Concerning Hermes Seale, and the making of diuers closiers of glasses.
FIrst thou shalt know, that of all fastnings or closing vp of Glasses, that no v••pours nor spirits goe foorth, the Seale of Hermes is most noble: which is done in the manner fol∣lowing.
First, make a little Furnace, with the Instruments belon∣ging. It must haue a grate in the bottome to make fire vppon. In the middst of the Furnace shall be a hole, to put in the ende of a narrowe necked Glasse, so that the third part of the glasse be emptie. And if the hole of the Furnace be greater then the glas∣ses necke, close vp the hole with claye on euery side, round a∣bout, so as the mouth of the glasse haue some libertie. Let thy fire be as farre from thy glasse as thou canst: and when thy coale fire is readie, put the Glasse néerer and néerer, by little and litle, till the mouth of thy glasse waxe red, as it were ready to melt. Then take the red hote tonges, and therewith wring or nippe the toppe close together: whereby it shall be so closed, as if it had no vent 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or came so closed out of the Glasse-ma∣kers shoppe. But take héed when you haue so done, that you pull it not too suddenly out of the fire, least the s••dden colde cracke the glasse, and marre all. Therefore abate it by little and little, and not at once.
And when thou wilt open the glasse, take a thridde dipt in brimstone or waxe, and wind it 6. or. 7. times about the necke of the glasse where thou wouldest haue it to breake, and set it on fire with a small waxe candle, and when it is burnt, powre a