_How by the Benefit of a Magnet from the Air may be extracted an
Universal Medicine._
It is sufficiently known, that the Life of all things is reconded in
the Air, without which Spirit, or Soul of the World, nothing in this
Universality of things can live or grow. But the Ancient Philosophers
sought out various ways, by which that Spirit might be brought from a
far off nigh unto us, be received and exhibited palpable, and at length
they found the way, and by the benefit of it performed great things
both in Medicine and in Alchymy, and that more or less, according as
one knew better than another how to intercept and concentrate it.
For the whole Art consists in this Concentration. Therefore, since
by the Grace of GOD, unto me also is something known touching a like
Concentration of the Universal Macrocosmick Spirit of Life, I was not
willing (like some envious or covetous man) to keep so great a Gift
of GOD to my self onely, and suffer the same to be buried with me;
but chose rather (for the health of mankind, for the profit of my
Neighbour, and for the Honour and Glory of GOD) to impart something
thereabout; yet no more than is fit or convenient.
If any one desireth to extract some good thing from the Air, he must
first well understand what will be a good Magnet, and how to make
choice of an oportune place and time. For in a moist Season, you shall
extract nothing but an unprofitable Water from the Air. Wherefore no
man should undertake this labour of extracting, unless in the height
or midst of Summer, when the Air is very serene, void of Clouds, and
hot with the Solar Rays. Because, at such a time, the Magnet, which
you shall hang up in the Sun, immediately (from the hot Rays of the
Sun) extracts a medicinal Water, which every one may use according to
his Capacity. Also, I would have you to know, that various Magnets are
found, by help of which Water may be extracted from the hot Air, but
all such Waters make not for our Universal Medicine. Yet I am willing
here to subjoin some of those vulgar Magnets.
_The First Magnet._
With 3, 4, or 6 Pound of _Mercury_, or more or less fill small Stone
Jugs, or strong Glasses, which Glasses firmly closed let down into a
deep cold Well, where the _Mercury_ in it self will concentrate the
Cold. Now, if you would extract Water from the Air, hang up such a cold
Glass or Jug full of _Mercury_ in the Air, where it will presently draw
Water to it self. Therefore under the Glass or Jug must be set a Glass
Tunnel with a long Pipe; by which the distilling Water may be received,
and conveighed through the Pipe, from the hot Sun into a cold Cellar.
If this be not done, the Sun will again draw to it self the distilled
Spirit. You may leave the Magnet hanging as long as it remains cold and
Water distils from it: But assoon as no more water will distil, you
must immerge it again in a Cold Well, that it may recover its Coldness.
In the mean while, instead of it hang up another; and repeat the labour
so often as until you have gathered water enough.
_Another Magnet._
Hang up in the hot Sun Jugs or Glasses full of such water; which of
their own accord will their contract so great Coldness, as you can
scarcely endure to touch them with your hand. To them, as is abovesaid,
water will adhere, and distil into the Tunnels set under them.
A Cold water is thus prepared. In common water, or Spirit of Vitriol,
dissolve of _Sal. Armoniack_ and Salt-peter equal parts, as much as
can be dissolved. With this water fill your Glasses, and with them, as
is above shewed, extract water from the Air; and that will be equal
in vertue to the former. If you be desirous to extract something more
excellent from the Air, you must also expose to it more excellent
Magnets. For as is the Magnet so it extracts.