1. To wash common Tartar Snow white in a few hours time, and reduce
it to a pleasant Salt which dissolves in cold Water, and wherewith of
Sugar, Honey, or any sweet Fruits at all times, yea all hours of the
day, and in all places Liquors may be prepared like to Wine in Tast,
smell, colour, strength and virtue, and of which afterwards good Brandy
and Vinegar may be made with great profit.
2. To purifie common Salt in great quantity, in one days time, so as
to become very white, pure and transparent and of a pleasant Tast,
shooting into cubical Crystals fit for the Tables of great Persons,
its tast being very agreeable, and the meat season’d with it much
more wholsome than that which is drest with the common Salt. _See the
Treatise of the nature of Salts._
3. A secret to preserve all sorts of Wine, and make them durable,
whether of Grapes, Sugar, Honey, Apples, Pears, Quinces, Figs, Plums,
Cheries, Malt, Wheat, _&c._ and is of great use to a House-keeper.
4. Any of the forementioned Wines may with ease be turned into very
good Vinegar, not inferiour to that which is made of French or Rhenish
Wine. _See my Vegetable Work._
5. To make good _Sal Armoniack_ of several contemptible matters which
are trod under foot and cast out on the Dunghill very easily and in
great quantities, so as one Man every day may prepare one hundred
pound weight of it with ten shillings charges. _See my Treatise of the
Mineral Squill in order to long life._
6. A secret water wherewith in an hours time the yellow colour in
Diamonds may be drawn from them, which makes them ten times more worth
than they were before. _See my Treatise of the Divine Character._
7. In like manner may the dark red colour of Granates be extracted,
leaving them onely so much colour as makes them like Rubies. For
Granates and Rubies resemble each other in their bodies and colour, the
onely difference between them being, that the Granates abound with too
much colour, which makes them less valued, when therefore some part of
their colour is extracted from them, they do in virtue, hardness and
beauty, equal Rubies, one Karat of which is more worth than ten pound
of Granates, so as this extraction must be very gainfull to him that
is Master of it. _See my third Appendix to the seventh part of my_
Pharmacopœa Spagyrica.
8. In like manner also may be extracted the colours of blue Saphyrs,
yellow Jacinths, Topaces, and Purple Amethysts, by which means they
become white as Diamonds, and when brought to the same degree of
hardness are every whit as valuable as they. _See my third Appendix as
before._
9. In a moments time to rob _Sol_ of its colour and make it white as
Silver. _See my Treatise of the Seal of God._
10. To separate from _Mars_ and _Venus_ when dissolved in Water as well
as from any other Vitriol, by means of an artificial Precipitation,
their hidden spiritual _Sol_ or Tincture, and that in a moment; a thing
of great use in Physick, as well as in the transmutation of Metals.
_See the second Appendix._
11. To extract _Sol_ out of Sand and Stones with great ease and little
charges, which by precipitation is afterwards separated from the
dissolvent, retaining its former strength, and may be made use of again
for the like extraction. _See the prosperity of =Germany= the seventh
part, or =Novum Lumen Chymicum=._
12. To extract _Sol_ from _Luna_ with a small quantity of dissolvent,
which, after precipitation of the _Sol_, remains in its full strength,
and may be used as before to the great gain of the Artist. _See
=Glauber’s= Laboratory, and prosperity of =Germany=, 7th. part._
13. In one days time to prepare a particular, whereof one part will
tinge three parts of _Venus_ into _Lune_. _N. B._ This Tincture is
a white Stone which being placed in a fit Furnace, and a due fire
administred, within few days the whiteness will be changed to a yellow
colour, and that into a fix’d red, whereof one part being cast upon
four parts of _Lune_ in Flux, exalts it so far that in the separation
it gives a fourth part of _Sol_. Which sudden fixation is performed
by the proper Agent of the matter which is white of it self, and yet
affords a red Tincture, when handled, as is here set down. _See my
Treatise of the secret fire of_ Artephius.
14. In a short time to prepare a particular Tincture of a red subject,
which exalts Silver to that degree, as to yield much _Sol_ in the
separation. _See my explication upon =Pontanus= his Letter._
15. A good graduating water which being digested with _Lune_, makes it
yield much _Sol_ in separation. _See the Treatise concerning the most
secret natural Sal Armoniack every where to be found._
16. Another graduating water in which Mercury being digested, becomes
coagulated into _Sol_ and _Luna_. _See the fiery Alkahest._
17. Another fixing water, which being once or twice abstracted from
Mercury makes it lose its property of making _Sol_ and _Venus_ white,
and on the contrary gilds _Luna_ when rub’d upon it. I have as yet
carried this experiment no further, but am of opinion that if Mercury
were long enough digested in the same, it would turn the Mercury into
Tincture, coagulating and fixing each common _Mercury_ into _Sol_. _See
Hastecal._
18. A volatilizing Water which being abstracted from _Sol_ highly
exalts its natural colour, and carries it over the Helm, which done
it is no more common _Sol_, but may in a short time be fixed into a
transparent red Carbuncle. _See my third Appendix, &c._ concerning the
Griffins Claws, and Eagles Wings.
19. A water of like nature that volatilizeth all fixt matters,
wherewith in one single Distillation, the Tincture or Soul may be
extracted from _Mars_, _Venus_, and all coloured Stones, and carried
over the Helm; which Tinctures afterwards with one rectification are
highly purified, and have their Medicinal and tinging virtue doubled,
which exalted and multiplied Tinctures, notwithstanding their great
volatility may within twenty four hours time be concentrated, by means
of a secret Magnet, and fixed into a Stone, penetrating all compact
Bodies, with which incredible things may be done in Alchymy and
Physick. _See my third Appendix, &c._
20. To prepare a Salt in an hours time, and without extraordinary
charges, which makes all fixt matters volatile, and is of such virtue
that when a little of it is joyned with Spirit of Wine it makes it
so strong and fiery, that it dissolves all Metals, Minerals, Animals
and Vegetables, carrying their Q. Essence over the Helm, and is the
effecter of wonders in Physick and Alchymy: so that he who knows how to
prepare and make use of this wonderfull Salt, needs never want either
bodily health, or a competent supply of maintenance. _See my Treatise
of =Elias Artista= in Quarto._
21. A wonderfull, to all Men known, but withall contemptible matter,
which every where may be had for nothing, which whosoever knows,
together with the use of it, needs never want, because thereby he may
effect whatsoever is necessary for Soul or Body. _See my first, second
and third Appendix of_ Pharmacopœa Spagyrica.
22. The manner of preparing a running Mercury out of all Minerals and
Metals, and that in one days time, which joyn’d with _Sol_ becomes
fixed into _Sol_. _See my third Appendix._
23. How such a Mercury may be prepared in an hours time of the martial
_Regulus_ of Antimony, without any charges to speak of, which is a true
Tincture, fixing the imperfect Metals into _Sol_. _See my Treatise
concerning the secret Fire of the_ Magi.
24. A water made of a particular sort of Chalk which changeth a yellow
or brown skin into white, and which cannot be wash’d off with water, of
valuable use for Ladies and Gentlewomen. _See my 4th Century in_ Folio.
25. A water prepar’d of _Sol_, which turns white hairs into a yellow
gold colour. _See my Laboratory._
26. Another water made of Silver, which tinges hair cole-black, good
for such as are gray hair’d, and endeavour to conceal their Age. _See
=Glaub.= Concentrate._
27. A water made of _Sol_, which colours the hair and skin of Man, as
also the bones and horns of Beast, and feathers of Birds, of a fair
lasting Purple. _See =Glauber’s= Laboratory in =Quarto=._
28. A water into which when any Metal is put, it begins to grow
within twenty four hours time in the form of Plants and Trees, each
Metal according to its inmost colour and property, which Metalline
Vegetations are called Philosophical Trees, both pleasant to the Eye
and of good use. Vide _my fourth Century_.
29. A water made of Sand and Flints, having the property of changing
Wood that is laid in it, in a short time into hard Stone of several
colours according to the pleasure of the Artist.
30. A dry water, or rather Stone, upon which if any volatile saline
Spirit be poured and set in the Sun, it presently sucks in the volatile
mineral Spirit and in one days time makes it so fixt that it may be
made red hot in the Fire, without any evaporation. _See my universal
Coagulator._
31. By this means also may the combustible stinking Sulphur, the
greatest enemy of Metals be fixed, which afterwards being cast upon the
imperfect Metals in Flux, doth meliorate them, and make them afford
_Sol_ and _Luna_ on the Cupel with profit. _See my second Appendix._
32. In like manner may Antimony without any loss of weight be fixed,
so as no more to cause vomiting, but casts all evil out of the Body
insensibly by sweat, restoring health, and renewing youth. _See my
proper Agent._
33. In the same manner may Orpiment be fixed, so as no longer to be a
Poison, but a Meliorator of imperfect Metals.
34. Likewise also may Arsenick be fixed within two or three days time,
so as it may safely be taken inwardly, being an excellent Diaphoretick
for the cure of Diseases, and good to exalt Metals, so that in
separation they afford Gold and _Lune_. _See my proper Agent._
35. Much after the same manner may Mercury, without any considerable
loss of weight (though with longer time and more patience) be fixed, so
as to suffer himself to be melted and hammer’d like any other Metal,
and on the Cupel leaves _Sol_ and _Luna_. _See my Treatise of the
universal Coagulator._
36. In like manner may the martial _Regulus_ of Antimony be fixed into
a tinging Stone, that meliorates all imperfect metals.
37. A wonderfull Magnet which being put into any watry Liquors or Oils,
draws the water to it self leaving the Oils more pure, subtile and
penetrating. _See_ Elias Artista.
38. By means of this Magnet, we can separate from the highest rectified
Spirit of Wine, one half of insipid water, which Spirit of Wine after
this separation is an effecter of wonders.
39. This Spirit of Wine when poured on pulverised Coral and thence
abstracted, brings their red Tincture over the Helm, being a wonderfull
Cordial and purifier of the Blood.
40. By means of this Spirit of Wine, may the Cordial Virtue of Pearls
be brought over the Helm, being of great efficacy for the recovery of
sick and weak Persons.
41. This Q. Essence of Wine being poured upon clean washed Egg-shells,
dissolves them, and distilled from them, brings over with it their
Stone-breaking and dissolving virtue, and is a singular remedy in the
Gout, and the Stone of Kidney or Bladder.
42. The same also dissolves the _Lapis Lyncis_ and _Judaicus_, as also
Crabs Eyes so called, and other Stones found in Fishes, carrying their
virtues with it over the Helm. _See my fifth Century._
43. The same Spirit of Wine dissolves, extracts and brings over the
Helm, the inmost virtues of all Animals and Vegetables carrying them
over the Helm, whence incomparable medicaments may be prepared.
44. Black Snails such as are found in _May_ on the Grass dissolved in
the same, and brought over the Helm, and duely exhibited to those that
have the Gout or Stone, carries off all tartareous slimy matter from
the Kidneys, Bladder, and other parts of the Body by Seige and Urine.
45. Aloes, Saffron and Myrrh dissolved in the same, and their Tinctures
carried over the Helm, affords an excellent _Elixir Proprietatis_, very
conducive to long Life. _See =Paracelsus= concerning =Elixirs=._
46. Cantharides dissolved therewith, and brought over, are a powerfull
Diaphoretick, above all others, cleansing the Kidneys and Bladder, but
ought to be heedfully used, because it is a vehement Medicine, which
being overdos’d will hurt the Kidneys, Bladder and Ureters.
47. The Leaves of Helleboraster, extracted and brought over with the
same, affords an Excellent _Aqua Vitæ_, conducing to long Life. _See
Paracelsus._
48. Sea Squills being dissolved in this Spirit of Wine, and
spiritualized by being brought over the helm, is of great use for
removing of Diseases, and maintaining of health.
49. _Nux Vomica_, being first grated and then dissolved therein, and
their restorating Vertue being brought over the Helm, doth wonders in
restoring the decayed strength and health of man, but must be used with
understanding.
50. Common Mercury dissolved and brought over with the same, is the
highest Medicine against the French Pox and all venereal Diseases.
51. Mercury of Antimony prepared after the same manner, affords a
Medicine against all Diseases of mankind.
52. Fixed Antimony thus extracted and brought over is a Diaphoretick
curing all Diseases, and restoring the highest degree of health.
53. In like manner may many excellent Remedies be prepared, out of all
Vegetables and Minerals, for restoring and preserving of health.
54. A further use of our Water attracting Magnet is this. Abstract
the Oil of Tartar, Hartshorn, Amber, Soot, or that which is distill’d
from Smiths Coals, and the Magnet will attract all the Water and bad
Smell to it self, which remains with the Magnet, and the pure clear and
subtil Oil, onely comes over, which Magnet being made red hot, loseth
its water and stink and may be made use of as before.
55. In like manner may the Oil of Wax and Bricks, commonly called
the Oil of Philosophers, be deprived of their bad Scents, and made
exceeding penetrative and pleasant.
56. So also may all Vegetable and Animal Oils distill’d by retort, be
purified and made pleasant.
57. Likewise all the Oils of Herbs, Seeds, Woods and Spices, which
with the addition of Water are distill’d by a common Still, may by
distilling them from our Magnet be made much more subtil, and their
sweet Smells much more strong and piercing; so that a little of these
Oils set in an open Vessel, perfumes not onely the Room in which it is
but also the whole house, they being so volatile that without any Fire
they vanish in the Air.
58. And as by means of this volatalizing fiery Spirit, the pleasant
and well scented Oils of Spices may be greatly meliorated and exalted;
so likewise may all stinking and poisonous Vegetables, Animals or
Minerals, thereby be made much more stinking and venemous, so as their
Smell alone will be sufficient to kill men, doing it with far greater
expedition than any Corporal poisons whatsoever. See _Elias Artista_.
59. All well scented Oils, may by means of our volatile saline Spirit,
be purified to the highest Degree, and afterwards be reduced to a hard
Body: which Body then is no common gross Body (as being a coagulated
Spirit) but a clear, transparent spiritual pure Body.
60. This Labour may with profit be practis’d on Amber, whose Oil being
by rectification made clear and transparent, and then digested with our
fiery salt Spirit, becomes hard again as it was before distillation;
by which means we may make pieces of Amber as big as we please, and
may mix with it some small Threds of _Sol_, and so shall have the old
highly esteemed Stone called Chrysophoros; or else we may put into
it, whilst yet it is soft, little Worms, Flies, Spiders, Pismires, or
whatever else we please, which is a notable Curiosity and shews as if
they were grown there, to those that are ignorant of this Art.
61. In the same manner may the Oil of Turpentine be reduced to a hard
Gum, to very good use and purpose.
62. All distilled Oils of Seeds, Woods and Spices, when by long
standing, they turn yellow, red or thick, may by means of this fiery
salt Spirit be again made clear, thin and transparent, when some of the
said Spirit is poured on the said Oils and so distilled, some part of
the Oil comes over clear and transparent, the other part remaining in
the Glass, in the form of an hard Gum, in which small Insects may be
inclosed as before said of the Amber.
63. Amongst all Oils these following are apt to grow thick and ropy,
_viz._ the Oils of _Lignum Rhodii_, Oranges, Limmons, Juniper-berries;
those of Cloves and Cinamon are apt to grow red. The Oils of
Fennel-seed, Anniss, Coriander, Caroway and Cumin-seed, and all other
Oils distill’d from Herbs and Seeds, that have hollow Stalks, and are
umbelliferous, forasmuch as they abound with much volatile Salt, are
apt to turn thick: If any of these be rectified with an acid saline
Spirit, it immediately destroys the volatile Salt, and the Oil becomes
clear and transparent, and the remaining part of the Oil becomes hard
as a Gum, and is a special inward and outward Medicine.
64. And forasmuch as a fiery saline Spirit can make old and red Oils
clear, thin and transparent, we may conclude, that such a Spirit is
able also to volatilize and bring over by distillation those Oils which
by length of time are become hard and dry in Seeds, Herbs and Woods,
and cannot by maceration in water be brought over, but must by this
more powerfull means be made thin and volatile, that they may afford
their Oils as easily in distillation, as green Seeds and Woods are used
to do.
65. Now as thick and ropy distill’d Oils may be made thin, by means
of saline Spirits; so there are some salt Spirits wherewith we can
coagulate all thin and subtil Oils, in the form of a volatile pleasant
strong scented Salt, of great use in Physick.
66. In this manner, _viz._ by pouring a strong saline Spirit upon them,
we can distill subtil and powerfull Oils from all rosins, gums and
thick juices, and afterwards reduce them again to the hardness of Amber.
Thus Mastick, Frankincense, Benzoin, Storax, Camphir, _&c._ afford very
pure clear and transparent Oils, which when hardned to the consistence
of Amber, draw straws and other light matters to them like it.
67. In like manner also can all sulphureous Minerals be purified to
the highest degree, when distill’d with such a Spirit, and then may be
reduced again to hard transparent clarified Bodies: and amongst the
rest Antimony and Orpiment do afford in this way most powerfull and
superlatively penetrating medicinal Stones.
68. And as these fiery saline Spirits do bring over by distillation all
unfixt sulphureous Subjects, and purifie them; so they do the same in
fixt Sulphureous Metals, e.g. _Mars_ and _Venus_, which Metals being
thus purified may be fixed into tinging medicinal Stones.
69. They who know the art of the metallick purification and fixation,
are possessours of an incomparable Treasure, forasmuch as by this means
in three days time with the charge of one Crown, a true universal
Medicine may be prepared, for the Bodies of men and metals, not in
great quantity indeed but sufficient to assure the Possibility of it,
and may afterwards be tryed in greater quantity.
70. By means of such a fiery salt Spirit fixt Chrystals, Flints, and
other hard Stones may be made volatile and spiritual, and then may
tinge them with what colours we please, and coagulate them again into
hard transparent colour’d Stones, and that of what form and fashion we
please. This is a very gainfull Art, because fair transparent colour’d
Stones are always preferrable to _Sol_.
71. And as we have understood that by means of volatilizing waters, nor
onely Vegetables and Animals, but also minerals and fixt metals may be
made volatile, and their purest parts brought over the Helm, and by
this means do wonders as well in Physick as Alchymy. Now though this
separation of the pure part from the impure, by means of Distillation
be high’y to be valued, yet there is a better, easier and less
chargeable way to separate the purer parts from all Metals, Minerals,
Stones, Sand, and coloured Earths containing _Sol_ and Tincture, by
means of a Magnet, which being laid in the Solutions of Metals, and
extractions of Stones, within a few hours time draws to it all the
spiritual as well as fixt _Sol_ and Tincture contain’d in the said
Solutions; so that after abstraction of the dissolvent by Distillation,
we find the dis-animated dead Body, which being put aside, we separate
the attracted _Sol_ or Tincture from the Magnet, and thus obtain
whatsoever good was hid in the foresaid gross Bodies. _N. B._ Though
indeed this extraction of _Sol_ and Tinctures be very easie, as hath
been said, yet I shall here, for further information of the Reader, set
down what ought to be observed in the extracting of _Sol_ from each
Metal, Mineral, Stone, or Earth. And first of fixt _Sol_.
72. When there is fixt _Sol_ in Sand or Stones, we need onely to
pulverize them, and pour upon them _Aq. Regis_ wherein common Salt hath
been dissolved, and let them boil together a quarter of an hour, by
which means the _Aq. Regis_ draws the _Sol_ out of the Sand and Stones,
in which extraction if we then put the _Sol_ attracting Magnet, it will
draw the _Sol_ to it self, which being separated from the Magnet, is
melted down with fluxing Powder, the _Aq. Regis_ continuing good to be
employed on the like occasion.
73. But when in the Sand or Stones there is no fixt but onely a
volatile unripe _Sol_, then we must put the Sand or pulverized Stones
into a Glass Retort, and pour upon them of our volatilizing fiery
Alkaliest, and abstract the same from the Sand or Stone, by which means
it carries the _Sol_ over with it, which hath been attracted by the
golden Magnet, which being reduced will be found good and fix’d _Sol_.
The dissolvent may again be used to the same purpose.
74. But if the Stones besides the _Sol_, do also contain _Lune_, then
an _Aq. Fortis_ must first be poured upon them to extract the _Lune_,
and afterwards precipitate it by casting some common Salt into the
Solution, by which addition of Salt the _Aq. Fortis_ is turned into an
_Aq. Regis_, and being poured upon the Stones, it extracts the _Sol_
also.
75. For if at first we should pour an _Aq. Regis_ upon these Stones, it
would indeed extract the _Sol_, but withall so alter the _Lune_, that
it would be impossible afterwards to extract it with _Aq. Fortis_, and
therefore we are to proceed in the manner abovesaid.
76. In like manner also we are to proceed with white, yellow and red
Earths, for to extract the _Lune_ and _Sol_ that is in them. And if it
be a fat Earth and contains fix’d _Sol_, it must first be made red hot
to rob it of its fatness, because else it would devour too much _Aq.
Fortis_.
77. But when the Earth contains onely volatile _Sol_, as the yellow
Earth of _Silesia_ and the red _Terra Lemnia Sigillata_, it must not be
made red hot, but pour some Alkahest upon it, and so bring the _Sol_
over the Helm.
78. Yellow and red Earths do commonly contain _Sol_ or _Lune_ or both,
and therefore we may boldly make trial of them; for oftentimes a great
treasure is shut up in very contemptible Earth, such as might serve to
maintain many thousands.
79. In the same manner we may extract the fixt as well as immature
_Sol_ out of Ruddie, red Jasper, and red Blood-stones, which in some
parts are found in great quantities.
80. With our _Sol_ attracting Magnet, we can extract much _Sol_ out
of any common Vitriol, and after the _Sol_ is extracted, reduce the
Solution to Vitriol again, which is as good for the Dyers use as it was
before.
81. With the same Magnet, good _Sol_ may be extracted out of those
yellowish, reddish, and greenish waters which flow from some Mountains,
which waters being to be had for nothing, must make this work very
gainfull.
82. And in case we should not be able to meet with this sort of running
waters, then we may take the Copperas Stones which are often found in
Sand, but for the most part grow in fat Earth, which when they are
expos’d to the Air, fall in pieces, and having water poured upon them
afford a good Vitriol, which easily yields the spiritual _Sol_ it
contains to our Magnet. So that an Artist can scarcely be to seek for
subjects, from whence unripe volatile or fixt _Sol_ may be had with
profit.
83. _N. B._ But when we have a mind to bring the volatile _Sol_
which is in red Sand, Stones and Clay, with volatilizing waters by
Distillation over the Helm, it is good to add to our Eagles Wings,
or volatilizing water, some of our most secret _Sal Armoniack_, by
which the same is extreamly strengthned and animated, so that like a
_Griffin_ for strength, it carries the Man on Horseback away in the Air
to his Nest.
84. _N. B._ This _Griffin_ is the Artist, that prepares this fiery
water, wherewith he seizeth as with his Talons the Man armed Cap a Pe;
that is, red Stones, Sand and Earth, abounding with a martial Tincture,
extracts and carries them to the young ones in his Nest, that is,
provides a good maintenance for his Family thereby.
85. But because to these operations of extracting _Sol_ volatile
and fixt, and Tinctures from the subjects just now mentioned, when
we work them in quantities, much _Aq. Regis_, or other like waters
are required, which every one hath not an oportunity to prepare for
himself, and therefore must buy them, which encreaseth the charges of
the operation; wherefore I am willing to teach a near way to prepare
these corrosive waters.
86. Forasmuch then as we know that Vitriol is an universal acid, and
the chief of all Salts, and the Spirit it yields by Distillation, much
more fiery than that which is forc’d from other Salts, therefore we may
make use of the Oil of Vitriol, for a _Basis_ with the help of others
Salts, to prepare several sorts of saline Spirits, with small labour
and charges, in manner as follows.
87. _Recipe_ two parts of Niter dissolved in water and one part of
Oil of Vitriol, distill them in an Allembick, and you will obtain a
good _Aq. Fortis_ to dissolve _Lune_, _Saturn_, and _Mercury_. This
operation spends little Fire and comes over easily.
88. And if we dissolve one pound of Salt, and as much Niter in three
pound of Water, adding thereto one pound of Oil of Vitriol, and distill
it in Sand, by Alembick or Retort we shall get six pound of good and
strong _Aq. Regis_ to dissolve _Sol_, _Venus_, _Mars_ and _Jupiter_.
89. But when we take two pound of Salt, and dissolve it in three pound
of Water adding one pound of Oil of Vitriol, we get five pound of good
Spirit of Salt. The Salt that stays behind is called _Sal Mirabilis_
or wonderfull Salt, because wonders may be done with it, as appears
from several parts of my Writings, these Salts being of divers vertues
according to the nature of those Salts that are added to the Oil of
Vitriol in Distillation.
90. These Salts are commonly added to metals, and melted down with them
in Crucibles, by which means they become dissolved in the dry way,
which is much easier and readier than the wet way of dissolving.
91. In particular by this way we can dissolve Sulphur, which resists
all corrosive saline Spirits, and remains undissolved by them.
92. Now to obtain Oil of Vitriol with ease and in great quantity, we
may proceed several ways, and especially thus, by dissolving Vitriol in
water, adding a contrary to it, which separates all its impurities, by
which means the purified Vitriol may with a small Fire be reduced to
Oil, so as one pound of Oil of Vitriol will not require above ten pound
of Coals.
93. And because Oil of Sulphur is of the same nature with Oil of
Vitriol, yea is more proper for some operations than it, therefore
we may make use of the same Oil of Sulphur, to prepare strong saline
Spirits, especially because the same may be prepared in quantity and
very compendiously, according to a particular way described by the
Ancient Philosophers.
94. They have taught us the preparation of Oil of Sulphur in their
wittily devised Fables, giving to this Oil the name of _Venus_,
whom _Vulcan_ when come to Man’s estate took to Wife: by the word
_Vulcan_, we are to understand every combustible Sulphur, and by
the word _Venus_, its incombustible corrosive Oil, which for this
reason probably they called _Venus_, because when a drop of it falls
on burning Coals, it gives forth a red smoak like to _Venus_, or
because this acid Oil like a wicked Woman, has sharp Teeth, and a keen
deceitfull Tongue, wherewith they lay hold of Men, and lead them astray
in the same manner as this Oil cleaves to, and enters a League with
every metal to which it is joyned, forasmuch as all metals proceed from
Sulphur, and have great affinity with it, as the Woman hath with Man.
_Here follows an Explication of the Poetical Table, teaching us to
make the Oil of Sulphur in quantity._
95. We reade that _Vulcan_, that is, a combustible Sulphur, took
_Venus_ to Wife, by which is meant the incombustible Oil of Sulphur;
now whilst _Vulcan_ was busie at his work in the Caves of the Earth,
for he was a Miner and a Black-smith, _Venus_ betakes her self to Mars,
who lies with her; now when _Vulcan_ found his Wife in the embraces of
another Man, he calls all the Gods to his help, who appearing, cast an
Iron Net over _Mars_ and _Venus_ that they might not escape, but with
great shame be exposed to the derision of the Gods.
96. When _Vulcan_ is kindled in a Furnace made for that purpose, that
is, labours in metals, the flame carries _Venus_, _i. e._ the Oil of
Sulphur into _Mars_ his lodging, that is, into the Recipient, which
must be fill’d with Steel Wire, where she commits Adultery with _Mars_,
that is, begins to dissolve the same, and produceth a Vitriol, which
when exposed to the moist Air, becomes resolved into a clear sweet
water, which from the Steel Wire runs into the Vessel appointed to
recieve it, which sweet water is nothing else but _Arostrus_ the Son
of _Mars_ and _Venus_, or the martial Oil of Sulphur, or to speak more
plainly, the Vitriol of _Mars_.
97. This Vitriol of _Mars_ is called by the Philosophers the juice or
water of the Birch Tree, and of which they say the Philosophers Stone
may be prepared, for many of them have writ concerning it, and pointed
to this sweet Iron Juice, which they have termed Birch Tree Waters,
because of the likeness it has therewith, for when in the Spring-time
we make a hole with a Piercer, reaching to the Pith of the Tree, and
thrust into it a Quill or Faucet, much sweet water proceeds from it,
which some make use of to brew Beer, because the same is accounted very
good against the Stone in the Kidneys and Bladder.
98. This Vitriol also is _Virgil’s Arbor Opaca_, or dark Tree, whose
Branches he declares to be easily flexible; now what is more flexible
than Iron, or Copper Wire, which are therefore compared to the Birch,
which is a very juicy Tree, and hath very flexible branches.
99. That this shady Tree is the fittest, according to _Virgil_’s
Doctrine, to break off one golden Twig after another is also certain,
for I have tried it divers ways and found it to be true, that it
affords its golden Twigs very freely to him that knows how to handle
_Proserpina_.
100. But if the Artist be acquainted with the use of our _Sol_
attracting Magnet, he may then with ease and more profit, without
Distillation or Fire, break off the said Twigs, than he could do with
the help of _Proserpina_.
And thus I conclude this third Century, the fourth and fifth follows,
which will be found of better use than this.