An Hermetic Work.

but after that time I could never find more of that Aqua fortis . And I Helvetius saw his white gold . Item , Another rare experiment done at the Hague . There lived at the Hague , 1 C 64 , a Silver Smith , named Grill , well exercised in Allcymy , but poor according to the custome of Chymists . This Grill got some Sp irit of Salt , not of a vulgar preparation , from one Caspar Knottier , a Cloth Dyer , to use

as he said for metals . The which afterwards ho poured upon one pound of common Lead in an open glass , dish or platter , usual , for confections or conditures ; and after two weeks there appeared a most curious Star of Silver , swimming upon it , as if it had been debneated with a Pensel ancl pair of Compasses by some ingenious Artist . Whereupon the said Grill told us with joy he had seen the Signat Star of the Philosophers , whereof by chance- he had read in Basilius : I with many others saw the same to our groat admiration . The Lead iu the interim remaining in the bottom of an ashy colour . After seven or nine days in Julit , the Spirit of Salt beine exhaled by

the heat of the air , the Star setlecl on the Lead or Feces in tbe bottome , ancl spread itself upon it , which many people saw . At last the said Grill took a part thereof , and out of that pound of Lead , be found by computation twelve ounces of cupelled Silver ; ancl out of that twelve ounces , two ounces of the best Gold : ancl I Helvetius can shew some part of that spongeous Lead with part of the Star upon it , and also some of the said Siker and Gold . Now whilst this envious Sill y Grill , concealing the use ,

endeaA r oured to get more of that spirit of Salt from Knottier , the said Knottier bavin " forgot what sort it was or else not finding it suddenly : was shortly after drowned , ancl Grill with his family died of the Plague ; so that none coidd make further benefit or tryal of the said Progress afterwards . Indeed it woidd move admiration , that the Lead ' s inward nature should appear in such a noble outward form by tbe simple maturation of the said spirit of Salt ; neither is it less wonderfulthat the Philosopher ' s

, Stone should so suddenly transmute all Metals to Gold or Silver , having its vertue potentially implanted within itself , ancl raised into an active power : as is manifest in Iron toucht with the Load Stone . But enough of this . ( To be continued . )

Records Of Old Lodges.

RECORDS OF OLD LODGES .

. BY BRO . WILTJAM . TAMES mjcaTAJi ' . IN continuing our sketches of old lodges , which is our special Masonic vocation , we cannot do better than refer to " The Royal Cumberland Lodge , " Bath , Eigland . Its history has been written by one of the respected Past Masters-who the

grace lodge-roll—Bro . Thomas Payne Ashley . The histoiy , however , is but a glance at the eventful career of the lodge , contains but few extracts from the Minutes , and wants the copy of the warrant of the yew 1733 . The fact is , but few particulars have been preserved , ancl the exact origin of the lodge had not been discovered . We have carefully searched our Books of Constitutions and bsts of " dejHttations , " etc ., and find that a lodge was warranted for Bath " at the Bear 18 th March 1732—3 ancl meets 1 st

, , ancl 3 d Friday . " ( Const . 1738 , p . 193 . ) The warrant was issued by the authority of Lord Montague , —a name familiar to all American Masonic students , from being the nobleman from whom Bro . Price , of Boston , Mass ., received his deputation , and who for many years was erroneously styled Lord Montacute by our Massachusetts brethren ,