _Germans_; surely I
impute it meerly to the want of skill to manage this business.
Thus therefore do we think we have sufficiently declared that Nitre may
in very deed be extracted out of stones; and that so clearly that I
cannot see what reason any have to misbelieve my words.
But now that the certainty of the thing may be the more apparent, and
that no body may think it a fable, that Salt-petre may be extracted
out of stones, we will shew some places in which Salt-Petre lies in
the stones in a most plenteous manner: And although that there are
sundry such places that offer themselves unto us, where the stones
contain Salt-petre in them, we will demonstrate the verity of this in
those places we have lived in, for ’tis impossible for us expresly
to pronounce such or such a Mountain in this or that Country full of
Salt-Petre, which places we never saw. ’Tis not given us to search all
places of the Earth, but such places as we have seen and come to, we
have left but few things in them untoucht, whose nature we have not
throughly examined.
Therefore for Examples sake, we will take some part out of our own
Country, and exhibit or shew unto all Men, those stones which are
therein found to participate of Salt-petre, any one that is studious
in these affairs may do the same in other places, and make a diligent
inquiry into them, and he will find that almost all Mountains are
filled therewith, and yet is known to none or at least-wise to but
a very few. In _Francia_, (or _Franconia_) and indeed at _Kitzing_
where I dwelt before I came to _Holland_, I often went into the Field
in clear weather, with an intent to search out Minerals, and although
that sundry Men ignorant of (such) businesses, do report that there
are not any Minerals at all to be found in _Franconia_, and that never
any Veins of Gold or any other Metal have been found there, because
all the Inhabitants do live contentedly with the plentiful provenue of
Wine and Corn; nor do they labour about finding out any other Treasures
(for there is not any Country in all _Germany_ in which is gathered
more abundance of Wine, and of a better sort, than in _Franconia_
aforesaid; which gathering of Wine is to be accompted to the _Franks_
or _Franconians_ instead of Mine-pits, and yield them imployment
enough) yet nevertheless forasmuch as my mind was ever bent that way,
and I was naturally inclined to search very inwardly into those things
which offer themselves unto us, amongst the wonderful works of the most
great and glorious God, I could not omit the visiting such places,
which seemed to all Men as unfit for bringing forth Minerals, and
which were judged to be clearly void of the same, as being willing to
try whether or no some things that others knew not of might not offer
themselves unto me. Nor was my hopes in vain, for I found far more than
my expectation was, and if necessity required I could shew those very
places.
But forasmuch as I have proposed to my self, here to shew such places
only in which Salt-petre may be plentifully made, I will at this time
pass by the other Minerals in silence: Yet so, as not wholly to leave
such things, as offer themselves in the way, untoucht. I will therefore
take in hand some part of the _Rhine_, which is between _Kitzing_ and
_Aschaffenberg_, and will very briefly (for my purpose is not to write
a Chronicle) shew what treasures the most Great and Blessed GOD hath
vouchsafed unto those places, besides Wine and Corn so plentifully
abounding there.
_Kitzing_ is an Eminent I own and well built, belongs to the Bishoprick
of _Wurtsburg_, and is founded upon Lime-stone, and therefore the soil
is very fruitful; and yields Wine and Corn in abundance. But as soon as
ever we are past over the Bridge of the _Mhene_, the Earth begins to be
sandy, and has abundance of Flints in it, which contain in them some
Gold as well as Iron. The manner of extracting it is described in the
second Part of the _Prosperity of Germany_, and is confirmed in this
third Part.
About a mile distance opposite to the said City is situated an high
Mountain, very full of huge Trees, in this Mountain are various
Castles (or Houses) the chief of which is the _Cossel_ Castle, which
is the House belonging by succession to the Lords of the County _de
Cossel_: At the bottom of the Mountain there is a Village of the same
name, belonging to the said Castle (or Palace.) In this Village there
are abundance of Springs, the Waters of most of them I have often
times tasted, and have perceived them to be mightily impregnated with
Salt-petre, insomuch that the Beasts do altogether shun the drinking of
them, much less can Men use them about the boiling of their Victuals:
Yet some of them yield sweet water very fit for domestick affairs.
These Nitrous Fountains are of no use, nor do they effect ought, save
that they drive some Mills, and run through the Village a particular
way afore they fall into the _Mhene_.
And forasmuch as the aforesaid Earls have known that the chief part (or
most part) of the said Fountains are wholesome by reason of the plenty
of Salt-petre in them; they have therefore taken care to have a great
House built, that so the place may be rendred commodious for those that
by reason of some disease should come unto this place for the sake of
washing their sick bodies; and there are abundance known to come, that
are ill, in the Summer time, from places far remote; several of them
too by a due using this Bath are restored to their former health.
They know not any other use of these nitrous Fountains than what is
aforesaid; whereas if they did but know how to add some Virtues to the
said waters by the benefit of the Juice of the wood, of which there is
great store in that place, they would find by the use of them then,
many wonderful effects in the curing of Diseases.
Being therefore earnestly intent upon the search hereof, _viz._ from
whence these nitrous Waters should chiefly proceed, I found that the
Mountain nigh that place, extending it self for some miles, was every
where full of Salt-petre, and that it stuck in the Rocks themselves,
out of which whatsoever is on the Mountain grew. I did therefore
diligently search out, what condition those Stones were of, which
the workmen dig’d out in these places, and I knew that there was a
great quantity of Salt petre contained in them, insomuch, that as
many Mountains as here (abouts) seem to be replenished with the same:
Nay more, if you shall break one or two of those Stones with which
the Houses of the Village of _Cossel_ are built, you shall find every
where in them abundance of Salt-petre. I went to visit the place it
self where those Stones are digged out, but found not any Salt-petre
among the digging, because the Air had not as yet displaied its Virtues
thereupon: But I observed that in those stones exposed a while to the
Air, there was plenty of Salt-petre. He that would see it with his own
Eyes, let him go into any House of the _Cossel_ Village, whose Walls
are of ancient standing, and he shall find that there is abundance of
Salt-petre in those stones, and withal, that the Pillars belonging
to the Bath-house do yearly wax less, for as much as scalings of the
thickness of the back of a Knife do still fall off, by the power of the
separated Salt-petre, as I have often very accurately and curiously
observed. If the Earls or Counts did but know the true use of this
excellent and o cult Treasure, they would get far greater riches out of
that bare Mountain only than by all the County. I doubt not but that
seeing I have in this place detected this Treasure, there will some be
found that will labour for their own profits sake to find it out.
Not far off from the said Mountain the whole Earth abounds with Iron,
not in the form of Veins but of Reins, insomuch that the Metal of Iron
offers it self in various particles or pieces of diverse magnitudes;
for in some places it is found as big as an Hazle-nut, or an Acorn; in
other places as big as an Egg, or ones Fist, yea and as big sometimes
as ones Head, which by the force of the Fire is made facile and yields
abundance of Iron; nor did I ever yet meet with any Metal of that sort
more excellent than that is, but no body knows it, though it may be
commodiously prepared or fitted for the use of Man, because there is
in this place plenty enough of Wood and Water to be had [for such a
purpose.]
This Mountain stretcheth out it self some miles, reaching as far as
_Iphovia_, and the jurisdiction of the City of _Wurtzburg_; so that
the chiefest and greatest part thereof is seated in the Bishoprick of
_Wurtzburg_: And therefore might immense and vast Treasures be gotten,
were there but such as were lovers of Art and would make themselves
skill’d in the Operation.
Besides, this Mountain yields abundance of white and red Gypsum, which
may be reduced to an exceeding whiteness by the force of the Fire.
Besides this too, we have known Marble and Alabaster digg’d out hence,
and yet it has not been very durable, for it becomes nitrous after it
hath lain exposed a while to the Air, and falls to powder, and yields
plenty of Salt-petre, were it but rightly managed, for there’s no want
of Wood here.
There is yet moreover found in the said Mountain another Castle which
is called _Swansburg_, and belongs to the Bishoprick of _Wurtzburg_,
where the Soldiers did heretofore use the Metallick Rods, to search
after, and to see if they could find (by the using them) some
Treasures; and they tried whether or no (the Castle being burnt by the
occasion of the War) any such Treasures lay any where hidden. What
they found I do not yet know: But this I know, that the said Rods did
shew good Metal to be every where (thereabouts) The which thing gave
occasion of explaining or unfolding the said matter in its proper
places. Besides this, they digged up nothing else but such nitrous
stones for some fathoms depth. I once viewed this place, and found
that the stones extracted some years afore out of this Mountain were
altogether brittle, and is a manifest token that the whole Mountain is
fill’d with Salt-petre.
There is besides this Mountain, another nitrous one that I know of,
of the like condition in the mid-way ’twixt _Kitzing_ and _Wernfeld_
(and is about a miles distance from _Carlstadt_) but that which is here
had, differs from the former in this, _viz._ that the stones which it
exhibits are of a red colour, nor are they so much impregnated with
Salt-petre, as those of _Kitzing_ aforesaid, for they are richer in
Petre, and are of a more ashy colour.
There are likewise such kind of stones also that they cut or dig forth
at the _Mhene_ near the City _Rotenfeldt_, but they have not in them
so much Salt-petre as those have that are found in the _Cossel_ and
_Swansburg_ Mountain.
There’s abundance of such stones in several places in _France_, but my
purpose is not to mention them all, for I was minded to mention such
only as my self have seen, and that are near bordering upon the _Mhene_.
They that have a mind to deal with them may make their search, and they
will find in all Countrys of the Earth fit stones for their purpose,
the which we may hereby know, if being kept a while in the Air, they
wax soft, and scale off in most thin leaves, and there sticks to your
Fingers in rubbing them off, a reddish Meal.
Besides this too, you may have a most certain sign of such Petry places
by those Spiders that have a small body and round, and long feet, for
they stick to those stones in abundant measure: For such Spiders do not
feed upon hearbs, grass, flies or other insects, but on old Walls, and
they seat themselves chiefest of all on those aforesaid stones. They
are not all venemous as the common house Spiders are, and therefore the
Children do gather them, and are much delighted with them. Now they
sticking on to the softer sandish stones do most certainly demonstrate
that Salt-petre is contained in them; for tis that which they are
nourished with, and conserve their life by, and this I was willing to
signify unto you. But put case that no such nitrous stones were to be
found, yet however there is not the opportunity denied us of making
Salt-petre of the common Lime-making stones, and of them there is every
where plenty enough, if they are calcined by the benefit of Wood, and
made nitrous with the juice of wood.
What shall I say of the Calcined fæces of _Tartar_ which are yearly
gathered up and thrown away in vast quantities, in all that tract which
lies on the River _Mhene_, between _Bamberg_ and _Franckfort_, whereas
notwithstanding some hundreds of hundreds weight of Salt-petre might
be extracted thence-from, did they but mind it. For whatsoever Tartar
is therein contained, is all of it Salt-petre when ’tis duly boiled
with a Lixivium of Lime, and being hence strained, and a sufficient
evaporation made, it be set by to Chrystallize. For it attracts the
soul after a magnetick manner, which Operation if rightly instituted,
there may be prepared thence from a most inflammable nitre in three
days space, the which is likewise of far greater profit than the
getting out the Tartar by the help of a Press, and with a great deal of
labour; or else than the making Potashes, as we see usually done.
Besides too, there are found other stones that being burnt do yield
abundance of Salt-petre, such as are the Tophi (or soft sandy stones)
which may be abundantly gathered near _Triefelstein_, which is a
Monastery situate on the _Mhene_, in other places of _Germany_ they
make even whole Mountains: So that it is evident that there is no where
any want of convenient matter to gather Salt-petre from, if Men would
but set their hands to the work. These stones are obvious unto all; and
who knows what Treasures the Woods (which we do not at all search into)
abound withal? Would time permit me I could shew that various kinds of
Metals are conserved in the Mountains situate between _Kitzing_ and
_Franckfort_, and especially in the _Speshardensine_ (Mountain,) the
disclosing of which, some other more commodious place will admit of.
Now follows what we mentioned of the aforesaid
LAZARUS ERCKER.
_Of the manner of Boiling =Salt-petre=._
AND FIRST
_By what means a Lixivium is to be made out of a Nitrous Earth_.
If you are minded to make a Lixivium of such an Earth, dig it as deep
as you shall find by proving it to be either good or naught, especially
if you intend to make it in great quantity, and keep it in a dry place.
Then take care to have some great wooden Tubs, or Vessels made, so
large, that each of them may hold about some ten Wheel-barrows full
of the Earth, and whereby you may be able to prepare Lixivium enough,
answerable to the work you have proposed to your self to do, and to
the bigness of your Copper. Now there are commonly required for such a
work, to one Copper Pan that weighs two hundred weight, eight Wooden
Vessels which are to be placed in such order, that on each side there
may stand four in a row, opposite to each other. These same Tubs are to
be so far distant from the next Collateral Vessels, as is requisite for
the Wheel-Barrow wherein the Earth is brought to come between: Yea, and
it is necessary that there be half an Ell’s space betwixt the said Tubs
and the Earth, or Ground, it self, whereon they are placed. Likewise,
each of the Vessels, or Tubs, must have a hole in the fore-part, and
towards the bottom thereof, fit to put in a Plug (or Tap) at: Then
finally, there must be put under those Plugs, a long Vessel like a
Channel-pipe, which may receive in it the Lixivium running out of the
Tubs, and may guide it along into a peculiar Wooden Vessel, as into
a common Store-house set in the Earth hollowed for that purpose, to
receive the said Lee in.
All your Tubs being thus rightly ordered, put in upon every Tubs bottom
another (false) wooden bottom, perforated with many Holes, and let it
lie two Fingers breadth distant from the true bottom: Upon this (false)
bottom lay yet another made of Bull-rushes, or your small sort of Reeds
which grow plentifully in Ditches about the thickness of a quarter
of an Ell: In want of these Reeds throw in upon the aforementioned
perforated bottom, the quantity of a Span (thick) of Chopt Hay, or
Straw, laying some very thin boards thereon, that so it may not be
scattered (or float) abroad. And your Vessels are made compleatly ready.
Now then, put of the Earth you have already tried and gathered, as much
into each of your Tubs, as they can hold, yet with this Caution, That
the top part of your Vessel be empty a Spans heighth. And observe this,
that if you can get some old ashes of the Curriers, or Soap-boilers,
as much of it as two or three Wheel-barrows will carry, it must be put
in upon the topmost (made) bottom of the Tub, afore the Earth, but
now spoken of, be put in. At the top of the earth, lay a Cover made of
Twigs, (or Withes) and fasten it with a wooden stick at the top of the
earth. This done, pour common water upon the earth contained in the
Vessel, an Hands breadth in heighth, so as that it may rather touch (or
be poured) on the Twigs, than the Earth it self, least the said earth
become unequal thereby, and hollowed in several places. Let it stand
thus for eight hours, which time being overpast, draw your Plug out,
and let the water you poured on, run out at the hole beneath, which as
long as it is muddy, you must always pour in again into the Vessel,
repeating this so often, till it comes out clear, then keep it, and
this water is called a weak Lee or Lixivium.
This done, pour common water again upon the earth from which the Lee
hath been already, once separated, that so it may extract the residue
of the Lixivium out of the earth; and this Lee is of no use, save that
it may be poured on upon new earth, instead of simple water; for it
oftentimes doth even yet contain a great deal of Nitre, insomuch, that
you may sometimes extract out of an hundred weight thereof, three or
four pound of Nitre.
This Extraction being finished, take out the unprofitable earth out
of the Vessel, and put in new; and continue the Operation, after the
aforesaid manner, reiterating it so long, and so often, until you have
gotten store enough of the Lixivium, that the work of boiling be not
intermitted for want of Lixivium.
Besides, there must be some Wooden Vessel placed at the upper part
of the Copper which this Lixivium is boiled in, out of which may run
so much Lixivium into the Copper as is wasted away by boiling, that
so there may be still kept the same order of boiling, and the same
quantity of Lixivium in the Copper. This boiling is to be on this wise
continued, until a Centenary, or hundred weight of Lixivium in the
Copper, yields according to the less assay (or weight) twenty five
pounds of Nitre; and this may be done in two Days, and one Night.
This being thus done, you must have ready yet two Tubs, or Vessels
(more) of Wood, made after the afore prescribed manner, and furnished
with a (false) perforated wooden bottom, besides its own bottom, and
likewise with such a bottom as is made of Reeds (or Bull rushes);
only you are to observe this here; That there must be put yet another
perforated wooden bottom upon this topmost bottom of Reeds, upon which
there must be first cast in some chop’d Straw, then some Ashes of Firr,
Beach, or any other Tree, so much in quantity as may overtop the Straw
an Ell or Cubit, [_Ulna_] high; or rather (if it may be had for a very
mean price) as much as may fill the Tubs, or Vessels. But yet, these
Ashes are not to be just simply thrown in (as they are) upon the Straw,
but afore this is done, they must be first well mixt together, then
moistened with some of the best hot Lixivium, that there may be made
a Mass. Then when the Ashes are on this wise prepared, and put in the
Vessel, the Lixivium boil’d to its heighth, and which yields in the
proof twenty five pound, must be poured thereon, as hot as possibly it
may, and is to be often drawn off by the lower hole, until (if troubled
or muddy) it becomes clear.
After that all the Lee hath thus passed through the Ashes of both
Tubs (the which is done upon this account, That all its fatness may
pass into (or be left with) the Ashes, which Ashes are hereby rendred
stronger to wash withal) keep it in a peculiar Vessel.
Then pour the common Lee or Lixivium upon the Ashes remaining in the
Tubs, which when it hath passed through the Ashes, is called the second
stronger Lixivium: Then again pour on yet a third time, hot Lixivium,
and when ’tis drawn off, it is called the second weaker Lixivium:
Lastly, the common Lee, or Lixivium, may be poured on cold upon the
Ashes, that so all the virtue of the same may be wholly extracted.
* * * * *
The Figure before going (_Numb. 1._) will shew you the way of placing
the Tubs, of preparing the Lixivium, and ordering the boiling.
A _Are the eight Wooden Tubs, wherein the earth is put_.
B _Channels, or Conveyances, by which the water runs into the said
Tubs._
C _Channels, or Gutters, by which the Lixivium is conveyed into a
Vessel set thereunder._