The Second Century OF GLAUBER’S Wealthy Store-house of Treasures. (continued 2)

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.

If the plentifull Vintage or large encrease of the Wine should be more than you have Barrels to fill, nothing can be more acceptable than that the Wine may be concentrated by the Magnet, (which draws to it self the Water and turns it into Ice) by extracting the overmuchness of the Water, that so by this means the more contracted Wines may be laid up the more commodiously, and may if not very good, be rendred better.

XCI. The third benefit, and which is most acceptable to all Masters of Families.

If so be that the Master of the House had a whole Cellar full of Wine, and every Vessel filled with the like or self same noble Wine, without any difference; then verily the Master and Servant would be of equal degree, nor should the Master have any prerogative above the Servant. But now using the help of the said Magnet, he may have his Wines bettered as he pleaseth, and have divers Wines in his Cellar, as we taught a little above; if, viz. he shall draw from it the unprofitable watery part.

XCII. Another way of getting profit by the Magnet’s drawing the Water out of Wines.

The Anatomizing and examen of Wine discovers, that in twelve measures thereof, there is about one of more noble spirit, and almost one measure of Tartar. The residue are nought else but an insipid water altogether like to common water. Now when the Wines are to be transported out of the Countries wherein they grow, into more remote places, what need is there of carrying the water with it so long a Journey? would it not be better to separate some part thereof from the Wine, and so transport the Wine, and let the water alone, and thereby shun a great deal of charges disburst for the carriage of water into such places as have enough already? would there not redound a great benefit hereby, both to the Buyers and Sellers of Wines? yea verily, I believe that there will not onely redound unto them a great conveniency, but withall a great deal of Treasure.

XCIII. There’s yet another way of getting notable profit by the said Magnet, viz. if the ill tast and fetidness be taken away from the Brandy; usually made of Corn.

There is some mention made in what went afore concerning this amending; but ’tis not done so clearly and manifestly. I will therefore open it more clearly and more perspicuously in this place.

Mix one part of your Brandy made of Corn, with two parts of common water poured thereunto, that the stench and ungratefull savour may diffuse it self into the added water. Having so done, you must again free this Brandy thus tempered with water by putting your Magnet thereinto, and so will you draw therefrom all the stinkingness, and ’tis just as if you had washed that Wine, and rinsed off all its filth.

XCIV. The benefit purchased by separating the Water from Vinegar.

If you would have benefit by this liquor, the same may be done by the same reason; in those places out of which it is transported into other Countries; if, viz. the unprofitable water be removed after the same manner as we taught to be separated from the Wine.

XCV. By what means good Wine and Vinegar may be every year prepared by the help of this same Magnet, in those Countries in which the Grapes do not ripen.

Although that in all the Coasts scituated upon the Rhine, as in Rhingovia, Moguntia, Wormatia, Algentorati; in Alsatia, the Palatinate, Franconia, Austria, and the Dukedom of Wurtenberg, (in which places, the Wines do for the most part arrive to their perfection every year) this Art be not so very necessary; yet nevertheless Saxonia, Misnia, Thuringia, Suevia, and Bavaria do stand in need thereof; in which Countries the Wine doth for the most part remain acid, unless the Summer hath by a singular chance hapned to be very hot. For in these places it is no less profitable than pleasant to drink a sweeter and nobler Wine instead of the more acid Wine, if so be one could get it by the help of the said Art. Besides, this same Art yields no small profit and benefit in those Countries, in which though the Wine is (as we said but now) wont to be noble. For it may happen that some unseasonable Weather may hinder the ripening of the Grapes, and that the Vineyards wanting the due heat of the Sun cannot arrive unto maturity. For oftentimes in one and the same Countrey, there are divers Wines produced, so that one sort exceeds another in nobility and goodness. Those therefore that are good and generous need not the help of this Art, but contrarily the smaller and less noble Wines want it. Hence I conclude that in all the Countries of the World, wheresoever Wines are made, this Art may be serviceable and profitable to any one.

XCVI. How in those cold Countries; as in Poland, Denmark, Suedeland, Norway, &c. Which by reason of the Coldness of the Air admit not of making Wine, there may nevertheless good Wine and Vinegar conducive to the health of Man be made.

Though the Cold may so hinder as that Vines will not grow, nor Vineyards be, yet notwithstanding those places so obnoxious to the Cold, have plenty of Apples, Pears, and such like Tree-fruits; whose Juice being pressed out, and fermented, and after the Fermentation, freed of the greatest part of the unprofitable water, will give a better and more durable Drink, than that which is made the usual way of Apples and Pears. For this drink cannot last long because of the muchness of the humidity, but becomes ropy, acid and muddy, and so corrupts.

So likewise may those Countries that abound with Corn be rendered partakers of most excellent and wine-like Drink, which may be used and drunk instead of Wine, to the great benefit and advancement of the health of the Body; and it is to be thus done.

First of all, let very good Wheat be made to germinate [or sprout] by stewing in some gentle heat; [as in making of Mault] then after the sprouting let it be put in some warm Furnace, or in great Coppers, and stirred about with some wooden thing without ceasing till it be dryed. In this Operation you must have an especial care, that the Corn smatch not of the Fire, which is then brought by drying to a sufficient hardness, when it is not soft in biting it with your Teeth, but leaps as ’twere in pieces; this is a sign that you have done your work well. Having prepared it thus, let it be broken [or ground] and boiled after the manner of other Ale, without Hops; and then after it has fermented let it be freed from its superfluous moisture by our Magnet. So will you have remaining a sweet Drink not much unlike to Wine; which Liquor if you would yet have more near in its likeness to Wine, you must put in for every Tun or every Butt about a pound of Tartar in the Fermentation, that so it may ferment together with the Corn, and may give unto this Drink a winy Tast.

After the same manner may excellent Metheglin be made of Honey and Sugar, or such a kind of Drink as but little differs from the Savour of Wine. An Art, verily, most profitable in those places which have no Wine, but have that defect supplied by the great Quantity of Honey and Sugar. The manner of making such a kind of Drink is this.

Let there be added to the Honey so much water as is sufficient, for their boiling together in a Copper, and let them being boiled be diligently scummed so long till the Honey becomes thick again, and gets a duskish or a reddish Colour, which is a sign, that the less sweet, and less honied Savour is removed away, by the boiling.

To this Honey reduced to the said thickness, let be again added as much water as is sufficient, that they may be boiled together, and being boiled put up in Barrels. Whilst it is yet warm some Ale yest must be added, which being fermented, renders this Liquor so sweet that it is but little inferiour to Wine; moreover it will come nearer to the Tast of Wine, if a due part of dissolved Tartar shall be added thereunto in the Fermentation, that so being fermented together herewith, it may acquire to it self a winy Tast.

N. B. But here good heed must be had, that in the last Solution there be not taken too little water, but rather more than is wont to be taken in the making of common Mede. The reason is this; because the Honey gets not its due fermentation, but retains its usual and a kind of nauceous Sweetness, and cannot be made partaker of a winy Savour.

But now, water enough being added, promotes the Fermentation, and causeth that it gets its Purity and Clarity much sooner, and is of an excellent sweet Savour. After that this Metheglin hath gotten the requisite Clarity, the superfluous water is to be abstracted thencefrom by your Magnet, which water being removed, the remaining ungratefull Savour of the Honey going away together with the water, vanisheth, and this Wine of the Honey, gets its strong Spirits from the Honey, and has a winy Savour from the Tartar. If any one be so minded, he may add to the Honey in the first boiling, some Spices, or which is better, may hang them in a little Bag in at the Bung, that so they may be fermented with the Metheglin, and give it a sweet Savour. The Spices are these that follow: Cardamoms one, Coriander two, Orris Roots three parts; the which will give the Metheglin a fine Tast. The Flowers of Elder make it tast just like Wine made of the Apian or Muscadel Grapes. Cinamon and Cloves also do give it a delicate Sweetness. But every one may use such Spices as he thinks best, according as he fancieth this or that Tast. Of such Metheglin is made most excellent Vinegar, which scarce is inferiour to wine Vinegar though of the very best Sort.

XCVII. Whither or no, there be any other benefit, which our Magnet can bestow.

He that shall onely diligently enquire by trials made, will without doubt, find, that such a Magnet as attracteth water, can be profitable many ways; which to treat largely of here, the time will not permit. For because that this Magnet draws out of all Liquors, their superfluous water, it doth certainly bring much Benefit, and manifold Fruits, very many of which, we would here declare if need required. But the time admits not of any longer dwelling about these things. But yet, however, I will reveal an Art for the Poor’s sake who have no Wine growing, nor any money to buy it, and are therefore enforced (but especially in the winter Season) to drink cold water after their hard Labours;) by the help of which said Art they may have good Wine to drink all the year both in the Summer and Winter months; I mean in those places in which theres plenty of Wine made, and is in the Autumn Season squeezed out with wine Presses.

In all those places in which store of Grapes are prest out with Presses, there is great store of the husks, the which is partly kept for the Beasts to nourish them in the Winter, and partly thrown away as unprofitable, especially in those Seasons which afford a great Quantity of Wine. But if so be that the Wine Harvest be somewhat poor and not so plentifull, then they pour water upon all the husks or on some part of them, and leave it so for some days, and again press them; and thereby is made a Drink that has some kind of wine-like Savour which is given to the Servants, and other Labourers to drink instead of bare water.

But now in such Years wherein they are thoroughly busied in curing or making much Wine, they have not the time to bestow about making that Drink then. Nay sometimes they have such a deal of Wine that they have not Cask to put it in, but are compelled to give away their smaller Wines to others, and stuff their Cellars with the more noble.

If therefore the poorer sort would have now and then a good Draught of Wine, they must get them some large Vessels which they must fill with the Offal of the Grapes, and with water poured thereupon, and leave them thus, so long untill the rich People have done with their wine Presses and stowed their Wines in their Cellars. Then may they also press out their second Wines in the rich mens wine Presses, and by the oft-spoken of Magnet separate the unprofitable water therefrom, and so lay up their Wine, the which will last and abide good and durable all the Year about, which it will not otherwise do. For such kind of second Wines dure only (for the most part) but the Winter and Spring, and part of the Summer, and the utmost time they remain any thing good is but till the Month of July, afterwards they grow ropy or musty. But now the unprofitable part of the water being separated, they get a shorter or longer durability according to the moreness or lesness of their Concentration. This advice and secret was I willing to bestow upon the poor that they may also drink good Wine.

But they may demand where should we get us such a Magnet, by the using of which we might make our second Wines good? I answer, they may borrow it of the Rich men who have Vineyards, for so long; and when they have done with it may restore it them again; for it is so lasting that it never loseth any thing of its Body nor of its Virtue, but always remains good. The rich men therefore will buy it of the Chymists, the preparation whereof is clearly and perspicuously delivered in my first Century. If now this be done (which I doubt not of) the Chymist by preparing, and the Merchant by using of the same will reap no small Benefit and profit. And questionless, there will be found some men that are studious of new things, who will make trial of this Concentration of Wines in small experiments; that so they may fish out the possibility of the thing. But I know not whether they will exercise this Operation in a greater Quantity or no. For its neither here nor there to me whether they will exercise this Art or let it alone. For this is the natural disposition of most men, they would very willingly get store of gain, provided it could be done without great labour and much trouble. From hence it is certain, that this Art of Concentrating Wines by cold Fires will not be so soon common, especially because I have not here delivered how such a Magnet may be made in great Quantity, and applied to use.

But yet I think I have sufficiently done [or hinted at] those things I have revealed. Let others draw out of their own store too, if they have any thing. More things I could not reveal, for many weighty causes which I count it needless to mention here. Very many men will commit many Errours, e’re they attain the right Scope. Verily it would be much better if there were a greater Number of such Persons as readily understood this Art; especially in those places of Germany in which the Wines are so acid, that it will make ones Eyes run with water if a bigger Draught than ordinary be drunk to quench Thirst. And therefore in those places Ale is in the most esteem, and indeed it is no contemptible drink, if good, but yet it is not at all comparable to the noble Wine, concerning which noble Liquor these Verses may rightly be pronounced.

There are many Songs in the praise of Wine, but Ale is not celebrated with any ditty, though it be never so good. Upon this account therefore the noble Juice of Wine is not undeservedly preferred before all the rest, provided it has its due generousness and excelling goodness. But if it be not good, ’tis wholly expedient to help it, lest by keeping its Sourishness and waterishness it perish. But filthy covetousness bears too great a sway upon mortals, insomuch that there are too many to be found that would rather pour water to their Wine and spoil it, than better it by abstracting of the water.

I have often heard the complaints of Vineyard Masters in those Seasons, in which they have had whole Cellars full of small and poor Wines, which have not arrived to so much ripeness as to be able to be sold and transported into other Countries. Hence comes it to pass, that if they lie a long while and be not drunk up, they degenerate more and more, and become exceeding poor, and at length corrupt by lying and so perish for altogether; unless it happens by chance that some years of a more happy Vintage do succeed, with which more noble Wines they may mix their small ones, and so sell them off, but yet with a poor profit, because the Merchants are not wont to buy midling Wines, but the very best of all. But they may have noble Wine every year by that means that I have shewn. For if one eighth part of water were extracted from the Wine, it might have the name of good Wine. But now if a fourth part of that water should be taken away thencefrom it would become far more excellent, for a little water is able to make a most noble Wine smaller and more base, a tryal whereof you may make as follows.

A Hogshead of rich Wine, containing some six Renish Oma’s or Aulms, costs an hundred imperials; yea [sometimes] more, an hundred Duckets; Now if you take thencefrom one eighth part of the measure, and put in the room thereof one eighth part of water, you will find by the tast, that its goodness is so much diminished, that that Vessel will be scarcely valued at fifty imperials. But if a quarter part be taken away, and so much water put in its room, any one may easily conjecture that such a Vessel filled with such Wine will be hardly judged worth twenty imperials.

So then by this way that I have told, any Wine might be brought to such a nobleness by taking away one fourth part onely of its water, that a Vessel which afore would have yielded but twelve imperials, will afterwards yield three times the price.

By all this that hath been spoken may any one easily conclude the truth of the true Alchymy, and what incredible benefits may be reaped thencefrom. From this ground I say, that that delicate sup of Wine which I have here taught the preparation of will so inflame many, even of the enemies of Alchymy, that they will for the future put their hands to the Coals, and try to get thereby such a delicate Magnet, and to have it by them.

This Magnet will also help not a few Alchymists themselves that are in straights and want, and afford them a good Cup of Wine; whose Vineyards, House, and all their substance, the smoak and hot fire hath already driven up the Chimny, and [in lieu thereof] this cold fire will recover them again with no contemptible increase. For this Leap-year 1660 is the first year since the World’s Creation, in which the miserable Coal-blowers may arrive to a way of getting their Bread, if they will but stretch out their hands. And that I may be here well understood, I don’t onely mind the concentration of Wine, for there are other most profitable uses to be found out of these cold fires; which time will manifest.

It seems good unto me to add by way of an overplus (because I have taught the making of a Cup of good Wine, and there is a great familiarity ’twixt Wine and Corn,) the showing away how one may get a most delicate sort of Bread and of an excellent savour, that so he may be furnished with the choicest of Food and Drink.

Let some part of the water be extracted by the cold Magnet out of new Milk, that it may be made better than the common Milk. This would be a most excellent nutriment for the sustaining of Infants, whose Mothers die too soon. For every Infant cannot bear raw Cows Milk; and if the superfluity of the Water be removed by boiling, the Milk (not brooking much boiling) doth easily tast of the fire, which would not be if it were freed of its water by the oft mentioned Magnet, for it would remain sweet, and be of an excellent Tast. With this fat Milk, moisten your Wheat Meal, (which must be of the best) in the stead of water; and let the Bread be baked, and without doubt the Bread will be of an excellent Tast, which could not be by the common baking, although that Butter were added thereunto. One may feed upon this Bread alone, without Cheese and Butter, because the Cheese and the Butter are with the Milk in which they lie hidden, added unto the Bread. Such Bread is strong nourishment and far better for filling and nourishing than the common; and in eating thereof one may easily commit excess, because it notably pleaseth the Pallat by the sweetness of its tast. For so it happened on a time to me, for eating such Bread as was made up with fat Sheeps Milk I exceeded a mediocrity in my eating. But verily this is wont to happen to such as in their eating and drinking, abuse the delicate Meats and Drinks, and so fall into the hands of the Physicians, because indeed the most Diseases do arise from too much fulness and surfeiting. And therefore good reason is it that a most special regard be had to a mediocrity and temperance in all things.

XCVIII. How the Water attracting Magnet may be serviceable to Physicians.

In my opinion a Physician may very well examine the Urine of the Sick, and Anotamize the same, and that more easily than by an external bare aspect or looking-on onely, if, viz. he separate and take away therefrom a part of the water by the Magnet. For by this means he will discern a great difference betwixt the one and the other part, and know the causes and properties of Diseases; and that far better and more certainly than by a bare outside view, after the Gallenical fashion, or by the weight, and by Distillation according to the custom of Paracelsus and Turnheiser; But I leave it to every ones pleasure to enquire which of these three ways is to be preferred.

And now follows by way of Corrolary or Surplusage, a description of certain most excellent Medicines to be administred, for the curing of most greivous Diseases both in Men and Beasts.

XCIX. The Cure of the Stone in the Reins and Bladder, and likewise of the Gout.

The Stone of the Reins and Bladder, and the Gout, are judged to be the most greivous Diseases, and in very deed they are most grievous Sicknesses, but especially the Gout, which being various and manifold afflicts the Body of Man with most grievous Pains. Now for the cure and removal of these Diseases, I will prescribe a certain and safe Medicament, easily preparable, and of small charge.

Take one or two pounds of white Tartar, and pour upon every pound beaten into Powder about some eight or ten pound of common water, which set over the Coals in a well glazed earthen Pot, and boil it so long, till all the Tartar shall be dissolved by the water, which you may try if done or no with a clean wooden Spoon, putting it to the bottom and seeing if there be any left undissolved. In the boiling you must very diligently take off the Scum with a wooden Scummer, that so there may remain no impurity. After that all the Tartar is dissolved and that there appears no more Scum, evaporate the water so long till a thin skin appears at the top. Then take off the Pot from the Coals, and set it in some cold place, and leave it there unstirred for a day, and there will stick on to the sides of the Pot, delicate Crystals like a Dye, having a Cubical form Paracelsus calls this mundified Tartar Ludus, and that very properly, and without doubt he did so, because it gets (after its purification the shape of the square Dice. Out of this pure and Cube-like Tartar is prepared an universal Medicine against all tartarous Diseases, as follows.

If you have one pound of this pure and Cubical Tartar, reduce one pound of Crude Tartar into a white Salt by Calcination; the which you are to dissolve with so much common water as is necessary to its dissolution; filter the dissolved Salt through Cap-Paper, that you may have your sharp Lixivium freed of all its Fæces. Pour this Lixivium into the glazed Pot wherein your pound of the said purified Tartar is, and boil it accurately therewithall; in which boiling the Tartar will be easily dissolved by the Lixivium, and be turned with the same into a ruddish coloured juice; though that your Lixivium and Tartar had each of them a white and clear colour. The reason is this, because the Tartar is as yet defiled with many hidden and black Fæces, and doth at length after its solution with the Lixivium render them visible and manifest. Pass this muddish solution through a filter, and it will be a yellow liquor, and leave many Fæces in the Philter, good for nothing but to be thrown away, for they are of no virtue more. Verily ’tis a thing worth the admiring, that there should yet be so many Fæces left in so well purified a Tartar. This liquor being thus prepared is very profitable for the taking away and curing of all kinds of Tartarous Diseases, by being daily used, or however, it doth at least strongly tame their violence, but you must first purge the Body by Antimonial Medicaments, one of which we will presently shew you.

N. B. This Medicament will be yet far more noble, if all the humidity be vapoured away and the reddish Salt that is left be dissolved in good spirit of Wine and filtered, and the said Spirit of Wine be again separated therefrom by a gentle Distillation. For so by this second solution, there will be severed yet more Fæces and the Salt it self will get a yet greater purity.

This Salt may be safely used as a most precious Treasure against all the abovesaid tartareous Diseases; For it expells Urine, and drives out all the impurities out of the Reins and Bladder, and hinders the gathering together, and generation of Sand or Stones in those Members.

But if there be already Stones generated, and that they be not too hard, it consumes them by little and little, and carrys them off; provided that Antimonial purges be (as we said but now) afore used to purge the Body with.

I have in these few words taught thee how the Ludus, that is, the Dye-like figured Tartar is changed by its own proper liquor Alkahest, or its own Alkalizate Salt into a Medicine resisting all Tartareous Diseases. The Dose thereof is a Scruple in Wine, Ale, or other Vehicles, oftentimes every day, or twice at the least, viz. Morning and Evening, for such as are fifteen or twenty years old and upwards, and they must fast after the taking of the medicament, for some due time.

Such as are younger, from three, four, to ten, or twelve may take at one time, three, four, six, eight, or ten grains, according as they are older or younger.

This so excellent a medicament have I described for the benefit of mankind, nor is there as far as I know, a better, though it seems to arise of so vile a Parentage, and be so mean. Suffer not thy self to be affrighted by any one, but use the same boldly, whensoever necessity requires; and firmly believe me that thou wilt not find a better, I do not deceive thee; and the truth hereof will be demonstrated by its use.

This is a quick and wonderfull purification of Tartar, and a changing it into a sweet Salt, which is neither sweet nor sour, but a midling tast ’twixt both, and it gets a middle nature, from the Acid and the Alkalizate Tartar. Now follows the Antimonial Purge.

C. An universal Antimonial Purge to be used in all grievous Diseases, with, a very happy success.

Take of Crude Antimony, Tartar, and Niter, of each alike, Powder them each apart, commix the Powders, being mixt, put them in a melting Pot or Crucible, and kindle them with a live Coal, that by this kindling they may flame up, and go into a ruddish kind of coloured mass. Your Pot being yet hot set it into your Wind Furnace, and melt it, that all your matter may flow in the Crucible like water, then pour it out into your Cone, and being cold take it out, and separate the Regulus therefrom, and lay it by for other uses, because ’tis not serviceable for the operation here minded. Now out of one pound of Antimony, you’l have eight Lots, or four ounces of Regulus, so that of your one pound you will get a Regulus of four ounces or the fourth part of the pound. The Scoria’s which will be of a reddish colour and of a fiery tast upon the Tongue must be again melted in the same Pot they were melted in, if it be whole, or in some new Pot, and when they flow, put a live Coal into the Pot. The Salt peter will seize upon the Coal, and being occupied about corroding the same, will let fall the remainder of the Regulus it as yet held up. Then the matters being poured out into your Cone, and cool, strike off the Regulus at the bottom with the stroke of an hammer, and beat the Scoria’s which will be of a red colour and fiery tast, into Powder, and being thus poudered let the Salts be extracted [or dissolved] in the heat with common fair water; the which holding in them the most pure Sulphur of Antimony do turn the water into a red Lixivium, in which is hidden the Medicine that we seek after; and is to be gotten thence by the following way. For after that the Sulphur is dissolved, by dissolving all that will be separated by the Salts or Lye, the Reliques or Remainder are good for nothing.

Having so done, dissolve white and purified Tartar in fair water, in some glazed Pot, and thou shalt have an acid Solution; being thus hot as it is (for when ’tis cold the Tartar will again shoot in it) pour it by little and little into the Antimonial Lixivium, and it will debilitate the same, so that the Sulphur of the Antimony will fall down to the bottom in the form of a yellowish or reddish Powder. When all the Sulphur is setled, separate the clear Water of the Salt, from the Sulphur, by canting it off; then pour on some warm Water and wash it so often till all the Salt be gone off. Then philter it, that all the Water may be separated and the Powder stay in the Philter, which you shall put upon new and dry Cap-paper thereby to remove all the wateriness, and then dry it in the heat of the Sun. This is that Universal purging Medicament which drives out all malignant humours by all the Emunctories, viz. by Vomit, Stool, Sweat, Urine, and Spittle, out of the whole Body; and that very safely if warily administred, and the Dose thereof not too much encreased; in which case even the Galenical medicines themselves do hurt, if their due Dose be exceeded. Hereupon it is better that there be used at the beginning rather a lesser Dose than too much, that so no errour may be committed, and a safe trial may be made, how much the strength of the Patient will bear or not bear. And albeit that the Dose of this medicament should be given in so small a Quantity as not to work, or have any visible Operation at all, yet nevertheless it well performs its Office, and drives out the Distempers, but yet more slowly than when ’tis administred in a due Dose, such as may give about one, two, or three Stools. And to such as are strong and youthfull Persons, the Dose may be given in such a Quantity as to cause Vomit, in such I say as can brook vomiting. The usual Dose for those that are above fifteen Years of Age is, one, two, three, four, or five Grains, according as they are older or younger. To Infants and such as are a little elder an eighth part, a quarter, or half a Grain even to an whole Grain, may be administred, with regard had to the Age and the Disease. This medicine is of good use in all kinds of Diseases, and in all kinds of Men, [and Women] save onely Women with Child; and to them you must administer either none at all, or at least wise so little as to be sure it provokes not to any inclination of vomiting. And the like is to be observed by such Persons who are so weak, as that they clearly want strength requisite for this Operation [of vomiting.] But yet it may be used even to new born Infants, viz. for Convulsion Fits with which a great many of them are wont to be snatch’d away without any remedy. The Dose must not exceed the bigness of a Rapeseed, and it must be administred in the Mothers milk. But if the Infants are grown already up to be somewhat stronger and are above half a Year old, the Dose of the said medicament is to be a little encreased, that it may operate visibly, and so cast forth all the malignant humours out of their Bodies; and they themselves may not be afterwards afflicted with the Small-pox, and other such like Diseases as Infants are subject unto. Verily, all the Children whom I have given this medicine unto, have not hitherto tasted of those Diseases; the which truth the Parents of such Infants and others can confirm by their Testimonies. But especially this medicament is a most present remedy against the Epilepsie both in young and old, and a most certain Secret in the Plague and all Feavers; and a most excellent purge in the Gout, Leoprosie, French-pox and other most grievous Diseases; and likewise in external new Wounds, in Fistula’s and old Ulcers, what Name soever they are called by, if it be but used inwardly to purge them. Briefly, this medicament hath scarce its fellow, so that we have no reason at all to regard such men as out of meer ignorance, oppose and slander Antimony in their learned bawlings, and say that it is nothing else but Poison, and therefore no ways profitable. But let no body believe their barking, but first try the same, and he will clearly find the contrary.

This indeed I readily confess that Antimony is of no use in the body of man, nor can it be, afore it is prepared; but after preparation I do boldly affirm it to be a most admirable medicine.

Concerning which, reade but the chiefest of the Ancient Philosophers, especially Basil Valentine, who in the honour of Antimony wrote the Triumphant Chariot [thereof.] Do but see what Paracelsus, Alexander Suchten, and several others have recorded in writing, concerning the incomparable Vertues and Power of Antimony; by all whose Writings is clearly evinced, what things lie hidden in Antimony, I forbear to speak of other Physicians as well modern as ancient. For it possesseth the Vertues and Powers of all Vertues and Powers concentrated. What need many words? Let it be brought but to the Test, and it will most apparantly testifie by its trial, what Treasures it carries in its bosom. The things that I speak of here proceed out of meer pity and love to my Neighbour, that I might help his sickness and miseries. A very small Portion of the said medicament may be able not onely to preserve a whole Family for a whole Year free from all the Diseases that might befall them, but also to rid them of them. So likewise it sends packing all the sicknesses of beasts by its effectual Virtue. I was willing from a faithfull and good mind to bestow this comfort and help upon mankind, against all incident Diseases, whether external or internal; In the third following Century shall be described more very excellent medicines against all kinds of Diseases, which may be made use of by such as without cause are afraid of Antimony.

And as touching that Salt which is made by the mixtion of the acid Water of the Tartar, and the Lixivium made of the Tartar calcined; it is not inferiour as to its excellency and eminency to the but now spoken of Sulphur of the Antimony it self; herein onely is the difference, that there is to be administred a bigger Dose thereof. And therefore it must not be thrown away, but after that the Sulphur is separated, the insipid Water is to be evaporated, and there will then remain a yellow Salt behind, which has even yet in it no small Portion of the Antimonial Sulphur; and therefore ’tis in a manner better than the Sulphur it self, because of its own peculiar Nature, which by the discharging its own office [or proper work,] may be even per se reckoned up amongst those most excellent medicines which strongly resist all Tartareous diseases.

For that reason therefore do I commend this Salt most highly to all such as are burdened with grievous Diseases. The preparation thereof is altogether easie, for it is not made of any chargeable matters, but mean ones, and therefore not without cause to be highly esteemed of.

The dose of this so excellent a Salt is to be encreased or diminished according to the Quality of the Persons and the Diseases. To such as are of ripe Age, one Scruple or somewhat more is sufficient. To Infants, and to such as are a little older, from one to twelve Grains may be given, regard being had to the difference of their Years. It gently purgeth the belly, without any kind of Danger, it draws out all evil humours, and especially it helps the gouty and stony Persons with a most wisht for Easement.

The weight of those two contrary Salts, viz. of the fixt Salt of Tartar by which the Sulphur is extracted out of the Antimony, and of the common and acid Tartar dissolved in Water, and which precipitateth the Sulphur of the Antimony out of the Lixivium, cannot be certainly defined and limited. For according to the greater or lesser Quantity of the Lixivium, is required more or less of the Tartar water to be poured upon the Lixivium, that so being mortified it may let go that Sulphur of Antimony it holds up in it self. The Lixivium it self will shew you if you have not poured on Water enough of the Tartar by its being not yet freed of all the Sulphur, and that there is more Water of Tartar required to allay all its Acrimony that all the whole Sulphur may be turned out. A bigger Quantity of the Water of Tartar poured on the Lixivium [than just enough] doth not spoil it; it takes in as much of the dissolved Tartar as it can, and what is overplus remains an acid Tartar, and is not changed in its Nature. But whatever of it is dissolved in the Lixivium is no more Tartar, because it becomes a midling Salt of the two, neither acid nor sweet, but partaking of both Natures, and dissolves in cold Water, which the acid Tartar will not do.

This Salt therefore is able to perform great matters in medicine, and not onely in medicine but in Alchimy too, and in other Arts can it exhibit abundance of riches; concerning which thing, more shall be spoken in another place.

Thus finish I now this my second Century, wherein I have not onely abundantly supplied those things which by reason of the overmuch hast, I could not insert in the Appendix to the fifth Part of the Prosperity of Germany, but have withall laid open some part of the Use of my Sal Mirabilis, as much as the shortness of my time would give me leave to do.

If by the Grace of God I have a yet longer Life vouchsafed me, I will about half a Year hence, bring so great a benefit not onely unto my own Countrey, but perhaps even to the whole Christian World, as ever they received from any man, in so much that the World shall seem as if ’twere new, and so for the present I rest and make an End.