Chapter L: Front Matter (50)

Just so do we proceed in the making of our metallick Cheese; for when we pour Salt-water or Spirit of Salt upon the solution of ☽ or ♄ mixt with that (solution) which is of a goldnish Nature, _viz._ of ♀ or ♃: we presently see a precipitation made; which done we abstract the clear water swimming at top of the precipitated matter, by inclination or pouring off; the which we may keep for farther uses, principally for the solution of other Metals and golden Subjects. We put the Cheese or white Coagulum abiding in the bottom of the Vessel, into a Linen cloth, and by strong squeezing it free it wholly from the wateriness, which said water is to be kept as well as the former, for being used about making new Cheeses, it makes them of the better savour, and more aureous and vendible.

This Whey, or that water which is plentifully gathered in the making the Cow-milk Cheeses, though it affords varieties of Profit to mankind, whether they give it their Hogs to fatten them, or use it themselves for their daily drink, especially in Summer time, or apply it to other uses as we see daily done, yet do not I see any better benefit than that which it yields to the _Curriers_. For they put in it some old Iron, and when the solution is made, they moisten with that water the hide already perfect (or ready dressed) and when ’tis dry they moisten it therewithal again, and this they do three or four times, until it hath gotten a fixt colour, blacker than a Coal. They do also sometimes administer some of it unto Children (with good success) to kill and expel the Worms: Nay more, they are likewise wont to make a Bath thereof very profitable for those that are troubled with the Scabs or Itch, because it hath gotten a drying force from the ♂, and thereupon it makes the skin smooth and hard: and seeing that the Country Fellows, and Labourers can do so much with it, what hinders but that we may institute such a curing more perfect, and that on this wise.

Take sweet Cow-milk, or (which is better) Goats-milk, two measures, boil it over the Fire, put thereinto while it is yet warm ʒ _j._ or ʒ _ij._ of Spirit of Salt, mix it well, and you shall see the coagulum or curd presently separate from the whey; out of which, Cheeses may be made by expression, which are far better than others, by reason of the addition of the Spirit of Salt, whereto if you add some Cummine, Carraway, or some spices, they are yet better and more to be preferred. The Whey here separated is of a grateful savour, and by reason of the admixtion of the Spirit of Salt, is somewhat acidish, and a most certain and most safe loosner or absterger, being administred to Infants that are troubled with the Worms, or even to Elder ones that are feeble. How many Infants have we observed to die unexpectedly after they have been for some while and often afflicted with a burning Fever, the Convulsion fits, and other such like effects, and meerly because we will not perswade our selves that they have the worms, & so forbear the using any remedies to purge them out? Now in such a case this whey is exceedingly excellent, being used after this manner.

Take of the most subtile filings of steel as much as will lie upon a knife’s point, mix it with as much honey as is sufficient, and give it the Children: and for their ordinary drink, let them use the said Whey, and so by this means, that filings being dissolved by the Whey kills the Worms, in the ventricle or stomach and drives them out, and verily is a most excellent Medicament; especially if taken two or three days; nor have I hitherto met with a nobler, than this is. And so there will redound some profit to Children and Infants too, by this our way of making Cheese, for which we owe immortal thanks to the Great and Glorious God.

Besides this, I have likewise observed the excellent use of this Whey, in the administration of my Panacea of Antimony, if there be taken a draught or two thereof, at the end of the Purgation; for it gently carries off the reliques that stick to the intestines.

He likewise that is so minded, may before his dropping in the Spirit of Salt, add some Anise-seed or Fennel-seed to the milk as it boils, thereby to correct its Flatulency or Windiness.

And I do most curteously intreat the well-minded Reader to take it in good part, that I have been so prolix in declaring the virtues of our Whey; necessity it self, and the love of my neighbour forbad my concealing of them: For very many Infants are killed with the Fever, and Epilepsy, or Convulsion-fits, and so suddenly die, for no other cause but our not meeting with the Worms, which their bodies are full of, being ignorant of convenient remedies.

Now then to return again to our Cheese, and to demonstrate the most eminent benefit, both of it, and of our water which is thence separated; we are first of all to know, that even it is also able to tinge (some) subjects with a certain colour, not with such a black colour, indeed, as the Whey of Milk, prepared as aforesaid, dyes the Curriers Hides with, but with a yellow colour, and more durable than that which is given to the hide, for that we therewith extract a Tincture out of ♀ and other aureous Subjects, and with the Tincture, do sometimes anoint (or tinge) _Luna_. If now the water abound with such virtues; what virtues will not the Cheese it self abound withal? And like as our Cheeses are diversly impregnated with spices, so are they of different savour, and price, and more or less wholsome. But now if that virtue which is in ♃ is also added to our Cheeses, there will proceed from thence admirable Cheeses; and this, that Philosopher was minded to point at, who writes that by the help of the Saturnine net, he is able even in a clear night to extract the little Fish _Eschineis_ out of the Sea.

The Ultimate (or extream) letters of this word _Eschineis_ _i._ and _s._ if conjoined together, so as that the letter _z._ be thereof made, and then the word read backward, it will sound in the _German_ tongue the same with _Zienesch_, (_viz._) the ashes of Tin; but yet let not any one perswade himself that those ashes of Tin are such as are made by means of the (bare) fire, but are prepared by the benefit of the spirit of Nitre.

Saturn does not only claim (or merit) the praises of being a husbandman, but also of being a good fisher, and hunter, as (among other writers) _Basil Valentine_ doth egregiously shew.

When ☉, ☽, ♃, and ♂ pursue (or hunt) the wild beasts, ♄ is bound to carry the net: _NB._ the hunting dogs here are Salts, the hare that is caught, is much like the colour of the hares skin, being stript of the same, he will yield excellent flesh, which the Princes can as little want as the Subjects can. _See the foregoing Figure of the Hares and Hounds, with a Flaming Heart, and the word VENUS._

Common Vitriol, but that especially which is found in those places where Gold is, is the green Sea containing excellent fishes.

Neither was _Isaac Holland_ an excellent maker of Cheese only, as we said but now, but withal, he was a singular fisher of Pearls; for with the net of ♄ (the night being clear) we may catch most excellent Pearls, but yet ’tis a very hard thing to take them out of the net, nor can they be separated but with a great deal of prudence and art, from the threds of the nets, to which they do stick so firmly.

But yet this separation is best of all done in a clear Light, the Sun shining upon the Earth with his beams, and wholly dissipating the Vapours, least it should be hindred by their being present. For the parts being exposed to the Air in a (perhaps he means unseasonable) seasonable weather are corrupted, nor does any thing remain behind but the shells. And even these shells do in their inside shew forth such diversity of delicate colours, as that the most ingenious Painter cannot imitate them with his pencil, and such they are as with which the other shells of mother of Pearl or the commoner sort cannot at all compare: For in one place they represent pure ☉, in another pure ☽, in another they are of a Green colour, Sky colour, Red, Yellow, and variously coloured, so that they much exceed in beauty, the Peacocks Tail. If then the shells are so fair as that we cannot sufficiently enough admire them; what I pray will the beauty of the Pearls themselves be? Nor let any one perswade himself that I do here cast Pearls before swine by too much divulging secresies; (no) for there are yet many necessary things hereto requisite to make the Pearls come in sight; and if so be that any one should know the way of dexterously extracting them out of the net it self; yet the fixing of them doth require abundance of labour still, whereby they may be able to defend their fairness and excellency, against all the Elements; however, in the mean time the lover of Chymistry, may delight his mind with those shells, and admire at the most admirable variety of the colours in them.

Some haply there will be, that when they have taken the said Pearl, by the help of ♄ and ☽, will think it a most easie thing to separate it from the net, by the benefit of destillation; but let those good men know, that this is a thing impossible to be done; for I my self bestowed abundance of labour in vain on this operation, and this hath to my knowledge so happened to others too; for in the common destillation, that Pearl being commixt with the net, even the Mother together with the Daughter do jointly ascend and get out; and thus to do is not at all agreeable or helpful for the great work; though nevertheless _an excellent particular Medicament may thencefrom be made_. Concerning which, I have spoken in the second and third Part of my _Pharmacopœia Spagyrica_; nor may we expect (by such a destillation) the thing we wish for. But if so be you desire to see the Mother, wrap the net together with the Infant in pure linen, first mundifyed, and washt in the fire; or put them in a glazed Stove, and put fire thereunder by degrees, and make the Net and Pearl to sweat largely, which being kept apart, yields a singular Medicament, for to quench all the Internal heat of the Body, and always to cool the burning Mercury.

The provocation of the sweat being finisht, break the sweating glasses, and look for your Pearl, and you shall find that it is gone out of the shells, by the force of the heat, and is roasted (as it were) together with the Net, and cannot possibly be (as yet) seen; yet nevertheless it is brought to a farther maturity, and doth yield some profit in an especial (or particular) way. But the Sudatory it self, contracts incomparable Colours from the sweat of the Pearl.

Now then, live contented with the most beautiful mother, and delight thy mind by barely beholding it, until it shall please God to give unto thee, the infant also. When it was my hap at first to behold that beauteous mother, my mind, that was wearied with the long labour of searching thereinto, was so refreshed, that I can scarce declare it with words; yea I was so delighted, that I placed that delectable mother in such a place, where it might lie always open to my sight, and that so long till she shewed me her infant likewise, which Infant verily was not unlike to _Cupid_. Do you also seek, and you will find what you wish for: Implore God, and he will give unto you; Knock at his doors, and they will be opened unto thee, if so be that GOD shall find thee worthy; for he bestows his Grace and Mercy upon none, but such as are of an humble and thankful mind. Take for an example of this some Tinder, or Touchwood, which being handled with dirty fingers, refuseth to take fire, though it be never so copiously smitten out of the Steel with the Stone (or Flint.)

All things depend on the mercy of GOD, nor can we effect any thing by our labour. Him only should we seek, and he will manifest himself by the works of nature, even as the nature of a man is known by Chiromancy, and Physiognomy.

Two contraries do always produce a third thing, and are the cause of every generation, and change of things; if fire be added to fire, there ariseth no new thing from thence; neither if you put water to water; but water and fire being conjoined, there are produced new Generations; for the fire acts upon the water, and impregnates it according to the nature and properties of (both) the water and fire; from whence there proceed things pure or impure, according to the purity or impurity of the water and fire.

The thing (or operation) it self, must be accurately known and handled, if you would have any good to redound from thence unto you. The Sun is in himself always good, yet doth he operate as well evil as good. If this same Sun bestows his Rays or Beams upon the Rain as it falls down, the Rain doth thence contract (or get) a honeyish dew, which falling upon the blossoming of Trees, makes them corrupt. Now we cannot rightly impute this evil to the Sun or to the honey it self; but we see that it proceedeth from hence, (_viz._) because that honeyed dew is not duely and speedily enough washt away with the rain, but is evaporated by the heat of the ☉; whence it comes to pass, that the blossoms wither, and worms are generated in them, and so the whole blossom is corrupted.

We will set down here yet, one more similitude for the sake of such as love the truth. Put case thus then; a diligent Gardiner walks abroad in his Orchard for his recreation, and if he happens to find a large, great and curious principal Apple lying on the ground, he presently takes it up, and does not only well view and consider of it, but tasts it too; which if he finds to be of an acceptable flavour, he seeks out the Tree it self, with an intention to pluck off more such like conditioned Apples; having found out the Tree, he much sets by it, or esteems it, because the fruits thereof do exceed all the rest in the Orchard, both in tast and fairness, and he takes care about that more than the rest, dungs the roots well, prunes off the withered branches with a sharp crooked knife, and artificially cuts off those that are unprofitable, and usually called suckers, that draw away the juice from the fruit-bearing boughs.

Even just after this manner doth a diligent Chymist act; if therefore, (as he walks in his Laboratory,) searching out the secrets of nature, he happens upon a Golden Apple, he seeks after the tree, that bears such fruit, and having found it, he very charily keeps it, and ministers unto it all such things as are necessary to its conservation, that so he may thence receive more such like-conditioned Apples; and therefore gardiner-like he puts dung to the root, that is, Nitre; he prunes off the dry barren wood, and also the hurtful superfluous boughs, that is, the superfluous Sulphur, with a sharp red hot iron, whereby that same tree may, for the future, yield egregious or select fruits, without any impediment, which thing he also finds to come to pass.

NB. _Paracelsus_ doth very openly set before us this labour in his _Cœlum Philosophorum_, in the sixth Rule of Mercury, where he saith, Sacrifice the fat Vervains (or superfluous suckers); and yet, these words of his, are only superficially lookt on, most people not understanding what _Paracelsus_ means by those words, though he hath clearly and perspicuously enough signed his writings.

It is a necessary thing here for the Chymist to know, how the case stands, as concerning the metalline tree, and what is to be accompted its Root, Trunck, Blossoms, and Fruits; ♄ is the Root; ♂ the Trunck or Body, ♃ the Bark about the Trunck; ☿ the nutritive Juice between the Bark and the Trunck; ♀ the green Boughs and Leaves; ☽ the pleasant Flower, or Blossom; and ☉ the ripe Apple containing in it self the seed of the Tree.

That Apple which yet sticks on the tree, doth, when it hath arrived to its full maturity, fall down upon the earth, of its own accord, if it be not gathered by the Gardiner; and then afterwards the leaves themselves, when the weather is somewhat colder, fall off, which do as it were bury the apple, which lying hidden under the leaves, is consumed by rottenness, by little and little; but the seed assuming to it self a natural humidity from the putrefying tree (or fruit rather) instead of nutriment, begins to take root in the spring time; out of which there grow up, in process of time, Apple-trees, which are to be in their fit season transplanted: this transplanting being finished, the Gardiner joins to such a wild tree, generated from the seed, the Scions of such fruit as he has a mind to, and that by either ingrafting, or inoculation. And so an industrious gardiner may get from the fruit of one tree, an innumerable company of great trees, and those of such a nature and kind, and grateful a savour as he likes best.

Even on this wise doth the Chymist do, joining fruitful Scions to wild truncks or stocks, by inocculation, so that he never wants good fruits.

He that cannot learn ought from these things, I cannot help him any other way, for I do not see how I can set down those things clearer than I have done.

But for the undertaking of this labour, there is required an Artist, no less diligent than ingenious. And of how much the better quality the dung is, that is laid to the root of the tree, and (by how much) the knife which the boughs are cut off withal, is the sharper that so it may not hurt the green (or growing) bark of the tree, and so the nutritive juice flow forth, so much the better are the fruits generated. As it is easie for a wise man to reap hence some things; so it’s difficult for an imprudent man.

I doubt not but that there will be some, that being judicious men, will know that there is an opportunity given them by my writings, published out of a sincere mind, of making farther inquiry after a true transmutation, and consequently of esteeming it, more than we find to be usually done (because that most things are oft-times proposed craftily and cautiously).

But that such a noble art may be freed from any farther contempt, I have purposed, the next following Spring, to frame a convenient laboratory, and to demonstrate the truth thereof to my friends. And although my endeavours shall be to prohibit any entrance by any means to the faithless brethren of _Farnnerus_, yet notwithstanding, I know I cannot so prevent and foresee, but that one or other may adjoin himself to the number of the true lovers of Chymistry, and feigning friendship, lay snares for me.

But put case that such a thing should not happen, it cannot be but that the Arcana’s will be divulged; for such things as this or that man sees, and writes down, may reasonably be thought, will come to other mens hands after they are dead; especially if the preparation of Salt-petre be afore instituted, or set up in divers places; for nothing can be done in Alchimy, saith _Paracelsus_ without Nitre; Alchimy is found to reside in Nitre say I. Salt-petre shewed us Alchimy, or, Alchimy was found out by Nitre.

He therefore that has abundance of Salt-petre, can perform egregious things in Alchimy. Had not the _Ægyptians_ been possessors of great plenty of Salt-petre, verily they would never have been so skilful in Alchimy; nor could they have had those riches, by which they were able to avert (or decline) the yoke of the Roman Monarchy.

As long as they knew the use of Sulphur (Salt-petre I believe he means) they enjoyed Monarchy (without servitude to others) (and this was even to the time of _Dioclesian_ the Emperour, who knowing their power, commanded all the Books they used, to be burnt) and then their Monarchy and their Art it self perished together.

The Poets have feigned many stories of _Jupiter_’s Golden shower; certainly did we but know the manner of duely managing Salt-petre and ♃ together, we should be likewise able to produce the golden shower.

_Jupiter_, when stirred up with anger, doth with his Thunder and Lightning, strike a terrour into all the Gods, and into whatsoever is upon the Earth; and yet the rain that falls then, at such a time, is of an excellent Quality, and makes the Earth more fruitful than the rain that commonly falls is wont to do; because there is a certain tinging and penetrating spirit sticking in the Thunder, that tingeth the air and the rain, and animates it; if therefore we can (by the virtue of Nitre, and this same ♃) produce such Thunders, & can give to the Thunder fire & air, by which it might operate; verily there would nothing hinder, but that we might (_Jupiter_-like) make a Golden shower too. The purer the ♃ shall be, and the more clear the Air, so much the purer will the Rain be, and the Air is more impregnated and filled with the common Vital Spirit.

He now that knows how to separate the life out of the water and air, rightly animated, gets a true _aurum potabile_, or the Soul of the world: besides this too, there offer themselves apparently such things to be done, as are able to exhibit his daily food. And thus much let suffice for this time.

He verily that perceives (or understands) not these things so clearly proposed, surely he will not, though all the Gods themselves should relate them, understand ought of those things that are taught. In the mean time, I hope that my friends will see with their Eyes, and feel with their Hands, the most certain truth of these, and the like operations, and consequently of my writings, in a laboratory, which God willing, I will in a short time erect, and will then defend me against all envious, and carping men.

This one thing I will yet add over and above, that the astrum of Gold doth tinge his own proper Mercury, or (the ☿) of the first _ens_, (therefore) chiefest of all: The Astrum of ♄ (tingeth) ☽; the Astrum of ♃, common ♀; the Astrum of ♂, ♀; for those three superiours do always operate upon these three inferiour (Planets;) so that they are, as it were, upper men, and lower women: ☉ he is left in the midst, which whosoever adds unto the others for the compleating of the operations, will perform excellent things.

But he that knows how to make that Astrum of ☉ corporeal and fixt, he may translate the Astrum of ☉ on this wise prepared, out of one place into another, and conserve it like a Vegetable seed, to be implanted into all the Metals, in time and place convenient; which blessing, we rightly attribute to the blessed great GOD, the giver of every good thing, in the first place, and then to Salt-petre as being the Northern Monarch.

It now remains, that we briefly shew, by what means that Nitrous water, out of which that most noble Pearl, ☉ and Gems are taken with the Net, may be prepared for farther uses, so that such a fishing may need but very small costs, and may nevertheless (besides the daily food which it most plentifully provides us) bestow on us a most excellent medicament.

We have taught in the foregoing directions, how we may by the help of _Aqua-fortis_ or _Aqua-regia_ most easily extract both the fixt and volatile ☉ and ☽ out of the Metals, Flints, Sand, Clay, and such subjects as are every where obvious, and precipitate, coagulate, dry, and reduce it into a fixt metallick body.

Now in doing these things, part of the separatory water here used, is as yet good enough, and may be kept for farther uses; but part thereof (_viz._) that which is extracted out of the Metals by the help of common water, is, by reason of the mixing sweet or fair water therewith, rendred too weak for operating withal, and therefore must it be corrected and amended by some certain singular way, so as it may be again used about doing the same work.

Were it not for costs and labours we might separate that fair water from the _Aqua-fortis_ and _Aqua-regia_, by the benefit of a glass Cucurbite, but forasmuch as there is given us a more compendious way, we will make choice of that.

For he that intends to get himself riches by the benefit of this separatory work delivered by me, or by the extraction of ☉ and ☽, will need a great deal of _Aqua-fortis_ and _Aqua-Regia_, for what profit is it if you would extract them out of (but) a few Metals or Minerals? Seeing that scarce the one half of those strong Waters can be separated by pouring off from those subjects upon which they are poured, but the chiefest (or biggest) part of them sticks to the said metalline Matters, and contains in it as much ☉ and ☽, as that which we have abstracted by decanting it, and requisite it is that we thence abstract the same by the benefit of fair Water by due boiling, from whence it comes to pass that there will be also gathered a great deal of (insipid or useless) Water, (over and above.)

Those _Aqua-fortis_’s that are poured off, and hold in them ☉ and ☽, when they are mixt together, the ☽ and ☉ precipitates to the bottom of the Glass like powder, so that there remains nothing of the Metal in either water, nor is that water arising from the mixing of the _Aqua-fortis_ wherein the ☽ was dissolved, and of the _Aqua-regia_ wherein the ☉ was dissolved, at all the weaker, but it retains the virtues of extracting ☉ but not of ☽, because that the _Aqua-regia_ being added to the _Aqua-fortis_ converts it all of it into _Aqua-regia_.

This precipitation being made, and the clear water separated from the precipitation by decanting it, you may extract that acid Water, which yet adheres to the precipitate, with fair Water; but for as much as the virtues thereof are thereby much weakned, ’tis better to proceed after another kind of way, and we preferr this way (as best.)

Take the Calxes of ☉ and ☽ as they lie at the bottom of the _Aqua-regia_ (or the acid mixt Spirits) and put them in a Linen cloth placed in a Funnel or over a Glass with a wide mouth, and the greatest part of the _Aqua-regia_ will strain through into the Glass set thereunder; when no more water drops out, which we find is wont to be within half an hours space, tie up your cloth with a strong thred, that so nothing of the calx therein contained may get out; put it under some weight or heavy matter, that so all the _Aqua-regia_ may be squeezed out, and the calx only may remain behind like Curd or new Cheese.

But for as much as the Calxes of ☉ and ☽ are not edulcorated, hence it comes to pass that the Cheese thence prepared, after the manner now spoken of, is as yet corrosive, nor is it easily dried. Both of them (☉ and ☽) we may easily correct, if we only admix therewith (as ’tis laid in a dish) a fourth part of fixt Salt, for by the virtue thereof even the corrosive Spirits sticking as yet therein are mortified, and the exsiccation, cementation, fixation, & reduction thereof is promoted. The Reduction being made of ☉ and ☽ which we are now made partakers of, that goldenish silvery Masse is to be granulated, and to be dissolved in new _Aqua-fortis_, and be precipitated with that _Aqua-regia_ by the help of which, ☉ hath been extracted out of the Metals; the Cheese is to be freed from the water by squeezing it, and is to be sprinkled over with a fixt Salt, and to be melted. And all these Operations are to be so often repeated as necessity shall require, and there shall be at hand any Metal whereout-of Gold may be extracted, and so there may thence arise a continual Labour, which is beneficial, because that _Aqua-fortis_ may (when the Labour or Operation is finished) be used about other such like extractions, and that which is the weaker sort may be prepared into Salt-petre: out of which may be made anew, excellent _Aqua-fortis_ by the addition of Vitriol or Copperas, and so destilling them. The Vessels wherein the precipitation of Metals is performed, yea and the presses too by whose help the water is squeezed out of the Cheese, must be framed of strong Glass or of glazing Earth well glazed.

But for as much as the Vessels of Glass are very subject to be broken, and earthen Vessels, unless they have the solidity of Glass, waste abundance of water, and so moulder away; it would seem more convenient in my judgment to make the expression of the water out of the Cheese, between two Plates of Silver, for the water of the Cheese doth not at all corrode the ☽: Yea and if the Tunnels requisite to this work were made of ☽, it would not be amiss, nor would there be any fear of their breaking.

NB. The Extraction also of ☉ made with _Aqua-regia_ may likewise be put into a Silver Cucurbite, whereby the work may be facilitated, and all loss and damage which otherwise may be lookt for (feared) from the using of Glasses, may be prevented. And suppose a Cucurbite, a Press and two Tunnels did cost one hundred imperials; yet notwithstanding the certainty and celerity of the Work will repay those costs very easily, seeing that all things are hereby done much safer, and much more speedily: Besides too, there’s nothing lost but the price of the fashioning your Vessels, for the Silver is always of the same value, and may again be sold at your pleasure. But he that wants suchlike Silver Vessels or cannot buy them, he may make use of Glass ones so long till he can get Silver ones; but it is necessary that the Silver of which these Vessels are made be very pure, and have no Copper in it; least the _Aqua-regia_ extract the Copper thereout of, and so the Vessels (especially the Cucurbites) do in process of time get an undue softness.

The manner of extracting Metals by the help of this Cheese-water, is already disclosed in the foregoing (writings); however this I am constrained to advise here, that it is much more expedient, to use presently at the beginning for the extraction of ☉, rectified Spirit of Salt actuated with _Aqua-fortis_, than _Aqua-regia_, because that by thus doing there will be more plenty of ☉ gotten in the reduction than when the operation is accomplisht by _Aqua-regia_. It would be too long to reckon up the cause of this thing in this place: ’tis sufficient that I have shown which is good, which ill. Nay more, Spirit of Salt is cheaper than _Aqua-regia_, if prepared according to my description: Nor is there any reason to give credit to that slanderous fellow, _Farnnerus_, as if such a Spirit made by Vitriol, according to the manner mentioned in the first part of the Philosophical Furnaces, were not of any use, or at least-wise could not be prepared in great quantity by the aforesaid way: For when all circumstances fall not out as is wisht, the blame is not to be imputed to my description, but to the ignorance and unaptness of the Chymist himself.

If now those good men cannot accomplish such operations which are word for word faithfully described unto them: how would they be able then to arrive by speculations and various trials to the knowledge of any thing, as I my self have done? I do therefore attest here too, that we are able most easily to prepare not barely 10 or 20, but even 30, 40, 50 pounds and more every day with one only Furnace.

Nay more, if men did more accurately ruminate upon this business, they would find, that out of one pound of Salt may be made in a Glass cucurbite in sand, one pound of the best, most grateful Spirit of Salt needing no rectification, and that in one hours space: And by the benefit of a Furnace scarce a span wide, and with a very few Char-coal, scarce exceeding three pound weight. Verily if there be any artificial destillation this is it: And now let the Find-faults look about them and see if they can understand these things we have spoken; we can at all times demonstrate the truth hereof. It is altogether inconvenient to shew such an artificial destillation unto swinish Men, it is only due to the Lovers of the truth, of which sort there are to be found but a very few in this present age.

And that this is true, _viz._ that a most grateful Spirit of Salt may most easily be prepared in vast quantity, doth even hencefrom most evidently appear, in that there are some in these places who having followed my information, do, because of their making it in great plenty and without any great Labour, sell a pound thereof for an imperial. For my own particular affairs do not permit me to take on me that Labour, yet notwithstanding, I have bestowed the artifice on such Men as now know it as well as I my self do, and who likewise do make that Spirit in such quantity as may supply all _Europe_. But forasmuch as I did not heretofore find out so far, as to see it excel _Aqua-regia_ in the extraction of Gold out of such Stones, Sand, and Clay as contain Gold in them, and which are every where obvious. I could not omit the commending of it in this place, most highly unto all Men; for that Spirit hath an especial delight in ☉, not only in that which is fixt, but also with that which is volatile, whereby it extracts it and renders it fixt. There are some Minerals, Stones, Sand, Earths, which have in them abundance of volatile Gold, which is not in the least durable (or fixt,) but is carried up (or forced away) in the form of a vapour and vanisheth into the air, and so consequently not at all to be accounted for true ☉, seeing it cannot brook the force of the melting Fire. Besides this, there do oft-times occur moil precious Treasures of no profit to any man, which may be brought to most eminent uses (or benefit) by the Extraction, Precipitation, Cheese-making, and Liquefaction delivered by me. For such Metals as the Spirit of Salt do not tie and make fixt in the extractions, ☽ or ♄ makes them such, with which we have taken or fisht the _Sol_ out of the _Aqua-regia_ or Spirit of Salt; to the obtaining of which this is also of much conducement. If the Cheese now made be altogether fixt by the help of an artificial Cement, and the gradatory fluxing matter be especially reduced in such a Vessel, out of which not so much as the least volatile part can evaporate: by which it comes to pass, that not only the volatile Gold you have caught is made fixt, but even a part of the net of ☽ or ♄ is by graduation made aureous: For every volatile Gold doth exercise its operations in the Fire upon other Metals, and makes them aureous, so that the _Sol_ ariseth thence to be of a greater quantity, than that was which by the help of the silvery or leaden Dart was taken out of the extract. Heed these things and proceed on in a legitimate course, and you shall find such things as you cannot as yet conceive of. The Fishing is clearly enough described in this place, and so is the Cementation and Reduction of the Cheese clearly proposed, and may be most easily perfected.

But God (if thou becomest acceptable unto him) can yet shew unto thee a much more compendious way of perfecting this work with less labour, and of obtaining greater things.

Be content for this time with what hath been at present taught, give God the thanks and forget not the Poor, and He will then shew unto thee more and more compendious ways, of cheerfully managing the work (here) described, to his Honour, and the Comfort of the Poor, and without any wronging thine own Conscience, or hurting of thy Neighbour.

You need not be much sollicitous about such kind of Earths, Stones or Sand, from which you may extract the Gold, for every land is every where stored with such, nor need we spend much time in searching after them. Likewise it will be a most easie thing for thee by my writings to make Salt-petre, of Salt-petre to make _Aqua-fortis_ and _Aqua-regia_: One bare pound of _Aqua-fortis_ may be sufficient for thee to begin the operation withal, for there is not much of it lost in the work it self; and what of it is wasted may easily be repaired by an addition of common Salt: And as for the extracting both the fixt and volatile Gold and _Luna_ out of the Earth, and of perfecting it, thou hast no reason to hope of finding a more compendious way than that is which I have here exhibited unto thee.

You may leave such Metals (or Ores) as have in them plenty of _Sol_ and _Luna_, unto others; and take only the scoria as ’twere, and thencefrom extract your part, and none will forbid you that. But if so be thou canst be but a partaker of an aureous Earth (or Ore) then will all things fadge the better.

NB. The ☉ and ☽ that is in the Extractions may be precipitated by the help of ☿, but much more chargeably and more difficultly than by ☽ or ♄, because the ☿ used in this operation cannot be used a second time.

NB. The ☉ and ☽ may be also extracted from the water without precipitation; by abstracting the _Aqua-regia_ from the ☉ and the _Aqua-fortis_ from the ☽: but besides this kind of proceeding being full of Labour, we should receive but little fixt Metal, and scarce the one half of what is gotten by the aforementioned way: For the ☽ and ☉ do retain with them some part of the _Aqua-fortis_ and _Aqua-regia_, and thereby become sharp or sour which is a thing contrary (or an Enemy) to all Fluxes, and which also does not only cause an evaporation of such Volatile Gold and Silver as is therein, (but withal some part of that which is fixt too,) in the melting. But now in this Fishing trade that I have described, being caught it is either edulcorated, or the corrosive power is extinguisht by the addition of a fixt Salt; so that hereby the ☽ or ♄ holds with it self as well the volatile as fixt Gold and ☽.

NB. He that shall institute this operation aright, will find that the volatile Gold will (in the secret Reduction) yet farther transmute part of the ☽ and ♄ into ☉ by Graduation, and so will reap a double (portion of) ☉ for which God is deserved to be thanked.

I have herein been more prolix than I intended, which I entreat others to accept in good part: It could hardly be that the things I have delivered, could be couched in fewer words. Wise Men indeed need not many words, but where are such? Better is it therefore to set down things at large.

_Now it follows that we shew by what means we may have benefit out
of the edulcoratory Water, and not be forced to throw it away._

We have taught in the precedent discourse, how those waters which ☉ is extracted and precipitated with, may be used for a farther extraction of ☉: For when the _Aqua-fortis_ in which ☽ or ♄ is dissolved is mixt with the _Aqua-regia_ wherein ☉ is dissolved, there ariseth not any mutation or changing, but that ☽ or ♄ only which was in the _Aqua-fortis_ settles to the bottom, so that this water wherein such a precipitation is made, may afterwards serve instead of _Aqua-regia_, and so consequently with it may ☉ be extracted out of the Metals.

But seeing that the precipitated ☽ or ♄ must be excellently well edulcorated by often pourings on of water, afore it be dried, hence it comes to pass that there is gathered a vast deal of such edulcoratory Waters. Now that even this may not be thrown away as useless, and that nothing may be lost in so noble a work, I have here determined briefly to declare, by what means we may likewise catch some benefit even out of that too.

To do this, ’tis necessary that the useless water be separated from the _Aqua-fortis_; now such a separation cannot be effected in metallick Vessels because of the sharpness of the _Aqua-fortis_; least in length of time they should be dissolved: But to perform the same in Vessels of Glass would take up much time and fire; there is therefore of necessity another way here required to perform the same; and a better than this, which I will here deliver, I think can hardly be contrived. Make you therefore an Arch of Lime, Ashes, and Horse-dung, according to the afore prescribed manner, where we treated of making Salt-petre (about the beginning of the book) dry it by putting fire thereunder, _&c._ The Arch being dryed, pour on, by little and little, so much edulcorating water, as the Arch is capable of attracting, and until you shall find it to be made thoroughly moist; the Arch being on this wise moistned, dry it again: and being dryed moisten it again as afore. And so repeat this work of moistning and drying so long till the Arch will receive into it self no more water. This done, there remains no more, but to do thus, _viz._ Let the said Arch be broken to pieces, and be ground with a Mill into fine powder; upon the powder let be thrown fair water, and so let there be made a Lixivium, out of which by due boiling may be made most excellent and delicate Saltpetre.

But here must be very good heed taken, that you use about the building of the Arch, Wood-Ashes, and Lime made of Stone (or Chalk); whereby the sharpness of the edulcoratory water may be extinguisht (or mortified) by the fixt Salt inherent in the ashes and lime, and the corrosivity be taken away, and most excellent Nitre may arise thencefrom; for if _Aqua-fortis_ be permixt with the fixt Salt of wood-ashes, both of them lose their Nature, and Nitre is made thereof.

But that the operation may more luckily succeed, and we may be the more certain of the event, it will be the best way, to put in, by little and little, some Lee of wood-ashes first of all, (afore the edulcorating water be thrown upon the Arch) and this putting on, to be so long continued till all ebullition and noise cease, whereby all the sharpness of that water may be taken away; this done, that water is to be poured upon the Arch, and you are to proceed on according to the afore-prescribed method; and so shall you have excellent Salt-petre, whether your Arch be made of Lime and Ashes, or of Mud and Ashes.

NB. If this taking away of the sharpness of the edulcoratory water by the benefit of a wood-ashes Lee, be not finished, and done before it be poured upon the Arch, it is clearly requisite that it be done in the Arch it self, by the goodness of the Lime and the said ashes, by which that sharpness may be extinguished.

It is, I confess, all a case whither that sharpness be extinguisht with a _Lixivium_ afore; or else be done in the Arch it self. Yet nevertheless, seeing that Operation is the safer which hath a foregoing taking away of the sharpness afore it be poured on the Furnace, therefore it is better so to institute it; specially, seeing it then matters not at all any thing, what condition the matter is of which the Arch is made with; because then such a water needs no more but an unfolding (or evaporation) and coagulation, and this may as well be done by the help of an Arch made of mud, as by one made of Lime: Otherwise if the sharpness of the edulcoratory water be not taken away by the _Lixivium_, an Arch made of mud is of no use, for by this means you would not get any _Salt-petre_ at all, but rather all the water would be consumed by evaporation, which need not be at all feared, if we use an Arch made of Lime and Ashes, seeing that that water is by this means mortifyed.

And so, by this means, that edulcoratory water may be most commodiously prepared for farther uses, and the Salt-petre which is extracted thence, is exceeding good to make _Aqua-fortis_ with; and we may gather as much in quantity thereof as the extraction of ☽ and ☉ out of the Metals, Stones, Clay, and Minerals requires.

NB. If any one be desirous of more excellent benefits, let him dissolve, in that edulcoratory water, (_B._) or (_C._) and in the Lixivium (let him dissolve) (_D._) then mix both Solutions: When the fermentation is over, he will have double the quantity of Nitre, than what he would otherwise have from the bare mixtion of the contraries together, and pouring them on the Arch; the reason of which thing is this; because (_E._) is nothing else inwardly but Nitre, but it cannot come forth to light before the body be broken, and till that salt which sticks (or lies hid) within, be wholly freed (of its bonds) whereby it may be turned, together with the Corrosive Spirit into Nitre.

The like is to be understood of (_F._) because even that also is broken (as I may say) to pieces by the Lee of the wood-ashes, and so the Salt that lies hid within, and which is nothing else but Nitre, shews it self to sight, and passeth with the other Salt of the Lixivium into Nitre.

Certainly this labour, _viz._ the mortification of the edulcorating water by a Lee of wood-ashes, and the concentration of Nitre, upon the Arches made of lime or mud, is an egregious invention; nor do I think that this business can be better managed any kind of way, than by what hath been here shewn, especially if the Species, here notified, be also thereto adhibited (or made use of) (I know not I say, any way) by which greater plenty of Nitre may be gathered; for the coagulation cannot be done in a Copper or Iron pan, because not only the Pan would be corroded and wasted, but the Nitre would be rendred impure. But if now the operation be instituted aright, we shall get more Niter than indeed is requisite for the extracting ☉ and ☽ out of the Metals; so that we may get us ☉ and ☽ without any costs: which invention verily is a most noble one even in all parts of the World, and a most high gift of God: for which, we have good reason above all things to render Him deserved thanks, and next Him, to those who open such a Noble and Unheard-of Invention, and which is so profitable to all Men.

But this Invention will be especially profitable in those places of the World, where _Aqua-fortis_ is much used, and is presently after the first using thereof, thrown away as unprofitable, as it usually happens in the Mint houses, where abundance of ☽ and ☉ is separated in great quantity, and consequently abundance of _Aqua-fortis_ consumed, so that by the benefit of this invention of mine, we might get much every year; but most of all in those places where are found such Stones and Sand which are endued with Gold, but yet will not yield any by the help of the usual melting.

Besides too, this invention is exceeding profitable for such kind of Metals of ☉ and ☽, that have not as yet gotten their due ripeness or fixity, and so fly away in the melting, and yield either none at all, or at best but very little of Gold. For the common melting fire forceth away the Volatile Gold, and ☽ that resides in the Metals (or Ores) which is not at all so here, for all (of it) is made fixt by the _Aqua-fortis_, and preserved.

I do believe that there is not a place to be found, where such kind of Stones, Sand, or Clay may not be gathered, as hold in them Gold and ☽, either fixt or Volatile, and which may be extracted thencefrom most easily, and with exceeding profit according to the way aforespoken of.

But, for as much as there are many, who pretend that such like Stones, Sand, Clay, and Minerals as have Gold in them, are no where to be found, and that consequently this invention of mine is altogether in vain: To such as these I thus apply, _viz._ That such like Subjects are therefore unknown, because few there are that seek after them, or are willing to experience ought, but remain contented with such things only as the Ancients have taught, and perswaded themselves that ☉ and ☽ cannot be separated out of the Metals, but only by the force of fire, where as notwithstanding the operation may be far easilier, and more profitably instituted, according to the method by me prescribed, but especially in those Metals (or Ores) of ☉ and ☽, which either require too much expence for their melting, or are as yet unripe and volatile, and so fly away in the melting; for a great quantity of ☉ and ☽ may be extracted with a little quantity of _Aqua-fortis_; yea the extraction being duly made, and to the best profit, there may be thereof made Salt-petre; so that such an extraction of ☉ and ☽ requires but very little costs.

If any one desires an easier way of extracting ☉ let him use Spirit of Salt prepared after the manner by me delivered, which said Spirit he may fortify by adding a fourth part of Salt-petre, which very same (when the Extraction is finisht) may be reduced into Salt-petre, like as we have said of _Aqua-fortis_ that hath been already used.

NB. An easier operation yet then all these, is this, which may be performed the dry way.

Take the Metal, Stones, or Mineral, reduce them into powder, mix them with the Salt (G) and make them with clay into Balls about the bigness of a little Head. Make these balls red hot, and by this means the Salt will dissolve the _Sol_ in the Fire, and attract it out of the Metals. This done, grind the Balls or Pellets, and extract thencefrom in a large Pot or Vessel a Lixivium with boiling hot water, for the Salt which hath attracted the ☉ in the Cementation, mixeth it self with the Water: Out of this Salt-water mayest thou afterwards catch the ☉ by the help of a Solution of ♄, added for the precipitation; now out of the Salt it self mayest thou make excellent Salt-petre. So that you may most easily extract out of the Earth both fixt and volatile ☉ and ☽ without any melting it. Nay not only ☽ and ☉ but even Copper too, whether we proceed the dry way or the moist way: For we may extract good _Sol_ out of the scoria of _Sol_ and _Luna_ and _Venus_ which are cast away, yea and out of _Mars_ it self too, and by the afore-shown way.