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AFter that a little while since, (according to the singular civili∣ty with which you abound,) you permit∣ted
me to read your Curious Distilla∣tory, (which now sweats under the Press;) I began to think, if I could not remember of my Chymical Labours, an Experiment or two, which might have some relation to the things you treat of: And behold there came Two into my 〈◊〉〈◊〉, perhaps as well known to your self, but not alledged in that Elegant Writing of yours, if I remem∣ber rightly: in both of them there comes a Golden Colour over the A∣limbeck, in one of them in the form of a Spirituous Liquor, in the other of them inhaering in the form of a Salt, sufficiently Volatile; You know, wor∣thy Sir, how from the Mineral of Hun∣garian Antimony, Nitre, Tartar, and the like, (chiefly such sorts of them as are thought to be Auriferous, or to containe Gold, adding according to the opinion of some men, Sal Armo∣niack also,) being well mixed toge∣ther,
and cast into a certain instru∣ment, by the help of an open Fire, there is drawn that sufficiently cele∣brated Liquor against the Stone, by many highly commended also against di∣vers obstructions, and impurities of the Blood; which that it shines in its first distillation with a Golden Colour will hardly procure admiration to any one, since it is a true Solution of the Salt and Sulphur, expelled from these diffe∣rent Matters by the violence of the Fire; as also no man wonders that Spirit of common Salt is indued almost with the same Colour; but if it be recti∣fied by a Retort, with a moderate Fire, it will be discovered how much Corpo∣real Salt it contained; and this rectified Spirit of Salt, will be almost Dia∣phanous, and without Colour. But concerning our almost Goldish Colour, I have often taken notice that being re∣ctifi'd more than once yet it brings over
with it self the goldish Tincture, al∣though it be not quite so deep as before: which is a sign that the Salt and Sulphur, are more intimate∣ly united, and under a Volatile Salt.
The Other Observation which I offer, is not so commonly known, nor have I happened to read of it in the writings of Chymists: every body knows that baked or burnt Tiles are of a reddish colour throughout, which Co∣lour should any man have told me here∣tofore, that it were separable from them, I should have given as much credit to it, as to those who contend that the Tincture, or red Colour may be separated from Corals; which as to the Colour, as it is a Naked qua∣lity, I hold to be impossible; but in re∣spect of some certain proportion of sub∣stantial matter (which I acknowledg to
be the chief Subject of this Colour) which may be taken out of the Corals, by certain Menstruums, to account that thing impossible is neither well nor true. It happned (as I have known by experience) that the rusty, or rather red Colour with which the Tyles are tinged throughout, may be so separated from them, that nothing of it will be left, or remain in them. I was about to prepare the Volatile Urinous Spi∣rit of Sal Armoniack, and therefore took, as the custom is, a Lixiviate Alcaly in the preparation of it, by which means I obtained a pound or two of Salt, composed of both of them, to wit, the Alcaly, and the Sal Ar∣moniack; from which being desirous to draw a Spirit, I did, after the most usual Method▪ mix it with three times its weight of Powder of Tyles, and attempted to drive over the Spirit by a Retort, in a naked Fire, but I did not
obtain what I would have had: for there distilled but very little Liquor, but at length there arose a Corporeal and Volatile Salt, in such proportion, that it almost filled up the Neck of the Retort, for which cause it would at last break it of necessity; The Retort therefore being taken out of the Fire, I observed all the Salt to be sublimed into the Neck and the upper part of the Retort, and it was Tincted with a Saffron Colour, and the Powder of the Tiles which was left, was depri∣ved of all its Colour, and was like Ashes. Which extracting of the Co∣lour by an Alimbeck from a body which had indured so great a stress of Fire before, As it is an Experi∣ment worthy consideration: So I be∣lieve, Noble Sir, it will not be ungrate∣ful, if it be added to your Experi∣ments. Farewell. And as you have hitherto excellently done, Study the
publick Good, and advancement of Learning, and continue to Love me,
Yours Ready upon all Friendly occasions, CASPER MARCHIUS, Doctor, Counseller, and chief Physitian to the Elector.
Berlin 10th of March, Anno. 1674.