Chapter I: Front Matter

THE GOLDEN CALF,

Which the

WORLD

ADORES, and DESIRES:

In which is handled The most rare and Incomparable Wonder of Nature, In Transmuting METALS;

VIZ.

How the intire Substance of Lead, was in one Moment Transmuted in Gold-Obrizon, with an exceeding small particle of the true Philosophick Stone.

At the Hague. In the Year 1666.

Written in Latin by John Frederick Helvetius, Doctor and Practitioner of Medicine at the Hague, and faithfully Englished.

London, Printed for John Starkey at the Mitre in Fleetstreet near Temple-Barr, 1670.

To the most Excellent D. THEODORUS KETJES, by his many Peregrinations, a most famous Phisician, and an happy Practitioner of Medicine at Amsterdam, One of my Intimate Friends.

ALSO, To the most Noble, most Excellent, and most Experienc'd, and Accurate Searchers into the Vulcanian Anatomy, D. JOHN CASPARUS FAUSIUS, Counsellor, and Chief Physician of the most Serene Elector Palatine of HEIDELBERG.

AND D. CHRISTIAN MENTZELIUS, Principal Physician in the Court of the most Serene Elector of BRANDENBURG: My Reverend Patrons, and intire Friends.

The Epistle

DEDICATORY:

Most Noble, most Excellent, most Expert, and most Accurate Inspectors of the Vulcanian Anatomy, and my most real FRIENDS.

Although I neither was willing,
nor able to be wanting to my
honoured Friends, yet would not
divulge and bring to light the Verity
of the Spagirick Art, but by this most
precious, and Miraculous Arcanum,
which I not only saw with these Eyes,
but taking a little of the transmutatory
powder, I myself also transmuted
an Impure Mass of Lead volatile
in the Fire, into fixed Gold, constantly
sustaining every Examen of Fire:
in such wise, as henceforth it can no
more be suspected by any Man, no not
by those, who unto this day have
perswaded themselves and others, that
this Arcanum is given to no man:
but contrarily we were fully and indubitately
perswaded, that, in things
of Nature, The Mercury of Philosophers
is Primo-material, and is like
a Fountain overflowing with wonderfull
Effects, and those escaping every
acuteness, and Light of Human reprehensible
Reason, as shall be evidenced
in this my little work: which I was
willing to dedicate and consecrate to
you, my Primary Patrons, as to most
prudent Masters, and Defenders.
Yet in the mean while, I pray consider,
that I have not writ to the end
I would teach any one, that Art,
which I my self know not, but only
that I might recite the true Process
of this Arcanum. For, what can more
confirm, and Patronize Verity, than
the true Light of Truth it self? It
is the property of Brute Animals to
pass their life in Silence, and especially
not to heed those things in them,
which do most of all look to, and are
required for the propagation of the
Glory of the most Wise, and most powerful
GOD our creator. Wherefore,
since it is a thing unworthy,
and to the Divine Majesty ungrateful,
for Man, who should be a Consort
of the Divine Nature, to wax brutish
with Brutes, I present to you, my
most faithful Friends, and Patrons
of this Science, this most rare History:
having as time, and my Ability would
permit, recollected all things, and
have faithfully commemorated them.
Therefore, omitting all paints, and
flourishes of Rhetorical Expressions,
I will forthwith betake my self to the
discovery of all, whatsoever I both
saw, and heard from Elias the Artist
touching this. For truly, I was not so
intimately familiar with him, as that
he should instruct me in the way of preparing
the Universal Medicine,
after the Method of Physico-artificial
Chimistry: yet he supplyed me
with such Reasons in the Method of
Healing, as I shall never be able to
commend his worth with condigne
Praises. Therefore, most curious Favourers,
and true Lovers of the Chimical Art,
accept of this little work,
as a mean Gift, or if you had rather,
peruse if only for recreation of the
mind; for in it I shall relate all things
whatsoever, that were discoursed of
between him and me, at several times:
humbly requesting, that with the same
benevolence you have received other
of my small Treatises, you would also
accept of this Novel, which I freely
dedicate, and officiously give to you,
for a motion, and increase of Admiration.
Farewel, avete, favete.

Your most humble

John Fredrick Helvetius.

CHAP.I.

Most Excellent, and Prudent Sirs. Before I enter upon the Description of the Philosophick PIGMY, (in this little Theatre of Secrets) overcoming and subduing GIANTS, I pray permit me here to use the words of Vanhelmont, taken out of his Book De Arbore Vitæ, fol. 630. and here Transcribed.

I compelled to believe, that there is an Aurifick, and Argentick Stone. But (Friend of the Spagyrick Art) I am not ignorant, that many have been found among the most wise, yea among the exquisite Chimists, who have not only consumed their own Goods, but the Goods of others also, in this Great Vulanick Secret, as Experience even at this very day sufficiently proves. For we have seen, the more is the pity! how unwary Chimists, yea such as are more worthy, than those who are called Alchimists; how, I say, they, labouring simply, are daily deluded with Guile of this kind, by Diabolick, Aurifick, and Argentick Suckgoods. Also I know, that many Stupid Men will rise up, and contradict the truth of my true Experience, touching the Philosophick Stone. One will have it to be a work of the Devil; another affirms there is no such thing; a third faith it is the Soul of Gold only, and that with an Ounce of that Gold, an Ounce of Lead, and no more may be again tinged: but this is repugnant to the Attestation of Kifflerus, as I shall briefly commemorate; a fourth believes the Verity and Possibility thereof, but faith it is so chargeable, as it will never quit Cost; with many other like Allegations. Yet I wonder not at this, for according to this Saying,

Quorum rationem non intelligimus,
miramur,
Que vero pernoscere volupe est,
rimamur.

What we cannot attain to, we admire,
But what to know is pleasing, do
desire.

How can a Man, fallen from the Fountain of Light, into the Abyss of Darkness, effect any thing to purpose, in Natural things, especially when his Wisdome in this natural Philosophick Study is barren and sophisticate? It is, for the most part, proper to these Fools and unapt men, presently to contemn a thing, not knowing, that more are yet to be sought by them, than they have the possession of. Therefore, rightly saith Seneca, in lib. de Moribus: Thou art not yet happy, if the Rout deride thee not. But I matter not, whether they believe, or contradict what I write, touching the Transmutation of Metals. I rest satisfied in this one thing, which with my eyes I have seen, and what with my hands I have done. For what Philosophers say of themselves, I also have with my hands handled this Spark of the Eternal Wisdome, or this Saturnine Catholick Magnesia of Philosophers, a Fire of potency sufficient to penetrate Stones, yea, a Treasure of so great value, as 20 Tun of Gold cannot exceed the price thereof. What seek you? I believe what I have seen with the eyes of Thomas, and handled as he, (but in the nature of things only) as well as the Adept Philosophers; although in this our decrepit age of the world, That be accounted a most Secret Hyperphysico-magical Saturn, and not known, unless to some Cabalistick Christian only. We judge him the most happy of all Physicians, who hath the knowledge of this pleasant Medicinal potion of our Mercury, or of the Medicine of the Son of our Esculapius resisting the force of death, against which there is no Panacea otherwise produced in Gardens. Moreover, the most wise GOD doth not reveal his Gifts of Solomon promiscuously to all Mortals. They indeed seem strange to them, when they behold a Creature, from the occult Magnetick potency incited in it self, deduced into art by its own like; as for Example: In Iron is a Magnetick, ingenited, potential virtue from the Magnet: a Magnetick virtue in Gold from Mercury: a Magnetick virtue in Silver from Venus, or Copper: and so consequently in all Metals, Minerals, and Stones, Herbs, and Plants, &c.

Moreover, I may properly quæry, which of the wisest Philosophers is so Sage, as to be able to comprehend with the acuteness of his own most dextrous ingeny, with what Obumbracle the Imaginative Tinging, Venemons, or Monstrous Faculty of any pregnant Woman, compleats its work in one Moment, if it be deduced into art by some External Object?

I do assuredly believe, that very many will foolishly say, that this is a Mortomagical Work of the Devil; but the Doltish and Ignorant are affraid to be out-shined by the true resplendent Light of Verity, with which their Owl-like Sight is troubled, and afflicted.

Also the Stars are a cause of what we treat of, and this cause is not to be contemned, although I, nor you, know not how to comprehend the Celestial Influences of them in our mind. Nor are the Plants, which the Earth supplies us with, to be rejected, although I; or you, from the External Signature of them, know not how to judge aright of the Effect of Virtues ingenited in them, which they notoriously exercise, according to their power, in healing and conserving Humane bodies. Therefore, since all others are also offended at the Internal Light, being ignorant of all abstruse things, of which you, or I, want the Science, how can the same Virtues be deduced into art, according to the end for which they were created? A thousand other like things might be instanced. Although you know not the Splendour in Angels, the Candour in the Heavens, the Perspicuity in the Air, Limpitude in Waters, the variety of Colours in Flowers, hardness of Metals and Stones, Proportion in Animals, the Image of GOD in regenerate Men, Faith in Believers, and Reason in the Soul; yet in them there is such a beauty, as hath been throughly beheld, and fully known by very few Mortals.

Although in the Stone of Philosophers there be so potent a virtue, and the same hath been seen by me, yet I would not therefore have any man to think, that my primary Scope, and intention, is to perswade the worthy, or unworthy Sons of this Age, to labour in this work, no, not at all: but I shall rather dehort all, and every of the curious Indagators of this Art, that they seriously abstain from this most perilous Arcanum, as from a certain Sanctum Sanctorum; yea, and I would admonish the Studious of this Arcanum, accurately to take heed to himself, and beware of the Lectures, and Association of false Philosophers. But I hope I shall satisfie the curious Naturalists, or investigators of Physical Arcanums, by communicating and publishing in this present Discourse, all which passed between Elias the Artist, and Me, touching the Nature of the Stone of Philosophers. For that is an Ens more Effulgent than the Morning, or a Carbuncle: more splendid, than the Sun, or Gold: more fair, than the Moon, or Silver: so very Recreable, and Amiable, was the sight of this Light, and most pleasing Object to me, as out of my inward Mind, it cannot be obliterated, or extinguished by any Oblivion; although the same be credited by none of the fatuate Learned, or illiterate ignorant Asses, and such as glory only in the praise of ambitious Eloquence. For in this malignant ulcerated age of the world, nothing is so safe and secure from Calumnies, but it is taken in a wrong Sense, and perverted unworthily by the Idiotick Ignorance of mad-brain'd CacoZelots. So very farr do all these dark-sighted men deviate from the true rule of Verity, as in success of time, they, intangled with their own Errors, will miserably wast away and expire; but our Assertion, built on the Eternal Foundation of Triumphing Verity, shall continue and remain, unto the Consummation of all ages, without diminution, although this art be not yet known to all Mortals. For the Adept Philosophers, according to the antient Faith of their experience, have affirmed, that this Natural Mystery (which many anxious men have sinistrously sought, and required) is only to be found with Jehovah, Saturninely placed in the Centre of the World. In the mean while, we proclaim those happy, who take care, by the help of art, how they may wash this Philosophick Queen, or how they ought to circulate the Virgin-Catholick-Earth, in Physico-Magical Crystalline Artifice, as Khunradus. did; they only, and none others besides them, shall see the Crowned, and internally fiery King of Philosophers, coming forth from his Glassy Sepulchre, in an external fiery Body glorified, more then perfect with all the Colours in the world, as a shining Carbuncle, or perspicuous, compact and ponderous Crystal, a Salamander Spewing out Waters, and by the benefit thereof in the Fire washing Leprous Metals, as I my self have seen. What? How shall they see the Abyss of the Spagyrick Art? when as this Royal Art hath so long lain hid, and been absconded in the Mineral Kingdom, as in the Safest of all Secret places, for so very many years? Assuredly the Genuine Sons of this Laudable Art, shall not only behold a like Flood of Numicius, in which Æneas heretofore, by the command of Venus, washed and absolved from his Immortality, was immediately transformed into an immortal God; but also the Lydian River of Pactolus all transmuted into Gold, and how Midas Mygdonius washed himself in the same. Likewise those candid Rivals of this Art, shall in a serious order behold the Bathing-place of naked Diana, the Fountain of Narcissus and Scylla walking in the Sea, without garments, by reason of the most fervent Rayes of Sol: partly also the Blood of Pyramus and Thisbe, of it self collected, by the help of which, white Mulberries are tinged into Red; partly also the Blood of Adonis, by the descending Goddess Venus transformed into a Rose of Anemona; partly likewise the Blood of Ajax, from which arose that most beautiful flower the Violet; partly also the Blood of the Giants slain by Jupiters thunder-bolt; partly also the Shed Tears of Althea, when she put off her Golden Vestments; and partly the Drops, which fell from the decocted Water of Medea, by which green things immediatly sprang out of the Earth; partly also the cocted Potion of Medea, made of various Herbs, gathered always three dayes before full Moon, for the cure of Jasons aged Father; partly also those Leaves, by the tast of which, the nature of Gaucus was changed into Neptune; partly also the Exprest Juice of Jason, by the benefit of which, he, in the Land of Cholcons, received the Golden Fleece, afterward by reason of that, compleatly armed, he fought in the Feild of Mars, not without the hazard of Life; partly also the Garden of the Hesperides, where Golden Apples may be gathered from the Trees; partly also Hippomenes running for the Mastery with Atalanta, and staying her Course, and so overcoming her with three Golden Apples, the Gifts of Venus; partly also the Aurora of Cephalus, partly also Romulus transformed by Jupiter into a God; partly also the Soul of Julius Cæsar, by the Goddess Venus, transfigured into a Comet, and placed among the Stars; partly also Python, Juno's Serpent, arising out of the putrid Earth (after Deucalions Flood) made hot by the Rayes of the Sun; partly also the Fire, with which Medea kindled seven Lights; partly also the Moon, inflamed by the burning of Phæton; partly also the Withered Olive Branch, a new; flourishing and bearing Fruit; yea, becoming a new and tender Olive Tree; partly also Arcadia, where Jupiter was wont to walk; partly also the Habitation of Pluto, at the Gate whereof lay the Three-headed Cerberus; & also partly that Mountain, where Hercules burned all his Members, received from the Mother, upon Wood, but the Parts of the Father remained Fixed, and incombustible in Fire, and nothing of his Life was destroyed, but he, at length, was transmuted into a God. Likewise we will not forget those Germans, the Sons of true Philosophers, who entred into a Country-house, at length transformed into a Temple, whose Covering was made of pure Gold. Certainly, I cannot choose, but must yet once more with acclamation, say with the Adept: O happy, and thrice happy is that Artificer, who by the most merciful benediction of the highest, Jehovah pursues the Art of Confecting, and preparing that (as it were, Divine) Salt, by the Efficacious Operation of which, a Metallick, or Mineral body, is corrupted, destroyed, and dyes; yet the Soul thereof is in the mean while revived, to a glorious Resurrection of a Philosophick Body. Yea, I say, most happy is the Son of that man, who, by his Prayers, obtains this Art of Arts, unto the glory of GOD. For it is most certain, that this Mystery can be known no other way, unless it be drawn and imbibed from GOD, the Fountain of Fountains. Therefore, let every serious Lover of this inestimable Art judge, that the whole work of him required, is, that he constantly, with the prayer of true faith, in all his labour, implore and solicite the Divine Grace of the Holy Spirit. For the solemn manner of GOD alone is, candidly and liberally, either mediately or immediately, to communicate his gifts and benefits, to none, unless to candid and liberal Ingenies only. In this holy way of practical Piety, all Inquisitors of profound Arts, find what they seek, when they, in their work, exercise themselves Theosophically by solitary Colloquies with Jehovah, with a pure Heart and Mouth, religiously. For the Heavenly Sophia, indeed, willingly embraces our friendship, presenting, and offering to us, her inexhaustible Rivolets, most full of gracious goodness and benevolence. But, happy is he, to whom the Royal way, in which he is to walk, shall be shown by some One expert in this Arcanum.

I seem to presage to my self, that I have not equally satisfied all Readers in this Preface; but it is, as if I did presume to teach them an Art, unknown to my self; yet I hope better of the greatest part of them. For my intention was, only to relate to you a certain History. Therefore, Drink, my Friends, of the following Dialogue, or Springing Colloquy, presented by me, wishing you well, that thence you may satisfie, and allay all the Thirst of your Thirsting Minds: for I doubt not in the least, but that this Study of Divine Wisdome, will be more sweet to you, than Nectar and Ambrosia. No other will I communicate, no other have I common, then that of Jul. Cæs. Scaliger: The End, of Wisemen, is the Communication of Wisdome: according to that of Gregory Nyßen: He who is Good, in Nature, the same very willingly communicates his Goods to others. For it is the part of good Men, to be profitable to others.

CHAP. II.

Divers Ilustrious men have written touching the Verity of this Arcanum, among these, take the Sayings of some of them, as follows.

PARACELSUS In his Book Of the Signature of Natural things.

The Tincture of Naturalists, is
a, true sign, that by the transmutative
virtue thereof, all imperfect
Metals are changed, viz. the
White into Silver, and the Red
into the best Gold, if an exceeding small
part of this Medicine well
prepared, be injected upon the
Metal, while in flux in a Crucible,
&c.

The same.

For the invincible Astrum of
Metals overcomes all things, and
changeth into a Nature like it self,
&c. This Gold and Silver is more noble,
and better, than those,
which are dug out of Metallick
Mines; for Medicinal Arcanums
to be prepared therefrom.

The same.

Therefore, I say every Alchimist,
which hath the Astrum of
Gold, is able to tinge all Red Metals
into Gold, &c.

The same.

Our Tincture of Gold hath
Astrums in it self, is a Substance
most fixed, and in multiplication
immutable. It is a Powder, haveing
a colour most red, almost like
Saffron, yet its whole Corporal
Substance, is liquid as Rosin, perspicuous
as Crystal, brittle as
Glass, of the colour of a Rubie,
and exceeding poaderous, &c.

Also read Paracelsus his Heaven of Philosophers.

Likewise, Paracelsus his Seventh Book, Of the Transmutation of Natural things.

Transmutation is a great natural
Mystery, Metallick, and not
contrary to the Course of Nature,
nor repugnant to the Order of
GOD, as many men of it do falsly
judge. For imperfect Metals, are
changed neither into Gold, nor into
Silver, without this Stone of Philosophers.

Paracelsus, in his Manual of the Medicinal Stone of philosophers.

Our Stone is a Celestial, and
more than perfect Medicine, because
it cleanseth all the impurities
of Metals, &c.

HENRY KHUNRADUS

In his Amphitheatre of Eternal Sapience.

I travelled long, invited others,
who knew somewhat by experience,
and could with very firm
judgement conjecture; and this not
alwayes in vain. Among which,
I call God to witness, by his wonderful
ordination, I, from one,
received the Green Catholick
Lyon, and the Blood of the Lyon,
viz. Gold, not the Vulgar, but of
Philosophers, with my Eyes I saw
the same, with my hands, I handled
it, and with my Nostrils, smelt
the odour thereof. O how wonderful
is God in his Works! They,
I say, gave those Gifts prepared,
which I in most desperate Cases,
used with admirable success to the
benefit of my needy Neighbour.
And (by Instinct of Jehovah's
mercy) they sincerely revealed to
me, the wayes of preparing, &c.

The same.

This wonderful Method, the
wonderful God gave me. In this
way, in which I walked, God
alone, I say, immediately, and mediately;
yet subdelegately, Nature,
Fire, and Art, of my Master,
as well living as mute, corporally,
and spiritually good, sleeping
and waking, gave the same to
me, &c,

The same.

I write not Fables; with your
hands you shall handle, and with,
your eyes you shall see Azoth,
viz. the Catholick [or Universal]
Mercury of Philosophers; which
alone, with the Internal and External
Fire, yet with Sympathetick
Harmony, with Olympick
Fire (by reason of inevitable necessity)
Physico-magically united,
will suffice thee for obtaining our
Stone, &c.

The same.

You shall see, the Stone of Philosophers;
our King, and Lord of those
that bare rule, coming from his
Bridal Throne of the Glassy Sepulchre,
into this Mundane Scene,
in his glorified body, viz, regenerate,
and more then perfect:
namely, a shining Carbuncle, a
most temperate Splendour; and
of which, tire most Subtile, and
Depurated parts, are by the concordant
peace of Mixtion, inseparably
united into One, and perfectly
equallized, clear as Crystal,
compact, and most ponderous, as
fluid in fire, as Rosin, and before
the flight of Mercury, as Wax
flowing, yet without fume, entring
and penetrating, solid and
close bodies, as Oyl, Paper; resolvable
in every Liquor, melting,
and commiscible therewith; brittle
as Glass, in Powder, of the
colour of Saffron, but in the intire
Mass, like a blushing Rubie;
(which Redness is a sign of perfect
Fixation, and fixed Perfection)
permanently Colouring, or Tinging;
in all Examens whatsoever,
even of Sulphur adurtive, and
in Tryals of corroding Waters,
and in the most vehement persecution
of Fire, fixed, alwayes during,
and unburnable; permanent as the
Salamander, &c.

The same.

The Stone of Philosophers in
the greater World, is in the parts
thereof, fermented; by reason of
the Ferment, it transforms it self
into whatsoever it will &c.
Hence you may learn the reason,
why Philosophers on their Azoth imposed
the name of Mercury which
adheres to bodies, &c.

The same.

It is fermented with Metals, viz,
the White existant in the highest
Whiteness, with pure Silver for
the White; but the Sanguineous
Stone, with Gold Obrizon for
the Red. And this is the Work
of three dayes, &c.

HELMONT, Of Eternal Life

For I have oftentimes seen it,
and with, my hands handled the
same, &c. See in the same place
further. Then I projected this
quarter of one Grane, wrapt up in
Paper, upon eight Ounces of Argentvive,
hot in a Crucible, and immediately
the whole Hydrargyry,
with some little noise ceased to
flow, and remained congealed like
yellow Wax: after fusion thereof,
by blowing the bellows, there
were found eight Ounces of Gold,
wanting eleven Grane. Therefore,
one Grane of this Powder,
transmutes 19186 equal parts of
Argentvive, into the best Gold.

Within the Earth, the aforesaid
Powder is found, or what is in a
sort like thereunto, which transmutes
almost an infinite Mass of
impure Metal into perfect Gold, by
uniting the same to it self, it defends
from Rust, and Ærugo, from
Cankring, and Death, and maketh
the same, as it were, immortal,
against all torture of Fire, and Art,
and transfers it into the Virgin-purity
of Gold; it requires only
heat.

The same Helmont, Of the Tree of Life.

I am compelled to believe the
Aurifick, and Argentifick Stone;
because at several distinct: times,
with my own hand, made projection
of one Grane of this Powder,
upon some thousands of Granes of
Argentvive hot in a Crucible; and
in the presence of our principal
friends, the business, with a pleasing
admiration, succeeded well in the Fire:
as our books promise Thee,
&c.

The same.

He, who first gave me the Powder,
had at least, so much thereof,
as would be sufficient for transmuting
two hundred thousand
pound weight of Metal, into
Gold, &c..

The same.

For he gave to me not so much
as half a grane of that Powder,
and with that were transmuted nine
ounces, and three quarters of an ounce
of Argetitvive. That was
given me one Evening by a strange
Friend, &c

The same

So also it is written, that sixty
years since, Alexander Scotus, made
projection of that kinde, in the
trust: famous City of Colonia and
Hanovia, &c..

I cannot in this place over-pass, some Examples worthy of note, touching the possibility of Transmutation.

Read the following true Extract out of an Epistle written by Doctor Kufflerus.

Kufflerus: Artist, I found-in my
own Laboratory, an Aqua-fortis.
Secondly, I again found another
in the Laboratory, Caroli de Roy;
this Aqua-Fortis I poured upon the
Calx of Sol, prepared of Gold, in
the Vulgar manner, and after the
third Cohobation, it sublimed the
Tincture of Gold with it self in the
Neck of the Retort; this Tincture
I mixed with Silver, precipited in
the vulgar manner, and I saw that
one ounce of the sublimed Tincture
of Gold, with ordinary Flux in a
Crucible, had transmuted one
ounce, and halfe of the two ounces
of precipitate Silver, into the best
Gold: but a third part of the Silver
yet remaining, was a white and
fixed Gold: the other two parts
thereof were perfect Silver, fixed
in every examen of Fire. This is
my experience, after this time, we
could never find the like Aqua-fortis.
I Helvetius saw this Gold
white, and without Tincture.

The same.

There is yet one other Example
very rare; of what was done at
the Hague by a Silver-Smith, whose
name was Grill: how he in the year
1664. by Spirit of Salt, not
prepared in the Vulgar manner,
transmuted Lead so, as from one
pound, he received three parts of
the best Silver, and two ounces of
most fixed Gold.

At the Hague, a certain Silver-Smith,
and a much exercised Disciple
of Alchimy, but according to
the nature of Alchimy, a very poor
man; did sometime since require
Spirit of Salt, not vulgarly prepared,
of a loving Friend of Mine, a
Cloath-Dyer, by name, John Casparus
Knottnerus. My Friend giving
the same to him; demanded,
whether he would use that Spirit
of Salt, he now had, for Metals,
or not? Grill made answer; for
Metalls. And accordingly he afterward
powred this Spirit of Salt
upon Lead, which he had put into
a Glass Dish, usual for Conditures
and Confections. The space of two
Weeks being elapsed, supernatant
on the Spirit of Salt, appeared a
most splendid Silver-Starre, so exceeding
curious, as if it had been
made With an Instrument by a most
ingenious Artist. At the sight of
which, the said Grill, filled with
Exceeding Joy, signified to us, that
he had seen the Signate Star of
Philosophers, touching which he
had read in Basilius, as he thought.
I, and many other honest Men,
did behold this Star supernatant
on the Spirit of Salt, the lead in
the mean while remaining in the
bottom of an ash colour, and swollen like
a Sponge. But in the space
of seven or nine dayes, that humidity
of the Spirit of Salt, being absumed
by the exceeding heat of the
Aire, in July, did vanish; but the
Star settled down, and still stood
above that Earthly Spongeous Lead.
That was a thing worthy of admiration,
and beheld by not a few
Spectators. At length Grill himself
having taken part of Cinereous,
or Ash-like Lead, with the Star
adhering, cupellated in a Test,
and found from one ounce of this
Lead, twelve ounces of Cupellate
Silver, and from these twelve ounces,
he also had two ounces of the
best Gold. And I Helvetius am able
to shew some of this Spongeous
Lead with part of the Star yet adhering,
& besides the pieces of the Star
the Silver and Gold made thereof.
Which when this Subtile (and
Likewise Foolish) Grill understood,
he would not be known to Knottterus,
whether he had used the
Spirit of Salt, or not; but thenceforth
attempted to learn of him
the Art how to make it; yet some
time being Elapsed, the worthy
Knottnerus had for got what Spirit
of salt (for he was expert in
various kinds thereof) he had given
him; not being able to call
the same to mind so suddenly: in
the mean while, he and his Family
were visited with the Pestilence
and dyed: the other falling into
the Water was drowned. After
the death of these two, none
could find out the way of either of
their Operations.

Certainly here is cause of Admiration,
that the Internal Nature
of Lead, by the simple maturation
of Spirit of Salt, should appear
in an external form so noble.
No less admirable and wonderful
to the mind is this, viz. that the
mirifick Stone of Philosophers can
so exceeding swiftly transmute
Metals; having virtue potentially
insited in it self, so as it is deduced
into Art, as in Iron by contact
of the Magnet. But touching
These enough for the Sons of Art.

CHAP. III.

Since promises are so much the better esteemed, by how much the sooner they are fulfilled, I, without any dilation, immediately come to my promised Declaration of the following History, which thus take.

At the Hague, on the sixth Calend of January or the 27th. of December, in the year 1666, a certain man came to my House in the Afternoon, to me indeed planely unknown, but endued with an honest gravity, and serious authority of Countenance, cloathed in a Plebick Habit, like to some Memnonite of a middle Stature, his Visage somewhat long, with some Pock-holes here and there dispersed: his Hairs were indeed very black, yet not curled, little or no no hair on his Chin, and about three or four and fourty years of Age: his Countrey (as far as I am able to conjecture) is the Septentrional Batavia, vulgarly called Nord Hollund.

After salutations ended, his new Guest, with great Reverence, asked, whether he might have freedom to come to me; because for the Pyrotechnick Art sake, he could not, nor was he willing to pass by the Door of my house; adding, that he had not only thought to have made use of some Friend to come to me, but had also read some of my little Treaties, especially that, which I published against D. Digbies Sympathetick Powder, in which I discovered my doubt of the true Philosophick Mystery. Therefore, this occasion being taken, he asked me, whether I could believe, that place was given to such a Mystery in the things of Nature, by the benefit of which a Physician might be able to cure all Diseases universally, unless the Sick already had a defect either of the Lungs, or Liver, or of any like noble Member? To which I answered. Such a Remedy is exceeding necessary for a Physician, but no man knows, what and how great are the Secrets yet hidden in Nature, nor did I ever, in all my Life see such an Adept Man, although I have read and perused many things, touching the verity of this thing, or Art, in the Writings of Philosophers. I also enquired of him, whether he (speaking of the Universal Medicine) were not a Physician? But he answering by denyal, professed, that he was no other than a Melter of Orichalcum, and that in the Flower of his years, he had known many things, from his Friend, rare to the Sight, and especially the way of Extracting Medicinal Arcanums by the force of Fire, and that for this very cause, he was a Lover of this so noble Science of Medicine. Moreover, long after other discourses, touching Experiments in Metals, made by the violence of Fire, Elias the Artist spake to me thus; Do not you know the Highest Secret, when it is offered to your sight, viz. the Stone of Phylosophers, you having read in the Writings of many Chymists most excellent, touching the Substance, Colour, and strange effect of the same? I answered, not at all; except what I have read in Paracelsus, Helmont, Basilius, Sandivogius, and like Books of Adept Phylosophers extant. Nevertheless, I think, I am not able to know the Phylosophick Matter, whether it be true, or not, although I should see it present before me.

Whilst I was speaking thus, he pulled out of his Pocket an Ivory Box, in which he had three ponderous Fragments, in magnitude scarcely equalizing a small Walnut; these were Glass-like, of the colour of pale Sulphur, to which the Interior Scales of that Crucible did adhere, in which this most noble Substance was liquified, for I suppose the Value of it might equalize twenty Tun of Gold. But after I had plighted my Faith, I held that [Greek: cheimhêlion], [or pretious Treasure] of this Stone, within these my hands for almost a quarter of an hour, and from the Philosophick Mouth of the Owner, I heard many things worthy of note, touching the Wonderful Effect of the same, for humane and Metallick bodies. Indeed, I, with a sad and afflictedly afflicted Mind, restored this Treasure of Treasures to him, the Lord and Possessor, who gave the same into my hand for a very short space of time; and yet I did that (after the manner of Men overcoming themselves) not without the greatest action of thanks, as was fit in such a Case. Afterward I asked him, how it came to pass, (since I had otherwise read, that the Stones of Philosophers, were endowed with a Rubinate, or Purple Colour) that this his Philosophick Stone was tinged with a Sulphureous Colour? He answered me thus: O Sir; this is nothing to the purpose: for the Matter is Sufficiently mature. Moreover, when I entreated him, that he would give to me, for a perpetual remembrance, one small part of the Medicine included in his Box, although no more in bulk than a Coriander-Seed; he denied, answering: O no! For this is not lawful for me to do, although you would give me this whole Roome full of Gold in Duckets; and that not by reason of the price of the Matter, but by reason of another certain Consequence; Yea, surely, if it were possible, that Fire could be burned with Fire, I would sooner cast this whole Substance into the devouring Flames of Vulcan, before your Eyes. A little after this, he also asked me, whether I had not another Room, the Windows of which were not to the Street-side; I presently brought this Phænix, or Bird most rare to be seen in this Land, into my best furnished Chamber; yet he, at his Entrance (as the manner of Hollanders is, in their Countryes) did not shake off his Shooes, which were dropping wet with Snow. I indeed, at that very time, thus thought: perhaps he will provide, or hath in readiness some Treasure for me; but he dash'd my hope all to pieces. For he immediatey asked of me a piece of the best Gold-mony; and in the mean while layed off his Cloak, and Country Coat; also he opened his Bosom, and under his Shirt he wore in green Silk, five great Golden Pendants, round, filling up the magnitude of the Interior Space of an Orb of Tin. Where, in comparing these, in respect of Colour and Flexibility, the difference between his Gold, and mine, was exceeding great. On these Pendants he had inscribed with an Iron Instrument, the following Words, which, at my request, he gave leave I should coppy out.

The form of the Pendants, and words engraven thereon, are as follows.