An Hermetic Work.

AN HERMETIC WORK .

( Continued from page 240 ) . CHAPTER IV . ( continued ) . JOHN RODOLPH GLAUBER'S EPISTLE TO THE READER

SATAN AA'ith his FolloAvers seeks nothing more , than the destruction of Mankind , and to hinder him from the gifts and favour of God . Wherefore I desire thee not to slight or judge of these things rashly , which thou knowest not ; hut first prove and try them thoroughly , and although you shoidd fail ( as it may easily happen to the inexpert ) , yet blame not my Avritings or good intentions , but your OAATI unfit Capacity , or inexperience , for I Avrite nothing here , but what I have often effected , and can perform and prove true every hour . Consult therefore first AA'ith other more experienced

searchers , whom I may hope have not all erred and lost their labour in so easy a work , eA'en a boy of ten years old may understand it possible and Fecible . Nevertheless believe not that I should set CIOAATI here the manner of extracting Gold in lumps or great quantities for profuse usage , but I shah rather take heed and beware of that . N . B . Now as I said throughout all parts of the world , and in every sort of Sand ,

Pebbles , ancl Stones , is held good Gold , excepting Limestones , AA'hich alone seldom or never have any Gold , else in ah Rocks of Greet yS and , Flints of whatever colour ; also in Gravel , Scurffe , or Ballast on Mountains , Valleys , in the boivels of the Earth , the Sea , Ponds , Pits , Rivers , ancl Floods , ( none at all expected ) there is Gold to be found , but Sand ancl Stones hold most in hot countries ; and although they be Avhite , clear , and shining , without the least colour , yet there is some Gold ; yea , even sometimes in clay grounds , and hi artificial baked Tyles and Bricks .

THE FIRST KIND OF PROOF . Take white Sand or Flints , wherein you think there is not the least Gold , to which joyn three parts of Minium , or any other powder or Calx of Lead , flux this mixture in a Crusible covered in a wind Furnace , or by blast of beUoAvs , and so let them flow well together for one hour , and it will turn to yellow glass , then pour it forth lest by delay it pierce the Crusibleand run among the ashes . Powder this lassancl mix therewith

, g , half its weight of Sal Aleali , or Soap , or Pot Ashes ; then put this mixture into an Iron Pot or Crusible , where you may first put Nails or other Bits of Iron , then Eluxthis in the Fire and the glass of Lead will be reduced into a body again by the said Iron , pour out this hito an ingot or Cone , and the Regulus of Lead will sink to the bottom , ancl the Flints or Sand ( like Scurffe and Dross ) will swim on the top , but the Lead Avill contract such a black roughnessthat it AAIII not easily floAv . For the Avhich take this remedy . Place

, this Regulus in a Wind Furnace , ancl upon one ounce of the melted Regulus cast a Dram , or something more of Salt Peter , and let them flow together . Then the Sal Nitre Avill chaw the black roughness from the Lead into a Scurffe , Avhich being poured forth and melted again becomes tractable andAA'hite , and will easily flow upon a Test , but if you have not the skill to effect this work , put your black rough Regulus of Lead into such a Crusible or Testas the vulgar call Treibscerbe ( which is like a large hard Crusible

, bottom ) , cover it , and let it purge itself in the fire for half an hour , or at least for a quarter , and it will be white and . tractable . But the washing ' or cleansing by Salt Peter is far better ; Aveigh a penny weight , dram or scruple of this , and a like quantity of Lead , Test them in a hard fixt Copel apart , and this Regulus will hold a grain of Gold , and the Common Lead , only a grain of Silver .

THE SECOND KIND OF PROOF . Take one part of Avhite Flints or Sand , mix thrice the quantity of Salt of Tartar , or any other Aleali , and therewith fill a third part of a Crusible ( but not more , lest it run over ) , let it stand half an hour to be glowing red , and it will turn to a white Pellucid