Likewise Talk of sundry kinds is found in the said places, which is endued with ☉ and ☽: and it would easily yield them forth, were it but rightly handled, and dealt with according to the way by me prescribed: which hitherto we never heard to have been done by any.
The County of Erbach and likewise of Wertheimen do abound with Iron Metal (or Ore) and all kinds of Minerals, which contain in them, ☉ and ☽.
Nor are the Metals (or Ores) of less goodness that are in the Specharten Wood, and the bordering Countries; and yet notwithstanding ’tis evident that it yields nothing at all save this, viz. That there is excellent Salt made there and Glass, in great plenty. It is a thing well enough known to all men that here are various Metals (or Ores) found, but never hath any so procured as to have them wrought upon, and thereby to enjoy them.
We find in Several places, an Earth impregnated with white, black, and yellow Talk, especially (in that part) which is near to Aschiburg, and which contains both ☽ and ☉: which notwithstanding by reason of the smalness of the quantity thereof have never hitherto been thencefrom separated.
Not far from a Village which the Germans call Schiltkrop there offers it self a stony Talk, Somewhat ruddish, which besides Copper contains also volatile ☉, and of no use at all because there’s but little ♀ therein contained, and that the ☉ is volatile and cannot be obtained by the means of melting. Perhaps this Talk was known even of old time, for the place where it is found in plenty is by the Inhabitants of that place called the Gold-pit even to this day: for it is not incredible but that there was Gold found there.
However there is not at this time any extracted out of that Talk. I have very often extracted thence most beauteous Verde-grease by the help of destilled Vinegar. For seeing that there is plenty of Wood to be had in that place, and consequently requires no costs, we may get us vast quantities of Acetum gratis, (or for nothing): and by the help thereof extract the Copper out of the said Talk: Verily many noble Nen would have (thencefrom) whereon to live honourably.
NB. But if we make a Spirit of Salt, and with it being fortified with a fourth part of Nitre, extract the Copper and the ☉ out of the said Talk, and then first catch the ☉ by ♄, and then precipitate the ♀ by ♂, we shall not only have very malleable Copper, but shall likewise receive even pure ☉; and this I testify upon my own knowledge.
He that hath determined the experimenting of these things, and yet sees that he does not rightly perceive the things we have here mentioned, I advise him to come unto me in a friendly way, and I will not be wanting unto him to serve him and the Country by any farther information.
Verily there lie hidden incredible Treasures in those places, which none know of, and which yield nothing at all by the help of Liquefaction, and which we are constrained if we would have them fixt and metalline to make them so by the benefit of a sharp Water, and this I was willing to open and notifie for the Countries sake.
O thou Zoilist or Carper that understandest not this knack, pass not thou thy judgment hereupon, but rather examine thy Wines, and tell us which is best:, either the Heubachen, Klingenbergick, or Wertheimen sort: Verily neither of these Liquors though they are strong, are convenient for the extracting of Venus and Sol out of that Talk: There is a far stronger required, to wit, some nitrous Spirit of Salt, or Spirit of Nitre acuated with common Salt. When the extraction is ended there may be gathered plenty of Nitre out of the remaining Menstruum. Insomuch that there is nothing else required but labour, for the costs expended on the work are not at all considerable: And thus in a little space of time, we may get a great quantity of Copper and Sol.