SALOMON sayth, that Hope deferred breaks the heart; but the desire ob­tayned, is a Tree of Life: If Hope onely deferred breake the Heart; then Hope frustrated must needs breake it a great deale more.

To the end therefore that our Hope [Page 2]may not bee too frequently frustrated, I will first declare the places where there is no probability to finde out Mettalls, and afterwards I will shew where there is strong probability: and then in the next Chapter I will shew how to goe about the worke, to find out the strong signes which may rightly guide the seekers to obtaine their de­sire.

And first, there is no probability that any Mettalls can bee generated neare unto the North and South poles of the Globe, for those can by no meanes 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 runne presently out of order.

For as there is in the burning Zones a continuall exhalation of Water, and rarifying of the same into Ayre: so there must needes bee in the North [Page 3]and South a continuall condensa­tion of Aire into Water to sup­ply the same againe, else the mo­tion cannot bee perpetually circu­lar.

Now whereas the North and South parts, by reason of their coldnesse, can­not suffer the said condensed Meteors to descend in forme of Water, but in the forme of Snow, Haile, or some substance of like nature, which there cannot melt in the superficies for want of heate, it is very probable that the new Accretion this way produced, doth presse downe still with its weight the said Ilands of Ice towards the Center, where the centrall heate mel­teth it off continually, by which meanes the sphericall forme of both Earth and Water are perpetually pre­served.

And if any man bee of a contrary opinion, I will not envie him; but as for my owne part, I will sell my In­terest and hope of Mettalls in those places [Page 4]for a Farthing, although I had a device that the cold there could not prevent my seeking for them.

Also in Vallies and plaine Champion Countries, there is no hope to prosper in this designe, for the wombe of such earth is not apt for such a generation, the Reasons whereof will presently fol­low.

Now that wee have left us no other places to seeke in but the rocky Moun­taines, I will spend the rest of this Chapter in demonstrating the naturall cause of the generation of Rocks, Mountaines, and Metalls, and so pro­ceed forward.

And first I will set downe the Opinions of others with their Confutation, and lastly the confirmation of mine owne Opinion by irrefragable Demonstra­tion.

Some have thought that the mighty Creator made the vast, deformed, and craggy Rocks and Mountaines in the beginning, but this appeareth to bee [Page 5]an Opinion, whereby great dishonour may reflect upon the Creator, who besides his Omnipotent power, doth continually make use of his admirable Wisdome, and exquisite Artifice in all his Workes, and made nothing defor­med or unfit for the use for which it was created: Now the Earth being ordai­ned to beare Fruits for the use of Men, and Rocks are not fit for that purpose, it plainely 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, Tumours, Wenns, and Excrescences are engendred in the superficies of mens bodies: and of this Opinion I my selfe was in my minori­ty, till such time as by practicall ex­perience I found out a more probable opinion.

Now for a plaine demonstration, let this Experiment following bee tryed, and I make no question, but that it will [Page 6]satisfie every one that hath an inquisitive disposition.

Let there bee had a great retort of Glasse, and let the same be halfe filled with Brimstone, Sea-coale, and as ma­ny bituminous and Sulphurious sub­terraneall substances as can bee gotten: then fill the necke thereof halfe full with the most free earth from stones that can be found, but thrust it not in too hard, then let it bee luted, and set in an open Furnace to distill with a temperate Fire, which may onely kindle the said substances, and if you worke exquisitely, you shall finde the said Earth petrified, and turned into a Stone: you shall also finde cracks and chinkes in it, filled with the most te­nacious, clammy, and viscous parts of the said vapours, which ascended from the subterraneall combustible substances.

Whereby it appeareth that the same thing is done by Nature, and that the Rocks and craggy Mountaines are [Page 7]caused by the vapours of Bituminous and Sulphurious substances kindled in the bowells of the Earth, of which there bee divers so well knowne, that they neede not bee heere mentioned: Also it appeareth that the veines of Mettalls are engendred in the crackes and crannies of the said Mountaines, out of the most clammy and glute­nous part of the said vapours there ad­hering, where the cold gave them leave to bee congealed and conden­sed.

Now concerning the exaltation of the Mountaines above the Vallies, it ap­peareth to come to passe by the water in former times, whose property is to weare away by its motion the most loose earth, and to leave the more firme ground, and rockie places high­est: but whether this was done by Noahs Flood, or by the Sea in former Ages, is doubted. As for my opi­nion, I referre the Reader to my Booke formerly mentioned, and if [Page 8]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 worke upon it, and you shall finde it worne most in the loosest places, and least in the more firme compacted places; thereby shewing the naturall cause of Mountaines and Valleyes. Also if a Ri­ver should bee turned out of its course, and the bottome thereof accurately con­sidered upon, how the water by his mo­tion hath worne away the Earth most in the loosest Earth, and least in that which is more firme, it doth evidently demon­strate the naturall cause of Hills and Val­lies, and the unevennesse of the Earth caused by the motion of the Sea in former Ages.

WHen we come to the Rocky and Craggy Mountaynes, the first thing we are to observe, is the barrennesse of them; For the more bar­ren they are; the greater probability there is that they containerich Mines and Mi­nerals.

The next worke is to finde out the Springs of Water issuing out of the said Mountaynes; and those being found, a quantity of the sayd water is to be boiled in a new cleane pipkin, to the consistency of thinne Oyle, but not so thicke as a Syrrup, and when it is almost cold, then to put it into an Vrinall, and to set it in the coldest place that can be found for 3 daies, then to play the Physiti­an, and to observe it exquisitly what resi­dence [Page 8] [...] [Page 9] [...] [Page 10]it yeeldeth: if nothing settle but a black earth or mudde, it is a signe of Coales: if some part thereof shoot into Ice, or a substance like Ice or Vitrioll, then to ob­serve the colour thereof; if it be greene or blewish, it is an evident signe of Copper; if whitish, then it may signifie any other Mettall without exception.

The next worke is to goe to the bare Rocks, and there to finde out the clifts, cracks, and cranies: this done, to goe to the toppe: or till you finde some Grasse growing right upon the top of the said Cranies, and then to observe diligently the kinde of that Grasse, and how it diffe­reth from other Grasse, ordinarily grow­ing in the same Mountaine; not onely in forme, but also in colour, which colour sheweth the greatest difference in the heat of Summer, for the subterraneall Va­pours issuing out of the Orifice of Mines, differ from those which issue out of the more solide places of the Moun­taines,

The next worke is to see if there bee [Page 11]any marcasites to be found in the super­ficies of the said Mountaines: which though they are usually of divers co­lours, and seldome good for any thing, yet they are strong signes of Mineralls within, being themselves the spume and froth of the better Mettals, brea­thed forth, even as Drinke breatheth up his Yest or Froth to the Superfi­cies.

And these if they be put in an ordinary fire, they will turne blacke, and yeeld a smell of Brimstone, Arsnicke, Antimony, or some other thing, commonly called or knowne by the name of a middle Minerall.

The next worke is to trie the operation with the Virgula divina, as beneath is de­clared: and where it sheweth the strongest signes, as is likewise beneath taught: and also the place is most accompanyed with the other signes formerly mentioned: there by digging or boaring to try your fortunes.

The operation with the Virgula divina is thus to be performed: some observe [Page 12]a set day and houre with certaine words and Ceremonies at the cutting up of the same, which I have found to bee little to the purpose: thus I wrought about Mid­somer, in a calme morning: I cut up a rod of Hasell, all of the same springs growth, almost a yard long: then I tyed it to my staffe, in the middle, with a strong thred, so that it did hang even, like the Beame of a Ballance: thus I carryed it up and downe the Mountaines where Lead growed, and before Noone it gui­ded mee to the Orifice of a Lead mine: which I tryed, having one with me with an hacke of Iron and a Spade; and with­in two houres we found a veine of Lead Oare, within lesse than a foot of the grasse: the signes that it sheweth is to bow down the root end towards the earth as though it would grow there, neare unto the Ori­fice of a Mine▪ when you see it doe 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 bee of Kin to the Load-stone, drawing Iron to it by a secret vertue, inbred by nature, and not by any coniu­ration, as some have fondly imagined.

And the Reason of this my opinion was, because that in divers of my practi­call Experiments I have observed an At­traction betwixt severall things, like that of the Load-stone, and Iron; and if it were to good purpose, I suppose that I could shew more experience of that kind than any man in England.

Now in the new Plantations, as New-England, Virginia, Bermudas, &c. where it is like that few or none have ever try­ed, that had any skill in these affaires, it is very probable that the Orifice of divers Mynes may be discerned with the eye in the clifts of the Rocks in many places, as some have beene in England at the first, before that men grew a little skilfull, and these to be lost and neglected, were a shame to the Planters; for these Mynes if they prove rich, would yeeld more [Page 14]gaine in one yeare, than their Tobacco and such trifles would yeeld in their whole lives.

THE first worke therefore to bee 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 loose Bricks, one thick­nesse underneath, and empty in the middle, to give aire to the fire; then lay more Bricks above foure course high, round about, and if they be laid without Morter, the fire will burne the better: [Page 15]then fill it with Char-coales kindled, in the middest whereof set your melting Pot, with one pound of Lead-oare, and foure ounces of filings of Iron mingled together, and so blow to it strongly with a paire of good hand-bellows, till it be well melted downe; then let the Pot be taken out with a paire of Tongs, and set to coole: when it is cold, breake it, and knocke off the brittle cinder ly­ing upon the top of the Mettall with an Hammer, till none be left but the malle­able mettall, 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 sixe inches broad, and as high, or rather higher than your Test: lay Bricks about the ashes to hold them up one Brick thicknesse, and 2. Bricks broad, then lay about halfe a peck of Char-coales upon the Test kindled, and when they are almost consumed, and the Test red-hot, put them by a little in the mid­dest over the Test, and lay over a [Page 16]peece of good Oake-wood about five in­ches square, and eighteene inches long; lay it so upon two Tyle-sheards, that it may lye about an inch and an halfe above the Test, then lay on more ordinary Billets and some Char-coales amongst: make the fire about so strong as to roast a Pigge, then blow to it a little, till the fire burne cleare, then put upon the Test two Ounces of your Lead, and blow to it gently, and in three quarters of an houre, all the Lead will bee consumed, and the Silver will lye in the middle of the Test like a little Beade or Pearle, then put aside the fire, and let all bee cold.

Then you may weigh the Silver in a paire of Gold-scales, and so cast it up how much there is in a Tunne of Lead: I have thus tryed many Oares, and have found them to differ in goodnesse of all sorts, from Forty shillings worth of Sil­ver in a Tunne, to Thirty five pounds worth of Silver in a Tunne, and there is no Lead but it holded some Silver, yet [Page 17]it is not worth the refining, unlesse it yeeld eight or tenne pound upon a Tun at the least.

The Test may thus be made: first, let a Smith make a Ring of Iron about foure inches wide, and two inches deepe, and a quarter of an inch thick, and as wide above as beneath, and without a bottome.

Then burne Mutton and Beefe-bones in the Fire til they be white, then beate them smal in a Morter, and scarce them fine like meale: then with a little beere or water temper a small part thereof like pappe, then put to so much more of the dry powder by little and little, as will make it so stiffe that it will not be made into a ball, but remaine clammish, be­twixt powder and paste: then with a Pestle stampe it gently into your Ring till it be top full, being set upon an even board, then stampe it a little lower in the middle then at the edges, and smooth it with a slight stone or some round glasse, so set it in the Chimney Corner [Page 18]to drye a day or two, and it is ready for your worke.

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 lesse blowing: besides that the Sinder will part cleaner from the malleable mettall.

And if you want Char-coales, you may burne Wood in an Oven, and when it is red, and hath done smoaking, you may set up the Oven stone, and dampe it.

Or you may doe the like in an open Chimney, and dampe it in an earthen Pot, or cover it with Ashes, or dampe it in an hole in the ground, by covering it with a cover, or with Ashes.

Any of these Coales will serve to make your assayes and tryalls: as for directi­ons for great workes here is no such thing intended in this little Booke: but onely to be sure whether the worke will quit the cost: which if it will, then provision [Page 19]for great workes will easily be brought to passe.

And if you want pots, you may bee at choise whether you will buy the same at the Gold-smiths, or Potters in London, which sell Flanders melting Pots, of make them your selfe by this direction following.

Take right Flanders Iugges, such as they usually put Bottle-Beere in, beate them to fine powder, and searce them fine as Meale: Take of this meale foure 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 Dung-hill, beate it strongly up­on a broad board with a Rowling-pin, till it be stiffe Paste, then fashion your Pots upon a peece of wood, turned like a Toppe, onely let the sharpe end of the Toppe be thicker and flatter than an ordi­nary Toppe; then set them to drye 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 steale [Page 20]upon them till they be red hot: then put in your Mettle and ingredients, and cover it with a Tile-sheard, or cover of Iron, and so melt it downe.

THis Mettall may be melted downe like the Lead, onely o­mitting the filings of Iron: but when it is melted it is not malleable, till it be compounded with certaine pro­portions of other Mettalls, which I will not declare, because it is a secret of weight belonging to the Pewterers Trade.

And as for refining of it, I am sure it cannot be done by any artifice; for I suppose that I have tryed more expe­riments about it, than any 10. men in [Page 21] England, because that I saw the Refiners could not doe it: therefore I tooke the more paines and industry to bring it to passe; which if I could have affe­cted, I doe verily beleeve it would have proved a rich Mettall: but the more I tryed the worse I sped, for at the last of all I melted Gold and Silver equall parts with the Tinne, thinking thereby to bring it downe into the Lead, and to make it to drive faire, and refine kindly, but all was vaine, for the Tinne poisoned and consumed some of my rich Mettalls.

Now whereas there is no hope of any royall mettall ever to be gotten out of this Minerall: to supply the shortnesse of this Chapter, I will shew a way how every one that hath a minde to meddle with these affaires, may have good possi­bility to enrich themselves and their po­sterity; and be out of danger to undoe themselves, or to damnifie themselves in any manner of value that is conside­rable.

For my meaning is, in the taking in hand of this taske, to doe good to all, and hurt to none: and that no man from henceforth shall need to bee at a quarter of the charge, study, or labour, which I my selfe have undergone.

Therefore seeing that if the most in­genious and exquisite wayes be taken in the designe that wit can attaine unto: yet it is but an adventure; for sometimes all the labour may be lost, though not of­ten, if good heede be taken; and some­times Mines maybe found, which will not quit the charges to be wrought upon.

Therefore as wise Merchants will not hazzard all in one Bottome, so let this never be any mans designe totally: for now there is no such need but they may doe all that can bee done at such spare times, as any Gentleman, or man of qua­lity, usually spendeth in Hawking, Hun­ting, Gaming, or other pleasures; where­of he neede but set a part of that time for these purposes; having the most part of [Page 23]his worke done to his hands in this little Booke.

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 my selfe have spent the time of divers Apprentiships in these affaires, and therefore claime a priviledge to disclose my experience for the publicke benefits at my pleasure.

Secondly, I affirme, that there can be no damage to any refiner, by the divulging of these secrets: but on the contrary, a great probability of much gaine to that trade: for that, here is nothing, but the skill to make the assayes disclosed for the Searchers satisfaction, before he take in hand great workes; which if he find cause so to doe, I advise him to chuse the best workman that he can get, and one that hath beene long experienced in these Workes; and in so doing he shall prosper the better in his designe: And if that e­very yeare some of the increase of that Trade shal be entertained in these affaires, [Page 24]as there is good probability they may; the rest will have cause to give me thanks for my paines, rather than opprobrious speeches.

AS for the melting hereof, seeing that it is no worke to be done in the Chimney corner, I will turne over the Reader to learne the prac­tise thereof in every Countrey 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 downe like your Lead Oare: take the pure mettall, which will be much more brittle than the Lead was, and melt it with foure times as much Lead as it weigheth, then refine it, as before is [Page 25]taught: if you know the goodnesse 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 Northerne Countries, nor yet out of Spanish Iron: but what it may doe out of Iron made in the bur­ning Zone I know not; but I conceive it may doe 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 gaine, unlesse it be in conceite, which satisfieth no man, but those who are of my disposition, which thinketh experience to bee the greatest gaine that can bee in the world.

FIrst, take your Oare, and breake it into little peeces, about the bignesse of Hazell Nuts: then lay a Leere of small Char-coales, an inch thick in your Chimney Corner: then lay on your peeces of Oare, then lay on more Char-coales an inch and an halfe thick upon the Oare, then kindle it, and let the fire burne out of it selfe.

Then beate 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 downe as you did your Lead Oare: onely 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, [Page 27]that it may hold more Coales: besides that, you must take the choysest Coales that can be picked out, and no very small ones amongst them: also you must have two paire of hand-Bel­lowes, and two men to blow very strong­ly, and so melt it downe.

As for the refining it is needlesse to shew the manner; for no Copper in these Northerne Countries holdeth any royall Mettal, that is considerable; neither En­glish nor Danske Copper: yet in regard that in some Mines in Hungarie, there is generated Gold, Silver, and Copper, all in one masse of Oare: and also in re­gard that if any Mines of Copper shal be discovered in Virginia, or other south­erne Countries, there is some good probability that it may containe roy­all Mettal: therefore I wil shew the manner how to refine it, and al­so to part the Gold from the Sil­ver, if it shal containe both toge­ther.

First, melt one ounce of Copper with [Page 28]foure ounces of such Lead, as you know the goodnesse of before: then refine it, and by the augmentation, you shall know the worth of the royall mettall contai­ned in the Copper.

If you will trye whether the Copper contained any gold in it, put the assay, viz. the little Bead or pearle 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 Mettals, especially Tinne, Iron, and Copper, that the little Bead, or Pearle remaining in the middle of the Test, is not bright and shining, like the eye of a Bird, or Fish, but rough, blacke, and full of scurfe; then if it be but a lit­tle in quantity, an I that the Test be not cracked not [...]ll of lifts, then put to it some more of the same Lead, whereof you [Page 29]know the goodnesse, and drive it off a­gaine as you did at the first; and re-ite­rate this worke till the assay be pure and cleane like a little Pearle, or Bead, as it ought to be.

But if it happen that the Test is very foule, as often it commeth to passe in the Refining of strange Minerals, as Marcasites, and especially those which the Mine­rallists call by the name of Divells Dirt: Then there is no way but to let all coole; and then to digge it out, and with more Lead to melt it anew in a Pot, and then to let it coole, and then to breake the Pot, and to beate off the Cynder with an hammer, till you come to the malleable Mettall, and you may be assured that no royall Mettall will stay in the Cinder, but sinke downe into the Lead, through an attractive vertue betwixt them.

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 it selfe, or mixed with Gold without Lead, as many times it commeth to passe, then it is to be beaten to pow­der, and mixed with Sandivere, and Salt-Peter, without any filings of Iron, and so melted downe like the Lead Oare; only the fire must be somewhat stronger.

Then it is to be melted with foure times as much Lead, whereof you know the goodnesse: and so to be refined, as be­fore is declared.

But whereas sometimes this Oare is so strongly mixed with Sparre, and stony substances, that it cannot be separated [Page 31]therefrom, by any common manner of worke used by the refiners; then this course is to be taken with it: First, beate it into small powder; then wash away with water the greatest part of the terrestreity and filth: then drye the powder, and use it in this manner.

First, melt foure ounces of Lead, and when it is melted put to it foure ounces of quick-silver, made hot in another mel­ting pot: but let the Lead be almost cold before you put to the Quick-silver: but yet it must be done whilst that the Lead is liquid.

This done, cast it into an Iron Morter, set warme before upon Embers, and it will be like Pap; then presently with a Pestell, 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 Quicke-silver by any Artifice whatsoever: but the silver, if any there be, will forsake the Earthy and stony sub­stance, [Page 32]and ioyne it selfe with the Lead and Quick-silver by an attractive vertue. This done, put it altogether into a mel­ting Pot▪ with a little Sandivere, and Salt Peter, and melt it downe as you did the Lead Oare: onely this must be observed, that the sire must be more milde at the fitst a great deale, till the Quick-silver be evapourated, and more strong at the last, that all may slow well together. Then take out the Pot, and let it coole; then breake it, and with an hammer beate off all the Cynder and Scurfe, till nothing be left but malleable mettall.

Then refine it according to the common manner before declared, and cast up with your Penne the augmentation that is more than the Lead yeelded of it selfe: and if there be no augmentation, then that Minerall 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 [Page 33]substances, or any other filth which hindreth his reduction: therefore if this way faile, you may set your heart at rest for the seeking out of any other devices whatsoever, though the glistering sparkes contained in the said Mine­rall doe 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 yeelds 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, then put the little bead, or pearle of silver, which remained on the Test into Aqua-fortis, and if all dissolve, then there is no glold in that Mineral; but if a black powder remaine, then that is gold, and the quantity may be found by further triall.

As for the melting of it: if it be found [Page 34]mixed with silver Oare, as oftentimes it com­meth to passe, then it is to be melted, refined, and parted from the silver with Aqua-fortis, as is before declared, and if there bee not five times as much silver, as there is gold in the composition, then you must put to so much, or else the Aqua-fortis will not dissolve it.

But if it be found in graines or powder, as often times it is, then you must put to it Borax in stead of Sandiver and Salt Peter, and so melt it downe as you did the other Oares before mentioned.

Now for so much as this mettal is the most rich of all the rest, and most thirsted after, I wil enlarge my Discourse for the gaining of means to find it out: also I wil shew the reason why this royal Mettal is many times found pure of it selfe, with little or no mixture of other base mettal with it.

And first, whereas it is oftentimes found in the sand in Rivers, let no man thinke that it could be generated there, but that the swift mo­tion of the water from the high Mountaines, 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, [Page 35]being not able to carry forward stil both the substances, did still carry the earth with it, and let the heavier body sinke.

Therefore I would have those that have oc­casion to deale in the hot Countries where gold is usually generated, to make triall in all such Rivers which runne 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 shooe like a shovell; so that being drawne a little forward, as it lyeth in the bottome it will fill it selfe with sand: which you may try by grinding it with Quick-silver whether it con­taine any gold: for if there be any gold in the sand, it will mixe with the quick-silver willingly: then you may wash away all the sand, and streine the quick-silver through a skinne of leather, and if any gold be gathered into it, there wil remaine a Ball in the Leather: then you may evapourate the Quick-silver from the Ball in a melting pot, and so melt downe the gold with a little Borax.

Also sometimes gold is found in Rivers in powder and graines, farre distant from any mountaines of swift motion of water: this plainly demonstrateth that the earth therabout containeth gold: a thing usually in hot Coun­tries, and that the water in that place had a con­venient motion to weare away the earth, and to leave the gold behind, and this is manifestly seene 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 al mettals in general are generated of the clam­my and gluttenous part of the subterrancall vapours, arising from from Bituminous and Sul­phurous substances, kindled in the bowells of the earth: it behooveth me to shew how gold, such a sixed substance can be found pure of it selfe; and not mixed with other base mettals.

And the reason of this can be no other, but be­cause that all other mettalls whatsoever will putrifie in the earth in length of time, & turne to earth againe; but gold wil never putrifie by reason of his excellent composition, being made of a Balsamick Sulphure, or fatnes, which is incombu­stible, and distereth from the Sulphure or fatnes [Page 37]contained in the other mettalls, even as naturall Balsome differeth from all other oyles, fat sub­stances: so that though it be an oyle in shew, yet it wil sink in water, whereas all other oyles wil swimme 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 peece of gold against his Brasse weight, and then letting his scales sink in a Bason of water 3. or 4. inches deep, the gold wil there over-weigh the brasse about 9. or 10. grains, by reason that the brasse is more enclined to swim­ming through the cumbustible fatnes or sulphure in its composition; and as for the 20. shillings peece, so for any other peece of gold whatsoever according to its several brasse weight you may in like manner try whether it be true or counterfeit.

Now whereas the substance of gold is not sub­iect to putrifie in the earth by any length of time, it is probable enough that other mettalls 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 drawne Iron, or a substance much like to filings, or attoms of Iron out of graine gold that was brought from Gynnie with a Load-stone, which seemed to bee Iron not [Page 38]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 meates are sweeter than boyled meates, or raw meates: the reason whereof is plaine, for that the rawish and un­savory part is exhaled by the heate of the fire, leaving the sweeter part behind.

Even so in hot Countries, all that part of the subterraneall vapours, which here is condensed into Lead, and other base mettalls, can there have no leave to congeale, by reason of the heate: but is all or most part thereof exhaled out of the Mines, leaving behind the roy­all mettals, whose property is to coagu­late with heat: whereas the property of the base mettalls is to evapourate with heate and to congeale with cold.

The contrary opinion to this; namely that the substance of the best metals are convertible into royal mettals by heate and digestion, hath filled the world with false Books and receipts in Alchimy, and hath caused many men to spend much money, labour, study, and charges to no purpose.

For I know by good and long experience, [Page 39]and by many accurate trialls that Quick-silver the most friendly mineral to the royall mettalls, can by no meanes or Artifice whatsoever be fixed and coagulated into either of the Royal Mettalls: 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, vaine and frivilous.

For the matter or substance of the Royal met­tals is quite contrary to that of the base met­tals, 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 drawne some smal fixed part out of the base mettalls, and may be converted into Royall Mettall, though with much labour, charges, and losse.

For as a Tree or other vegetable being bur­ned, doth yeeld a fixed salt or Ashes: so the base mettalls doe containe in them some small quan­tity of matter of the same nature that the royall mettals are compounded of.

And for the further satisfaction to the Rea­der, I will shew in the next Chapter a true re­ceite to make reall and true gold abiding all tryalls, and having all properties active and [Page 40]passive which true naturall gold hath: but in stead of gaine, losse will be ready to follow the worke.

I Tooke 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 glasse, and drew from them first an Oile, then 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 foure times, till it was very pure: then I mixed it with equal parts of an A­malgam of silver, and quick-silver, made as be­neath is taught, and put it into another retort of Glasse, and forced away all but the silver, [Page 41]which remained like yellow horn: this yellow silver I amalgamed againe with new quick-silver, and set it in gentle heat about a week, then in very strong heat for 6. houres; so that the quick-silver rose up, and fell downe again upon the silver; till such time as that it had carryed up all the silver from the bottome of the glasse in­to branches like trees: then I melted downe the silver, and sined it, and parted it with Aqua-for­tis, and had divers graines of pure & good gold abiding all tryalls: but the quantity would not pay for halfe the charges and labour.

I made the Regulus thus: I took 4. ounces of Iron in stub nailes, and made them red hot in a crusible: and then I put to it 8. ounces of crude antimony, and melted it downe, and when it was well and thin melted, I let it coole in the pot, & so knockt off the regulus from the lop, or cynder which lay upon the top of it, then I did the like with 4. ounces of Copper in thin plats: & then I mixed equall parts of these two, and melted them 3. or 4. times, every time casting into the pot halfe an ounce of salt peter, as it was in melting to purifie it, till it was pure & bright almost like silver, but yet brittle: so that I could beat it in a Morter 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, doe 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, then I strained it to a Ball through a Leather skinne, and so mixed it with the yellow sublimate that was tincted yellow with the tincture of Iron and Copper.

The proportion of the quick-silver to the sil­ver was 5. or 6. parts to one.

If any one doubt the truth of Alchimy, he may be satisfied by this triall; but in stead of gaine he shall pay for his learning, by going away with losse.

I doe not deny but there are workes of lesse losse 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 bin 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 bargaine.

But the difference of times hath confounded [Page 43]this Art, as may appeare more plainly beneath.

First, in ancient times a mans worke was not worth above a penny a day, which now is worth two shillings sixe pence a day, as may appeare by ancient records for buildings, and the like: so that there is thirty to one losse in the workmanship.

Secondly, then coales, vessels, & other things necessary for these affaires 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 gaine 30. or 40. for one, and yet now they shall lose extreamly.

The cause that moved me to search so much into these affaires, was, because I saw by the bookes, that so divers men in divers ages, and in divers Countries did agree in one tale; wher­by I conceived it unpossible to be a lye, now I conceive it might be true, but that the times have made an alteration.

AS for these base Minerals, viz. Cinabar naturall, Antimony, Sulphur, Auripig­ment, Arsenick, Talcum, Muscovy glasse, 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 owne pleasure, skill, and industry in the proceeding of them.

Neverthelesse, because Cinabar naturall may con­taine much quick-silver, which is very usefull for many things, & may prove as beneficial as a good mine of mettal, especially if it shall be found in great plenty: I wil therfore shew the refining separating,& purifying of the same in smal proportion: so that if it shal be found a profitable work, then the finder thereof may proceed to a greater work. The first thing then to be done, is to consider of the weight therof: if it be very [Page 45]ponderous, reddish in colour, and ful of cleare streakes, shining almost like the streaks of An­timony, then it is a good signe of a rich Mine.

The first trial to be made thereof is to weigh a peece thereof, and so put it into a gentle fire for an houre or two, in such sort that it may onely be red hot; then to let it coole, and to weigh it againe, & so by the lightnesse thereof, being compared with the former weight, you may iudge somewhat of the richnesse 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 glasse, luted with Potters clay, and some horse dung well beaten and tempered together; then set it in a little furnace in your Chimny corner, & force it with fire 12. houres: let it be kept red hot the last 4. houres, and let the nose of the glasse enter into another glasse, 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 quick-silver.

This done, separate your quick-silver in the bottom of the water, and drie it, and weigh it; if you find the quantity considerable, then you may proceed in this manner.

First, make an hole in the earth with very good tempered clay that wil hold water, and let it be narrow in the bottome, and wider and wider above to the toppe to the breadth of 2. or 3. or 4. yards; then fill the Pit with water, & lay over it barres of iron of sufficient strength and thicknesse to beare the burden that must lye upon it; and let them lye so neare toge­ther that the stones & wood cannot fal through: then lay thereupon a leere of drye wood, and a leere of your red stone not broken small, and so doe againe till it be a yard thick or more, then give fire to it on the wind side, and goe a­way out of the danger of the fumes, till you see a far off that the fire is finished and burned quite out.

Then repaire to your worke, and let out the water through a pipe of Lead, which should be formerly laid almost at the bottome of the Pit, into another pit neare to it, made so deepe that it may receive the water, and in the bot­tome you shall finde great store of Quick-silver, if the Mine was good.

The water may be pumped up againe 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 [Page 47]to goe downe into the pit, to take out your Quick-silver, and so lay them downe againe.

THough this Minerall be of small va­lue, yet if a good Mine thereof shall be discovered in some particular pla­ces of this land, the benefit thereof will farre exceed the profit of any mettall Mine usually found in these Northerne Countries, by reason that wood is so greatly decayed of late yeares, that were it not for this helpe 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 proane to beare wood and thornes, and not in the very fertile grounds, nor yet in the extreame barren grounds, but of an indifferent fertility, and in grounds that are usually flower in their growth in the Spring time, than the fertile [Page 48]Champion countries by a week or a fortninght.

Also the said grounds are proane to bring forth large Cattell, and well horned: but not to feed the said Cattell 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 yeeld a black resi­dence.

Also if you burie a new bowle of pure white Wood in the said grounds, from March till Midsummer, with the mouth downeward, it wil 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 naturall causes, seemed to be one of Natures Darlings: which because I have nor tryed, for want of opportunity, I will com­mend it as a very probable signe, and give such Cautions, that any man may be sure of it, be­fore he trye his fortunes by digging or boa­ring, or any chargeable way.

And this was his direction: about the middle of May, when the subterraneall 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 peece of Tiffany, and wet it in the dew of the grasse, which is all of that springs growth, and not soyled with cattell, nor no other thing, then wring out the dew from it; and do so five or sixe times, and if there be coales the Tiffany will be alittle blacked, and made foule with the sooty vapours arising through the Coales, and condensed amongst the dew.

Now to be sure not to be deceived, do thus: first trye it where there are coales, and if ye find the signes above said, yet trust not to the expe­riment, till you have tried where there is no Coales in some other place, wherein it beho­veth you to trye in divers places, till you find a place where the Tiffiany is not soyled at all: then you may be sure that the experiment is true and unfailable.

I admonish him that shal trie with the Tiffany upon the dew, to let his hands be washed before with sope & hot water; & wiped with a pure white cloth, til they wil not foule the cloth at al; else if they spend their mony in digging, & find [Page 50]nothing, they may thank their foule fingers for that misfortune.

As for the naturall cause of the generation of Coales, this demonstration following doth make it manifest.

Take a peece of the blacke fat earth, which is usually digged up in the west Countrey, where there are such a multitude of Firre trees covered therewith, and which the people use to cut in the forme of Bricks, and to drye them, & so to burne them in stead of coales; use this sub­stance as you did the other earth in the begin­ning of the booke, to find out the natural cause of rocks, stones, and mettalls, and let it receive the vapours of the cumbustible substances, and you shall find this fat earth hardned into a plaine coale; even as you found the other Ieane earth hardned into a stone.

Whereby it appeareth that nature doth the same thing in the generation of coales 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 withall.

Now wheras some of inquisitive dispositions wil desire to know the naturall cause of that fat [Page 51]earth, generated in such subterraneall Cavernes, let them be pleased to consider that such places in former times have bin the superficies of the earth, and afterward have bin covered by the sea with other earth, which may be demonstrated by two wayes: first, it is evident that the mines of Coales doe lye 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 Firre trees doe lie covered so deepe in the earth, that the su­perficies of the earth was deeper then 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 Firre trees in that Countrey: secondly, for that they doe lie crosse, and in such uncooth manner, that no humane strength could ever imitate nor paralell 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 deepe upon the top of the trees.

Also they may see that the sea doth make the [Page 52]difference of the nature of earthes by its vari­rious motion, as well as the unevennesse therof by hills and vallies: for there they may see that some earth will burne, and some will not burne, 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 shew what may be done in length of time, by a continuall operation, not subiect unto ceasing, or intermission.

HEre I must confesse a manifest digres­sion from my Subiect: yet in regard of the great benefit which this expe­riment may bring to the Countrey, out of the new Plantations, and other places, where it is very probable that many of these things be hid­den [Page 53]and unknowne, I wil crave pardon, for that my intent was chiefely to prevent the losse of those things which may doe much good, were it not through ignorance or negligence.

First then take halfe a pint of water, and halfe a pint of float, made as beneath, 2. penny weight of Allom, 12. graines of Tartar finely beaten, & put all into a Tinne vessel, which is better than earth lead, or copper; set it on a Trivet to dissolve the Allom upon a gentle fire: as soone as it be­ginneth to boile, take a peece of white wollen cloth, well scoured with Sope, fullers earth, or Lee, or altogether, to take out the grease of it, being wel washed out with faire water, & then dryed in the aire or Sun, not by the fire: the cloth must weigh but halfe an ounce; then tie a thrid to the end of the cloth, & when the liquor beginneth to boile, then put in the cloth, & let it boile an houre; then take out the cloth, let it coole, wash it in two or three waters; then take any berry leafe, flower, stalke, root, fruit, seed, barke, or wood, and bruise them wel; put them in faire water, and boyle them with a gentle fire to extract the tincture; then put in the cloth formerly prepared, which wil shew what Colour they will give.

To make the Float.

Boyle an Hogs-head of water, then cast in a Bushell of wheate Branne, then draw the fire, then let it stand three or foure dayes, till it grow sowrish.

But for small tryalls a little will serve, obser­ving proportion betweene the Water and the Branne.

A proportion must be observed in the allowing of all stuffes before they receive their colours: First, the proportion of Allom to the water; which is one of Allom to 16. of water, and floate: 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 Cloath, which is one of Allom to five of the Cloath.

Note that all silkes must be Allomed cold, or else they will lose their luster.

The way to finde 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 iuice thereof, then presse 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 then [Page 55]they will turne to dung: these being sufficient­ly fermented must be dryed, and afterwards u­sed as Oade is used.

Another way as Indico is made.

Make a pit with Timber and boards, about a foote deep, and as wide, and as long as you please, being well clayed in the bottome and sides; then fill this pit with any vegetable cut greene; then put as much water to it as wil cover the herbes: let it stand exposed to the Sunne two or three daies: then with a plugge at the bottome draw out all the wa­ter, and cast it away: then fill the pit againe 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 herbe will be ea­sily brought into a mussilage; then it must be trod, and beaten with wodden instruments, like rammers, til it wil come al to a mussilage: then it must be taken and wrung through haire Sives, like Cassia Fistula extracted, to keepe the stalkes, and great Fibres for passing through: afterwards the Mussilage or pappe that passeth through, must be dryed in the Sunne, and so formed into Cakes like to Indico.

Another way.

Take the vegetable cut greene, and stampe and grind it: then take an Hogs-head and fill it with halfe water, and halfe bruised herbes, set it out of the Sunne, with the bung hole open two or three inches, till it firment and worke like Wine or Beere: after it hath done working the Herbes will sinke, which at the first did swimme, and the liquor will grow a little sowrish; then let it be set abroad in the Sunne, and brought into vinegar, as wine and Beere is brought into vinegar, and then that colour can never bee stained with other Vinegar or Vrine, because it is sufficiently im­pregnated, and his appetite satisfied with his owne proper Vinegar: when his substance is thus turned into Vinegar, the cleare Vinegar must be drawne from it, the remainder must be used as the former Indico, and some water to that, to bee sure to fetch out all his tartarous mussilage, must be put to the Vinegar, and dryed away in the Sunne, and so they come like Indico: In tinctu­ramtartarizatam fixam Ide occulto in manifestum.

And whereas Barkes, Woods, and Rootes are of a drye composition, and will not fer­ment [Page 57]of themselves with water like greene Herbes, or vegetables: therefore they must be well ground, or thinne shaven, and there must bee added in stead of Water, Iuice of Grapes, Peares, Apples, or Wort made of Malt, or other graine, into which the Wood, Barke, or Rootes must be put: let them ferment together, and afterwards be turned into Vinegar; then the cleare Vinegar must be extracted: be residue of the tinc­ture must bee extracted with fresh water, and both of them must be breathed away in the Sunne, as before, and so brought in his perfect tincture.

By this which hath beene declared in this Chapter, it may appeare to every one having an inquisitive disposition, what is the true na­turall cause why some colours are fixed, and wil not staine with vinegar, urine, nor yet fade with the Aire; which hath in it a certaine ace­tosity, or sharpe aiery salt of the nature of vine­gar, which those tinctures draw to them, which have not their appetites fully satisfied before with such spirituall or aiery salts; and this is further manifest for that all such tinctures which are most firme & fixed, & are not subiect [Page 58]to staining or fading, being tasted upon the tongue, may be felt somewhat sharpish or sowrish.

And the cause of this appetitive and at­tractive vertue in colours is no other but the very same which is betwixt the Load-stone and Iron: for take the Load-stone, and burne it till all his blew vapour be exhaled, and then he will draw no more Iron: thereby shewing plainely, that it was that aiery salt, tincted with the venereall, or vegetable greennesse, which the iron thirsted after, to satisfie his thirsty and drye nature and constitution, which he got by his calcination and fusion.

And the like attraction may be discerned by the intellectuall eyes, in anything that is strongly burnt, so that all his spirits are exha­led: as Lime will draw the aiery substance to him, and thereby quench himselfe: Also Tartar burned, and laid in the Aire, will draw the sharper part of the aire to it, and thereby dissolve it selfe; and in summe, all corporeal substances, the more they have lost their spirituall parts by naturall, or artificiall ope­ration, the stronger is their Attractive vertue.

Now in stead of filling the Readers head with Proclamations, I will conclude my Booke with giving case to his memory, by prescribing what necessaries he is to provide for the accomplishing of his severall designes, in his Voyages or Plantations, whither his oc­casions shall draw him.

And first for him that will onely trie his fortunes in the searching for Mineralls.

He will neede nothing but two or three Pipkins, two or three Vrinalls, an Iron Picke-Axe wel 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 bee not acquainted with the severall Oares of mettalls, it will be convenient that he take with him a little peece of every sort of Oares: or so many severall kindes as he can get.

And for him that would proceede further, to trye the value of them himselfe, he must provide these things following.

A Grate of Iron of a foote broad, some Bricks, two paire of good hand-bellowes, a paire of Tonges, some Lead, Salt-Peter, Sandiver, Borax, Flanders melting Pots, a [Page 60]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 shew him the Manuell practice in a day be­fore he goe his voyage.

And for him that will search for Dying stuffes, hee may see in the last Chapter what things he shall stand in neede of: Also the other Chapters may be perused, whereby every one may be the better accommodated for their severall enterprises.