_How from Gold its Tincture may be extracted by help of a Magnet._
_Recipe_ of most pure Gold an ounce and a half, and of the _Stellate
Regulus_ of Antimony made with Steel, one ounce, both which melt
together in a covered Crucible; and whilst in flux cast at times
a little Salt-peter, until the Niter shall have extracted all the
_Regulus_ of Antimony from the Gold, and turned it into _Scoria’s_.
Permit the whole to flow well for some time, that the Gold may well
settle to the bottom from the _Scoria_, which will flow like water.
Then pour all out into a Cone, where the Gold becomes a _Regulus_,
which must be separated from the _Scorias_. This _Regulus_ of _Sol_
comes forth much paler than it was before. If this pallid _Sol_ be
again melted with the aforesaid Martial _Regulus_, and the _Regulus_
thence abstracted by the help of salt Niter, the Gold will come forth a
little paler than it did the first time. If you repeat this Operation
8, 10, or 12 times, you will find your Gold at length almost totally
white, and that its Tincture is extracted from it by the help of that
_Regulus_. The Tincture of _Sol_ is absconded in the _Scorias_; this,
by the benefit of a certain Antipathetick Salt, will be precipitated
from the Fæces liquified, like a _Regulus_ highly tinged.
_Note_: Yet in these Cases, the Precipitation must be warily handled,
lest you also precipitate the _Regulus_ [of Antimony] together with it,
and so vitiate the Tincture. For this Extraction no vulgar _Regulus_ is
conducent, but such onely, as is made of good Steel, and hath such a
property, as when a Flint is strook upon it, it yields fiery Sparks, no
otherwise, than as from hardned Steel. Which vertue, if it hath not, it
cannot rightly draw to it self the Tincture of Gold, but all endeavour
will be in vain. This Extraction, _Cosmopolita_, in his new Chymical
Light, hath very well described and discovered in these words. Such
_Chalibs_ must be taken, as is endewed with power of extracting that
from the Rays of the Sun, which many have sought, but few found. But
further he saith: There is found yet another _Chalibs_, which from Gold
extracts its Seed (if it be united or copulate with it 12 times) and
thence is impregnated; but the Gold is infirmed even to death. But the
_Chalybs_ or Magnet brings forth a Son, which will be more excellent
than his Father, _viz._ Gold, whence he proceeded, whosoever knows
this Magnet (of which _Cosmopolita_ makes mention, and an hint of the
preparation whereof I have here shewed) and understands how to use the
same, in two or three Days he will behold and find so great things,
as with the joy thereof his heart will be satisfied. For, if any one
hath Philosophick Eyes, he will see what is most pleasing, if not, he
will be no more delighted than a Swine, who among the Sweepings of
Vineyards hath swallowed an inestimable Pearl or Jewel, but knows not
the difference between a Pearl and that Dung.