That which is gathered in the said Mountain, I have often tried, nor did I ever find it destitute of ☉, the which may be very well extracted by my moist separation.
The Stabelein Abbot presented me with such like Iron stones and several others that had Gold in them, together with diverse Minerals, some 18 months ago, some of which were gathered in Westphalia, some in the Province Luttinge, in that part that is under the Government of the Elector of Cologne, P. M. The Prince himself having a mind to see by what means I would extract the volatile Gold out of them, came unto me, but he died in his Journey homewards; since that I have not received any more of such like aureous Metals (or Ores.)
Amongst other (Ores) I knew an Iron Metal (or Ore) found in Westphalia, the half whereof was very aureous, but of no use, because the Metal-men were ignorant of the way of separating those Metals from one another; whereas notwithstanding both the pure Copper, and the ☉ it self may be most easily separated from the Iron according to the way by me delivered.
There were also a while ago several Iron stones brought me by the Cologne Merchants, and especially Mr. Peter Sevet (P. M.) which are found in plenty in the Mountains, and do abound with much ☉: Besides this too, all the Mountains of Germany, do yield a yellow Earth, endued with Iron and ☽: of which kind a certain Physician of Erfurt sent me some, which (as he related to me) at Eysfeldt near Erfurt towards the Province of Moguntia is plenty thereof.
Such an Earth containing silver, I my self found here in the bordering places ’twixt Arnheim and Embrick, but not of such worth as that of Eysfeldt is.
Who knows but that that same place which we call Velaw hides in it vast Treasures. For I have found near Amheim a white Clay and Earth out of which I extracted some ☽: Yea and I found there too, true Veins of Iron, which whether or no they contain ☉ and ☽ I cannot tell: For I never proved them, but the first opportunity I have I intend (God willing) to make an Essay.
Thus ’tis evident that there is not at all wanting unto us the matter of effecting some good and profitable thing by, but the love of idleness is the reason why we neglect abundance of sufficiently obvious Treasures.
The Earth nourisheth men of diverse natures; for some of them are altogether slothful, sluggish, and extraordinarily backward to labour, and yet nevertheless get fat bodies enough: On the other hand, there are some who are very diligent, & do too much consume themselves, and concerning whom (being like unto a burning Candle) they may say thus of themselves, by serving others, am I consumed. And as much benefit as the Candle gets by affording a light unto others and by consuming it self; so much doth there redound, especially from ungrateful men, to a diligent man who by serving others wasts and consumes himself.
These and such like most abject Subjects are plentifully enough to be found in all parts of the World where Mountains are, and out of them may you extract ☽ and ☉ by the help of my nitrous Water, were but the way of doing it known, which way hath been hitherto reserved amongst Arcana by reason of mens extream ingratitude. And I pray is it not altogether useful and expedient that we should gather such Treasures, and make use of them to Gods Honour, and to the defence of Kingdoms and Mankind? Is there not sufficient store of idle fellows, whom it would be very expedient either to invite to labour or (if they shun work) to banish them the Kingdom?
I believe that this blindness will hardly leave men afore they are reduced to straits, but beware least you hap to begin to grow wise too late.