The art of glass shewing how to make all sorts of glass, crystal and enamel : likewise the making of pearls, precious stones, china and looking-glasses : to which is added, the method of painting on glass and enameling : also how to extract the colours from minerals, metals, herbs and flowers ... : illustrated with proper sculptures / written originally in French, by Mr. H. Blancourt, and now first translated into English ; with an appendix, containing exact instructions for making glass-eyes of all colours.

CHAP. CXIV. To make a very fair Carbuncle.

THE Carbuncle is a very Precious Stone, where∣of several Authors have written, but I don't know one that says he has seen it. They attribute to this Stone the Property of giving Light in the Dark, like a burning Coal, or a kindled Lamp. Lu∣dovicus Verromannus reports that the King of Pegu, carried one about him of such a bigness, and so much Splendor, that those who saw that Prince when it was Dark, saw him shining as if encircled with the Sun; but this Author, as well as the rest, says he never saw one.

Pliny pretends there are several sorts of Carbun∣cles, some Male ones more hard and brighter, and other Females more languid. But this Author is so confused, and so little assured of it, that we cannot take his Testimony as Authentick. Yet among all those Species which he describes, those seem to ap∣proach nearest Carbuncles, which he calls Lithizontes and Sandastri. The first discovers strongly its splen∣dour at the Fire or Sun; being in the Shade it ap∣pears of a Purplish Colour; being exposed in the o∣pen and clear Day, it sparkles as it were at the Sun∣beams, and hides as it were bright Stars within it. The second is curious by reason of Golden Sparkles ap∣pearing and glittering within like Stars, which are al∣ways seen across it within side, but never near the Surface, imitating the Hyades by their number and

Disposition and Order. This Author says lastly, that the Chaldaeans held this last Stone in great Veneration, and used it in all their Ceremonies. As for me I am apt to think that the Carbuncle, is that Stone the Ancients have related to give Light by Night like a flaming Fire, and by Day like a twinkling Star, which is now no more to be found as we have hinted in the first Chapter, and that their Carbuncle is the Stone only known to the Adepti, the Matter whereof is so pure and Spiritual, that Evil Spirits dare not look on it, much less come near it.

Whether the Carbuncle be a precious Stone found in the Bowels of the Earth or not, we can imitate the Properties these Authors give it by help of our Art. And we will shew you two Ways of doing it in this Chapter.

For the first take ten Ounces of Matter prepared with Saturnus Glorificatus, and Natural Crystal, redu∣ced to impalpable Powder, as we have shewn in the preceding Chapter, whereunto add half an Ounce of Crocus Martis, in fine Powder prepared as in Cha••. 27. After having well mixed these Powders together, put them into a good Crucible, which cover and lute well, then put it into a Glass-house Fire for three Days, by putting it nearer and nearer the strength of the Fire by degrees. Then take out your Cruci∣ble, and put the Matter into a Marble Mortar, then pound and grind it very small, with its weight of Sa•• Gemmae, and put it into another Crucible, which co∣ver and lute as before. Being dry, put it into the same Glass-house Furnace, approaching it to the Fire little by little, and letting it stand twenty Hours in good Fusion. Then take it out, and put it again into the Furnace to bake again, as you do Glass, where leave it twelve Hours, that it may cool gently.

Your Crucible being cold, take it out of the Fur∣nace to bake again, then break it, and you'll find in it the Matter tinged of a very fine Carbuncle Co∣lour, which you may cut of what Form and Great∣ness you please, and then cut and polish them at the Wheel, and they will be perfect.

There is a certain Slight, which I shall not men∣tion here, which several Artists may know, whereby these Carbuncles may be made to undergo all Trials. It is a Point which will deserve the Study of all those who are ignorant of it; to discover it to every one, would be a Profanation of the Secrets of Art, and would make the Ignorant as knowing in one Moment, as those who have employed all their Lives in Sear∣ches after the profoundest Knowledge.