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 generation of metalles and their mynes with the maner of fyndinge the same: written in the Italien tounge by Vannuccius Biringuczius in his booke cauled Pyrotechnia. To his louynge frende Master Bernardino Moncellese, greeting.

WHereas I promysed yow to wrytte of the na∣tures of metalles in particular, I am nowe in∣forced to declare euery thinge in generale, and especially of the places of their generation and their order, with the forme and maner of woor¦kynge in the same, and the instrumentes therto perteyninge. Yowe shall therefore vnderstande, that mynes of metalles are founde in the moste partes of the worlde, more or lesse according to the diligence of witti searchers: and shew them selues standinge in the grounde in maner in suche sorte as the veynes of bludde are disparsed in the bodies of lyuing beastes, or like vnto the braunches of trees spredde foorth di∣uers wayes. Wherfor, the diligent searchers of mines, willing by a certeyne similitude declare howe the mynes are placed in the mountaynes, haue figured a greate tree full of branches planted in the myddeste of the base of a mountayne, frome the whyche are diriued dyuers and many bouwes and branches, sum greate and sum smaule, muche like vnto verye trees that are in owlde woddes. They will also that in growynge, they euer ingrose them selues and reache towarde the heauen, con∣uertynge into theyr nature the moste disposed and neare mat∣ter, vntil the toppes of theyr braunches extend to the highest parte of the mountayne, and there shewe furthe theyr selues with manifeste apperaunce, puttinge furthe in the steade of bouwes and floures, certeyne fumosites of blewe or greene co¦loure, or marchasites with smaule veynes of ponderous mat∣ter, or suche other compositions of tinctures. And when by this means they shewe thē selues vnto vs, we may make firme coniecture that suche mountaynes are minerall, and that ac∣cordinge to the demonstrations they shewe more or lesse, they are richer or porer of myne. Therefore the searchers, according to thapperaunces which they fynde, take good courage vnto them: and with hope and securitie of profecte, apply al their possible diligence with witte and expenses to digge or gette

owte such ethynges as the signes and owtewarde apperaun∣ces declare vnto them. And by this maner of fynd••nge of mynes, it hath often tymes chaunced that many haue byn ex∣alted to the highest degree of riches. Wheras therfore by this meanes men enter into the mountaynes with the eys of consi∣deration and right Iudgemente, and see the places where the mineralles are ingendered and comprehende in maner theire quantitie, they adapte theyr caues or fosses accordynge there∣vnto, wheras they shulde otherwyse wander by chaunce, be∣cause no man can by any other meanes knowe where the mines are in the mountaynes, although he were of neuer so good iud¦gement, and shulde make searche for the same neuer so cury∣ously by litle & litle. It shal therfore in this case be necessary to folow the certificat & aperaūces of signes, & to encoūtre the same as nere as may be, with eys & eares euer attentiue where they maye hope to fynde any tokens of metalles, especially by enquyringe of shepardes and other anciente inhabitauntes of such regions in the which mineralls are engendered. And this I speake the rather for that I am perswaded that at the first sight of a mountaine, by reason of the greate barrennesse and roug••nes therof, and also by reason of the great aboundance of waters that are engendered in the same, a right good iud∣gemente shall not suffice to coomme to certayne knoweleage that metall is contayned in such mountaynes, vntill the sear∣chers haue with charges and trauail caused miners in sundry places to discouer the same. And therfore I also beleue that one man althowgh he bee neuer so stronge, wyttie, and farre castinge, shall not be able in a newe and straunge contreye, to searche by smaule portions not onlye all the mountaynes of one or moo prouinces which may bringe furth minerals, but shall with muche difficultie scarsely suffice to searche the se∣creates of only one mountayne: In so muc••e that sum consyde¦ringe the difficultie hereof, are of opinion that in this effecte, it shuld be requysite to worke by the arte of Negromancie, which I thynke to be a fable withowt further knoweleage. But I wolde that these necromancers shulde tell me why this theire arte helpeth theym no further in the woorke after that they haue once founde the myne, if it be trewe that they say. Why (I say) doth it not helpe them furthe as at the begyn∣nynge to fynde the myne, so consequently in the myddest and

the ende to brynge the ••ame to further perfection, as to gett•• it owte, to brynge it to fusion or meltynge, and to purifie or pourge it from drosse, which doubtlesse it shulde haue pour•• to doo if it may bee beleaued that it can doo the other. But forasmuch as such effectes are so fearefull and terrible, that they owght not or can not be practised of al men, and also per¦happes bycause such maner of woorkynge is not knowen, I thinke it not good to be vsed: but thinke rather by good rea∣son that this arte is so much the more to be omytted and con∣temned, in howe much we are accustomed in the begynnyng•• of dyggynge of mynes, especially to caule for the grace of god that it may please hym to be presente with his ayde to owre doubtfull and traualious woorke. Lettynge passe therefore this deuylysshe diuise of such beastly and fearefull men, I ex∣horte yowe to folowe the practise by the foresayde signes mi∣nystred vnto yowe by the benignitie of nature, bothe groun∣ded vppon the foundation of truth and approued by thexperi∣ence of many practicionars, not consystynge in woordes or promysses of thynges vayne and incōprehensible. With these signes therfore shall yow searche the bankes and sides of the valleys, with the clyffes and ryftes of the stones, and the bac¦kes, toppes, or ridges of the Montaynes: Also the beddes, chanels, and courses of ryuers, lookynge diligently amonge theyr sandes, and the ruines of theyr fosses, amonge the whi¦che yow shall often tymes espie marchasites or smaule sparkes of mynes, or other dyuers tinctures of metals, whereby yow may be certified that certeyne mynes are in such places, which yowe shall exactly fynd by diligent and curious searchyng the clyffes of theyr ryftes and dry places. After these aduertise∣mentes, take this for a generall signe, that all suche places and moūtaynes are mineral, owt of the which many springes and great abundaunce of crude water dooth isshewe, hauyng with theyr clearenes a certeyne minerall taste, and such as at variable seasons of the yeare chaunge theyr qualitie, beinge warme in the sprynge tyme and coulde in sommer. And this thynge owght yow to beleue the more when yow shall see the aspecte of such mountaynes to be rough, sharpe, and saluage withowt earth or trees. Or so that yf there bee a lyttle earth found vpon the same with a smaule veyne of herbes or grasse yowe shall perceaue the grenenes therof to be faynt and in ma¦ner

wythered and dryed. And albeit that sumtymes also, mines are founde in mountaynes hauynge earth and frutefull trees in the toppes therof, yet are they for the most part found in such wherof we haue spoken. Of these other, there maye fewe signes be gyuen, except to go by lyttle and lyttle to seke the bankes of theyr sydes. But amonge all these, the best and most certeyne signe that may bee gyuen, is wheras on the su∣perficiall parte of the earth eyther on hyghe or belowe, the myne dooth shewe it selfe apparente to syght. Sum there are that for a good signe do greately commende the residences which certeyne waters make wher they haue rested for a time and beinge dryed vp of the heate of the sonne, do often times shewe in certeyne partes of theyr residencies dyuers tinctures of mynerall substaunce. Summe other are accustomed to take such waters, and in a vessell of earth or glasse or other mat∣ter, cause them to boyle and vapoure away vntyll the dregs or residence remayne in the bottome well dryed in the likenes of a grose earth, of the which they make an assaye eyther by the ordinarie tryall of fyer, or after sume other maner as ly∣keth them best. And by this meanes (althowgh they attayne not to thexacte knowleage of the truth) yet do they approche to a certeyne knowleage of the thyng wherby they haue sum intelligence of what sufficiencie and goodnesse the myne is which they seeke, before they be at any great charges in fo∣lowynge the same: Prouydynge alway that with all diligent aduertisement the places neare vnto the rootes of the confine mountaynes be curiously searched, with also the bankes and sydes of the selfe same mountayne, and all such superficiall partes therof, where any stones are founde discouered eyther of theyr owne proper nature or by the course of water: presup¦posynge euer that it is in maner impossible but that yf suche mountaynes contayne any mynes, they muste needes shewe furth sum floures, tinctures, or colours of theyr exhalations. Yet yf it shulde so chaunce that they do not this, the goodnes of the mine may be the cause hereof forasmuche as eyther it is not of vaporable nature, or to be of smaule quantitie, or els perhappes bycause the mountayne is greate and the myne ve∣ry low or so farre with in, that it is not sufficient to put furth any signes of fumosities. The cause also hereof maye bee that sum stone lyke vnto that cauled Albasano (which I thynke to be

of that kynde which we caule the greete stone) or blacke and whyte marble of thycke and resystynge nature, may be found to lye betwene and so to stoppe the passages, that the sayde fu¦mosities may therby be hyndered to arryue to the vppermoste parte of the earth: by reason wherof, it is possible that suche mountaynes may brynge furth trees and herbes forasmuche as the earth therof dooth reteyne his vertue and may nuryshe theyr rootes not beinge incinerate or burnte with hotte and venemous vapours of the mynes: so that the shoures of rayne or fluds with their courses can not cary away the earth as in such places wher the same is found sore dryed. And therfore vppon such mountaynes I haue seene great wooddes of chest¦nutte trees, beeches also and okes, with well cultured and frutfull fieldes. So that to conclude, by the signes of the rowghnesse or barennesse of the mountayne, is not taken a∣way but that other places may also haue plentie of mines whi¦che ought to be searched and folowed. But forasmuch as these signes are of the natures of minerals, I wyll speake more de¦terminately of theym in the places where I entreate of theyr proper mynes: Not intendynge here to saye muche of these thynges in generall, but only to induce yow to sum clearnesse of the fyrst lyght. And therfore that yow may gyue the more diligent aduertisment, I saye vnto yowe that all the mynes which yow shall fynde by such signes, by what meanes so e∣uer they shall coome to yowre handes, whether they be found in stones, earth, or sande, after that at the fyrste syght they haue shewed them selues to bee mynes of metals, yow owght to consyder of what ponderositie or weyght they are: The which the greater that it is, so much the more dooth it shewe both the perfection and goodnesse of the substaunce, and also the more quantitie of the mine. And thus presupposyng that by the signes or other meanes yow haue founde the mine, not yet fully perceauynge of what kynde of metall it myght be, to certifie yowe hereof and also of what quantitie it is, or howe it is accompanyed or myxt with other, or lykewyse of what puritie it is of it selfe, or of what euyll disposition or malice it is founde to bee, it shall herein be necessary before yow be at any further charges therwith, to proue the same by twoo or three assayes or mo, as I wyll further declare in the particu∣lar place of assayes. Beinge therfore certifyed of the myne,

and of what metall it is, and also what quantitie it contey∣neth, fyndynge it by accompte to bee so profitable as to beare the charges, I exhorte yowe bouldely to gyue the fyrste at∣tempte to faule to mynynge, and with all possible diligence to folowe yowr enterpryse: assurynge yowre selfe, that of what so euer mynerall matter yow shall take assay accordyng to the proportion of that pice which yow tooke of the vppermost or owtmost parte of the mine for that purpose, yow shall fynde that to bee muche better and rycher whiche is further within the mountayne. And thus being certified by the assay of what quantitie the thynge is that appered by the signes, and of all other reasonable consyderations apperteynyng to the worke, yow shall with all celeritie dispose yowr selfe to faule to dyg∣gynge, to thintent that yowe may shortely eyther here enioye the frute of yowre trauell, or els where with better suc∣cesse proue yowre good fortune. But in thattempte of this enterpryse, yow owght principally to haue respecte to the situation of the place where yowe intende to make the begynnynge of yowr caue or fosse: Takynge good aduertise∣ment that it be commodious for the labourers that shal worke therein: prouydynge aboue all thynges that it haue an easye enteraunce into the mountayne, with lesse charges and in shor¦ter tyme to arryue vnder the signes which yowe haue taken: encounterynge the same as muche as is possible as it were by a ryght line, fyrst with iudgemente and then with workeman shyppe, vntyll yow stryke on the grose masse or bodye of the myne, breakynge in the course of the caue al matters of hard compositions, as quarreys and stones ouerthwartynge the same: hauynge euer respecte to the owtwarde signes whiche yow folowe, forecastynge in yowre mynde how yowe may di∣rectly arryue to the same, euen as the maryners directe theyr course by theyr compasse and syght of the north starre. Also bysyde that place where yow haue determined to make the en¦teraunce and begynnynge of the caue, yow muste take choyse of an other place, eyther on the front of the mountayne or on the syde that it may bee neare and commodious to make one or two or mo cotages for the commoditie and necessitie of the woorkemen. One of these must bee appoynted for theyr dor∣mitorie where sum may rest and sleepe whyle other woorke, and that yow may the more commodiously be present and as∣systaunt

to theyr doynges, diligently to beholde all thynges and to conforte theim in theyr laboures: also to dispence and bestowe theyr vyttayles as shall bee nedefull, and to reseru•• the same in safe custodie, with dayly prouision of al thynges apperteynynge. The other must bee as it were a smythes forg•• wherin theyr worne and broken tooles must bee renewed, and other newe made, to thintent that the woorke be not hynde∣red for lacke of store of necessarie instrumentes. When thes•• thynges are thus fynysshed, with good prouision of vyttayles and a sufficient number of expert myners, then in the name of God and good aduenture, causynge a preste to blesse the mos•• tayne with all the shoppes, and to baptise the caue, dedica∣tynge it (as the maner is) to the holy Trinitie or to owr Lady or to the name of sum other saynt which yowe haue in deuot••¦on, with inuocation to theym to prosper yowre attemptes, yow shall with good courage and hope begynne to dygge the caue, with intente to folowe the same withowte ceasynge as farre as yowre abilitie shall reache, or vntyll yowe haue pas∣sed ouer the lymettes signified by the signes before named: Takynge euer diligent heade that yowe begyn yowre caue as lowe as yow may at the foote of the mountayne, in such order that yowr myners so continue and folow the same by a right line, that they encounter the veyne of the myne by the shortest and safest way that may bee deuised. For it often times chaun¦ceth, that althowgh the caue haue byn wel begunne, yet hath it not byn well folowed, for that the myners beinge with∣drawen from the ryght course by the hope of suche braunches of mynes as haue appered vnto them in the waye, doo often times decline from theyr attēpted course, and from the signes which they owght to haue folowed. And bysyde other pre∣ceptes, see that yow beare in memory to procure that in dyg∣gynge, yow eschewe as muche as yowe maye, the cuttynge of softe or brykell stones, aswell for that it may bee daungerous for ruine of the caue, as also that it seldome chaunceth that any mynes are founde in such stones. But yf yow shal chaunc•• so to fynde them that yow can by no meanes auoyde them, A confort yow that where suche cause of feare sheweth it selfe, both that yow lose not the charges of the caue and for the be••¦ter safegarde of yowre woorkemen, it shalbe necessary that yow vse all possible diligence in well vpholdynge and forty∣fying••

the caue with arches of waules trauersed with stronge postes of tymber after the maner of framed beames, susteyned with grose and stronge pyles made of good and stronge tym∣ber of oke or other great trees. And in this maner owght yow to proceade in dyggyng yowre myne that yow may with more securitie enioy the frute of yowr trauayle. But in the owlde tyme they that dygged mynes (as is yet to see) in the caues lefte of them) folowed an other maner: so that in the steade of begynnynge the caue belowe at the foote of the moun¦tayne (as doo the later myners) they begunne to dygge theyr caue in the vpper or hyghest parte where the daye discouered the myne, dyggynge downewarde after the maner of a pytte or a well, folowynge the same sumtyme on the one syde, and sumtyme on the other euen vnto the depth, as the veyne shew¦ed it selfe to theyr syght: whereof I haue thought good to make mention, for that in thoppinion of many men, this way dooth seeme much better and of more securitie to fynde that they seeke, then to dygge by the sydes: bycause that by this meanes they haue euer the mine before theyr eyes eyther more or lesse as a line to leade them to the grosse masse. Yet who so consydereth the thynge well, shall vnderstande that the later myners haue better conceaued the reason of this woorke, in respecte (as is to see) of many more commodities and securi∣ties which insue rather of this maner of woorkynge then of the other: as the difficultie to descende and ascende the caue, & the daungiour lest it bee stopped vp by many ruines, bysyde the traualyous labour to draw owt the mine with the rockes & fragmentes of stones: And aboue al thynges, that they shal not bee able to drawe owt the waters whiche are often tymes so abundaunt that they greatly increase the charges and tra∣uayles of the patrones of the mynes by reason of the greate ayde and helpe which shalbe requisite to haue in that case and also for the makynge of wheeles, troughes, pypes, & pumpes, with suche other instrumentes seruynge for the purpose to drawe owt the waters. And yet with all this, it often tymes chaūceth that although they labour hereat cōtinually, yet shal they be īforced to forsake their profitable & laudable ēterpryse So that to conclude, I saye (as yowe maye well vnder stand) that it is a much better way and of more securitie to begynne the diggyng of the caue rather at the roote or fote of the moū¦tayne

and to enter into the same by litle and lytle a slope vp∣warde, then to begynne at the toppe or the highest backe ther¦of. And this both for the more commodious passinge furthe of the water, and also for the easier trauaile of the labourers. Obseruynge euer diligently the chaunge of the signes whiche appere vnto yow owtwardly, vsynge the rudder and compasse as do they that sayle on the sea. For hereby the myners shalbe instructed euer to folowe the right way in the caue vntill by the conductinge of wytte and arte, they bee browght to the place of the grose masse or bodie of the tree, whyche is the cause, fontayne, and original from whense the sayd tinctures fumosites, and mineral signes, are diriued and sente furth to the superficiall partes. And as concernynge this pu••pose, I thincke it good to declare vnto yow howe in the Dukedome of Austria, betweene Isprue and Alla where I contynued manye yeares, I sawe a large vale enuironed with a greate number of mountaynes, by the middest wherof a ryuer passed through of greate aboundaunce of water: and in maner in all the mon∣taynes that are there abowt, is digged great plentie of mine, wherof the moste parte are of copper or leade, althoughe also in maner euery of them is founde to holde sum portion of sil∣uer. Amonge these mountaynes, I sawe one in the whyche thinhabitauntes of the countrey dwellyng there abowt, allu∣red by the sight of many signes, beganne to digge a caue after the maner wherof we haue spoken: In so muche that (as it appered vnto me) from the place where they begane the caue, they had digged litle lesse then two myles before they sawe any sparke or shadowe of any myne And beinge arryued with the caue in maner perpendicularly vnder the signes they folo¦wed, they were encountered with a veyne of the harde stone cauled Albazano, of a yarde and a halfe thicke, which they pas¦sed through with greate trauayle and longe tyme, and with the helpe of commodious instrumentes of iren hardened to woorke in suche stones. And when they had thus passed through this quarrey of stone, they chaunced vppon a verye great veyne of the myne of copper of such sorte that when I was there, lookinge betweene the one and the other, I sawe on euery syde as it were a waule of the hard stone of Albazano, and therin a voyde place of suche largenes from the one syde to the other that more then two hundreth men al at one time,

had sufficiente roome to stande labouringe frome the hygheste parte to the lowest, hauynge non other lyght then of candells, and makinge certeyne markes in euery place where they saw the vre or myne shewe it selfe: and thus ceased not to woorke continually both day and nyght, course by course, a thynge suerly maruelous to be holde. Without the mouth of the caue, I sawe great abundaunce of mine partely mixt with the stone of the vre, and partely chosen and seperated. Amonge these pieces, there was one consistynge of a hole masse of pure mine of suche biggnes and weyght, that two good horses with a light carre coulde scarsely drawe it away. This myne was of copper as I haue sayde. But to magnifie it, they cauled it syluer, bycause it helde suche plentie thereof that it surmoun∣ted the charges, whereas they had also the copper for aduan∣tage. Yowe shall further vnderstond that in the myddest of the caue, there was a chanell or gutter whyche gathered togyther the waters that fell into it continually on euery syde from the ruptures or broken places and cliffes. These waters ranne through the chanel with so vehemente a streme, that I suerly beleue that it might well suffice to dryue and greate mylle. In so muche that in goynge in and comming owt of the caue, I remember that by the contynual faule & sprinkeling of the waters from aboue & beneth, I was as wet as though I had passed through a ••••eate shoure of rayne. Wherat I maruel the lesse when I consyder that water is the fyrst and nearest prin∣ciple of the whiche the substaunce of minerals is engendered. By reason wherof, such men of vnderstandynge as haue sear¦ched the natures of these thynges, argue hereby and take it for a generall rule, that all those mountaynes owt of the whi¦che spryngeth great abundaunce of water, doo also abounde with myne. The which thynge well consyderynge, and wey¦inge the greatnes hereof, I faule into this accompte with my selfe, that if to the patrones of the sayde caue, the charges of the same hadde byn a hynderaunce or greefe, eyther for the length therof, or for despayre that they shuld not haue found that they sought, they wolde surely haue forsaken it. And beinge nowe comme to this harde stone after they had sustey∣ned so great charges bysyde the trauayle both of mynde and body, if they shulde then haue lefte of theyr enterpryse, they shulde not haue come to such ryches whereby they haue obtey¦ned

many commodities aswell profitable for them selues a•• also for theyr lordes and princes, theyr countrey, theyr kins∣folkes and famelie. Neyther yet shulde they haue byn so wel able to helpe theyr poore neyghbours as they haue doone by the meanes of the valientnesse of theyr constant myndes and persistynge in so good and commendable an enterprise. Wher∣fore to conclude, yow that wyll begynne to attempt any such thynge, must be of good courage and much pacience to folowe that yow haue begunne, at the least vntill yow knowe by the signes what the thynge is: hopinge euer that in goynge for∣warde, the day folowynge (as it is possible) shal discouer the thynge that yowe seeke and content your desyre: Wherof yow may bee the better assured, if yow well consyder that the moo¦thers and matrices of moste estemed ryches, and the myntes of al treasures, are the mountaynes: To the whiche (with th•• helpe of fortune and yowr ingenious indeuoure) yow shall open the way, not only to fynde the myne and arryue to the belly of the mountaynes where suche thynges lye hyd, but shall also bee exalted by ryches to hyghe honoure and digni∣tie as they of whome we haue made mention before; foras∣much as most beningne and liberall nature, doothe open her lappe and promesse good successe to suche as seeke ryches by such honest meanes. The whiche way surely is muche rather to be folowed, then eyther the warres full of trowbles and miserie, or the carefull trade of marchaundies with wande∣rynge abowt the worlde, or suche other fastidious cares per∣happes vnlawfull for a good man. And albeit (as sume men vse to speake) the fyndynge of mynes bee an especial grace of God, neuerthelesse, forasmuch as we are borne to laboure, i•• shalbe necessary that we seeke the same in suche places where they are brought furth by the woorke of nature, and by sear∣chynge to fynde them, and beinge founde to dygge for them. and by this meanes to receaue the grace of God with apply∣inge owre owne diligence therto, with helpe of the dispositi∣on of fortune and naturall iudgemente. And yet shal not this only suffice withowt sufficiencie of money able to susteyne the charges and continue the woorke: to thende that if yow can not fynysshe it with yowr owne expenses, yow maye supplye the same by the ayde of other, eyther patrones or parteners. But let vs nowe cease to reason any further of these thinges.

Presupposyng therfore that yow haue alredy passed the char∣ges, and haue not only founde the myne yow sought, but al∣so haue brought furth to lyght a great quantitie therof, it shal then bee needeful (as a thyng chiefely to be consydered before yow begin to dygge) wel to ponder & examen both the cōmodi¦ties of such thynges as shall occurre, and also of such wherof yow shall haue neede: as tymber and woodde of all sortes, with water and vyttayles: of all the whiche, yow must haue great plentie: and especially of woodde, whereof yowe muste haue great quantitie, aswell to serue to the proportion of the myne, as also to make coles to the vse of meltynge, fynynge, dryinge, garboylyng, and such other broylynges, bysyde that which must serue to fortifie caue and to buyld shoppes and cotages with such other edifies. Diligent consideration must lykewyse be had to the situacion of the place where the buyl∣dynges shalbe erected: as that the plotte therof bee commodi∣ous with abundaunce of water hauynge a good faule. Also not onely of plentie of woodde and cole nere vnto the myne, but of such as may serue the turne. And of all other incommo¦dities, yowe muste chiefely auoyde the lacke of water, as a thynge of greatest importaunce and most necessarie in this ef∣fecte. For by the force and weyght of the course hereof, wheeles and dyuers other ingenious instrumentes are adap∣ted with ease to lyfte vppe greate bellowes to make fyers of great poure, to beate with hammers of great weyght, and to turne myghtie and stronge eugens, by the force whereof the trauayles of men are so much furthered, that withowt such helpe, it were in maner impossible to ouercome suche tedious trauayles or to arryue to the ende of the woorke, forasmuch as the force of one wheele may lyfte more, and that more safe¦ly then the paynefull labour of a hundreth men. It shal ther∣fore be needefull to haue great consyderation hereof, not on∣ly to make these edifies or houses of office, but also to make them commodious for the purpose, as for the cariage of myne and cole with other necessaries. For if any of these effectes shulde be wantynge, the coste, tyme and trauayle, shulde bee cast away: forasmuch as these thynges doo so much the more relieue the one the other as they are ioyned togyther, and hin¦der the woorke not a lyttle yf any be separate. But bycause these commodities can not euer be hadde all togyther, yowe

owght to wey with yowr selfe which of the twoo serueth for mo necessarie vses, as eyther to haue the cole or the mine most commodious to the houses, and accordinge there vnto to place the houses nere vnto the same if the commoditie of water wyll so permytte.

Albeit, if it were possible, it shulde be much better if al these necessarie commodities were ioyned togyther, whereas other¦wyse yowe muste contente yowre selfe as occasion serueth. Nowe therefore to conclude, bysyde that whiche I haue de∣clared vnto yow of the findinge of the myne and the digging thereof with other considerations, I exhorte yowe further to faule to practyse with sum myne of your owne, that yow may therby take occasion to ryse to the degree of ryches whyche yow desire. And therfore I aduertise yow that after yow haue founde the mountayne and begun to digge, yow shal euer go forwarde with a boulde mynde and stoute corage, woorkyng with witte and Iudgement, forasmuche as in this effecte the one serueth the other in the steede of eys to enter where they can not. Gyue no credit to that whiche many ignorante fol¦kes doo say and beleue, affirminge that in digging for metals, they are founde rather by chaunce then by arte. The which although it were trewe, yet owght we to trust more to art and practyse then to chaunce. And when yow are nowe entered into the mountayne, beare well in memory that yow haue pre∣sently with yow the tallie or ruler of the caue, wherby yowe may trauerse the veyne of the myne when yow are coomne to it. For if yow shulde folowe it by the course as it lyeth, it is possible that yowe mighe folowe it a greate way not paste the biggnesse of a mans finger and perhappes lesse: By reason wherof, it might happen that yow shuld lose it and neuer find it ageyne. The like shuld chaunce vnto yow if after that yow haue begun to digge a caue, it shulde repent yow of the char∣ges, and that for the basnes therof yowe shulde forsake it, as many haue doone who bycause they coulde not fynde the mine at the first stroke, despayringe that they shulde neuer fynde it, haue forsaken it as a thyng vnprofitable, thynking that they haue woonne enough in that they were not at further char∣ges with that which they accompt losse and domage: And thus furiously leaue of their enterprise, not regardinge that they may leaue the frute of theyr expenses and trauaile to an other

that may folowe their begynninges, and perhappes fynde the myne within the distance of a cubet, a spanne, or a finger. We may say therfore that suche men doo willinglye forsake theyr good fortune as many haue doone. He therfore that hath be∣gune to digge a caue, let hym determine to folowe it, puttinge away thestimation of the basenes therof, and not to feare the streyghtnesse of the way, but rather to applye all his possible diligence withowt remorse, hopynge thereby no lesse to ob∣teyne honour and ryches, then to auoyde shame and infamie for omyttynge so profitable an enterpryse. And that yow may the more circumspectly behaue yowr selfe in all thynges, be∣syde the former instructions, I further aduertise yowe to set euer fresshe men a woorke by course in such order, that in eue¦ry sixte or eyght houres (accordynge to the number of the my∣ners) yow appoynt such to the woorke as haue reposed or ta∣ken theyr rest, that yow may by this meanes the sooner come to thende yow desyre, whereunto (after yowe haue layde so sure a fundation) I exhorte yow to runne withowt a brydle. And wheras to these effectes it shalbe necessarie to haue many instrumentes adapted for the purpose, I can none otherwyse speake of them then in generall, consyderynge that according to the nature of the place and the myne, it shalbe necessary to vse instrumentes and iren tooles of dyuers formes, as there ought to be difference in such wherwith yow shall dygge in mynes engendered in marble, greete stone, and harde freese stone, or such other. For the dyggynge of such as are found in deade and tender stones, as Alabaster and marle, it is re∣quisite to haue apte and stronge instrumentes, as greate bee∣tels, mattockes and spades of iren, also great & longe crowes of iren to lyfte great burdens: lykewyse greate and smaule picke axes sum of iren and sum of steele: furthermore greate maules with handels and withowt handels, and such other bothe of iren and fine steele hardened, if the hardenes of stone shall so requyre. But as for such as shall serue to dygge the mynes which are engendered in tender and softe stones, I neede make no mention of them, forasmuch as the tooles of the common sorte may suffice, and necessitie shall dayly furthe instructe yow to diuise such as shal serue for yowre purpose. Albeit, for the moste parte, they are beetels, maules, mattoc∣kes, pikes, shouels, spades, and such lyke. But as well for

the softe stones as for the harde, it shalbe necessarye to haue great plentie of al sortes, to thende that the myners may lose no tyme, and that the woorke may go the better forwarde to the comfort of the patrones of the mine. Bysyde these before named, it shall also be requisite to haue plentie of greate bas∣kettes, spades, sh••uels, sleades, and handbarrowes, bothe with wheeles and without wheeles: also sackes made of raw or vntande hydes to carye the fragmentes owt of the caue. It shall furthermore be requisite to haue greate quantitie of vnctuous liquours to maītayne fire: as are the oiles of oliues, of nuttes, of line seede and hempe seede: Lykewise the rootes of putrified trees, or talowe of beastes, or fatte and oyle of fysshes. For withowt the lyght of fyre, it is not possible for the labourers to woorke: Nor yet can any fyre be mayn∣tayned in the caue except it receaue the ayer by sum respiracle or breathynge place by the meanes of a funnell or trunke of woodde or such other open instrument wherby the ayer maye be conueyed into the caue.

¶ 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, 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, 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, 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. 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, 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: 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. 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. 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: 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, by whom I am certified for a truth that the greatest plentie of this metall, 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: 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: and that the Romans had from thense yearely .xxiiii. pounds weyght. And thus speakynge of this precious metall, 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, 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. But it is not bryght and harde as is the saphire. It is also founde in orpemente cauled Auripigmentum: but more often in the mynes of other metals. It is lykewyse founde in many prouinces in the sandes of ryuers. 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, 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.

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, 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, 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, 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. 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: 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, 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. 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, 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: 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: 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, 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, 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: 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, 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, 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. 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. 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, 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: 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, 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, 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. 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. 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. 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, 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, 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, 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, then muste yow so drawe owte the golde that yowe also saue the stone, bycause perfecte Asure is made therof, 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. 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. 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, but also the mynes of all other metals.

☞ Of the myne of siluer and the qualitie therof.

THere are (as I vnderstande) diuers opinions emonge the practitionars of the mynes, whe∣ther syluer haue a proper myne by it selfe or no. The reasons of suche as writte of the na∣turs of mineralles, and thautoritie of the most, persuade me to assent to the affirmatiue: Not only to see the naturall matter distincte, as is to perceaue in the mynes of golde, copper, leade and other metals whiche in theyr mynes are found pure by them selues without mixtion, but also that I vnderstand that there hath bin foūd likewyse certeyne pieces as well of this metall of siluer, as of gold and copper, browght to his laste fynesse by thonly worke of na∣ture. And this dooth Georgius Agricola a lerned man of Germany confirme in his booke of minerals where he writteth that in Saxonie there was foūd in a caue a piece of mineral siluer of such bignes, that the duke the prince & pa••rone of that place, caused a chayre and square dyninge table after the maner of Almanye to be made therof withowte any further woorke of mans hande: Gloryinge often tymes that in this thynge he surmounted the greatnesse and magnificence of the Empe∣roure. But in deede (excepte copper) I haue seene no me∣tall taken owte of the caue pure withowt his vre. Yet doo I beleeue it a thynge possible, consydering the greate force and poure of nature, thende of whose woorkynge euer intendeth to bringe all thynges to perfection as farre as it is not other∣wyse hyndered. Yet (as I haue sayde) of the moste parte of those mynes whiche I haue seene, none of theym haue byn withowt mixture, not only of the earthe of their owne proper myne, but haue byn also mixte with other metals: And espe∣cially this of syluer more then any other, excepte onlye that which was digged in Schio in Vicentina. And therefore not with∣owt sum sh••dow of apparent reason, haue suche doubtes risin amonge the practitionars of the mynes. And yet (as I haue sayd I beleue that siluer may haue and hath his proper mine, forasmuche as euery substaunce that maye be conuerted into metall, may aswell stande by it selfe pure in his owne kynde, as eyther seperate or mixte with other, as is often times seene

in one masse in the whiche diuers metals are conteyned and engendered by nature. And by this meanes it often chaunceth that he that speaketh of the mine of siluer, may with the same brethe and withowt distinction, speake also of all other me∣tales, forasmuche as there are but fewe mynes which are not mixte with other. But bycause the moste noble and riche me∣tals haue obteyned the prerogatiue to be estemed aboue other, therfore the name of the myne is gyuen to them wher they are mixte with other: as the mynes which holde copper, leade, or iren, (as doo the moste parte) yet if they holde also golde or syluer, they are cauled gold mynes or syluer mynes, according vnto that which is founde in them to bee of most value. But to lette passe this matter, yowe shall further vnderstande that when suche mynes are mixte of diuers metals, they shew furth so much the more diuers and variable fumosites of tinctures and marchasites, as signes where they bee and of what pure∣nesse: forasmuch as euery of them according to theyr natures, exalte theyr colours which they shewe furthe to the eye, sum in the similitude of asurine or blewe stones, sum greene, sum yelowe, and sum of vndistinct colours accordynge to the com¦positions and mixtures of the fyrst matters of metals, which is also the cause that they are founde more or lesse in quanti∣tie. Nowe to speake more particularly of this metall of syl∣uer, the philosophers speculatours of naturall thynges, saye that it is engendered of substaunce more watery then fyerie, of complexion f••minine and flegmatike in cōparason to gold: receauynge more of thinfluence of the moone then of the son, and therfore engendered more in coulde regions nerer vnto the moone, then in hotte regions vnder the soonne: consisting also of pure elementes, although sumwhat crude and vndy∣gested in respecte of the elementes of golde as may bee plaine∣ly perceaued by theyr colours, weyght, and fixation. The practicionars affirme that it is engendered in a stone lyke vn∣to Albazano, and also in an other ••••one of a russet, deade, and darke colour: And is often tymes founde in an other stone lyke vnto Treuertino or in Treuertino it selfe. The myne hereof, is very ponderous, and hathe in it often tymes certeyne shy∣nynge graynes: The which howe much the lesse they are like to the poynte of a needle so muche is the myne founde to bee the perfecter, bycause this is a token of purenesse and fixion.

And when it is founde in a whyte stone, or leade stone, it is so muche the better, bycause it maye be the easyer pourged from the stone and earthynesse. When also it is founde lyinge as it were loose amonge certeine frales or cloddes of earth, they saye th••t it is perfecte, although it haue not to the eye suche resplendence as other are wonte to haue. The•• say also that it is engen••ered in an earth of darke ru••set colour: And that when it is founde in this, it is of gre••t quantitie and perfec∣tion, and that there is great plentie therof within the moun∣tayne: This also to be so much the better in howe much more it is shynynge of the coloure of iren or red••e. And that yowe may the bet••er comprehend the signes of the myne of the fore∣sayde metall, yowe shall vnderstand that euen togyther with the myne, eyther where it is fyrste founde, or nere vnto the same, yowe shall see certeyne marchasites of yelowe coloure lyke vnto golde. The which, the more they holde of suche hyghe colour, so much the more do they shewe adust or burnt ma••ter and heate, as thynges contrary to the na••ure of theyr metals. And therfore accordynge to the degrees of suche co∣lours, yow may in maner iudge of what fatnes or leanenesse the myne is lyke to bee. Such marcha••ites therfore as ••hew•• the best signes of the goodnesse of theyr mynes, owght in co∣loure to approche to whytenesse as much as may bee, and to consyst of smaule graynes, and not in greate quantitie. And this is a generall rule of all marchasites, that howe much th•• narower and lesse they are, the more do they shewe the good∣nesse of theyr myne. This myne of syluer is also often times founde in a veyne of great quant••tie, and yet so leane in qua∣litie that it wyll not beare the charge of the dyggyng, bicause it is founde in a harde stone lyke vnto Al••azano, beinge verye harde to bee dygged or broken. Sum tymes also, it is found in the company of copper or leade: The which lykewyse if it do not surmount the value of the charges, it is not to bee fo∣lowed. Otherwhyles also, it so chuanceth that these thre me∣tals are founde accompanyed togyther in one myne: In whi∣che case it shalbe ••ecessarie to vse aduertisement of arte. And presupposynge that yowe desy••e to se••arate the syluer frome the other metall, it is necessarie that yowe increase the leade. But if yow passe not to saue neyther the syl••er nor the leade, but ••nly the copper, it shal••e requi••ite to proceade wi••h l••••g••

••nd great fyers vntyl the weakest marters bee consumed. But this owght to be doone especially in such mines as hold iren. Yet neyther for this or those, can there any general rule be gy¦uen, but that accordynge vnto theyr qualitie and nature, so owght they to be diuided: And this so much the more in that they are often tymes mixte with sum drye earthe, or with a quantitie of antimonie or arsenike, which are matters al to∣gyther euaporable and burnte, or of harde substaunce to bee reduced to fusion or meltynge: In so much that the artificers sumtymes beinge ouercumme of them, leaue them as thynges vnprofitable. Wherof there can none other cause often times be gyuen, then theyr owne ignoraunce by reason of extraordi¦narie and longe fyers whiche they gyue them. And therefore they woorke inordinately in such kynd of mynes, except they accompanie them in the fusion or meltynge with such thinges as may defende them from the fyer. For wheras is suche a∣bundaunce eyther of burnte matter, or of super••••uous wate∣rynesse, wherof the one is cauled Sulphur or brymstone, & the other Mercurie or quicksyluer not fixed, or arsenike, it is ne∣cessarie that the one burne and syluer, and the other cary it a way, so that of the myne there resteth none other then an ear thye sub••taunce infusible and not able to bee molten. To saue the sayde myne therefore it shalbe requisite to vse discretion with much pacience and conueniente meanes, fyrste after the common maner of woorkynge to euaporate the myne (as wee haue sayde) or withowt euaporation to grinde it smaule: then to wasshe it often, and in fine, if not by greate fyers, at the leaste by great baynes or testes of leade to pourge it. And to brynge this effect the more easely to passe as much as may be, after that it is grounde yow owght to proue in the same grin¦dynge or in an other, if it may be amalgamed with Mercurie which is the best maner of profe, if the myne bee of a drye na¦ture: And I knowe that it hath bynne vsed of many to theyr greate profyte: And especially in those sorte of mynes which I sayde before to bee dygged in Vigentina in Schio, beinge very ryche and good. Proue it therfore. For all kyndes of mines do not receaue it. And of this wherof I haue spoken, I haue intelligence that there hath bynne pieces founde holdynge a fourth part of syluer, and sum more then halfe. And this was founde lyinge in maner in the superficia••l parte of the earth:

and sum tymes in pathes and high wayes. It hath also bin founde vnder the rootes of suche trees as haue byn ouerthro∣wen by tempeste: and this very perfecte. So that emong•• all the mynes whiche I haue seene in the dominions of Uenice, as in Carnia and in mnay other places, I can not saye that I haue seene any better: Although there bee many caues wher∣of the most parte are of coppe•• holdinge syluer: and emonge other, that in the mountayne of Auanzo, where I in the com∣pany of certeyne other gentlemen caused a caue to bee digged. And bycause the hole charge was committed to mee, I wente by occasion twyse into high Almanye to see the mynes of ••hat countrey, wherby I might haue the better experience to faule to practyse at my returne. In so much that I founde the mine which we had taken in hand to folowe, to bee very good and ryche: holdynge more then three vnces and a halfe of syluer in euery hundreth of the myne. And doubtlesse we shuld haue obteyned great commoditie hereby if fortune at that tyme had not raysed warre betwene Maximilian Themperoure and the signorie of Uenece: which was the cause that those places of Frioli and Carnia, coulde not be quietly inhabited: whereby w•• were enforced to forsake owre enterpryse, and to rase and de∣stroy thorder which we had begunne. And by reason that the warres continued longe, we were constrayned to diuide owr company, where I also departed an other way, hauyng euer in mynde to folowe owre attempted enterpryse when better oportunitie shulde serue. In the meane tyme returnyng agein•• into hyghe Almanie, I made more diligent searche to know•• the mynes then before: and went to Sbozzo, Plaiper, Ispruch, Alla, and Arotrinbergh: frome whense I wente into dyuers places of Italy. So that to conclude, the most and best mynes whiche I haue sene to holde most of syluer, are those that are found•• in Vice••tina in certeyne stones of a dark grey, or russet colour, as I haue sayde before. And nowe for a generall aduertise∣ment, I wyll not omyt to tell yow, that when yow haue at∣tempted to dygge any mynes, and haue founde the marcha∣si••e and the myne myxt togyther, yowe shall leaue of yowre woorke, bycause it signifieth that the myne is neare to the su∣perficial part of the earth, & that it is of but lyttle quantitie. And thus as touchyng this myne of syluer, I can say no mor•• sauynge that I haue not yet shewed yowe the maner of pour∣gynge

it from earthly grosenes and to brynge it to perfect me¦tall. But bycause I haue determyned to speake largely here∣of in the proper place of the fusion or meltynge of all metals, I haue thowght good to speake no further of this matter at this presente.

The maner of workynge in golde mynes of Egipte in owld tyme, after the description of Diodorus Siculus, who wrotte his historie cauled Bibliotheca, sumwhat before the dayes of themperoure O••tauianus Augustus, & before thincarnatiō of Christ abowt .xl. yeares. He wryteth therefore in his fourthe booke as foloweth.

WE haue not thowght good to pretermit howe golde is founde, digged, and wrought amonge the Egiptians. In the confines therefore of Egipte where it borthereth with Ethiopia and Arabia, there are certeyne places frutefull of metalles, owt of the whiche, golde is digged with great laboure and expenses. For a blacke earthe of mine¦rale nature, hath certeyne vaynes of moste white marble excea∣dinge bright and shyninge. The surueyours of this woorke, haue assigned them a greate company of men to woorke and coyne golde. For the kinges of Egipte are accustomed to ap∣poynte to these paynefull trauailes, all suche as haue byn con¦victe for certeyne crimes and condemned by lawes, or taken prisoners in the warres, or suche as haue byn committed to prison through the indignation of princes who by this mea∣nes haue bothe great vantage by theyr laboure, and punyshe them sufficiently for theyr offenses. For barbarous & strange souldiers of diuers languagies, bare ruleouer them and keepe them to theyr worke, in suche sorte that thuse of speache be∣inge taken from thyem, they can not bee corrupted by loue or intreatie. They drawe golde owt of the hardest earth decocte with much fyer. The softest stone which is broken with meane labour, is digged with instrumentes of iren by the trauayle of many thousāds of men. The scrier which decerneth the veines of the myne, goth before the workemen, appoynting them the places where they shall digge. The marble stone whiche he

sheweth theim, they breake and cleaue with wedgies of iren by the mere strength of their bodies withowte arte. They make theyr fosse or caue, not right furthe, but as the bright nature of the golden marble leadeth them, beinge otherwyse darke and obscure by reason of theyr sundry turnes and ben∣dinges diuers wayes. The labourers caryinge lyght befor•• theyr forheades, digge great stones owt of the myne, whych•• they let faule on the ground. From this labour they neuer rest, inforced to contynual woorke with strokes and contumelious woordes. Children of thage of .xii. or .xiii. yeares or vppe∣warde, are diuided into two companyes, whereof the one breake the stones into smaule pieces, and the other cary furth that which is brokē. They that are past thage of .xxx. yeares, receaue the sayd broken stones at theyr hands and beate them in vessels of stone with maules of iren, to the quātitie of tares or fytches which afterward they cast into many milles, where by the laboure of two or three women or owlde men to euery mylle, they are grounde as smaule as meale. The fylthinesse of the bodies of these labourers, is apparent to all men. For not so muche as their priuie members are couered with any thinge: And theyr bodies bysyde so fylthy, that no man can beholde them withowt compassion of theyr miserie. But no pitie, no reste, no remission is graunted them, whether they bee men or women, younge or owlde, sycke or feeble: But are all with strokes inforced to continuall labour vntyl the poore wretches faynt and often tymes dye for extreme debilitie: In so much that many of them for feare of theyr lyfe to coomme (which they thynke woorse then the present payne) preferre death before lyfe. When they haue thus grounde the stones very smaule, they cast that substaunce vppon brode tables in∣clynynge sumwhat stiepe or standynge a slope, and cast wate•• theron, sterynge continually the sayde pouder of marble: by the meanes wherof the earth and vre of the myne is wasshed away, and the golde as the heauier matter remayneth on the tables. When they haue doonne thus often tymes, they ouer∣turne the golde continually with t••eyr handes & rub it with thynne spoonges, owt of the which they presse a softe earth, and thus continewe vntyll the pure metall remayne lyke vnto golden sande. After that this preparation is fynysshed, oth••r woorkemen receauynge it at theyr handes by measure and

weyght, cast it into earthen pottes, puttynge thereto a cer∣teyne portion of leade, with branne of barly, and weedes of the sea cauled reites or ouse. These thynges proportioned ac∣cordyngly, they close the pottes diligently with cley, and so let them stand in a furnesse with fyer for the space of fyue con¦tinuall dayes and nyghtes. In which space, al other thinges of contrary mixture beinge consumed, only the golde is found in the vessels, sumwhat diminysshed of the fyrst weyght. And by this labour and diligence is golde possessed in the furthest parte of Egypt. Wherby, euen nature her selfe teacheth vs howe laborious it is in fyndynge, tedious in pursuinge, daun¦gerous in keepynge, and in vse constitute betwene pleasure and sorowe.

Notes

• The mineral tree.
• The mynes doo growe.
• Marchasites.
• Signes of metals.
• Signes and tokens of me¦tals.
• Mountaynes in the which metals are en¦gendered.
• Ageynst see∣ky••ge metals w••••h the rod whi••h they caule v••rgu∣la diuina.
• Negromācie,
• The maner of searchyng for mynes.
• A generall signe.
• Rowgh and barren moun¦••aynes▪
• The best signe.
• The residēce of waters.
• Marchasit••s are the tinc∣tures of my∣neral exha••••∣tions.
• Metals in frutful moun∣taynes.
• howe the signes are to bee consyde∣red.
• The assay of the mines.
• The richer myne further within the montayne.
• Consyderaci∣ons how the caue ought to bee made.
• The bodie of the myne.
• howses of office for the myners.
• Baptisinge & dedication of the caue.
• The makīge of the caue.
• Causes of hī∣deraunce.
• Soft stones.
• The fortef••ī•• of the caue.
• howe the caue•• were made in olde tyme.
• Abundanu•••• of water in the mynes.
• The beste maner of ma∣kinge the caue.
• The change of the signes.
• The rudder & compasse.
• Austria.
• Mynes of copper and leade holdīg syluer.
• A caue of two myles.
• A large caue of the myne of copper hol∣dinge siluer.
• Candle light.
• A greate masse of pure myne.
• Abundaunce of water in the mynes.
• water is the nearest princi¦ple of mine¦rales.
• A general rule.
• Great rich is obtayned by searchinge of mynes.
• Magnanimi∣tie & paciēce.
• The moun∣ta••nes are the matrices of riches.
• The grace of God is recea∣ved by owre endeuoure.
• Monye beget¦teth ryches.
• Necessarie aduertis∣mētes.
• Plentye o•• woode.
• Cotages and edifies.
• The situaciō of the place.
• The vse of water,
• Necessarye considerat••∣ons.
• A false opiniō
• The trauer∣singe of the veyne.
• Continuaunce in the worke.
• Fresshe mē.
• Instrumētes.
• Fyre in the caue.
• The cōuey∣ance of eyer.
• The excellē∣cie of golde.
• The orginall & substaunce of golde.
• Mineral heate.
• The tēpera∣ture & pure∣nesse of golde.
• Golde is in¦corruptible.
• The bewtie of golde.
• Golde is me∣dicinable.
• Golde is con∣fortable.
• The attrac∣tiue qualitie of golde.
• where moste plentie of golde is foūd.
• Cathay.
• Golde in the I••nde of the weste ••ndies.
• Golde in Europe.
• The influen•• of heauen.
• The moun¦taynes and stones in the whiche golde is engēdered.
• Lapis Lazuli.
• Orpemente.
• Golde ī other metals.
• golde in the ••andes of ry∣uers.
• Gold ī earth.
• Golden duste.
• Ryuers in the which gold is founde.
• The wasshīg and pourge∣ing•• of golde.
• howe golde is deuided frome sande.
• The Spany∣••rdes make these disshes with hādels.
• The drawe∣••nge out of golde with ••uicke siluer.
• From whēse golde is de∣riued into the sandes of ryuers.
• That golde is not engen∣dered in the ••andes of riuers.
• This mater is apparent ī the golde founde in the ryuers in the Indies.
• The ••aule of waters from montaynes.
• Springes of water in mountaynes.
• Uegetable golde gro∣winge owt of the earthe.
• Of this, reade Alexander ab Alexandro. lib. 4 Genialium dierum. Cap. 9.
• Golde founde in A deade mans heade.
• A myne of golde found by chaunce.
• A vayne of golde in a stone.
• No signes to be omitted.
• Golde is not founde in like quātitie as are other me∣tals.
• Argumentes of plentye of golde.
• howe diuers wayes golde is consumed.
• Ma•••••• haue to muche, but fewe haue enowgh.
• Italie wasted byt the barba∣r••ans.
• Cōmendaciō of Italie
• Golde and tynne.
• Meane mine∣rals.
• The golde of Italie.
• Golde cōtay∣ned in other metals.
• The maner of pourginge of golde.
• Lapis lazuli.
• Asure.
• howe golde is drawen frome Lapis lazuli. with quicke syluer.
• The baine or test of leade.
• The maner of pourginge gol••e with leade.
• whether syl∣ver haue A mine by hi•• selfe or no.
• Georgius Agri¦cola.
• A table of mi∣••eral syluer▪
• The workes of nature.
• Mixte me¦tales.
• Diuers me∣tals in one masse.
• In the indies golde founde in greate quā¦titie, pure and vnmixte.
• The coulours of mineral fu∣mosites.
• The genera∣ciō & qualitie of siluer.
• The influēs of the mone.
• Stones in the ••hich s••lu••r is en∣gend••red.
• The myne of ••ylu••r.
• The moun∣tayne.
• Marchasites of syluer.
• what mar∣chasites are the beste sig∣nes.
• Syluer myns in harde stones.
• Syluer with copper or leade.
• The deuydīg ••t siluer from other metals.
• Iren.
• Metals mixte with Antimo∣nie or Arsnike
• howe metals are preserued in fusion.
• Sulphur and mercurye.
• Grinding and wasshinge of mynes.
• The amalga∣mynge of mines with Mercury.
• Mines hol∣dynge the fourthe part of siluer.
• Copper hol∣dinge syluer.
• Th••e vnces dī of siluer in euery hun∣dreth of mine
• war betwene Maximilian ••hemperour and the Uene∣cians.
• The mynes of Almanye.
• The m••rcha∣site mixt with the myne.
• Gold ī a black earth••, and white marble
• Then dam∣ned to the metales as nowe to the gallies.
• The scrier of the vayne.
• Golden mar∣ble.
• The woorke of chyldren.
• Mylles.
• The mi••ery of the miners
• The pourge∣inge of the metall frome the vre.
• The melting of golde.
• Alg••▪