Varieties: or, A surveigh of rare and excellent matters necessary and delectable for all sorts of persons. Wherein the principall heads of diverse sciences are illustrated, rare secrets of naturall things unfoulded, &c. Digested into five bookes, whose severall chapters with their contents are to be seene in the table after the epistle dedicatory. By David Person, of Loghlands in Scotland, Gentleman.

SALAMANDRA, OR A short Treatise of the PHILOSOPHERS STONE

SECT. 1.

The Historie of the life and death of Antonio Bra∣gadino.

THe History of one Antonio Bra∣gadino a Cyprian Gentleman, which in my time I did reade in Villamont a French Barones tra∣vels and voyages, hath occasio∣ned mee to undertake this taske. This man, saith he, for the good services done to the Venetians in the time of their Warres upon that Isle, being retired to Venice, and there become their stipendiarie, (or rather pensio∣ner) having fallen at variance with some clarissimo

whereupon ensued blood;* 1.1 not being able to keepe their citie any longer for feare of his life, withdrew himselfe to the countrey; where being in necessity (through reason of his pension which he wanted) bethinking himselfe how he might live by his wits; in the end, retiring to a desert, he rancountred with an Hermite,* 1.2 who tooke, him to his cell; and having imparted to him his distresse, got this comfortable answer back againe; that if hee would be partner with him of the taske which sundry yeares agone he had undertaken, that he would not onely releeve him of his present necessity, but likewise (if the e∣vent: deluded not his intention) would make him one of the richest and wealthiest men in the world:* 1.3 To which discourse having listned, and perceiving it was nothing but the blowing of the coale hee meaned, being allured thereto by his present want, the hope and expectation of future gaine, the vene∣rablenesse and gravity of the person, the religious silence of so solitary a place, he embraced the offer, and in the end became so expert in the calling, that by his white powders, (for as yet hee had not come to that perfection to make red) he redeemed him∣selfe from his exile,* 1.4 by presenting the Senate of the Citie with Ingots, to the value of fiftie thousand Crownes, with certificate, if that it should please them to restore him to his wonted liberty (for thi∣ther was his affection carried beyond all the parts of the world, in regard his Mistresse was there) hee should enrich their Treasure for ever.* 1.5 Wherewith the Senate being much pleased, received him to

their favour againe, where he was entertained like a Prince, attended with a Guard not so much for ho∣nour of his person, as for feare he should have left them, and gone otherwhere; while in the end his Ingots being suspected and called in question for the validity of them,* 1.6 his Guard beginning to vilifie him, and to neglect their wonted strict attendance, hee under cloud and silence of night, with his Mi∣stresse, and a black dogge which still followed him, fled their Citie and Territory; and in the end ha∣ving come to the Duke of Baviers' bounds to Ger∣many,* 1.7 was there apprehended and hanged upon a gilded Gybbet,* 1.8 as one who had deluded the world by his sophisticate monies.

SECT. 2.

The reason that moved the Author to handle this matter: The different blessings betwixt the Indi∣ans and Christians: the definition of the Philoso∣phicall Stone; the generall way and matter where∣of it is made.

THe History, I say, of this unfortunate man, and rich couzener, made me the more curi∣ous and desirous to know the nature of so rare a thing as that which they call the Philoso∣phicall Stone, which if men might attaine to, the West Indes should not bee so much frequented as

they are; but O how great is the wisedome and power of the Creator of all, who reserveth the per∣fect knowledge of so high a secret to himselfe, and imparteth it but to very few, knowing the insatia∣blenesse of the heart of man; and to these who know not the worth of gold, hee doth bestow it in such plenty,* 1.9 that their ordinary houshold-stuffe, as Tongs, Chuffles, Pots, Tables, and Cupbords, &c. are made of it whereas they starve in a manner for that whereof we have such store; and which they esteeme asmuch above their gold as we prize their gold above our other necessaries.

So far as I can learn, I find that the Philosophicall stone (by the Arabes called Elixir )is the very true and just seed that engendereth and begetteth gold: For gold is not procreated (as I may say) either of Brimstone, nor of Mercurie, nor of any such thing as fraudulently some suppose and give forth; but it is to be search't and found out of gold it selfe, and that most purified: for there is nothing in Nature which hath not of it, or rather in it the seede of its owne kinde, whereby it may be multiplied; but yet hardly by Art may it be drawne out, by reason that the greatest and most vigorous strength of that seede consisteth in a certaine oylie substance,* 1.10 or ra∣ther adhereth to it; which, whensoever by fire wee goe about to draw out, or segregate from the substance it selfe, it consumeth away; which not being so in gold, because by the violence of no fire it can be so burnt away, but that it may abide the whole strength and force of Art; therefore out of

it onely that seede or Elixir may bee extracted, whereto it seemeth the Poet alludeth, when hee saith,

—Vni quoniam nil deperit auro Igne, velut solum consumit nulla vetustas, Ac neque rubigo, aut aerugo conficit ulla Cuncta adeò firmis illic compagibus haerent.

SECT. 3.

The Authors proposition: the reasons of its denomi∣nation; opinions of most approved Authors touching it; and of the Possibility and factibili∣ty of it.

I Passe by the methode and order of Fernelius in his last chapter de ab ditis rerum causis, as being too speculative; for I will here set downe a more full and ample description of it, and such as hath beene imparted by the most accurate wits that this age affordeth, after I have a litle spoken of the names both of it, and of the Authors who treat of it; and have resolved some scrupulous difficulties; yet my intention herein is rather to let the Readers know the most approved opinions of the most lear∣ned Writers on this subject, then definitively to set downe mine owne.

It is called a Stone, because the things whereof it is composed are consolidated and coagulated in a hard and heavy (yet friable) masse, and thereaf∣ter

reduced to a most subtle powder.

It is called the Philosophers Stone, because Phi∣losophers were the first Inventers of it, and they best know the making and use of it.

They give it an infinite (almost) number of names partly to set out the matter,* 1.11 nature, and pro∣perties of it, and partly to obscure and hide it from the ignorant and impostors; for the which cause they gave it many figurative names, styling it by some part of the matter whereof it is made,* 1.12 and by similitudes,* 1.13 as they call it Salamandra, quae igne con∣cipitur,* 1.14 igne nutritur, igne quoque perficitur: It is conceived, nourished, and perfected by the fire and in the fire: Philosophi celare volentes veritatem quasi omnia figurativè loquuti sunt.

Many thinke the Philosophers Stone a thing impossible to be got,* 1.15 but a multitude of most anci∣ent and modern Philosophers have thought other∣wise, who knew both the theorie and practick of it: And of the transmutation of mettals, Libavius bringeth in a great number of them that testifie the same, in his Appendix de natura metallorum, amongst whom hee produceth Geberus Hermes, Arnoldus, Thomas de Aquino, Bernardus comes; Ioannes Run∣gius, Baptista Porta, Rubeus, Dornesius Vogelius, Pe∣notus, Quercetanus, & Franciscus Picus, who in his 3. Booke c. 2. de auro, declareth eighteene particu∣lar instances, whereby he affirmeth plainely, that so many times hee did see the transmutation into silver and gold, so that the possibility and factibility of the Philosophers Stone and transmutation is evi∣dent.

If any would alleadge difficulty, it is true any thing is difficult, and even the most facile thing is such to them that are ignorant, but to those that know it in speculation and operation, it is most easie, even as ludus puerorum, and opus mulierum.

SECT. 4.

That the making of the Philosophers Stone is lesse ex∣pensive and laborious than many things wee both use and weare; why the makers of it enrich not themselves and others.

THe true making of that Stone is neither ex∣pensive, nor long, nor wearisome to those that have the dexterity of it.

Betwixt the Barley graine that must be sowne, and the aquae vitae that is made of it, there is both a longer time, and many more points of labour: And betwixt the linnessed, and the linnen cloath wee were, there is a longer time, and much more labour than in the framing of Philosophers Stone, as these blowers would have the world beleeve.

It is true, many chymicall Philosophers so soone as they attained this precious Stone, the very knowledge of it delighted them more than world∣ly gaine; and they made more use of it in Physick than in projection. And if any would aske; what was the cause they made not themselves and all

their friends most excellently rich. It may be well answered, they lacked not, they had contentment, they delighted more in theory than practick: they disdained to bee gold-makers to those that were greedy, or to those that were through idlenesse needy, and were afraid to be made a prey and cap∣tivate slaves to avaricious and cruell tyrants: these things and such like made them obscure and hide from the world what they knew or could doe, in∣tending rather to have by the Philosophers Stone a balsamick universall medecine than the feminary of gold.

Many have written divers treatises of this subject some one way some another way, some more my∣stically some more plainely; and what is darke in one, is found againe more cleare in another, speci∣ally to such as are diligent Readers of the Herme∣ticall Philosophy, I will therefore set downe here what by most approved consent of all, is the most easie and compendious way to perfite the Philoso∣phers Stone, without prejudice to others, that thinke they knew a better way. In this my discourse there shall be nothing obscure, but that which a ••••lius artis may easily understand.

SECT. 5.

A generall relation of the matters and materials re∣quisite to this worke; and in what time it may bee perfected.

ANd first, these principles and grounds for this worke are to bee understood, to wit, 1. Every mettall consists of Mercury as a common versatill and flexible matter of the which all mettalls are, and unto the which all may bee by Art red••ced. 2. The species of mettals, and their specifick and essentiall formes are not subject to transmutations, but onely the individuals of the species. 3. All mettals differ not in their common nature and matter, but in their degree of perfection and purity. 4. Art surmounteth and over-reacheth Nature, for Art assisted by Nature in a short space may perfect that which Nature otherwise by it selfe was a thousand yeares in perfiting and accom∣plishing. 5. God hath created every mettall in its owne kinde, and hath implanted in them (specially in the perfect mettall) a seed whereby they may be by Art multiplied.

The chiefe matter of this Worke is most purifi∣ed gold,* 1.16 and silver joyned together in the progresse of the Worke;* 1.17 and (as some hold) Gold alone in operation ad rubeam tincturam,* 1.18 and silver alone ad

albam;* 1.19 and Mercury according to Art well prepa∣red, is the principall perfiter of the Worke.

The onely and chiefe key in this Worke,* 1.20 is that black brat that ariseth and is emergent out of the solution of Sol and Luna with Mercury;* 1.21 called Ca∣put 〈…〉〈…〉 &c.* 1.22

The chiefest workes are Solutio and Coagulatio; by solution caput corvi is obtained,* 1.23 as a seminary arising from the dissolved Sol, Luna, and Mercu∣rius,* 1.24 and must be chiefly regarded. By coagula∣tion caput corvi is fixed and fitted for impregnation and fermentation. Solution whereby caput corvi is obtained, is more facile; but coagulation is more difficile.

The time to finish the whole Worke is not yeares,* 1.25 but some moneths; the expense are not many,* 1.26 but tollerable, and the paines are easie, with some diligent attendance on the Worke: One For∣nace Philosophically made for distinction of the degrees of the fire will suffice: And one or two Glasses will be needfull; the Glasse must be a Vi∣all in forme, and with a long small cragge or neck, the body of it must be round, and so devised, that consisting of two parts, the inferior part may re∣ceive the superiour part, that it may be closed skil∣fully, and opened againe at the Artificers pleasure▪

SECT. 6.

Of the 5 degrees whereby the Worke is perfectioned, and first how to bring it to Solution.

THe whole artifice in composing the Philo∣sophers Stone consists in five distinct ope∣rations each following other in order,* 1.27 to wit, Solution, Coagulation, Fermentation, fixation, and Multiplication.

Solution.

Take of Mercury (made menstruall by calcina∣tion,* 1.28 so subtily prepared by sublimation, that it may become sharpe and piercing) twelve ounces:* 1.29 of Solis the best sort refined by frequent fulmina∣tion,* 1.30 and drawne forth in most thinne plates or pieces, one ounce; upon the which in a Glasse powre some of the Mercury about the fourth or fifth part. Set the Glasse in a luke warme heate in the first degree on ashes, and so stopped and closed, that nothing fall in nor out of it, when it is stirred and inclined; and let all stand for the space of 15, or 20 dayes, during the which time a part of the Sol will be dissolved into the Mercury, by reason of the internall fire and corroding acrimome thereof, powre off that menstruall and keepe it, and powre on another part of the same, doing as is said before; and let all stand eight or ten dayes, and so forth doe

till the Sol be all dissolved into the mercuriall wat∣ter, which after the commixtion and resolution of Sol into it, Mercury which before was menstruall, now is of another temper, and is called lac virgi∣neum, aqua vitae wherein Sol is fully dissolved.

Put all this lac virgineum in the Glasse with the foresaid degree of heate every eight or ten dayes, then will appeare a black brat and mater, partly e∣merging and swimming above, and partly subsi∣dent which (the watter or lac being first powred off) must be collected so oft as it appeareth, and is to be kept for coagulation:* 1.31 It is called caput corvi, sulphur auri crudum & nondum fixum.* 1.32

SECT. 7.

How from Solution to make Coagulation.

COagulation:* 1.33 put the sulphur Solis into the viol-glasse closse stopped, and set it in the foresaid first degree of heat for eight dayes,* 1.34 till it bee almost exsiccat with the humidity of lac virginis that was left inherent in it;* 1.35 and then open the glasse and poure thereon asmuch of the lac as is the weight of the caput corui,* 1.36 and mixing it well, let it stand one or two dayes till they both be coagulat in one,* 1.37 and become almost dry; and so forth doe thus till all the lac bee drunke up, which will be a∣bout the space of 90. dayes more or lesse, accor∣ding

as the matter is of quicknesse and activity; and if this lac or aqua vitae bee suspected to have con∣tracted any dulnesse and superfluous humidity while it was in the former worke of solution: in that case it is to bee prepared againe, quickned, sharpned, and made fitter for this present worke of Coagulation.

Both these, to wit the Lac virg. and Sol. being Coagulat as is said, the Coagulation must yet goe on, and with the second degree of heat for the space of a month, the matter Coagulat must stand in that heat, till there appeare cauda pavonis, that is, a variety and multitude of colours; and at length it will turne to a white colour, called corpus album, sulphur album, coagulatum album, terra philosopho∣rum, &c.

SECT. 8.

How from Coagulation to produce Fermentation.

FErmentation:* 1.38 take as much of purified and laminated Sol.* 1.39 (as answereth to the third part of the foresaid coagulatum album) and of men∣struall* 1.40 Mercury foure parts of the weight of Sol.* 1.41 Amalgamaz them and put them in the viol on a lukewarme heat for 15. dayes,* 1.42 till Sol. by the Mer∣cury bee reduced into a subtile calx.* 1.43 Then amal∣gamaz* 1.44 in a marble morter all the foresaid coagula∣tum

album with the Calx Solis and menstruall Mer∣cury, then put altogether in the viol, and set it for a month in a heat of the second degree: then set it in a heat of the third degree, and let it so continue a good space till it become an hard white heavy masse, and from thence to an yellow colour, and from this to an orenge colour, and thereafter in∣cline to be redish coloured.

SECT. 9.

The way to bring the worke to Fixation.

FIxation:* 1.45 for projection and transmutation, take the halfe of the said masse and bruise it, put it in a luted glasse, and set it on sand in a furnace, and increase the fire unto the fourth de∣gree, that all may be made so fervent, that if a drop of water do fall on the sand it make an hissing, it must stand so, for 40. dayes, till the pulverished masse become a most subtile pouder.

And for projection of this pouder, one part of it upon a 100. parts of Mercury vulgar (but washed with vineger and salt) will make the whole, a per∣fect tincture, and as some hold; one part of this hundreth fold tincture projected on another hun∣dreth parts of Mercury: in whole will make and afford 1000. parts of tincture for gold, whereof one part projected on 100. parts of warme Mercury, will presently transmute it into perfect Sol.

SECT. 10.

From all the former, how to perfectionate Multipli∣cation.

MVltiplication: is that wonderfull part of this artifice, whereby the stone being once made, needeth not to be made over againe; but may be multiplied to suffice continually, and it is thus done. Take the other halfe of the masse left in Fixation, or what quantity you please of it be∣fore Fixation, and put to it of Lac virgineum or aqua vitae (prepared and provided for the purpose, and made after the manner aforesaid) a third part, and handle it after the same manner as is set downe in the worke of Fermentation, and it will become as fit both for Fixation to Projection, and Multipli∣cation as before, and will ever be, so oft as it is re∣iterate.

SECT. 11.

A short recitall of some other wayes of perfecting it, used by some Filij artis, and why it is called Sala∣mandra.

IF any please to make the Philosophers stone onely ad album, that is for transmutation of Mer∣cury into Luna, he may observe this forefaid me∣thode,

which is onely ad rubrum, and so proceede in all things after that same manner, except onely two things. 1. for Sol take Luna fined and batte∣red out in small and thinne plates. 2. when it com∣meth to the worke of Fermentation, give it onely a heat and fire in the third degree, so long till the Fermented masse become somewhat hard, and then proceede with it to Fixation and Multiplicati∣on as is said in the operation ad rubrum.

Some joyne together both Sol and Luna in the progresse of the worke till it come to Fermentati∣on, and then to obtaine tinctura alba for transmutati∣on into Luna, they put to Luna for the Ferment, and to obtaine tinctura rubra for transmutation into Sol they put to Sol for the Ferment, & so they proceed as is said.

There are diverse otherwayes in the making of the Philosophers stone, some more compendious, some of a longer processe, but this that is here set downe is the best.

The Philosophers stone is rightly called Sala∣mandra, because its bred and nourished in the fire. It is a treasure both for turning other mettals into gold or silver, and for any universall medicine to cure and prevent almost all diseases. Which so admirably being once by art found out, doth shew its power and force; that with Augurollus,

Ipsius ut tenui projecta parte,* 1.46 per undas Aequoris: Argentum vivum tum si foret aequor Omne velimmensum, Verti mare posset in aurum.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.2

  His meeting with an Her∣••••te.
• * 1.3

  His profici∣encie in the Art of Chi∣mestrie.
• * 1.4

  His Present to the Senate.
• * 1.5

  Restored to favour.
• * 1.6

  He is suspe∣cted of Trea∣chery.
• * 1.7

  Hee flyes to Bavaria.
• * 1.8

  He is hanged on a gilded Gybbet••
• * 1.9

  The plenty of gold which the West In∣dians have.
• * 1.10

  The true matter of gold.
• * 1.11

  Ripleus c. 3. P. 74.
• * 1.12

  Iodoc.
• * 1.13

  Grenerus p. 36.
• * 1.14

  ••los Flor. p. 35. 37.
• * 1.15

  Thom. A∣quin. ad fra∣trem, c. 1.
• * 1.16

  Tauladan. p. 28.
• * 1.17

  Rosarum. p. 18.
• * 1.18

  Libaniu•• Mullerus▪
• * 1.19

  Aquinase. 3.
• * 1.20

  Daustricus. p. 16.
• * 1.21

  Monachus p. 16.
• * 1.22

  Benedictus p. 5••, 57, 58. &c.
• * 1.23

  Mo••iennes two princi∣pless
• * 1.24

  Solut. & coa∣gulat.
• * 1.25

  Moriennes Theob.
• * 1.26

  Arnaldus.
• * 1.27

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 p. 61, 62.
• * 1.28

  Exercet. 3. in tu bam.
• * 1.29

  Arnald. in specie.
• * 1.30

  Scala philo∣soph. p. 103▪ Mulletus de lap. philosoph
• * 1.31

  Rosarium p. 189.
• * 1.32

  Libanius Arnaldus.
• * 1.33

  Iullius, p. 116.
• * 1.34

  Arnaldus.
• * 1.35

  Mullerus.
• * 1.36

  Miracula chymica.
• * 1.37

  Libanius.
• * 1.38

  Isaacus.
• * 1.39

  Lullius.
• * 1.40

  Calid. c. 6.
• * 1.41

  Rolinus. p. 283.
• * 1.42

  Dastin••s p. 30.
• * 1.43

  Mullerus.
• * 1.44

  Libanius.
• * 1.45

  Scotus p. 61. ••••1.
• * 1.46

  Agur••lls.