A Discovery of Subterraneal Treasure, viz. Of all manner of Mines and Minerals, from the Gold to the Coal; with plain Directions and Rules for the finding of them in all Kingdoms and Countries. And also the Art of Melting, Refining, and Assaying of them is plainly declared, so that every ordinary man, that is indifferently capacious, may with small charge presently try the value of such Oars as shall be found either by rule or by accident. Whereunto is added a real Experiment whereby every ignorant man may presently try whether any piece of Gold that shall come to his hands be true or counterfeit, without defacing or altering the form thereof, and more certainly than any Goldsmith or Refiner could formerly discern. Also a perfect way to try what colour any Berry, leaf, Flower, Stalk, Root, Fruit, Seed, Bark, or Wood will give: with a perfect way to make Colours that they shall not stain nor fade like ordinary Colours. Very necessary for every one to know, whether he be Traveller by Land or Sea, or in what Country, Dominion, or plantation soever he shall Inhabit. Imprinted at London by I. Okes, for jasper Emery, and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Eagle and Child in Paul's Churchyard next Watlin-street. MDCXXXIX. Imprimatur: Tho. Wykes. February 19 1638. TO HIS WORTHY FRIEND MASTER William Englebert Esquire. Health, and Happiness Temporal and Eternal, is hearty wished. SIR, THe goodness of your disposition hath brought you to this trouble and pains at this time, to peruse these Lines; by giving me so freely your judicious approbation of my former labours: now you have gotten a Customer of me, for the like courtesy to be renewed; for which I shall be bound in a double Bond. When I read the words of our SAVIOUR CHRIST, after he had fed such a number of people with a few Loaves and Fishes, viz. How he Commanded the broken Meat to be gathered up carefully that nothing be lost; when as he could (no doubt) have made an hundred times as much with a word speaking: I conceived that it was done for a pattern of frugality, to show us how careful we ought to be in the preservation of such things from loss, which are ordained to relieve and sustain the lives of Men: therefore I being from my Childhood a strict observer of the great loss that came to this Country, partly through ignorance, and partly through negligence, in raising that benefit out of the superficial, and subterraneal Treasures of the Earth, ordained of GOD (no doubt) for the relief and sustenance of men's live; thought that I could not be better employed, then to advertise the World thereof, and to Divulge my knowledge, and experience in these affairs for the common profit; deeming myself obliged thereunto; for that it hath pleased GOD to give a large blessing to my long labours, and Charges spent in these and such like affairs. Also when I heard the manifold complain of indigent people, of the hardness of the World, and of the difficulty of obtaining their live: I have known many people of indifferent virtuous dispositions, for very want of means, to take in hand some actions which were not laudable. These with diverse other Motives have been spurs to me, to Publish not only this Book of the discovery of Subterraneal Treasures; but also my other Book, mentioned in the Preface ensuing, of the Discovery of hidden Treasures in the superficies of the Earth: Both which Books, if they shall be diligently perused, and industriously practised; will administer sufficient cure for all the Maladies before mentioned. Now whereas the Custom is to make choice of a Patron to protect the Author from the Calumniations of malevolent spirits; yea, though experience herself (the Mistress of Art) shall be ready as an Handmaid, to manifest the truth of his assertions; for that opinion is generally Deified, and almost every where swayeth all; and this worthy Mistress Experience (which suffereth no imposture to reign) is many times lightly esteemed and thrust out of the doors. I therefore beseech you once again to lend me your grave Judgement, and approbation, ripened by threescore year's practice, and experience, in things partly of this nature, which I will make bold to put into the Balance, to over-weigh the ignorance, and unskilfulness of all detractors whatsoever; making no question, but that as Thunder and Lightning caused Heliogabalus to creep into an hole: notwithstanding his boldness, and hardness in calm weather: In like manner so manifest experience will drive away all Sophistical opposition. So I humbly take my leave Your bounden Servant, Gabriel Plattes. To the Reader. WHereas diverse reasons have joined together to move me to take in hand this Task: I will declare some few of those that may give the best satisfaction to the Reader, in this manner following. First, when I considered the great number of Treasure and riches which lieth hidden in the belly of the Earth, and doth no good at all: and also the great benefit which might accrue to diverse Kingdoms and Countries, by setting people on work; not only in the discovering of them, but also in the several operations about the digging, melting, and refining of them: also when I considered that the most part of the Mines hitherto discovered have come by mere accident: I thought that I could not be better employed, than to give Rules and Directions for the same: for though it is not impossible, that if two men be sent to seek a thing that is lost, and one of them be hudwinked, and the other have the use and benefit of his eyes, yet the person hudwinked may casually stumble upon it; nevertheless it is twenty to one that the other should have found it before him: so in this case, I dare hazard a Wager of twenty to one, that there will be more good Mines discovered within seven years after the divulging of these Rules and directions, than hath been in twenty-seven years before: Also when I considered that many Minerals found out by accident, have come to no good by reason of the distance of place from Refiners, and men of judgement and experience: for that the finders thereof were loath to come so fare, and spend so much money upon an uncertainty at the trial thereof would require: I thought I could not do a better deed, than to show the manner of such trials in such plain manner that every man may try the same in his Ship, or Chimney Corner with little cost and labour. And the truth of this I can witness by experience; for when I was a youth, and had no skill in these affairs; I happened upon a Mineral fair to see to, and could find no man nearer than an hundred miles which could inform me of the true value thereof: whereupon, rather then to be at such charges as the trial required, I suffered the same to be neglected. And though that the rules and directions given in this Book be exquisite, and give strong signs of Metals and Minerals; yet I would be loath that any man should be thereby animated no take in hand great Voyages, and consume his Estate in the pursuit of this design; deeming them to be impossible ever to fail: but rather to make this a part of his business, when he shall come to such places as yield strong probabilities. And so fare I am from envying the former ways in finding them by accident, that I have partly taken this pains; that those which shall hereafter be found by accident may not be neglected as I conjecture, that many have been by my own formerly mentioned. For I could wish that many men had the like fortune that one had, who in the climbing up of the great Mountain called Potersee, in the Kingdom of Perue in the West Indies, took hold of a young Tree to stay himself withal; and thereby plucked it up by the roots, whereunto there did adhere good Silver Oar; which being tried and found rich, hath ever since been wrought upon: and innumerable treasure and riches have therehence been digged, to the value of many hundred Millions of pounds Sterling. And to the end I may no longer stay the Reader with Preambles, I will divide my book into 12. Chapters, like as I did my Book Printed Anno. Dom. 1638. Entitled, A discovery of hidden Treasure: wishing all those that desire to be skilful in these affairs; to take a little pains to read that Book, which differeth from this no otherways, but as the Art of Surgery differeth from the Art of Physic: for as Surgeons deal chief with the external parts of man's body, yet stand in need of the knowledge of all the parts; and as Physicians chief deal with the internal parts, yet cannot be without the knowledge of the exterttall parts: So though that Book treat wholly upon the discovering of the Treasures hidden in the superficies and exurball parts of the Terrestrial Globe, yet the knowledge of many things therein contained are very conducible to make a skilful Mineralist, giving you further to understand, that if any good will be done at all, it will be done with a small Charge: and with somewhat less than before this Book was published; if you observe the Contents thereof advisedly: So I take my leave and rest, Your hearty Wellwisher. G. P. THE TABLE. CHAP. 1. Wherein is showed by a plain Demonstration the natural cause of the Generation and production of Mountains and Metals: whereby the Seekers may obtain a good competent measure of knowledge to guide them where to seek for the other external signs. Chap. 2. Wherein is showed the signs of Mines and Minerals, with the manner how to work to find the same. pag. 9 Chap. 3. Now that we are come to the melting and refining of Metals, I will begin first with the Oar of Lead, because that is one of the most common Metals found in these Northern Countries. p. 14 Chap. 4. Wherein is showed the operations for Tinns. pa. 20 Chap. 5: Wherein is showed the operations of Jron. pa. 24 Chap. 6. Wherein is showed the operations of Copper. p. 26 Chap. 7. Wherein is showed the operations of Silver. pa. 30 Chap. 8. Wherein is showed the operations of Gold: and real experiments whereby any man may presently try whether any piece of Gold be true or counterfeit, without defacing or altering the form thereof. pag. 33 Chap. 9 Wherein is showed how true and perfect Gold may be made by Art, with loss to the workman. pag. 40 Chap. 10. Wherein is showed the operations for some of the inferior Metals. pag. 44 Chap. 11. Wherein is showed the ways to find out pit-coales: Also the natural cause of the generation of them, by a plain demonstration. p. 47 Chap. 12. Wherein is showed a perfect way to try what colour any Berry, leaf, Flower, Stalk, Root, Fruit, Seed, Bark, or Wood will give: Also a perfect way to make colours fixed, which will not abide the ordinary way. pag. 52. A Discovery of all sorts of Mines and Minerals. CHAPTER I. Wherein is showed by a plain Demonstration the natural cause of the generation and production of Mountains and Metals; whereby the Seekers may ohtaine a good competent measure of knowledge to guide them where to seek for the other Externall signs. SALOMON saith, that Hope deferred breaks the heart; but the desire obtained, is a Tree of Life: If Hope only deferred break the Heart; then Hope frustrated must needs break it a great deal more. To the end therefore that our Hope may not be too frequently frustrated, I will first declare the places where there is no probability to find out Metals, and afterwards I will show where there is strong probability: and then in the next Chapter I will show how to go about the work, to find out the strong signs which may rightly guide the seekers to obtain their desire. And first, there is no probability that any Metals can be generated near unto the North and South poles of the Globe, for those can by no means have any convenient Matrix for such a generation, being by all probabilities nothing but two Islands of Ice, for if they were any thing else, the course of Nature must needs alter, and change, and run presently out of order. For as there is in the burning Zones a continual exhalation of Water, and rarifying of the same into Air: so there must needs be in the North and South a continual condensation of Air into Water to supply the same again, else the motion cannot be perpetually circular. Now whereas the North and South parts, by reason of their coldness, cannot suffer the said condensed Meteors to descend in form of Water, but in the form of Snow, Hail, or some substance of like nature, which there cannot melt in the superficies for want of heat, it is very probable that the new Accretion this way produced, doth press down still with its weight the said Lands of Ice towards the Centre, where the central heat melteth it off continually, by which means the spherical form of both Earth and Water are perpetually preserved. And if any man be of a contrary opinion, I will not envy him; but as for my own part, I will sell my Interest and hope of Metals in those places for a Farthing, although I had a device that the cold there could not prevent my seeking for them. Also in Valleys and plain Champion Countries, there is no hope to prosper in this design, for the womb of such earth is not apt for such a generation, the Reasons whereof will presently follow. Now that we have left us no other places to seek in but the rocky Mountains, I will spend the rest of this Chapter in demonstrating the natural cause of the generation of Rocks, Mountains, and Metals, and so proceed forward. And first I will set down the Opinions of others with their Confutation, and lastly the confirmation of mine own Opinion by irrefragable Demonstration. Some have thought that the mighty Creator made the vast, deformed, and craggy Rocks and Mountains in the beginning, but this appeareth to be an Opinion, whereby great dishonour may reflect upon the Creator, who besides his Omnipotent power, doth continually make use of his admirable Wisdom, and exquisite Artifice in all his Works, and made nothing deformed or unfit for the use for which it was created: Now the Earth being ordained to bear Fruits for the use of Men, and Rocks are not fit for that purpose, it plainly appeareth that they came by accident. Some others have thought that they came by accident, but yet that they were produced by accretion in length of time, even as Warts, tumors, Wenns, and Excrescences are engendered in the superficies of men's bodies: and of this Opinion I myself was in my minority, till such time as by practical experience I found out a more probable opinion. Now for a plain demonstration, let this Experiment following be tried, and I make no question, but that it will satisfy every one that hath an inquisitive disposition. Let there be had a great retort of Glass, and let the same be half filled with Brimstone, Sea-coal, and as many bituminous and Sulphurous subterraneal substances as can be gotten: then fill the neck thereof half full with the most free earth from stones that can be found, but thrust it not in too hard, then let it be luted, and set in an open Furnace to distil with a temperate Fire, which may only kindle the said substances, and if you work exquisitely, you shall find the said Earth petrified, and turned into a Stone: you shall also find cracks and chinks in it, filled with the most tenacious, clammy, and viscous parts of the said vapours, which ascended from the subterraneal combustible substances. Whereby it appeareth that the same thing is done by Nature, and that the Rocks and craggy Mountains are caused by the vapours of Bituminous and Sulphurous substances kindled in the bowels of the Earth, of which there be diverse so well known, that they need not be here mentioned: Also it appeareth that the veins of Metals are engendered in the cracks and crannies of the said Mountains, out of the most clammy and glutenous part of the said vapours there adhering, where the cold gave them leave to be congealed and condensed. Now concerning the exaltation of the Mountains above the Valleys, it appeareth to come to pass by the water in former times, whose property is to wear away by its motion the most lose earth, and to leave the more firm ground, and rocky places highest: but whether this was done by Noah's Flood, or by the Sea in former Ages, is doubted. As for my opinion, I refer the Reader to my Book formerly mentioned, and if any man be in doubt of this, let him take the Stone formerly made by Art, and place it so, that the motion of the water may work upon it, and you shall find it worn most in the losest places, and least in the more firm compacted places; thereby showing the natural cause of Mountains and Valleys. Also if a River should be turned out of its course, and the bottom thereof accurately considered upon, how the water by his motion hath worn away the Earth most in the losest Earth, and least in that which is more firm, it doth evidently demonstrate the natural cause of Hills and Valleys, and the unevenness of the Earth caused by the motion of the Sea in former Ages. CHAP. 2. Wherein is showed the signs of Mines and Minerals, with the manner how to work to find the same. WHen we come to the Rocky and Craggy Mountains, the first thing we are to observe, is the barrenness of them; For the more barren they are; the greater probability there is that they containerich Mines and Minerals. The next work is to find out the Springs of Water issuing out of the said Mountains; and those being found, a quantity of the said water is to be boiled in a new clean pipkin, to the consistency of thin Oil, but not so thick as a Syrup, and when it is almost cold, then to put it into an Urinal, and to set it in the coldest place that can be found for 3 days, then to play the Physician, and to observe it exquisitely what residence it yields: if nothing settle but a black earth or mud, it is a sign of Coals: if some part thereof shoot into Ice, or a substance like Ice or Vitriol, then to observe the colour thereof; if it be green or bluish, it is an evident sign of Copper; if whitish, than it may signify any other Mettle without exception. The next work is to go to the bare Rocks, and there to find out the cliffs, cracks, and crannies: this done, to go to the top: or till you find some Grass growing right upon the top of the said Crannies, and then to observe diligently the kind of that Grass, and how it differeth from other Grass, ordinarily growing in the same Mountain; not only in form, but also in colour, which colour showeth the greatest difference in the heat of Summer, for the subterraneal Vapours issuing out of the Orifice of Mines, differ from those which issue out of the more places of the Mountains, The next work is to see if there be any marcasites to be found in the superficies of the said Mountains: which though they are usually of diverse colours, and seldom good for any thing, yet they are strong signs of Minerals within, being themselves the spume and froth of the better Metals, breathed forth, even as Drink breatheth up his Yeast or Froth to the Superficies. And these if they be put in an ordinary fire, they will turn black, and yield a smell of Brimstone, Arsenic, Antimony, or some other thing, commonly called or known by the name of a middle Mineral. The next work is to try the operation with the Virgula divina, as beneath is declared: and where it showeth the strongest signs, as is likewise beneath taught: and also the place is most accompanied with the other signs formerly mentioned: there by digging or boaring to try your fortunes. The operation with the Virgula divina is thus to be performed: some observe a set day and hour with certain words and Ceremonies at the cutting up of the same, which I have found to be little to the purpose: thus I wrought about Midsummer, in a calm morning: I cut up a rod of Hasell, all of the same springs growth, almost a yard long: then I tied it to my staff, in the middle, with a strong thread, so that it did hang even, like the Beam of a Balance: thus I carried it up and down the Mountains where Lead growed, and before Noon it guided me to the Orifice of a Led mine: which I tried, having one with me with an hack of Iron and a Spade; and within two hours we found a vein of Lead Oare, within less than a foot of the grass: the signs that it showeth is to bow down the root end towards the earth as though it would grow there, near unto the Orifice of a Mine▪ when you see it do so, you must carry it round about the place, to see that it turneth in the string still to the place, on which side soever you stand. The reason of this attraction I conceived to be of Kin to the Loadstone, drawing Iron to it by a secret virtue, inbred by nature, and not by any conjuration, as some have fond imagined. And the Reason of this my opinion was, because that in diverse of my practical Experiments I have observed an Attraction betwixt several things, like that of the Loadstone, and Iron; and if it were to good purpose, I suppose that I could show more experience of that kind than any man in England. Now in the new Plantations, as New-England, Virginia, Bermudas, etc. where it is like that few or none have ever tried, that had any skill in these affairs, it is very probable that the Orifice of diverse Ours may be discerned with the eye in the cliffs of the Rocks in many places, as some have been in England at the first, before that men grew a little skilful, and these to be lost and neglected, were a shame to the Planters; for these Ours if they prove rich, would yield more gain in one year, than their Tobacco and such trifles would yield in their whole lives. CHAP. 3. Now that we are come to the melting and refining of Metals, I will begin first with the Oar of Lead, because that is one of the most common Metals found in these Northern Countries. THE first work therefore to be done, is to have a little grate of Iron about a foot broad, like such as are used in a Still to make the fire upon: this is to be placed in your Chimney-corner with lose Bricks, one thickness underneath, and empty in the middle, to give air to the fire; then lay more Bricks above four course high, round about, and if they be laid without Mortar, the fire will burn the better: then fill it with Charcoals kindled, in the midst whereof set your melting Pot, with one pound of Lead-oare, and four ounces of filings of Iron mingled together, and so blow to it strongly with a pair of good hand-bellows, till it be well melted down; then let the Pot be taken out with a pair of Tongues, and set to cool: when it is cold, break it, and knock off the brittle cinder lying upon the top of the Mettle with an Hammer, till none be left but the malleable mettle, which you may assay and refine in this manner following: Take a little Test made as beneath, and place it in the middle of your Chimney; lay ashes about it, about six inches broad, and as high, or rather higher than your Test: lay Bricks about the ashes to hold them up one Brick thickness, and 2. Bricks broad, then lay about half a peck of Charcoals upon the Test kindled, and when they are almost consumed, and the Test red-hot, put them by a little in the midst over the Test, and lay over a piece of good Oake-wood about five inches square, and eighteen inches long; lay it so upon two Tylesheards, that it may lie about an inch and an half above the Test, then lay on more ordinary Billets and some Charcoals amongst: make the fire about so strong as to roast a Pig, then blow to it a little, till the fire burn clear, then put upon the Test two Ounces of your Lead, and blow to it gently, and in three quarters of an hour, all the Lead will be consumed, and the Silver will lie in the middle of the Test like a little Beade or Pearl, than put aside the fire, and let all be cold. Then you may weigh the Silver in a pair of Gold-scales, and so cast it up how much there is in a Tun of Lead: I have thus tried many Oars, and have found them to differ in goodness of all sorts, from Forty shillings worth of Silver in a Tun, to Thirty five pounds worth of Silver in a Tun, and there is no Lead but it holded some Silver, yet it is not worth the refining, unless it yield eight or ten pound upon a Tun at the least. The Test may thus be made: first, let a Smith make a Ring of Iron about four inches wide, and two inches deep, and a quarter of an inch thick, and as wide above as beneath, and without a bottom. Then burn Mutton and Beefe-bones in the Fire till they be white, then beat them small in a Mortar, and scarce them fine like meal: then with a little beer or water temper a small part thereof like pap, than put to so much more of the dry powder by little and little, as will make it so stiff that it will not be made into a ball, but remain clammish, betwixt powder and passed: then with a Pestle stamp it gently into your Ring till it be top full, being set upon an even board, then stamp it a little lower in the middle then at the edges, and smooth it with a slight stone or some round glass, so set it in the Chimney Corner to dry a day or two, and it is ready for your work. If you put a quarter of an ounce of Sandivert, and as much Salt Peter mingled together with your Powder of Lead, and filings of Iron at your first melting, it will melt somewhat sooner, and with less blowing: beside that the Sinder will part cleaner from the malleable mettle. And if you want Charcoals, you may burn Wood in an Oven, and when it is red, and hath done smoking, you may set up the Oven stone, and damp it. Or you may do the like in an open Chimney, and damp it in an earthen Pot, or cover it with Ashes, or damp it in an hole in the ground, by covering it with a cover, or with Ashes. Any of these Coals will serve to make your assays and trials: as for directions for great works here is no such thing intended in this little Book: but only to be sure whether the work will quit the cost: which if it will, than provision for great works will easily be brought to pass. And if you want pots, you may be at choice whether you will buy the same at the Goldsmiths, or Potters in London, which sell Flanders melting Pots, of make them yourself by this direction following. Take right Flanders jugges, such as they usually put Bottle-Beere in, beat them to fine powder, and searce them fine as Meal: Take of this meal four pound, of the fine powder of Tobacco pipe Clay one pound, temper them together with the red fattish water that issueth out of an Horse Dunghill, beat it strongly upon a broad board with a Rowling-pin, till it be stiff Paste, than fashion your Pots upon a piece of wood, turned like a Top, only let the sharp end of the Top be thicker and flatter than an ordinary Top; then set them to dry in your Chimney Corner a day or two: when you use them, set them in the fire at the first kindling: and so let the Fire steal upon them till they be red hot: then put in your Mettle and ingredients, and cover it with a Tilesheard, or cover of Iron, and so melt it down. Chap. 4. Wherein is showed the Operations for times. THis Mettle may be melted down like the Lead, only omitting the filings of Iron: but when it is melted it is not malleable, till it be compounded with certain proportions of other Metals, which I will not declare, because it is a secret of weight belonging to the Pewterer's Trade. And as for refining of it, I am sure it cannot be done by any artifice; for I suppose that I have tried more experiments about it, than any 10. men in England, because that I saw the Refiners could not do it: therefore I took the more pains and industry to bring it to pass; which if I could have affected, I do verily believe it would have proved a rich Mettle: but the more I tried the worse I sped, for at the last of all I melted Gold and Silver equal parts with the Tin, thinking thereby to bring it down into the Lead, and to make it to drive fair, and refine kindly, but all was vain, for the Tin poisoned and consumed some of my rich Metals. Now whereas there is no hope of any royal mettle ever to be gotten out of this Mineral: to supply the shortness of this Chapter, I will show a way how every one that hath a mind to meddle with these affairs, may have good possibility to enrich themselves and their posterity; and be out of danger to undo themselves, or to damnify themselves in any manner of value that is considerable. For my meaning is, in the taking in hand of this task, to do good to all, and hurt to none: and that no man from henceforth shall need to be at a quarter of the charge, study, or labour, which I myself have undergone. Therefore seeing that if the most ingenious and exquisite ways be taken in the design that wit can attain unto: yet it is but an adventure; for sometimes all the labour may be lost, though not often, if good heed be taken; and sometimes Mines maybe found, which will not quit the charges to be wrought upon. Therefore as wise Merchants will not hazard all in one Bottom, so let this never be any man's design totally: for now there is no such need but they may do all that can be done at such spare times, as any Gentleman, or man of quality, usually spendeth in Hawking, Hunting, Gaming, or other pleasures; whereof he need but set a part of that time for these purposes; having the most part of his work done to his hands in this little Book. If the Refiners shall grudge at me, for disclosing some of their secrets of their Trade, I will answer them in this manner: First, I myself have spent the time of diverse Apprenticeships in these affairs, and therefore claim a privilege to disclose my experience for the public benefits at my pleasure. Secondly, I affirm, that there can be no damage to any refiner, by the divulging of these secrets: but on the contrary, a great probability of much gain to that trade: for that, here is nothing, but the skill to make the assays disclosed for the Searchers satisfaction, before he take in hand great works; which if he find cause so to do, I advise him to choose the best workman that he can get, and one that hath been long experienced in these Works; and in so doing he shall prosper the better in his design: And if that every year some of the increase of that Trade shall be entertained in these affairs, as there is good probability they may; the rest will have cause to give me thanks for my pains, rather than opprobrious speeches. CHAP. 5. Wherein is showed the Operations of Iron. AS for the melting hereof, seeing that it is no work to be done in the Chimney corner, I will turn over the Reader to learn the practice thereof in every Country almost where he shall come. As for the Refining thereof it may be done in this manner: Take filings of Iron two parts, Antimony one part, it will melt down like your Lead Oar: take the pure mettle, which will be much more brittle than the Lead was, and melt it with four times as much Lead as it weigheth, then refine it, as before is taught: if you know the goodness of your Lead before, you may know the augmentation out of the Iron, which will not quit the charges out of any Iron made in these Northern Countries, nor yet out of Spanish Iron: but what it may do out of Iron made in the burning Zone I know not; but I conceive it may do well, if any such Iron can be found and made in that Climate. It is true, that good gold may be extracted out of any Iron, but not by any common way, but by a tedious, laborious, and costly way: and when all is done, there will be no gain, unless it be in conceit, which satisfieth no man, but those who are of my disposition, which thinketh experience to be the greatest gain that can be in the world. CHAP. 6. Wherein is showed the Operations of Copper. FIrst, take your Oar, and break it into little pieces, about the bigness of hazel Nuts: then lay a Leer of small Charcoals, an inch thick in your Chimney Corner: then lay on your pieces of Oar, then lay on more Charcoals an inch and an half thick upon the Oar, then kindle it, and let the fire burn out of itself. Then beat it into small powder, and mingle it with your Sandiver, and Salt-Peter, as you did your Lead, without any filings of Iron, and so melt it down as you did your Lead Oar: only this difference must be used, by reason that it is harder of fusion than the Lead Oare: therefore you must lay the bricks somewhat wider than you did for the Lead, that it may hold more Coals: besides that, you must take the choicest Coals that can be picked out, and no very small ones amongst them: also you must have two pair of hand-Bellowes, and two men to blow very strongly, and so melt it down. As for the refining it is needless to show the manner; for no Copper in these Northern Countries holdeth any royal Metal, that is considerable; neither English nor Dansk Copper: yet in regard that in some Mines in Hungary, there is generated Gold, Silver, and Copper, all in one mass of Oar: and also in regard that if any Mines of Copper shall be discovered in Virginia, or other southern Countries, there is some good probability that it may contain royal Metal: therefore I will show the manner how to refine it, and also to part the Gold from the Silver, if it shall contain both together. First, melt one ounce of Copper with four ounces of such Lead, as you know the goodness of before: then refine it, and by the augmentation, you shall know the worth of the royal mettle contained in the Copper. If you will try whether the Copper contained any gold in it, put the assay, viz. the little Bead or pearl of silver into good Aqui-fort is well purified before, and if all dissolve then the Coppcr held no gold; but if it leave a black powder undissolved, that is gold: for Lead holdeth no Silver that hath any gold in it at all: therefore it is evident that the Gold came out of the Copper. But if it happen, as often it doth in the refining of base Metals, especially Tin, Iron, and Copper, that the little Bead, or Pearl remaining in the middle of the Test, is not bright and shining, like the eye of a Bird, or Fish, but rough, black, and full of scurf; then if it be but a little in quantity, an I that the Test be not cracked not ●●ll of lists, then put to it some more of the same Lead, whereof you know the goodness, and drive it off again as you did at the first; and reiterate this work till the assay be pure and clean like a little Pearl, or Bede, as it ought to be. But if it happen that the Test is very foul, as often it cometh to pass in the Refining of strange Minerals, as Marcasites, and especially those which the Minerallists call by the name of Devil's Dirt: Then there is no way but to let all cool; and then to dig it out, and with more Lead to melt it anew in a Pot, and then to let it cool, and then to break the Pot, and to beat off the Cynder with an hammer, till you come to the malleable Mettle, and you may be assured that no royal Mettle will stay in the Cinder, but sink down into the Lead, through an attractive virtue betwixt them. CHAP. 7. Wherein is showed the Operations of Silver. AS for the melting thereof, when it is found in the Mine of Lead, the Operation is taught in the Chapter of the Lead: but if it be found by itself, or mixed with Gold without Lead, as many times it cometh to pass, than it is to be beaten to powder, and mixed with Sandivere, and Salt-Peter, without any filings of Iron, and so melted down like the Lead Oare; only the fire must be somewhat stronger. Then it is to be melted with four times as much Lead, whereof you know the goodness: and so to be refined, as before is declared. But whereas sometimes this Oar is so strongly mixed with Sparre, and stony substances, that it cannot be separated therefrom, by any common manner of work used by the refiners; then this course is to be taken with it: First, beat it into small powder; then wash away with water the greatest part of the terrestreity and filth: then dry the powder, and use it in this manner. First, melt four ounces of Lead, and when it is melted put to it four ounces of quicksilver, made hot in another melting pot: but let the Lead be almost cold before you put to the Quicksilver: but yet it must be done whilst that the Lead is liquid. This done, cast it into an Iron Morter, set warm before upon Embers, and it will be like Pap; then presently with a Pestle, labour in one ounce of your powder, or two at the most, till it be incorporated; or so much thereof as will incorporate: for the strong and earthy substance will not incorporate with the Lead and Quickesilver by any Artifice whatsoever: but the silver, if any there be, will forsake the Earthy and stony substance, and join itself with the Lead and Quicksilver by an attractive virtue. This done, put it altogether into a melting Pot▪ with a little Sandivere, and Salt Peter, and melt it down as you did the Lead Oare: only this must be observed, that the sire must be more mild at the fitst a great deal, till the Quicksilver be evapourated, and more strong at the last, that all may slow well together. Then take out the Pot, and let it cool; then break it, and with an hammer beat off all the Cynder and Scurf, till nothing be left but malleable mettle. Then refine it according to the common manner before declared, and cast up with your Pen the augmentation that is more than the Led yielded of itself: and if there be no augmentation, than that Mineral stone contained neither gold nor silver: for this is the most exquisite way in the world to reduce gold or silver, which is hard to be reduced to a mettallicall body, through being strongly mixed with either corrosive substances, or any other filth which hindereth his reduction: therefore if this way fail, you may set your heart at rest for the seeking out of any other devices whatsoever, though the glistering sparks contained in the said Mineral do never so strongly invite you; and you may conclude with the old saying, that all is not gold that glisters. But if it prosper, and yields any augmentation that is considerable: then if you desire to know whether there was any Gold mixed with the Silver, as oftentimes there is, where silver is sound without lead, than put the little bead, or pearl of silver, which remained on the Test into Aquafortis, and if all dissolve, than there is no glold in that Mineral; but if a black powder remain, then that is gold, and the quantity may be found by further trial. CHAP. 8. Wherein is showed the Operations of gold: and real experiments whereby any man may presently try whether any piece of gold be true or counterfeit, without defacing or altering the form thereof. As for the melting of it: if it be found mixed with silver Oare, as oftentimes it cometh to pass, than it is to be melted, refined, and parted from the silver with Aquafortis, as is before declared, and if there be not five times as much silver, as there is gold in the composition, than you must put to so much, or else the Aquafortis will not dissolve it. But if it be found in grains or powder, as often times it is, than you must put to it Borax in stead of Sandiver and Salt Peter, and so melt it down as you did the other Oars before mentioned. Now for so much as this metal is the most rich of all the rest, and most thirsted after, I will enlarge my Discourse for the gaining of means to find it out: also I will show the reason why this royal Metal is many times found pure of itself, with little or no mixture of other base metal with it. And first, whereas it is oftentimes found in the sand in Rivers, let no man think that it could be generated there, but that the swift motion of the water from the high Mountains, brought it thither, with earth and altogether, till such time as the motion of the Water grew more slow: and so according to its property, being not able to carry forward still both the substances, did still carry the earth with it, and let the heavier body sink. Therefore I would have those that have occasion to deal in the hot Countries where gold is usually generated, to make trial in all such Rivers which run from great Mountains with a swift course in such places, where the motion of the water beginneth to grow slow. And for this purpose he may have a little Bucket of Iron that will not lie in the bottom, but on one side, which side must have a shoe like a shovel; so that being drawn a little forward, as it lieth in the bottom it will fill itself with sand: which you may try by grinding it with Quicksilver whether it contain any gold: for if there be any gold in the sand, it will mix with the quicksilver willingly: than you may wash away all the sand, and strain the quicksilver through a skin of leather, and if any gold be gathered into it, there will remain a Ball in the Leather: than you may evapourate the Quicksilver from the Ball in a melting pot, and so melt down the gold with a little Borax. Also sometimes gold is found in Rivers in powder and grains, fare distant from any mountains of swift motion of water: this plainly demonstrateth that the earth thereabout containeth gold: a thing usually in hot Countries, and that the water in that place had a convenient motion to wear away the earth, and to leave the gold behind, and this is manifestly seen by experience where they wash whole mountains of earth with water, thereby to separate the gold from it. Now whereas I have formerly affirmed that all metals in general are generated of the clammy and gluttonous part of the subterrancall vapours, arising from from Bituminous and Sulphurous substances, kindled in the bowels of the earth: it behooveth me to show how gold, such a sixed substance can be found pure of itself; and not mixed with other base metals. And the reason of this can be no other, but because that all other metals whatsoever will putrify in the earth in length of time, & turn to earth again; but gold will never putrify by reason of his excellent composition, being made of a Balsamic Sulphur, or fatness, which is incombustible, and distereth from the Sulphur or fatness contained in the other metals, even as natural Balsam differeth from all other oils, fat substances: so that though it be an oil in show, yet it will sink in water, whereas all other oils will swim upon the top of the water. And this is the cause why gold sinketh so eagerly in water, which may be proved by weighing a 20. shillings piece of gold against his Brass weight, and then letting his scales sink in a Basin of water 3. or 4. inches deep, the gold will there over-weigh the brass about 9 or 10. grains, by reason that the brass is more inclined to swimming through the cumbustible fatness or sulphur in its composition; and as for the 20. shillings piece, so for any other piece of gold whatsoever according to its several brass weight you may in like manner try whether it be true or counterfeit. Now whereas the substance of gold is not subject to putrify in the earth by any length of time, it is probable enough that other metals might be generated with it at the first, and afterward putrified & consumed from it in length of time, leaving the gold pure. For I have drawn Iron, or a substance much like to filings, or atoms of Iron out of grain gold that was brought from Gynnie with a Loadstone, which seemed to be Iron not fully putrified, and turned into earth. And the reason why the hotter the Country is, the richer the Minerals are, can be no other but the same, that roasted meats are sweeter than boiled meats, or raw meats: the reason whereof is plain, for that the rawish and unsavoury part is exhaled by the heat of the fire, leaving the sweeter part behind. Even so in hot Countries, all that part of the subterraneal vapours, which here is condensed into Lead, and other base metals, can there have no leave to congeal, by reason of the heat: but is all or most part thereof exhaled out of the Mines, leaving behind the royal metals, whose property is to coagulate with heat: whereas the property of the base metals is to evapourate with heat and to congeal with cold. The contrary opinion to this; namely that the substance of the best metals are convertible into royal metals by heat and digestion, hath filled the world with false Books and receipts in Alchemy, and hath caused many men to spend much money, labour, study, and charges to no purpose. For I know by good and long experience, and by many accurate trials that Quicksilver the most friendly mineral to the royal metals, can by no means or Artifice whatsoever be fixed and coagulated into either of the Royal Metals: also I have found since that no Author of any credit or Reputation teacheth any such thing, but contrarily, condemneth all such operations to be false, vain and frivolous. For the matter or substance of the Royal metals is quite contrary to that of the base metals, even as the fixed salt of any vegetable is different from the volatill or fugitive salt of the same. Yet I deny not but that by Art there may be drawn some small fixed part out of the base metals, and may be converted into Royal Mettle, though with much labour, charges, and loss. For as a Tree or other vegetable being burned, doth yield a fixed salt or Ashes: so the base metals do contain in them some small quantity of matter of the same nature that the royal metals are compounded of. And for the further satisfaction to the Reader, I will show in the next Chapter a true receit to make real and true gold abiding all trials, and having all properties active and passive which true natural gold hath: but in stead of gain, loss will be ready to follow the work. CHAP. 9 Wherein is showed, how true and perfect gold may be made by Art with loss to the workman. Thus I wrought. I took eight ounces of Regulus of Iron and Copper, made as beneath is declared, and 16. ounces of common Sublimate, bought at the Apothicaries, & made these ingredients into line powder: first, severally, and then I ground them well together upon a Marble stone, and so put them into a a retort of glass, and drew from them first an Oil, than a substance like a Butter, and lastly a yellow Sublimate, tincted with the tincture of Iron and Copper, which yellow Sublimate I rectified three or four times, till it was very pure: then I mixed it with equal parts of an Amalgam of silver, and quicksilver, made as beneath is taught, and put it into another retort of Glass, and forced away all but the silver, which remained like yellow horn: this yellow silver I amalgamed again with new quicksilver, and set it in gentle heat about a week, then in very strong heat for 6. hours; so that the quicksilver rose up, and fell down again upon the silver; till such time as that it had carried up all the silver from the bottom of the glass into branches like trees: then I melted down the silver, and sinned it, and parted it with Aquafortis, and had diverse grains of pure & good gold abiding all trials: but the quantity would not pay for half the charges and labour. I made the Regulus thus: I took 4. ounces of Iron in stub nails, and made them red hot in a crusible: and then I put to it 8. ounces of crude antimony, and melted it down, and when it was well and thin melted, I let it cool in the pot, & so knocked off the regulus from the lop, or cynder which lay upon the top of it, than I did the like with 4. ounces of Copper in thin plaits: & then I mixed equal parts of these two, and melted them 3. or 4. times, every time casting into the pot half an ounce of salt peter, as it was in melting to purify it, till it was pure & bright almost like silver, but yet brittle: so that I could beat it in a Mortar to fine powder. The yellow silver that was like yellow horn, did Amalgam with much difficulty, & grinding with salt and vinegar, and some of it was lost, do what I could: but the first silver was water silver, which I bought at the refiners, out of which they had taken all the gold before: this did Amalgam very easily, than I strained it to a Ball through a Leather skin, and so mixed it with the yellow sublimate that was tincted yellow with the tincture of Iron and Copper. The proportion of the quicksilver to the silver was 5. or 6. parts to one. If any one doubt the truth of Alchemy, he may be satisfied by this trial; but in stead of gain he shall pay for his learning, by going away with loss. I do not deny but there are works of less loss and charge, yet none of them lucrous by reason of the change of times. For if any one will uphold me as good a lease, or purchase of land, as I can prove by credible records, hath been had in former times for an ounce of gold, I will undertake to make an ounce of gold by Art to pay for it, and yet have a good bargain. But the difference of times hath confounded this Art, as may appear more plainly beneath. First, in ancient times a man's work was not worth above a penny a day, which now is worth two shillings six pence a day, as may appear by ancient records for buildings, and the like: so that there is thirty to one loss in the workmanship. Secondly, than coals, vessels, & other things necessary for these affairs did cost little, in respect of the charge now. Thirdly, when the gold was made, it would then have bought thirty or forty times as much, either lands, leases, victuals, or workmanship as now. So that I conclude, that then the owners of this Art might gain 30. or 40. for one, and yet now they shall lose extremely. The cause that moved me to search so much into these affairs, was, because I saw by the books, that so diverse men in diverse ages, and in diverse Countries did agree in one tale; whereby I conceived it impossible to be a lie, now I conceive it might be true, but that the times have made an alteration. CHAP. 10. Wherein is showed the operations for some of the inferior Minerals. AS for these base Minerals, viz. Cinabar natural, Antimony, Sulphur, Auripigment, Arsenic, Talcum, Muscovy glass, Emery, and many other things of like nature, because they are of small value, and not worth the seeking for on set purpose, I will omit further to discourse of them: if any man shall find them, or any of them, by accident, let him use his own pleasure, skill, and industry in the proceeding of them. Nevertheless, because Cinabar natural may contain much quicksilver, which is very useful for many things, & may prove as beneficial as a good mine of metal, especially if it shall be found in great plenty: I will therefore show the refining separating, & purifying of the same in small proportion: so that if it shall be found a profitable work, than the finder thereof may proceed to a greater work. The first thing then to be done, is to consider of the weight thereof: if it be very ponderous, reddish in colour, and full of clear streaks, shining almost like the streaks of Antimony, than it is a good sign of a rich Mine. The first trial to be made thereof is to weigh a piece thereof, and so put it into a gentle fire for an hour or two, in such sort that it may only be red hot; then to let it cool, and to weigh it again, & so by the lightness thereof, being compared with the former weight, you may judge somewhat of the richness thereof. Then take a pound thereof, & beat it into fine powder, & mingle it well with as much unslect Lime, put it into a retort of glass, luted with Potter's clay, and some horse dung well beaten and tempered together; then set it in a little furnace in your Chimney corner, & force it with fire 12. hours: let it be kept red hot the last 4. hours, and let the nose of the glass enter into another glass, filled almost full of water, in such manner that the vapours of the Cinabar must needs enter into the water, for the better condensation thereof into quicksilver. This done, separate your quicksilver in the bottom of the water, and dry it, and weigh it; if you find the quantity considerable, than you may proceed in this manner. First, make an hole in the earth with very good tempered clay that will hold water, and let it be narrow in the bottom, and wider and wider above to the top to the breadth of 2. or 3. or 4. yards; then fill the Pit with water, & lay over it bars of iron of sufficient strength and thickness to bear the burden that must lie upon it; and let them lie so near together that the stones & wood cannot fall through: then lay thereupon a leer of dry wood, and a leer of your red stone not broken small, and so do again till it be a yard thick or more, then give fire to it on the wind side, and go away out of the danger of the fumes, till you see a far off that the fire is finished and burned quite out. Then repair to your work, and let out the water through a pipe of Lead, which should be formerly laid almost at the bottom of the Pit, into another pit near to it, made so deep that it may receive the water, and in the bottom you shall find great store of Quicksilver, if the Mine was good. The water may be pumped up again to serve the next day for the same use; and you need but to take up a few of the bars of Iron every day to go down into the pit, to take out your Quicksilver, and so lay them down again. CHAP. II. Wherein is showed the ways to find out Pit-coales: also the natural cause of the generation of them, by a plain demonstration. THough this Mineral be of small value, yet if a good Mine thereof shall be discovered in some particular places of this land, the benefit thereof will fare exceed the profit of any mettle Mine usually found in these Northern Countries, by reason that wood is so greatly decayed of late years, that were it not for this help many people would be in danger to be starved. The first thing therefore which I would have to be diligently observed is; that this Mineral is usually found in ground that is prone to bear wood and thorns, and not in the very fertile grounds, nor yet in the extreme barren grounds, but of an indifferent fertility, and in grounds that are usually flower in their growth in the Spring time, than the fertile Champion countries by a week or a fortninght. Also the said grounds are prone to bring forth large Cattles, and well horned: but not to feed the said Cattles without a long time, nor yet will they ever be very fat upon the same ground. Also the springs issuing out of the said grounds, are apt to colour the earth ruddy at their Orifice, like unto the rust of Iron. Also the said spring water being boiled as before is taugh, doth usually yield a black residence. Also if you bury a new bowl of pure white Wood in the said grounds, from March till Midsummer, with the mouth downward, it will be coloured blackish, with the subterraneal vapours. Also I had a receipt given me for this purpose by one, that for his great experience, and excellent skill in natural causes, seemed to be one of Nature's Darlings: which because I have nor tried, for want of opportunity, I will commend it as a very probable sign, and give such Cautions, that any man may be sure of it, before he try his fortunes by digging or boaring, or any chargeable way. And this was his direction: about the middle of May, when the subterraneal vapours are strong, which may be discerned by the Firne, which about that time will suddenly grow out of the earth in a night or two, almost an handful in length, then take a pure white piece of Tiffany, and wet it in the dew of the grass, which is all of that springs growth, and not soiled with cattles, nor no other thing, then wring out the dew from it; and do so five or six times, and if there be coals the Tiffany will be alittle blacked, and made foul with the sooty vapours arising through the Coals, and condensed amongst the dew. Now to be sure not to be deceived, do thus: first try it where there are coals, and if ye find the signs above said, yet trust not to the experiment, till you have tried where there is no Coals in some other place, wherein it behoveth you to try in diverse places, till you find a place where the Tiffiany is not soiled at all: than you may be sure that the experiment is true and unfailable. I admonish him that shall try with the Tiffany upon the dew, to let his hands be washed before with soap & hot water; & wiped with a pure white cloth, till they will not foul the cloth at all; else if they spend their money in digging, & find nothing, they may thank their foul fingers for that misfortune. As for the natural cause of the generation of Coals, this demonstration following doth make it manifest. Take a piece of the black fat earth, which is usually digged up in the west Country, where there are such a multitude of Fir trees covered therewith, and which the people use to cut in the form of Bricks, and to dry them, & so to burn them in stead of coals; use this substance as you did the other earth in the beginning of the book, to find out the natural cause of rocks, stones, and metals, and let it receive the vapours of the cumbustible substances, and you shall find this fat earth hardened into a plain coal; even as you found the other jeane earth hardened into a stone. Whereby it appeareth that nature doth the same thing in the generation of coals under the ground, by the indurating of a fat earth with the subterraneal vapours which are apt to work a various effect according to the substance which they meet withal. Now whereas some of inquisitive dispositions will desire to know the natural cause of that fat earth, generated in such subterraneal Caverns, let them be pleased to consider that such places in former times have been the superficies of the earth, and afterward have been covered by the sea with other earth, which may be demonstrated by two ways: first, it is evident that the mines of Coals do lie in some places higher, and in other places lower, lively resembling the superficies of the earth, which is never directly equal, but every where various. Secondly, every one may see in the west Country, where such a multitude of Fir trees do lie covered so deep in the earth, that the superficies of the earth was deeper than it is now in former ages, when those trees were brought thither by the sea: for it is evident that they never grew there: first, for that there groweth no Fir trees in that Country: secondly, for that they do lie cross, and in such uncooth manner, that no humane strength could ever imitate nor parallel by any device whatsoever. Also they may see the power of the sea to alter the superficies of the earth, by the multitude of earth there laid so many yards deep upon the top of the trees. Also they may see that the sea doth make the difference of the nature of earth's by its varirious motion, as well as the unevenness thereof by hills and valleys: for there they may see that some earth will burn, and some will not burn, being both sorts brought thither by the Sea, as appeareth evidently by the former discourses. Also the sea never resting, but pepetually winning land in one place, and losing in another, doth show what may be done in length of time, by a continual operation, not subject unto ceasing, or intermission. CHAP. 12. Wherein is showed a perfect way to try what colour any Berry, leaf Flower, Stalk, Root, Fruit, Seed, Bark, or Wood will give: also a perfect way to make colours fixed, which will not abide the ordinary way. HEre I must confess a manifest digression from my Subject: yet in regard of the great benefit which this experiment may bring to the Country, out of the new Plantations, and other places, where it is very probable that many of these things be hidden and unknown, I will crave pardon, for that my intent was chiefly to prevent the loss of those things which may do much good, were it not through ignorance or negligence. First then take half a pint of water, and half a pint of float, made as beneath, 2. penny weight of Allom, 12. grains of Tartar finely beaten, & put all into a Tin vessel, which is better than earth lead, or copper; set it on a Trivet to dissolve the Allom upon a gentle fire: as soon as it beginneth to boil, take a piece of white cloth, well scoured with Soap, fullers earth, or Lee, or altogether, to take out the grease of it, being well washed out with fair water, & then dried in the air or Sun, not by the fire: the cloth must weigh but half an ounce; then tie a third to the end of the cloth, & when the liquor beginneth to boil, then put in the cloth, & let it boil an hour; then take out the cloth, let it cool, wash it in two or three waters; then take any berry leaf, flower, stalk, root, fruit, seed, bark, or wood, and bruise them well; put them in fair water, and boil them with a gentle fire to extract the tincture; then put in the cloth formerly prepared, which will show what Colour they will give. To make the Float. Boil an Hogshead of water, then cast in a Bushel of wheat Bran, then draw the fire, then let it stand three or four days, till it grow sowrish. But for small trials a little will serve, observing proportion between the Water and the Bran. A proportion must be observed in the allowing of all stuffs before they receive their colours: First, the proportion of Allom to the water; which is one of Allom to 16. of water, and float: Secondly, the proportion of the Tartar to the Allom; which is one of Tartar to 4. of Allom: Thirdly, the proportion of Allom to the Cloth, which is one of Allom to five of the Cloth. Note that all silks must be Allomed cold, or else they will lose their lustre. The way to find what tincture is hidden in any vegetable or in any part thereof. Take the vegetable, being cut green, & stamp and grind the same, as if it were to make juice thereof, then press out the superfluous moisture; the remainder make up in Balls, and lay them up together, that they may gather a little heat, but let them not heat too much, for than they will turn to dung: these being sufficiently fermented must be dried, and afterwards used as Oade is used. Another way as Indigo is made. Make a pit with Timber and boards, about a foot deep, and as wide, and as long as you please, being well clayed in the bottom and sides; then fill this pit with any vegetable cut green; then put as much water to it as will cover the herbs: let it stand exposed to the Sun two or three days: then with a plug at the bottom draw out all the water, and cast it away: then fill the pit again with fresh water, and when it hath stood the like time, draw it away as the former: this do so often, till you find that the herb will be easily brought into a mussilage; than it must be trod, and beaten with wooden instruments, like rammers, till it will come all to a mussilage: than it must be taken and wrung through hair Sives, like Cassia Fistula extracted, to keep the stalks, and great Fibres for passing through: afterwards the Mussilage or pap that passeth through, must be dried in the Sun, and so form into Cakes like to Indigo. Another way. Take the vegetable cut green, and stamp and grind it: then take an Hogshead and fill it with half water, and half bruised herbs, set it out of the Sun, with the bung hole open two or three inches, till it firment and work like Wine or Beer: after it hath done working the Herbs will sink, which at the first did swim, and the liquor will grow a little sowrish; then let it be set abroad in the Sun, and brought into vinegar, as wine and Beer is brought into vinegar, and then that colour can never be stained with other Vinegar or Urine, because it is sufficiently impregnated, and his appetite satisfied with his own proper Vinegar: when his substance is thus turned into Vinegar, the clear Vinegar must be drawn from it, the remainder must be used as the former Indigo, and some water to that, to be sure to fetch out all his tartarous mussilage, must be put to the Vinegar, and dried away in the Sun, and so they come like Indigo: In tincturamtartarizatam fixam Ide occulto in manifestum. And whereas Barks, Woods, and Roots are of a dry composition, and will not ferment of themselves with water like green Herbs, or vegetables: therefore they must be well ground, or thin shaved, and there must be added in stead of Water, juice of Grapes, Pears, Apples, or Wort made of Malt, or other grain, into which the Wood, Bark, or Roots must be put: let them ferment together, and afterwards be turned into Vinegar; then the clear Vinegar must be extracted: be residue of the tincture must be extracted with fresh water, and both of them must be breathed away in the Sun, as before, and so brought in his perfect tincture. By this which hath been declared in this Chapter, it may appear to every one having an inquisitive disposition, what is the true natural cause why some colours are fixed, and will not stain with vinegar, urine, nor yet fade with the Air; which hath in it a certain acetosity, or sharp airy salt of the nature of vinegar, which those tinctures draw to them, which have not their appetites fully satisfied before with such spiritual or airy salts; and this is further manifest for that all such tinctures which are most firm & fixed, & are not subject to staining or fading, being tasted upon the tongue, may be felt somewhat sharpish or sowrish. And the cause of this appetitive and attractive virtue in colours is no other but the very same which is betwixt the Loadstone and Iron: for take the Loadstone, and burn it till all his blue vapour be exhaled, and then he will draw no more Iron: thereby showing plainly, that it was that airy salt, tincted with the venereal, or vegetable greenness, which the iron thirsted after, to satisfy his thirsty and dry nature and constitution, which he got by his calcination and fusion. And the like attraction may be discerned by the intellectual eyes, in anything that is strongly burnt, so that all his spirits are exhaled: as Lime will draw the airy substance to him, and thereby quench himself: Also Tartar burned, and laid in the Air, will draw the sharper part of the air to it, and thereby dissolve itself; and in sum, all corporeal substances, the more they have lost their spiritual parts by natural, or artificial operation, the stronger is their Attractive virtue. Now in stead of filling the Readers head with Proclamations, I will conclude my Book with giving case to his memory, by prescribing what necessaries he is to provide for the accomplishing of his several designs, in his Voyages or Plantations, whither his occasions shall draw him. And first for him that will only try his fortunes in the searching for Minerals. He will need nothing but two or three Pipkins, two or three Urinals, an Iron Pickeaxe well steeled, a Spade, and a Crow of Iron, if he will be at the charge thereof: but there is no great necessity: also if he be not acquainted with the several Oars of metals, it will be convenient that he take with him a little piece of every sort of Oars: or so many several kinds as he can get. And for him that would proceed further, to try the value of them himself, he must provide these things following. A Grate of Iron of a foot broad, some Bricks, two pair of good hand-bellowes, a pair of tongues, some Lead, Salt-Peter, Sandiver, Borax, Flanders melting Pots, a ring of Iron for the Test, an hatcher, or handsaw to cut wood: some good Aqua fortis, Weights and Scales: and if any man be not active handed, he may have a man for a trifle to show him the Manuel practice in a day before he go his voyage. And for him that will search for Dying stuffs, he may see in the last Chapter what things he shall stand in need of: Also the other Chapters may be perused, whereby every one may be the better accommodated for their several enterprises. FINIS.