Dissolve Silver in a Crucible by the _Sal Mirabilis_, made of
Salt-peter and Oil of Vitriol; in which Solution you shall get a green
Salt, fit for the graduating of Copper into Silver, after the same
manner as we taught but now of the Gold.
And albeit the Silver augmentation be not so great, yet the possibility
of the Art is thence apparent and demonstrateth, that one Metal admits
of being converted into another. But yet he that has good skill
in handling this labour, will, if he be fraught with good and apt
Crucibles, which can hold the _Sal Mirabilis_ and not swallow it up,
receive no small benefit by this same Operation. The _Scoria_ which
are remaining in this, and the precedent Operation are not to be
thrown away, but to be mixed with Litharge, that so being reduced by
blast, they may graduate the Lead, and enrich it with no contemptible
Portion of Gold and Silver. For great are the Vertues of this Salt
in graduations, which the Ancient Philosophers have openly enough
hinted at, saying that their Salt augments the redness of the Gold and
whiteness of the Silver, and that this is a thing most true, he who
shall in a due manner perform the Operation will learn that so it is,
by his own Experience.
But least an Errour should be committed and some of your Gold and
Silver lost, it is better that a Man exercise himself in making his
Experiments in the lesser Metals; and omit the dealing with Gold and
Silver so long till these lesser Metals make him a sufficiently
experienced Master for the dealing with the greater.
LXXI. _How Iron may be exalted into Copper in the melting by the
help of =Sal Mirabilis=._
Dissolve one or two whole Lots of Copper in melting it by _Sal
Mirabilis_, which Solution will yield thee a Salt enclining from a
green, to a black colour.
Into the same Pot which contains your Copper dissolved by the _Sal
Mirabilis_, put three or four Lots of bits of Iron, and adjoyn them
to the Copper dissolved in the _Sal Mirabilis_, and force it with the
Fire, so that they may be kept in flux together for one half hours
space. By this means the dissolved Copper will adhear to the Iron by
precipitation and exalt some particles of the Iron into Copper. All
being well molten, pour it out into your Cone that the Copper may
settle in a _Regulus_. The _Sal Mirabilis_ and Iron being turned into
a _Scoria_, are usefull for the inriching of Litharge, in the strong
melting by blast, with Gold and Silver.
_N. B._ If the Mercury of Saturn be mixed with these, or else with
those other _Scoria_’s which were left by the Gold and Silver and are
far better, and so be melted together with a strong Fire, the Lead
will be bettered and that by an encrease not to be contemned, and will
abundantly pay for the labour and costs. But yet I would not put any
one upon the undertaking of this work; except he be well versed with
meltings in Crucibles and without them, by the Bellows upon Hearths.
For I write not these things for young Beginners, but onely for such
who well know what belongs to the Art of melting.
But yet that he may have some manuduction into these labours, I will
declare the general use of the _Sal Mirabilis_ in the emendation of
Metals.
LXXII. _The universal use of =Sal Mirabilis= in the emendation of
Metals._
Though the wonderfull Salt of Art dissolveth all Metals, and conjoyneth
them in a spiritual manner as it were, and renders them efficacious
to better each the other in the Fire, yet is there a difference to be
observed in that thing, by him who desires to follow the nearest way,
and to decline all diversions, or goings about. For example.
He that has a mind to dissolve and conjoyn the Metals, Gold, Silver,
Lead, Copper, Tin, and Iron, by the _Sal Mirabilis_, that they may
display their virtues in operating to the perfection of each other,
must take for the Gold, Iron, Copper, and Tin, such a _Sal Mirabilis_
as being prepared of common Salt doth easily dissolve those Metals.
But now the same Salt used about Silver and Lead, would effect nothing
as to their Solution, because there is no familiarity or friendship
between common Salt, and Lune, and Lead, for it is an enemy to those
Metals, kills them, and reduceth them to nothing.
_N. B._ But when those Metals are by the help of Salt reduced into
their Mercuries, then may it come so to pass, as that they may be
conjoyned with Gold, Iron, Copper, and Tin; for without a foregoing
preparation, they enter not into the Salt, unless the _Lune_ and
_Saturn_ be dissolved in that _Sal Mirabilis_ which is prepared of
Niter, and be adjoyned to the Solution of _Mars_ and _Venus_; of which
Solutions the one doth very willingly embrace the other, insomuch
that one Metal doth easily operate upon the other, and consequently a
profitable graduation, fixation, and emendation succeeds.
But now if you would have your Metals, not constant in the Fire, but
volatile and made flying, then, that _Sal Mirabilis_ is to be used,
which is made of Salt Peter or Kitchin Salt, by the help of Sulphur.
This is the universal use of _Sal Mirabilis_, serving for the
Solution, Graduation, Fixation, and contrariwise Volatilisation, or
the conversion of all Metals into a volatile nature. But the special
Solutions, Fixations, or Graduations of them by the Salt of Art,
require an addition of some Vegetable Sulphur, which being adjoyned
to the Metal, yields some help to the _Sal Artis_ in the Graduation
of a baser Metal, which help the conjunctions of Metals that be of a
sulphureous nature, do not at all need; though indeed ’tis better if
you help them with some Vegetable Sulphur. For Sulphur and _Sal Artis_
are like Male and Female, they bear a mutual love to each other, and
beget a rich Off-spring; when they lovingly court each other in the
Fire, even alone and without the addition of any Metal, and are brought
unto perfection. So then, thus by these operations may gain and profit
be divers ways, and in divers manners gotten, as well particularly, as
haply also universally, (but this last way I am not as yet acquainted
with.)
All these things do sufficiently, yea abundantly shew one the way of
arriving by the help of the Salt of Art, to the attainment of such
things as are of some moment. Enough to the wise.
Although that the Metals do admit of a most easie Solution by the _Sal
Mirabilis_ in the dry way, yet notwithstanding, that Solution may yet
more commodiously be perfected the following way, _viz._ thus, when the
Metals are put into the Cucurbit or Retort, in the distilling off the
Spirit. For whilst the Spirit is driven off, out of those distilling
Vessels, the Metal is dissolved during the Distillation, and remains in
the bottom with the _Sal Mirabilis_. But whatever of the Metal remains
undissolved, is to be removed; but the golden Lunar, Venerial Salt,
_&c._ is to be kept for such uses as it is necessary for.
_N. B._ If so be any be minded to pour on again that distilled Spirit,
upon the Metalline Salt abiding in the bottom he may so do, and ’tis
profitable; because that Metalline Salt is by this means rendred far
more commodious and apter for Transmutation.
But that none may err from the right way, it is necessary that we first
shew how the Metals (out of which being bettered, Gold and Silver are
to be extracted) are to be afore prepared, that so they may admit of
being the more easily exalted and amended. For all things are to be
done by the prescribed method, and to be managed by [promoting them to]
their appointed limit and scope, if any profit is thence sought.
_Lune_ and _Saturn_ do not by any commixion associate themselves to the
Metalline Salt, unless these same metals be first reduced into their
Mercuries, concerning which thing we have treated at large in the third
and fourth part of the prosperity of _Germany_.
LXXIII. _By what means the imperfect Metals may (by the =Sal
Mirabilis=) be turned into perfect ones._
Take of _Sal Mirabilis_ four ounces, the filings of _Venus_ half an
ounce. Put this matter in a strong, double, and well covered Hassiack
Pot, set it in a wind Furnace, melt it strongly for half an hour,
that the _Sal Mirabilis_ may rightly dissolve the Copper and make
it spiritual. To this Copper thus made spiritual, add half a part
in weight of the Mercury of Saturn, and melt together both metals
by a repeated melting, for an half or even an whole hour. In this
conjunction and operation, the spiritual Copper will get to the Saturn
by graduation, no small bettering and fixation. For by how much the
longer they are kept in flux, so much the greater amendment doth Saturn
purchase. But yet no _Regulus_ can thus _per se_ settle to the bottom,
unless some Iron be added in the melting, concerning which, no certain
weight can be prescribed. For when some small bits onely thereof, or
some little particles are put in the Crucible, the Salt is mortified
by corroding of the Iron, and lets fall the amended Lead which in the
Cupel leaves the Gold and Silver.
This way shews you the manner of using the _Sal Mirabilis_ for the
amending of metals
_N. B._ Other metals may also be rendred spiritual by the _Sal
Mirabilis_, by which not onely _Saturn_ but likewise _Luna_ may be
graduated, or exalted to a golden degree. But yet _Saturn_ is more
commodious and fitter for this operation than _Luna_ is. For when the
_Mercury_ of _Saturn_ is graduated and reduced, there needs no other
labour than the separating of that _Regulus_ on the Test, where the
Gold and Silver is left behind in the Cupel. But if the _Lunar Mercury_
be amended by graduation, and precipitated into a _Regulus_, it is
first to be separated by Lead in the Cupel, and afterwards the Gold and
Silver are to be separated by _Aq. Fortis_; so that there is requisite
a twofold labour, which in the operation by _Saturn_ is but one; and
therefore it is to be preferred as to these operations before _Lune_.
_N. B._ All such subjects as have a graduating virtue, as _Lapis
Calaminaris_, _Hematitis_, _Smiris_, _Granate_, _Talk_, &c. may be used
to these labours. But however Gold is the best of all, which if so be
that any one is minded to use, it behoves him to be furnished with such
Pots and Crucibles, which do not drink up the Gold, and so rob you of
more than the produced gain amounts to.
Thus have we demonstrated the use of the simple _Sal Mirabilis_, in the
bettering of metals.
If some Sulphur be added to the _Sal Mirabilis_, it exalts the metals
with a far more profitable graduation, and brings more gain than that
single operation, which is instituted by the _Sal Mirabilis_ simply and
alone _per se_.
LXXIV. _The manner of conjoyning Gold contrary to its nature, with
any burning and Volatile Vegetable Sulphur, and of amending the
other Metals, all done by the help of my =Sal Mirabilis=._
Every body full well knows that there is no affinity or familiarity
betwixt burning Sulphur and Gold, which is a fixt Sulphur; forasmuch as
they are exceedingly inimicitious to each other, and yet this enmity
may be at length changed into the greatest amity.
For ’tis usual with all such as are wont to separate molten Gold
from Silver by precipitation, to use common Sulphur about that
precipitation, which by its innate Antipathy thrusts out the Gold from
the Silver; the same thing is likewise done in the moist way, when the
same Gold is precipitated out of _Aq. Regis_ or Spirit of Salt, by
sulphureous Salts, such as are Crude Tartar, Salt of Tartar, Spirit of
Urine, and other Alkali Salts.
These are to shew that Gold hateth and shuns Sulphur worse than any
thing, as being its Capital Enemy; and yet these most bitter enemies
doth the _Sal Mirabilis_ easily reconcile and convert this so great an
enmity into sweet friendship. This operation hiding in its Bowels great
Mysteries deservedly, and by all right lies hidden to this ungratefull
World, if these Mysteries could be excepted which fell into the hands
of mine enemies, in my Laboratory, unwittingly to me, who without any
regard had to the Writings given me by way of an Oath under their
Hands, do now make merchandise of such secrets, and so basely abuse
my good Will. Although the manifold use of this great Treasure hath
escaped them, upon this account it hath seemed good unto me to reveal
unto the whole World, those things that fell within their reach, that
so it may be known to all, that such great secrets proceeded from me
onely, and not from others, nor from those mine enemies themselves.
Take one _Quinta_ or small weight of Gold, more or less, reduce it
into thin leaves or plates, and bow them in the fashion of a Cilinder,
and add thereunto six, eight or ten parts of _Sal Mirabilis_, which
matters you must melt in a Crucible with an accurate and strong fusion:
When they flow, throw in some pieces of Coals into the Salt and Gold
as they are melting in the Pot, that the _Sal Mirabilis_ may dissolve
the Gold and Coals in the melting, which usually is done in half an
hour or thereabouts. The matter being poured out will shew you whether
or no you have well operated for all the Gold, as likewise the _Sal
Mirabilis_ and Coals will be dissolved and changed into a red Stone,
that bites the Tongue as if it were Fire.
This Fire and red Stone, is the golden Carbuncle of the Ancients,
for it shines in the dark like a burning Coal, and produceth such
wonderfull effects in Medicine and in Alchymy, which we have no mind
at present to reveal. For this Gold being thus conjoyned contrary to
its nature with Sulphur and Salt, is by that means unlockt, opened
and prepared; as that it may by an easie business [or labour] be made
spiritual, and that divers ways by divers _Menstruums_, either Acid or
Urinous, and be distilled over the Helms, and the pure separated from
the impure.
And albeit that I here make use of no Circumlocution and speak no
plainer, yet have I spoken enough to the Wise, and have shewed them
such a way to go in, as that whereby they may without labour, as ’twere
arrive to the most happy and wished end, unless God for some singular
causes prohibit it.
But that I may not altogether shut the door of Art upon the Son’s of
Art, I will teach them the making of a most excellent Medicine out of
this Carbuncle.
LXXV. _The way of making a most excellent Medicine out of the
Carbuncle of Gold._
This Carbuncle is to be beaten into Powder, and the best Spirit of Wine
is to be poured thereupon, which may extract the Tincture. This tinged
Liquour is to be poured off into another Glass, and more fresh Spirit
is to be again poured upon the matter, that it may again extract in the
heat more Tincture; these Labours you must repeat so often till all
the Tincture is extracted, and the Spirit will be no more coloured.
The Spirit being drawn off by distillations in a Bath leaves behind a
most red Tincture in the bottom, in the form of a Liquour named _C O
S_, for here are present, _Colour_, _Odour_, _Savour_ or _Tast_; the
Colour and Odour from the Gold, and Sulphur; the Savour from the Salt.
The remainder which is left after the Extraction of the Tincture is not
to be thrown away as unprofitable, but to be converted with new _Sal
Mirabilis_, and Coals made of Vine wood into a red Stone, by fusion,
and to be so long extracted till all the Gold be converted with the
vegetable Sulphur into a Medicine. For one onely labour serves not to
extract the whole Gold by the Spirit of Wine; but the oft repeated
labours attain to the end proposed.
Thus hast thou friendly Reader a Medicine of great moment and of great
efficacy, in which the most pure parts of the Gold and of the Vine are
conjoyned, nor can they be other than a most profitable Medicament for
men and metals.
LXXVI. _How by the help of this Medicament, there may be conferred
on the Seeds of Vegetables, such an excellent faculty of growth,
that they may be as it were seen grow, and may obtain a much
nobler Nature, Colours, Savours, and Vertues, than they are wont
to get out of the most stinking Dung._
Mix with one part of fat Lome, Clay, or Earth done into Powder, four
parts of Sand, that so the fatness of the Earth may be somewhat
allayed. With this mixture fill a Pot, such a one as the Gardeners
are wont to keep their Flowers in; pour thereupon some Rain-water
wherein is mixt [or dissolved] a little of that Medicament made of the
Carbuncle, and plant or sow in that Earth some of those Herbs which
abide unhurt by the Winters cold. Set the Pot with the implanted Herbs
to the warm Air, but so, as that no Rain come at it, for the Rain may
wash away that medicinal nutriment. When the Earth becomes dry, you
must pour on more of the Medicine prepared of the Carbuncle, and that
so often as need requires. So will the Herbs begin to grow, which if
they meet with no other nutriment besides the Rain-water, they cannot
attract any other whereby their faculty of growing may be promoted and
encreased. And for as much as the Golden medicament was adjoyned to the
Rainwater, the Herbs must necessarily draw it to themselves together
with the Water, and obtain other properties than if they grew from the
stinking Beasts Dung.
_N. B._ Under your Pot that contains your Herbs is to be put a Dish
made of good and firm Earth, or else of some Metal, which may serve to
catch the medicinal Water, that flows through the bottom of the upper
Pot, or distills thence, and having received it may not drink it up but
conserve it. Besides, it would not be amiss if some of that medicinal
Water were put in the under Platter, which might always keep the bottom
of the upper Pot moist, and so may supply the Herbs with an uncessant
nutriment. It would be better also, if the Pot it self were made of
some Metal and not of Earth, that so it may not drink in that precious
Water, but rather conserve it.
LXXVII. _What is to be observed in this Operation, that a good
effect may proceed from thence._
In the first place, diligent heed is to be taken, that the Lome or
Earth you take, partake not of any salt faculty, nor hath any other
corrosive Property, for many such Earths there be which would hinder
and spoil the faculty of growing.
Secondly, there must regard be had to the moistening of the Earth, lest
the Seed be choked with too much humidity, or in defect of sufficient
moisture, dry up and wither.
Thirdly, there must be observed a measure of the Medicament it self,
that neither too much, nor too little of the same be commixt with the
Rain-water. For an overmuch quantity thereof burns up the Seed, and a
more sparing Portion cannot yield nutriment enough to the Herbs.
Farther, some Musk or other things that emit a fragrant Odour may be
therewith mixed, which addition is wont to get to the Herbs a most
fragrant Odour. If so be a man fears to apply the aforesaid precious
Medicament to this Operation, because of the Costs of the same, he may
use that Tincture which we taught a little afore, to prepare of Coles
onely without Gold; and which indeed will perform all those things,
(as in reference to the growing faculty) which that Golden medicament
is wont to perform; this onely excepted, _viz._ that the Herbs will
nor partake of that golden Property which they obtain by that Golden
medicament.
The things we have here written and published concerning the promoting
the faculty of growth in golden Herbs, though they seem not of any
great moment, yet hide they under them mysteries of great moment, the
which many Artists will apprehend, and convert unto their Use.
LXXVIII. _How any Wood or any Wood-coal may be so prepared by the
=Sal Mirabilis=, as to be capable of a long while resisting the
Fire._
Dissolve some _Sal Mirabilis_ in common Water, put some Wood or Wood
coal therein, let it lye in it for some days, or so long till it be
well glutted with the Liquor and become ponderous. Then take it out
and dry it very well at the fire, that all the moisture vanishing away
may leave the _Sal Mirabilis_ in the Wood: Then put it in the said
Solution yet again, and take it out and again dry it, which labour
will render the Wood so much the solider by how much the oftener it
shall be repeated. By this means, all the Pores will be filled with the
Salt and the Air will be shut out, that it can penetrate it no more;
without which Air no Wood can ever take fire or burn. If now you put
such Wood or such Coals with other Wood and Coals in the fire, these
[un-imbibed Coals, _&c._] will be consumed by the Fire in a short time
and be reduced into Ashes, but those others will remain untoucht, and
may be taken out unhurt, though indeed even they too will be burnt
if they lye over long in the Fire. This is certain concerning Coals,
that those that are made of more weighty Wood, and which abound with a
greater Quantity of Salt, such as are the Oak, Beech, Juniper, Vines,
and other Trees whose Wood is ponderous dure far longer in the fire
than those Coals do which are made of Firr, Pine, Alder, Willows, and
such like lighter Trees, and which have a lesser Quantity of Salt, and
this now I do not mention barely for fashions sake, but to this intent,
that occasion may be given from this kind of knowledge of drawing some
profitable matter therefrom; as for Example.
LXXIX. _How such kind of Woods which are always so near the Fire,
as that they are still in danger of being burnt, and thereby
threaten damage may be conserved from firing._
Dissolve some _Sal Mirabilis_ in Water, and with a Pencil smear over
such Wood which by reason of its nearness to the Fire is always in
danger of being burnt. When the Water is dryed up, moisten it again
with the same Water, and repeat this moistening so often, till it hath
drunk in a sufficient Quantity of the _Sal Mirabilis_, and become able
to resist the heat. By this means might men be often freed of many
fears and cares, in ships dawb’d with pitch and in other places, where
by reason of the too nearness of dry Timber there is danger of firing.
LXXX. _How by the help of =Sal Mirabilis= any Wood may be conserved
so, as for a long time to remain unhurt in the Water._
He that desires to preserve Wood, that it may not be detrimented by
the Water nor rot in a long time, may be master of his wishes, the
following way. Dry your wood very well, and being dry moisten it with
strong Oil of Vitriol very exactly, and being moistened sprinkle it
with the _Sal Mirabilis_ beaten into Powder, that it may stick well
on to the Oil of the Vitriol. For the Oil of Vitriol doth in its
penetrating of the wood carry in the Salt thereinto, and makes in the
outside thereof every where about a black Crust, just as if that wood
had been burnt by the Fire. Now because Coals resist putrefaction, it
must necessarily follow that the wood being in that wise ordered must
remain a long time unhurt in the water.