Chapter LXVIII: Part II (7)

LVIII. _How by the help of =Sal Mirabilis= most hard and insoluble
subjects may be very easily dissolved._

Let the nature and property of a Char-coal of Wood be considered, the which is such, as that if it be kept in the greatest Fire for many years, and all external air kept out from it; it will neither ever melt, nor ever lose ought of its body, but will come out again in the very same form as it had at your putting it into the Fire.

So likewise a Wood coal is able to endure an hundred, yea a thousand years in the Earth, Water, or even the most sharp corrosive Waters unhurt. This so most sharp a tryal, neither Gold nor Silver though they be the purest and most constant are able to undergo. And although a Coal be thus durable, yet nevertheless will I dissolve it in half an hours space, and convert it into a red fusile Salt, which is dissolvable with Water, and yields a wonderfull liquor which is the effecter of incredible operations both in Medicine and in Alchymy.

LIX. _What =Sal Mirabilis= is to be used to dissolve the Coles._

The _Sal Mirabilis_ is diversly prepared, as appears in the second part of _Miraculum Mundi_; but what way soever it be prepared by, it may be commodiously applied to the solution of Char-coals, nor needeth it any farther preparation, but even just so as it is taken out of the Cucurbit and is as yet corrosive is to be used to dissolve all things.

LX. _The manner of reducing any Char-coal in half an hours space to
its first matter, that is, into a sulphureous Salt, by the =Sal
Mirabilis=._

Melt two or three ounces of _Sal Mirabilis_ in some Pot or Crucible, and throw in a peice of Wood-coal or Char-coal, and cover the Pot with its Cover, and let it flow for one half hour, that so the Salt may dissolve as much of that Coal as it can, and may leave the rest of it which it cannot dissolve, undissolved. Then pour out your matter and you shall find a red Stone of Salt, which being tasted upon the Tongue burns it like Fire, as all Alkaly Salts do. For the corrosive force is inverted by the Vegetable Sulphur, and changed into an Alkaly.

This red Carbuncle being dissolved in Water yields a green Solution, which being filtred, and let stand still for some hours, appears of a white colour, and being let alone quiet longer, acquireth a yellow colour. One drop thereof gilds over an imperial as Sulphur does, if it be therein put. For the Char-coal is no other thing but a Sulphur of the same nature as the Mineral Sulphur is of, and penetrating all the Metals, suffers it self to be fixed with them, and doth after another manner perform all those things that the Mineral Sulphur is wont to do.

The very well skilled _Sendivow_ in his Dialogue concerning the Sulphur of the Wise Men, saith he is strongly guarded, and sits Captive in a dark Prison, and is not easily freed; but Salt gives him a deadly wound.

A Sulphur therefore sits in this black Coal in a dark and obscure Prison, shut up with strong Bands, and is a Captive, nor can any one free him from those Bands but onely Salt. But being once released out of Prison, he is wont to come in view, and not before.

Thus now have we brought forth Sulphur out of his obscure Body. And now will we also bring him forth to publick view.

LXI. _How the Vegetable Sulphur is to be made visible._

If you pour into the white Solution of the Coals some Acidity, as Vinegar, Spirit of Salt, of Vitriol, or some _Aq. Fortis_, and that leisurely and by little and little as much as is requisite for the killing of the _Sal Alkaly_; the Sulphur will settle to the bottom like a white Powder, which being separated from the Salts, and washt with fair Water, and dried, will burn and exactly answer to the virtues of the Mineral Sulphur.

LXII. _Another way demonstrating that a Mineral Sulphur lies hidden
in all Vegetables._

Put this green or white juice of the Wood or Coals expressed or squeezed out by the Salt, in a Glass Cucurbit upon some _Sal. Armoniack_ powdered, put on an Alembick and draw off all the moisture by Distillation, in which Distillation the spirit of the _Sal. Armoniack_ will bring over the Helm, the Vegetable Sulphur of a golden colour. It is a most penetrative Spirit and of wonderfull efficacy in Alchymy and Medicine, and this will easily be credited by him, who knows its penetrating and graduating virtue and property, in which it excels all other penetrative Spirits, you must keep it very warily because it easily vanisheth.

LXIII. _There is yet another way of making the same Sulphur of
Coals visible._

When you have poured out our Carbuncle out of your melting Pot, beat it into Powder and mix therewith half its weight of _Sal. Armoniack_ powdered, draw off by a Glass Retort, both matters exactly commixt by Distillation, that the _Sal Armoniack_ may bring over with it that Sulphur. Wash off this red matter drawn out by Sublimation, with common Water, the which being freed from the _Sal. Armoniack_, is a Sulphur inclining from its reddishness to a yellow colour, and is altogether like to the Mineral Sulphur.

LXIV. _There is likewise another way of extracting the same Sulphur
out of Coals._

First of all, exactly melt the Coals by the _Sal Mirabilis_ in a melting Pot, that the Salt may be accurately Alkalizated by the Coals, and burn the Tongue like Fire. Then pour it forth and beat the Coals into Powder and put them in a Glass, and pour upon them Spirit of Wine freed from all its Phlegm. Then set the Glass in warm Sand and ever and anon take it out and shake it well that the Spirit of Wine may extract the Sulphur, and leave the Salt untoucht. Your Spirit being as red as bloud, pour it out into another Glass, and again, pour on more Spirit of Wine upon the matter, and repeat the former operation; these pourings on, and cantings off are to be so often repeated, till the Spirit of Wine when poured on will extract no more. Put all these red extractions into a Glass Cucurbit, and separate the Spirit of Wine by a B. and it will leave behind in the Cucurbit a sweet Oil of the colour of bloud; a Medicine of so great moment in all Chronical Diseases, as that none is to be preferred afore it. For this Sulphur is far better than the Mineral Sulphur, which for the most part is mixt with some Arsenical property, whereas this is extracted out of the Coals of Wood, and is therefore far purer and necessarily more conducive to Man’s health.

And as touching the whole operation of this precious balsamical Sulphur, which is but little inferiour to potable Gold, the chief knack of duely making it consisteth in this, _viz._ that the _Sal Mirabilis_ be well and accurately Alkalizated by the Coals. For if not, the Spirit of Wine would dissolve the _Sal Mirabilis_, and would not extract the Sulphur, nor would it answer thy wishes, if it be not deprived or despoiled of all its humidity.

He that shall be well skilled in the due handling of this Operation, will obtain a most excellent Medicine not much inferiour to potable Gold, of a sweet and pleasant Tast, and of an admirably gratefull Odour and Colour. By such a means as this, is extracted out of a dead Herb, or dead Wood, its greenness in the first Solution made by Water; and after the Extraction with Spirit of Wine, the most delicate red Colour thereof, with a most sweet vegetable Odour; all which lay hidden in the black Coal, and are again brought forth to light.

The use of this most delicate Oil of Sulphur is not small both as to the metalline Operations and other Arts; and this so speedy a putrefaction and revivification of the dead Vegetables into a living medicine carries in its Intrails a great mystery.

LXV. _It may be demanded, whether or no the Coles themselves are
to be onely made use of for this revivification of the dead
Vegetables, and not the green or dry Wood they are made of, and
the Herbs too, may also be thus dealt with._

For answer, even the Herb it self, or the unburnt Wood it self may be changed in a Crucible into a red Stone by the _Sal Mirabilis_. For the operation tends to the same end be it Herb or Wood, green or dry, or made into a Cole.

LXVI. _It may be queried, what Wood or what Herb being changed
after that same manner by the =Sal Mirabilis=, yields the most
excellent Medicine._

For answer, the Woods that are weightiest do excel all others; for they are riper and have in them a better Sulphur, than those Woods or those Herbs have which are lighter, and grow up in half a years time, the older the Trees are, the more fit for medicine they are; such as are the Roots of Vines, Juniper, Box, Beech, Oak, Cedar, and such like.

LXVII. _A Demonstration, that out of dead Herbs and such as are
again restored to life, may new Herbs be produced without the
addition of the Seed of other Herbs._

Fill some Pots with some Fertile Earth or Clay, void of all Herbs or Seeds, and moisten it with the green or white Juice of the Coals. If now you expose these to the Sun and Rain, there will spring up thencefrom divers new and unknown Herbs.

LXVIII. _How by the help of =Sal Mirabilis=, Metals are to be
dissolved by the dry way, and to be converted into most excellent
Medicaments, and first of Gold._

When you would make your trial of Gold take a piece of golden Money, and bow it, and add thereunto so much _Sal Mirabilis_ as may be 5, 6, or 8 times the weight of the Gold. Melt it in a Wind Furnace, and pour it out into a Vessel fit for to receive molten Metals; and you shall find your Salt to be of a purple Colour. If all the Gold should not be dissolved but some part thereof should settle to the bottom, separate that _Regulus_ from the purple Salt, and dissolve your remaining Gold in a Crucible with new _Sal Mirabilis_, that so all the Gold being dissolved may colour the Salt with a purple Colour. With this purple Salt may be performed many very profitable things, which appertain not to this place. ’Mongst which those are chiefest which respect the emendation or bettering of Metals, concerning which, I will here add onely one Operation.

LXIX. _The graduating of any Iron into Gold by this purple Salt._

For the due performing of this, you are to have stone-like melting Pots, and the best that can be, such as by no means may drink in the Salt, or let it run through, for that the Solution of the Gold with the Salt is otherwise wont to hide it self in such Pots as are not strong enough.

If thou canst not get such, ’tis better for thee to abstain from this labour, than to lose thy Gold, unless haply thou hast a mind to try the possibility of the same.

If therefore thou desirest to encrease the _Quinta_, [or small weight] of thy Gold which thou hast added to thy Salt, with some Augmentation; put two or three _Quinta_’s of Iron bits or pieces into a good Crucible, and having put thereto your purple Salt, melt it very accurately for one half hour, in which time, the Gold will precipitate it self out of the Salt into the Iron, and graduate some of it by turning it into Gold. For whilst the purple Salt doth eat upon the Iron and consume it, it doth together therewithall make some of it participant of a golden Nature by graduation.

I do not insert this Operation here, to the end that by the help thereof a Man should think of getting Masses of Gold, no; for the sole end of my proposing it was this, that I might confirm the possibility of the thing by ocular Demonstration.

Now as here the Iron is graduated by the help of the Gold or golden Ferment, into Gold; so likewise may Copper be graduated and exalted into pure Silver; by the application of a silvery Ferment, as followeth.

LXX. _The manner of exalting Copper into Silver._

Dissolve Silver in a Crucible by the _Sal Mirabilis_, made of Salt-peter and Oil of Vitriol; in which Solution you shall get a green Salt, fit for the graduating of Copper into Silver, after the same manner as we taught but now of the Gold.

And albeit the Silver augmentation be not so great, yet the possibility of the Art is thence apparent and demonstrateth, that one Metal admits of being converted into another. But yet he that has good skill in handling this labour, will, if he be fraught with good and apt Crucibles, which can hold the _Sal Mirabilis_ and not swallow it up, receive no small benefit by this same Operation. The _Scoria_ which are remaining in this, and the precedent Operation are not to be thrown away, but to be mixed with Litharge, that so being reduced by blast, they may graduate the Lead, and enrich it with no contemptible Portion of Gold and Silver. For great are the Vertues of this Salt in graduations, which the Ancient Philosophers have openly enough hinted at, saying that their Salt augments the redness of the Gold and whiteness of the Silver, and that this is a thing most true, he who shall in a due manner perform the Operation will learn that so it is, by his own Experience.

But least an Errour should be committed and some of your Gold and Silver lost, it is better that a Man exercise himself in making his Experiments in the lesser Metals; and omit the dealing with Gold and Silver so long till these lesser Metals make him a sufficiently experienced Master for the dealing with the greater.

LXXI. _How Iron may be exalted into Copper in the melting by the
help of =Sal Mirabilis=._

Dissolve one or two whole Lots of Copper in melting it by _Sal Mirabilis_, which Solution will yield thee a Salt enclining from a green, to a black colour.

Into the same Pot which contains your Copper dissolved by the _Sal Mirabilis_, put three or four Lots of bits of Iron, and adjoyn them to the Copper dissolved in the _Sal Mirabilis_, and force it with the Fire, so that they may be kept in flux together for one half hours space. By this means the dissolved Copper will adhear to the Iron by precipitation and exalt some particles of the Iron into Copper. All being well molten, pour it out into your Cone that the Copper may settle in a _Regulus_. The _Sal Mirabilis_ and Iron being turned into a _Scoria_, are usefull for the inriching of Litharge, in the strong melting by blast, with Gold and Silver.

_N. B._ If the Mercury of Saturn be mixed with these, or else with those other _Scoria_’s which were left by the Gold and Silver and are far better, and so be melted together with a strong Fire, the Lead will be bettered and that by an encrease not to be contemned, and will abundantly pay for the labour and costs. But yet I would not put any one upon the undertaking of this work; except he be well versed with meltings in Crucibles and without them, by the Bellows upon Hearths. For I write not these things for young Beginners, but onely for such who well know what belongs to the Art of melting.

But yet that he may have some manuduction into these labours, I will declare the general use of the _Sal Mirabilis_ in the emendation of Metals.

LXXII. _The universal use of =Sal Mirabilis= in the emendation of
Metals._

Though the wonderfull Salt of Art dissolveth all Metals, and conjoyneth them in a spiritual manner as it were, and renders them efficacious to better each the other in the Fire, yet is there a difference to be observed in that thing, by him who desires to follow the nearest way, and to decline all diversions, or goings about. For example.

He that has a mind to dissolve and conjoyn the Metals, Gold, Silver, Lead, Copper, Tin, and Iron, by the _Sal Mirabilis_, that they may display their virtues in operating to the perfection of each other, must take for the Gold, Iron, Copper, and Tin, such a _Sal Mirabilis_ as being prepared of common Salt doth easily dissolve those Metals. But now the same Salt used about Silver and Lead, would effect nothing as to their Solution, because there is no familiarity or friendship between common Salt, and Lune, and Lead, for it is an enemy to those Metals, kills them, and reduceth them to nothing.

_N. B._ But when those Metals are by the help of Salt reduced into their Mercuries, then may it come so to pass, as that they may be conjoyned with Gold, Iron, Copper, and Tin; for without a foregoing preparation, they enter not into the Salt, unless the _Lune_ and _Saturn_ be dissolved in that _Sal Mirabilis_ which is prepared of Niter, and be adjoyned to the Solution of _Mars_ and _Venus_; of which Solutions the one doth very willingly embrace the other, insomuch that one Metal doth easily operate upon the other, and consequently a profitable graduation, fixation, and emendation succeeds.

But now if you would have your Metals, not constant in the Fire, but volatile and made flying, then, that _Sal Mirabilis_ is to be used, which is made of Salt Peter or Kitchin Salt, by the help of Sulphur.

This is the universal use of _Sal Mirabilis_, serving for the Solution, Graduation, Fixation, and contrariwise Volatilisation, or the conversion of all Metals into a volatile nature. But the special Solutions, Fixations, or Graduations of them by the Salt of Art, require an addition of some Vegetable Sulphur, which being adjoyned to the Metal, yields some help to the _Sal Artis_ in the Graduation of a baser Metal, which help the conjunctions of Metals that be of a sulphureous nature, do not at all need; though indeed ’tis better if you help them with some Vegetable Sulphur. For Sulphur and _Sal Artis_ are like Male and Female, they bear a mutual love to each other, and beget a rich Off-spring; when they lovingly court each other in the Fire, even alone and without the addition of any Metal, and are brought unto perfection. So then, thus by these operations may gain and profit be divers ways, and in divers manners gotten, as well particularly, as haply also universally, (but this last way I am not as yet acquainted with.)

All these things do sufficiently, yea abundantly shew one the way of arriving by the help of the Salt of Art, to the attainment of such things as are of some moment. Enough to the wise.

Although that the Metals do admit of a most easie Solution by the _Sal Mirabilis_ in the dry way, yet notwithstanding, that Solution may yet more commodiously be perfected the following way, _viz._ thus, when the Metals are put into the Cucurbit or Retort, in the distilling off the Spirit. For whilst the Spirit is driven off, out of those distilling Vessels, the Metal is dissolved during the Distillation, and remains in the bottom with the _Sal Mirabilis_. But whatever of the Metal remains undissolved, is to be removed; but the golden Lunar, Venerial Salt, _&c._ is to be kept for such uses as it is necessary for.

_N. B._ If so be any be minded to pour on again that distilled Spirit, upon the Metalline Salt abiding in the bottom he may so do, and ’tis profitable; because that Metalline Salt is by this means rendred far more commodious and apter for Transmutation.

But that none may err from the right way, it is necessary that we first shew how the Metals (out of which being bettered, Gold and Silver are to be extracted) are to be afore prepared, that so they may admit of being the more easily exalted and amended. For all things are to be done by the prescribed method, and to be managed by [promoting them to] their appointed limit and scope, if any profit is thence sought.

_Lune_ and _Saturn_ do not by any commixion associate themselves to the Metalline Salt, unless these same metals be first reduced into their Mercuries, concerning which thing we have treated at large in the third and fourth part of the prosperity of _Germany_.

LXXIII. _By what means the imperfect Metals may (by the =Sal
Mirabilis=) be turned into perfect ones._

Take of _Sal Mirabilis_ four ounces, the filings of _Venus_ half an ounce. Put this matter in a strong, double, and well covered Hassiack Pot, set it in a wind Furnace, melt it strongly for half an hour, that the _Sal Mirabilis_ may rightly dissolve the Copper and make it spiritual. To this Copper thus made spiritual, add half a part in weight of the Mercury of Saturn, and melt together both metals by a repeated melting, for an half or even an whole hour. In this conjunction and operation, the spiritual Copper will get to the Saturn by graduation, no small bettering and fixation. For by how much the longer they are kept in flux, so much the greater amendment doth Saturn purchase. But yet no _Regulus_ can thus _per se_ settle to the bottom, unless some Iron be added in the melting, concerning which, no certain weight can be prescribed. For when some small bits onely thereof, or some little particles are put in the Crucible, the Salt is mortified by corroding of the Iron, and lets fall the amended Lead which in the Cupel leaves the Gold and Silver.

This way shews you the manner of using the _Sal Mirabilis_ for the amending of metals

_N. B._ Other metals may also be rendred spiritual by the _Sal Mirabilis_, by which not onely _Saturn_ but likewise _Luna_ may be graduated, or exalted to a golden degree. But yet _Saturn_ is more commodious and fitter for this operation than _Luna_ is. For when the _Mercury_ of _Saturn_ is graduated and reduced, there needs no other labour than the separating of that _Regulus_ on the Test, where the Gold and Silver is left behind in the Cupel. But if the _Lunar Mercury_ be amended by graduation, and precipitated into a _Regulus_, it is first to be separated by Lead in the Cupel, and afterwards the Gold and Silver are to be separated by _Aq. Fortis_; so that there is requisite a twofold labour, which in the operation by _Saturn_ is but one; and therefore it is to be preferred as to these operations before _Lune_.

_N. B._ All such subjects as have a graduating virtue, as _Lapis Calaminaris_, _Hematitis_, _Smiris_, _Granate_, _Talk_, &c. may be used to these labours. But however Gold is the best of all, which if so be that any one is minded to use, it behoves him to be furnished with such Pots and Crucibles, which do not drink up the Gold, and so rob you of more than the produced gain amounts to.

Thus have we demonstrated the use of the simple _Sal Mirabilis_, in the bettering of metals.

If some Sulphur be added to the _Sal Mirabilis_, it exalts the metals with a far more profitable graduation, and brings more gain than that single operation, which is instituted by the _Sal Mirabilis_ simply and alone _per se_.

LXXIV. _The manner of conjoyning Gold contrary to its nature, with
any burning and Volatile Vegetable Sulphur, and of amending the
other Metals, all done by the help of my =Sal Mirabilis=._

Every body full well knows that there is no affinity or familiarity betwixt burning Sulphur and Gold, which is a fixt Sulphur; forasmuch as they are exceedingly inimicitious to each other, and yet this enmity may be at length changed into the greatest amity.

For ’tis usual with all such as are wont to separate molten Gold from Silver by precipitation, to use common Sulphur about that precipitation, which by its innate Antipathy thrusts out the Gold from the Silver; the same thing is likewise done in the moist way, when the same Gold is precipitated out of _Aq. Regis_ or Spirit of Salt, by sulphureous Salts, such as are Crude Tartar, Salt of Tartar, Spirit of Urine, and other Alkali Salts.

These are to shew that Gold hateth and shuns Sulphur worse than any thing, as being its Capital Enemy; and yet these most bitter enemies doth the _Sal Mirabilis_ easily reconcile and convert this so great an enmity into sweet friendship. This operation hiding in its Bowels great Mysteries deservedly, and by all right lies hidden to this ungratefull World, if these Mysteries could be excepted which fell into the hands of mine enemies, in my Laboratory, unwittingly to me, who without any regard had to the Writings given me by way of an Oath under their Hands, do now make merchandise of such secrets, and so basely abuse my good Will. Although the manifold use of this great Treasure hath escaped them, upon this account it hath seemed good unto me to reveal unto the whole World, those things that fell within their reach, that so it may be known to all, that such great secrets proceeded from me onely, and not from others, nor from those mine enemies themselves.

Take one _Quinta_ or small weight of Gold, more or less, reduce it into thin leaves or plates, and bow them in the fashion of a Cilinder, and add thereunto six, eight or ten parts of _Sal Mirabilis_, which matters you must melt in a Crucible with an accurate and strong fusion: When they flow, throw in some pieces of Coals into the Salt and Gold as they are melting in the Pot, that the _Sal Mirabilis_ may dissolve the Gold and Coals in the melting, which usually is done in half an hour or thereabouts. The matter being poured out will shew you whether or no you have well operated for all the Gold, as likewise the _Sal Mirabilis_ and Coals will be dissolved and changed into a red Stone, that bites the Tongue as if it were Fire.

This Fire and red Stone, is the golden Carbuncle of the Ancients, for it shines in the dark like a burning Coal, and produceth such wonderfull effects in Medicine and in Alchymy, which we have no mind at present to reveal. For this Gold being thus conjoyned contrary to its nature with Sulphur and Salt, is by that means unlockt, opened and prepared; as that it may by an easie business [or labour] be made spiritual, and that divers ways by divers _Menstruums_, either Acid or Urinous, and be distilled over the Helms, and the pure separated from the impure.

And albeit that I here make use of no Circumlocution and speak no plainer, yet have I spoken enough to the Wise, and have shewed them such a way to go in, as that whereby they may without labour, as ’twere arrive to the most happy and wished end, unless God for some singular causes prohibit it.

But that I may not altogether shut the door of Art upon the Son’s of Art, I will teach them the making of a most excellent Medicine out of this Carbuncle.

LXXV. _The way of making a most excellent Medicine out of the
Carbuncle of Gold._

This Carbuncle is to be beaten into Powder, and the best Spirit of Wine is to be poured thereupon, which may extract the Tincture. This tinged Liquour is to be poured off into another Glass, and more fresh Spirit is to be again poured upon the matter, that it may again extract in the heat more Tincture; these Labours you must repeat so often till all the Tincture is extracted, and the Spirit will be no more coloured. The Spirit being drawn off by distillations in a Bath leaves behind a most red Tincture in the bottom, in the form of a Liquour named _C O S_, for here are present, _Colour_, _Odour_, _Savour_ or _Tast_; the Colour and Odour from the Gold, and Sulphur; the Savour from the Salt. The remainder which is left after the Extraction of the Tincture is not to be thrown away as unprofitable, but to be converted with new _Sal Mirabilis_, and Coals made of Vine wood into a red Stone, by fusion, and to be so long extracted till all the Gold be converted with the vegetable Sulphur into a Medicine. For one onely labour serves not to extract the whole Gold by the Spirit of Wine; but the oft repeated labours attain to the end proposed.

Thus hast thou friendly Reader a Medicine of great moment and of great efficacy, in which the most pure parts of the Gold and of the Vine are conjoyned, nor can they be other than a most profitable Medicament for men and metals.

LXXVI. _How by the help of this Medicament, there may be conferred
on the Seeds of Vegetables, such an excellent faculty of growth,
that they may be as it were seen grow, and may obtain a much
nobler Nature, Colours, Savours, and Vertues, than they are wont
to get out of the most stinking Dung._

Mix with one part of fat Lome, Clay, or Earth done into Powder, four parts of Sand, that so the fatness of the Earth may be somewhat allayed. With this mixture fill a Pot, such a one as the Gardeners are wont to keep their Flowers in; pour thereupon some Rain-water wherein is mixt [or dissolved] a little of that Medicament made of the Carbuncle, and plant or sow in that Earth some of those Herbs which abide unhurt by the Winters cold. Set the Pot with the implanted Herbs to the warm Air, but so, as that no Rain come at it, for the Rain may wash away that medicinal nutriment. When the Earth becomes dry, you must pour on more of the Medicine prepared of the Carbuncle, and that so often as need requires. So will the Herbs begin to grow, which if they meet with no other nutriment besides the Rain-water, they cannot attract any other whereby their faculty of growing may be promoted and encreased. And for as much as the Golden medicament was adjoyned to the Rainwater, the Herbs must necessarily draw it to themselves together with the Water, and obtain other properties than if they grew from the stinking Beasts Dung.

_N. B._ Under your Pot that contains your Herbs is to be put a Dish made of good and firm Earth, or else of some Metal, which may serve to catch the medicinal Water, that flows through the bottom of the upper Pot, or distills thence, and having received it may not drink it up but conserve it. Besides, it would not be amiss if some of that medicinal Water were put in the under Platter, which might always keep the bottom of the upper Pot moist, and so may supply the Herbs with an uncessant nutriment. It would be better also, if the Pot it self were made of some Metal and not of Earth, that so it may not drink in that precious Water, but rather conserve it.

LXXVII. _What is to be observed in this Operation, that a good
effect may proceed from thence._

In the first place, diligent heed is to be taken, that the Lome or Earth you take, partake not of any salt faculty, nor hath any other corrosive Property, for many such Earths there be which would hinder and spoil the faculty of growing.

Secondly, there must regard be had to the moistening of the Earth, lest the Seed be choked with too much humidity, or in defect of sufficient moisture, dry up and wither.

Thirdly, there must be observed a measure of the Medicament it self, that neither too much, nor too little of the same be commixt with the Rain-water. For an overmuch quantity thereof burns up the Seed, and a more sparing Portion cannot yield nutriment enough to the Herbs.

Farther, some Musk or other things that emit a fragrant Odour may be therewith mixed, which addition is wont to get to the Herbs a most fragrant Odour. If so be a man fears to apply the aforesaid precious Medicament to this Operation, because of the Costs of the same, he may use that Tincture which we taught a little afore, to prepare of Coles onely without Gold; and which indeed will perform all those things, (as in reference to the growing faculty) which that Golden medicament is wont to perform; this onely excepted, _viz._ that the Herbs will nor partake of that golden Property which they obtain by that Golden medicament.

The things we have here written and published concerning the promoting the faculty of growth in golden Herbs, though they seem not of any great moment, yet hide they under them mysteries of great moment, the which many Artists will apprehend, and convert unto their Use.

LXXVIII. _How any Wood or any Wood-coal may be so prepared by the
=Sal Mirabilis=, as to be capable of a long while resisting the
Fire._

Dissolve some _Sal Mirabilis_ in common Water, put some Wood or Wood coal therein, let it lye in it for some days, or so long till it be well glutted with the Liquor and become ponderous. Then take it out and dry it very well at the fire, that all the moisture vanishing away may leave the _Sal Mirabilis_ in the Wood: Then put it in the said Solution yet again, and take it out and again dry it, which labour will render the Wood so much the solider by how much the oftener it shall be repeated. By this means, all the Pores will be filled with the Salt and the Air will be shut out, that it can penetrate it no more; without which Air no Wood can ever take fire or burn. If now you put such Wood or such Coals with other Wood and Coals in the fire, these [un-imbibed Coals, _&c._] will be consumed by the Fire in a short time and be reduced into Ashes, but those others will remain untoucht, and may be taken out unhurt, though indeed even they too will be burnt if they lye over long in the Fire. This is certain concerning Coals, that those that are made of more weighty Wood, and which abound with a greater Quantity of Salt, such as are the Oak, Beech, Juniper, Vines, and other Trees whose Wood is ponderous dure far longer in the fire than those Coals do which are made of Firr, Pine, Alder, Willows, and such like lighter Trees, and which have a lesser Quantity of Salt, and this now I do not mention barely for fashions sake, but to this intent, that occasion may be given from this kind of knowledge of drawing some profitable matter therefrom; as for Example.

LXXIX. _How such kind of Woods which are always so near the Fire,
as that they are still in danger of being burnt, and thereby
threaten damage may be conserved from firing._

Dissolve some _Sal Mirabilis_ in Water, and with a Pencil smear over such Wood which by reason of its nearness to the Fire is always in danger of being burnt. When the Water is dryed up, moisten it again with the same Water, and repeat this moistening so often, till it hath drunk in a sufficient Quantity of the _Sal Mirabilis_, and become able to resist the heat. By this means might men be often freed of many fears and cares, in ships dawb’d with pitch and in other places, where by reason of the too nearness of dry Timber there is danger of firing.

LXXX. _How by the help of =Sal Mirabilis= any Wood may be conserved
so, as for a long time to remain unhurt in the Water._

He that desires to preserve Wood, that it may not be detrimented by the Water nor rot in a long time, may be master of his wishes, the following way. Dry your wood very well, and being dry moisten it with strong Oil of Vitriol very exactly, and being moistened sprinkle it with the _Sal Mirabilis_ beaten into Powder, that it may stick well on to the Oil of the Vitriol. For the Oil of Vitriol doth in its penetrating of the wood carry in the Salt thereinto, and makes in the outside thereof every where about a black Crust, just as if that wood had been burnt by the Fire. Now because Coals resist putrefaction, it must necessarily follow that the wood being in that wise ordered must remain a long time unhurt in the water.

LXXXI. _The Preparation of the =Sal Mirabilis= for this Work._

There ariseth no small difference amongst the Salts themselves from the different way used in making the _Sal Mirabilis_.

If the Oil of Vitriol wherewithal this _Sal Mirabilis_ is prepared, be not by reason of the superfluous humidity strong enough, any one may easily conjecture that a good _Sal Mirabilis_ cannot be made thereof, because the Kitchin Salt would receive therefrom but little alteration. To prevent this inconvenience therefore, you are to take equal weights of Salt and Oil, that so one may be assured that the common Salt is well inverted, and made a good _Sal Mirabilis_.

LXXXII. _By what means trial may be made, if the =Sal Mirabilis= be
duely prepared, and how it may be fitted for this and other Uses._

Its Colour ought to be white and transparent; its figure is in long _Stria_’s or Chrystals; its tast is like Ice melting upon the Tongue and yields some bitterishness. Being dryed in the Fire and all the moisture gone off, it will loose three parts of its own Body, and retain a fourth Part onely; being dissolved in Water it will recover those three Parts again.

But on the contrary, if it shoot into a square Figure, and hath as yet a saltish tast, and being dryed loseth but little of its weight; it is not worth a rush. and shews that either the Oil of Vitriol it self was not good, or that there was not enough used to the Operation. These things we would not bury in silence, that so we might well advise young beginners, and withdraw them from their Errours.

LXXXIII. _It may be queried, whether the =Sal Mirabilis= serves for
the use of Artificers and Craftsmen._

For answer, yes. For this _Sal Mirabilis_ is not onely able to perform things of great moment, and those too, such as are not common; both in Alchimy and in Medicine; (a rehearsal of which, we shall for brevities sake omit) but withall it may be used in other Arts and Handycrafts with great admiration and profit; and this we cannot neither at this time demonstrate because of the but now mentioned brevities sake. We will onely shew here, that even the poorest Husbandman, might (if they knew its preparation use it to notable advantage and profit.

LXXXIV. _How every Countreyman may encrease any kind of Corn or
Seed with a thousand fold encrease, by the =Sal Mirabilis= if he
can get it._

We have aforetold you, that the _Sal Mirabilis_ being so, as it is _per se_, is plainly unapt for the multiplication of the Vegetables, unless that corrosive Faculty be taken therefrom by lime or other _Alkali_ Salts, [the which must be done] if you would expect therefrom any good concerning this multiplication. Here now will I disclose a business of no small moment; yet not to this end as if I would perswade the Countreymen, to get for the future, or afford to their Corn so plentifull a faculty of encreasing. No, no, I well know that they know not how to make the _Sal Mirabilis_, and if they did, yet would they not depart a Nails breadth from their Ancient Custom. For ’tis a common Proverb, Old Dogs are very difficultly tamed; and this, the common Course of mens Lives doth clearly teach; wherein you’l find, that a man hardly unlearns that in his old Age which he learned in his Youth; so that an Old man doth very difficultly suffer himself to be withdrawn from those things whereto he hath been accustomed when young. Neither is it my purpose so to do, for as much as I insert the things here mentioned by me, for this end onely, _viz._ that the possibility and wonderous Properties of the _Sal Mirabilis_ may be brought out of Darkness unto Light, and may be made evident to the whole World.

I would likewise be thus understood as touching other Workmen, for whom these things are not delivered or treated of, that they should desist from their old Custom, and obey my admonitions and instructions; but for this end it is onely that I publish these things, _viz._ that they every one may know that my _Sal Mirabilis_ can be an helper to men of all ranks, and also may bring even to the Craftsmen themselves and to the poorest Husbandmen, great fruit and benefit.

Now when you hear it mentioned that some Grain of Corn is augmentable beyond the usual Custom, by an unheard of multiplication, it must of necessity be, that it emit more than one, two, or three Stalks, for as much as so few Stalks, cannot yield so great an Encrease. But now if one Grain is to put forth so many Stalks, it is wholly necessary that it be done by some certain singular and strong efficacy of expulsion; and that too, even presently and at the beginning when the grain is at first sown in the earth. For whatsoever is not here done even at the beginning, will never be done afterwards.

For all the stalks that spring forth after are small, and quite unfit to bring forth Corn. So then, seeing that many stalks are to break out at one and the same time out of one grain, if an eminent multiplication is expected to follow, then verily ’tis even necessary that some help be administred to that same grain afore it be put in the earth, that so it may plentifully grow and be speedy, in presently sending forth even at the very beginning, good store of stalks.

The Countreymen know not any thing serving to such an operation but onely Dung; but I do even now again say as I have often done afore, that this effect of the usual and common multiplication ariseth not from the Dung it self, (as being but the outside Husk) but from that sulphureous Salt that lies hidden in the Dung. Hence it is, that by how much the purer and better the Salt is so much the speedier and more efficacious an operation ariseth therefrom. If then, that such a Salt can be made by Art, which performs the same that Dung does, it altogether follows that we are able to do the same without Dung, and that far better than by Dung, in which the salt is so much dilated, and which (by the benefit of Art,) we contract into a narrow compass.

I hope the well minded Reader will not be displeased that I use so many words here, about the stinking Dung of Animals, because I can’t indeed use in this place any other manner of speaking, seeing I intended the laying open of this thing, and therefore am I even compelled to speak of the same: For he that minds the publication of any thing, cannot do it, unless he speaks of the same. And although that Dung may seem to some finical Men a very contemptible thing, yet notwithstanding it is the onely and principal _Medium_, by the help whereby our daily Bread and the necessary sustaining of our Bodies is had. But as for the stinking Dung of Animals, I even remit it to the Dunghill, and return to my _Sal Mirabilis_.

LXXXV. _Whether or no a thousandfold encrease may be had of Corn by
the =Sal Mirabilis=._

Melt one or two pounds of _Sal Mirabilis_ in a Crucible, then throw in some Coals and dissolve them, and reduce them by Solution into a red and fiery Stone; which matter being compounded by melting of them both, beat into Powder and pour thereupon common Spirit of Wine, that it may wax red by extracting out the Tincture. Pour this out into another Vessel, and pour on other Spirit upon the aforesaid matter. And this pouring on and canting off, is to be repeated so often till all the redness is extracted. By this extraction you shall get a sulphureous Salt, fit to steep or macerate Corn withall; because it agrees very well to the properties of that Salt which sticks hidden in the Dung of Beasts: Now I use Spirit of Wine to the extraction for this cause, for that it hastens the germination or budding of the Seeds even as well as the Salt doth, and enricheth it with an emission of many Stalks. But yet your Spirit of Wine must not be over strong, for then it would hinder the faculty of growing, the which thing even the Salt will also do if too great a quantity thereof be added to the weaker Spirit of Wine, because it would by burning up the Seed, be an impediment to the faculty of the Seeds growth. It is therefore necessary that a good regard be had (in those operations) to a due measure. For an overmuch access of any thing is wont to be no less hurtfull than a defect or clearly wanting of the same.

This is the preparation of the _Sal Mirabilis_, necessary for the macerating of Corn, that so it may produce many Stalks; now follows the true and genuine use thereof in macerating of the same.

LXXXVI. _The true and right way of macerating Corn in the =Sal
Mirabilis=._

There are several kinds of Corn, and of these various and different sorts. Hence is it, that one Seed is longer a macerating than another is; and that because one becomes soft sooner than doth another, or attracts humidities to it self quicker than another, so that regard is to be well had to the difference thereof. Rye and Wheat are encompassed with thin Skins, and therefore are the sooner macerated, Oats require a longer time, and so doth Barley which has a yet harder Husk than the Oats hath, and therefore requires a longer time for its maceration. But as touching these things, every one may find them out by his own understanding and often experience, because it is impossible to mention all things so clearly and perspicuously. But this is a general rule, your Corn is to be so long left in steep, untill you may easily bite it a pieces, for you must beware of softning it too much, for then it would presently putrifie, and by that its putrefaction corrupt and spoil all the growing faculty. But experience will instruct you far more commodiously and more perfectly herein, than a larger description can.

LXXXVII. _The true and right way of sowing your macerated Corn in
the Earth._

Any one may easily conjecture that if the Corn macerated by the aforegoing way, be sown in the Fields the usual way and so thick as the Husbandmen are wont to do, it will not succeed because of the overmuch thronging and thickness by which the Corn would hinder each other and so choak themselves. This incommodity therefore is to be prevented, and such macerated Grain to be thinly sown in the Fields that they may have room for the freeness of Air, and so may grow up and not spoil each other by a mutual suffocation.

Nay rather that the more accurate diligence may be had or used about this sowing, a Man may make him some wooden Instrument, whereby together and at once many grains of Corn may be sown in the earth in good order and at a certain distance; concerning which labour I have purposed to speak more at large in another place. For so no grain will unprofitably perish, and with one Sack of Corn may be sown more Ground than six, eight or ten Sacks are wont to do otherwise; my too short time constrains me to break off my discourse concerning these things.

LXXXVIII. _By what means the =Sal Mirabilis= may bring profit to
the Dressers of Vines._

If there could be a good quantity had of _Sal Mirabilis_, and that without great costs, ’tis without doubt but the Vines might be made very fruitfull therewithall.

But because they are ignorant of the preparation thereof, who dress Vines; ’tis expedient for them to acquiesce in their Beasts Dung, or make use of that onely for the fattening and dunging of their Vines, which is made of common or Kitchin Salt by inverting and Alkalizating it by _Calx-vive_. Unless a man has Vines about his House or in his Garden, and would make them fruitfuller than ordinary. For to make tryal thereof in great Vineyards would be too costly.

But yet I will propound another way to the Vine dressers, by the help whereof they may get plenty of Wine every year. I have at large taught in my foregoing Writings, and that by various descriptions, by what means one may be Master of noble and ripe Wines every year, yea even in those times, in which by reason of the coldness and unseasonableness of the Air, and the want of the Solar-beams, the Grapes cannot attain their due maturity: and withall, how in those places where they seldom or never grow ripe, [they may be ripened] by concentration by the help of the Fire, or else by fermentation with their own vinous spirit distilled out of the Lees, and added to the said Wine; [having I say already taught this] there’s no need of repeating it again. Yet nevertheless if God lengthen my life out so long, I have purposed to write a peculiar Book of the propagating and bettering of Wines.

But that I may ingratiate my self with those who not much caring for poor thin Wines, desire to have some noble Wine in their Cellars, I will here reveal a certain secret which may not onely refresh the body and spirit of many thousands of Men, high and low, rich and poor, throughout all _Germany_, yea and all _Europe_ too; but also administer them no small profit.

I have taught a little afore, how by the help of the _Sal Mirabilis_, and of the concentrated and cold Fire of Salts, a Man may make his Guests different Wines out of one Cup, and therewithall refresh them; and I have likewise shewed, that such a bettering of Wine may be exercised in most places, with notable profit.

The truth of which thing, it hath seemed good unto me to demonstrate divers ways, for the sake of my Neighbour.

I have frequently laid open in my Writings some excellent secrets, and have withall made a discovery of the most great benefit which one may thereby receive.

But because I have not pointed out with my Fingers where and whence such notable profit is to be gotten, the most part could not apprehend or find the same, and have therefore rejected the thing it self being it was not so perspicuously and clearly laid open, as unprofitable and worth nothing. And now least it thus happen to this secret, if I should not shew and point as it were with my Fingers, the benefit thereof, and if therefore such secrets lying in the dark should not come forth to the profit and use of mankind, (which would be a grievous thing and to be lamented, if it should not,) it hath seemed good unto me to manifest the utilities of the same.

LXXXIX. _By what means notable profit may be gotten by my
Water-attracting Magnet._

First of all, it is no small benefit when the overmuch Water is taken away from the poorer sort of Wines, with which _Germany_ doth every where almost abound, and the Wines made nobler, stronger, more efficacious, and more durable, and do get a far more acceptable savour.

For the unripe and watery Wines are not of any long lasting, but do in a while lose all their savour and all their strength, and become mouldy, and corrupt with lying, and ’tis not seldom that they grow tenacious, or ropy, thick and muddy, reddish and filthy: all which incommodities doth my Magnet cure in the space of one onely hour, by the drawing away the overmuch waterishness.

XC. _The second benefit._