Farther, some Musk or other things that emit a fragrant Odour may be therewith mixed, which addition is wont to get to the Herbs a most fragrant Odour. If so be a man fears to apply the aforesaid precious Medicament to this Operation, because of the Costs of the same, he may use that Tincture which we taught a little afore, to prepare of Coles onely without Gold; and which indeed will perform all those things, (as in reference to the growing faculty) which that Golden medicament is wont to perform; this onely excepted, viz. that the Herbs will nor partake of that golden Property which they obtain by that Golden medicament.
The things we have here written and published concerning the promoting the faculty of growth in golden Herbs, though they seem not of any great moment, yet hide they under them mysteries of great moment, the which many Artists will apprehend, and convert unto their Use.
LXXVIII. How any Wood or any Wood-coal may be so prepared by the Sal Mirabilis, as to be capable of a long while resisting the Fire.
Dissolve some Sal Mirabilis in common Water, put some Wood or Wood coal therein, let it lye in it for some days, or so long till it be well glutted with the Liquor and become ponderous. Then take it out and dry it very well at the fire, that all the moisture vanishing away may leave the Sal Mirabilis in the Wood: Then put it in the said Solution yet again, and take it out and again dry it, which labour will render the Wood so much the solider by how much the oftener it shall be repeated. By this means, all the Pores will be filled with the Salt and the Air will be shut out, that it can penetrate it no more; without which Air no Wood can ever take fire or burn. If now you put such Wood or such Coals with other Wood and Coals in the fire, these [un-imbibed Coals, &c.] will be consumed by the Fire in a short time and be reduced into Ashes, but those others will remain untoucht, and may be taken out unhurt, though indeed even they too will be burnt if they lye over long in the Fire. This is certain concerning Coals, that those that are made of more weighty Wood, and which abound with a greater Quantity of Salt, such as are the Oak, Beech, Juniper, Vines, and other Trees whose Wood is ponderous dure far longer in the fire than those Coals do which are made of Firr, Pine, Alder, Willows, and such like lighter Trees, and which have a lesser Quantity of Salt, and this now I do not mention barely for fashions sake, but to this intent, that occasion may be given from this kind of knowledge of drawing some profitable matter therefrom; as for Example.
LXXIX. How such kind of Woods which are always so near the Fire, as that they are still in danger of being burnt, and thereby threaten damage may be conserved from firing.
Dissolve some Sal Mirabilis in Water, and with a Pencil smear over such Wood which by reason of its nearness to the Fire is always in danger of being burnt. When the Water is dryed up, moisten it again with the same Water, and repeat this moistening so often, till it hath drunk in a sufficient Quantity of the Sal Mirabilis, and become able to resist the heat. By this means might men be often freed of many fears and cares, in ships dawb’d with pitch and in other places, where by reason of the too nearness of dry Timber there is danger of firing.
LXXX. How by the help of Sal Mirabilis any Wood may be conserved so, as for a long time to remain unhurt in the Water.
He that desires to preserve Wood, that it may not be detrimented by the Water nor rot in a long time, may be master of his wishes, the following way. Dry your wood very well, and being dry moisten it with strong Oil of Vitriol very exactly, and being moistened sprinkle it with the Sal Mirabilis beaten into Powder, that it may stick well on to the Oil of the Vitriol. For the Oil of Vitriol doth in its penetrating of the wood carry in the Salt thereinto, and makes in the outside thereof every where about a black Crust, just as if that wood had been burnt by the Fire. Now because Coals resist putrefaction, it must necessarily follow that the wood being in that wise ordered must remain a long time unhurt in the water.
LXXXI. The Preparation of the Sal Mirabilis for this Work.
There ariseth no small difference amongst the Salts themselves from the different way used in making the Sal Mirabilis.