find some few Omissions they may upon that account be the more kindly dispens't with 5. I do retain many antient and Saxon Words upon the account of their affinity to the like Words which are still used among us and these are hinted in the Dictionary 6. In the Dictionary or second part the first Words which I thought fit to explain are in Capital Letters and next the Teutonick and Latine Words for those Capitals and other Languages as occasion requires and these I collected from G. Agricola Alstidius Cowel Minshaw and Skinners Dictionarys for the Teutonick from Cooper and Holiock for the Latine from Florio for the Italian from Cotgrave for the French and from Waltons Lexicon for the Oriental Tongues which with a German was all the help I had for the use of above 600 Words but the two chief Languages of which I make the greatest use are the Teutonick and Latine this from the old Romans who continued among us above 500 years the other from the Saxons who were mixt with us as long from both of which Nations we gain'd a particular knowledg of Mines and Metals as may be evident from many Roman and Saxon Works which remain here under their Names to this day and many of our Monarchs particularly Queen Elizabeth did think fit to desire the assisting SKILL of the Germans to improve OURS to prevent which trouble I here publish part of their Art and intend more Lastly I have given it the Title of FLETA which is borrowed from an eminent Lawyer who whilst he was Prisoner in the FLEET writ his Learned Book of the Common Laws of England and thereupon as 't is said he call'd his Book FLETA Cowel to which I add MINOR in submission to his great Learning and for its affinity to the word MINER viz. one who Labours in the Mines as I do in Learning the Metallick Art To conclude I have writ some things from Authentick Authors too many to recite here and some from my own Conceptions and Observations now as they pleased me in writing so I hope they will not displease others in reading JOHN PETTUS THE PREFACE OF Lazarus Erckern To his five following BOOKS TO learn and understand the way of Assaying Proving and Refining of Metalls is an Excellent Noble Science and an Antient and profitable Art long since found out by the Art of Alchimy and Chimistry as also all other Works of the Fire by which not only the nature of Oars and Mines and what Metalls contained in them are known but also how much there is in a Centner or in greater or lesser Weights and not only so but this Art also teacheth how to Examine each Metal by it self as whether there be any Adulterated or mixt Metal with it what and how much the same is and then which way those Metals may be separated from such mixtures or adulterations as also by several ways to cleanse and separate other incorporated Metals so that they may be judged to be fine clean and free from mixtures therefore this Art is very profitable to Minerists and such as work in Mines and intend to have benefit by them and such Artists must endeavour by all means to learn and exercise themselves in the same that they may thereby reap a Profit to themselves and others and preserve themselves from Inconveniencies and Dangers by their want of knowledge therein By this Art of Refining and the Profit that acrews by it many good and rich Mines have been discovered which otherwise would have lain concealed and by the Advantage of these Discoveries many Cities and Villages have been built Lands have been improved in their Values and People thereby increased and plentifully maintained As also great and mighty Trades and dealings with Gold Silver Copper and other Metals here and in other Countreys exercised and the Coiners of Coin and Minting Works have been multiplyed by their Guardians and Masters for from Gold and Silver Money is made and much improved so that the true Insight Tryal and Examination of this Art cannot be in any wise omitted or neglected as that which is highly necessary to be known And such Artists as have exercised themselves in the Knowledge of Assaying and fundamentally and diligently practised the same are by Princes Lords and Communities thought worthy not only of great Thanks but been also promoted and recompenced by them For this ART of Assaying is the very Inlet and Mother of many other honorable and profitable Sciences as Experience teaches us and the more a man finds out the more he is stir'd up to the contemplating and doing things of an higher Nature So that the Knowledg of Metallick Oars and Minerals are first to be inquir'd into namely How each one according to their Nature Figure Form and Colour are distinguishable from each other Which without great diligence and daily Practice cannot be known because God the Almighty Creator in the beginning of the Creation of the World hath placed Metals and Minerals in the Mountains Valleys and Veins of the Earth and causeth them to grow there He hath also given to all and each of them an outward Form and Colour by which the one from the other may be distinctly known Secondly The Knowledg of the Fire is a principal part of this Science and very necessary to be inquired into that he may the better know how to govern the same so that he may give no Metal more Fire than its due but to every one its proportion of Heat and Cold as necessity requires to add or take from it in its Operation After the Knowledg of Governing the Fire the Artists must have the Knowledg also of making all the Instruments and Furnaces for this either by his own handy work skillfully to prepare them or at least to direct that they may be well made whereby he may not be hindred in his working but by his own diligence accomplish them In like manner he must be careful in procuring good and just Scales and Weights and to know also how to make them in case such Artificers should be wanting and fit them to all Metals and he must have great Care in preserving them from Dust and that they be alwayes pure and clean so that as occasion serves he may rely on the certainty of Proofs by them Next to the former Directions he must be well skill'd experienced and exercised in the Art of Arithmetick for the numbring and casting up Accounts which to Assaying Coins and Refining Works are very necessary and is one of the Master pieces in this Metallick ART And every Assayer must not only diligently learn this numeral Science necessary to be known for the Proving of Metals or what belongs thereto but also all such Arts and Sciences as may accomplish his full Designs therein Now though it would not have been unserviceable to have writ of all such things more largely in this Preface and Entrance to what
word Calx for Heel because the Calcining of Metals do as it were determine its Life for a better because those Metals which lay dully in the Earth before their Calcination are by Calcining and Refining made more active and passable throughout the World CALAMINARIS See Brass and Sculpt 35. CALIFY T. Warme Werme L. Calefaccre A. to make warm CALX See Calcine CAPUT MORTIS for brevity Mort. is the matter or sediment of Metals or of other things used in Chimical Dissolutions which remain at the bottom of a Furnace or Stillatory thick and dry chiefly from Metals and Minerals viz. when all their Spirituous parts are drawn off the remainder is call'd Caput Mort. or Feces See Feces CARRAT signifying a weight is a French and Italian Word much used by our Author in his second Book and it seems to come from the Arabian Kirat see Holioak but Cotgrave saith That Goldsmiths and Minters esteem it at a third part of an Ounce and among Jewellers and precious Stone-cutters but the 19 part of an Ounce so as eight of them are but one Sterling and a Sterling is the 24 th part of an Ounce and 3 Grains of Assize or 4 Grains of Diamond weight make a Carrat Torriano's Addition to Florio calls it Carrato signifying saith he a weight or degree in Metals Diamonds Rubies c. and doth not determine it but Mr. Howel in his ingenious Tetraglotton sect 40. proportions it to the 24 part of an ounce and Mr. Webster in his History of Metals speaks more clearly and saith the Carrat or Charrat is a term given by the Officers of the Mint and Wardens of Goldsmiths to a certain composition of Weights that are only used for Assaying and computing the standard of Gold and are of two Contents namely either the 24 part of an ounce Troy-weight and is compounded thus of the pound carrats 2 d. weight and 12 grains Troy make a Carrat grain and 4 such carrat grains make one carat which is half an ounce or 10 d. weight Troy and 24 of such carats make a pound or 12 ounces Troy the other way of Computation is of an ounce carat five Troy grains make one carat grain and four of such grains make one carat and 24 such carats make one ounce Troy and for assaying he recommends the ounce carat as more easy for Calculation than the pound carot which is made more perspicuous by our Author l. 2. c. 15. See Mony Gold-weights CASE T. Gehauesz or a little house L. Capsula A. Case 't is of various signification as a Gramatical Legal Formal and sometimes put for an ill chance or hard case See Sculpture 1 5 12 13. CATSILVER T. Kat-zon Silver because it hath a grey sparkling colour like a Cats-eye CEMENT cementing and Cementation T. Cementerne L. Coementum not from Caedo to beat as Minshaw would have it but Caementum is quasi mens coeli i. e. the mind of Heaven to unite things separated especially when they consist of one species and it may well be observed in the vicissicute of the things in the World that the whole Labour of Man and Nature seems to be almost nothing else but to separate what is united and to unite things that are separated and this not only seen in our operations upon Metals but in the actions of bumane Affairs yet to pass them by this Cementation of Metals is properly a gradual imbodying or uniting of Metals first separated and this by a gentle fire as in Lib. 1 2 and 3 Books wherein there are several magisterial Directions and in other Cases 't is properly called a Conglutination or glewing together See Conglutinate CENTNER T. Center Centner L. centum At the Mines it signifies an hundred and ten pounds weight but at the Mint just an hundred pound Whereby the Miner may get 10 l. towards his charges See lib. 1 cap. 9. but in lib. 1. cap. 37. and in many parts of the five Books it is considered only as a small Assay-weight for trying how much a little Part of an hundred weight do hold of Gold Silver c. whereby as ex ungue Leonis the whole Proportion of the Lion may be known from its claw so by the small Assay-weight the goodness of the whole piece may also be estimated be it a centner or half a centner c. and this shews the skill of an Asay er in the skilful use of Arithmetick CERUSE T. Bleywiesse L. Cerussa A. White Lead the best is made of Lead calcined with the vapors of Vinegar but the common way is by Vrine CHRISTAL T. Keistal L. Christalus and Christalum there is Natural and Artificial the Natural is Aqua quae frigore in glaciem concressit that is congealed or petrefied Ice Diodorus Sic. and Boetius are of a contrary Opinion and say It is the purest Earth dissolved by Water and for want of Water congeal'd to the Christal-Stone 't is found about the Alps and in many parts of Germany Hungary France c. And Captain Ant. Langston my good Friend who had travelled about 300 Miles into the Continent of Virginia did assure me that he saw there several Mountains of clear and shining Christal he died about a year since and was a very Credible person whilst he lived Now the Artificial Christals are made by Chimistry and is a peculiar part of that Science called Christalization that is making things like Christals viz. Christal of Silver Tin Antimony c. See Petrefaction and Stone CHIMISTRY see Alchimy and Alchimist But I have something more to say to them for I find that the Chimist hath another Name and is called Spagirus and Chymistry Ars Spagerica signifying to fine and refine Metals and therefore I have thought fit to put the words Spagericae Leges as the Title to this whole Treatise instead of Leges Chymicae this latter being more commonly used than the other nor do I wave the word Alchimy or Alchimist because it is sometimes taken in an ill Sense for in the best and truest Sence by the addition of ALL which word in all Languages signifies Omnia so as by addition of All we are to understand That Chymistry doth comprehend All Sciences and Mechanick Arts and Trades even from the Coblers Awl T. Aal and Belgick Elsen to the Astronomers Astralobe for nothing can be performed without some Metalick Instrument CINABAR T. Zenober or l. 1. c. 2. s 5. Bergennouer L. Cinnabaris which in English we call natural Vermillion for of this Cinnabar there are two sorts Natural which is an hard red and heavy Stone found in Mines or Artificial which is better coloured made of calcin'd Sulphur and Quick-silver which we now use with Metals but it is vulgarly called Ruddle or marken Stone and Sinople or Red Lead the first also of these two is natural and the other artificial but I conceive our Author intends none of these latter but the former or one of them Pliny N. H. l. 33.
S. John Pettus of Suffolk Knt. 1641 One of the Dep ty Governors of the Mines Royall 1651. Auratus Infletatus 1679. AEt 70. 1683 R. White sculp Honestus at Pie AGRM FLETA MINOR THE LAWS OF ART and NATURE IN Knowing Judging Assaying Fining Refining and Inlarging the BODIES of confin'd METALS In Two Parts The First contains ASSAYS of Lazarus Erckern Chief Prover or Assay-Master General of the Empire of Germany in V. Books originally written by him in the Teutonick Language and now translated into English The Second contains ESSAYS on Metallick Words as a DICTIONARY to many pleasing DISCOURSES By Sir John Pettus of Suffolk K t. Of the Society for the MINES ROYAL Illustrated with 44 Sculptures Mal. 3. 3. Numb 31. 31. Jehovah Chimista Supremus Carolus D. G. Secundus LONDON Printed for the Author by Thomas Dawks his Majesty's British Printer at the West-end of Thames-street 1683. Collegium Emmanuelis Cantabrigiae TO THE Kings most Excellent MAJESTY SIR THE Materials of this Book are derived from your Majesties undoubted Prerogative to the Mines in your Dominions of which Metals are made Of them Moneys And then honoured with your Majesties Superscription And so by a Christian Circulation the Possessors do or ought to render to Caesar the things which are Caesar's Thus Your Majesty hath a double Right to the Mines and to the Products of the Chimical Art by which Metals are fitted for their Journey to Publick Commerce Herein I humbly offer my Endeavours to assist their motions and onely to refresh your Majesties Memory not to inform Your Knowledg for as 't is hinted in the Title Page Your Majesty is in the Science of Chimistry as in all Sciences of Humanity Nulli Secundus These Perfections are evident in Your Majesties publick and private Elaboratories from which pure Justice and pleasing Arts and Sciences are communicated to Your Subjects In these I have observed Your Majesties particular respects to Chimistry of an Vniversal Extent and thereupon I resolved to transplant this German Twig of L. Erckern on that Subject into Your Majesties Nursery and Humbly Dedicate it to Your Majesty with my Additionals and also Humbly crave your Acceptance as an encouragement to my further Progress in serving Your Majesty with more Fruits but at present it is to shew That I am intent in promoting the Services I owe Your Majesty as well with my sedentary Passive Pen as before with my personal Active Duty having upon some significant occasions had the Honour to be known to Your Majesty near Forty Years Now Great Sir Wherein I am incapacitated to express my Duty for want of Ability of Mind or Body or secular Fortunes they shall be supplied by my constant Prayers for Your Majesties Health Happiness and Serenity in Your Government being Feb. 26. 82 3 Your Majesties most Obedient and Humble Subject JOHN PETTVS To the Right Honourable George Marquess Earl Viscount Hallifax and Baron of Eland Lord Privy Seal and one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Councel and Governour of the Society of the Mines Royal and Battery Works My Lord YOur Lordships free acceptance of the Government of the Mines Royal hath encouraged me to add it to your Titles and I hope without the least disparagement to your other Honours deservedly conferred upon your Lordship by His Majesty It is a Trust of great Concern and I doubt not but it will be so managed by your Lordship and of Honour too as it hath been always esteemed for not to trouble your Lordship with very Antient Records I find that King Edward the Fourth did make Richard Earl of Warwick who soon after was made one of the Governors of this Kingdom during its Troubles and John Earl of Northumberland his Guardians and Governors jointly of all his Mines in England and King Henry the Seventh made Jasper Duke of Bedford and other Earls and Lords his Guardians also of all the Mines in England adding Wales And Queen Elisabeth in the 10th of her Reign did form the Government thereof into Societies by the Names of Governors Deputy-Governors and Assistants for the Mines Royal and Battery-Works and then made Sir Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper and other eminent persons her Governors for England and Wales adding those within the English Pale in Ireland which Government did continue Successively to the Earl of Pembrook and others for some Years and after his late Highness Prince Rupert was made a Governour and your Lordship to our contentment doth succeed him Now my Lord As for my self I have been one of the Deputy Governors for above 30 Years and do think my self obliged in point of Gratitude to the late Governours and present Members who were pleased unanimously to order a Contribution to the Charge of this Book and for some former Favours to endeavour the advancing of their Concerns especially now we have the Honour to be under your Lordships Regiment and therefore as an Introduction to my real Intents I not only publish this but by some Additionals I shall study to make the Government more advantagious to the Society and much more to His Majesty and even to other Proprietors of Mines wherein I have sat still some Years because I found that I should be obstructed by some who studied the advance of themselves more than His Majestics Revenues which I do not aim to do by any Oppressing Method or projecting Humour for I hate it but by an honest just way and I hope not displeasing to any but such as nothing will please And these I shall in due time communicate to your Lordship being so confident of your Lordships great Abilities join'd with your perfect Loyalty to your King and Love to your Country that your Lordship will not approve of any thing that I shall offer if it agrees not with your Lordships sound Judgment and deep Wisdom for which all who knows your Lordship have an high value and particularly Your Lordships most humble and obliged Servant JOHN PETTUS To the Noble and Honoured Subscribers and Contributers to this BOOK My Lords and Gentlemen I Did design to have publish't your Names in a way that should have more fully manifested your Favours and my Acknowledgments but this Book extending to above 50 sheets more than I design'd or at first proposed took up my limited time so as I must respit that intention for I have not done with this Subject intending not to trouble you or my self with Subscriptions but such as have Subscribed to this shall have notice when the next is ready and if they approve of this so well as to take the next from me it will be an additional Obligation to me for I am prepared to go through the Body of this ART upon these Reasons First That it contains the Grounds and Maxims of most admirable Speculations and next That I may divulge their chifest and most curious Experiments and Practicks Now that which incited me to this was occasioned from hence That having caused Erckern's
ground together and the Gold moistned in Vrine and put it into a Cement Test lited as above and clarified 12 hours until the Gold becomes very clean But why they use Sal Armoniack among it which useth to touch the Gold I cannot tell therefore know That it will not do it raw especially when 't is mingled with the watery Salt as here but it purifieth rather that no other Metal which is made loose of the other Cement and yet partly doth hang on it and in it may remain Section 2 Then some when they have much to cement and yet are not willing to beat the Gold thin they put it in a Crucible and grain it in a water and when it falleth thin and hollow as is mentioned in the silver work they mingle such Grains with the cement Powder and cover it also with it that the graind Gold be not seen and set it in as they have done with the Cement before and when it hath stood its hours they make the Grain clean from the cement Pouder by washing it with warm water and set it in again with the fresh cement-Powder But because the Grains cannot fall all alike thin in casting but some are thicker than others which the cement cannot quite bite through like the thin Grains and then they grain it when it hath been twice thus in the Cement once more then it will come among the other again and the cement will work the better and purify the Gold Section 3 This manner of cementing is best upon the light brickle Gold which suffers not it self to be beaten And though the Gold must be graind once or twice yet t is better first to make the Gold deft with much pains and then to beat it thin Therefore when the brickle grains are set in once four or six times and hath stood in the cement and is become clean and of an high content to thy desire then is it deft enough For all Brittleness and uncleanness of Tin or Brass the cement draws out of the Gold And the Copper and Brass is much sooner and better drawn out of the Gold through the cement than the silver In this cement the Gold suffers a great dammage for the silvers will still contain the Gold which is melted out of the cements Section 4 One might also cast the clear or light Gold in thin leaf's like as is usual in the coin-works in casting of small Money and then to lay the cast Ingots in the cement in pieces which when they are cemented twice and so become more deft then one may beat them a little thinner and cement them and follow them with beating and cementing till the Gold becom's very deft and so you may beat it thin and then it will become high enough in the Content By this way the Gold may be better holden together and the Graind may be brought out of the Cement and will not go into the Gold nor will any Gold come into the Cement When the Gold is thus made pure by the Cement and brought upon the Content as one would have it then make it clean from the Cement as above and do a Crucible over with Borax put the Gold in it and let it flow force it off from the Bellows or in a wind-Oven untill it appear very bright and holdeth the blow so is it deft then lay a paper anointed with Wax or Tallow upon it and while it yet burneth cast it in an Ingot which is done over with Wax and is warm then quench the Gold in Vrine so you will have fine Gold and deft Gold You may also be instructed if you have quite done cementing and hast much of the used Cements in which is the Silver and Addition which hath been in Gold then melt the same Cement with other sweepings which is not Goldish through a melt Oven and bring it to profit so that the Silver which the Cement hath suck'd in out of the Gold may be made again to profit for the Cement takes no Gold to it Section 6 But as for the Cement of which the Philosophers and Alchimists do write by which one may change Copper into Silver and Silver into Gold those I leave to their worth for such belong not to these Cements For in my Books I write nothing else but what is natural and approved upon which one may trust and not labour upon a vain hope CHAP. XLV How to graduate Gold Section 1 GRADUATING Gold that is to give the Gold a higher Colour above its fine natural Colour to become more red its right high Gold colour is to be done thus take good Rhenish Gold add to it as much fine Copper cast it together beat it thin and cement it off again that it may have its first Gold-weight then set to the Gold and so much pure Copper again and cast it together beat it thin again and cement it the second time and so do untill the Colour pleaseth thee By this Process some think the Gold may come to such an high Colour that it will exceed the Copper in colour if it were thus cast 30 times with the Copper and cemented off again only that one must use the Cement written hereafter which is much better than a common Cement namely Take the Pouder of Tile which is well dryed in the Sun and common Section 2 Salt once dissolved through the Filtre purified and once glowed make out of every one a part of small powder searsed through a hair fieve and then put in Roman Vitriol first rubified as followeth Take good red Vinegar distilled through an Alimbeck and in this dissolve the Vitriol and purify it through a Filtre fair and clear and let it evaporate upon warm Ashes till you find it fair then put it in a new Pot set it betwixt Coals and stir it about with a little wooden stick till it becomes blood Red let it be cool and grind it small and then 't is rubified also take Verdigrise and dissolve it in distilled Vinegar and distill it by Filtration and let it evaporate and glow it as you have done with the Vitriol Take also so much Sal Armoniack dissolved in red Vinegar and of these now mentioned powders take of one so much as of the other mingle them well and sprinkle them with the Vinegar wherein the Sal Armoniack was dissolved so is the Cement prepared Section 3 Some do write That one may mingle the Gold with the Copper alike in weight and then to cast it through Antimony and then blow it off and purify it and again with the Copper and so mingle and cast it through so often till the Gold receives thy desired high Colour I believe also That if one can have good Antimony that it will give the Gold an higher Colour Section 4 But the common Graduations may be done thus That one may make a Powder of two parts Copper and one part of Sulphur Calcine them
in the ground pieces until it burns it self dead and then let it be ground smaller and mingle it with fluss and a little Glass-galls and cover it with Salt in the Crucible luted in a little Oven it will boyl like a raw Copper Oar or flint before the Bellows and will settle it self to a copper Grain in the bottom of the Crucible draw this up and weigh how much it contains and make thy account upon it how many Centners of copper-stone yields one Centner of black and unpurify'd Copper Section 2 There is another Tryal namely to weigh two Centners of Copper-stone and mingle them with Borax and a little Venetian Glass and let it flow upon a Proof Test and blow with a hand Bellows until it appears green so you will see how much the Copper-stone yields of Copper and in this Proof the Copper will become clean and pure and most ready and yield no black Copper as in the Proofs above it doth That you may see the form of the little Ovens and how to make the Copper-Proofs in them they are in the following Sculpture Deciphered 1. The melting Oven to try the Copper Oars from the copper-stone and the Man that blows the Bellows 2. The luting it with Clay 3. The buck'd and vvash'd Oar. 4. The little Ovens in which the copper-Oars are to be proved with ordinary Bellovvs and the man that attends them 5. The Bellovvs as they are used 6. A copper Instrument with a neck in which water is put and then set over the fire and used in stead of Bellows call'd the Philosophical Bellovvs See Sculpture II. Book I. 7. The Pot in which the Fluss is to be made 8. The Assay Crucible Sculpture XXX CHAP. XI To prove Flinty Copper by Sulphur Section 1 BECAUSE all Flints have Sulphur in them yet some more than others if you will try them and make a proof upon them Weigh two centners of the Flinty raw Oar and put it in a Proof-Test and roast it dead as I have mention'd before off the Copper-Oars let it be cold and weigh such roasted Oar again now so much as these two Centners have lost so much they have had of Sulphur for the Sulphur goes in the fire and in the air this proof is easy yet it is not manifested what Sulphur it doth yield but that you may have the same Sulphur apparently Beat the flint small to the bigness of an Hazel Section 2 nut put it in a great Retort made of the best Potters-Clay that the neck of the Retort may hang in water make a wood-fire about it then the Sulphur will ascend from the flint and you will find most part before in the Receiver of the Retort fine and yellow but 't is yet unwashed and must be cleansed in a strong fire How this is further to be done is to be seen in great iron Retorts when the Sulphur becomes red But this is to inform the Reader That all flints burnt in iron Retorts to Sulphur do yield red Sulphur which Painters use to highten yellow or orange Colours but the manner of making Sulphur with great Retorts do not appertain to this Treatise therefore I have named it only for the Proof-sake CHAP. XII How to prove Black Coppers by defty or smooth Coppers Section 1 AS all Coppers come black out of the Oars upon melting yet some much finer and cleaner than others which must after be cleansed and made ready as they which contain no silver and not purified must be made ready and deft Also to know certainly how many Centners of it after cleansing it yields of clean Copper which must be proved in a little Fire Some think it may be known by special copper Touch-Needles made on purpose but because the black-Coppers are not all alike but some iron-streamy some tinny spizy or leady I cannot certainly determine concerning such Proofs But the best way is thus First cut off from the cast Copper Ingot and weigh 2 or 3 Centners of it and lute a Test with small ground leady Glass put the weigh'd Copper in it and blow it in a fresh coal fire till it hath a clean green copper Colour then presently take the Test out of the Fire and take the Copper out of the slacks and quench it off then cut it asunder with a Chissel and you will see whether it be good then weigh and count how much the inset black Copper hath yielded ready Copper Section 2 This proof although the Copper be surer to be found than by the Touch-Needles yet 't is not certain to ground upon because the Proof is small and the Copper little therefore very easily the Fire may take away somewhat too much if it be over-burnt which in great Works cannot be done and so somewhat more of red copper will be brought out If you will have the right proof and know the right Content the same must not be esteemed too great a Labour to make more than one Proof of the black-Copper and then take the middle out of it You may use to this Proof Borax which cleanseth the Metal much and brings the copper to be sooner ready but because one cannot use Borax in the great Works it were better this proof especially iron-streamy Copper might be helpt with a little clean Lead because 't is used in cleansing and the copper will become leady which doth much cleanse the Copper but if the copper Section 3 be leady then there needs no lead to be added Some Assayers use this Method in their Proofs viz. They take a Test which is made moist and make a little hearth in it of Coal Powder mixt with clay having a flat smooth hole cut out upon this they set the copper which is to be proved and blow it with the Addition of a little Lead-glass this will the sooner make it ready but I think there is small difference in what ever is driven off from it but be sure you drive not the copper too hard and yet let it be of a right copper or blick colour Section 4 And because many times copper-flints are to be found in which almost the half is Tinn-stone and if copper be melted out of it it would be very tinny and spizy also if it were done among other coppers all would be spoiled in the cleansing To prevent this there is a particular way viz. that by beating and washing one may separate both Mettals by bucking or cleansing and then melt every part asunder and bring it to profit of which way I should write something here but because I do not give a full Instruction in these my Books of the great Works viz. of Bucking Washing and Smelting Metal Oars but only lesser Works therefore I will here end till another more convenient time when they may be further discoursed of CHAP. XIII How to prove whether Lead be very Copperish IF you think your Lead have much Copper with it and would be assured thereof
gratty slacks vvill devour the Iron stones quite in tvvice vvorking which they do not so easily to the Copper yet in time they do consume also so that they must be renevved once in a quarter of a year Section 9 Their time to melt is 23 hours in this they set into one Oven 66 to 70 Centner of roast oar and the oar vvill flovv like vvater and vvorks it self very fresh and there is nothing else to be taken to it but only the burnt Oar. Now when the Melter lifts off the uppermost slacks Section 9 which is very heavy and thick the rest under it will stand very clear and then with a great iron Ladle he pours them out which will run like lead so fresh as they are and the slacks look like a melted slack-stone But the lead creeps through the light dust in the Oven and hides it self under it near 23 hours and therefore the wild Sulphurish slacks cannot reach it nor the long during heat consume or devour it When the Melter hath observ'd his time then he Section 10 opens the Funnel below and takes out the light dust together with the slacks which are settled in it and whilst the Melter is drawing the dust out of the Oven a servant must gently pour water that the Melter may endure the heat and when all the dust is drawn out then the Melter with his fork stirs the Lead in the Oven below so that all the Lead may come together then he casts the Lead into the harth standing by the Oven and it must be kept warm continually Out of this he draws it into Cakes or sows of Lead Section 11 according to the old Fryberish Method and brings out of the 60 or 70 Centner of melted Oar in such a time well melted near three centner of Lead of which one centner contains 4 loths of Silver and the rest of the Lead and Silver will remain in the slacks and though there be almost as much yet remaining it is a Wonder that so much should be produced out of a poor contenty stubborn Oar. But if you would melt other Oars besides this after Section 12 the Goslarish Method you must be careful the Oar may vvork it self fresh for if it do not then you must help it for the light dust cannot suffer the very soft slacks also when the light lead Oar contains pretty much Silver and little Lead then at all times according to the condition of the Oars there may be added hard Lead that the Silver may have a refuge into the lead I must signify that in the melt Oven of the Goslarish Lead oars they lay on all four walls of the Oven a gray with a yellow mingled matter every Row or Lay as Section 13 thick as a straw bredth which they call Galmay used in the brass-melting and adding as you have heard in the end of the Third Book and this matter must be put out of the melt Oven after 8 or 9 Rows or Lays are made else the Oven will be too narrow so that no more can be melted in it with profit Deciphered 1. The The Walls of the Furnace 2. The Lines on them shews the Gradations of the Metal descending 3. The man that manageth the metal in the furnace 4. The back of the Furnace with the coals and pieces of metal flaming 5. The grand Test 6. The Oven for that Test 7. The pieces from the Test 8. The man that beats the Oar. 9. The pieces of Oar and Cinders 10. A heap of Charcoal 11. The water-troughs to wash the Oar in 12. The Pipes by which the foul water is cast out 13. The Instruments for the Furnace and Tests Sculpture XXXVI CHAP. IX Of melting Oars with Moll or Turf BECAUSE some years since the Miners and Smelters have pretended that all sorts of Oars might be melted with Sods or Turff as the Saxons call it I could not omit in this part but give the Reader my Judgment And because the Oars are not all of one sort but partly harsh and hardy and partly mild saft and flowing and that the Turf yields very heavy and much Ashes which in the Melt oven comes to be a slack almost like a Glass I judg it must not be used at all to the weak oars to which this separating Work is unprofitable for through their many heavy Ashes the weak flowing oars are hindered and the Oven thereby stopped and though you use half coals with it yet it would not turn to profit But what are harsh-hot-graty Oars especially roasted lead oars by help of Coals may be melted and it will be serviceable for they will work themselves more separable and deft so that one need not much other addition as aforesaid But if one would melt such harsh Oars with Turf only I fear the Oven will be stopped many times by which the work will be much hindred therefore I conclude it better to melt with Coals than with Moll Sod or Turf CHAP. X. How to prove Spelter or Wizmet Oar which some call Bizmuth SPELTER Oar is a white heavy Oar and Section 1 yields among other Oars the most flowing Metal which needs no singular Pains to melt it down But there are two sorts of melting it in the Wind and before the Bellows as will follow for if you will prove this Oar how much Spelter it may contain then grind it small and weigh a centner of it and two centners of the fluss before spoken of made of Argol and Saltpeter mingle it and put it in a Crucible covered wit Salt and cover it Lute it with Clay and boyl it up in a little Oven before the bellows like to a flowing Lead proof thus you will have the Spelter below in the Crucible like a lead Regulus draw it up after thy proof weight and you will find how much Spelter a centner of Oar yields but till of late we had not the vvay to melt so much out of the Oar as hath been found in the proof and the difference is alike for we finde almost the half part more in the little proof vvhen the Spelter Section 2 is melted out of it But as it hath been mentioned in the Tin-slacks vvhich by a strong fire vvill melt the remaining Tin so it is possible to do vvith the Spelter But to melt the Spelter out of the Oars tvvo methods Section 3 are used one by the wind the other by Bellows the vveakest sort of Spelter Oars are to be melted on the wind vvhich is to be done thus Take of the Oar and beat it to little pieces about the bigness of Walnuts and put it in little iron Pans set in order that they may spread abroad and set them in the field in the winde and make a fire of dry wood so that the wind may bring the flame into the pans upon the Oar thus the Spelter will flow quickly out of the Oar into the pans and when 't is almost
Instrument laid before it in water or other moistness thus the vapours or spirit will presently resolve it self in the coldness or wetness into Quick silver But if one hath no Retorts he may use a well luted glass Bottle and set upon the Bottle a Helmet which hangs over in which water is to be put and the joynings every where well luted that no spirit may go out then let the Retorts on the Bottle in a little Oven and make first a gentle fire with wood then stronger thus the Quick silver will drive it self from the Oar in the coldness or wetness for the Quick silver loves coldness and moistness and avoideth the heat as its Enemy Now when you have found Quick silver in the proof weigh it and then you may see how much the Oar was which was set in whereby your reckoning may be made accordingly But concerning melting of Quick silver in the great Work do thus beat the Oar small as a little nut put it into Juggs made on purpose in each about four pound then prepare a flat harth of moistned Coal-Ashes on which set round Tests three square fingers deep after one another and turn upon it the Jugs fill'd with Oar stop it well with the moistned dust about the Tests and Jugs then make a wood fire upon it and the Quick silver will avoid the heat and seek the cold which it finds in the Test below This Labour in the great Work is to be seen in Germany and in many places upon the Mine-works CHAP. XX. Of Iron and Steel-stone how to know and prove them IRON-STONE is brown and its colour is so that commonly it looks like roasted Iron but the best and richest Iron-stone its colour is blewish like to a dug Iron and some of these Iron-stones are Magnetish and draw the Iron apparently which proceeds from their hidden heat as shall hereafter be discoursed of CHAP. XXI How to prove whether the Iron-stone be rich in Iron Section 1 SO this by the Loadstone therefore if you will try the Iron-stone roast it though some take it unroasted grind it small and take a good Loadstone turn or draw it about with it and the good will hang all on the Magnet stroak it off with an Hare's foot and lift the Iron-stone up again with the Magnet as much as it can bear and if at last any remains that will not be drawn up that stone is drossy and not good Thus you may see whether a Mine hath Iron or whether the Iron-stone in it be rich or poor in Iron for the Magnet as is said lifteth up no other Metal but Iron and Steel The Steel-stone and Iron-stone are alike though not in colour some look like yellow sparr this the Magnet will Section 2 not lift up raw nor some Iron stone at all but if you roast the Steel stone it colours it self and is like the colour of the rich Iron stone and then the Magnet will lift it very easily and sooner than the Ironstone and then the Iron may be made with a long and strong heat and with hard Coals in a Secret glow without dammage to good Steel and the common Steel by Smith-working will turn into Iron again Section 3 When such proof is found by the Magnet that the Ironstone is good and rich then the Hammer-smiths with their Additions use further to prove and try it in the great fire Section 4 The Iron stone being of an hot Nature will not flow or melt with a small fire as Gold and Silver will but it must be a great and strong fire and when 't is forced to flow out of the Iron-Ovens many Instruments may be cast and its hot Sulphur will flow from it also upon melting of it somwhat of its substance will come out and though it be refreshed in the fire with fresh Ironstone yet so much of its substance will go from it as it hath lost in the first melting But when the Iron stone is to be melted in the high Ovens or in the running work with a true Addition as every Ironstone requires then let it force it self yet the twice melted Iron is best for use and most deft for to work Thus much of the Ironstone how to prove what it yields in the little work But how the Iron may be boyled into Crocum Martis as also to get Vitriol out of the roasted Iron of which the Philosophers write much and how the Iron is to be wrought after several Manners and Methods and hardned But all this belongs not to proving of Metals and so it falls not under my Instructions but the Reader is left to find out other wayes CHAP. XXII Of Magnets LOADSTONES or Magnets being mentioned in BOOK II. CAP. II. and in this IV. BOOK I will discourse something of its Nature and wonderful Properties because there is none amongst all Jewels which doth so naturally shew its Virtues as this Jewel or Magnet and therefore I will let the Reader understand what Serapion an old Philosopher writes of it in his Book De Simplicibus Mineralibus where he sayeth thus Take the Magnet lay it in an earthen Vessel and add much of Calx viva lute the Vessel well about with Plaster and make a great fire under it and let it stand in the heat till the fire goes through the earthen Vessel that it may well glow then set the earthen Vessel with the matter to burn in a Potter's Oven till the overluting be consumed on the Test then take the Loadstone out of the Vessel and mingle it again with Calx viva three or four times and let it burn as before and when 't is taken out of the Oven the fourth time then hold the Magnet in such a place that neither the Wind Water nor Dew may come to it nor any other Moistness till it be cool then beat it small and add yellow Sulphur in like weight Thus the Magnet is prepared and if one do drop Water only upon it a great fire will spring out of the Magnet which would burn all that it toucheth This was Serapion's Opinion against which I have nothing to say whence the Magnet doth so vehemently love the Iron and the Iron the Magnet as though they were both of one Nature and created one for the other the Magnet being very desirous of Iron and draws it to it self with its whole Power and the Iron presently shews it self by springing to it and so remains hanging on it The Magnet is also called the Sail-stone for the Sailors look upon it as their Chief Instructor in their way upon the Water far and near namely after they have touch'd the little tonge or Needle in the Compass with the Loadstone Also the Magnet is used to the Compass Needle in the Mine-work and to direct their Glass and Audits and also in the famous and worthy Art of Separation and also with common Miners the Sun-Compass is very useful
is brought into the Mines or other Tiling Water may come among it but such Waters as above you may prove and further after your pleasure make profit by them Also on this wise you may prove all Wells or Springs of Salt after the beforementioned little proof and search and know properly how rich they be And I was willing to mention these Instructions for Section 5 salty-Proofs that those who are now concerned may know how the better to manage them Thus much loving Reader I have writ of proving all Section 6 sorts of Oars and Mettals and other necessary things fit to be known for proving and meltiug them to the good and profit of all Mine-workers and young Assayers and for such as are ignorant of these Arts and this I have done in five Books most faithfully and dilligently and also given very large Instructions by writing and Sculpturing the same and I desire for this time that every one who loves or inclines to these Sciences will be content with it and accept of my good Intentions for these are not designed for Magisterial Artists Now in these Books I have not undertaken to treat of all Oars singly upon preparing and melting them in the great Works because I could not well discharge my self therein in respect that it would be a greater Task than my present Services can admit of yet I will reserve it to a farther Opportunity and I will also respite my Labour to discover how the Gold and Silver upon the Coyn'd Works are to be ordered upon diverse certain Contents and so made to profit which would require a particular and more large Volumn considering that it is a great Work and for many years with other things pertaining to the Coyn'd-Works have been as Secrets and therefore I Section 7 will also let them be as Secrets for the present And although Goldsmiths common Assayers and Merchants do suppose when they can reckon some dressings of the Crucible they have the perfect Art yet they want the most needful and best parts namely they have not been with the Coiners neither have they any true understanding or exercise of it and therefore in these matters nothing could be done with fruit or profit Section 8 Now concerning the Generation of Oars and Metals of which the Philosophers and Naturalists have wrote and disputed very much I leave all of them to others with their Rules and Opinions of the Mine-Workers by reason that their thoughts and presumptions are not only uncertain but oft-times wide and agree not together yet I really believe That God the Almighty Creator hath reserved these Mysteries to his Almightyness and that Gold Silver and all Metals through his Everlasting Word the Son of God from whom Heaven and Earth and all things which are in them have their Creation and Being are to this day preserved and multiplied and that the knowledge of them are come to clear light and published for his Glory and the good of Mankind for which glorious Guifts every one ought with pure Zeal to praise and thank God from his Heart and imploy all his dilligence and reason so that what he may have out of the Mine-Works may be used to the praise of God and to the profit help and advantage of his Neighbors whereby God the Almighty will not only bless it but also richly Multiply the Possessors of it and cause them to injoy it to the Salvation of their Souls Now may the Lord God Creator and Preserver of all Creatures be graciously pleased to open the hidden Treasures of the rich Gold Sope also of Gold Silver and all Metallick Veins for upholding the Posterity of the Poor Sons of Adam and by blessings and long continuance preserve them for his beloved Son our Lord Jesus Christs sake and that we may use them with thanks and praise Amen FINIS Fleta Minor Spagyrick LAWS The Second Part. CONTAINING ESSAYS ON Metallick WORDS Alphabetically composed as a DICTIONARY TO Lazarus Erckern Illustrated with two Sculptures By Sir John Pettus of Suffolk Knight Scire tuum nihil est Nisi te scire hoc sciet alter LONDON Printed for the Author by Thomas Dawks his Majesty's British Printer at the West-end of Thames-street 1683. Kind Reader YOV are desired to take notice That all the following words are only transciently used in the Essays and therefore referr'd to the Capitals of the Dictionary and the Capitals of the Dictionary are referr'd to some parts of the five Books of Erckern Adam vide Gold Aegipt v. Gold Aegiptians v. Quick-silver Aethiopia v. Gold Aes v. Brass Aetna v. Bitumen Affrica v. Gold Alabaster v. Marble Plaster All v. Chimistry Allays v. Mony Allum v. Minerals Almonds v. Blanch. Alpha v. Regulus Amethist v. Metals Antimony v. Metals Minerals Antartick v. Gold Loadstone Antidotes v. Dung Architecture v. Calcine Armoniack v. Minerals Aarons Bells v. Bell. Arsenick v. Mineral Artick v. Gold Loadstone Ashes v. Gold Pulveration Asses v. Bone Asia v. Gold Atlantick v. Gold Auricalcum v. Wire Barly corn v. Measures Money Barme v. Yeast Bees v. Putrefaction Regulus Beergood v. Yest Beer v. Blink Black Lead v. Lead Blood v. Gold Blood-stone v. Polish Boards v. Planks Boar v. Bacon Borneo flu v. Gold Botanist v. Colour Bread v. Feces Brimstone v. Minerals Bullock v Ox. Buxtons Wells v. Mines Calcanthum v. Sublimatum Calaminaris v. Brass Mineral Camelion v. Eggs. Camel v. Armoniack Capa longa fish v. Conglutinate Cedar v. Gold Ceruse v. Lead Chaldeans v. Quick-silver Chalck-stone v. Lead Lime China earth v. Earth Chiromancy v. Measures Cinders v. Coal Cinnabar v. Minerals Quick-silver Clay v. Loadstone Cloath v. Filtration Coaches v. Yellow Coin v. Mint Mony Consonants v. Regulus Constellations v. Loadstone Copper v. Metal Corrosion v. Calcine Counterfeits v. Mony Christ v. Gold Crocus v. Verdigrease Cubit v. Measures Cup v. Pipkin Damp v. Evaporation Mines David v. Gold Dew v. Feces Diamonds v. Metal pulveration Discourses v. Regulus Devils arse v. Mines Dodmans v. conglutinate Dogs v. Dung Dovegang v. Mines Dram v. Measures Ducks v. Dung Dung v. Eggs Gold Durdans v. Petrefaction Dust v. Pulveration Earthquake v. Boyling Ebb v. Loadstone Eden v. Gold Eels v. Putrefaction Eldon hole v Mines Electrum v. Metals Elbow v. Measures Ell v. Measures Elephant v. Armoniack and Dragons Blood England v. Load-stone Waterstones c. English Mines v. Mines Equinoctial v. Gold Erckern Etimology v. Alchimist Essays v. Assay Europe v. Gold Eye v. Needle Fathom v. Measures Fermentation v. Yest Finger v. Gold Fish v. Eggs. Flax v. Flux Flesh v. Gold Flowing v. Loadstone Flower v. Fermentation Yest Flies v. Putrifaction Fort v. Measures Foam v. Yest Frankincense v. Xiphion Froth v. Litarge Yest Fullers earth v. Earth Fusile v. Fusion Gallenist v. Quick silver Ganges v. Gold Geese v. Dung Gems v. Colours Metals German Mines v. Mines God v. Gold Regulus Goldsmiths v. Gold Gold v. Metals God's-good v. Yest Gums v. Yellow Gunpowder v. Boyling Pulveration Guts v. Bells Guenea v. Gold
is the Finer that smelts them over again and separates the mettals in the great Works The sixth is the Refiner that melts them again so often as he thinks fit till he hath brought the separated Metals to their several perfections and intireness The seventh is the Prover or Assayer who by Tests Crucibles Weights and other Experiments is able to judge of all Oars either as they come from their Veins or made into melted fined or refined Metals and such an Assayer was our Author in all these seven Gradations and therefore intituled the far renowned Laxarus Erckern Berkmeister or Chief Prover which we call Assayer of the Mines of the Emperor of Germany and the depending Principalities of that Empire In what Emperors time he lived I cannot learn but his five Books were printed and published at Antwerp Anno. 1629. from which many of the yonger Chimists of this Age have derived their skill by Copies surreptitiously gain'd from my first Translation about 14 years since which occasions my printing of it now being made more perfect His Name Lazarus is in Imitation of the old Romans Germans and Belgicks who assumed Names suting to their temper or some observable Actions the word Lazarus signifies in Sacred Writ one that was beloved of our Saviour also one that was raised from the Earth and in the Parable signifies a good poor man in Abraham's Bosom and accordingly in the conclusion of his fifth Book he shews his Zeal for God's Glory and his true Belief in Jesus Christ assisting him in his deep Knowledg of Metallick Science and he might well expect by his Humility of mind to be lodg'd in Abraham's Bosom who we find was well verst in Metals and the Rosy Crucius of whom Majerus and Spagnetus do give a full account being a sort of Metaphisical Chimists who do make it a chief Principle of that Science to be strict in their Devotion towards God and just towards men without which they believe they cannot attain to any Perfection in this Science also Paracelsus that great Chimist goes so far as to make the two Trees of Life and of Good and Evil and the Vrim and Thummin and many other things written by Moses to be only mystically related to this Science but to pass by this His other Name is Erckern Erskerus being but a mistake in the first Translator for in the Original it is Erckern now Erk in T. is Oar and Kern in T. is granum or grain so that to kern is to granulate which is to reduce Metals into certain proportions of the purest part which they call grains also kern signifies to pulverize any thing and so may be applyed to Metals whereby it may intend also that magisterial pouder of Projection of which I shall speak more or else it may very well come from the Latin word Cernere which we English to discern the Latine often using c for k and so we do in our Language so kern or cern may justly signify to see know or judg Now joyning all together I may represent him as an humble minded industrious man that knows how to judge of all Oars and how to manage the Products of them for the Glory of God and good of mankind By which we may see how Goodness and Industry do improve the Fortunes and Esteems of such men and that the exact Knowledge of this Noble Science and Art of Proving or Assaying Metals do raise them to be owned and dignified even by Emperors Kings Princes and States and their very Names renouned to Posterity as may be seen in Histories Now I have shewn the seven Gradations to a Chimist so I must tell you that he looks on himself in an higher degree and justly defined according to the Lord Virulam for he not only knows all these seven Gradations but also knows how to Extract Quintessences or several marvelous Works out of all and if he would stop there as Erckern doth it were well for him but it seems he cannot be content unless he attains to the high Elixir or Pouder of Projection or Philosophers-Stone which is believed by some of them to have a power of Transmuting or turning all other Metals into Gold but by woful Experience of some mens credulity instead of turning every thing into Gold they have turned all their Gold into nothing Verulam But our Author though it may well be supposed that he knew much more than he writ goes no farther in his Books than what is safe and fit to be known and publish't i. e. only concerning Fining and Refining of Metals neither stooping too low to the meaner Gradations nor ascending too high to the Metaphisical Speculations but leaves those subjects to other Writers Now as for the word Alchimist it is the same thing with Chimist but usually taken in an imperfect or ill Sense like Ben. Johnson's Alchimist that is one that can or pretends to counterfeit Metals so that to sum up the chief Terms an Assayer judgeth of the purity of Metals and the Chimist improves this purity to Spirits Quintessences Virtues c. But the Alchimist Counterfeits and Adulterates them by making them appear to be pure which realy are not pure but mixt with other sophistications Verulam Of this latter our Author is not Guilty so as he stands for a renown'd Assay-Master a good Chimist and one that understood but was not a Sophisticating Alchimist nor a Lapidarian Philosopher or Metaphisical Projector See Assaying Alkali or Alcali reckoned by Doctor Wilkins amongst Stones but here and in other parts of the V. Books call'd Sal Alkali which is a Salt made of the Herb Kali or Salicornia vulgarly call'd Glasswort The herb is hot and dry and therefore such Salts of that Quality are called alcalous and this Salt is often used by our Author as having a nature to discoagulate Metals by opening their Bodies l. 1. c. 32. s 4. ALIMBECK See Limbeck ALLAY T. Linderen L. Mitigare A. to lessen or allay See Money and Coin ALLUM T. Alaum L. Alumen from Lumen in respect of its transparency and nearness to Christal and is accounted among the brighter stones of this Mineral there are several sorts from several Mines and Allum works erected in England and they are also in many parts of Europe some more acid and sharp in taste than others by which their goodness is chiefly distinguished and this Mineral is of great use to Chimists Dyers and others Artists l. 2. c. 4. s 5. AMEL or to Enamel T. Eyn-brennen and is call'd the metallick Calx or Lime compounded of two parts viz. one of Lead and one of Tin and being well calcin'd in an Oven of Reverberation makes the Amel and in the making 't is so delicatly ting'd with variety of colours the Art being grown to so much perfection in this age that all sorts of Features Images Landskips c. are so lively represented to the eye in a condensed work of the same that they are as delightful and more
durable than those which are done with oyl or gums l. 2. c. 4. s 1. see Nealing AMONIACK see Armoniak ANTIMONY T. Speiz and Speiz-glass which is properly Glass made of Antimony L. Stibium and it is also called by some Mineralists Red Lion Wolf and Proteus in respect of its various qualities It is a heavy bright Oar like Lead but more speizy and porous and less ponderous and some give it the name of white stone or imperfect Metal because they say it is the beginner or producer of Silver or Lead and the extracts made out of it are of singular Virtues of which his late Highness Prince Ruperts red drops were chimically made and given with good success for most Diseases l. 4. c. 17. AQUA FORTIS which for brevity is printed Fort. T. Scheid-wasser called by Lat. Chimists Aqua separatoria and is a composition of Nitre and Vitriol c. and this liquor is used for dissolving and separating Gold and Silver and hath many other excellent properties as may be collected from the 5 Books l. 2. c. 16. to c. 34. AQUA regis is a water made of Aqua fort and other compositions and is of a more strong and corrosive nature than aqua for t and it is observable the aqua for t is a specifick for silver and this aqua regis for gold for it will touch only gold and not silver l. 2. c. 28. Aqua argentea see Quick silver and metals Aqua Vitrioli see Vitriol and minerals Aqua dulcis see common water Aqua fontis see Spring water ARGOL T. Weinstein L. Tartarum and in English Tartar or the Lees of Wine which sticks to the sides of wine-Vessels hard and dry like a crust and therefore sometimes called Argol-stone from its compacted hardness and this is of great use in metallick Operations l. 1. c. 10. s 17. and other places l. 1. See Feces ARITHMATICK T. Rechenkunst L. Arithmatica the Art of Numbring or Reckoning according to the T. and this Art of all others is the most assisting to the Metallick Science in judging of the goodness of Metals after Fining and Refining them l. 1. c. 1. ARMENICK See Armoniack ARMONIACK T. gives it the Latine Name Bolus Armeni and we Bole Armoniack and I find these words of kin both in their Orthography and Pronuntiation viz. Amoniack Armenick and Armoniack The first Pliny tell us l. 24. is a Gum which he calls Gumma Amoniaci of a glutinous nature like other Gums and so may be used for Metallick Vessels The second viz. Armenick I find the word Sal always joyned with it and so called Sal Armenicus and this Salt was antiently accounted a natural Salt but that being now unknown to us we use the Armenicus which is made of the Vrine of Elephants or Camels as 't is said boyled to a Lixivium or Salt and called Sal Armenius or Armeniacus and this is of great use for purifying and refining of Metals To the third Armoniacus the word Bole is added I suppose for distinction sake Pliny c. 35. mentions a Stone which he calls Lapis Armeni of which he counts several sorts but the best of those he saith are of a blew colour and calls it verd de Azure being of great price and esteem with Painters but the common Armoniack he calls Synoper and we Synople from a City of that name where it was plentiful and 't is probable this is the same which we call Bole Armoniack being of a reddish colour and this is oft used by our Author and for distinction the word Gum is put to the first Salt to the other and Bolus to this which I write to prevent Errors in Medicines or Metallick Experiments l. 2. c. 20. ARSNICK T. Arsenick L. Auripigmentum We Orpine or Orpiment and commonly Rats-Bain being used to kill Rats of Arsnick there are two sorts yellow and red which some by mistake esteem to be red Oker Pliny l. 34. saith it is of the same substance with Sandarack and inclines to that Colour the best of which saith he resembleth Gold and therefore I suppose called yellow orpiment There is also a white or Christalline Arsnick which is compounded of Salt and the yellow Orpiment so becomes transparent like Christal and from thence is made the white Rats-bane and it may be observ'd this white consists of two parts viz. a crusty or external part and a Christaline or internal part and this makes metal brickle the other solid and of the Regulus of this mineral a good metal may be made l. 1. c. 14. s 1. See Sulphur ASHES T. Ashen L. Ciner A. Ashes and these are made so by the power of Fire from metals minerals stones bones earth and wood which puts me in mind of those trees which plentifully grows in England call'd Ashes T. Esschen or Asschen-Baum quod optimos cerneres efficiant Minslaw but the L. calls it Fraxinus and of this Ashen-wood I have seen the great effects of it at Yarmouth and Laistoff in Suffolk for with this wood and no other they dry their Herrings which is a profitable commodity to them and it seems that the Salt and drying Vapours of that Wood do cure for so is their term their Herrings of all malignities and doubtless that wood is most proper where it is to be used for dissolving metals and the ashes of it rather than any other for metallick uses except Bone-ashes and especially for Salt-Petre which is the Subject of the 5th Book l. 2. c. 20. s 5. See Dust Bone-Ashes Pulveration c. ASSAYER T. Probirer L. Probator A. Assayer or Tryer. To ASSAY T. Probiren L. Probare Which we call also to Assay Prove or Try Metals all intending the same thing though different in Dialect but there is another Word of the like signification which is written with an E. as Essayer and to Essay c. both are rendred by Dictionarys to Try L. Tentare Probare Now I think some have committed an Error herein and ought to have made a more clear distinction for I take Assaying to have relation only to things of Weight as Metals c. from the word As or Assis which signifies a pound Weight or 12 Ounces or the whole of any substance which may be divided into parts and especially applicable to the greatest or smallest Coins that are made of any Metal which many times were and still are of Copper or Brass which the L. call Aes and thereupon I suppose it is sometimes writ Essaying without a diphthong and so confounded these two words in their applications and to confirm my just distinction of them We read in the Stat. of H. 6. c. 12. that the Kings Officer of the Mint who as the Statute saith is indifferently appointed between the Master of the Mint and the Merchant which brings Silver thither to be minted is called the King's Assayer and not Essayer and in the Records Assaisiator not Essaisiator See Goldman 's Dict. And some latin Records render it metallorum prebendorum
sacris numeris and Jonston de sacris Arboribus with Sculptures I wish some would write De sacris Instrumentis Musicae with their Sculptures especially of those wherein metals are imployed for doubtless the subject would afford excellent variety But besides this musical part of Metals the word Bell is also applyed to a Glass with a round bottom and long neck which the Chimists call a matrass glass or long Bell Sculpture I. BELLOWS T. Blaszbalgh and to blow Geblasz L. Follis follescere of these there are three sorts mentioned in Erckern 1. the Philosophical Bellows 2 The great Bellows which requires eight Ox-hides and 3. the common Bellows which Smiths also use and others for common fires as you often find in the Sculptures and all these in imitation of the nature of a Cow Beast which in drawing in and forcing out her breath is said to Bellow BLANCH T. Blanck Weiss and Bluk all signifying white or a white Silver or Tin when it is melted for the meer Oar of Tin is of a ruddy colour and white when melted and this by the Translator of Weckerus is called Blenck which word I like though I find it not in any Dictionary for I had a Mannor in Suffolk called by the name of Blenches and it appeared so in my Antient Court Rolls for that the Soyl of the Mannor consisted of a white Clay and Chalky temper and the next Village is Wisset which consisted also of the like Soil Blench and Wiess both signifying white so that Blench and Blanch have the same signification of white and so the word is used for the whitening blenching or blanching of Silver the word is also used to Almonds viz. when the superficies or dull part is taken from them by boyling Water they are then called blencht or blancht Almonds See Bone Ashes BISMUTH is a Crude Oar or kind of Silver Marchasite and of a white hard and brittle Body and I conceive is the same which Erckern calls also Wismut or Wismuth Oar and Spelter l. 4. c. 10. and sometimes called Tin Glass See their Alphabets BITUMEN is accounted both among Gums and Pixes and also among Sulphurs but that which Erckern speaks of intends Brimstone which the T. calls Schwebel L. Sulphur and this is either Natural from the Lake called Asphaltis where once Sodom and Gomorrah stood also from the vomiting of the Hill Aetna and Visuvius or Artificial made by Fire See Minerals BLACK See Colours BLEND or Blent T. Ablinderne L. Miscere A. to Mingle that is when Metals are blended or mingled in lumps l. 4. c. 2. c. And this word is much used in the North parts of England for mixt or mingled matter which some call Hots-Potch BLEW See Colours BLINK T. Blinkin or Blicken L. Micare and Nictare A. to Shine it is commonly used to those that are blear Ey'd or often twinkle with their Eyes it is also applyed to dead and sharp Beer and to the brouss or loppage of Trees given to Deer see Skinner but in our Author only applyed to bright Oars or melted Metals l. 1. c 23. c. l. 2. c. 24. viz. blink Gold and blink Silver that is bright or clear Gold or Silver BLOUD T. Blut L. Sanguis apply'd to the Bloud of Oxen c. and is often mentioned as a good mixture for Instruments and Cements for Metalick uses See l. 2. c. 20. and Ox. BOYLING T. Seiden and Kochen L. Coquens l. 5. c. 7. s 1. we have many words for this tending to the same sence and yet with some Gradations as when any liquid matter begins to stir with the heat of the Fire we call it simporing it may be from simpo a Pot wherein the old Roman and Gretian Priests were wont to drink their cheering Liquor and therfore the word simporing is used for smiling and when it stirs more 't is called seething which differs little from the T. Seiden when it stirs to bubble it is called Boyling from bulla and bullire but antiently Boyling was called Plawing from L. Plaudere to rejoyce because the fire had the full effect of the heated liquor and therefore the Psalmist saith Plaudent Flumina vola let the Floods clap their Hands i. e. let them plaw or rejoyce in their plawing or boyling waves but I do not find my sense of the word plawing confirmed in any Dictionary as I can now peruse but this I shall affirm for the Sence and Antiquity of the Word That there is a Marsh in South-Walsham in Norfolk belonging to the now Duke of that County which with other Marshes were gain'd from the Sea in the time of the old Romans as 't is generally said to which my Grandfather and my self were Tenants for near an 100 years and in these Marshes there was one parcel called by the name of Plawing-Well Marsh within 3 miles of Yarmouth and about a mile from the Sea and the Marsh is so called and stiled in Writings from a Well or place in it of about two yards broad and about 18 Inches deep only in the middle of it is a little hole the bottom of which I could not then fathom by any Pole or Instrument that I could get and from that hole the water constantly bubbles boils up and playes which was the word used in the Lease and in other Records sufficient to justify the Antiquity of the word Now having spoken what I can of the word give me leave to speak of the water which keeps at one scantling neither swelling higher nor decreasing but if it decrease at any time it foretels a dearth so that the motions of it cannot be attributed to the neighboring Motions of the Sea which are regular lunary or ventilary nor any other cause that I could find unless it be from a constant motion of Cattle grazing in these and the neighboring marshes which being only thin grassy coverings of the waters those beasts by quassation and constant compressure of such flexible grounds may easily cause this Ebolition or plawing I confess I am the more content with this reason because we daily see that a little Compressure in a large vessel of liquids will make it rise and run over and we often find in solid Bodies Compressure will have great effects at distance as in the year 1648. when the Committeehouse at Norwich was blown up by the firing of 40 barrels of Powder it caused by compressure such a motion in the Earth that at Thorp Market 15 miles from Norwich near Cromer Mr. Allen who dwelt there in good repute told me that as he was sitting in his Parlor there he was very sensible of the quaking of the Earth which upon Information of what had past the day before at Norwich and comparing the punctual time he found the shaking was caused by that Gun-pouder and I being then in the Country soon after went into the City where I observ'd that all the lower windows of the City-houses were shattered by the
Air and Earth but the upper windows that had only the more tender motion of the Air to offend them had little hurt and this was general except in Churches whose Windows were all shatter'd having no floors to defend them against the motion of Earth and Air. I was pleased with these outward accidental causes but soon after I saw a Spring on one side of the highest Hills in Darbyshire within the Peak-Forest and 30 miles from the Sea that eb'd and flowed four times in the space of an hour call'd Tides Well and for this I will not pretend to give a Reason being so far from the Sea or any probable outward cause BOLUS see Armoniack It signifies a certain proportion from whence we might have the word Boul or Bole which is used by Miners to measure out their dig'd Oars both for the King Proprietor or themselves or for other uses BONE Ashes T. Bein Ashen Lat. Os Ciner A. Ashes and from ciners cinders so as the Latines have no proper word for it but Ciner the Cinders or ashes of Ossium or bones in the plural Now the Latines have the like word Os signifying a mouth distinguished in their Genitive cases one making Os ossis the other Os oris one signifying spiration from the Greek the other duration and they may well be coupled for the nourishment which goes into the mouth gives nutriture to the Bones and is the Original of its duration of which I have writ more fully in my Fodinae Regales and our Author gives several Directions what Bones are fittest to be used to the making of Tests and Crucibles for dissolving Mettals either of Beasts or Fishes of which you may see his Opinion in several places l. 1. c. 5 6 7 c. See Ashes Incineration Pulverisation Now Pliny N. H. l. 11. c. 37. tells us that the bones of Asses have a more musical nature in them being made into Pipes than any other bones so that it may be worth the Trial for Bell-Founders who make their Furnaces and Tests of Bone-Ashes to try if tests made of bones of those dull Asses in stead of other bones can make their Bells of a more active sound The ordinary Bone-Ashes made of Beasts is a considerable Trade about London not only for Goldsmiths c. but for our Mines in England for whilst the Leasees of our Society did work the Mines of Consumlock and Talibont in Cardigan shire in Wales two old Roman Mines as I have shewn else where every year there were at least 800 Tun sent from hence thither by Sea by which may be guessed what is or might be spent in the other 28 Mine Counties in England and Wales if our Mines were duly set on work but they being neglected we send great quantities to other Nations for the same use for which the Merchants pay outward 6 s 8 d for every thousand Bones and we pay for their bringing them into us 1 l. 5 s. for every Barrel of their Ashes which we might burn and employ for ours BORAX T. Borras L. Borax and Christocolla which Pliny calls the Ordure or Dung of Gold yet Gold-smiths and Silver-Smiths use it for their chiefest sodering of Gold or Silver and joyning one metal with the other and indeed bringing all metals to perfection besides it hath medicinal properties l. 2. c. 4. s 2. and in many other places Pliny reckons it among Minerals and describes it to be a green Earth but of four sorts the best from Copper Mines the second from Silver the third from Gold and the fourth and worst from Lead he tells us also of an Artificial Borax which he saith comes from a putrified Vein of metals there is also another kind made by Art of Roch Alum and Bole Armoniack and other Ingredients which is used also by Goldsmiths But the right Borax hath another quality for it being mixt with Arsnick it takes off the poisonous quality of the Arsnick whereby it may be safely put to metals as a dissolvent BOTTELLS T. Krugs See Instruments and their Cruises Jugs Pots c. BOTTOM T. Boden l. 1. c. 33. L. Fundus A. Foundation or the lowermost part of any thing the word is also used for a bottom of thread T. Vin-Gleuen or a clew of thred L. Glomus which is only the Foundation on which the thred is wound and so call'd the bottom BRAN T. Kleyen Gruesck L. Aplauda Furfur because it makes a double theft by taking away it self and also much of the good flower with it however this Bran is very useful by its mixtion with such stuff as is used for glasing and strengthning the outward and inward parts of such earthen Pots or Vessels as are made for Metals by making the matter stick the more close and firm and is it self destroyed like many innocent men to make way for others l. 2. c. 20. s 6. BRASS T. Ertz. L. Aes and it is a great Error that most Writers run into by promiscuously giving the title Aes for both Brass and Copper as if they were the same Metals whereas Aes or Brass is not a proper Metal but compounded of a Metal viz. Cuprum or Copper and Lapis Calaminaris or Cadmiae which is a mineral and from the mixture of these two Brass is made as may be seen in Erckern lib. 3. c. 28. which in T. is called Galmay Now there is of this Calamin two sorts Natural as in the third Book and Artificial l. 4. c. 8. s 7. made of the dregs of Metals but the natural he saith comes from Britain and indeed we have mountains of it especially in Glocester-shire Sommerset-shire and Notinghamshire but we let the Calaminaris go for Ballast into forein parts in very great quantities before it be wrought so as the best Brass beyond Sea is made of our stone rather than their own which deserves a further consideration and I remember about 30 years since one Demetrius a German did set up a Brass-work in Surry and with the Expence of 6000 pound as he told me made it compleat and to good profit but the forein Merchants joyning with some of ours found wayes to bring him into Suits and meeting with no incouragement he was at last necessitated to submit the work to his own ruin and unspeakable prejudice to the Kingdom in loosing so beneficial an Art having here both the best Copper and Calamine of any part of Europe See Stones and Copper Now whereas Pliny Cap. 33. speaks of about 18 several Mines of Brass we must not understand it as a specifick Metal though the word Aes is vulgarly applyed to both but those Mines were either Copper mines capable of being made Brass or so many several sorts of Lapis Cadmiae or Calamin from the composition of all which with Copper Brass was made more or less both in Quantity and Quality and this Art of composing it is said by him to be first invented by Cadmus a Grecian contemporary with Joshua in
dig'd a pretty large stone which we tumbled in and the noise of its motion pleased us then they dig'd a second stone as much as six of us could well roul in for the mouth of the hole was declining and presently laid our ears to the ground and we could tell eight score distinctly before the noise of its motion ceased and then to our apprehensions it seemed to plunge it self into water and so we tryed a third stone of more than the former Magnitude with the like Observations which pleased the Labourers with the Addition of our Gratuity From thence we went to Buxton's Wells bath'd our selves that night and the next morning of which I shall speak more in the word Waters we went to the Devils Arse of Peak saving your Reverence as the learned Mr. Cambden expresseth his Civilities where we saw a large hole in the bottom of a steep hill on the top of which stood an antient decay'd Castle of which you may read more in his Britania We had Candles and saw as much as we could till we were hindered by running Streams Now of these two Holes there are many fabulous stories but some years after upon viewing other Mines and their Shafts and Audits to them I apprehended that this Eldon-hole vvas an antient Shaft made in the Roman's time to a Mine and that the Devils arse was the Mouth of an Audit to that Mine and I am the rather of that Opinion because I conceive That the Level of the Water vvhich stopt our further passage into that Audit Arse or Fundament of the Mine is level with the Water at the bottom of Eldon-Hole and the word Arse may be applyed upon two accounts first that upon a Mistake of the word Arse for the Latine word Ars or Art where the Romans when they brought out their Oars of Lead and probably made Silver of it and did thereby shew their Ars Metallica which the British not being latiniz'd cal'd Ars and as an Art which they did not understand they as the Vulgar do yet attribute it to the Devil and so call'd the Devils Arse or Ars diabolica as we see in the Weapon Salve or Sympathy Pouder the knowledg of which two great Secrets were attributed to the Devil as we may see by Godelmanus and other Books till they were convinc'd of their Error or it might come from Arce the Ablative of Arx Latine for a Castle and probably this Castle was originally built to protect the Treasure which came out of the Hole under it or to keep the Miners in aw there being the like Castle at the Roman Mines on the Darren Hills in Wales and possibly the Governour of it being severe in his Duty the Vulgar as they are apt to do in any regular Government might call him and it Diaboli Arx and since opprobriously the Devils Arse but I have said enough as an Apology for the Word and for my Opinions therein I conceive they are not so fabulous as those which are told in the Country about these two Holes Here my Friend interrupted me and ask'd how Eldon Hole from the usual proportion of a Shaft came to be so large as I described it I answered That Gutta cavat lapidem and if one drop by often cadency will make a hole in a stone it is easy to be credited That the fall of Clouds of Waters from the time that this was a Shaft being about 2000 years might well widen it from Virgil's dimension of 3 ulna's yards or ells square for I conceive he meant the Shaft of a Mine to this great Dimention at which he smiled and so I went on Sir said I the next two Summers we made a further Insight to several mines Caves with no little danger which I refer to other Discourses and also their several wayes in their operations at those Mines Some few years after the Wars came on where my Speculations were improv'd by the information I had at Oxford that the Royal Mines in Wales were very helpful to his late Majesty during those Civil Wars as I have shewn And after the Wars viz. 1650. telling these Stories to Mr. W. B. he told me He had a share in the Society for the Mines Royal and desired to transferre it to me in trust which I accepted and did execute it for near 10 years after and then resign'd it but the Societys finding my Diligence and Insight into that Affair were pleased to bestow two quarter parts on me to continue me and as a Testimony of my Gratitude in Anno 1670 I writ a Book of their Priviledges and Rules which I called Fodinae Regales and dedicated it to them with a promise to proceed in the publishing of Erckern which now I have done and some other pieces which I hope to do And thus Sir said I to my Friend I have given you an Account of several Links of this Chain which guided me into this Laborinth of Metals But to get out of it that which I aim at is to write a little more of their Products and to offer some Expedient how the Mines may be made more profitable to his Majesty and to other Proprietors with some Advantages to the Societies which God willing I shall perform in due time and then we parted he wishing me good Success to my Endeavours And so I went on where I left namely to Acquaint the Reader that Erckern doth tell us of several Mines in Germany p. 28. especially in Austria p. 285. Bohemia Belgia Flanders p. 170. Hungary p. 103. and Saxony p. 77. he also mentions the particular Cities and Villages to which they belong and where they are refined viz. at Brussells p. 170. Cracow p. 208. Cuttenburgh p. 142. Friburgh p. 6. Galmay p. 285. Goslar p. 78. Hessen p. 285. Holland p. 170. Joakims-Valley p. 34 Islenburgh p. 285. Caufingen p. 285. Knien p. 100 where he saith the Mines contain good Duke-Gold Lick-beter Manhren p. 4. Meichsen p. 4. Misâ—ia p. 6. Norimberg p. 86. Saxen p. 4. Schwath Slackenward p 83. Shesron p. 4. Sorath Suevia p. 285. and Suabem Tyrol p. 285. Villach and Waldenburg and many other places which he and Geographers do mention See Heylen and therefore I think fit also to mention the Counties of England Wales wherein Royal Mines have been discover'd to us viz. in Bedforshire Cheshire Cornwal Cumberland Darbyshire Devonshire Dorsetshire Durham Essex Glocestershire Hereford-shire Kent Lancashire Monmothshire Notinghamshire Northumberland Rutland-shire Shropshire Somersetshire Staffordshire Sussex Warwickshire Westmorland Worcestershire Yorkshire and in all the twelve Counties of Wales so as of the 52 Counties there are 38 of them Metallick Counties but in many of the rest viz. Barkshire Buckinghamshire Cambridgshire Hampshire Hartfordshire Huntingtonshire Leicestershire Lincolnshire Middlesex Norfolk Northamptonshire Oxfordshire Suffolk Surry Wiltshire there are good Minerals but in some of them neither Metal Mineral or good Quarries and yet they are recompenced some other wayes Now though Germany
Tiles p. 13. 235. an Assay-Oven made of Potters-Loam p. 13. 235. an Assay-Oven made of Armour Plates p. 13. 153. a Granulating Kiln p. 56. an Oven to burn Silver p. 80. a Roasting Oven p. 112. the By or Side Ovens p. 123. 161. 172. 177. 185. Oven for Retorts p. 177. a melting Oven for Copper Oars p. 248. and others Now for your assistance in the more fully knowing of these Furnaces you may read Dr. Salmon's 5th Book of the New London Dispensatory which I have formerly cited where from p. 821. to p. 828. he makes 17 several Furnaces for several uses and each of them may also be varied according to the Ingenuity of the Artist OUNCE See Weights OUTLANDISH T. Eintrembbling-Auszleanger L. Extranens Aliegena Exoticus which A. terms Strangers Aliens or Forraigners all intending those who are not of the same Country and those the Jews called Heathens and the Greeks according to Plautus Barbarians See Metallick Countrys OX T. Oches Rind and Rund L. Bos and Teriones quafi terra terat Minshaw we call a gelt Bull a Steir or Runt but the Germans call a Bull ungelt a Steer and the Lat have also a Distinct name Taurus and A. properly a Bull so the Ox hath three names viz. Ox Steer and Bullock and these are of the greatest size and it is called Bullock or more properly Bullack because it lacks something which it should have the lesser sort are called Runts according to the Teutonick word viz. Welsh or Scotch Runts these and the females of this kind have several other names as Beeves Cows Neat c. in which the metallick Art hath little to do but with their Blood Bones Dung and Tallow which are employed for several uses about Metals and their meat for the sustinance of the Artists See Blood Bones Dung Tallow OYL T. Oele L. Oleum and Linseed oyle T. Lein-samen L. Linarus Which is no other with us than the seed of Flax which in other Languages is Line or Linnen but for the Oyl of Linseed it is well known to all that do paint with oyl that it hath this Quality that though it be liquid like other oyls yet is of a more drying nature than any other Oyl and therefore the more fit for Metallick Lutings c. lib. 2. cap. 27. sect 53. PA P PA PAGAMENT I retain the word because I find that in Florio's Italian Dictionary Pagamento signifies any kind of Payment l. 1. c. 1. s 1. which signify any broken pieces of Coin'd Money which before made good Payments and this word we abreviate from Pagamento PALE COLOUR T. Bleich L. Palidus and A. Bleak Bleek or pale See Colours l. 2. c. 43. s 1. and we have a word Pale which the T. call Pkall L. Palus used for pieces of wood to pale in or impale a piece of Ground or inclose it with Wood as with a Garment from pallium an outward Garment which being decayed of its native colour there usually grows moss on it of a pale colour PAPER T. Pappyr L. Papirus l. 2. c. 23. s 3. of which Pliny saith That all civility of this life and the memorial and mortality also of Men after Death by which he shews that he was not of the Sadduces opinion consisteth in Paper which saith he was made of a Plant having the name of Papirus and he cites Varro to tell us That the first Invention thereof was in the time of Alexander the great when he conquered Aegypt and built Alexandria where it was first made and till then their Memorials ever were writ on stone lead or Brass c. and as I take it Josephus tells us that upon Enochs Pillar of stone which remaind to Moses's time were writ those things which were done before the Flood Also the Ten Commands were writ upon Stone but for more easy Portage and transmitting the minds of men one to another Paper was invented as Pliny saith in Aegypt from the Bark of a Plant lib. 13. c. 11. and 12. where you may read the several names it had the first and best sort called Augusta the next Livia c. and many more sorts of it and tells you also the manner of making it and that what they did not use of that Plant for Paper was imploy'd for making little Boats and the outward Rind for many uses especially for Ropes which makes me think that the Withy tree which grows plentifully in Worstershire of which I have spoke in the word Coal is of the same nature for this Plant Papirus as Funcius saith was about ten Cubits high and so is the Withy and that Papirus grew about Nilus and other waterish places so doth Withey and that they made ropes of it and so they do of Withy so that I conceive the inward Bark may make the like Paper which may be tryed for experiment-sake only for our Paper made of Rags by Water-Mills call'd Paper Mills of which I have seen many in England is much better and more useful with less charge however the Knowledg of such antient things are not to be lost and whatever Pliny saith of the Antiquity of it the Chinists pretend to the use of Paper long before Alexander as a Friend of mine Cap. J. Hall told me who had been thrice at China and the last time brought me a fair Book all written in their Language long before that Emperor and that the leaves were only made of the Bark of a Tree but of that he could give no certain Account To PEARCE or Pierce T. Booren L. Forare lib. 1. c. 34. and we after the T. to Bore probably alluding to the Bore who in rooting up the Earth with his Snout doth as it were bore it for the Lat. calls a Bore Aper because he doth aperire humum and so by boring it doth open a passage into Metals or other things PEEBLES See Stones PELLICAN T. L. A. and all from Pellecanus Sculpture 29. f. 4. the Greek word signifies perforare or to pierce through in allusion to the Bird called a Pelican which hath a bended Bill by which as 't is said when her young ones are poisoned with eating Serpents she picks an hole in her Brest and gives her Blood to them which cures them and so this Instrument doth as it were suck the blood or spirits out of several Ingredients for so Blood is composed in Bodies of which the Aqua fortis and Aqua regis are made and by those waters both Gold and Silver are cured of their poisonous natures PENDULA See Sculpture XI these are of two sorts one hanging constantly in a perpendicular line the other is in a constant motion and of a late Invention for Clocks and Watches and made of Iron or Steel PETREFACTION or Petrification T. Stein-Drehen L. Petrificatio which is nothing else than a making that to be which before was not a Stone and this effected by Art or Nature those which are done by Art are the Counterfeits of Gems as Rubies Saphirs
have enjoyed if they had not been disobedient I might instance more but it is enough for me that I have shewn the advantages which Metals have by their Obedience to their King or Regulus RETORTS See Utensils ROASTING of Oars or Metals l. 1. c. 10. T. Groesten Roesten A. Rost a Rore usta or the burning away the Dew or moisture of Metals RUBRIFIED l. 2. c. 44. s 2. T. Fast rotten L. Rubrificatus and I suppose the Red Sea is called Mare Rubrum from some red Mineral under it RUSSET cloath T. Vnbercite L. Pannus fusci coloris A. Russet cloath which is Brown or between a white and black colour it may come from Rusticus because Country-men seldom use dyed or undrest cloath but only the natural colour of Sheeps Wooll when it is neither black nor white but as a mix'd colour however this is recommended by Erckern for retaining of the Gritts or Sands of Gold so as they may not suddenly be wash't away with other Rubbish SA S SA SALT l. 1. l. 2. l. 3. l. 4. and l. 5. T. Saltz L. Sal which may come from salus Health according to the Verse Non sapit esca probe quae datur absque sale for indeed it gives not only to Humane bodies but to Metals a vivacity and sanitude Minshaw deduceth it from salire because it sparkles and leaps in the fire Now of Salts there are several sorts as may be read in Pliny lib. 31. cap. 7. to the 11. and in other places and Authors but most Chimists do agree that there are seven several sorts which are influenc't from the seven Planets to attend the seven Metals and these Erckern accordingly makes use of viz. Sal alkali or sandiver or Salt of Glass Sal Armoniaci Sal Nitri Sal Vitrioli Sal Petre and common Salt Sal Tartar or Argol of which I have spoken and also Sal Gem which is the seventh Metallick Salt and is produced from a Rocky Christalline stone and of these he speaks and of no more it being a subject of great extent for I conceive there may be as many sorts of Salts extracted as there are Terrestrial Creatures for all things do consist of Salt Sulphur and Mercury as I have said but that which I aimed at was to give an account of our natural salts from Springs in Cheshire and Worcestershire and from the Lands on the South sides of Devonshire and Cornwal which are full of Salts for with those Sands so mixt they manure their Lands to a great profit and of which most other Coasts of England are wanting and have only the Sea-water to make their Common-Salt but I cannot enlarge my observations upon any more words because the Printer calls for what I did write of a Metallick Dictionary after I first proposed the Printing of Erckern but intending within the compass of a year to publish Georgius Agricola de re Metallica being fully translated in English and also to add a Dictionary to it I shall reserve my remaining Essays if what I have done hitherto be approved till then and so I proceed in the Dictionary SANDS l. 1. 6 29 c. T. and A. Sand and so the Belgick but the Italian the Spanish and Latine call it Arena and the French Sables which in Heraldry signifies black also it is the name of the Furr of a little Beast called sabellus and mustulus sarmaticus of a sandy colour However sand is of various uses in Metallicks as sand-Ovens c. and consist of great varieties in England which may admit of curious speculations See Earth Gold Mortar Ovens Petrification Stones Water SANDIVER l. 2. c. 5. s 1. c. is the same with sal Alkali which Pliny l. 31. c. 7. calls the Tragasean salt and is the same with sal Vitri or salt of Glass SCALES are of a Ballance for weighing Metals whereof you will find two sorts in Erckern viz. Proof scales l. 1. c. 34. s 12. and inset scales l. 1. c. 35. s 2. T. Tung schuell L. Lanx also for scales which come from Metals T. schuepen being the same word which they use for the scales of Fish signifying the scurf or flaky matter taken off from Metals sometimes by filing but chiefly by fires l. 2. c. 26. s 2. and c. 36. s 2. See Fleaky and Flaky Shivery c. SKIM or skum l. 2. c. 47. s 2. and l. 5. T. schaum L. spuma A. froth but in Metals it is when they first rise into a drossy matter yet not so thick as dross till it is more condensed but in other things it hath only the name of Froth fit to be skimm'd or skumm'd off See Dross Scorias Yeast SCORIAS l. 2. c. 35. s 2 c. T. Trufer L. scoria A. drossy See Dross Skim SEARCE to searce T. salter L. cribrare A. to searce serce or sarce Skinner which is to express the operation of a seeve See Seeve SEEVE T. sib and sieb L. cribrum A. seive seeve or sive Skinner See Ratter SEPARATION T. Absouderen from souderin to soder or to joyn and so absouderen to disjoyn L. separatio A. separation and in the infinitive of separo it is separare or segregare from whence the T. call a separating Oven a sagar Offen l. 3. c. 15. and so sagar worke which is a distinguishing or dividing mixt Metals from each other or other matters adherent to the Metals See Quicksilver SHIVERY or to shiver l. 1. c. 34. s 3. T. schivern or schiffern L. disrumpere when Metal is loose and easy to break into pieces and sometimes light Oar is called shiffer Oar. SILVER T. silber from the Greek silbo Minshaw A silver now as to the inlarging the Etimology of this word used by the T. and Old Saxons and so continued here I must refer it to another time only I observe that the French and Italian do comply to the Latine word Argentum but the Spaniard calls it Plata probably from the chief City and Province of that name in America or from the great River Plata which runs 2000 miles through the American Mines before it unloads its Wealth to the Spanish Navy termed his Plate-Fleet which supplies himself and his Neighbours with its Treasures of Silver Gold c. I might also add many things about the fining and refining of their Silver before it comes unto that Fleet but I refer that to Erckern's four first Books and N. N's Survey of America for I know not the Author but I find it ingeniously writ See Metals Mines c. SLACK Slackstones and Slicks T. Schlack and Schlick often mentioned by Erckern l. 1 2 3 and 4 L. Laxus and all signifying the loose parts of Oars or the Oars made into Metals yet still do remain slack and shivery in some part and sometimes is taken for Dross and that Dross calcin'd goes for Calx or slack'd Metal See Calx Calcine Lime Dross Flakes SMELTING l. 4. c. 14. l. 4. c. 1. c. See Assaying
Praefectus and the Italians Assaggiatore and the Belgick calls Assay Examen Probitatis monetae applying the word wholy to Metals but Essay they define it specimen artis or Exemplum quaesitae artis See Binworts Biglotton 't is true the French make the two words indifferent yet further to support this distinction in our English Language the ever to be admired Lord Virulam calls his excellent Observations on Men and things Essayes and not Assayes and so Dr. Don a Critick in our Language and in general Learning calls his quaint Discourses on some Pieces of Divinity Essayes and not Assayes and therefore to prevent the misapplication of those two Words with submission to those of this present age who write themselves Essayers and not Assayers of Metals I take leave in these Discourses to apply the word Assayer and Assaying to Metals and metallick substances and the word Essayer and Essaying to Accidences and other ingenuous Undertakings and not to metallick substances having such Authorities as I have cited to countenance me l. 2 c. 2. ATHANOR T. Heinzen thurne L. Fornax which we also call Kiln or Oven and indeed is only a Furnace of several shapes so this is called Athanor from its distinct shape from others Furnaces or Ovens being like a Thurn which in Teut is a Tower but from whence the word Athanor to which the name of this kind of Furnace is given I cannot find unless it be from the Greek word Athanatos which signifies immortal and so the spirits of the Metals which are drawn from thence into lesser Ovens and so into Recipients do thereby perfect Quick-silver which may be said to be of an immortal nature Or else from the Saxon word Thane which signifies Noble as also a Servant and thence called Athaner or Athanor because it hath those two properties as being the most noble of all Furnaces for Metals and also the most serviceable in the operations of refining Metals l. 2. c. 7. s 2. See Ovens BA B BA BACON signifying here the Fat of Hogs or Swine the Original of which word I cannot trace with any satisfaction to my self either from the T. Speck or L. Lardum nor from a Boar T. Eber which is pretty near L. Aper nor from Sow T. Saw L. Sus and Scrofa nor from Swine T. Schwene L. Porcus but refer you to Skinner's Dictionary And though this is oft mentioned by Erckern for greazing of Instruments yet in respect of the Salt in it I conceive it were better to use the fat of a Boar especially when any Metal is concern'd because I know it is as effectual in curing of wounds at distance as the so admired unguentum Armarium commonly called the Weapon-salve and since it hath such a kindness to Metals I know not how it may not be better used than Venetian or Smerna Soap for improving Gold Silver Tin c. and so in stead of Gold-soap call'd Golden Bacon l. 2. c. 4. l. 4. c. 15. l. 5. c. 10. BALLANCE or a pair of Scales T. en wagmit Zwyen Schustun but the L. call it Bilanx habens duas lances or two little Vessels to contain the things to be tryed and also statera because it demonstrates the state of the thing in question and the tongue of this Ballance is in the T. Wigzunglain L. Lingua and Examen because by standing in an equipoisure or not it doth as it were speak or tell you the difference or certainty of the Weights in question and the Latine hath another word for it viz. Trutina from the Greek Trutane which not only signifies a Ballance but a dilligent examining or good advice and judgment and from this Trutina we borrow the word Truth and as the natural tongue of men speaks the truth of the Heart so this artificial tongue speaks the truth of the Ballance and Weights and this Ballance is very necessary to the performance of this metallick science l. 1. c. 35 36 37. BEAM the word is applyed to the beam of an House and the beam in the eye the beam of a plough a Weaver's beam but though we use the same word for many things in English yet they all differ in other Languages by distinct words but this is called T. schnalwag and in Latin the same with Ballance See Ballance BELL T. Schelle i. e. sonitus that which yields a sound and it either comes from Belle an adverb signifying that which is pleasing to the ear or from tunable Instruments that were used in Tempore Belli and though by the Italians they are called Campane upon pretence of their original from Campania a noble region in Italy yet we find in Exod. 28. that there were golden Bells upon Aarons Vest which all the Versions into Latin call Tintinnabulum auri of which the Interpreters give little account and certainly they had little or no sound but the metal of our bells have no gold in them but what is casually mixt with other metals for they are compounded of Copper Tin and Brass and a little Silver sometimes the Artists or maker of these are called Bell-founders T. Glockengiesser from Gloken which we call Clock by changing G to C and the art of mixing making and casting them in respect of their diversity of sounds is of as transcending a nature as any one art or science for the proportions of Ingredients are according to the great skill and Judgment of the Founders adequated to their various uses Antiently and still solemn Prayers are used at the casting them and formerly they were with great Ceremony baptized presuming that many spirits did attend them and I remember an old sexton did affirm That by the sound of a Passing-Bell for one dying and dead he could tell how many hours or days after some other of his Parish should dy But whether this prognosticating quality be in them I shall not dispute but we are certain that the Harmony of a Consort of them are very pleasing to musical ears and 't is observable that this Art is only from Metals l. 1. c. 18. And not only this of Bells but most of the choice Instruments of Musick were and still are either in the whole or in parts composed of Metals Such as are wholly of Metals are Trumpets Sag-bots Cimballs soft and triumphal Organ Pipes c. such as are in part viz. the strings of the Harp which we now call the Irish Harp being strung with wire in distinction of the Welsh Harp strung with Gutsstrings also the strings of the Harpsicon and Poliphant which I have often heard with great pleasure but now out of use also the Tabaret and the Cittern though now of small esteem yet was devised by Amphion Pliny l. 7. p. 187. and many others amongst which I must not forget the Monochord or Tuba marina whose Entrals are curiously composed of Metals although the string which stirs up the reverberating Spirits of the Metal is composed of Guts Now as Petrus Bongus hath writ a Book de