To the Friendly READER, Health.
I taught in the First Part how the over-abounding quantity of Wine and Corn is to be Concentrated, that it may abide uncorrupt for a very many years, and when necessity requires it may be an help to many in need.
In the Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Parts I taught the Extraction of both fix and unfix Metals, to great profit, and almost without any Costs, out of the bodies of vile, poor Minerals and Metallick Earths, which will not quit the Costs of a Fusing-fire, and this to be done by no costly Waters; and withall, how to bring them into use, which no body afore me ever did. And did not I disburse a great deal of Monies in building a convenient Laboratory, in which I produced such most profitable things to the view of every one, and demonstrated them to be true? And what have I reaped for these so great benefits I have done, but a most ungratefull casting off their remembrance? Have not all the things I have taught been accused of falsity and deceit both to the high and low, by those who have so audaciously dared to deny the Melioration of Metals by Fire and Salt? These have also asserted, that the making of Salt-peter of Common Salt is altogether impossible; and they have affirmed it to be a thing quite contrary unto nature, that Metals should be gotten out of the poorer sort of Metallick Earths by the help of a Water made of Salt-peter; but yet that even this is most certainly true, the Appendix of my Fifth Part, and my Second Century, doe demonstrate by indubitable Experiments.
And albeit that the three said Arcana’s are evidently enough delivered and described, so as even to be palpably felt by the hands of those that know how to manage the Fire, yet notwithstanding they have brought but very little benefit as yet, because that although they are most true, yet are they contemned and disregarded by unskilfull Men, out of meer Envy and most perverse hatred, and doe even yet stick in contempt.
However, not regarding these [base dealings] and that I may mete them all things in full measure, I have a mind yet farther to detect some secrets, by which there may redound to the Country very notable fruits: And that not onely by converting the many Metallick Earths that contain in them Gold and Silver, and which have not hitherto been profitable to any unto a gainfull and a beneficial use; but also by defending the Country against the most dangerous invasion of the Turks, who are the Capital Enemies of the whole Christian World, and that by so strong and efficacious a defence, as never any mortal man did yet contrive the like of.
As to what belongs to Mineral Treasures, I have exhibited a sufficiently clear and manifest description of them in the second, third, fourth and fifth Part of the Prosperity of Germany, and also in the Appendix to the fifth Part, and in the second Century. But yet there is nothing so perfect and absolute but that in process of time there may be added and adjoyned thereto some new thing, and somewhat of perfection: Witness my Instrument which I mentioned in the second Century, by the help of which, Gold, Silver and Copper are easily and plentifully extracted out of their Metallick Earths, and that on such wise, as that there are requisite no other Costs but the bare Charges of the fire. And farther, this way would bring no small profit even from those Metallick Earths which are ranked amongst the poorest sort of Oars; if it were well known, and exercised in many places, there would flow thencefrom most mighty profit throughout all Germany, and the said Instrument would by its assistance wonderfully promote the same.
For although I have heretofore publisht several ways of preparing sharp Waters, and of extracting the Metals with them out of the poor Minerals; (and yet even these ways bring no despicable gain) yet they perform not that which is wont to be accomplished by the help of the said Instrument. For this Instrument serves not onely to extract those sharp Waters in a greater quantity, but is also far fitter and more convenient for the Extraction even of the Metals themselves out of their Earths, and for the separation of the Dissolving Menstruum from the Metals, than those Glass Vessels are, which have been commonly used about this Operation.
Therefore it much concerns him that employs himself about these kind of Operations, well and thoroughly to know its Use. I made indeed some mention of the same in my Second Century, but yet not so clearly as for any one thoroughly to understand its Use by what I there spake. Therefore I have thought it expedient to give here somewhat a clearer and more perspicuous description of the same, that so I may not seem to be at all wanting in my diligence unto any one, but may be said to have done all things with a due candour and openness.