The works of the highly experienced and famous chymist, John Rudolph Glauber

by Johann Rudolf Glauber

You may see the figure of these receivers, as also their joyning together by the annexed delineation. Now, for the most part, one is sufficient for him that distils a few things, especially if the matter be not pretious, and then let one crooked earthen pipe at least be joyned, one arm with the pipe that goeth forth of the Furnace, the other with the Receiver, but so that it go into the receiver downwards, even to the middle thereof, and then you need not shut the orifice of the receivers, for it is no great matter if somewhat evaporate, viz. if the matter to be distilled be not pretious. And by this way may new spirits and new flowers be made every hour, with the help of one Furnace, and one recipient, but with this caution, that for every new distillation, the recipient be washed with Water before it be put to the pipe; which being put to, you may then cast your species into the Furnace; and this do till you have a sufficient quantity of spirits.

And this way of distillation serves especially for the trying of the natures and properties of many and divers Minerals, such as yield in the fire spirits and flowers. For it would be too tedious in every new distillation to apply a new and distinct receiver: as also many studious of the Chymical art would quit their study, being able to make by retort but one tryal in a day. And no wonder if expences, and loss of time should deter many.

Now here there is no need of many Retorts, nor of luting them, nor of receivers, and such like superfluous things; neither is there here required the constant presence of the operator, the observation of the regiment of fire, the neglect whereof would otherwise endanger the loss of the retorts and receivers, and by consequence the loss of labour. These and such like tedious things are not here to be cared for, because it is sufficient only to cast the Matter upon the coals, and cover the Furnace, and then presently go forth the spirits, and flowers of the same kind with their mineral: of which when thou hast got a sufficient quantity, thou must draw out the Iron bars, upon which the coals lye, that they may fall down, and be taken away; and whilst the Furnace is yet hot, to put in the Iron bars again, and upon them to lay fresh coals, which then will of their own accord be kindled with the heat of the Furnace. In the mean time you must take away the receiver, and make it clean and set it to again, or if you had rather put another clean one, viz. for the new distillation of another Matter.

And by this way, divers things may be in the space of one hour distilled, and sublimed, viz. in a small quantity. But he that will distil, or sublime in a greater quantity, let him take three or four pots that the spirits may pass from one into another, that nothing thereof be lost. Here needs not (as I said before) the continual presence of the operator, for he may be gone, cease, or repeat as he please, because the work is without danger of breaking the retorts, and receivers.

He that knows the use of this Furnace, may do many things in a short time with little cost. For any one may do more by the help thereof in one hour, than in the common way in twenty four, by which way also there is a great saving of coals, because ten pound of coals will do more this way than a hundred the other. As for example, he that will try, shall make a pound of spirit of Salt in one hour with three, four, or five pounds of coals; whereas after the other way are required fifty of sixty pounds, and at least twenty or thirty hours time, viz. in the common way by the help of retorts: which is indeed very tedious.

Also by this way may be made the flowers or minerals, and metals, in a great quantity, very easily, and in a short time without great cost, so as that in one hours space, with three or four pound of coals may a pound of the flowers of Antimony be made. And this is no small help to the Physitian, and Chymist.

Moreover this furnace being once built, endures for many years, and being broken is easily repaired.

And by this way you shall need only materials to be distilled, no retorts and receivers are in danger, by which means much cost is saved.

Besides the aforesaid ways, I have yet another, and that more compendious, viz. of distilling, and subliming, and more easy, by which means in a very little time, an incredible quantity of spirits of Salts, and flowers of Minerals, and metals may be made; which I shall refer till another time, because for the present I have said enough.

Now I do not doubt, but diligent Chymists will follow my steps, and find out those things which are unknown to me. For it is easier to add to things found out, than to find out things unknown.