How from Gold its Tincture may be extracted by help of a Magnet.
Recipe of most pure Gold an ounce and a half, and of the Stellate Regulus of Antimony made with Steel, one ounce, both which melt together in a covered Crucible; and whilst in flux cast at times a little Salt-peter, until the Niter shall have extracted all the Regulus of Antimony from the Gold, and turned it into Scoria’s. Permit the whole to flow well for some time, that the Gold may well settle to the bottom from the Scoria, which will flow like water. Then pour all out into a Cone, where the Gold becomes a Regulus, which must be separated from the Scorias. This Regulus of Sol comes forth much paler than it was before. If this pallid Sol be again melted with the aforesaid Martial Regulus, and the Regulus thence abstracted by the help of salt Niter, the Gold will come forth a little paler than it did the first time. If you repeat this Operation 8, 10, or 12 times, you will find your Gold at length almost totally white, and that its Tincture is extracted from it by the help of that Regulus. The Tincture of Sol is absconded in the Scorias; this, by the benefit of a certain Antipathetick Salt, will be precipitated from the Fæces liquified, like a Regulus highly tinged.
Note: Yet in these Cases, the Precipitation must be warily handled, lest you also precipitate the Regulus [of Antimony] together with it, and so vitiate the Tincture. For this Extraction no vulgar Regulus is conducent, but such onely, as is made of good Steel, and hath such a property, as when a Flint is strook upon it, it yields fiery Sparks, no otherwise, than as from hardned Steel. Which vertue, if it hath not, it cannot rightly draw to it self the Tincture of Gold, but all endeavour will be in vain. This Extraction, Cosmopolita, in his new Chymical Light, hath very well described and discovered in these words. Such Chalibs must be taken, as is endewed with power of extracting that from the Rays of the Sun, which many have sought, but few found. But further he saith: There is found yet another Chalibs, which from Gold extracts its Seed (if it be united or copulate with it 12 times) and thence is impregnated; but the Gold is infirmed even to death. But the Chalybs or Magnet brings forth a Son, which will be more excellent than his Father, viz. Gold, whence he proceeded, whosoever knows this Magnet (of which Cosmopolita makes mention, and an hint of the preparation whereof I have here shewed) and understands how to use the same, in two or three Days he will behold and find so great things, as with the joy thereof his heart will be satisfied. For, if any one hath Philosophick Eyes, he will see what is most pleasing, if not, he will be no more delighted than a Swine, who among the Sweepings of Vineyards hath swallowed an inestimable Pearl or Jewel, but knows not the difference between a Pearl and that Dung.
CHAP. XVIII.
How from Gold its Tincture may be extracted by another Method, or by the benefit of a certain other Chalybs.
First, prepare the Green Lyon of Ancient Philosophers (by help of my mineral Salt) of sulphureous Subjects. To this Green Lyon cast Sol, that is, pure Gold; which he, through his greedy desire of devouring always, will swallow, and thereby acquire to himself notable Strength, Power and Beauty. For his whole Body will be thence renewed. His head, with the fore part of his Body will shine with a Grayish Hair, very like a Crows Head; but his Tail with the hinder part of his Body will acquire many various and beautifull Colours, resembling the genuine form of the Rain-Bow, or the Tail of a Peacock. And as soon as the Green Lion hath sufficiently concocted and digested the yellow Lion or Sol in his Stomach, he by Seidge expells the Residue, which will be void of Colour or Bloud. Then the Lion, proud and adorned with various and beautifull Colours, walks to the Waters, in which he immergeth himself, and washeth away all his Colours, and becomes totally white like a Swan, which white Swan the Cook roasteth at the Fire: where that white Swan first waxeth yellow, then more and more Red, untill he is able at length to bear the Fire, and, like a Salamander, live in it without any peril or hurt. This Red Salamander is one of the most noble Medicaments that can be prepared by Art. This Operation I performed but once; and then unto me appeared all those Colours one after another, untill I obtained a Red Salamander, which is a most present Remedy against all Diseases. But what it is able to effect in Chymistry, as yet I have not known, being onely content with a Medicine for Health.
CHAP. XIX.
Yet another way of extracting the Tincture from Gold.
Recipe of our dried Red Bloud of Sol, in the form of Powder irreducible one ounce, or an ounce an half of our Sulphureous fixed Sal-mirabile five, six or seven ounces. Both which mixt together put into a strong Crucible; which covered, set into a Wind-Furnace, giving Fire so, as they may flow together like Water for the space of half an hour afterward pour them out into some Iron Vessel, or Cone, when the Sal-mirabile hath drawn from the Tincture of Gold a Bloudy Colour. The Mixture cooled, separate the Red Scorias from the Regulus, which will be white as Lune. Pulverise the Red Scoria, or tinged Sal-mirabile, upon which pour common Water; this Water dissolves the Sal-mirabile, not indeed tinged with a Red, but greenish Colour. Filter the Solution, and evaporate the unprofitable Water in a Glass-dish. Then in the bottom will remain a Red Salt, which fortified with the Seal of Hermes or Luting of Sapience, keep for a sufficient time in a continual Fire of Coals: for then the Sulphur, as yet immature, will fix it self with the Sol, and become constant in Fire. From that Lute of Sapience, you may afterward (by the help of a proper Magnet) abstract a fixed Tincture, and convert the same to Medicinal use.
Note: That green Saline Water, in which the Redness is latent, coagulates Mercury into Sol, not indeed for wealthy profit, but onely by the benefit of that to know the possibility of such a Work. The Red slime, whence the Salt is extracted by the benefit of common Water, must be taken out of the Filter, mixed with new Sal-mirabile, and in a strong Crucible be made to flow well for half an hour. Then also more Tincture will be extracted, and a white Regulus of Sol again settle to the bottom. If this labour be a third time repeated, the Tincture will be good, and a white Regulus will again settle, yet not so much, as was the first and second time.