Chapter XLIV: Front Matter (44)

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Minerals; and this fire is hid only in Nitre, and is no where else to be found; for the Central Fire hath too soon withdrawn it self from the volatile Minerals and baser Metals, and left them unripe, and they can be advanced to a maturity, both by our common Wood-fire, and by the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.