If we would go the nearest way to work with niter to extract its
soul, then the gross niter is first to be mundified by distillation,
then afterwards out of this purged body is the most pure part to be
extracted by a convenient magnet, and the gross fœces to be removed;
and this most pure soul to be brought by concentration and fixation to
the utmost degree of perfection and dignity.
And albeit I could here set down in more clear expressions, the manner
of extracting it, yet I am not so minded to do because of the unworthy.
Let this manuduction suffice, whereby is shown what means it is to
be done by, _viz._ by some magnet attracting to it self its like by
a magnetick operation. I can at all times exhibit such a yellow gold
like soul of niter, and use it in the sicknesses of my neighbour. But,
enough as touching these matters, we shall be more large concerning
them, in the following Centuries.
XCVI. _How the moist and cold fire of niter is to be so ordered as
to yield its visible flame._
Put some ounces of our con-centrated and moist fire of niter in a
glass, and pour thereupon drop by drop a sharp _Lixivium_ made of Wood
ashes, or rather of fixed niter, and keep pouring on so long, till all
the noise, fuming, and ebullition cease, and that the moist fire it
self be wholly allayed and slain. This done, all the corroding faculty
is taken away from that fire, which said fire doth by this operation
return to its former nature, and is changed into such a salt peter
as it was afore its being converted into a moist fire. Out of this
salt peter, being now made purer and better by so many conversions
and operations, may a new moist fire be extracted by distillation and
con-centration, which is far better and much stronger than the former.
And now if this second moist fire be again extinguished with a
_Lixivium_ of fixt niter, and be again turned into salt peter, and this
peter be by a new distillation and con-centration turned into a moist
fire, this said fire will be endued with far greater virtues: For in
every mortification and vivification it becomes one degree stronger,
nobler, and more efficacious; and so is the salt peter it self too by
those conversions and reductions exalted several degrees, and is at
length brought to that pass, that it can do more wonderfull things than
the common is wont to do; for one pound of such a salt peter being
exalted to the utmost degree of subtilty is far more efficacious than
many pounds of common salt peter, and stronger, and much excels it in
virtue. But it is not expedient that every one should know, what may be
effected with such a most subtile and most pure salt peter.
The ancient Philosophers hid the preparation and use of common salt
peter; and why should not we also hide such a salt peter exalted to the
utmost degree of subtilty, wherewith the common peter is not at all
comparable, especially in all such labours whereunto the common sort
is wont to be applied, this operates much readiler, and far better and
more effectually.
But that the truth may be clearer than the noonday, I will add one
operation of a metallick transmutation, by which it shall be clearly
evidenced unto every one what such a most subtile salt peter is able to
effect.
XCVII. _An operation shewing the manner how by the help of salt
peter promoted to the highest degree of subtilty, the superfluous
combustible sulphur of the imperfect metals may be kindled and
burnt up; even as common fire burns up wood, insomuch as nothing
will be left remaining save a little fixt salt and ashes; so
likewise in this burning up of the impure metals by our most pure
salt peter, there remains also nothing save that fixt gold and
silver which lay spiritually hidden in the metal, and is [now]
left by the combustible Scoria’s._
Every one knows that out of the common Salt Peter and Brimstone, may
Gunpowder be made; but yet short in goodness, of that which is made of
purified salt peter. By how much the purer and subtiler the salt peter
is, so much the better and stronger powder doth it make. The same may
be understood as touching the other uses of salt peter.
Further, every one knows that the common salt peter reduceth the common
metals into a Scoria by burning them, and washeth gold and silver,
and leaves them pure, concerning which fiery washing I have hitherto
mentioned several things. But that the common salt peter doth perform
this washing better than the pure, and this pure better and more
efficaciously than the purest, is no such matter in the least, which
thing experience will most manifestly open to him who will try the
same. Verily a small fire will not do those things which a greater will
do, nor will this greater effect such things as the greatest will, and
this is so evident and manifest that there is none dares deny it.
Take one part of the _Regulus_ of Antimony and four parts of pure Tin;
melt them in a crucible and pour them out, and let them cool; this
mass makes all iron and steel fusile, therefore when you would melt
iron or steel, fill a crucible with either of the metals, set it in a
Wind Furnace, and leave it so long in the Coles till all the matter
wax highly red hot. Then take off the cover and put into the crucible,
half as much of the said mixt mass of _Regulus_ of Antimony and Tin, as
the iron or steel put in the crucible weighed, then put on the cover,
and cover it over with the Coles, and urge the fire as strongly as
ever possibly you can, that so the mass you put in, may cause the iron
or steel to melt. When ’tis all well molten, pour it presently forth,
least the Tin flying away in fume, leave the molten iron, and so it
returned to its former hardness and not suffer it self to be fused.
This matter consisting of the _Regulus_ of Antimony, Tin, and Iron, or
Steel, is so hard, that you may strike fire thereout of with a flint.
Now then if you would experiment the abovesaid combustion or burning
up, take a good strong crucible made of potters earth, and fill it with
salt peter, set it on live Coals so that the salt peter may melt, then
having cast your tin and iron in the form of small rods, heat one end
of the rods so as not to melt, hold the other end in a pair of Tongs,
and put it into the molten salt peter, that the iron together with the
tin and _Regulus_ of Antimony may be burnt up as if it were wood, and
vanish away with the flame into a fume. For almost all tin and iron are
a meer sulphur, and being consumed by the flame, leave nothing else in
the crucible save _Scoria’s_, which being washed with water, and boiled
on a cupel or test with lead and blown off, do leave behind, the true
gold and silver hidden in both metals.
For when by the flame of so pure a salt peter, the impure sulphur of
the iron and tin is burnt up, it must necessarily be that what good
soever was in the metals do remain behind.
I do not therefore here set down this operation, as if I would thereby
promise any one golden mountains. No such matter. For I onely manifest
these, and such like labours meerly for this end, that every one may
know, that salt peter being brought to a requisite purity, is wont to
burn up imperfect metals as one burns up wood; and it may be easily
gathered thencefrom, that such a pure salt peter doth as to its virtues
much exceed the common peter.
As for such like labours of burning up the imperfect metals by salt
peter purified in a due manner, and of getting pure gold and silver
with profit, they shall be taught in the following Century (God
willing.)
For even as this first Century doth for the most part treat of fire and
salt; so the chiefest part of the following Century shall treat of the
wonderfull and great efficacy of purified salt peter in destroying,
and reducing metals, and that with great bettering of them, and with
no small profit. And albeit I was desirous of inserting in this first
Century, such like profitable betterings of the metals, yet it could
not well be done; principally because that there are many other things
concerning the profitable use of the con-centrated spirits of salt,
that I must necessarily pass over here, because the number of this
Century is already up, and therefore must I refer them to the following
Centuries.
And forasmuch as there is frequent mention made in this Century, of
glasses and crucibles, which none can be without in the preparing
and use of these moist fires, because of the many hazards and losses
wherewithal common instruments are accompanied, for they often break,
or else easily let out or spill the boiling matters; it is altogether
requisite that I should here have manifested this excellent invention
of mine, which preventeth all such discommodities; and which I hinted
at in the second part of my _Miraculum Mundi_.
But whereas I have bestowed both those inventions there on the poor,
of meer gift, it would be an unjust thing to take away from them what
is theirs; nay rather they should have by good right more bestowed on
them. So then being not able to proceed any farther as to this case,
this thing onely remains, _viz._ an affirmation that neither Medicine
nor Alchymy can want or be without such excellent Inventions. But yet
if any one desires to have them, he may write to those two men, to whom
I have given them, that they may trade for the poor; whatsoever any one
that is desirous of knowing those secrets shall bargain with them for,
he will not be repulsed but obtain his desire, and purchase from them
the secret; the which process I will nevertheless describe, omitting
the naming of the matters.
XCVIII. _The way of putting glasses in distillation and digestion,
and so conserving them, that the boiling matter be not spilt._
Take .................... with this matter fence your glass, that the
matters you put into them run not out, or be spilt, and you shall not
lose them.
XCIX. _The manner of preparing such crucibles as will hold metals
in flux a long time, and which can neither be broken nor melted._
R. .......... mix these matters and moisten them with common water,
that they may be converted into a mass, of which you shall (by a
crucible mold) frame small and great crucibles, knocking them into your
mold with an heavy mallet, according to the manner I described in the
fifth part of my Furnaces. Then take them forth of the mold and dry
them in the air, and when they are dry use them; for they need not any
burning in the Potters Furnace. They will (being rightly handled) stand
a long time in the coals, and will not chap, neither will they melt
with the most vehement fire.
C. _An infallible demonstration, that in salt and fire all things
lie hidden; or, that by the help of the Sun and Salt all things
are generated, arise, grow, and encrease._
Forasmuch as I caused to be stamped at the beginning of this small
work, a circle with a square in its inside, and with these annexed
words, _In the Sun, and in Salt are all things_; (the truth of which
figure and inscription is sufficiently enough evidenced by the so many
operations described in this Century;) it seemed worth while unto me,
to make an assertion here in the end of this Treatise by a true and
evident demonstration, that all things are procreated, conserved, and
encreased by the Sun and Salt, as being the principal and most noble
creatures of God; but with this provizo, that there be present the
seeds of those things that require multiplication.
For though the Sun and Salt were yet far excellenter and nobler
subjects than they now be, yet notwithstanding could they not produce
or generate so much as the smallest herb or meanest worm (to say
nothing of a Man) without seed. If we have but seed, then it is
permitted us by God, to propagate the same by the Sun and Salt. The
begetting of seeds, God hath reserved to himself alone. The seed
therefore is for us sufficient, which if we have, we are able to
propagate and encrease it even to infinity, by the efficacy of the Sun
and Salt, (that universal nutriment of all things.)
The universal medicament and nutriment that the Countrey men use
about conserving their Vineyards, Grounds, and Pastures, is the Dung
of Cattle and Sheep; from the which Dung being laid to the roots of
the Vines and Trees, and thrown into the Fields and Pastures, the
Vegetables do attract their necessary nutriment, do grow and bring
forth fruits needfull for the support and nourishment of Men and Beasts.
But forasmuch as this nutriment which all the Vegetables do extract
out of the Dung of the Beasts is nothing else but a urinous Salt, and
that we know how to prepare out of the common Salt, such a urinous Salt
which may be used about dunging and fatning the Earth instead of Dung,
therefore verily we may be without that said Dung, being but furnished
with such a Salt; the which being Alkalizated by the fire doth extend
it self much wider, or goes farther, and dures much longer in the
Earth, nourishing and dunging it, than the Beasts Dung doth.
Besides it gives to all Fruits and Corn, a far sweeter savour, and
smell, than Dung it self doth, the truth of which will easily appear
to him that will make tryal of the same. Nay more, and what is of far
greater moment; there may (by the help of such Salts) be communicated
to Fruits, especially to those that grow on Trees, and to Grapes, a
most fragrant odour; if instead of Dung, such Salts be used to the
Fields and Gardens, and some spices or other things of a fragrant smell
be mixed with those Salts, and put to the roots of the Vegetables. An
example will illustrate it more clearly.
Plow up some part of some barren Ground, such as is so for want of
Dung; or, even some meer sandy Ground, and throw upon it of the said
salt as much as is sufficient, and by plowing mix it with the Earth it
self, and sow therein any kind of grain you please, and it will spring
up out of the salted Earth or Sand, and be encreased, and recompence
the pains taken about it, with an hundred fold encrease of the seed,
even just as if you had dunged it, nay better than with the common
Dunging.
And now I pray, whence doth that faculty of growing, encreasing, and
multiplying arise, save from Salt alone, which you sowed your barren
Field withall? For the seed cannot purchase to it self nutriment,
and aliment, growth and encrease from the barren Sand and Rain-water
onely. And this you may try the truth of very easily, if you fill two
wooden Chests or Boxes with common Sand, and put to the Sand in one of
them one, two, or three pounds of that inverted Salt, (according to
the bigness or smallness of your box) and in the other box let there
be onely Sand. If now you sow divers seeds in each of the Sands, and
set them in the air, moistening them with Rain-water, those seeds will
indeed grow out of both the Sand-boxes and get increase, but yet that
which grows where it has been sprinkled with Salt is far fuller and
perfecter, insomuch that it will hold on its growth till it comes to
its utmost ripeness, whenas the other seeds in the other Sand-box will
by little and little perish and dye.
It evidently appears from hence that the faculty of growing and
increasing, in all things proceedeth from Salt onely. If so be
therefore, that Pease, Beans, Oats, Barly, Rye, Wheat, Wine, and all
kinds of Fruits, do grow, and are increased by the benefit of Salt, it
necessarily follows, that Salt is the subject and universal nutriment.
But that it may be understood how the common Salt (which otherwise is
wont to corrupt or extinguish all the faculty of growth in those things
it is mixed withall) is to be inverted or turned in and out, that its
hurtfull corroding property being put off it may put on the nature of
Alkalies or urinous Salts, I do here covertly set down the manner of
the operation, so that it may remain hidden to mine enemies and be
communicated onely to my friends.
Take common Salt, _&c._ [See the Preparation in Append. 5. p. _Prosp.
Germ._]
Let them be well heated red hot together at the fire, this done, the
salt will be dispoiled of its Acrimony and get an urinous property,
and being used in a due quantity instead of Dung, to barren Grounds,
causeth that the seeds sown therein produce much fruit. But this kind
of dunging requireth frequenter Rains than that which is done with
Dung; and therefore it may be better and more commodious in moorish
places than Beasts Dung, if it may be done, which conjoyns the said
salt, and produceth the most wished effects
But especially the said salt is far better for Vines and Fruit Trees
than Dung is: for it gives to Grapes, Apples, Pears and such like
Tree-Fruits, a far better savour than Dung is wont to afford: Besides,
this benefit accrues to Vines thereby, that being sprinkled with that
Salt, they have oft times nutriment enough for twenty years, and do
every year bring forth Fruit most plentifully: whereas the nutriment of
dunging will scarce suffice for five or six years.
Further, That Salt may be far easier, and with much less costs carried
and transported into the high Mountains than Dung can; for a far
greater quantity of Dung is required than of the said Salt, which said
Salt diffuseth it self far larger, or goes much farther than the Dung,
and dures longer.
I did this very spring-time last past, put such an inverted salt to
some half dead Vines, which being planted in a lean sandy ground could
scarce grow up a fingers heighth, and they presently began to flourish,
and grew up so fast that the growth was day by day perceptible. When
therefore on a certain day I was shewing some Friends of mine the
melioration of metals, in my Laboratory, to be effected by the help of
common salt, as they were wondring at the thing, I shewed them those
Vines afore my Laboratory, that sprang up from the half dead stocks,
and they measuring some of the branches of the Vines, found that in
two or three months they were grown some 6, 7, 10, and 11 foot long,
and the stocks or stalks whence they grew were two or three times
thicker than at first; which great change or transmutation in the
Vines, proceeding from the salt, would be more admirable and profitable
than that of metals, if we did not look upon that transmutation of gold
with such covetous eyes. And forasmuch as this transmutation spoken
of, was observed in the month of _July_, and that there are almost
yet three months for Vines to encrease and grow; any one may easily
conjecture what an encrease the wood [or branches] of the Vines would
have in the space of a whole Summer.
But let this suffice concerning the inversion of the common salt, being
a most profitable promoter of the growing faculty in all things; the
which things I was necessitated to declare here in the end of this
small work, that so I might demonstrate those things which I asserted
at the beginning of the same, _viz._ that in salt lie all things
hidden, and by the seeds of things and the help of the Sun are rendred
visible, palpable and essential.
_An Admonition to the friendly Reader, or a Proposition not
prescribing or tying to any body, whereby is shewn how much
benefit the Countrey may in general obtain by my not chargeable
extraction of Gold and Silver out of the fugacious or flying
Minerals._
That my inventions may be in many places profitable for the whole
Countrey, I judged it worth while, briefly to declare my meditations or
conceptions thereabouts; and to make a declaration of the way or manner
which I judge it may most exceeding profitably be done by.
First of all, I suppose it is sufficiently well known that Princes and
Noblemen are occupied or troubled with otherguess burdens and business
than to employ or busie themselves with the care and enquiry after
the metalline mine-pits, that are here and there in the Countries
subject unto them. And if they should commit the care of these things
to their servants, ’tis likely that they would rather pass their time
in feastings or merry meetings, than in a painfull search of Mines and
metallick Veins in the woods and mountains. And as for the subjects
themselves, seeing they are altogether rude and ignorant of such arts,
by what means, and with what success they can undertake such kind of
Labours, any one may easily guess. These are the Causes why things
of such great moment are let slip without any profit at all, and are
plainly neglected. But in my judgment, though it be but slender, any
Prince that hath many Subjects under his obedience, may every year
gather store of gold and silver, and that without costs, if he would
but onely cause a small Laboratory to be erected, wherein the poor
Mines may be extracted with due waters; and leave given to such of his
subjects as breath after the knowledge of such Arts, to frequent such
a Laboratory, and there to learn such Arts, with this _Proviso_, that
every one should bring the gold, silver and copper boiled or gotten
out of the poor minerals by the help of the said extraction, into the
Mony-shop or Coining-house, at such a rate as they are every where
esteemed or valued at, and not transport it out of the Countrey. Now
by this means, not only the chief Magistrate would without any cost
and labour get no small profit by the mony, but likewise every body
would to their utmost, labour in the inquisition after such poor Mines,
that he might get Gold and Silver, and other Metals, out of those poor
metallick Veins, and get gain for him and his. But now if the Prince
or Magistrate will not permit his Subjects the exercise of such a
work, but keep all to himself, any one may easily conjecture, that
not so much as a man will set about searching after such Mines, but
will rather hide them, especially if the Magistrate (as is wont to be
sometimes done) would constrain his Subjects to such kind of Labours.
This (according to my simple opinion, no ways prescribing to any what
to doe) would be the readiest way, without hurting of any man (nay
rather it would help and assist many a man) of furnishing our Country
with Gold and Silver Coin, which Foreigners have made it bare of. But
this will not be by any way, unless the Magistrates themselves do
make a beginning, as to the institution of such a work, by this means
inviting and stirring up their Subjects to undertake such like Labours,
which will bring great Treasures even to the whole Country. By this
means may rich Mints be set up in very many places, instead of those
which at this time afford Mony or Coin so sparingly, and no small
portion of Copper too, mixed with it.
These few things was I willing to advise for the sake of the good
of the whole Country; only laying down my simple opinion without
prescribing a rule to any, hoping, that no body of what rank or
condition soever they be, will take it otherwise than well.
Secondly, Every Prince and great man would mightily promote the common
welfare of his poor, if he would but take the care of shewing the
way of so inverting common Salt by one hours heating it red hot, and
bringing it to that pass, that it may be made use of instead of Cattles
dung, for the fatning and bettering of barren Vineyards, unfruitfull
Gardens, and other Fields that are backward or slow in bearing Fruits:
for verily, even from this very Art would redound much profit to some
Countries. For, many Vineyards here and there, and many Grounds do want
due tillage because of the scarcity of Dung, whereas otherwise they
would prove very profitable both to the Subjects and Magistrates, if
they could be fatned and made fertile by this kind of way.
Besides too, all Wines would be had in much more plenty, and be of
a far sweeter and pleasanter taste, by such a medium, than if the
Vineyards and Fields were dunged with Beasts dung. But as touching this
thing, see more in the continuation of my _Miraculum Mundi_.
_The end of the First Century._
The Second Century
OF
GLAUBER’S
Wealthy Store-house of Treasures.
_Which doth Illustrate his hitherto published Writings, with
a more evident Explanation, and doth more clearly demonstrate
the Truth hidden in them._
The First _Arcanum_ or Secret of the Second Century,