Fleta minor the laws of art and nature, in knowing, judging, assaying, fining, refining and inlarging the bodies of confin'd metals : in two parts : the first contains assays of Lazarus Erckern, chief prover, or assay-master general of the empire of Germany, in V. books, orinally written by him in the Teutonick language and now translated into English ; the second contains essays on metallick words, as a dictionary to many pleasing discourses, by Sir John Pettus ... ; illustrated with 44 sculptures.

CHAP. XIX. To find without such water-Proof, whether Silver con∣tains Gold.

[Section. 1] BECAUSE the Metals have divers Quan∣tities of like greatness, one against the * 1.1other (as has been spoken of the Gold and silver) if then you would know and finde the difference of the mixture in the Goldish silvers you must draw the Gold through an Iron plate wherein an hole is made, in∣to which a thin and subtil wyer is to be put, and do

the good silver also through the same hole, then cut a piece of both, equally in one length as near as possible, and weigh one against the other with a Proof-weight, upon a quick Ballance, and so you will soon finde the difference betwixt the Gold and Silver. Now, if you have a Goldish-silver, and do draw it through the men∣tioned hole, and doth take the right length of it, like the aforesaid former Wyer, and doth weigh it likewise upon the proof-Ballance against the silver-Wyer, then you will finde a difference in the weight, out of vvhich you may count the weight of the Gold (as much as is in the wy∣ers which you have weighed) then also weigh such with the proof-weight, how much it weigheth, and you may compute (after this thy Account) how much Gold is in the whole weight of the Goldish-silver.

After this manner all other Metals may also be pro∣ved and accounted, because they have one against the other divers Quantities in like Greatness: likewise in the coyn'd Money, if it be drawn to a Wyer (in the same thickness with the Wyers before mentioned) you may find in it the Copper and fine silver by this Rule.

[Section. 2] Also, this I would not leave unmentioned, as an In∣struction * 1.2for further Consideration, and it is necessary to be known, That there is a difference in weight, be∣twixt Tin and Lead, if they be mixed together, as also in other Metals, which I have found in my diligent search∣ing; For, one Copper against another, and one Tin against another, hath a difference also in the weight, else I would have proceeded further and surer with such reckoning.

[illustration]

Sculpture XIX.

Deciphered

• 1. How the Assayer stands before the Assay-Oven to prove Metals.
• 2. The Iron on which the Proof is to be cast.
• 3. A wooden Instrument to see through into the fire to prevent hurt to the Eyes.
• ...

[illustration]

• ... 4. A separating▪ Glass for proving Gold, placed on a lit∣tle foot.
• 5. He that washeth the Goldish Silver in water.
• 6. The Block, Hammer and stool.

Notes

• * 1.1

  First Way.
• * 1.2

  The second Way.