This dissolvent is no other than Aq. Fortis, wherein a little Tartar is dissolved. For the Tartar being an enemy to the Gold, is wont to precipitate the Gold out of the solutions like as common Salt doth Silver out of Aq. Fortis. By this way may all the Copper be easily separated from the Gold, concerning which, more shall be spoken in its due place.
XXXII. Another reduction of Copper that hath Gold in it, and the perfect separation of the Copper from the Gold.
Add to such Copper that hath Gold in it, some Silver, and melt it with so much Regulus of Antimony as is twice the weight of the said Metals thus together taken. Separate the said Regulus together with the Copper from the Silver by the addition of Salt Peter, that so the Silver may retain with the Gold that was in the Copper, the which is to be afterwards separated if it be worth the while. Now it is not necessary presently to separate it, forasmuch as it is far better many times to abstract such a Copper that has Gold therein from such a Silver, that so the Silver may be enriched with a great quantity of Gold by so many abstractions; the which abstractions require but very little costs besides the charges of the Fire and Crucibles.
For all the Salt Peter used hereabouts, together with all the Copper and all the Regulus of Antimony may be thencefrom again recovered, by him who rightly knows the precipitation. Besides, there lies hid under this operation, some great matter as concerning the amending of the Metals. For it is a way of arriving to the knowledge of impregnating all Silver by Copper, with Gold, and Copper it self with Silver; concerning which thing there are more instructions to be found in other places of my Writings.
These things may at present suffice, touching the reduction of the Metals extracted out of the poor Mines, and [concerning those things which by reason of the hasty Edition of the [Appendix to the fifth part of the prosperity of Germany] were omitted therein;] the which defects the well minded Reader may from hence supply.
XXXIII. A brief description of the above mentioned artificial Instrument, by the help whereof the spirits necessary for the extraction of the Metals out of the poor Mines that contain in them Gold, Silver and Copper, are plentifully prepared, the Minerals themselves extracted, and the dissolving Menstruums, again easily separated from the Metals.
This incomparable and by me newly found out Instrument, being most profitable and commodious for the easie extractions of Metals, and preparations of the dissolving Menstruums, is made of a peculiar earth, and is almost of the figure or likeness of a Bakers Oven, and is either of a bigger or lesser size, according to the quantity any one has a mind to labour in; In the forepart it hath a Door, and in the end [or top] or very near it, it hath an Outlet. To the Cover serving instead of an Alembick, a great receiving Vessel is to be fitted, fit for the reception of the outgoing spirits. After that the Furnace is heated, the prepared Salts being put in peculiar Pots or Crucibles made of the best earth are to be put with a pair of Tongs prepared for this peculiar use into the Instrument, and all the spirits will be drawn off with a speedy Distillation. Now there is no danger here of breaking the Instruments, and the Distillation may be done in the space of one or two hours, how great a quantity soever of Salt was used to the Distillation. When the Distillation is over, the Pots that were put into that Instrument or Furnace are to be again taken out with your Tongs, and presently other Pots filled with Salts are to be put in the room of them you took out, and the spirits again driven out by a new Distillation. This labour may be kept on as long as one pleaseth, or as long as he hath any matter to distill withall; because the Vessel never cools as long as the Distillation is continued. This Furnace therefore is most notably fit for the Distillation of a great quantity of Salts, and that by a labour which is so exceeding speedily finished.
The same way of Distillation is to be observed in the extraction of Minerals or Metalline Earths, the which can be far sooner extracted and far speedier this way, than by that described in the Appendix which is to be done by heating the Glasses.
After the same manner is the dissolving Menstruum it self speedily again abstracted from the extracted Metals, and being thereby preserved without any loss is to be applied to farther use. This Instrument therefore doth so compendiously and easily dispatch all those said labours, that (set aside your Fire and Salt) the plentifull making your spirits, the abundant extraction of the Minerals, and the separation of your Menstruum’s from the extracted Metals and its preservation, are in a manner done without any costs.