The decades of the newe worlde or west India conteynyng the nauigations and conquestes of the Spanyardes, with the particular description of the moste ryche and large landes and ilandes lately founde in the west ocean perteynyng to the inheritaunce of the kinges of Spayne. ... Wrytten in the Latine tounge by Peter Martyr of Angleria, and translated into Englysshe by Rycharde Eden.

¶ Of the myne of golde and the qualitie therof in particular.

FOrasmuche as golde is a compounde mynerall which of the phylosophers and all men of vn∣derstandynge,* 1.1 is founde to be of greatest perfec¦tion amonge all other myxt minerals, it is iud∣ged by the vniuersal opinion of such men, that for the bewtie and excellent qualitie thereof, it shulde be of excessiue vertue to helpe and confort men. And therfore amonge all thynges that are in this worlde (excepte lyuynge creatures) it is ch••efely esteemed. By reason wherof, I also the more to honour it, wyll fyrst speake of this before I entreate of any other metall, and declare in particular the conception with the most apparēt qualities therof. The which although it be a metal most knowen, desyred also and sought for of all kyndes of men, yet are there not many that do care to knowe of what substaunce or natural mixtion it consisteth. But that yow shulde not be one of theim that knowe it onely by name or by superficiall apparence,* 1.2 I certifie yow that the originall and proper matter therof, is none other then elemen¦tall

substaunces with equall quantitie and qualitie proportio∣nate the one with the other, most perfectly purified by the sub¦tyle woorke of nature. For of these beinge thus ioyned togy¦ther (and of equall force) is engendered an am••able and most perfect mixtion by the helpe of fermentacion and decoction of the minerall heate,* 1.3 wherby is caused such a permanent vnion betwene the sayde elementes, that they are in maner insepera∣ble: So that by the vertue of heauenly influence or of tyme, or by thorder of most prudent nature, or by all these causes concurrant, such substaunce is conuerted into this metalline body that we caule golde.* 1.4 The which (as I haue sayd) by his much temperatenes, purenes, and perfect mixtion, is conden∣sate and made thicke, in such sorte that the elementes therof can not be vnbounde or loosed, so that it remayneth in maner incorruptible: The cause wherof is, that it eyther conteyneth in it no maner of super••lui••ie, or the same to be but very lytle. And hereof commeth it, that althoughe it lye many yeares in the earth or in the water, it is not infected with rust or canker for that neyther of them are able to corrupte it,* 1.5 nor yet the fy¦er whose force dooth incinerate or brynge to asshes & resolue in maner all creatures: And yet is the poure hereof so farre vn¦able to destroy or corrupte this metall, that it is thereby the more purified and made better. Lykewyse the sayde perfecte vnion or mixtion, causeth it to be a body withowt steame, and withowt vnctuous or fat superfluitie:* 1.6 which is the cause that it euer remayneth in the natiue bryghtnes and fayrenes of co∣loure, in so much that when it is rubbed vppon any thynge, it leaueth not behynde it the tincture of any blacke or yelowe co¦lour, as doo in maner all other metals: Nor yet hath it any taste or sauour that may be perceaued to the sence. Further∣more, if it be eaten eyther wyllyngly or by chaunce, it is not venemous to the lyfe of man, as are sum of the other metals: but is rather a medicine curynge dyuers diseases.* 1.7 In so much that nature hath gyuen vnto it of peculiar propertie, a vertue and priuileage to conforte the weakenes of the harte, and to gyue ioyfulnes and myrth to the spirits, disposynge thereby the mynde to magnanimitie and attemptes of great enterpry∣ses.* 1.8 Which singular qualities, sum wyse men affirme that it hath receaued by thinfluence of the sonne, and that it is therfore of such grace and poure to helpe men: especially such

as haue many great bagges and chesses full therof. To con∣clude therfore, this metall is a body tractable and bryght, of coloure lyke vnto the soonne: And hath in it inwardely such a naturall attractiue or allurynge vertue, that beinge seene, it greatly disposeth the myndes of men to desyre it and esteme it as a thyng most precious:* 1.9 although many there are whiche crye owt ageynst it and accuse it as the roote and sede of most pestiferous and monstrous couetousnesse, and the cause of ma¦ny other myscheues. But whether it bee the cause of more good or euyll, we entende to lette passe this disputation as a thynge vnprofitable. To proceade therfore as I haue begun I say (as before) that the woorthynesse whiche is founde in it, hath caused me to entreate of it before any other metall. And this the rather for that thorder of this presente worke meth so to requyre, that I may the better descende to the de∣grees of other metals, to thende that in these owre partes of Italy, yow may haue sum instruction of practise, whiche may redounde from yow to other, whereby the myndes of all men may receaue sum lyght: beinge well assured that newe infor¦mations, wilbe the seedes of other newe wittie diuises in the vnderstandynges of suche men as with these keys shall open theyr wyttes to arryue to suche places whyther they can not els coomme or by any meanes approche. And nowe therfore, bysyde that which I haue sayde vnto yowe in generall, I wyl further in particular declare the nature hereof and the ge¦neration of the same, with also the signes whiche it sheweth furth, that I do not omytte any thynge. Last of all, I wyll shewe yowe howe it owght to bee pourged from superfluous earthynes of the mine, after that I shal haue expressed the ma¦ner howe it is founde. But forasmuch as I haue not with mine eyes seene the mountaines which conteyne the mynes of golde, or the places where this thynge is put in practice, I wyll only shewe yow (hauynge made diligente inquisition for the same) what hathe byn toulde me of credible persons, or what I haue gathered in readynge of dyuers autoures,* 1.10 by whom I am certified for a truth that the greatest plentie of this metall,* 1.11 is founde in Scithia, in those prouinces which we commonly caule the East partes, where the soonne extendeth his chiefe force and vigour. Of these places India is thought to be the chiefe, and especially those Ilandes which the ships

of Themperours maiestie and the kynge of Portugale haue founde of late:* 1.12 as the Ilandes about Peru and Paria with the firme lande of the same which extendeth it selues very farre on both sydes the Equinoctiall. In Europe also, golde is founde in many places: as in Astesia, and in many places in Boheme. Also in Hungarie, in Rhene, and in Apsa. Plinie sayth that it is lykewyse founde in Austria and in Portugale:* 1.13 and that the Romans had from thense yearely .xxiiii. pounds weyght. And thus speakynge of this precious metall,* 1.14 I be∣leue certeynly, that it is and may be engendered in all suche places wher the influence of the heuens disposeth the elemen∣tall causes to brynge furth an apte substaunce for this pur∣pose. But nowe intendynge more particularly to speake of the places of the conception hereof,* 1.15 yowe shall vnderstande that it is engendered in dyuers kyndes of stones in great and rowgh mountaynes, and suche as are vtterly bare of earth, trees, grasse, or herbes. And amonge all the stones of this myne, that is best which is of a blewe or asurine coloure lyke vnto a saphire, and is commonly cauled Lapis Lazuli.* 1.16 But it is not bryght and harde as is the saphire. It is also founde in orpemente cauled Auripigmentum:* 1.17 but more often in the mynes of other metals.* 1.18 It is lykewyse founde in many prouinces in the sandes of ryuers.* 1.19 That which is founde in the mountaines lyeth in order veynes betwene quarrey and quarrey ioyned with the sayde Azurine stone and mixte therwith. They saye that this myne is so much the better in howe much it is the he¦uyer and of hyghe colour, shewyng in it many sparkes of gold They say furthermore that it is engendered in an other stone lyke vnto salte marble: but it is of a deade colour. And also in an other whose colour is yelowe with certeyne redde spots within it. They affirme lykewyse that it is founde in certaine blacke stones, whose veynes sprede dyuers wayes much like the courses of ryuers. They further declare that it is founde in a certeyne bituminous earth,* 1.20 of coloure lyke vnto cley and very heauy, hauynge in it a great sauour of brymstone: And that the golde which is founde in this, is very good, and in maner all togyther fyne, yet very harde to bee gotten owte, bycause it consysteth of so smaule sparkes lyke vnto inuisible atomes of such lytelnesse that they can hardely bee perceaued with the eye.* 1.21

And herein may yow not do as in Lapis Laxuli, or other stones, or as the maner is to do with that which is found in the sāds of ryuers: the which the more it is wasshed, the more it fau¦leth to the bottome: & in meltynge with the mother of his ear¦thines, doth incorporat it selfe therwith in a brickle substāce But in fine,* 1.22 with much pacience and by one meanes or an o∣ther, or by the helpe of quickesyluer, it is drawen owt. A∣geyne (as I haue sayde before) it is found ia the sandes of dy¦uers ryuers, as in Spayne in the ryuer Tago: in Tracia, in Ebro: In Asia, in Patolo and Ganges. In Hungarie and Boheme, it is founde in Lasiesia in dyuers ryuers: And in Italie, in the sands of Tesino, Adda, and Po. But not euery where in the beddes of theyr chanels, but in certeyne particular places where in cer∣teyne cloddes the sande is discouered in the tyme of the ouer∣flowynge of the ryuers when the water leaueth behynde it a fine sande wherwith the sayde golde is myxte in the forme of certeyne smaule scales,* 1.23 and shynynge graynes. Then in the sommer season, with pacience and ingenious practise, the sear¦chers to pourge it from the grose earthinesse of the myne, and wasshe it diligently: preparynge for that effecte, certeyne ta∣bles made eyther of the tymber of plane trees,* 1.24 of elme, or whyte nuttes, or such other woodde apte to be sawen, hauing theyr playnes made ful of hackes, & notches, with the helpe of the sawe or such other instrumentes of ir••n. Upon these tables standynge sumwhat a slope or declynynge, with a ho∣lowe shouel they cast a great quantitie of water myxt with the sayde sande, which they cast so, that the water runne downe directly alonge the tables.* 1.25 And by this meanes the gold, as a matter most heuy, fauleth to the bottome of the sawne hac∣kes, and there restynge and cl••auynge fast, is so diuided from the sande. When therfore they perceaue a sufficient quantitie of golde thus remaynynge on the tables, they gather it with diligence and put it in a trey or great shallowe dysshe of wod lyke vnto those which the golde finers vse:* 1.26 And in these they wasshe it more exactly ageyne and ageyne from al fylth or vn¦clenlynesse. This doone, they beate or mixte (or amalgame it as they caule it) with Mercurie or quicksyluer, whiche after∣ward they seperate ageyne from the same eyther by straynyng and pressynge it through a bagge of lether, or by styllynge or ••uaporatynge the quickesyluer from it in a styllatory of glasse

and so fynde they the golde remaynynge in the bottome of the vessell in the lykenes of fine sande, which they brynge into a metalline body by meltynge it with a lyttle borage, or salt pe∣tre or blacke sope, & so cast it eyther in the forme of a wedge or a rodde, or otherwyse as lyketh them best. And this is the exacte maner of drawynge golde owt of the sandes of riuers, which many haue vsed to theyr great commoditie: And that the rather bycause that in folowyng this order of woorke in the pourgynge and diuydynge of golde, it shall not bee requi∣site as in other maner of practises, to bee at greate charges by reason of many men which shall be needefull,* 1.27 with manye mu∣rals, fornaces, fiers, and dyuers artificers: wheras in woor¦kyng after this sorte, one man may suffice with one table and one holowe shoouell, with a lyttle quickesyluer and sufficient abundaunce of water. But lettyng passe to speake any fur¦ther of these thynges: perhappes summe man wolde here de∣maunde from whense this golde is deryued into the sandes of the sayde ryuers, and whether it be browght thyther by the water, or engendered there. As touchynge which question, I haue oftē tymes deliberated with my selfe not withowt great marueyle: and especially of that which is founde in the san∣des of the ryuers of Tesino, Adda, and Po, bicause (wheras I haue sayde before that it is browght thyther by the course of the water) I can not perceaue from whense it shuld be browght, forasmuch as there is no myne of golde, or of any other metal that is knowen, nere to any of those places. By reason wher¦of, my iudgemente is in maner confounded, seinge also that it is thoppinion of certeyne wryters, that it is engendered euen where it is founde: The which, if it so be, it is not trewe that it is browght thyther by the water. Ageyne, if it be engen∣dered there, it seemeth to me a dyfficult thyng to comprehend whether it be brought furthe there by the vertue of the water or the earth, or the heauen.* 1.28 If furthermore any of these shuld be the cause of the generation hereof, it seemethe agreable to reason that it shulde bee both founde and engendered through owt all the beddes of such riuers, and at al tymes. And if the influence of heauen be the most prepotent cause of this effecte, then it seemeth to me that it shuld woorke immediatly, bicause it can not otherwyse obserue thorder whiche nature vseth in the generation of metals: fyrst brynginge it furth to the open

shewe, in the place where aboundeth the continuall isshewe of water, which owght also to be of such force as to remoue the earthy substaunce thereof from place to place, and not to intermixte such great inequalitie of couldenesse and moistnes. And albeit that this composition begunne in this order, shuld not be disseuered or broken by the waters of the ryuers, yet it appeareth to me that the showers of rayne and increase of fiuddes, shulde be of sufficient poure to distemper, breake, and vtterly destroy all such compositions as shulde be engendered in such places, forasmuch as al thynges are conceaued by rest and quietnesse after the commixtion of the fyrste elementes. And therfore if this golde of the ryuers, bee there engendered where it is founde, I wolde it were declared vnto me why it is engendered only in these places and not in other: and why in lyke maner, syluer, copper, leade, or any other metals are not also engendered there as well as golde, beinge matters of an easyer composition of nature then it is, by reason of the perfecte vnitie and concordaunce with puritie of substaunce & perfecte concoction which is in golde aboue all other metals: whereas also in many places in the territories of Rome, there are founde many sparkes of the mine of ••ren of blacke colour amonge the sandes of certeyne smaule ryuers: And yet these only in certeyne particular places of the sayde riuers: wherby it appeareth that these also, shulde not bee engendered where they are founde. By all which reasons and apparent effectes, it seemeth most agreable to truth that the golde which is foūd in such sandes,* 1.29 is rather brought thyther by the water, then engendered there. And therefore to declare my mynde more playnely herein, I suppose that this chaunceth only in great ryuers which receaue abundaunce of waters of dyuers sprin∣ges, fosses, and other ryuers, engendered partly of the mel∣tynge of snowe and partly of great showers of rayne, whiche faulyng in certeyne chanels from the toppes and sydes of mi∣nerall mountaynes, wasshe away parte of the earth of theyr bankes and the ouerchanginge and holowe rockes which may conteyne the substaunce of golde:* 1.30 Or otherwyse, that in such places, there are ordinarie mines in the hyghe mountaynes or other superficiall owt places, perhappes incessable, and ey∣ther such whyther men can not come for extreme heate or cold or other hynderaunces, or els such as they haue contemned to

searche. And yet the same to bee so consumed by the force of water as we haue sayde, and by the course therof to bee cari∣ed into the ryuers. It may also chaunce that suche mynerall earthes bee farre within the mountaynes neare vnto such ry∣uers:* 1.31 And that in the space of many yeares, the sprynges is∣shewynge owt of the same, may eyther bee dryed vp (whiche thyng hath byn seene) or els turne theyr course an other way So that it is no maruayle if in such a multitude of yeres, the trewe originall of these thynges bee vnknowen euen vnto thē that dwell nere such places. But in fine, howe so euer it bee, trewe it is that golde is founde ••n the sandes of many riuers: And particularly (as I haue noted) in the forenamed ryuers. A••d if therefore I haue maruayled at this ••hynge, I owght worthely to bee excused, forasmuch as where iudgement can not bee certified by reason or effectuall apparence, there aris•• many doubtfull coniectures and newe causes of admiration. But yet do I maruel much more of an other thyng the which I am informed to bee most trewe by the report of many credi∣ble p••rsons: That is,* 1.32 that in sum places of Hungarie at cer∣tey••e tym••s of the yeare, pure, golde spryngeth owte of the earthe in the lykenesse of smaule herbes, w••ethed and twyned lyke smaule stalkes of hoppes, about the byggenesse of a pack threde, and foure fyngers in length or sume a handfull. As concernynge which thynge,* 1.33 Plinie also in the .xxxiii. boke of his naturall hystorie, wryteth the lyke to haue chauncet in Dalm••tia in his tyme. The which (if it bee trewe) suerly the hus∣••ande men of these fieldes shall ••••ape heauenly and not earth¦ly frutes, sent them of god from heauen, and browght furth of nature withowt theyr trauayle or a••te. A grade doubtle••se most especial, syth that in so great a quantitie of earth graun¦ted to the possession of men, in mande onely this is thought woorthy so hygh a priuileage But what shall I say of that wherof Albertus Magnu•• wryteth in his boo••e of minerals, affir¦mynge that he hath seene golde engendered in a d••ade mans heade:* 1.34 And that the same beinge founde by chaunce in dyg∣gynge, and perceaued by the weyght and coloure to conteyne sum minerall substaunce, was proued by experience to holde a portion of fine golde mixte with smaule sande. And indeede his woordes seeme to sound to none other sence but only that this precious metall was engendend there by the great dispo∣sition

of the place and stronge influence of heauen: The which suerlie is a thynge hardely to be beleued. Yet consyderynge thautoritie of so greate a clerke, with the force of the superi∣our causes and the maruelous poure of nature, I had rather gyue fayth hereto then rasshely to contemne the iudgement of so greate a clarke. And forasmuche as I haue begun to tell yow of these effectes, I wyll not omytte to shewe yowe of a straunge thynge which chaunced also in a part of Hungarie, where a myne of gold was so founde by chaunce and vnsought for,* 1.35 that it may neuerthelesse be an aduertisement to other to searche diligently. So it is therefore, that a woman of the contrey beinge accustomed to resorre with her bucke of clo∣thes to wasshe them in a certeyne fosse or dike where ranne a lyttle water, and vsynge to beate and rubbe them vppon a ••••one which seemed commodious for her purpose, chaunced at the length by her good fortune to espie on the stone, a veyne of golde trauersyng or ouerthwartinge the same abowte the byggenesse of a grose packe threede,* 1.36 shewynge fayre & bright by reason of her much rubbynge. Wherat marueylynge dayly more and more, at the length opened the matter of her famili¦ers: who conferrynge with such as hadde better skyll of the thynge, founde it in fine to bee a veyne of pure golde: And that the quarrie of that stone, trauersed the course of the wa∣ter of the fosse. Remouynge therfore the water, and turning the course thereof an other waye, they beganne to dygge and folow the mine which hath now continued certeine. C. yeares fence it was fyrst found: And hath not only greatly enriched that contrey, But also all Christendome hath had great com¦moditie by the same. This haue I rehearsed vnto yow the ra¦ther that yow shulde not bee negligent in any poynt of omitte and signe or token wherebye yowe may bee certified of greate thynges.* 1.37 not con••emnynge the shadowe of any smaule to∣kens: but aswel to gyue attentyue care and eye vnto them, as to feare and foresee all such thynges as may hynder: For (as yow may hereby well perceaue) if credit had not fyrst byn gy∣uen to the woordes of the simple wooman, and the thynge af∣terwarde well folowed, perhappes they shulde neyther now nor euer hereafter haue enioyed the frute of so great a commo¦ditie. Men therfore of good courage folowinge suche ryche signes, dyd nether feare the smaulenesse of the veyne or hard∣nesse

of the stone: presupposynge by good reason that golde and syluer can not lyghtly bee founde in so smaule quantitie, but that the same shalbe able to surmounte the charges. And this the more, in howe much the further yowe shall enter into the stone, as chaunceth commonly in all other mynes. Albeit, the practised searchers, saye that the myne of golde is not founde in such great quantitie as are the mines of other me∣tals.* 1.38 Wherin although perhappes they say trewly, yet dooth it not folowe but that golde also maye bee founde in greate quantitie. And suerly it seemeth to me, that the benignitie of nature hath graunted large quantities thereof to the worlde, and that much hath euer byn and is founde amonge men, con¦syderynge in howe many places it is dayly gathered aswel in mountaynes as in sandes of ryuers,* 1.39 bysyde that whiche is founde accompanied and ioyned with other metals. A further profe hereof may that bee, which is consumed and hydde by the dyuers inuentions of men: As that whiche the paynters bestowe in adournynge theyr woorkes: And goldesmythes both in gyltynge other metals and also in makynge dyuers woorkes of massie golde:* 1.40 bysyde that which the woorker of clothe of golde and arras doo consume: with such as imbro∣therers and sylke woomen spende abowt the vanities of men and womens apparell and tyrementes. Also such as is consu∣med vppon trappers and furnimentes for horses, with gylted harnesse and such other sumptuousnesse as perteyneth to the warres and magnifical buyldinges of noble mens houses and temples: Bysyde that also whiche the couetousnesse of men hath hydde in stronge waules, and buryed in the grounde, in∣closed in chayned cofers locked with triple keyes: And that which serueth to the dayly vses of men and wandereth about the worlde through the handes of marchauntes. The whiche thynges well consydered, who so thinketh that nature brin∣geth furth but lyttle golde, shall perceaue that there is greate quantitie therof in the worlde,* 1.41 although there bee but fewe that haue so much as may satisfie the thirst of theyr couetou••∣nesse. And to speake particularly of I••alie,* 1.42 althoughe there bee no myne of golde knowen in it, yet by the vertue and dili∣gence of good wyttes, it hath euer and at all ages byn more ryche then many other prouinces. Notwithstandynge it hath often tymes byn spoyled and ouerrunne of dyuers nations, as

nowe of late in owre tyme by the cruell handes of the Barba∣rians which entered into it abowt .xl. yeares paste. But who knoweth as hath chaunced in the dayes of owre valient pre∣dicessours) whether Godde wyll ageyne gyue vs occasion to chastise them and so to inuade theyr regions that wee maye woonne owre owne ageyne with increase of dowble vsurie. Or if he wyll not permitte this, perhappes he wyll graunte vs to fynde sum ryche myne of golde.* 1.43 For, consyderynge and seynge that this owre region of Italie is replenysshed with as many excellent thynges as in maner heauen can gyue to a∣ny habitable place, it is not to bee thought that this benefite of golde shulde bee wantynge, wheras it bryngeth furth such plentie of al other mines except this of golde and tynne.* 1.44 And yet doo I verely beleue that it is not withowt the mynes of these also, although they be not yet discouered to the know∣leage of men: As I am persuaded bothe by the golde th••t is founde in the sayd ryuers, and also by the dyuers and sundry meane minerals which are founde in many places and adiud∣ged of the practicionars to bee certeyne cleare tokens of theyr proper and natural agentes.* 1.45 But for that they are not found, felte, or seene, we owght not therby to affirme that they are not. To conclude therfore, I thinke that in owr partes of I∣talie,* 1.46 pure golde is none other wayes founde (excepte that which is currant amonge the marchauntes) then after twoo sortes, wherof the one is that which is founde in the sandes of ryuers: And the other, that whiche is gotten by the indu∣strious & subtyle art of partyng gold frō new syluer, or frō gil∣tyng syluer, or other metals which hold gold,* 1.47 as there are in maner but fewe which hold not sū smaul portion therof, more or lesse according to the mixtiō & permanencie of theyr substan¦ces, or accordynge to the qualitie and force of the planettes which expresse theyr influence in the generation of them. And in fine, this is the golde that which is founde in owre partes of Italie. Nowe therfore to returne to the matter whereof is owre chiefe intente to intreate, hauynge before spoken suffi∣ciently of the generation and inuention of the myne of golde, I wyll further declare vnto yowe howe it owght to be pour∣ged from earthly superfluitie,* 1.48 and especially that whiche is founde lyinge in the forme of veynes, And although I haue not seene the edifies and engens wherwith the myners are ac∣customed

to get it owt, yet wyll I shewe yow howe ••y other practises I haue learned to pourge it, that yow may not bee without sum knowleage yf your fortune shalbe so good as to fynde any in Italy. When yow haue therfore dygged owt the myne and placed it in order, yow owght to consider in what kynde of stone it is engendered. And if it bee in that which is cauled Lapis Lazuli,* 1.49 then muste yow so drawe owte the golde that yowe also saue the stone, bycause perfecte Asure is made therof,* 1.50 and such as the paynters caule Azu••ro Oltramarino, that is, Asure of beyonde the sea, which they greatly esteme & bye it deare. And to do this, it is necessary that yowe fyrst beate it into fine pouder, and then put it in a trey or brode treene dysshe, and wasshe it fayre and cleane with water. This done amalgame or rubbe it well with quickesy••uer vntyll it haue lycked vppe and drawne al the golde into it and left the stone pure of it selfe.* 1.51 Then strayne the quickesyluer from the golde through a bagge of lether, or vapour it away in a styllatorie of glasse: And thus shal yowe fynde the golde in the bottome of the vessell in maner pure without quickesyluer, as I haue sayde before. And if yow haue no respecte to saue the stone, it shall suffice to vse the common experience, meltynge it in a fornace in a bayne or teste of leade.* 1.52 But in my opinion, the best maner to brynge it to purenesse, is fyrst to burne the mine with a gentell fyre in an open fornace, and to suffer it to eua∣porate well if it bee not in such stone as yowe desyre to saue. Then grynde it in a mylle or beate it with pestelles adapted with a wheele vntyll it be browght to fine pouder. And when yow haue wel wasshed it and so much wasted the superfluous earthynesse therof, then put it in a teste made accordynge to the quantitie of the same, and melt it therin with leade whi∣che yowe shall consume partely by vapoure and partely with drawynge it owt by the syde of the teste (as is the maner) vn∣tyll yowe come to the pure golde whiche yowe shall in fine brynge to perfecte purenesse in vtterly consumynge the rema∣nent of the leade with vehement fire increased by the helpe of stronge bellowes. And this is the vniuersal maner which yow may vse not only in pourgynge the myne of golde,* 1.53 but also the mynes of all other metals.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The excellē∣cie of golde.
• * 1.2

  The orginall & substaunce of golde.
• * 1.3

  Mineral heate.
• * 1.4

  The tēpera∣ture & pure∣nesse of golde.
• * 1.5

  Golde is in¦corruptible.
• * 1.6

  The bewtie of golde.
• * 1.7

  Golde is me∣dicinable.
• * 1.8

  Golde is con∣fortable.
• * 1.9

  The attrac∣tiue qualitie of golde.
• * 1.10

  where moste plentie of golde is foūd.
• * 1.11

  Cathay.
• * 1.12

  Golde in the I••nde of the weste ••ndies.
• * 1.13

  Golde in Europe.
• * 1.14

  The influen•• of heauen.
• * 1.15

  The moun¦taynes and stones in the whiche golde is engēdered.
• * 1.16

  Lapis Lazuli.
• * 1.17

  Orpemente.
• * 1.18

  Golde ī other metals.
• * 1.19

  golde in the ••andes of ry∣uers.
• * 1.20

  Gold ī earth.
• * 1.21

  Golden duste.
• * 1.22

  Ryuers in the which gold is founde.
• * 1.23

  The wasshīg and pourge∣ing•• of golde.
• * 1.24

  howe golde is deuided frome sande.
• * 1.25

  The Spany∣••rdes make these disshes with hādels.
• * 1.26

  The drawe∣••nge out of golde with ••uicke siluer.
• * 1.27

  From whēse golde is de∣riued into the sandes of ryuers.
• * 1.28

  That golde is not engen∣dered in the ••andes of riuers.
• * 1.29

  This mater is apparent ī the golde founde in the ryuers in the Indies.
• * 1.30

  The ••aule of waters from montaynes.
• * 1.31

  Springes of water in mountaynes.
• * 1.32

  Uegetable golde gro∣winge owt of the earthe.
• * 1.33

  Of this, reade Alexander ab Alexandro. lib. 4 Genialium dierum. Cap. 9.
• * 1.34

  Golde founde in A deade mans heade.
• * 1.35

  A myne of golde found by chaunce.
• * 1.36

  A vayne of golde in a stone.
• * 1.37

  No signes to be omitted.
• * 1.38

  Golde is not founde in like quātitie as are other me∣tals.
• * 1.39

  Argumentes of plentye of golde.
• * 1.40

  howe diuers wayes golde is consumed.
• * 1.41

  Ma•••••• haue to muche, but fewe haue enowgh.
• * 1.42

  Italie wasted byt the barba∣r••ans.
• * 1.43

  Cōmendaciō of Italie
• * 1.44

  Golde and tynne.
• * 1.45

  Meane mine∣rals.
• * 1.46

  The golde of Italie.
• * 1.47

  Golde cōtay∣ned in other metals.
• * 1.48

  The maner of pourginge of golde.
• * 1.49

  Lapis lazuli.
• * 1.50

  Asure.
• * 1.51

  howe golde is drawen frome Lapis lazuli. with quicke syluer.
• * 1.52

  The baine or test of leade.
• * 1.53

  The maner of pourginge gol••e with leade.