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

by Johann Rudolf Glauber

N. B. This is to be observed in this labour, that all the Spirits are not to be drawn off from the Oars even to the dry Salt; and this not onely to shun the dammage that might happen by breaking the Glasses, but also for this reason, viz. that there may be left behind with the Salt a little Acrimony, because of some Salts which easily pass into Salt-peter when some Aqua Fortis is drawn off them. And albeit that Aqua Fortis will easily turn the whole Body of Kitchin Salt into Salt-peter, yet notwithstanding ’mongst all the Salts one Salt admits of a speedier, another of a slow Transmutation, according as it is more or less akin in its nature unto Salt-peter.

And therefore to prevent this errour, some humidity is to be left with the Oars. For when all the Spirits are drawn off, and the Salt is turned into Salt-peter, the Water would not be sharp enough to hold up the Gold that is extracted, when the Solution is made, for the Water would dissolve barely the Salt-peter, and leave the Gold remaining behind with the Oar.

If this errour should chance to be committed, the Salt-peter is to be extracted out of the Oars with the Water, and more new Salt must be poured on upon the same Oars together with the Aqua Regis that was drawn off by Distillation; that so this Aqua Regis having been once abstracted may not afterwards transmute all the Salt thereto added into Salt-peter. For by how much the oftner the Aqua Fortis is drawn off from the Salt, so much the less is the Salt turned by it into Salt-peter, and at length, it will come to such a pass as to remain just as it was afore the abstraction [of the so oft drawn off Spirit.] For this is the nature of Aqua Fortis, viz. to transmute half its weight of Salt into Salt-peter at the first time; the second time it transmutes but a fourth part; the third time much less; and at length will transmute none at all; but puts on the nature of Spirit of Salt; which notwithstanding is most fit to extract Gold and Copper withall out of the Oars in infinitum, if Salt be thereto added, out of which, it is wont to get it self a perpetual encrease (and be) like other Spirit of Salt.

Now then, to prevent this inconvenience, the Aqua Fortis may be left off for altogether, and those Minerals and Metallick Earths may be extracted with the Spirit of Salt onely, and Salt added thereunto: onely observing this thing in the Distillation, viz. that some of the humidity be left behind with the Oars whereby they may be the easilier taken out of the Glasses.

Moreover this is to be likewise known, that Gold, Silver, and Copper may be extracted out of their Oars or Earths even without Aqua Fortis or Spirit of Salt, if onely Salt or Salt-peter be but added. For if some Oil of Vitriol or of Sulphur be poured upon the Water of Salt-peter, or that the Water of Salt be acuated therewithall, it becomes strong enough to extract Gold, and after the extraction and distilling the Phlegm off, there follows by distilling a pleasant Spirit of Salt, or from Salt-peter a good Aqua Fortis. This labour therefore is more gainfull and less troublesome, than if Aqua Fortis or Spirit of Salt were used thereunto.

There are other easier and more compendious ways of extracting Gold, Silver and Copper out of their Earths, which, seeing they have not been as yet shown in my Laboratory, I shall silently pass them by at present and that not without reason. But yet there is frequent mention made of the like [Operations] in my first Century, in which he who has an earnest desire to know more of those kind of ways, may make enquiry.

The Preparation of sutable and proper Waters to extract Gold, Silver and Copper out of poor Oars.

Take of Salt-peter one part, of common Aqua Fortis two parts; these being joyned together, extract Silver and also Copper. But to extract Gold out of its Oars or Minerals, there must be taken one part of common Salt, and four parts of Aqua Fortis. One pound of Salt, and four of Aqua Fortis, make four pounds and ½ of Aqua Regia, the other half pound of Salt stays behind with the Metallick Veins or Oars in the bottom of the Cucurbit, and contains the Gold that was in them, and is to be extracted with common Water.

The way of getting out the Gold and Silver out of the washt-out Salts by precipitation, and of reducing them to their peculiar bodies without detriment or loss.

If it be Water of Salt-peter and hath Silver in it, the Water of Salt being poured in, precipitates the Silver to the bottom. But if Water of Salt, and has Gold in it, the Gold is precipitated by pouring on a Lixivium which hath in it a little liquour of Flints. And now this Water it self thus mixt by pouring (other precipitating liquors on it) yields (by decoction) most excellent Salt-peter. And the Aqua Fortis and Aqua Regis, which ascended by Distillation, are fit to make new extractions of Gold, Silver, and Copper out of their Earths; and by iterated extractions (by the Salts and Waters thereto added) do they get a perpetual encrease, insomuch that in these extractions of Gold, Silver, and Copper, there are not required at all any other expences save those few, bestowed on firing. Therefore in the beginning of this Work there is not required ought else but one onely pound of Aqua Fortis, because in the progress of the Work it proceeds on to an infinite encrease, yea, enough for the extraction of many thousands of pounds.