The Second Part: OF The Prosperity of Germany

The Second Part: OF The Prosperity of Germany

Wherein is shewn,

By what means Minerals may be Concentrated by Nitre, and turned into Metalick, and better Bodies.

For the benefit of my Country, and of all such as affectionately and industriously follow after Metalick Affairs.

Friendly Reader,

I have taught in the first part of this Book, by what way the Vegetables, as Wine, and Ale, are to be concentrated, whereby they may yield more profit than hitherto they have done, and also, how Wood is to be reduced into Salt-petre. In this present Second part, shall be taught, how the Salt-petre is to be used, and how, by it Minerals may be Concentrated, and wrought into Metalick Bodies. And as to this Concentration, thus stands the case; that is to say, forasmuch as a good part of Minerals are of very little use, and lie neglected as things of no worth, and prove not profitable to any one, (whereas if there were Men that understood but the Art of it, there might redound a great benefit to the Lands where they are). It hath seemed to me worth while to declare it to my Country, nor doubt I but that there will arise some diligent ingenuities, who will lay the thing to heart, and take care thereabouts, and will even set their hands to the work it self, and thence get much profit; which to me would be very pleasing and acceptable. Therefore (in the Name of God) will I set about the manifestation of the Gifts of God (which lie every where unknown, and wholly disesteemed, and which yield no Man any fruit) and lay them open before the Eyes of the whole World, that so they may be better known hereafter, and be of more benefit to the Country. And I beseech the most Wealthy, and the most Ancient Housholder, our most merciful Father, to bestow a Blessing, and good success on this my endeavour, that it may tend to the Honour of his most Holy Name, and the health of all our Souls. Amen.

_Of the difference of Minerals, and what is understood by the Name of Minerals._

As concerning the word Mineral, why all Fossile and Metalick Mines are so called afore they have been wrought upon, and brought by the fire into Malleable Metals, I judge it but of small moment to make any tedious Comment thereupon; besides, others have long ago thoroughly treated of that, and yet it makes but little to the thing it self. But my purpose is (at present) to teach, what means such little esteemed Minerals may be made useful, and profitable by; but afore I begin this work, I will recite, and shew the many sorts of Minerals that there be; then next that, I will shew how, by the benefit of fire, and the hands of the Artificer, they may be converted into better bodies, and become useful, and profitable for Mankind.

Under the Name of Minerals are comprehended, or reckoned these following, viz. Antimony, Auripigment, White, Yellow, and Red Arsenick, Cobolt, Lapis Calaminaris, Zink, Bismute, or the Silvery Marchasite, likewise the Golden Marchasite, Pyrites, or Copperas stones, Vitriol of various kinds; as also, its kindred, may be added to the number of Minerals. And albeit, that some do also referr Alume, Salt-petre, Sal Armoniack, Sal Gem, and others of that kind to the rank of Minerals, yet cannot I acknowledge them for such, or reckon them up amongst the number of the above mentioned, seeing there is nothing Metalline to be found in them: Such only therefore do I call Minerals, that have in them a Metalline nature, and which do admit of being joined with other Metals, and of being molten together with them in the fire, and out of which the known Malleable Metals, may be extracted. These are they which I intend to treat of, and will see, what good is thencefrom extractable.

And first of all we’ll speak of Antimony.

Antimony is the noblest Mineral of all, not only because it doth for the most part contain Gold in it, but upon this account too, because more eminent Medicines may be thencefrom prepared for the use of Mankind. In the Mine-pits it has its peculiar Veins; that which is found in Transilvania, hath some little bigger portion of Gold in it, and is accompted of as the best in all Europe, next that is the Hungarian ♁, which likewise doth sometimes contain no contemptible portion of Gold; next is the Fechtenbergick, which is found at a small Town call’d, in the German Tongue, Gold-Gronack; the Polonian sort, and that which is found in most places of Germany, contains but little Gold, or none at all; but there is some which has much Silver in it, and (for the most part) is neither wont to be used, nor desired, or sought for, save by the Letter Founders, and these use it to make their Matters flow. Also many do use it (viz. ♁) in Medicine, and do much good therewith, but it hath certain Enemies who are none of the wisest, and so is hated, and rejected. But yet there lies in it more hidden good, than all its Enemies are able to conceive of, witness my Panacea, which is mentioned in the second part of my Pharmacopœia Spagyrica.

And Basil Valentine, certainly an excellent Philosopher, writ the Triumphant Chariot in its Honour, which is an exquisite Book and profitable to read.

But as concerning the way of making a Regulus out of Antimony, and as to the uses it serves for, that I have described in the fourth part of my Furnaces. Moreover, as to the manner of depurating Gold thereby, and cleansing it from all Heterogeneous mixtures, and as to the graduating of silver, thereby, that it may become Golden, all this have I spoken of in the Explication of my Miraculum Mundi; and as to what other effects may profitably be done, therewith in Metalick Operations, shall be shown, partly in this Treatise, partly in the third and fourth ensuing parts. As concerning the way of separating it in quantity out of the Ore, per descensum, is to be seen in George Agricola’s Book, that he wrote of the Metalick Art, and in others; nor indeed belongs it to this place to speak thereof.

Of Arsenick.

Arsenick likewise is a good Fossile, or profitable Mineral, and is put to many Uses. It also hath its singular, or distinct Veins in the Earth, whence it is taken; it is forced out of the Ore by Ascension, and Descension, and is purified for use: It is found white, yellow, and red. Also some silvery Minerals or Ores do in their solution, or melting; yield much Arsenick, which the Melters of the Ores do catch in Chimneys or Funnels made for that purpose, and keep it for use; concerning which, you may read in George Agricola’s Writings. So likewise, Cobolt yields Arsenick, and so do some Golden Minerals, or Ore; that which is separated from a Minera of Gold, per descensum, is very red, and auriferous; and this, those that deal with Metals, have experience of; which, if they separate not from the Gold Ore afore they melt it, it carrys away a great part of the Gold, and hides it in its Belly in the melting, so that they would not have so much Gold as there is in the Ore. For indeed, such a kind of Arsenick, is an unripe Gold, as shall be hereafter proved: So then, there lies more hidden in that Contemptible, and Venomous Arsenick, than any one will easily perswade himself to believe. There are also Medicines prepared out of it, but such, as serve only to be externally applied, in inveterate, and virulent Evils, as the Cancer, and Fistula. It is also used in Colouring and Dying Cloaths, concerning which, you may peruse my other Writings.

Of Auripigment.

This Mineral is in a manner of the same Essence that Arsenick is of; but this does not come forth of Minera’s, or Metalline Ores, but hath peculiar Veins of its own, in which it is generated; it is an unripe Mineral, and doth for the most part also contain Gold. It is exceedingly Poisonous and Volatile, and therefore it is but little used, save only by Painters. It can be fixed by Nitre, and it makes Copper white, and brittle, as Arsenick doth: And it suffers it self to be sublimed out of its yellowness, into Transparent Rubies, which are used for Ornaments sake.

Of Cobolt.

Amongst all the Minerals that are to be found Cobolt is the most poisonous; it’s an unripe silver, and it ofttimes yields in melting good silver, yet one sort more than other; some also there is which hath not any Silver at all, and is used about the sky-colour’d Smalt, to help make it, with an addition of Fusile Sand, and Potters Ashes. But when they meet with that which has Silver in it, they separate it thencefrom by Fusion; besides, it may be so fixt by the help of Salt-petre as to yield permanent Silver, as shall anon be spoken of.

Of the Silvery Marchasite.

The silver Marchasite, or Wismuth, is a known Mineral; it’s every where found to and again in the silver Mine-pits, as well as Cobolt is, but yet it is much more fixt than Cobolt; neither is it of so poisonous a Nature. It is gotten out of its Ore, or Minera, most easily by a small flame of wood fire, and is used by the Pewterers to make their Pewter hard, sounding, and fluxile. Likewise, out of its scoria or drossy parts, is the blue Smalt also prepared, which the Potters use to glaze their Pots, and the Glass-men to make sky-colour’d Glasses. It doth very frequently abound with much silver, and ’tis rare to find any that is wholly void of silver: And if it holds so much silver, as is of more value than the Marchasite can be sold for (as ’tis barely Bismute) they separate it, if not, they leave it in it. For if an hundred weight doth not contain 20 or 30 Lots, or half Ounces they do not separate it, because the Marchasite will yield so much. But now, the Silver may be gotten out of the Marchasite, by Salt-petre, so as that the remaining Marchasite shall lose nothing of its goodness nor be at all spoiled, as I have shewed in the Explication of my Miraculum Mundi.

Of the Golden Marchasite.

The name of Marchasite is proper to every unripe Metallick matter (and is) of as many sorts as there are Metals; hereupon the matter which has Gold in it, is called the Golden Marchasite; that which has Copper, the Coppery; that which has Iron, the Irony, and so that which abounds with Sulphur, is called the Sulphureous Marchasite. But now there is Sulphur in all the Marchasites, and sometimes Arsenick too, but (the Golden ones) have more of Gold than the other Marchasites have; Besides, out of all kinds of Marchasites proceeds (for the most part) a Vitriol, which shews the nature of that Metal, which the Marchasite contains; one while Copper, sometimes Iron; ’tis rare to find a Marchasite that hath no Metal at all in it; if it hath nothing of Gold, Silver, or Copper, yet has it Iron, and gives out of it self a Vitriol useful for Dyers, and which such as prepare Aqua-fortis cannot be without.

Of Zink.

Zink is a Volatile Mineral, or a half ripe Metal when it is drawn out of its Ore. It is much clearer and brighter than Tin, yet not so malleable and fluxile as Tin is, and it is usually put to Tin to make it brighter and harder. We have it not much growing in Germany, but great quantity of it is every year brought us by the Merchants out of the East-Indies. The way how to prepare it for Medicinal uses, have I described in the first part of the Philosophical Furnaces. It is a golden but an unripe Mineral, it gives Red Copper a Yellow Colour and turns it into Brass, as Lapis Calaminaris doth; and indeed that same Stone is nothing else but unmeltable Zink, and this Zink may properly be called a fusile Lapis Calaminaris; for as much as both of them partake of one nature. But with Zink, there is most an end conjoined Lead too, and then it is not fit to make Brass of, unless the Lead be first taken thereoutof; so it is at Goslaria, where together with the Minera or Ore of Zink is Lead also digg’d out mixt amongst it, and is called a Lead Ore, though there be contained in that Ore, four times more of Zink than there is of Lead, and yet they burn up the Zink for to have the Lead, which Lead hath some Silver in it. In the melting it flies away in fume, and it is a volatile and combustible Mineral, and sublimes it self up into the holes of the Furnace, whereupon the Melters or Founders are constrained to knock it off frequently, least it should too much lessen the Furnace; this matter they knock off, they call Calmei (which is Lapis Calaminaris) and which turns red Copper into Brass, with encrease (of its weight); and so verily by means of the not-knowing or being skill’d in this Ore, a great quantity is yearly burnt up and lost. Sometimes the founders do gather somewhat of the Zink, which is most excellently excellent; but that Ore might be melted with far greater profit, if they did not so burn up the Zink, and force it into fume, but seeing men are hardly drawn back from an old custom, it must be born with.

But yet (I say again) if that Ore were handled in a due manner, there would redound far greater profit thencefrom than now doth. Such a kind of Mineral as this is doth Westphalia also yield, which the founders there accompt for a Leaden Ore, because it has some load mixed with it, but when it comes to be freed or molten it goes (all) away in fume, and therefore they say, it is also a Calmei or Calaminaris Ore, and so it lies unused.

Of =Calmei= or =Lapis Calaminaris=.

Calmei Ore is digged out in many places in Germany, but there is none of such note as that which is found at Aquisgrane, for that is wholly void of all kind of Leadyness, and much different from that of Goslaria, or Westphalia; and therefore it is also very fit to make Brass of, which is there made in plenty, and farther, this has Gold in it, though not so much as to quit the Costs of separating it. But there is no Mineral richer with Gold than this, and could it but be ripened (and I doubt not at all of the possibility of so doing) a good deal of Gold might be drawn out from thence.

As concerning what else may be performed with that Mineral, I have formerly told you in my First and Second Part of Furnaces, nor is it needful to treat of the same thing more at large in this place.

Of Common Sulphur.

Sulphur or Brimstone is the most known, most used, and most combustible Mineral of all. As touching its uses in Medicine, and in Alchimy, about the separation of Metals; may you find something mentioned by my self, in the writings I formerly published, and in the writings of others too.

But at present we will only mind you of this, viz. That it is the very Foundation and Root of all the Metals; for tis rare to find any mine wherein Sulphur does not shew it self. Very many places in the World, is Sulphur both made and digged out of the Earth, in very great quantity, & that chiefly in Island, and in Italy, nigh to those always burning Mountains, Heckla and Vesuvius; it is also drawn out of Marchasites per Descensum in many places of Germany, so that enough of it may every where be had for a little money.

These are the chiefest Minerals that I ever knew of, and these are they which are commonly sought after, and applied to use. But now, besides these, there are so many various kinds of Fossiles and Minerals to be met withal, that one cannot reckon them all up, or give them peculiar Names. One contains Sulphur, and Arsenick, another, Cobolt and Sulphur; another Antimony, and Arsenick, and of that kind are there very many more. But yet those that we have reckoned up, are the most known, and most in use, and therefore shall at present be sufficient for us to speak of.

Having now taught what Minerals are, and which of them are most known & used; I will now teach, in the next place, by what means they may (by the help of Salt-petre, & of other Subjects) be fixed, concentrated, imbodied, or brought into Metals, so as to be rendred profitable for the use of Mankind, and which otherwise lie every where to and again neglected and, are wont to be of no esteem.

And as to the Concentration of Minerals, thus stands the Case with them; they are either to be fixed & subdued, as ’twere by the help of Salt-petre, that so they may not so suddenly fly away in fume in the fire, and be burnt up, but may abide the fire and suffer themselves to be molten; or they are to be reduced into bodies by the help of Metals, that so they may come in use, and that by augmenting the Metals, as Lapis Calaminaris does, or they are to be purifyed, separated, and made better, as shall be mentioned of Sulphur, Antimony, and the others, that so those kind of Minerals of which there lies to and again, at present, great quantities, wholly neglected, and profitable to no body, may hereafter be of use and benefit.

And first of all, as to the fixation of the Minerals, the way of proceeding is thus, viz. The Mineral is to be powdered, and to be mixt with equal weight of burning Salt-petre, and so to be fired, that the combustible and volatile part of the Sulphur may be forc’d away, and the Mineral may afterwards brook the fire the better, and be molten and forced downwards (per descensum); which operation I have treated of in the explication of my Miraculum Mundi, and therefore think it needless to repeat the same thing again here. By this mean therefore may Arsenick, Auripigment, Cobolt, Zink, Bismute, and other Volatile Minerals be in some sort fixt by the inflaming and burning up with Salt-petre, so as afterwards to endure the fire, and to yield forth the good they have in them. There’s also another way of imbodying Volatile Minerals, viz. by the benefit of Metals; if the Metals and Minerals are joined together in a due measure, and be likewise united together by the virtue of a Cementing fire; then doth the volatile Mineral penetrate it self into the Metal, and becomes Metalline, and doth also encrease the Metal, as is evident in Calmei or Lapis Calaminaris, which being joined with red Copper and cemented, enters into it, augments and encreaseth it, and turneth it into Brass; whereas there cannot be any Metal educed out of the Calmei by the usual way of melting. In like manner may all Arsenical minerals be (by cementation) introduced into Copper, & made corporeal; and these do not colour the Copper yellow as Calmei doth, but make it white, nor is the Copper rendred maleable thereby but britle; but yet ’tis not without profit; for if that white Copper be handled after a convenient manner of taming or over-mastering it, then the Gold and Silver that was in the Arsenick, betakes its self into Regulus’s, which are to be depurated in a Test or Cupel, or else by the help of Salt-petre; but there cannot any metalline body be made out of Arsenick, Auripigment, or Cobolt, by bare melting. The way of proceeding with it is thus; The Copper is to be cut into small bits, and to be moistned over with Linseed Oil, and the Arsenick, Auripigment, Cobolt or any other Realgar is to be powdered and strewed thereupon, and so a bed of Copper, and a bed of Arsenick to be put one a top of another in a melting Pot; then the Pot is to be well covered and fenced with Lute, and placed in a circulatory fire, and the fire is to be put nearer and nearer to it, until the Pot is through red hot, then let it cool, and you shall find that the Arsenick hath gotten ingress into the Copper, and makes it black and brittle. The Copper thus burnt, may be reduced into powder, and burnt with good Salt-petre, whereby the Volatile Gold and Silver which was contained in the Arsenick, is made corporeal, and abides as constant upon the Test as other fixt Metals do; so that by this means permanent and good Gold and Silver may be gotten out of every sort of Arsenick, Auripigment, Cobolt, and the other volatile, venomous and base minerals.

NB. This kind of operation is very dangerous to those that are unskilful, and who being unversed in the Chymick Art, have not learned to take heed to themselves. And therefore it behoves every one to beware of doing ought rashly or heedlesly. He that knows not how to carry himself (or his business) warily, let him forbear to meddle at all with this labour or process: But as for one who is better versed, and pretty well experienc’d, he may set about this work safely and will gain by it: Because there is oftentimes found Arsenick and Auripigment that hath in it much hidden volatile Gold and Silver, and which cannot be retained in the common way of melting by Fire, but will totally fly away: But now if it be imprinted in the Copper by Cementation, and fixt in the same by Salt-petre, and then precipitated by means of Lead or Iron into Regulus’s, it will render all that fixt which afore was unfixt and flying. But as concerning such a Cementation and Fixation to be done by Nitre, will be manifested by the following process.

NB. But you are carefully to observe, that one mineral must help another in the separation of their Gold and Silver (if you would undertake this Labour for profit): For so each will produce what it has in more abundance, and thou wilt have a greater reward for thy pains and costs. For example, I prove and try Auripigment or Arsenick, and find that it is auriferous, and I have a mind to perfect it and turn it unto my use; hereupon do I look for such Copper as is likewise auriferous, (and indeed there’s plenty enough of such every where): Into this Copper do I introduce my auriferous Arsenick by Cementation, and that I may not need to cupellate (or blow off) the same upon a Test (for the very Labour of so doing will cost more than the gains will be of that separation) I do precipitate the Gold that is therein into a Regulus, which Regulus being purified, I obtain the Gold that was contained in that Arsenick and Copper, neither is there any need of cupellating all the Copper. But that the precipitation of the Regulus may be the more commodiously done, I proceed on this wise. I find out some Antimony of a good sort, and which is of a Golden nature; likewise such Iron as hath Gold in it, both which, viz. the Iron and the Antimony, may easily be gotten, and then I set on the separation which I thus institute.

First of all I implant the auriferous Arsenick into the auriferous Copper (if such may be had) then reduce I these into powder, and fire them with an equal admixt weight of burning Salt-petre; by this means the Arsenick is made a little more fixt, and suffers it self to be the better dealt withal in the fire, but if you are well skilled in this kind of labour you may spare your Salt-petre and may melt down your Copper (burnt with the Arsenick and powdered) with an equal weight of Antimony. And if of its own accord it lets fall a Regulus out of it self, then there needs no precipitation, the Regulus may be laid by, and that which remains may be likewise precipitated into a Regulus with common Iron; and this (last Regulus) is also of use, as shall hereafter follow: But if not (that no Regulus falls) then that Mass may again be put into a Crucible, be molten, and a little Iron filings be cast in to make it settle; the which must be stirr’d about with a red hot Iron rod, and when it’s well molten, ’tis to be poured out into an Iron Cone; which being cool, the Regulus may be knockt off, in which Regulus will you have the Gold that was in the Arsenick, Copper, Antimony and Iron. This Regulus must be cupellated either by Salt-petre in a Crucible, or with Lead upon a Test; which done, you will have the Gold that lay hid, and shut up in the afore-mentioned Minerals.

But now, if one hath a mind to make that separation yet more compendious, and to have greater benefit thereby, he may add to that Copper burnt by the Arsenick, some Silver burnt with Brimstone, and so melt it with the Antimony, and by the means of Mars precipitate them into a Regulus, then the Silver will so much the better draw to it self the Gold out of the Arsenick and Antimony, and yield (in the separation) greater benefit.

NB. If so be a man be not skilful in this operation, let him forbear his Silver a little, and add some Silver to the Regulus by melting them, and then afterwards purifie the Regulus by Salt-petre; for so the Gold that is in the Regulus associates its self to the adjoined Silver, and inricheth it with no little increase, viz. according as the Minerals have had more or less Silver, in the making their separation.

And this is such a work as seems sufficiently able commodiously to sustain life; but it requires an experienced Artist, not a giddy headed fellow. Neither have I written this process for those who are not as yet well versed in Pyrotechny, but for such who are well skill’d and dexterous; and although this kind of operation needs no great store of Art, yet notwithstanding, every one will not rightly perfect it, and therefore do I warn such as are not well skill’d in Pyrotechny to desist from this labour, and betake themselves to some other, and set themselves about doing such things in which haply they are better skill’d, and not to lay the blame on me, when they are frustrated of their expectation, as if I had not dealt faithfully and sincerely in my writing, but let them rather impute it to their own preposterous rashness and unskilfulness; and what loss soever they bring upon themselves, let them impute it only to their own (misconceptions).

To deal plainly with you, that labour is conjoyned with some difficulty; but yet if any one be diligent and well exercised in the Pyrotechnical Art, the operation will succeed in such an ones hands very pleasantly; nor will he want a worthy profit, especially if he takes such Minerals as are richest, and use them about this separation. But some perhaps will say, Whence shall I have those so good Minerals? Who demonstrates to me, which are auriferous, and which are not auriferous, which are good, and which are to be rejected, that so least being deluded in this, I should lose all my labour? I would have such a one know, that if he has not gotten so much skill and experience as to prove a Mineral, whether it be auriferous, or not, he is not at all fit to take upon him this Labour of separation, and he were far better advised, if he wholly abstained from setting about it. But yet that I may not omit ought which may seem to be desired from me, I will over and above add here in this place, what way Minerals may be proved by, whether they be auriferous or not, and ’tis on this wise to be done; all Realgars, as Arsenick, Auripigment, Cobolt, and others of that kind, are first of all to be implanted into Copper by cementation, then are they to be molten, or throughly purged and subdued with Lead (like as you do with a crude Mineral); after this, there comes out a certain little silvery Pellet, and this you are to prove as you would for Gold. Now according to the moreness or lessness of the same, so is the business to be ordered, and compute to be made, whether or no the said Mineral is worth the pains of separation as aforesaid. Likewise the Copper it self may be cupellated with Lead alone, and then the remaining silver Pellet be proved for the Gold, with Aqua-Fortis; but as for the Antimony, and Iron, they may be well melted jointly together in a Test under a Cover or Muffel, or in a clean Crucible in a Wind Furnace, with this observation, that there be used twice as much Antimony as Iron, and so a Regulus will settle, which is to be purged or tried with Lead in a Test, and kept flowing till all the fugacious parts are evaporated, which done, there is found a silver Pellet, which is to be proved with Aqua-fortis, how much Gold it has.

NB. This probation, or trial is to be accounted of as a certain and lawful trial, but such though as you may easily err in the doing of, and so may have nothing, though it had in it a good part of Gold; for the Antimony will not easily suffer it self to be vanquished, or go off, but it will break the Test, or Cupel, and the little Pellet which is the probatory Globulus betakes it self (by reason of the fierceness, or eating penetrativeness into the Test) so that the Proba or trial it self, may most easily become fallacious, and yield no certain discovery. Which to remedy, the business is to be thus managed, after that your two parts of Antimony shall have been well melted in the Crucible, with your one part of Iron, there must be put thereinto a little dried Salt-petre powder, and the Pot, or Crucible must again be covered over, and care taken to make them melt well together; then are they to be poured out into an Iron Cone first smeared over with Wax, and when ’tis cold, the Regulus is to be knockt off from the Scoria, to which must be added twice or thrice the weight thereof of Lead, and the Regulus of the Antimony doth in the melting-pot separate it self by Salt-petre from the Lead, and the Lead is to be afterwards cupellated, and so that goes all off, and the true weight is had. But albeit, that this description be clearly enough delivered, yet certain I am, that one in ten will not understand it aright, and therefore it is behoveful, more fully to inform, and clearly to shew the Reduction of that Regulus into scoria by Salt-petre. To make this trial or proof ’tis not needful to take a huge vast pot to fill with Iron, ’tis sufficient to take of Iron 100 l. of the smaller probatory weight, and 200 l. of Antimony, both which are to be molten together, and to be precipitated with a little Salt-petre, for so the Regulus doth the better separate it self from the scoria’s, the which is then to be washt and purified by Lead and Salt-petre. This Regulus that comes from the Antimony and Iron, put with three times its weight of Lead in a clean Crucible, and make them well to flow in a wind Furnace, but cover your pot close that no Coals fall in, and so hinder the work, then take off the cover and throw in a little powdered Salt-petre, and again cover the Crucible, and above all things have a care that there fall not in any Coals, and let them lie and operate a little upon each other, then the Salt-petre imbibes all the Antimony, Iron, and Lead, and thereby becomes hard. This being done, some more Salt-petre is to be again cast in, and you must make them flow together, and so all the whole parcel of Antimony, Iron, and Lead, betake themselves into the Salt-petre, and pass into scoria, but part of the Lead remains whole or free, and is not scorified, and therein will the Gold be, which the Antimony and Iron had immixed in them, which if it be blown off on a probatory Cupel, or Test, under a Muffel, there will then remain the true weight.

NB. But it is expedient, that there be a just proportion observed in this kind of Work, that you take not overmuch Salt-petre to this ablution, or converting it into scoria, and so bring all the Lead into scoria, but the business is so to be managed, that there be left remaining one third part at least, of those three parts of Lead you took, which is not reduced into scoria with the Antimony; then may it be poured out into a Cone, and when ’tis cool, the Regulus is to be knockt off from the scoria, and Cupellated.

NB. He that is minded to wash Metals after this manner by the help of Salt-petre, and to reduce them into scoria, must have an especial care that not a Coal falls into the Crucible, for they will much hurt, and will again precipitate them, which the Salt-petre hath already imbibed, and so render the operation invalid. Besides, it is worth the while to admonish, and tell you that all Arsenick, and Antimony is auriferous, but yet so, as that one sort is richer than another, and that abundance of Copper and Iron hath likewise in it Gold, which no body finds out, nor can it be separated by that old beaten way of Cupellating it with Lead. But some, or other might here say, Where shall I find Arsenick, Antimony, Copper, and Iron, which have Gold in them? Had they any thing of worth in them, others would doubtlesly have extracted it, and not have suffered it to come to my hands whole and sound? To satisfie such an one, I answer thus, tho’ those that work on the Metals, do for the most part know, that there is in Arsenick and Antimony, a Volatile Gold, yet know they not how to extract it thencefrom with profit, for the separating way they take would cost more than the Gold they should have would yield, because (according to their usual way and custom of working) all of it would vanish away with fume. And this is to be understood of Arsenick, Auripigment, Cobolt, and Antimony, all which may (by the way we have here mentioned) be tamed and introduced into Copper, and be made permanent and fixt.

But now, that there should sometimes be Gold implanted, naturally in Copper, and should there also be left remaining untoucht, is so done on this account, because there is not in it so much as to pay the Costs of the separating it by Lead (for verily the Cupellating it with Lead on a Test, requires great expences.) This is the reason why Gold lies immixed in the Copper oftentimes, and cannot be thence extracted with profit.

The same is to be understood of Iron, for a Vein of Iron doth oftentimes offer it self, which is very much impregnated with the more precious Metals, and yet no body either knows, or observes it. For the Ore of Iron is for the most part wont to be forced out by unskilful Men who have no care at all of the Gold, but only of such an Ore as contains a good portion of good and malleable Iron; and suppose they did certainly know, that there were in 100 l. of Iron, some Lots of Gold, by what means (I pray) would they extract it thencefrom? For Iron cannot be dealt withal by Cupellation on the Test, much less can it be separated (as Copper is) by the means of Lead; so that there’s no reason for any one to wonder that there are so few to be found, that promise themselves, or seek after much good out of Iron, seeing it is not so apt a Subject to be separated, and subdued as Copper is. But by the help of Arsenick, Auripigment, or Antimony, ’tis no difficult matter to tame, and bring it under, so as to make it yield forth what it has: And ’tis thus. This Iron, which is auriferous, may first be cemented with Arsenick, as we have afore taught of doing so with Copper, then is it to be precipitated into Regulus’s by means of Antimony, which Reguli being imbued, or mixed with Lead, and reduced by Salt-petre into scoria, and cupellated, the Gold doth at last offer it self (which was hidden in the Minerals, or Ores, and so despised) and that with no contemptible profit. But now if any hath a mind to have the business yet more perfect, he may instead of Lead, add some Gold, and then reduce the Regulus into scoria’s, by Salt-petre, and abstract it from the Gold; for so the Gold you put thereto doth the better hold that other Gold which it has attracted out of the Regulus, and there is made a much more plentiful encrease, than if the Regulus had been scorified upon Lead. Nor are the scoria to be thrown away, but they may be precipitated by throwing in live Coals, whereby the Salt-petre doth again let fall the Regulus which it hath swallowed up, and which Regulus you may separate from the dross when ’tis cold. This Regulus may be afterwards commodiously used in other Metalick Operations, that so it may yield anew out of it self the Gold; concerning which business there will a place fall in to speak of by and by. And besides, those drossy Offals (which for the gratest part are fixt Salt-petre) are also of good worth, which may be reserved for the subsequent Metallick Operation, which may be stiled a perpetual Metallick-working artifice; so that there is nothing at all wasted, but all things are of use. And this way of the separation of Metals is so very profitable, as that any one may get himself sufficient gain for to supply the necessities of Life. But if you have no fansie to meddle with Arsenick, or Auripigment and would willingly shun them by reason of their poisonous nature, they may even be omitted, and you may cement that auriferous Iron, with the Golden Marchasite, melt it with Antimony, and precipitate it into Regulus’s. For even by this means too, the Gold that was in the Marchasite, is brought in use, and yields an increase to that Gold which is extracted out of the Iron and Antimony. But if so be there be no Golden Marchasite to be gotten, that separation may be ordered, even with Iron and Antimony, and if the Iron be but auriferous, the Labour will not be without profit.

This kind of separation or eduction of Gold out of the volatile Minerals, and baser Metals will be an egregious aid or benefit to such as have learned rightly to operate in the Fire, and whom (otherwise) a grievous want of things and small estate afflicts; for there is enough of the aforesaid Minerals, every where obvious, but they cannot be well handled, or wrought upon by reason of their unfixedness and immaturity, and therefore do they lie neglected and as it were wholly useless, and are not made beneficial to any. I know that some do well understand the way of fixing Cobolt, and Bismuth by Salt-petre, and do thence get an abundance of Silver; and likewise there are some that know how to tame and subdue Arsenical Realgars by the help of Salt-petre, so that they suffer themselves to be molten, and yield forth their hidden Gold and Silver. But he that shall so manage the business as to adjoin thereto the auriferous imperfect Metals, such an one will make a more successful work thereof; especially if he gets himself some auriferous Iron, the which he may get for a small matter: And besides, if he makes his Salt-petre himself, then all that whole operation of fixing or separating the volatile Minerals would be done with very little costs, and yield much gain.

NB. But now if any one would yet get more profit by this separatory operation, then he must contrive the doing it not in Crucibles or Pots, but in hearths (or furnaces) where a great heap of the volatile Mineral may by fixing Nitre melt together, and be precipitated into Regulus: then the Regulus may be separated from the Scoria, and be depurated by Nitre in other Furnaces, and be fitted for use; and so by this means may there be so much gain gotten, the like whereof, the great heaps of Ores which Men are necessitated to dig out of the bowels of the Earth with so much expence and charges, will scarce afford.

Likewise all Minerals may by the help of Salt-petre be fixed by the moist way, so as to yield permanent Gold and Silver; whereby (without doubt) full as much, if not more, is obtained, as is by the dry way. The way of operating is this. Dissolve a volatile Mineral, be it Cobolt, or Zink, Wismuth, Calmei, Arsenick, Auripigment, or any other the like mineral, in a strong Aqua-fortis; the solution being made, separate the Aqua-fortis again; then shall you have remaining a white Calx, which is fixed by the virtue of the Aqua-fortis: So that now it will admit of being molten with Lead, of being separated from the Scoria, and of being cupellated. But he that knows how to melt that Calx with Antimony and to precipitate it with auriferous Copper and Iron, gets more Gold than by that operation with Lead. But haply, every one can’t perform that separation; for the excoction or melting, the reduction into Scoria, and Cupellating upon the Test, are operations more known and easier to be done.

Moreover, there are also some Minerals, which may be fixed with the moist fire, that is, with a most strong Aq. fortis, so as to yield their Gold and Silver in the Scoria, but especially Tin, Quick-silver, and Lead: If a vehemently-strong Aq. fortis be but once abstracted from Tin, it makes it so fixt, as that it will not fly away in the greatest Fire, but will melt into a white Glass. But now, if you would have it to yield forth its Gold, you must melt other Metals with it, into which the Gold may insinuate it self, and be made corporeal, such as are Silver and Lead. Lead, if it be dissolved in Aq. fortis, and precipitated by Urine, it gets such a hardness, that it will scarce melt in a Crucible; if you precipitate it with a Lixivium, it becomes glassy; if with Salt-water, it is rendered exceedingly volatile; for common Salt makes all Metals volatile, and on the other hand, Nitre fixeth them both by the moist and by the dry way, binds them, and constrains them to abide in the Fire; and this you are to know aforehand. Now, for the better confirmation of this thing, see how easily the common Mercury is made to abide the fire, if Aq. fortis shall have been several times drawn off therefrom, insomuch that it will suffer it self to be made wholly red-hot. But now, if the same be sublimed with Spirit of Salt, it becomes more and more volatile, so amongst all Salts there’s not one that fixeth Minerals, save this most noble Nitre, and this hath a natural aptness to do it both by the moist and dry way, as hath been even now demonstrated.

And verily, this way of fixing the imperfect Metals (which is done by the help of Nitre, by either the moist or dry way) is to be preferred far before that which is done only with a Fire of Wood, not barely on this account, because it is sooner and speedilier performed, but for this reason too, because it fixeth better and more durably: For if any one shall endeavour to make Arsenick, Cobolt, or other volatile Minerals, permanent or fixt, by the bare force of common fire, How much time, I pray, must he allow it? Haply it will require some months for this kind of Work, if not a whole year, yet at least half a year ’twill need; whereas by the means of Nitre it may be done in one or two daies: For if a volatile Mineral be mixed with Nitre, do fulminate, and be edulcorated, and that fulmination be repeated 3 or 4 times, it will afterwards endure a sufficiently-vehement melting Fire. Or if a Mineral be only dissolved in Aq. fort. and that Aq. fort. again drawn off therefrom, it will even by this means be rendered fixt and constant in the Fire; so great is the force and virtue that lies hid in Salt-petre: And this the ancient Philosophers well knew, and therefore said that the most vehement fire of all was to be used to the fixation of volatile Minerals; and this fire is hid only in Nitre, and is no where else to be found; for the Central Fire hath too soon withdrawn it self from the volatile Minerals and baser Metals, and left them unripe, and they can be advanced to a maturity, both by our common Wood-fire, and by the fire of Salt-petre, and be fixed. And now I suppose that I have more than sufficiently proved, by what I have said, That Salt-petre fixeth Minerals and Metals, both by the dry and moist way; nor can any one reasonably deny the same. Moreover, I judge it not fit to pass this too over in silence, viz. That Salt-petre doth likewise make volatile, not only the unripe Minerals, but also the fixt Metals themselves; so as that they suffer themselves to be sublimed and destilled wholly (like common Sulphur or Mercury) save the fæces, which are somewhat blackish and stay behind. Any understanding man may easily consider here what benefit is to be hoped for from such a Destillation of Metals; for seeing that all things are by destillation brought to the highest purity (as is clearly evident) it may well be concluded, that when in impure metals the pure parts are separated from the impure, something of excellency must therefrom proceed. I will say no more of this matter at present, for I have already clearly enough demonstrated and plainly enough delivered this kind of destillation or purification of metals, in the third part of my Spagyr. Pharmacop. and have there shewn, that every imperfect metal, if it shall be destilled, yields volatile Gold, and that that volatile Gold may be made corporeal, without almost any Cost in a particular way, (and haply also in a universal, which I confess I have not as yet proved) thither therefore referr I the studious Reader of Hermetick and truly Philosophical Arcana and Secrets.

But that the difference of those waies of fixing or concentrating the volatile Minerals, and likewise the imperfect Metals, may rightly be perceived and laid open, and that it may appear how much more compendious and easie that way which is done by Nitre is than that which is done with common fire; it will be a good help to set down here some process for an example, by which it will be manifest how laborious this way of doing it barely with Wood is, and contrarily how easie that way of doing it by the moist Fire of Nitre is.

It is impossible to fix Arsenick, Auripigment, Cobolt, and such-like as these without the help of Saltpetre, unless they are first introduced into other metallick bodies, and are together with them, burnt with a Fire of Coals, and reduced into Ashes, and turned into Scoria, and wholly destroyed, and then at last reduced again into a metalline form, by the force of the intense fire of a Blast or Bellows: All which, that they may be dexterously performed, you must proceed on this manner, as followeth.

First of all, the Cobalt, Arsenick, or any Realgar like these, that is auriferous, is to be introduced into Copper or Iron by cementation, in the way that we have aforementioned; then the Copper or Iron thus cemented with the Realgars, is to be reduced into fine powder, and to be commixed with Antimony, Calmei, or Calaminaris, the Marchasite, and such order is to be taken, (if for Gains sake you would do a greater heap of matter) to have them slowly and by little and little made red-hot in Furnaces or Ovens, such as in which the flame may have room to play, and as’twere brandish it self at top of the matters, and stir them, and so let them be calcined and burnt into ashes, until they emit no more fume, and this will be in some few daies; then are they to be reduced in a convenient Furnace, and restored to their metalline form; then again must they be put into the former Oven, and there be calcined and burnt into ashes, still stirring them to and fro, and the ashes are to be reduced, by the vehement Blast of Bellows, and this ashifying and reduction is to be so long repeated, till there be a Regulus found in the reduction, and all the residue turns into unprofitable Scoria. This Regulus then is to be reduced on a Test into Scoria, and the Regulus being cupellated, the Gold and Silver which the volatile Minerals contained in them, doth shew it self.

NB. Altho’ this reparation is attended on with indifferent labour, yet notwithstanding (if there be a great quantity of matter dealt in) it is also gainful, especially where Minerals and Coals are to be had for a small price, and also the other imperfect metals (as Lead, Copper, and the like) that concurr in this kind of Operation; by which it also comes to pass, that there is a greater quantity of Gold and Silver extracted. For example, I burn Copper or Iron with Arsenick, Cobolt, and other poisonous volatile Realgars, or with bare Calmei only, which also avails to constringe or bind fast; with these I mix Antimony, Bismuth, Zink, and Lead, and melt them together: Hence ariseth a brittle mass, which is to be reduced into ashes, either in Ovens, as is already afore-shewed, with the flame of Wood, which darts it self at top of that mixt matter, and by heating ripens it, or by live Coals in a peculiar Furnace, and that on this wise: Let there be built a great or small Furnace, (of good Bricks or Tiles that will endure the Fire) according to the quantity of your matter which you take to prepare, let it be at least a foot over in the inside: in the forepart let it be open a foots heighth from the Pavement or Ground, to this end, that the Grate may be put in and taken out, as need is. Then some 2 or 3 foot higher than the Grate, let a door be made, whereby you may throw in the Coals, and above or at top of the Furnace are to be made Chimneys, fitted to receive and condense the fume of the metal, that it may not fly into the air, but being there cool’d, may be taken out. All this being done, fill the Furnace with Coals, and when they are well kindled, cast in a portion of your metalline mixture, which will quickly melt, and being melted, will run through the fiery Coals, and still keep fuming, and elevate it self up into the appointed Chimneys; that which melts down through the Coals and Grates, and is in the form of metal under the Furnace, (which bottom must be made somewhat shelving), that the metal which falls down may run into a hole or pit, is to be taken up with an Iron Spoon, and again thrown in upon the Coals, and this is to be so often repeated, and so long, till all your whole mixture be burnt into ashes, or carried up in fume, and so shall be ashified and sublimed in the appointed Tunnels or Chimneys, which Flores or metalline Fumes you must take and reduce them in a reducing Furnace, so part of them will pass into a fusile Metal, but brittle. This Metal now must be again ashify’d in that roasting or burning Furnace, and be reduced by blast of Bellows; and this ashifying and reduction is to be so often repeated, till all be seen turned into Dross or Glass; which Dross or Scorias are then to be reduced with the most vehement blast of Bellows, and so they will produce a Regulus which is to be cupellated with Lead, as is abovesaid.

NB. But if so be that of the last-made Scoria a Regulus cannot be made by the blast of the Bellows, and that the Scoria remain Scoria, ’tis a sign that you have taken too much Tin, or that your Fire hath been too intense; and therefore you must take such Scoria, and beat them to powder, and mix them with a little of either the fluid Ore of Lead, or Spume thereof, and make them flow in a reducing Furnace, then the Lead draws the Gold and Silver out of the Scoria, which may afterwards be cupellated. But as concerning the manner of making the roasting or ashifying Furnace, as likewise the fusing or reducing Furnace, I cannot indeed at present here decipher it, but I will do it in the Third Part following, where more such-like concentrations of Metals shall be mentioned and treated of. And farther, the well-minded Reader must also know, that this kind of Concentration is not at all written for those that are as yet wholly ignorant of the Art of melting metals, but for such only as have already sweated at the Fire, and have been often and much versed in such Separations or Liquefactions.

I question not, but there will be many that will despise this my way of operating, and count it an impossible thing, such are to be left to please themselves with their own fancies. But withal, some will be found, to whom the nature of metals is known, and these will give credit to what I say, and will abundantly profit themselves, especially in those places where Minerals, Coals, and other things requisite are to be had for a small price. The greatest Expence in this way of Concentration is the Coals, which too cannot be any thing much in those places where there are such vast Woods. Every one may have his liberty to try it or let it alone.

NB. But I do openly affirm, that if so be any one shall know how rightly to handle and manage this Work, it may be compared with the perpetual or alwaies-lasting mines; and where minerals may be had, it will be most gainful; but I will not perswade any to attempt it in those Coasts where all things are dear. Nor do I think it amiss to disswade them that have no experience in these kind of Operations, lest upon the ill management of the Operation, the effect should not succeed so luckily as they hoped for, and that then they should lay the blame upon me. That which I have at present written, is agreeable to the Truth, and may be successfully and gainfully performed by an experienced Artist or Laborator: And therefore as I have afore warned, so do I again advise the unexpert to abstain from this Work, unless he means to lose his Labour and Expences.

Such things as I have here omitted for brevities sake to speak of the Concentration of Metals, the Third and Fourth Part shall abundantly declare; but whoever he be that shall know how to bring to pass such a Concentration, either by the means of Salt-petre, by the dry way of a flame, or the moist way, by the help of Aq. fort. shall have a better effect than he that useth the Fire of Wood; but on the other hand, this Fire by Wood is of less Cost than the administration of the Work of Salt-petre is. Alas! What a deal of costs and labours have I bestowed in my life, in searching out and trying those kind of businesses, and having now brought it to this pass, as to be able to yield me the Reward of my Pains, I am not able to manage so vehement a fire, and to order the matters which require so great an heat? Therefore do I now with a willing mind make an offer of these my Experiments, to those who are of a vigorous age, and have Bodies capable of undergoing the toiling in the Fire. But that I may return to the things afore spoken of, and that that ashifying and reduction may not seem to the unexperienc’d altogether impossible and incredible, I will for their sakes bring undeniable Reasons or Arguments, whereby it shall be sufficiently enough evidenced, that such a cineration or turning into Scoria, hath its foundation in Nature, and that after this manner: Whosoever he be that hath seen or experienced somewhat in metals, knows, that the separation of the more excellent metals from the more vile, is to be done by the benefit of the Fire: for if so be that Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Lead, Tin, should be melted together into one mass, and you would separate them by the Fire the one from the other; this cannot be done any other way, but by adding to that mixture some other adventitious and destructive thing whereby the baser metals may be dissipated and deprived of their metallick form, of which sort is common Sulphur and such-like; for this works first on the imperfect metals, destroys them, or brings them into scoria and dross, which when they are so, and no more metals, they have no communion with metals, nor desire or love to be commixt with them afterwards: and by how much the more sulphureity there is in Metals, so much the easier doth common Sulphur destroy them and turn them into Scoria: But, by how much the nobler the metals shall be, so much the less detriment doth Sulphur bring upon them, and the less able is it to disturb (or alter) them. But besides, Sulphur does not only do this, but even the Fire, and Salt-petre both in the moist and in the dry way. It is done with Sulphur, if the metallick mixture be granulated and burnt therewithal, or that it be despoiled of the metalline Nature, then must it be molten and by precipitation be driven or be separated into divers Regulus’s. For the Sulphur converts the Mass into Scoria, which when they are molten, that which in them is the most noble doth always separate it self from the Scoria, and settle to the bottom; then next the most noble part comes other which is excellent, but yet short of the former, and so consequently it descends from one degree to another, as from Gold to Silver, from Silver to Lead, from this to Copper, from Copper to Iron, &c. as hath been by my formerly described separatory Art sufficiently enough shewn. But Nitre performs the separations it makes in a different manner: For after that the metallick Mass is molten in a Crucible, and that this (viz. Nitre) hath been thereinto put, it doth in the first place set upon the sulphureous part, and turns that into Scoria, then the baser Metal, and thus it does on, so long till it hath attracted all the imperfect Metals to it self, and reduced them into Scoria: and so the perfect Metals remain alone, pure; which order or governance of Operation, is also to an again, extant in my Writings.

Again, the bare fire is wont to keep another different way of destroying and scorifying Metals, than Sulphur and Nitre do.

For if a Metalline mixture be put in the fire, the more imperfect part thereof is consumed in the first place, and driven into ashes, the more excellent part gathers up it self into a globular form; and as long as it finds any consumable thing therein, so long does it work and act thereupon, nor leaves it off afore it hath reduced all into ashes. But that part which is of a constant and durable nature, remains unhurt by the fire; but yet if the combustible part be too much bigger in bulk than the abideing part, it does not only carry away with it the silver, but sometimes also a good part of the Gold, and brings it into ashes. And now, if those ashes shall be molten with a strong fire, then the ashes which arise out of the imperfect Metals, are turned into Glass, or scoria, but the ashes of the perfect Metals do reduce, and restore themselves into a malleable Body, whether it be Silver or Gold, according as it had this or that Metalline mixture in it; and if you proceed yet farther, with melting the aforesaid scoria in the fire, there will a new Regulus fall out, which contains in it that Metal, which is the noblest next Gold and Silver, viz. Lead, and Copper; the Tin, and Iron do for the most part abide in the scoria: Even as it is in Cupellation, or the separation of the Metals by the Cupel, the separation is there also done, by the bare fire only, and when the fire acts upon the mixture, it reduceth the Lead into scoria, or spume, or Litharge, and while this is reduced thus, it spares not the Tin, Iron, or Copper, forasmuch as they are likewise combustible, and of affinity thereto, but turns these together also into scoria, which said scoria do then creep, or sink into that penetrable, and porous Cineritious Vessel, or Test, as long as any of it remains: But the Gold and Silver which know not how to be thus burnt up into scoria or ashes, like the other imperfect Metals are left depured and cleansed upon the Cupel: The like also, is to be judged of the aforesaid incineration of Volatile Minerals, or imperfect Metals; that is to say, when they undergo the force of the fire, they cannot but go into scoria and ashes, and if they have in them somewhat that is especially good, and durable, yet the greater part being combustible, has the prevalency; so that the more excellent part which is in it, is converted together into ashes and scoria. But yet it may be afterwards reduced, for by the vehement blast of Bellows, it separates it self from the more base part, and again assumes a body Metalline, whether it be Gold or Silver.

By this Discourse any one that is not wholly void of all Metallick knowledge may see, that the Metallick Incineration and Reduction, which we have afore delivered, is built upon a firm foundation: But he that cannot understand or apprehend these things, is uncapable of being holpen by any art. But the following third and fourth parts will yield a more clear light, or instruction. Furthermore you are to observe, that there are likewise other ways whereby Metals are reduced into scoria, and the better and more excellent part is afterwards extracted out of the scoria, viz. by the help of Terrestrial things which are together, sulphureous, of which sort is all Sand, Flint, and the like. If ought of this kind be permixt and molten with the metalline Calxes, it retains with it the viler part, and lets go the more excellent; as for instance, there’s the Glass of Lead: For if the ashes of Lead be molten with Sand, or Flints, all the Lead together with the Flints is converted into Glass, or scoria, but the Silver or Gold which was in the Lead separates it self like a Regulus, and descends to the bottom.

Some kinds of Salts also are able to make those scoria’s, viz. those Salts which are extracted out of burnt ashes, and are commonly called Alkalies, such as are the burnt fæces of Wine, the Tartar of Wine, Potters-ashes made of the ashes of Wood, and other such like; these also love to dissolve the sulphureous parts of metals, and do leave the Gold and Silver that is therein whole and sound, and so make a separation of the good from the evil, and give them a notable splendour: Concerning which washing, we will treat more fully in the following third part.

Besides too, even common Salt destroyeth and reduceth the imperfect metals into scoria, but not after such a manner as Alkalies do by washing, but by dissolving and extracting. For if a metallick Calx, or Ore, be powdered and mixt with common Salt, and molten together, the Salt doth more readily seize upon the metal, than on the rest of the drossiness, dissolves it, and turns it into as it were scoria. But to illustrate this thing by an Example, If I would separate a mineral which hath in it, Iron, Copper, Gold, and Silver, and should melt it thus mixt with the Salt, then the Salt would the first time lay hold on the Iron only, and leave the other metals; but if so be there were not so much Iron, as for the Salt to satisfy its devouring self, it would dissolve the Copper too, the Silver and Gold remaining untoucht; for Salt is a common Enemy to Silver, but a Friend to the Iron and Copper, which it willingly dissolves in the melting, and attracts to it self, whether it be each apart by themselves, or both jointly together, which if you are minded again to separate each from the other, you must powder that molten Mass, and pour water thereupon, and boil it; so the Iron and Copper enters into the water, together with the Salt, whereinto if you afterwards put some Iron Rods, the Copper precipitates it self, and the Iron abides in the salt water, and is made very fit to use in dying like Vitriol; but if it will not be coagulated like Vitriol, then the Copper (which hath precipitated it self about the Iron) is to be washt and molten, out of which comes purer Copper. But yet such a Copper may be converted to better use than to be molten, of which more shall be spoken in the third part.

By this means, may one separate and bring into use those Coppery Minerals, which have much Iron in them, and by which, the Copper is otherwise rendered unmalleable and unprofitable: and this is such an Evil, as the Metal-workers have hitherto little known what remedy to apply; whereas in the mean while there lie in many places no contemptible Mines of Copper, neglected and unmedled withal, because they have Iron commixt with them. Some there have been, who have endeavoured to extract the Iron by the help of a Load-stone, but this way is too troublesom, and so is not profitable; but it may be aptly and conveniently done after this manner, did they but know how rightly to use here that aforesaid salt water, and the precipitated Copper: For the salt exalteth the Iron, and the Iron doth again exalt the salt, and animate it, so as that it may afterwards with a little labour and costs be, all of it, and without any loss, converted into good Salt-petre. But some or other may say, what profit would there redound unto me, if I should season one or two, or more Copper minerals with salt, whereby the Copper may be thence drawn out? I would have such an one to know, that in that Operation, some hundreds, or thousand pounds may be done together, and the business may be ordered upon fire in distinct Furnaces, that so a great profit may be gotten; and not only thus, but the same may likewise be done without any Furnace or Oven, with many hundred, or thousand pounds in one Operation, at the open Air in the Field, or in a Wood, where that Ore and salt are to be found; so that the salt may serve as a covering to the mineral, and the mineral as a covering to the salt, and the Wood may serve both for the Furnace and fire.

This now in my judgment is an artificial extraction of Copper out of the Mines, (especially when ’tis such an Ore), which (otherwise) is not of any profit by reason of the immixt Iron, or else consists of such a lean Vein of Copper, as will not suffice to quit the costs of getting it out, but yet it may by this means be separated, with no contemptible profit. For there are every where almost such poor Copper Ore as this which lie and are not dreamt of: For indeed it cannot be expected, that, (if when a Copper Mine (or Ore) doth contain in it some small matter of Copper, it being so overwhelmed as ’twere with the muchness of heterogeneal medlies or mixtures, that it cannot precipitate it self into Regulus’s but passeth into Scoria) it should answer the costs that are to be spent on the forcing it out; and therefore such Minerals must of necessity remain without use. And how many such kind of Ores have I found in Germany, which a man may have by heaps, but no body regards them, for that (as we have already said) they are too barren or poor: Whereas notwithstanding they may be most easily perfected by the help of Salt, so as to be made very gainful, & the costs exceedingly well repaid that shall be laid out upon them, especially in those places where there is such an abundance of Salt, that the Inhabitants know not what to do with the plenty they have of it. Many such places there are in Germany, as Tirole, Saltzburg, Bavaria, and the Diocess that we call Bergtes-gaden: in which places all the whole mountains do not only abound with Salts, but have no small portion of Copper too: Nor is it so in those places only, but likewise every where; Salt is common and of a small price throughout all Germany.

And as we have already shown you, that Iron and Copper may be commodiously extracted out of the Ores by melting it with common Salt, and may be again separated from each other by precipitation: So likewise may the same be done in a moist way by boiling; and is thus, if the Ore be ground and a long while boiled with very Salt-water, the Copper will be dissolved and passeth into the Salt-water, out of which it is to be precipitated, and so fitted for use. But now, if the Salt be distilled into a Spirit, then is it apt not only to extract Copper, but also Gold out of the Ore, and will be of exceeding much profit: But this operation hath already been long ago described by me, in the First Part of the Mineral Work.

NB. But it will be yet more profitable and gainful to prepare that water out of the Salts and especially out of Nitre, which water is but of small price, and yet notwithstanding it is of that Power and Virtue, as to dissolve or extract all the Metals out of the Ores: and as well the Silver as the Gold and Copper in the solution, may be again precipitated singularly or each Per se one after another; and this kind of water may you likewise use about all Fossiles or Ores with a most wonderful abbreviation.

But now, if you use common Aqua-fortis, it extracts only the Silver and Copper, and leaves the Gold: and if you take common Aqua-regia, it attracts only the Gold and Copper, and leaves the Silver; so that neither of these hath (as we use to say) all the points in it, especially seeing such a kind of Water serves but once only; nor is there as yet any one found who knows how to separate the metals in the solution one from another, so as that the water may still remain good and fit for other the like uses. But as concerning this Water of mine, thus stands the case, viz. One Metal may be precipitated after another out of the Water, and each distinctly, and yet for all this, the Water loseth not ought of its Virtue, but may be many times serviceable; certainly it is a most profitable invention, which (in the doing or perfecting some metals and minerals) is to be preferred many degrees before any melting by Fire. For if that there are several Metals of diverse kinds, in one Ore; as Gold, Silver, Iron, Lead (and this often happens so) and they should be forced out by Fire, they would yet remain mixt together; and there’s a great deal of work to separate them. For first they are to be cupellated on Tests with a great deal of Lead, that so the imperfect Metals, as the Iron, Copper, Tin and Lead if therein, may go off; then the Gold is to be separated also apart, or by a particular operation, by the help of a separating Water, and this is not every bodies work, nor have all such as are skill’d in the Art, in all places necessary provision at hand. But on the other hand, there needs not in that other kind of way, any thing save the Water and some Glasses, with these may you manage and compleat all the whole business, and get a great deal of gain without noise and trouble. For as to such a one as betakes himself to this kind of work, his Neighbours cannot accuse him, that he will (one time or other) ruine their Fortunes and Houses by Fire, for they hear no blowing of the bellows, nor see they any Coals carried into his House. Nor will the Smiths say that ’tis his fault that Coals are so dear, as ’twas objected to him who called himself the little Country fellow. Besides too, he will shun the suspicion of the Magistrates, nor will he give them occasion to suspect him to be a rich blade, and so torment him with the more grievous exactions and with quartering of Souldiers.

And now yet more, This kind of extraction does not only appertain to the getting out the Gold and Silver out of the Ores or Minerals and such as are volatile and crude, and which are every where to be met withal, and may without detriment to any, and with a safe conscience be fixed and separated by the help of this Water: But you may also by the mediation of this Water, profitably and with very small Labour separate all metallick mixtures, such as are mixt at their first forcing out of the Ores, or are melted into one Mass on any other account, and so obtain each Metal pure and free from all heterogeneities. As for example, Put case I have in my hands a certain metallick Mass, which hath in it Gold, Silver, Lead, Tin, Iron, and Copper: Now I would willingly separate the Gold & Silver therefrom: hitherto there hath been no other way known of obtaining it but by cupellating such a Mass or mixture upon the Test with Lead, and so depurating it; in which cupellation, the Copper, Tin, and Iron, do pass together with the Lead into the Test, but the Gold and Silver remain behind, which are to be afterwards separated with Aqua-fortis, that you may have each by it self. But the Iron, Copper, Lead and Tin do remain intermixt with each other in the Test, and should you again melt them even by the strongest blast, yet will they be commixt, and can hardly be separated the one from the other. But by this way of ours if they be dissolved in the water together, you may continually precipitate thence one Metal from another, and take them each apart, and not only the Gold and the Silver by themselves, but the Copper, Tin, Iron, and Argent-vive (each apart).

But it is not so necessary (if in such a metalline Mass wherein are contained so many Metals, the Gold and Silver be but the smaller part) to dissolve all the other baser metals together, to get out the Gold and Silver; this will not be advisedly done, but it would be better, first to purify that Mass upon a Test with Lead, and so to separate the Gold and Silver by the help of that water, or else that Mass may be burnt with Brimstone, and the Gold be thence precipitated and depured. But if the Mass hath less of Iron, Copper, and Tin, than of Gold, there will not be such need of purifying the Mass, by first burning it upon a Test, and then separating it by Aqua-fortis, as is commonly known and used to be done: but the whole mixture must be dissolved, and the Gold and Silver, which you please, be separately, or apart precipitated into a clean Calx, then the Copper also apart, then the Tin; but as for the Iron, you may forbear to precipitate that, because there are no great matters to be performed with its Calx, and it will be better to draw off the Aqua-fortis thence, whereby it may again be had pure, and fit for use.

Then the Iron which abides behind, if it be made red hot, yields a most excellent Crocus Martis, and a most excellent Ingredient for Chirurgeons, for all their Wound-balsams and Exicatory Emplasters; it is stictick; it will also be serviceable to Painters to make exquisite colours therewithal, so that the Iron which is the basest Metal in the whole mixture, if it shall be thus wrought upon and brought into good Crocus Martis, yields the money that was laid out upon the water, and yet this very water, after its abstracting from the Iron is not less fit for use, but is better than it was before. For in its abstraction from the Iron, it brought over with it some Goldenness, which Golden property doth afterwards, in other metallick solutions, associate it self to the Metals, is imbodyed, and yields as much Gold as the price almost (of the water) afore (thus used) could be judged at.

So likewise there’s no need of reducing the Calx of Venus into Copper, but it is twice more precious than other good common Copper, because it can in a few hours space be changed into excellent Verdigrease, and so is 4 or 6 times the value of Copper it self. Further, it is not needful to melt down the precipitated Calx of Silver without any farther profit, but ’tis better to melt it by the means of the liquor of Sulphur or Antimony, for by this operation will it become auriferous, and be meliorated. Finally, you are not bound to melt even the Calx of Sol, without any profit in melting, but you may even thereoutof draw some profit; for if it be amalgamated with the Mercury of ♄ or ☽ it becomes more augmented from the ♄ and ☽; or else it may be used by the Goldsmiths to Gild withal, and by Painters, if its brightness and splendour be first restored unto it, for so it may be used about Painting or writing. So then, from this operation doth result a manifold benefit, and both the Iron and Copper, as also the Gold and Silver are rendered better, and more precious than they would have otherwise been, if they had been separated each from the other after the common manner, by the fire.

Therefore, there is not only a great benefit gotten in that way of operating, in thus extracting Gold and Silver out of their Ores, and out of the Crude Minerals, and in this so compendious a separation of a Mass (or mixture) of Metals; but also, that separation brings more profit than the commonly used and perceived way of separating Gold and Silver by Aqua-fortis doth, in which way the Mass is to be first burnt to purity, and all the heterogeneities are to be taken away upon a Test; then the Silver is to be dissolved in Aqua-fortis, and to be separated from the Gold; this done, then the dissolved Silver is to be precipitated either by Copper, or by putting water thereunto, or else the water is to be thencefrom distilled; from whence, there is not only to be expected no greater profit than what is had (or gotten) out of the Gold separated from the Silver, but withal even half the water is lost. But now here (in my way) the greatest part of the Aqua-fortis is preserved, and is indeed meliorated (if there were Tin or Iron in the Mass) the very bare Crocus Martis only yields as much as the water cost, & the Flos Æris is meer gains; the Calx of Silver is by a solution of Antimony enriched with Gold, the Golden Calx is augmented by Saturn, and Luna, So that the gain is fourfold, besides that Gold which is gotten by Separation out of the Silver; and now may not I justly call this an Artificial extraction or reparation of the Metals, by the moist way; but now, like as this is a very notably profitable way of extracting the Metals out of the Ores or Minerals, & of artificially separating them by the moist way; so likewise may the same be done in the dry way by fusion; if (viz.) the Minera’s are dissolved by Antimony or Lead, & one of the Metals after another shall be thencefrom precipitated; so that it is not so altogether necessary to cupellate such a Mass, and by the separatory water (or Aqua-fortis to separate that, which (by that burning on the Test) shall have been throughly purged; But if all the Metals shall be molten together into one Mass, there may (first) be precipitated the Gold, then the Silver, then also the Copper, and by the help of Nitre be rendred pure and malleable; and this too may be done without much labour or costs; so that as well by the moist, as also by the dry way, all the Metals may be very commodiously and compendiously, and in short time separated the one from the other by the benefit of Salt-petre. Suppose I have a Mass that has Gold, Silver, or Copper and Iron in it, and I would have it suddenly depured; therefore I may only burn it with Sulphur, and by the help of Saturn precipitate one Metal from another, and purifie the Regulus, by Nitre, and such a Mass though it were 100 pound weight could I separated with the easy labour of one day, & for 3 or 4 Dollars costs; but as for such an one as hath no use for solution & precipitation, or hath not convenient melting Pots and Furnaces, he may granulate such a Mass, and thence precipitate the Gold, Silver, and Copper, each apart, and draw off the water from his Mars; then the Mars yields him the price of the water; the Calx of Venus yields the reward of his pains and labour, and the augmentation or melioration which happens to the Calx of Sol and Luna in the reduction is clear gain; so that the Gold and Silver are, as it were gratis, and without any expence separated from each other, and that both by the dry way and by the moist way; for the Silver is equally as well graduated and made auriferous in the dry way, by the fusion or melting in the operating, or by the transfusing (or through melting) with the Antimony; so then good Gold may by this way be precipitated out of any Silver not aureous, provided the business be but dexterously managed.

In the first part of this Book, (where I treated of the concentration of wood,) I wrote, that a Juice might be pressed, by a peculiar Press, out of any wood, which afterwards might be turned into good Salt-petre by the benefit of the Air and time: I likewise there added some reasons, whereby it might be evinced, that it was possible for Art to perform such things, which are no other but the Rewards Nature her self yields, and that the Salt-petre which is wont to be every where digged out of the Stalls, or Stables of Cattle, is nothing else but the essential salt of Vegetables, and Animals, which is in a long tract of time, and by the hidden virtue of the Air, turned into Salt-petre.

But now if any one should haply perswade himself, that if he exposeth that Juice of the Woods to the Air for some Days, or Weeks, that it will presently become Salt-petre, certainly he would be much besides his aim, neither indeed is it lawful to prescribe Nature the time of her Operation.

Does not a Husbandman deserve to be called Ass, or Blockhead, if some few days after he hath sown his Corn, he should go into his Field to see if his Corn were ripe or not? Just thus are you to conceive of this work, for in all things must you expect the due time, in the Generation both of Animals, Minerals, and Vegetables, so that there is not the least need of any farther proof of this matter: For every Generation requireth its own proper time.

But, that very many haply have wearied themselves with imagining about that kind of Press, which I have mentioned in the first part of the Prosperity of Germany, and yet have not found it, is not to be much wondred at. However it is assuredly true, that such a Press may very easily be prepared, by which you may daily press a great quantity of Juice out of Wood, be it believed or not believed. But seeing that such a Press hath been seen with me, and hath been beheld prepared, and wood squeezed out therewithal, and set to ripen in the Air, sure it cannot be long ere the truth will manifest it self and publickly vindicate it self from all its slanderers.

I say again, that such a Press is found by me, and that it is an artificial one, and is of less costs than will be easily believed. Nay more, every day brings forth new and better Compendiums, so that there will not hereafter be any use or need for the Press, to squeeze the wood out by: but every Vegetable and Animal, may without labour and trouble be in a short time, and without the press, transmuted into good Salt-petre, so that many hundred weight of Salt-petre may be generated, or produced (by the labour of only one person) out of the bare Wood, Leaves, and Grass, (where they may commodiously be had) and yet ’tis not the person aforesaid, but the air that causeth this Generation: for the person doth no more but expose to the air the subject matter, upon which it may operate, and out of which it may bring forth Salt-petre.

But there is nothing which I admire more at, then, that this present Age is so sluggish and averse from searching after the secrets of Nature. Whereas, were but the Properties only of that stupendious, or wonderful subject Salt-petre, well known, there might well be a forbearance of reading many Chimical Books seeing that by it alone may many wonderful things be performed. I have a little afore shown, how both a moist and dry extraction of Gold and Silver, & the other metals is to be done by Salt-petre; and if Nitre were of no other use but this only, yet were it well worthy to be beloved and esteemed by all, and they should as much as in them lies labour not only to produce it in plenty out of vile things, but withal to know how to make use of the same with profit.

But whereas I have not so very openly and clearly described, or published the precipitation which is done as well by the moist, as by the dry way of the extraction and separation of metals; I would not that any one should take it in evil part; for there are exceeding weighty reasons, that make me fear to prostitute such excellent Inventions, or to chew meat (as it were) and thrust it into every Asses mouth. Let it suffice, that I have shewed, that such things are possible. But yet the Art lies not so fixed in my breast, nor is it my mind to suffer it to lie buried with me: No, God hath blessed me therewithal meerly for this end, that I might help and succour others, to the performance of which, I am most ready and willing; but yet not every one without any exception, but such as are ingenious Lovers of the Wonders of God, and know how decently to use all things, least I being too improvidently liberal, should put new Weapons into the hands of mine enemies.

I could have buried-over these things in silence, and haply been at more quiet, but it was no ways possible for me to suppress the wonderful Works of God, so as to withhold them from coming abroad to light, and to the view of Men, to the Honour of God. And whensoever it so comes to pass, that the things delivered at present in this second part, and which shall be delivered in the following third and fourth parts, shall be believed, and be brought to effect and be done: then all the crew of Slanderers and Enemies of the truth shall be confounded with shame, before the whole World, and that Genuine Alchymy, shall again be embraced, and honourably flourish: For Salt-petre must be the Master, as Paracelsus saith, in a certain Chapter where he treats of common salt, and mentions Salt-petre with a commendable Testimony. Nor hath Basil Valentine done a less faithful Work as to his Nitre; but few there are that understand it.

I am not of the mind to boast of the knowledge of many things, but yet thus much I find, that there is not in all nature any subject given that may in good deed be compared with Nitre, as to eminency or excellency; much less deserves to be preferred before it. Let not the Lover of this Art be disquieted in his mind, so long as there are two parts to follow, and come forth: For then men will see, and be even enforced to confess these things which afore they did not believe. And upon this score do I shorten this part, that I may the sooner come to the third and fourth parts: In which parts (God willing) there shall be disclosed many most highly profitable inventions for the benefit of mankind, but yet they shall be veiled, after that same way and manner, as others afore me have used to do, that so Pearls may not be cast afore Swine.

But that I may return to my purpose, and shew that what I have said is true, and that great things may be done (as to the melioration of Metals) by the help of Salt-petre, it will be necessary, that those things which we have already written in this second part be made a little more clear, and may be visibly demonstrated to the unskilful and incredulous, in what it is, that this profit we at present speak of, is seated.

And first, as concerning the Generation of Salt-petre, there hath been enough said already, viz. That it may be prepared by heaps out of otherwise unprofitable Wood, Shrubs, Briars, &c. which rather endamage the Ground, than do any good, because they become a refuge for cruel Beasts, which sustain themselves upon the great ruining of the other Wild ones: Nor needs this work any greater costs than to cause a House to be built in the Woods, under which the wood, together with the circulatory Vessel, may stand dry; and besides too, one man is sufficiently able to manage the whole business, nor is there any thing else required but those unprofitable underwoods, or Briars, &c. or if you have not such, then, the Leaves that the wind blows off from the Trees. And if also you add some Salt thereunto, even it will be likewise turned by the help of the wood into Salt-petre, and hereby will arise a greater profit: Neither is there any necessity of taking the Salt we use to season our meat withal. But yet if you can have it in plentiful quantity (as may be in many places of Germany, where it much abounds) it will be well, but if it be not to be so easily had, the wood it self will make Salt-petre enough; nor needs there any other thing, but to begin the work, and let Nature alone to perfect it, and to produce the Salt-petre. But farther, as Germany doth never want store of wood, so wants it not salt, for there are whole Mountains of salt, which to exhaust, is a thing impossible; especially in the Territories of the Arch bishop of Saltzburg, in the Elector of Bavaria’s Country, the Diocess of Berchtsgaden as we call it; which places, besides their abounding with Salt, do also abound with store of Wood. Have I not reason to believe that great Treasures and Riches may be hence reaped. Salt they have at their Feet, and vast Desarts at hand, which are of no use: O improvident Mankind! What account shall we give that so behave our selves in our Stewardship. Would it not be much more praise-worthy to have drawn forth those Treasures, to the Honour of God, and not to have suffered them to have remained without being used, and unmanaged; what is the greatness of the charge requisite to the carrying on this Work that deterrs them? What expence I pray is it, seeing that a little shead may easily be built in the Woods? And besides, where great Woods, and many Trees are, there are also found Minerals both ripe and unripe, and the ripe may be forced out by Wood, or Coals, the unripe may be fixed, or ripened by the help of Salt-petre, and the Gold and Silver also may be afterwards thence separated by the Salt-petre.

And now I pray, would not the Country be enriched hereby with vast Treasures, and store of Wealth? But put the worst, if every Country did not abound with store of Wood, yet hath it a great deal of superfluous Grass and stubble, and this yields as good Salt-petre as the Wood does. And if in case every Country, or Seignory had not Minerals of their own, which might be ripened by Salt-petre, and from whence Gold and Silver might be drawn, yet nevertheless may they be had out of the bordering Provinces. Nay more, if so be the already excocted Metals should be advanced to a maturity by the means of Salt-petre, yet would not even this kind of work be without an acceptable gain, and it would be better for us so to do, than to hang them up at the Walls in our Houses, for Ornament, and Pride’s sake. If an Enemy comes, one Ounce of Gold, is better than a Thousand pounds of Tin, or Copper, which the owner thereof must necessarily be constrained to leave behind him, whereas he could carry away the Gold with him; which kind of concentration we shall treat of in the following third part: and in the fourth part shall be taught, by what means even Gold and Silver may be concentrated, that so it may lie hidden from the Enemy, and be transported (under another kind of form or shape) into such places, where it may be free from the Enemies Clutches.

And farther, that water which we speak of, serves not only to extract Gold and Silver out of the Ores, or Minera’s, (which otherwise, could not be drawn forth by any excocting or forcing) but also for the taming, and bringing to use that which is in huge Stones, Flints, and the baser Fossiles (in which, Gold and Silver are only as it were, a little sticking, and will not be thence had by any art of melting) and that with profit too well worth the Labour. So that there is scarce required 6 or 7 Loths of water to extract the Gold and Silver out of 100 l. of Ore; and if there were but 2, 3, or 4 Lots of Silver at the most, in 100 l. of such matter, yet would it be a gainful extraction, especially if the things, or subject, be Arsenical, or as yet Volatile, and cannot brook the intenseness of the fire, but are driven away by a strong blast. For in that extraction by the water, that which is volatile, is fixed, and retained together, that it afterwards admits of being fused, or molten, and that this is so, will evidently appear to any, experimentally. Let him but take Arsenick, and dissolve it in Aqua-fortis, and again draw off the water, and he will be able presently to melt the Arsenick, and make it red hot. Quicksilver is well known to be a very Volatile matter, but yet even that, (if the water of Salt-petre be several times drawn off thencefrom) is made so fixt as to stand and abide wholly in a most intense fire. For, that which Wood and Coals do (in a long time) perform; the very same doth such a water effect in a few hours space.

But some or other may oppose or question thus; How can it possibly be, that if those matters be so very poor, 8 or 10 pound of water should be sufficient to extract the Gold & Silver which is contained in them; for it seems as if 8 or 10 pounds of water were hardly enough to moisten 100 l. of Ore or Minera, but would be lost amongst such a deal of Stuff: Let such an one know, that what I have written is possible and true; I can prove it and demonstrate it even to the sight; but as concerning the administration of that Work, ’tis not fit it should be made too common.

And verily, in this sticks the main difficulty, here is the Art and Skill; ’tis not for every one to acquit himself here, and if that the gold and silver were extracted by means of this Water, yet even then the chiefest of the Art is to know how to precipitate the pure Gold and Silver thencefrom, and incorporate it, which knack I justly reserve for my Friends; for verily, this is such an Art, as by the benefit of it alone I shall renew ancient friendship with many, and moreover purchase me more new friends: And therefore let no body be angry at me, or count it amiss, that I would not publickly disclose so excellent an Invention, and put new Weapons into mine Enemies hands to hurt me withal. [This is taught in the following parts.] And if I should do so much as clearly to mention every thing, yet nevertheless should I incurr the enmity of many men, as much as if I never had done it; and besides too, it cannot possibly be, that all things should be so nakedly and plainly decyphered to the unskilful, as that they should presently be able to do every thing. If they once make trial, and cannot do the business that they aimed at in their minds, then they curse him that writ, and bestow many a bitter wish on him, as if he had been too obscure in expressing himself, and so they despise that which is otherwise laudable.

But if so be that the possibility of a thing is only demonstrated, and no Receipt added, then they will not undertake any frustraneous Labours, nor will have cause of cursing any. But some or other may here enquire, Where shall I find such a sort of Minerals and Fossiles, out of which I may extract Gold and Silver? If any such had been to have been found, they would not have lain idle & waited for my coming; others would have taken them away long ago, and converted them to their own uses. I think it expedient to demand as well of such a one, who those others should be, that should have taken them away before thee? If their Experience be as little as thine, and thine no greater than is theirs, there’s no danger of your fore-preventing or deceiving one another, seeing you are all alike ignorant of the thing.

Think’st thou that the number of those that are experienc’d in Metals is so large? ’Tis confest, there are enough Excocters or Metal-Separators, but yet they must per force leave that untouch’d which they cannot find out, seeing they know no other way of ordering their Affairs, but the old Road. It oftentimes happens, that there is more Gold driven away into the air by these Excocters, than is left behind in the fire, and yet forsooth that Crew arrogate to themselves abundance of knowledge, and perswade themselves, that they stand not in any need of any ones advice. Nor indeed do I invite them to any new Studies and Operations; let all such as list, use the same way of excocting or separation that they have learned; but if there be among them those that are not ashamed to learn better, such may be counselled. My purpose at present is, to do some acceptable Service to those that have no Mine pits, and who cannot separate Minerals or Ore in gross, as I may say, and yet would be very glad to enjoy in private some little small gleanings as ’twere of the bits or small pieces that the Excocters leave, whereby they may get sufficient gain for the commodious sustaining of Life. These are they whom I have a mind to assist; the Richer sort have enough already to fill or satiate themselves withal; nor need they any information of mine; as for the Poor, there’s no regard had to them. The whole Artifice therefore consisteth in the extracting (when there’s but a very little Water used) and then in the precipitation of the Metals, so that the Water may remain good, and fit for other uses. There’s plenty enough of poor Minerals and Fossiles even every where, and which no body regards and knows. It would not be amiss to look upon or consider of all Flints, Rocks, and Stones you meet with, and consider what property they are of.

Concerning this I have written in the First Part of the Mineral Work, viz. How by the Spirit of Salt Gold may be extracted out of a Flint: But as hitherto, few there are that have set about that Work, partly because they could not prepare the spirit of Salt, and partly because they knew not how to precipitate from it the extracted Gold, nor knew how to melt the extracted Calx of Sol with Antimony; all which I must needs confess, is not for every one to perform. But now this Extraction which is made by the Water of Salt-petre, doth extract the Silver too, which being thence precipitated, the water remains as virtuous as afore; and indeed, if a comparison be made ’twixt this and that Extraction, there is as much difference as is between black and white, and between the day and night; therefore I say that this is a thing worth the learning, for it may be of exceeding much profit in times of affliction. Greatly is that pledge to be esteemed of, Which (as the old Proverb is) redeems its Lord. Art is no burthen to a man to carry, but it rather carries or bears up a Man, easeth him, and makes him be of a cheerful mind, because it is a thing on which we may safely trust. It is more precious than Gold and Gems, which may be lost, but this abides firm and constant even to the Grave, and doth abundantly enrich its master.

This Extraction doth likewise serve for the drawing forth Gold out of Silver, tho’ it be not gilt, which to do is not in every ones power, tho’ many know that Silver hath Gold in it, yet if it be not of so much value as to quit the Costs that are necessarily to be expended upon it, it is left as it is; and now there is no where separated Gold out of Silver, unless it be gilt, and they see it sticking thereupon. Any other silver whatsoever, how much gold soever it possesseth, is not separated, when as though, sometimes there might be made more gain thencefrom. But I must needs confess, that the separation of the Gold from the Silver, the usual and known way is conjoined with abundance of labour, and not worth the costs spent about making the separation, unless, haply, the silver partakes much of the Gold: Whereas on the contrary, this my way of separating is done with light labour and small costs, and therefore may be used about all silver whatsoever, though it has in it never so little Gold.

But that the business may be yet more clear, and the better perceived, it will be useful to add this information. When you would separate the Gold from the Silver by Aqua-fortis, it must first be purified with Lead, by burning it upon a Test, now in this work there’s the Test, Fire, the sufficient portion of Lead, the labour and time spent hereon to be considered, and when all this is done, then the Lead has entred, together with the Copper that was in the Silver, into the Test, and may be esteemed of but as a thing just kept from being lost. Besides too, the Copper carries away with it, a good part of the silver into the Test. And altho’ that by a most vehement blast of Bellows the Test may be molten, and part of the Lead, Copper, and Silver recovered, yet the expences necessarily requisite to this operation, are more than the regain’d Metals are worth, so that these costs, charges, and troubles are too great. Then finally, when all this is done, and that the silver shall have been depured by burning, then it must after all this, be granulated, and this is some charge, and then when all this is done, it may be separated by Aqua-fortis, and being separated, be again molten into a Mass.

Now my way of working is freed from all these kind of linked labours, and so much trouble and loss of expences and time may be avoided; for when I take on me to separate any Silver, whether it has much or little Gold, I cut it into bits about the length and bredth of my Finger, so as that I but put it into my separatory Vessel; then I make it gently or by degrees red hot, to the end that the defilements may be the better washt off, and the separatory water may the better work upon it. Then pour I in the water, and suffer the Gold, Silver and Copper to be dissolved; then (after this) do I precipitate the Gold, then the Silver, then the Copper; all which operations, from the beginning to the end, are done in three or four hours space, nor requires it any expence save only the water, and a little fire, to keep the water warm, that it may the more strongly work upon and dissolve the Silver; the Metals thus separated from each other and edulcorated, may be melted; and now from thence may any one see, how much difference there is betwixt ours and the common separation of metal, by the moist way; and if there be any one that would use this way of mine, of separation, he would doubtlessly get much gain and riches, neither could any one endammage him by way of prevention, and he would get himself an exceeding profit wheresoever he be, not only out of guilt Silver, but also out of any other; for there is not a City so small, but it hath a Silversmith, who buys up the old Silver, and separates it his own way, which is very laborious and costly, and therefore he would the willinglier give his Silver to another to separate, whereby himself might be spared the labour and cost, were there but any one that would offer him his help thereabouts.

And seeing that all Copper holds Gold hidden in it, and that that Copper is not any impediment in this my way of separation, but is resolved together with the Silver, therefore doth it always bring some increase to the Gold and consequently more gain; but the labour will be yet more gainful if it be prepared with a separatory water, which hath other Golden species or things added thereto in the making, and which render the water aureous, such as are Lapis Calaminaris, Zink, the Minerals (or Ores) of Iron and Copper; for hereby is made a water that is in it self auriferous, and which doth readily (in the separation) join its volatile Gold to the Silver, and suffer its self to be incorporated; in so much that even such Silver as hath already been separated and purged, will yield Gold enough in the separation, if it be dissolved with such a separatory water, which hath been impregnated by graduating things.

And even as this same extraction which is done in the moist way, by the water of Salt-petre is exceedingly eminent and of much use, as being sufficient to supply many thousands of men with food and necessaries for life, so as that they need not at all to be compelled to deceive or damnify one another; so likewise, no less excellent is the extraction, which is done by the dry way; if, viz. the Volatile Antimonial Minerals, or Ores (whether they contain in them Gold, or Silver, or Copper, Iron, or Tin, and what metals soever they contain in them) be molten with twice, thrice, or four times as much Antimony in a Crucible, and be (by the means of Iron) precipitated into Regulus’s; for by this work, what good soever there was in the Ores, and even the Metals themselves, may be obtained each apart: for when the Antimony hath extracted the Gold out of the Minerals, the Gold may then be first precipitated, then the Silver, lastly the Copper; and all of them with a very small cost and little labour, insomuch, that in one days time many pounds of Gold and Silver may be drawn by this art out of the Minerals: and this too by a little fire. For the Antimony penetrates the mineral like water, and dissolves what is good in it; and as for that which is of an earthy nature it casts off from it self, and brings it into scoria. But it brings the Metal to a Metalline form in the precipitation, which must then be cupellated, or purified by the help of Salt-petre. And if haply you cannot get Antimony for this work, than common Brimstone may serve in its stead, and it will perform the same thing, if the Minera be ground and mixt therewith, and be molten in a covered Pot or Crucible, and be precipitated by Iron, for so the Metals falls down in a Regulus, and the Sulphur abides behind in the scoria. But this kind of work requires a skilful Artist or Melter, who hath already been long and much versed in precipitations; for else he will be intangled therein, and not find the wish’d for success.

NB. This is to be understood of that kind of Minerals and Fossiles which partake of Antimony, Arsenick, Cobolt, Marchasite or Sulphur, being such as Antimony and Sulphur love to seize upon and dissolve in the melting: such Minerals or Ores as have sand and stones among them, they (viz. Antimony or Sulphur) will have nothing to do with them; of this kind are Granates, Talk, and such like: so neither, doth the water of Salt-petre in the moist way extend its virtue to all the Minerals, nor extracts it Gold and Silver out of all of them; but especially it acts not at all on them which are very sulphureous, unless they are first Torrified or Calcined as ’twere, and so freed from the Sulphur, then at length the water performs its office else not. Nor doth the water act upon Granates or other Minerals and Fossiles which are (as to the outward appearance) smooth and as it were glassy. And therefore all such must first of necessity be master’d by an incense fire, and subdued.

There are likewise to be found some Minerals and Fossiles which suffer not what they have in them to be introduced into either Lead or Antimony, or to bestow their Treasure upon them; nor will they be forced out nor cupellated, but both are and remain scoria, and do retain that form of glass which they afore had unless haply you make them stoop, and master them by a most strong blast; for by this means they suffer their Gold and Silver to be wrested from them: But they may be mastered too, if you thereto add in the fusing some Potters-ashes, or salt of the Lees of Wine, or Ashes made of Wood, and melt them together, for so by this means also will they be obedient to thee; for salts dissolve in flux all stony Minerals, and such as resemble glass and scoria, which otherwise no other fire is able to do. But to make any more accurate description of that thing, appertains not to this place, but to the following Third Part of this Book; that which we have here minded, is only to make light touches as ’twere about shewing the variety of Fossiles and Minerals; and that, if haply any one should light on such a Mineral, out of which he cannot extract the metal, neither by the help of Antimony, nor by the water of Salt-petre, he should not think it void of every thing or that he has not dexterously and conveniently enough handled the same, but may know, that the only cause is, the property of the Mineral it self.

And now, even as the Sulphureous minerals do chiefly admit of being separated by Antimony admixed in the melting, and those that are stony, not so; even so the water of Salt-petre doth more willingly extract the stony Minerals, than the sulphureous ones; but yet, if the sulphur be taken from them by Torrefaction, it is able to dissolve even these too.

But it chiefly loves those that have Stria, and are a spotted (Quartzig) sandy, poor kind of Minera: which (otherwise) you cannot extract commodiously neither by Fusion or by Mercury: But that you may never be deceived here, it will be altogether expedient to be acquainted with both ways, both with this which is done by flux, & with that moist way which is done with Water; both ways are good, and exceedingly profitable in the separation of the Minera’s or Ores; and that not only of such as may be every where had, but likewise of metalline mixtures: whether it be by melting them together, or else by some sad mischance of your Houses being burnt; or finally, if it proceed from thence, that Gold and Silver do lie hidden unknown in copper, Tin, Iron, or Lead; now they may with ease be separated from each other by both those aforesaid ways, and on such wise as that nothing may be lost.

The ancients knew not how to extract the Gold and Silver out of Copper as the modern Refiners are wont to do, but took them together as they lay and so applied them to any uses whether to make Bells or great Guns. Neither was the separation by Aqua-fortis so much in use in those days as in ours: Nay more, if in a Mark of Silver there was no less than the quantity of a Ducket of Gold, yet notwithstanding they did not separate it, but did make it up into money as it was, as the old Coins do sufficiently testify. For it is evident that all Silver almost, partakes of Gold, and ancients being unexercised and not well versed in the Art of separation, all the Silver though never so auriferous was Coined into Money, or put to other uses; but their successours smelt out what they had done, and therefore bought up all such Money, and separated it, & made thereof an exceeding gain: so that there is not in our age so much as a Dollar, Schrenckbergick, Gross, Crucifer, even to the smallest half Penny, of Gold Coin to be had throughout all Germany, all being changed and bought up and wiped off the Gold. But yet there is Silver enough left, both made into money, and wrought up by the Gold-smiths, a Mark whereof contains, ⅛ or ¼ of a Ducket of Gold; and therefore seeing the common way of separation by Aqua-fortis cannot be of use here, because the costs are too great, and the little portion of the Gold will not countervail the same; it may be done this way, and separated by either the moist, or by the dry way, and that with profit, though there should be less than ⅛th part of a Ducket in a Mark of Silver. And besides, Bells ever have much Silver in them, neither was it separated therefrom by the ancients (as we have said afore): and likewise old Tin hath a great deal of Gold and Silver in it, which was of old wont to be molten and wrought up with the Copper into Bells or great Guns. Many there are that well know, that there is Gold and Silver in these things, but how to extract them thence, they know not: For Copper admits not of being cupellated (or purified) by Lead, much less of being separated, & yet more difficult is it to do it by Aqua-fortis. But yet, it may be effected and that with a great deal of profit by the way which we have shewn, both the moist and dry too. And therefore he that shall be well skill’d in these operations, doing it either by melting with Antimony, or by the Water, will get abundance of profit out of your old and broken pieces of Bells: Nay should he buy them whole, yet would he get no small matter, for he may extract their Gold and Silver, and then melt them anew. For there is not barely in Bells that portion of Gold & Silver which the Copper and Tin had naturally in them, and of which the Bells are made; but also, it was the custom of the ancients, (when a new Bell was molten or founded,) to call some God-fathers or Witnesses (according to their ancient custom) who named the Bells afore they were baptized: And like as it is even at this day the usual custom every where throughout Christendom in the baptizing of Infants for the God-fathers to give their God-child some Money (or Plate) as a remembrance; so the ancients did do in the baptizing of their Bells, as they were flowing in the Furnace they cast thereinto Gold and Silver, to testify their affection to Holy uses, and also that the Bells might fuse the better, and yield a clearer sound. Upon this account I say, that ’tis no small gain that may be gotten out of old Bells, seeing there never is a Bell which is destitute of Gold and Silver.

And now the well-minded Reader sees what use this extraction and precipitation of Gold & Silver which is done either in the moist or in the dry way, is of; and that not only in Minerals and Fossiles, but likewise in metalline mixtures too, out of which there can nothing be obtained by any other way.

Who I pray will not now magnifie or highly esteem of Salt-petre, and take care about having it prepared in great plenty, and so convert it to his profit, seeing it is clearly manifest that so much good may be done with it both in Metalline Affairs and Medicine? I do what I am able, I offer my self to all good Men: If they will not listen to me, I am not to be blamed but am void of fault. Man’s Life is too short, than for one Man to be able to describe all the things that may be done by the help of Salt-petre; neither indeed is it to be wished that many should know it.

But seeing I but now treated of the precipitation of Metals and Minerals, I think it worth while, to shew the cause of that precipitation, that so the studious of Art may have a more certain foundation of this thing. That which is to be separated, must of necessity be a bound up or fast knit body, for else it would not need any reparation; therefore forasmuch as one Metal knits up, or incloseth another, they cannot be separated from one another, but by the breaking or destruction of the bonds which they are tied withal, and knit each within another; this destruction now, is to be done by the Fire, both in the moist and likewise in the dry way. Copper, Tin, Iron, and Lead, may in the dry way be separated from Gold and Silver, if they are Cupellated together on a Test: For then the superfluous or burning Sulphur, in the imperfect Metals acts upon it self and reduceth its own proper Body or Metal into Scoria, and seeing that there is a great part of Lead therein, those Scoria are fluxile, and it doth by little & little (as much of it as goes into scoria) insinuate it self or slide into the porous Tests of Hearths. But the Gold and Silver which have no superfluous Sulphur, do remain unhurt upon the Test, washt and clean & do now shew themselves in their clarity & brightness; This is the separation of the good from the bad, or the combustible from the incombustible, which is done by the force of Fire only, and solely: by which, the imperfect Metals are by the help of Lead converted into brittle scoria, and so creep into the Tests, and separate themselves from the perfect Bodies; and this is a very easie work, and well enough known to every body, and is by the Refiners called Cupellation. But now in this separation, there’s only a separation made of the imperfect Metals from the perfect, but the Gold and Silver remain mixt together, and if you would have each apart too, then ’tis necessary that the one be dissolved and separated from the other by a most strong Aqua-fortis. But if the portion of the Silver be more than the Gold, then the Silver is dissolved by a common Aqua-fortis made of Salt-petre and Vitriol, and so the Gold will fall to the bottom: and this way of separation is well enough known and used by all the Refiners and Goldsmiths; but if there be more Gold than there is Silver, then do they dissolve the Gold by Aqua-regia, and so the Silver remains undissolv’d; nor is the Aqua-regia any thing else but a strong water of Salt-petre, in which some Sal-armoniack is dissolved; for the common or simple water of Salt-petre doth dissolve the Silver only and leaves the Gold; and contrariwise the Aqua-regia dissolves the Gold only, and meddles not with the Silver; but if they know not the right way of ordering the Aqua-regia, they are wont to add to the Gold in the melting so much Silver as may make up three times the weight that there is of the Gold, and so they separate it by Aqua-fortis, which (kind of operation) we call (=die Quartz=).

There is yet another way of separation, which is known unto them, and this is done by Cementation, if (viz.) divers Metals are commixt together, and they are mixt with Vitriol, Salt, and Tiles, Stratum super stratum, and so kept together a while for some due time in a continual fire; then the Salt and Vitriol do assume to themselves the imperfect Metals, and leave the most perfect, that is the Gold, alone. Cementing doth also attract Silver and Iron, Copper and Lead; but this kind of separation is only used to impure Gold, perfectly to purifie it.

There is yet another way of separation, which is done by Antimony, and is likewise only used to Gold, to cleanse it from its impurity and vitiosity. There is also another way of separating by fusion, in which, if you would have a metalline mixture which hath Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Tin, and Lead in it, to be separated into its several kinds, then the mixture must be granulated and burnt with Sulphur, and being burnt, it must be melted in a Pot, and so by precipitating it either with Lead or Iron, one Metal must be separated orderly from another; which way is wont to be used (as far as I know) but by few, because they are not so understanding in Nature, nor know any cause why one Metal separates it self from another, sooner and more readily out of the mass or metalline mixture, and settles to the bottom.

But that the ingenious Lover of Art may have some directory, as ’twere, and some occasion to consider with himself more deeply, and may have a willingness to undertake so excellent and profitable an Art, I have a mind to discover the cause of the precipitation. It is sufficiently evident, that like rejoiceth with like, and that there’s a disagreement ’twixt unlike things. Oil loves to be mixt with Oil, & Water is willingly united with Water, but not at all with Oil, lest by a medium intervening. Hence it is, that for as much as one Metal is of a different nature from another, that such as are alike, love each other, and such as be unlike do abhor and shun each other; and therefore when there are divers Metals in one mass, and that you would separate them, it is necessary that you do it by adding such a thing as is of affinity to the more imperfect part, and is at Enmity with the perfecter part. As for examp. Sulphur is a friend to all the Metals, save Gold, and that it hates; but yet it loves (even in the imperfect Metals) one better than another: for by how much the more like they are thereunto, and the more imperfect, so much the more readily is it a friend or enemy thereto. And therefore when the Sulphur shall have been put into the mass in the combustion, then the most noble parts flie off, and do their best to free themselves from the fellowship of the imperfect and unclean metals; but yet they cannot rid themselves without some assistance; and therefore if some sulphureous or imperfect Metal shall be put to the sulphureous mass, then the sulphur laies hold upon it, and lets go the more perfect part, tho’ not so pure as yet, but it needs a greater purification; concerning which there may be read more at large in the Explication of my Miraculum Mundi. This work is called Precipitation, when the more perfect part is precipitated and separated from the more vile, and that out of one and the same mixture. The same reason is there in the precipitation made in the moist way, if (viz.) some Metals, or all together, be dissolved in the water, one is thence precipitated after another orderly. First, That which is the most noble and most perfect, then the 2 & 3, and so regularly, until they are all precipitated. This is that most excellent and hitherto wholly unknown, and most gallant Invention wherewith I hope to become serviceable to my Friends.

He that well understands this precipitation, will gain much, but if he only meddles with this operation in a careless manner, and meerly customary as ’twere, and so not know the reason it self, why such, or such a thing is, he may worthily be compared to an Ass that carrys a sack, but knows not what is therein contained, nor whither he is to carry it. Therefore I will yet farther add a more clear information. Iron precipitates Copper out of both the dry and moist solution; Copper precipitates silver both in the moist and dry solution: Mercury doth chiefly precipitate Gold, and altho’ Copper, Iron, Tin, and Lead, do also precipitate Gold and Silver, yet each Metal hath its own peculiar precipitation, and farther note, that Precipitations done with Salts do exceed those done with the Metals, for by them may all the Metals be precipitated; and this hath even hitherto been kept secret.

And besides, one Metal does not only precipitate another, but doth likewise change or alter it. As for examp. If I put the Plates of Copper in a solution of Silver, then (whether the solution or operation be done either in the moist way or in the dry way) the silver precipitates it self by means of the Copper. And if I but know how to manage that business knowingly and skilfully, the Silver will also graduate some of the Copper into Silver in the precipitation, and there will be gained more silver than was put in the solution. In like manner, if I precipitate Copper with Iron, out of a solution of Copper, then doth the Copper precipitate it self by reason of the Iron, but withal, some part of the Iron doth exalt it self in the precipitation into Copper; and seeing that this kind of operation is confirmed by often Experience, there is none can safely question it. But I do not say, that in such a gradation all the Iron is turned into Copper, or all the Copper into Silver; nor did I ever try it; but yet I readily believe, that it is a thing possible to be done by reiterated workings. Mercury precipitates Gold most willingly, but only in the moist way, for in the dry way it cannot subsist; but to precipitate it in that way, Iron serves excellently well; Copper also and Lead are profitably useful hereabout also, but yet Iron is better.

There is a singular precipitation of Silver with Mercury, which I will here mention. The Chymists some hundreds of years ago, made Silver out of Cinnabar, but without any benefit or profit; neither did their silver they got come from the Mercury, but from that silver which they added to the Cinnabar. They took common Cinnabar, made of Quick-silver and Brimstone, and brake it into small bits, about the bigness of the Nail of ones Finger, and made Layes, or Stratum super stratum, thereof, with filings of pure Silver, then they luted up all well, and kept it in a moderate heat for 20, 30, or 40 hours, and by this way they found that their Cinnabar, which at first was red, was made black; this matter they cupellated with Lead upon a Test, and so got as much Silver as was the weight of the Mercury in the Cinnabar.

NB. As much silver as they got, so much wanted there of the silver they put unto it, and so there was no Gain made from hence; and they supposed (but falsly) that the Quicksilver extracted the soul out of the silver put thereunto, and that therefore the said silver was rendered volatile. Nor indeed is it contrary to Reason, that Argent-vive should extract the soul from Silver, & thereby convert it self into silver; and that on the other hand, this exanimated silver be made wholly volatile, if it be not animated anew by other Metals; and this is what some have done and attained to, by the help of Lead.

But the Operation which I treat of at present is rather an attraction or precipitation of silver by Mercury, and this precipitation is to be done in the moist way, and is most wondrous easie; nor is it without Encrease or Gain, provided you are willing to wait its time, and ’tis thus.

If one part of purer silver be dissolved in Aq. fortis, and in the solution two parts of Rain-water be added to one Part of Aq. fortis, and there be likewise thrown in three or four parts of Quick-Mercury, and all this be left some daies or weeks in a cold place, unmoved, then the silver precipitates it self out of the Water to the Mercury, and the Mercury dissolves it self into the Water, and both together yield a wonderful representation of growing things, like Mountains and Vallies, and certainly is of a most pleasant aspect. The result of which is this, viz. if they stand so a long time and shall be afterwards edulcorated and reduced by Lead, then the Silver gets no small encrease from the Mercury: But yet there’s no gain to be thence had unless those out growings (or representations of fine things) be suffered to operate and germinate above a Year: And this, few operators will yield to do, and to be withheld so long a time from the fruits of their Labours. Now the reason of this operation is thus: The Aqua-fortis is a moist and cold Fire, and ripens as well as the dry and hot fire, but he need be a skillful Artist that sets upon this Work.

It is evident that some of the ancient Philosophers maturated their Universal Medicine by a moist fire, as you may see in Artephius and others. Othersome Philosophers extracted a certain secret water, or universal Menstruum and dissolvent out of the Nitrous Sea, and did thereby perform most notable things, but they always kept it secret, and the description they have made thereof, hath been obscured, or painted over with Riddles, or dark expressions, when they say, that ♄ draws his secret water out of the Sea, of as clear brightness as the Moon: which way of drawing it belongs not to this place to shew: only thus much is hinted, that out of Nitre may be drawn an Universal Menstruum, which is more excellent than the Corrosive Spirit of Nitre, which said Spirit doth indeed dissolve all things, but after the manner of corrosives, whereas this which ♄ draws and is of the clear brightness of the Moon, hath nothing of Corrosivity in it, but is mild and sweet, and wets not the hands, or tingeth them, as that Corrosive doth; and altho’ such a water be Volatile, and not fixt, yet is it of such a nature as to constringe, and fix other fugitive, and unfixt things. ’Tis a thing most worthy of admiration to consider how those Natures have a mutual love each to the other, and embrace one another, and are converted the one into the other. And thus much may suffice to have been spoken concerning the precipitation of the Metals out of both the dry, and moist solutions.

Let no body seek to fish ought more out of me by their Letters; but as for such as formerly have been my friends, and even now are, or shall hereafter be, to these I will not deny any thing, always provided, that nothing be done against a decorum (as they use to say) or a discreet behaviour.

But now if any one thinks that (if he comes flying from the East or West) I must presently lay aside all my business, and only attend upon doing and answering what he demands: No, that’s a thing my Affairs won’t permit me to do, for I have somewhat else to manage. And therefore would I forewarn such an one, that he enters not on such a Journey afore he be certain whether or no it stands with my convenience or not. For this hath many a time already happened unto me, viz. for some one to come with a desire of knowing this or that secret, who (when I would have told it him, but that I had no time then to accommodate him) hath gone away stomaching at me, and began to reproach me publickly afore all Men, as if I were some inhumane, or merciless fellow, and would not satisfy his request. Some also there have been, who out of the meer malice of their mind have divulged, that I my self have nothing, seeing they can get nothing from me; there are many such perverse kind of men to be found, who make no Conscience of enervating, or sucking out the very Marrow of the Bones of others, so as they may be but benefited thereby themselves; which verily is a great evil and inhumanity. How often have such kind of men come unto me, whom, (when they have spoken with their kind words unto me, and also carry the garb, and outside show of very honest Men, and promised all decent thankfulness) I have satisfy’d, and yet have afterwards fled off from, and broken their Faith: Therefore it is the best way for him who has any singular thing, to bury it over in silence, and so he need not fear of being drained by others, that know how (by the perswasive flattering Art) to get out his skill, and give no thanks afterwards for the same.

If I had not already began to describe the Prosperity of Germany, certainly I would not now begin; but forasmuch as I have taken upon me to finish what I have begun, I will stand to my promise, and will in like manner shortly publish (if God shall see it good) the third and fourth part.

And seeing that in both the following parts, the melioration, or concentration of the Metals, is chiefly to be done by the help of Salt-petre, I was willing more amply to confirm in this second part, that which I wrote in the first part of the Generation of Salt-petre. And I do again and again averr with the greatest asseveration, that such a generation of Salt-petre out of wood is very true, and is founded on Nature her self.

Now must I proceed a little onwards, and withal demonstrate to the simple, that the putrefactory Stomack, in which the wood is digested and putrefied, and which transmuteth all wood, and resolves likewise all Leaves and Grass in a short time, transmutes and reduceth it into Dung, is as the stomack of Animals is, and this may be done in a most vast Quantity, as hath been proved in the first part of the Prosperity of Germany; and this no Mortal Man can ever refute, viz. that the essential salt, or salt of Nature, is no other thing but Salt-petre, but is not as yet burning, or flaming up, until it be animated by the air, and conceive a life thencefrom, the essential salt of Vegetables, barely such, is not so, viz. Salt-petre, as hath been sufficiently manifested.

Now whatsoever gives fertility and power of growth, is Nitrous; if therefore there lay hid no Nitre in Minerals, as in stones, why would the Gardiners carry slackt Lime into their Fields, and use it instead of Dung to dung their Fields withal? Whence doth the Salt-petre come that grows on upon old Walls, if not from the Lime? What is the reason that the Salt-petre men do seek after old ruined walls, to make Salt-petre thereout of, were nothing in them? I verily believe that this is an indubitable Argument, that there is Salt-petre hidden in all things: For the salt of the World, or the Universal Essential salt, is nothing else but Salt-petre, when it hath after a due time attracted a life out of the air, to which end my secret circulatory instrument was invented, that such an animation might be the more conveniently brought to pass.

Nor do the other kinds of salts, viz. Sal-Gem, the salt made out of the natural salt fountains, or sea-salt, likewise all salts which are made out of the Lees of Wood ashes, or of Lime, also Alume and Vitriol, all these are not so widely different from salt-petre, but they may easily be transmuted, and converted into salt-petre by the animation of the air, by the help of my circulatory vessel; but for the better perception of the operation, I will subjoin this Example.

Dissolve as much Sal-Gem, sea salt, or salt made out of the salt fountains, or common salt which is frequently used in boiling of meats, or salt made of Wood ashes, or of the stones of Calx-vive, in Aq. fortis, as much as the water will assume to its self, or be able to dissolve, and let it again cool; then the salt does not concrete or shoot granularly, any more but into longish Cones like salt-petre. Pour off the Aq. fortis, or Salt-petre water, and dissolve it, viz. the salt, again in a Lixivium of Lime, and cristallize it, so shall you have therefrom a Natural, or Genuine Salt-petre, and no less combustible than any other Salt-petre that is digged out of the stables where Cattle have stood. Then again may there be, by the said Salt-petre water, more salt prepared, either common salt, or salt out of Herbs, or Wood, and be dissolved and crystallized, from whence results a new salt-petre, and this operation may be so long repeated, until all the salt-petre water be turned together with the salt, into salt-petre.

This transmutation of salt-petre is perfected in some hours, and from hence may a worthy reward for your pains be reaped, could it be otherwise performed than in Glasses; and indeed, out of one pound of salt-petre, would there come an hundred pounds of petre, if a part of the transmuted salt be still distilled anew into water, and more new salt be by it again transmuted. But there is no such need of setting about a work so laborious, seeing there is at hand a far speedier, or more dexterous way of doing the same, if viz. those salts shall be animated by the air, by the circulation that I have contrived, and so be turned into salt-petre in great quantity: which animation, or hatching as ’twere, may be done in vast quantity by easie labour, and little costs, the air (as we use to say) turning or making both sides of the Leaf: For one portion continually kindles and animates another, no otherwise than as a little Leaven doth a great Mass of Dough, and as a little Fœces, or Yeast, yea, as little as will lie in a Spoon, serves to ferment a whole Vessel of Ale; the same is done here. And indeed, common salt-petre may be implanted into other salts, even as a Vegetable Seed is sown in the Earth, so as thence to get in a short space of time a great encrease, even an hundred, or a thousand-fold.

But the sluggish Companions who had rather fatten themselves with eating, drinking, and sleeping, and wholly give themselves to laziness, who is able to wait so long in the expectation of this thing? Alass for ye, ye sloathful, lazy, and devouring Gluttons, with what face dare ye so manifestly to betray your laziness? I pray, if you put out your Money to Use, and have 5 or 6 per C. as we use to say, a Year, must you not expect the years revolution afore ye receive it? And besides, you run here a hazard too, least your Debtor breaks, and defraud you of the very Principal it self: If you lay out your Moneys on building Houses, so to make a great gain thereby, may not your Tenant be reduced to such wants as not to have wherewithal to pay you, unless haply, out of the very Stubble, or Litter of his poverty? May not your Ships which float about in the Sea, be cast away by Storms and Tempests, or be taken by Pirates? Why are ye not as Patient in your expectation as the Husbandman is, who after he hath sown his Grain, must wait a whole year afore he reaps with advantage what he hath sown. Nay, yet more, if he be pretty fortunate, he scarce gains 6 in the 100, the costs and pains being reckoned; and in the mean time he is in fear, lest the Corn should be blited by the cold, or being near ripe, should by a bad season be spoiled and corrupted in the field. If there happens a year that is droughty, then the Corn cannot grow up high, or ’tis eaten by the Mice; but now in the preparation of Salt-petre all those Cares are saved, and 100 Dollars may yearly yield thee 2, 3, 4, or more gains, and that without any wronging thy Conscience, and without endamaging any other, and without Extortion; for if thou hast much Salt-petre, thou maist promise thy self much gold and silver also, for there will alwaies be such as buy it up; and if thou attentively heedest, thou hast so much delivered thee in my Writings, as that thou thy self maist spend it all on the melioration and Separation of Metals: Nor needest thou, if thou thinkest it good, sell any of the same. Nor is there any reason that thou should be asham’d or repent of such a Work, because one man is sufficient, without any others help, to manage the greatest operation: nor need there great expence, save only a little to build a Small Cottage, wherein the Salt-petre may be kept dry. If you have huge Woods at hand, you may make your Salt-petre out of wood; if you want wood, then out of the dung of Horses, Oxen, or other Beasts, and Sheep, or else out of even common Salt, which we use in seasoning our Meats, out of wood-ashes, and out of Lime: Whatever it be prepared from, it will not cost much, for 1 l. of Salt will yield thee 1 l. of Salt-petre.

But haply some or other may be in the mind to think or demand, why Glauber himself sets not about this work, and reserve the whole Gain to himself? To these I answer, that I am not of Such a greedy desire, as to wish for all to my self; nor will it at all be unacceptable to me, if another hath likewise somewhat; nor will it be at all less lawful for me to do for my self so much as seemeth me good, as for any other to take his liberty, and to do to himself as seemeth him good. Besides too, I am not of the mind to make the thing so very common, but will see whom I communicate ought unto, that so it may be applied to good uses, and not come into the hands of the Unworthy.

The first ten years however Salt-petre will not be of so vile a price, but that it may be made and sold to profit; Who knows whether or no he shall live so long? And if at the utmost it should after 20 or 30 years be of so mean a price, because of this Invention of mine, yet in the interim they may all that while enjoy the profit of the same; and it may be expected from the hands of God, that He will, for the time to come, provide for them some other waies: But never will it be so vile, as to be worth nothing; and if it were so, that you could not make any Money of it, (tho’ it is impossible that it should ever be such a drug) yet (by that manuduction which I have afore given in the 1, 2, and 4_th._ Parts of my Furnaces; as also in The Explication of Miraculum Mundi; in the 2d. & 3d. Part of my Pharmac. Spagyr. and in This Second, and shall be in the following Third and Fourth Parts of the Prosperity of Germany;) it may be improved about many eminent uses, and so Gain be thereof made; for Salt-petre is such a Subject, as you can never have too much of, and is therefore worth our labouring after, and our endeavouring how to prepare it in good quantity, and withal, of finding out what benefit it is naturally able to afford us; for it is even a wonder to consider how great things may be done by the help thereof: It is the greatest Poison and yet may a most excellent Medicine be thereout of prepared: Colder it is than Ice, and yet hotter than any fire. It is the Generator of all things, and also their Corrupter; it vivifies and kills all things; it is heavier than gold, and yet lighter than the Wind; it is also Fire and Water, Air and Earth, Male and Female; it impregnateth and suffereth it self to be impregnated; it is light, and is also darkness; it is black and white: There are in it as many Colours as the world affords; it is fixt and volatile, corporeal and spiritual; it kindles and burns all things, and doth also quench all burnings; it is the Beginning of all things, and yet it causeth the End of all things; that which is Soft, it makes to be congealed and become stiff; and again, that which is stiff or hard, it makes soft.

O Thou Creator of all things, How great a vastness is there of thy wonderful Works? and what a fewness is there of those who understand, or know, or labour to know it! O thou eternal Light! illuminate the dark breasts of the lost Sons of the World; O thou vivifying fire, mollifie, enkindle, heat the stubborn hearts of sluggish Mankind, that are oppressed with sleep, and frozen with cold, that so they may seek thee, and know thee, and learn to fear thee in true Humility, and to honour & worship thee without Hypocrisie. Amen.

_An Admonition, and short Repetition of those things which are treated of in this Treatise._

That the Friendly Reader may make this Book yet of more use and benefit to himself, I thought it worth while by way of an Overplus, again to set here afore his eyes those Secrets which have been herein mentioned, what ’tis that the use of them doth consist properly in.

First of all, it hath been shown, how by the means of Salt-petre, all Volatile, and immature Minerals are to be brought to a ripeness both in the moist way and in the dry way, that so they may yield forth out of themselves in the melting, good durable Gold and Silver. Then I taught by what way the Volatile, Arsenical, Coboltick, and Antimonial, Auriferous, and Argentiferous Minerals, may by an easy labour, be by an artificial fusion, and extraction, and also by a precipitation into Regulus’s, and by the purification or cupellation of the said Regulus’s, by the help of Salt-petre, converted or brought into use in the dry way, and the Gold and Silver hidden in them be drawn forth. Thirdly, I have shown the extraction of Gold and Silver out of all the barren, or poorer sort of Minerals or Ores, which are not worth the charges of excocting, or the usual way of proceeding, and of the drawing them out by a singular Art, with the water of Salt-petre, and of rightly working them; which way is to be preferred far afore any usual excoction of those poorer kinds of Minerals, not only because such an extraction is performed without a melting fire, and a Furnace; but also, because in this extraction there is more obtained than is by excoction or forcing out: And yet farther, that which was Volatile in them is fixed together, and retained, by that Water of Salt-petre which would otherwise in a melting Fire fly away in fume. And more than this too, Gold and Silver may by this moist way and that with very easie Labour be extracted and in a due manner perfected, and that commodiously and with no small profit, out of any, the vilest Fossiles (or things dig’d out of the Earth) as out of disesteemed Earths, Dusts, Sands, and Flints, from whence, otherwise you cannot extract any thing neither by Excoction nor by Mercury: So that in all places of the World what coast soever, so it be somewhat a dryish soil, is to be found such kind of Earth, Clay (or Marle) Sand, Flints, and such like which contain in them a thin or sparing kind of Gold and Silver, and from which they may profitably be extracted. Verily it is a dainty Art which may be used in all parts of the World, nor is it at all burdensom to carry, but may be excellently (well, or safely) preferred till need requires. But this is to be noted that the fatter Earth or Clay must first be made red hot and burnt afore it be moistned with the Water of Salt-petre. For without so doing, the Earth would always remain thick (or clammy,) would drink up much water, and it would not easily be separated, but being burned, it suffers it self to be extracted no other than as if it were Sand. So neither do the Ore or Fossiles of Iron which are auriferous and abound with Iron, suffer the Gold to be extracted and precipitated out of them as readily as other Minera’s or Ores do. But the iron, (if then be overmuch of it) makes the Water thick and pappy like Mud. And therefore you must put into that solution a part of common Water, to make it the thinner, that so the Gold and Silver may be the easilier precipitated thencefrom. The auriferous Coppery Ores are to be burnt first, if they are sulphureous, if not, they may then be extracted, though not burnt. The sandy, stony, brittle, and pebblish, Fossiles need no other preparation but to be burnt and ground.

Likewise all auriferous Irony, or Coppery Ores, may be separated by common salt, without a Furnace, or melting fire, and that in the open air (as we said afore where we treated of the poorer Coppery Minera’s, or Ores:) and many hundreds of pounds may be done at one time, and with one labour, and the Gold which is extracted mixtly with the Iron and Copper, may be separated out of the solution, by the moist precipitating way there delivered, and that with a mighty profit and gain, because that same precipitation hurts not in the least either the Copper, or the Iron, as to their malleability.

In like manner may you precipitate the Gold out of any Vitriol water, and that in quantity (when it has any in it): and on such wise too, that the precipitation of the Vitriol shall not at all change ought of its nature; and this is so compendious a way, as that if there were contained no more than one quarter of a Drachm of Gold in 100 =l.= of Vitriol, yet would not that precipitation be of no use or profit. And on this wise and manner may all other Mineral waters be precipitated.

Moreover, as concerning the means of easily preparing the salt so as to serve for the extracting the Copper, in all Countries, but especially on the Sea Coasts, the Concentration of salt out of the waters, or the Sea will afford you no mean, or obscure Documents touching that thing; which concentration it treated of in the Book Intituled, =The Consolation of Navigators=.

But forasmuch as there is mention made in this Treatise of a yet other certain Artificial separation of Gold and Silver out of the imperfect Metals, in which, Antimonial scoria have place, in a forenamed extraction, which I would willingly (but as yet have not) delivered; let no body so construe it, as if I either purposely, or carelesly omitted the same: No! The Case is far otherwise, and this is the true reason; seeing this Book now in hand is become more prolix than I intended, I determined with my self to reserve that most profitable process for the following third part, which God willing, I will very shortly publish, till then, I entreat the Friendly Reader to expect or wait for it with a good and patient mind.

Mean while he may acquiesce with these two ways, =viz.= the dry and the moist, and delight himself herein, and withal take care (as far as in him lies) to have ready by him, some quantity of Salt-petre; for the following third part shall treat of nothing else but the performing and doing of processes by the help of Salt-petre. He therefore that knows how to make it in plenty at a small rate, may hope for so much the greater benefit; and this I judged expedient, to add here for admonitions sake. More shall be discovered (God willing) in the third and fourth following parts.

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