The third Compendium is this, when the Lixivium of Gold, is collected to a just quantity, a singular Water of small cost, is poured into the Solution of Gold, whence all the Sol is precipitated from the Solvent, the Solvent by inclination is decanted from the Calx of Sol, and may again be used for the like extraction, seeing that it still retaineth its strength, being nothing weakened by the precipitation. Therefore we may use this Solvent a long time. And that which is lost by pouring too and again, is of small charge, because it may be recruited again by the like cheap Water. But if one should mortifie that dissolvent with other contrary Lixiviums, to precipitate the Sol, as otherwise is wont to be done, and I have taught above, about the proving of Sand, what a loss should we undergo, if at every time we should destroy our Solvent? Besides such an extraction is costly and laborious, when made in glass or earthen Cucurbits.
But this extraction is almost of no charge, seeing that it may be perfected in great Kettles, and the Gold thence precipitated without loss of the Water. This extraction of Gold is like the extraction of Salt-peter from Earth, where the Workmen also elixiviate one part of the Earth, by the help of Water, which Earth they then throw away, and in room of that put other Earth into the Vessel, which they also elixiviate or wash, and that so often till they have elixiviated all their Earth impregnated with Salt peter. And by the same reason we elicit our Gold from Sand, as they make their Salt-peter.
The fourth Compendium is this, that the precipitated Calx of Sol, after the Water is filtred from it, is taken out of the filter and dried, and by the benefit of a certain singular good flux, not at all costly, is reduced, so that in the melting nothing of the Gold is lost.
In those four Compendiums the whole work of our extraction consisteth, as a building standing upon four Pillars, one of which failing, the whole structure is ruined. He that knoweth those four Compendiums may boldly enter upon the work, to extract Sol from Sand and Stones: for then it will be a work of profit to him, otherwise not, which I have declared for the information of every man.
But that I have made none of those four Compendiums manifest, let no man wonder, because I have been sufficiently hurt by the slanderous Forgeries of cavelling Detractours. For when by reason of their dull apprehension, they could not understand nor perform those things which I had written openly and plain enough, they falsly traduced my Writings, as abounding with lies.
Let these things suffice to be written at this time, concerning the extraction of Gold out of Stones, Sand or Flints: which I doubt not but will be of use hereafter to many indigent Persons. For although all men should apply themselves to that extraction, yet they would in no wise incommode one another, seeing there are Sand and Stones every where obvious to all. And also the Salts for extracting are so plentifully afforded, that nothing is wanting but a man to put his hand to the work. But some one may here object and say: I do indeed believe Glauber, that in the Sand and Stones of the East and West Indies, Africa, Spain, Italy, France, and other hot Countries, much Gold may be found, but who will remove his dwelling thither to extract it? There is no need that any should go dwell in Africa, or either Indies, thence to fetch us Gold, seeing that it may be had sufficiently in Europe, and may be found in all cold places. It is well known, that in many parts of Germany, Gold is elicited from the Sand as well of small, as great Rivers and Lakes. But that more Gold may not be had in Germany, which is temperate, than in cold Norway, or Sweden, and less in Germany than in France or Spain, I will not deny. Therefore we need no Commerce with thirsty Africa, or America, as that with great peril of body and mind, we should seek Gold thence, seeing that we have it in every Countrey of Europe, and that not onely under ground in the Veins of the Earth, whence it is to be digged out with great trouble, cost and labour; but it is also every where manifest upon the Earth, where it is much more largely and easily acquired. The most famous Monarch of Philosophers, Paracelsus, in his Book of the Vexations of Alchymists saith: That more Gold and Silver may be found above the Earth, than in its profundity, and that oftentimes a Countreyman throweth a Stone at a Cow, which is of greater value than the Price of the Cow. Which thing indeed is certainly true, nevertheless whosoever will not with Glauber believe it, let him remain in his unbelief. In Esdras, we reade these words: There is much Earth of which Potters make their Vessels, but a small quantity of Powder or Dust of which Gold is made. Which words are commonly thus interpreted, that, by the words powder or dust of which Gold is made, the Writer hath understood the Stone of Philosophers. The which is very agreeable to truth, but yet no Earth is found void of metals, nevertheless all are not so rich, as to afford any profit in the extracting. On the contrary all Stones and Sand (although every of them doth not contain corporal Sol so largely, as to be thence extracted with gain) rejoyce in the first Ens of Gold, or such a Calx by whose benefit Gold may be made. Which powder, if we know how to extract from them, we may make it better than Gold it self. But seeing such an Aurifick Calx is very largely diffused in Sand or Stones, and cannot be thence hammered out, but is extracted by Art alone, therefore the blind Covetours of Gold, with the Ignorant, will not believe it, because they know not how to perfect it. Hence an Art of this kind was by the Philosophers kept most secret, where Paracelsus speaking of the first Ens of Gold, saith that it may be elicited by sublimation. Basilius writeth that the preparation of the universal Tincture, may be compared to the distillation of a burning Spirit from the Lees of Wine. A comparison sufficiently perspicuous! For even as in a great quantity of Wine or Beer, there is hidden but a small quantity of good Spirit, and the residue is nothing but an unprofitable mud, but nevertheless that little Spirit, by the help of distillation is always extracted from the great quantity of unprofitable mud, with gain, and is concentrated into a very subtile penetrating Spirit, of which one spoonfull is more to be esteemed than a whole pail full of Lees. By such means the Philosophers would have us extract by Art, that first Ens or form of Gold being very far dispersed in Sand and Stones, and concentrate or bring it into a small compass, of which, but asmuch as the magnitude of a Pease, is of greater worth than a huge Mountain of unprofitable Earth. Moreover, this I will not conceal, that throughout all Germany, in and about the Rivers may be found Stones, which are sufficiently rich in Gold and Silver, and moreover if you break them into pieces, you shall find within them little Holes and Caverns, which abound with a yellow or brown Powder, which if any one shall take out, and melt it together with Borax, he will acquire Sol mixed with Silver. But as yet, I never saw any man, who knew this sort of stones, and much less that golden Calx which is hidden in them. Which thing without doubt they have passed by, by reason of their negligence, not loving or seeking to know the physical Magnalia of God. I have found many the like stones in the sandy Hills about Utrecht, and in other Sand-pits of this Belgick Nation, but more about the Banks of the Rhine, and the Isle, as also the Coast of the Southern Sea, some of which stones I have yet by me. Also in the rough places of Walavia you may find much Sand and Stones, which contain corporal Gold. But there is no man knoweth any thing of them. And this might be of great use to Children, if they were placed for a time in the Shop or Workhouse of some Artist, of whom they might learn, whence in any case of necessity they might be able to sustain themselves. But the rich, relying upon their own fortunes, think that they have Wealth enough for their Children, but if any adverse fortune shall chance to befall them, as their Houses to be burnt, or their Ships robbed by Pyrates of their rich Merchandizes, or be cast away by Tempests, or their Debtours break and run away in their Debts, then they know not which way to turn themselves; and because they have learned no Art, whereby to get their living, they commonly degenerate into men of a desperate life. For one leaveth his Wife and Children, and goeth into the Indies, where not a few have become a Prey to wild Beasts or Cannibals. Another, for a small stipend or pay, selleth his Freedom to fight by Sea and Land, untill like a mad Dog he is miserably slain. [I have heard that it is a Custom in Germany, that a man may play away, pawn, or sell his Liberty or Freedom, which being once gone, he becomes a Vassal or Slave to the publick Service of the Prince or State, during his Life.] Others, (after they have consumed and wasted all their substance, and have learned nothing that is gainfull in their youth, whence they might honestly maintain themselves and Families) betake themselves to a vitious kind of life, till they perish in it. To have truely learned Mechanick Arts, indeed helpeth much in fortunate times; but when the times happen to be troublesome and difficult, and many men in the same City exercise one and the same Art, one often hurts another, by eating the Bread out of his mouth, and reduceth him to straits. But if a Physician knoweth somewhat besides the Profession of Physick, by which he may obtain a Living, he will have no need to make so many Visits to the Sick out of a pressing desire and expectation of getting mony for his diligent attendance. Therefore Hermetick Philosophy and Medicine, with their Cousen German natural Alchymy, are the most excellent of all Arts, and will so remain to the End of the World.
Seeing therefore that such great Treasures (as we have heard) are hidden in the despised Earth, and in such subjects as are every where trampled under foot, wherefore should we not extract them, for an honest maintenance, and defence against the injury of the times? Why should we not leave India to the Indians, and have regard to our own Europe, which abundantly affordeth whatsoever we need for the sustentation of Life? I cannot but say again and again, that were I but ten years younger than I am, I would not cease, but for the good of the publick, would publickly teach, and demonstrate to the Eye, true Philosophy, Medicine, and Alchymy. But my glass being almost run, I must commit the care of this labour to others who are younger and have greater strength of Body. Therefore in the mean time, whatsoever good I can do my Neighbour by wholsome Writings, I will not omit. I intend shortly (God favouring my design) to publish many secrets, hitherto unheard of. Nothing now remains but to close this little Treatise with,
The End.
Glory be to God alone.