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.

OF Copper OARS.BOOK III.

CHAP. I. How to know Copper Oars.

[Section. 1] THIS Third Book describeth Copper Oars, and how they are to be known, * 1.1and then how to assay them, as also of the Black Copper; and lastly, how the pure Copper is to be tryed, and also how after the High Dutch and Hunga∣an manner the Silver is to be refined out of Copper, with Instructions annexed of a singular new way to refine Copper, and how Brass is to be made out of Copper, and how white Iron may be made Copper.

[Section. 2] Now, Copper Oars are more easily to be known than * 1.2any other metallick Oars, as having in them varieties of Colours, so that many more delicate colours come out of them then from any other metallick Oars. And of these there are three sorts.

[Section. 3] * 1.3First, Copper Glass, and this is to be numbred among the deft, and smooth flowery Copper Oars, for the Copper-Glass Oars which are blewish, (and yet their co∣lour come near to Grey) are the richest Copper Oars, and contain the most Copper and Silver, and yield deft and good Copper.

[Section. 4]

Secondly, the green Coppers which are rich in Copper but poor in Silver, also the fair lazure colored Copper or blew and Green-mixt-copper-Oars contain likewise much * 1.4and good Copper, but generally very little Silver.

[Section. 5] Thirdly, the brown copper Oars (like an iron Vein) * 1.5if they be either harsh or mild, yet they are found rich in Copper but poor in Silver: likewise also the copper shiffers (in which there are Characters or Figures of Fi∣shes, * 1.6Snails, and other Resemblances and representations of corporeal Creatures) and also rich in copper, and com∣monly do contain Silver.

[Section. 6] In brief, all copper Oars and shiffers that have no flin∣ty, speizy or other harsh matter within them, are to be reckoned among the soft flowing Oars.

[Section. 7] * 1.7But there appertains to the harsh flowing copper Oars, the harsh copper Flint, and what is splendy, mispickly, gli∣mery or spady, as also all flint Oars by themselves without any other Oars mingled with them, or shiffers in which the copper flint doth stand streamingly inter∣mixed.

[Section. 8] * 1.8Also the raw slack stone, copper-stone (Oven-breach∣ers occasioned from melting such raw Oars.)

Now, as the silver Oars are known before the proving and melting, (as to their natures) and how they may do in the fire, so it must be known likewise with the cop∣per Oars, that one may help them in proving and melting: And because they differ, therefore the raw, unflowing copper oars do not prove like the weal flowing and milde, as will follow in my Instructions, but it must first be shewn how the Assay Crucibles also the little Ovens for proving copper Oars are to be made, (and in case of ne∣cessity) that an Assayer himself may prepare his stuff and Instruments.

CHAP. II. How to make Crucibles and Ovens to prove Copper.

[Section. 1] TO the copper Oars which are to be pro∣ved for Copper, one must have little and good Crucibles for them, which the Goldsmiths do use: But, because they are not to be had in every place good, and in a fit Mould, therefore I Judge it convenient, That every Assayer do make such himself.

[Section. 2] * 1.9To the making such Crucibles, Frames or Moulds of Brass are necessary (or of Pear-tree wood, so that one may put on it an Iron ring, that the Mould may not be so apt so break.)

[Section. 3] * 1.10The stuff or clay out of which you intend to make such Crucibles, prepare them of Potters Clay, like the Tests for making Proofs of Silver Oars (as is before si∣gnified) then take a Ball of such Clay (as much as you think fit) and press it into the frame or mould, so that the Clay on the sides may well go up and in the mid∣dle remain a pretty deep hole: after the manner that the Crucible is to be: then anoint the upper part over with Bacon, or Oyl; and put it into the Frame, in which the Clay is to be pressed until it toucheth the top of the Frame, then turn the upper part of the Frame down∣wards, and that which is put in will easily be drawn out again; and thus the Crucible is formed in the frame, as it ought to be, set also the frame (while the Crucible stands yet in it) a little while before the Sun to be war∣med, then the Crucible will go out very well and sound, and, although it might be pressed out otherwise, yet it

cannot be done so conveniently as when it hath stood a little near the warmth, because thereby the Clay doth shrink, so that the Crucible by that heat may well fall out of it self.

But why the lower part of the Frame must not be fastned, the reason is, that the Crucible may be lifted out of the upper part of the frame, and it could not be brought off again without spoil, therefore it is better the lower part remain ungreased, that the Crucible may be brought out whole. But when the stuff is made very brittle, and the clay not fast, then annoint the lower part with fat, and the Crucible will easily be brought out with your fingers, and so remain whole.

Thus they make Assay-Crucibles, and when they are well dryed, let them burn in a Potters-Oven, or a Tile-Oven, yet let them not be set in too strong a heat (lest they melt) and they must be taken out in time.

[Section. 4] But what concern the little Ovens, (wherein they use * 1.11to take the Copper proofs) the best are prepared of Pot∣ters stuff or Clay, to be set and used at pleasure: and make them thus, Take the prepared Potter-stuff, and form of it a little round-Oven, the diameter nine inches wide, with which the Proof-Oven useth to be divided, (of which Instruction is given in the first Book) and 12 inches high, and in the midst a Belly of 11 Inches, and no bottom below, yet it must be an Inch and half thick, and as much as the clay shrinketh, so much must be ad∣ded again, and whilst 'tis yet soft, it must be cut in the edges, that one may put Iron-hoops about it, and with Cross-Bars joyn the upper and lower Hoops, or else it will very easily fall asunder: Now, when this Oven is very well dryed in the Sun (or warm place) then let it be burnt hard in a Potters or Tile-Oven, and lute it well about with the Iron-hoops and bonds (as has been already taught)

After this make a foot with a bottom, to this Oven of Potters stuff, being three square fingers deep within, and just so broad as the little Oven below, having a hole in the side, as wide as the breadth of a large Fin∣ger, through which the Bellows is to blow (as you will hear hereafter) and there may be an edge within the top upon which you may lay a little Iron-Grate, as in the Sculpture: this foot must also be burnt in a Pot∣ters-Oven, and bound about with iron-hoops and bonds, as the Oven: then lay the Iron-Grate in it, and set the Oven upon it, then 'tis prepared as it ought to be.

Now, when you will prove in it, set it upon the Grate, in the little Oven, on a little foot made of Poters Clay, which must be three square fingers high, but not full three fingers broad above, upon which the Crucible is to stand with the Proof.

Also there must be little Covers to the Copper-Proofs, which must be put to, or luted upon the Assay Cruci∣bles: and they must also be made of Potters-stuff, and burnt as the other, but not by a sudden heat lest they crack: and be careful to cover the Crucibles, that no Coals or uncleanness fall therein, whereby the proof may become false.

[Section. 5] There may also a little Oven be made, just in the form and wideness as before, only that it have a Bottom and * 1.12be 14 Inches high from the bottom, and that two inches from the bottom there be two holes quite through it, in which you must fix two Iron Bars a finger thick, and lay upon it a little iron Grate (like that before) and under the Grate let there be made a hole of a finger wide for the Bellows, This little Oven which also must be Hoopt about with Iron, and is in all things like the other only this is whole, but the other may be taken asunder in two pieces.

[Section. 6] * 1.13In case you want Bellows to such Ovens, there is ano∣ther

Oven to be made, in which the proofs may be pro∣ved: thus, Take burnt Tiles, joyn them together in a square, about a span wide, with good Clay, and lute the joynings with it, and leave a Wind-hole before, as wide as the Oven is, a Tile and half high, and over the Wind-hole in the Oven, lay a little Grate of Iron, and four square Bars, a finger thick, and a span high from the Grate, so is your little Oven prepared, but before you prove in it, you must glow it with fire; that it vapour not in proving, then set upon the little Grate a little foot, for the Crucible to stand on, and when the Crucible with the proof is set in, and coals and fire put upon it, and that it grows warm, then fan in some air with a wing, by the Wind-hole in the little Oven, so the wind will ascend through the Grate into the fire strongly, and the Copper-Proof will boyl it self up in the Crucible: This is an easy way for preparing this little oven, but you must observe to do things exactly, that the Proof may be compleat in the fire.

[Section. 7] There are also used to the Copper Proving Furnaces (such as Gold-smiths have) to boil up the Proofs before * 1.14the Bellows: but I judge because the blowing in the Fur∣nace goes but on one side of the Crucible, therefore the Proofs cannot be so well boyl'd up on all sides, as with Bellows which go from below upwards. Also when the Bellows blow but on one side, the Crucible is apt to break, especially when 'tis not good: therefore how the above-mentioned Ovens are to be formed within and without, is shewed in the Sculpture following.

[illustration]

Sculpture XXIX.

Deciphered.

• 1. The inside of the little Oven made of Tiles.
• 2. The same, when it's closed.
• 3. The foot of the Crucible upon the Grate.
• 4. The little Oven of Potters-Clay, bound with Hoops.
• 5. The foot of it.
• 6. The iron Grate in it.
• 7. The Crucible upon the Grate with the proof in it.
• 8. The Wind-hole through which the Bellows are put.
• 9. The Whole little Oven open with the Bottom.
• 10. The Iron-hoops which go about it.
• 11 12 13 The Bellows, Brush and Instruments.

CHAP. III. How to make a Fluss to prove Copper Oars.

TAKE two parts of Argol, and one part of Sulphur, grind them small and mingle them, put it in an unglazed Pot, then put live Coals in it, when it begins to burn in the Pot, let it burn till it gives over of it self, let the Pot be cool, so the Fluss is prepared; then take it out of the Pot, put the Coals away, and keep the Fluss small ground in a * 1.15warm place, so it will remain good; for, if it be set in a cool and moist place, it will turn to oyl: or, take the pot, let it be warm, pour the Fluss into it, and cover it; thus the Fluss will kindle it self in the pot, and burn out: this Fluss is to be used to good and deft Copper Oars: But what be flinty, and other Oars which are hard to separate, to such this Fluss is too weak, and there must be something added to it, as you will hear in the se∣quel.

CHAP. IV. How soft flowing Copper Oars are to be proved.

RICH smooth-flowing and good copper Oars (which are not flinty and speizey) prove them thus, Grind the Oar small, and weigh of it with thy proof-weights two Centners, and put them in a Cruci∣ble, and three times so much of the be∣fore

mentioned Fluss, both well mingled, and cover the Crucible above the Oar and Fluss with common Salt a full finger thick, press it down and cover the Cru∣cible luted with Clay, that it go not off, nor Coals fall therein, and make a fire in one of the said little Ovens, set the Crucible upon the little foot, cover it with Coals higher than a hand breadth, let it be warm, and blow through the hole under the Grate, that the wind may go alike round about the Crucible, and let it stand a while in the fusion, so the proof will boyl clean up, and if the Crucible doth not break, then take the upper fire off and lift the Crucible hot, out of the Oven: set it upon a plain Tile, that if the Grains of Copper be not run al∣together, it may be helpt: Then let the Crucible cool, open it, and in the bottom you will find a grain of Copper which is fine. For these good smooth Oars will yield fine Copper: Then draw it up with thy proof∣weights, and try how many pounds of Copper a Cent∣ner of Oars doth yield. But you must observe in the proving, that you drive not the proof too hard in the Crucible, for the Copper will burn, and drive it self very easy in the slacks, as one may see in the slacks; (which will soon receive the colour of the Copper Oars) for when they are very red in the Crucible: then the Copper-Proof is driven too hard, and the Content is lighter, but if the slacks are brown, then the Proof is made.

CHAP. V. How hard flowing Copper Oars are to be proved.

[Section. 1] HARD flowing Oars are not to be pro∣ved * 1.16as the smooth, but in another man∣ner: thus, Take the Copper Oars, beat them as small as the Seeds of Hemp, and and mingle them together: weigh two Centners of it in the proof-weight, put it in a proof-Test, set it in a proof-Oven, give it a very gentle fire, that it may begin to roast it self, then stir it with an iron about the Test, else the Oar will turn to Ashes together in the Test, and will not rost: and when 'tis stir'd the first time, then give it a little stronger fire, that it may glow well, lift it out of the Oven, and let it cool, then put it in the Oven again, and let it roast again untill it hath done smoak∣ing (and smells not of Sulphur) then grind it a little smaller, yet not so small as Mill-dust, and roast it again till it stinks no more Sulphurish, then stir▪ it once or twice with the little hook, that it may not be ashes again.

[Section. 2] When 'tis thus ground anew, and wash'd the second * 1.17time, let it cool, and set it the third time in the Assay-Oven, then roast it, and grinde it very small, then wash it once more that it may be burnt quite dead, then grinde it again very small, so is it prepared for the Proof. Then divide the Oar upon a Ballance in two equal parts, and put one part in an Assay-Crucible with 3 times so much of the foresaid Fluss, and with a fixt part of flowing Glass-Gall, mingle them well in the Crucible, and cover it with common or flowing Salt (as in the proof before)

and lute it over on the top with Clay, that the Cover be fast, so that no Coals may fall in, then set it in a little Oven, blow the Bellows, give the proof a strong sud∣den fire (a little stronger then the former proof) and when the proof hath stood in a pretty good Fluss, then lift the Crucible out of the fire, and let it cool, and break it, and so you may find in the bottom a Grain of black Copper, of such Goodness as the Oar and Flint is in the melting, and may thereby get Copper, which is the right proof of it.

[Section. 3] Yet there is of one sort of flinty Oar, fairer Copper than of another, and commonly all flints which are of an * 1.18iron Nature) yields iron streamy Copper, therefore they are not to be used for making of Brass.

Of this graind Copper (as it comes out of the Proof) weigh it with a Centner weight, then you may see how many pound of black Copper, a Centner of flint or raw Coper Oar do yield, so you may easily reckon how many such Centners, do afford one Centner of Copper: and know therefore, that if you do weigh two Centners of flinty Oars to the proof, if the proof should be amiss, then you have a Centner more of the roasted Oar or flint, to make another proof, otherwise it will be a great hindrance to roast but one Centner to the Proof.

But on the contrary, the old Assayers have used this Method, and proved every Copper Oar or flint upon pure Copper, and thereby know how many Centners of it, will yield one Centner of pure Copper: this I believe to be a just proof for them, who have roasted and purifyed the Copper themselves. But those who work the Silver in it, and sell it with the Silver, it is better for them to know how many Centners of black Copper they may have in a roast, so they may know how many Loths of Silver, a Centner of black Copper contains.

And among all meltings, the Operation of Copper

(upon which is to be made a proper Account) is the most pleasant and fairest Experiment; for if the Proof be * 1.19right, then what is produced will be so too.

[Section. 4] * 1.20Therefore, if you will (with the old Assayers) prove the Copper-Oars upon boiled Copper, do it thus, Grind the Oars small, weigh of it two Centners: if they be unflowing or flinty then roast them (as above) in an Assay-Crucible, and weigh to it four Centner of Fluss or Lead-glass, made of Littarge and Flint-stones (as in the first Book of Silver Oars) and mingle them well, and cover it with Salt, and also cover the Crucible, and set it in a little Oven before the Bellows: and let it flow like another Copper-Proof, and when 'tis cool open the crucible, and in the Bottom is the Regulus, among which is copper, and lead together, put it upon a flat Test luted with Littarge, drive it till the copper appears to be of a clear Green, then lift the Graind-copper from the Test, and quench it in Water, and weigh it with thy Proof Weight, so you may finde how many pound of boyled copper you have from two centners of flinty-cop∣per Oar in the Proof: one may also very easily burn the copper, especially if the Oar be poor in copper (as you may finde by the Operation). Therefore I con∣ceive it better, to prove the copper Oars first upon black copper, and then upon boild copper: and this way, the Proof of the light contenty copper Oars cannot so easily be hurt.

CHAP. VI. How to prove light Coppers.

[Section. 1] POOR copper-Oars (especially the cop∣per Flints and copper-Glass which are in the Mountains or in light shiffer Mines) they must be proved thus; Take a common Proof of the Oar, grind it well, and weigh with thy Proof weight twenty or more centners, and draw it in a Vessel, so that therewith the light clay may be separated from the pure slick and copper Oars; weigh the slick which comes from it, thus, and mark how many centners yields a pound, that you may know how many centners of raw Oar (from the Rock or vein in the Mine) do yield a clean centner.

[ 2,] Weigh then two centners of such pure slick, and put them in an Assay-test, to be roasted in an Oven (as you have done with the copper Oars) but that the proof may not be false, (because the slick doth use to sparkle in the first setting of it into the great heat, especially if pibbles be among it,) therefore cover the Test wherein the weighed slick is, with another Test; let it remain thus covered till the slick glow well; then take off the upper Test, and roast the slick (as you are instructed before) and then grinde it very small, and divide it into two equal parts, and mingle one of them with the Fluss (ap∣pertaining to the copper Oars) and put it into a cruci∣ble, covered with Salt, and do as you have done above with the harsh copper Oars, and you will find in the bot∣tom of the crucible, a grain of copper: then weigh this with your Proof-weight, so you may know out of how

many centners or quantities of such raw, rocky or wash∣work you may make of a centner of black copper, which grain'd copper you may prove afterwards for Silver, and find the Content, and maist order thy matters ac∣cordingly.

[Section. 3] This proof upon poor mixt copper-Oars, I have put here because experience manifesteth, That the Copper Oars do not break throughout clean upon the Veins, but have much flint and subtil copper-glass mingled with them, yet in the washing they do willingly separate from it, and bring it into such a compass that one may know that all the rest of the Oars from those Veins may be wrought to good profit, which could not be, if they should be melted raw.

[Section. 4] Concerning the poor Shiffer which contains very little Copper, they cannot well be brought into compass, for they rise for the most part in the Water, and are fu∣gitives, although some do separate in the water, and af∣ford a slick, and thus they may be brought into com∣pass, and may be thus proved, and made to profit like the other Oars.

[Section. 5] Then the Copper-flint will stand apparently mixt and streamy, in some shiffers which are to be proved either raw or among others, or the shiffer apart whereby it may be found what copper the Shiffer doth yield, and the melting ordered accordingly.

[Section. 6] The other mixt copper-Oars (as Lasure Copper green, or brown rich copper-Oars) cannot be well separated in the water from their mixtures, for they are very light, and run not in weight, like the other flints, but go forth in the water, therefore such are first to be proved for Silver, if they have none (as commonly they are poor) then tis not much to try, but if they contain Sil∣ver, glow them hard, and suddenly quench them in cold water, then the insperged or mixt Copper Oars will

run together in little Grains (as above is signified of the Gold Oars) then wash and grind them small, and draw it into a slick, and when it separates, then you may in the great Work according to the quantity of slicks re∣gulate your self. But how these copper Oars are to be dryed in the little oven, you will be directed hereafter.

CHAP. VII. How light Copper Oars which are mixt and insperged with flint, may be brought to profit.

THE light flinty insperged copper Oars (by reason of their hardness and un∣flowingness) cannot well (in a great quantity) be melted throughly, or brought to profit (the flint being so hard, and before it becoms small enough in the Beating) it makes insperged oars, subtil, and rise in the water: therefore there can no surer or better Method be found for such Oars, than to roast them in an high roast Oven, made on purpose, (as be∣fore is often mentioned.) And when it burns to a great heat, pour water upon it, and let it cool sudden∣ly, so the frighted Metal will run together in grains in the flints, which are heavy, and remain fast by set∣ting them in the water, and then they may be washed and separated, and that which is not clean Copper will be a good and heavy Copper-stone, that so the flinty cop∣per Oars (when they are roasted and are brittle) may very easily (in a great quantity) be buck'd through, and the Metal which is gathered may be washed, or so much of it, as in one gathering can be melted through∣ly (like raw Oar) which is to be made into ten or more

equal parts. And the roast Oven which is to be used to this Washing, may be formed (as in the first and se∣cond Book of flinty Gold Oars) are more fully de∣scribed.

CHAP. VIII. How to prove Copper Oar from Copper-stone.

IF one would try and prove Copper Oars especially the flinty (containing much or little Copper, called raw slack-stones, or raw Copper-stones) you must doit thus; Grind the Copper oars or the flint small, weigh from it two Centners, put them thus, unroasted in an Assay-crucible, and weigh to it four Centners of the fluss made of Salt petre, and Ar∣gol (as before) with two centners of flowing Glass-galls, mingle all in the crucible and cover it (like a copper-Oar) with Salt, and set it in a little Oven, and boil it up al∣so before the Bellows, and let it be cold, then you will find in the bottom of the crucible a copper-stone, then se∣parate it from the slacks, and weigh it, so you may see how many centners of the flint yields a centner of cop∣per-stone. But if the flint be very rich in copper-water, then there will be no stone with the fluss; therefore try the flint in another manner, viz. Weigh it raw, and put it in a crucible, mingle among it three times so much of clean good slacks (smooth ground) which yield no stone, nor contains any Silver, but come from poor Oar, co∣ver it with Salt, and set it in, let it flow with strong blowing: then you will find as much as the flint hath in it self: But the flints that are rich in copper-water do yield a slack-stone which is not good to be melted, for

in the roasting, it will shrink too much and retain no Silver in it self, by which many times hurt is caused.

CHAP. IX. How to prove Copper Oar another way.

[Section. 1] ALL Copper-Oars that are rich or poor in copper may be tryed upon copper-stone, after this manner, Take a pound of the Oar or Flint small ground, and prepare a little Oven of Tiles square or round of a span wide, or let it be joyn'd with Potters-clay, bind it about with iron∣rings, and lay below in it, Powder of Coals and Clay, (as in the Melt-ovens) with a hole on the back of the Oven, through which the Bellows may go; then put in your fire and Coals, and blow them well, that it may glow, and set the raw Oar which is ground, in it; yet not at once, blow continually strong at it, that the oar may melt through the Coals down into the little Oven, and when it is enough, let it cool, and take it out of the Oven, and beat it, so you will see what it yields of cop∣per or copper stone: if you finde in the stones either cop∣per or slacks like grains, beat them small, and draw it in∣to slicks, then will the copper and stone separate from the slicks.

[Section. 2] * 1.21This is a fine Tryal upon the copper shiffer and poor inspersed copper Oars, but when the Oar doth not yield stone or copper, you will see it in the slacks, when they are not coppery, but all is turn'd to slicks.

[Section. 3] * 1.22Further, if you would have such through-proofs of copper, and the flint yeild no stone, then first roast the flint quite dead, and melt it in the little Oven, and you

will finde a Regulus of black copper, or such as the flint or copper Oars do yield, which put together and weigh, and see what it hath yielded, so you may know how ma∣ny Centners of flinty copper it yieldeth from a Centner of copper, for all roasted Oars work themselves fresh, and * 1.23separate better than raw Oars.

[Section. 4] But if one will try more than one or two pound in the little Oven, then one may slick it off from the copper * 1.24with a little hot Crucible, and separate it from the slacks, but what remains in the little Oven together with the [Section. 5] slacks, which are not flown out, must be beaten and wa∣shed, and what is found shall be reckoned the Content.

[Section. 6] Also in this wise one may melt raw copper flint un∣roasted in the little Oven, and drive it off, and see whe∣ther it give good copper-stone or raw slack-stone; also whether the stone in the fire be fixt or volatile: Only observe, that the little Oven must be first very well glow∣ed, before it be melted in it, or else it will become all cold in the little Oven, and will not come together, as ex∣perience teacheth.

CHAP. X. How to prove melted Copper-stone.

[Section. 1] COPPER STONES are best prov'd like a raw Copper-Oar or flint (as hath been formerly shewn) viz. if one beat the same very small like Hemp-seeds, and then weigh it, and in a gentle fire upon a Test, let it be roasted, and put in the ground pieces, until it burns it self dead, and then let it be ground smaller, and mingle it with fluss, and a lit∣tle Glass-galls, and cover it with Salt in the Crucible lu∣ted

in a little Oven, it will boyl like a raw Copper Oar or flint before the Bellows, and will settle it self to a cop∣per Grain in the bottom of the Crucible, draw this up and weigh how much it contains, and make thy account upon it, how many Centners of copper-stone yields one Centner of black and unpurify'd Copper.

[Section. 2] There is another Tryal, namely, to weigh two Cent∣ners of Copper-stone, and mingle them with Borax and a little Venetian Glass, and let it flow upon a Proof Test, and blow with a hand Bellows until it appears green, so you will see how much the Copper-stone yields of Copper: and in this Proof the Copper will become clean and pure and most ready, and yield no black Copper (as in the Proofs above it doth.)

That you may see the form of the little Ovens, and how to make the Copper-Proofs in them, they are in the following Sculpture

[illustration]

Deciphered.

• 1. The melting Oven to try the Copper Oars from the copper-stone, and the Man that blows the Bellows.
• 2. The luting it with Clay.
• 3. The buck'd and vvash'd Oar.
• 4. The little Ovens in which the copper-Oars are to be proved with ordinary Bellovvs, and the man that at∣tends them.
• 5. The Bellovvs as they are used.
• 6. A copper Instrument with a neck in which water is put, and then set over the fire, and used in stead of Bel∣lows (call'd the Philosophical Bellovvs. See Sculpture II. Book I.
• 7. The Pot in which the Fluss is to be made.
• 8. The Assay Crucible.

[illustration]

Sculpture XXX.

CHAP. XI. To prove Flinty Copper by Sulphur.

[Section. 1] BECAUSE all Flints have Sulphur in them (yet some more than others,) if you will try them, and make a proof upon them, Weigh two centners of the Flinty raw Oar, and put it in a Proof-Test, and roast it dead (as I have men∣tion'd

before off the Copper-Oars) let it be cold and weigh such roasted Oar again, now so much as these two Centners have lost, so much they have had of Sul∣phur, for the Sulphur goes in the fire and in the air, this proof is easy, yet it is not manifested what Sulphur it doth yield, but that you may have the same Sulphur ap∣parently; Beat the flint small, to the bigness of an Hazel [Section. 2] * 1.25nut, put it in a great Retort made of the best Potters-Clay, that the neck of the Retort may hang in water, make a wood-fire about it, then the Sulphur will ascend from the flint, and you will find most part before in the Receiver of the Retort, fine and yellow, but 'tis yet un∣washed, and must be cleansed in a strong fire.

[ 3] How, this is further to be done, is to be seen in great iron Retorts when the Sulphur becomes red. But this is to inform the Reader, That all flints burnt in iron Re∣torts to Sulphur do yield red Sulphur, which Painters use to highten yellow or orange Colours, but the manner of making Sulphur, with great Retorts do not appertain to this Treatise, therefore I have named it only for the Proof-sake.

CHAP. XII. How to prove Black Coppers by defty or smooth Coppers.

[Section. 1] AS all Coppers come black out of the Oars upon melting, yet some much fi∣ner and cleaner than others, which must after be cleansed and made ready, as they which contain no silver, and not purified, must be made ready and deft: Also to know certainly how many Centners of it after

cleansing it yields of clean Copper (which must be pro∣ved in a little Fire.) Some think it may be known by * 1.26special copper Touch-Needles, made on purpose: but be∣cause the black-Coppers are not all alike, but some iron∣streamy, some tinny, spizy or leady, I cannot certainly determine concerning such Proofs: But the best way is thus, First, cut off from the cast Copper Ingot, and weigh 2 or 3 Centners of it, and lute a Test with small ground leady Glass, put the weigh'd Copper in it, and blow it in a fresh coal fire, till it hath a clean green copper Colour, then presently, take the Test out of the Fire, and take the Copper out of the slacks, and quench it off, then cut it asunder with a Chissel, and you will see whether it be good: then weigh and count how much the inset black Copper hath yielded ready Copper.

[Section. 2] * 1.27This proof, although the Copper be surer to be found, than by the Touch-Needles, yet 'tis not certain to ground upon; because the Proof is small and the Cop∣per little, therefore very easily the Fire may take away somewhat too much if it be over-burnt, which in great Works cannot be done, and so somewhat more of red copper will be brought out.

If you will have the right proof, and know the right Content, the same must not be esteemed too great a La∣bour, to make more than one Proof of the black-Copper, and then take the middle out of it.

You may use to this Proof, Borax, which cleanseth the Metal much, and brings the copper to be sooner ready: but, because one cannot use Borax in the great Works, it were better this proof (especially iron-streamy Copper) might be helpt with a little clean Lead, because 'tis used in cleansing: and the copper will become leady, which doth much cleanse the Copper, but if the copper [Section. 3] * 1.28be leady, then there needs no lead to be added.

Some Assayers use this Method in their Proofs, viz.

They take a Test which is made moist, and make a lit∣tle hearth in it of Coal Powder, mixt with clay, having a flat smooth hole cut out: upon this they set the cop∣per which is to be proved, and blow it with the Addi∣tion of a little Lead-glass, this will the sooner make it ready, but I think there is small difference in what ever is driven off from it: but be sure you drive not the copper too hard, and yet let it be of a right copper or blick colour.

[Section. 4] * 1.29And, because many times copper-flints are to be found, in which almost the half is Tinn-stone, and if cop∣per be melted out of it, it would be very tinny and spi∣zy, also if it were done among other coppers, all would be spoiled in the cleansing. To prevent this, there is a particular way, viz. that by beating and washing one may separate both Mettals by bucking or cleansing, and then melt every part asunder, and bring it to profit; of which way I should write something here, but be∣cause I do not give a full Instruction in these my Books of the great Works viz. of Bucking, Washing and Smelting Metal Oars) but only lesser Works, therefore I will here end, till another more convenient time, when they may be further discoursed of.

CHAP. XIII. How to prove whether Lead be very Copperish.

IF you think your Lead have much Cop∣per with it, and would be assured there∣of, Then weigh with the great weight a Centner of the Lead, put it upon a ve∣ry flat Hearth, and make a small fire of * 1.30Wood upon it, lay also a green wood

before, that the Lead may go and very gently pass away under the before laid wood: Now, when such lead hath copper in it, if only two pound in a Centner, so the cop∣per will remain on the hearth, and what you find is but leady copper, but if you will have it very clean, then blow it with a Bellows upon a hearth, till it becomes ready, but in the little proof, 'tis seen upon the Coppel, for when the Lead which hath much, begins to go, then touch the Copper flowers, and the coppels will become black after 'tis gone off.

CHAP. XIV. Twelve necessary Instructions for an Assayer to follow.

[Section. 1] FIRST, whether Iron doth become Cop∣per? to which the Reader shall have this Answer, That I have a long while sup∣posed, because the Iron in the Coppery waters, as in Vitriol, green Argol, and such like, do precipitate the Copper, that the Copper only is precipitated in such iron water, and not the Iron it self becomes Copper, yet I have seen in * 1.31Vitriol Mines, (in a Mine called Hesper) when the nails and other Iron Pins fixt in the copper-Oar, by length of time have become a good Copper mearly by Penetrati∣on; therefore I must conclude, That the Iron doth be∣come Copper; for though in the Vitriol, and other cop∣per waters, the Copper precipitateth the Iron, yet there is not so much of it therein, as to turn it to copper: only know this, That while the Iron in such Coppery waters doth precipitate the copper, so the copper will precipitate the Silver (if it be in it) therefore 'tis fit, that to the com∣mon

precipitation of Silver in the Aqua fort. that the copper with iron pieces or lamins be put into the clean∣sing (as above is mentioned) with which the Copper and silver are precipitated, and what hath been in the Aqua fort. cometh out whole.

CHAP. XV. Twelve Directions how to separate Silver from Copper in the great Work.

[Section. 1] TO separate thus is a curious ART, which for many years the Refiners have kept as a great Secret, how the Precipitati∣ons are to be made right. But because the large Works are very great, there∣fore [Section. 2] * 1.32it could not remain secret, but is now known; yet there is still a difference, for in one Furnace it is better refined, and the prepared copper is made purer than in the other, also the Additions are not every where alike, and then many sorts of coppers can∣not be refined all in one way, therefore for their sakes, who either know nothing, or but a little of such things, I will write somewhat as a tendency to that Art.

[Section. 3] First, observe whether the black Copper be weak, deft, hard or brickle, for if they be weak and brickle before the refining, then the Silver will not come so soon out, but if one will give it its just due and heat, then the copper will flow under the lead through the Oven, and may cause hurt; therefore to the weak Coppers, there is no better way than to mingle other hard or brickle copper among it, that the one may hold the other.

[Section. 4] Secondly, one must be instructed how much the Cop∣per holds in Silver, by a diligent Proof, for according to it, the Copper must be mingled with lead. And if

the Contents be unequal as from 24 Loths, to 14, 8, or 10 Loths, then it must be made into a Cake by weight, near 27 pounds and an half of rich Copper, and 55 pound of poor Copper, upon this make your Account, how much Silver is in this 3 quarters of the Centners of Copper, and how much the Lead containeth which is to be used to the Addition, and then to every Loth of Silver which is in the copper and lead) 17 pound of [Section. 5] * 1.33lead is also to be counted; and thus, of the refined lead (which is to be parted from the copper) a Centner will not contain above six and a half, or at the highest seven Loths of Silver. But if the refined lead should contain more than 7 loths, it is a sign that the Cakes remain too rich, and that the silver is not all come forth of the cop∣per, and that there was not lead enough to the Addi∣tion.

[Section. 6] But, that one may know how 'tis with the Additions upon every Copper, and what is to be observed in the re∣fining Furnace, I shall demonstrate it by Examples.

[Section. 7] Take two Centners of lead, and three quarters of a * 1.34Centner of Copper (of a rich and poor Content) either weak, hard or brickle, one among another, if there∣in is not 12 or 12 and an half loths of Silver, then take lead Oar or other lead to it which is silvery, that you may have the above mentioned silver in the fresh piece, and then add Lead, or Littarge, as much that there may come to four pieces, 8 Centner of Lead, and three Centners of Copper, and of this there will come out in parting 6 Centners of refined lead; every Centner of which contains 6 Loths and a half of Silver, the other Silver and lead will remain in the cakes and lead, which will almost all come to profit again, as you will hear hereafter.

[Section. 8] Another Addition upon two and a quarter of a cent∣ner of Lead, viz. take three quarters of a centner of cop∣per,

and if there be not in it 15 or 16 loths of Silver, then take to it rich lead, which may enter in a fresh piece of such Silver: or, Take fresh and hard lead and Litarge, so that from 4 Pieces (upon an Oven) may come 9 cent∣ners of Lead, and 3 centners of copper, of this there will be 7 centners of refined Lead, of which a centner is to contain 6 loths and a half of Silver.

[Section. 9] Also, take two and three quarters of a centner of Lead, and three quarters of a centner of copper, and if there be not 18 or 19 loths of Silver, then take rich lead that it may reach the Silver and Litarge, and hard and fresh lead, so that (upon an Oven) in 4 fresh Pieces may come 11 centners of lead, and 3 centners of copper; and in di∣viding of this again, there will be 9 centners of fine lead, and one centner is to contain 6 loths and an half of Silver.

[Section. 10] Or take three Centners of Lead, and three quarters of a Centner of Copper, if there be not therein 20 or 21 loths of Silver, then take rich lead which came in a fresh Piece of the silver, viz. from 4 Pieces (in one Oven) 12 Centner of lead, and three Centner of Copper, and when this shall be separated, then 10 Centner of pure lead; and one Centner will contain seven loths of Silver in the Keinstocks and Thornells, and there will remain 15 or 16 loths of Silver, and they are further to be wrought, as hereafter will follow.

[Section. 11] But if there be very rich, or much other rich copper, and little of the light Contents, and that you cannot reach the right Addition, as above mentioned, then one must oft times add a rich fresh piece, viz. to three quar∣ters of a Centner of rich copper add three Centner of lead, and so the separating Work will prove rich: and although the Keinstocks may also remain rich to 4, 6 or 7 loths: yet they may further be added to the rich Copper, and the fresh pieces be so right, that the

refining lead may come out upon the true content, at six, or six and a half, or seven loths of Silver, at the highest.

[Section. 12] But, if there are poor contenty coppers (not to be re∣koned with the rich) yet you must do with them as be∣fore; but never take more than three quarters of a Cent∣ner of Copper to two or three quarters of a centner of lead, and if such black copper contains 8 loths, the cent∣ner of the separating work will contain two loths and an half of Silver: and the poor separating lead which comes from poor fresh may be added again to other fresh pieces, (as by the following Instructions may be seen) but there is no help for it, and, if possible, the poor fresh lead may be left alone.

CHAP. XVI. Thirteen additional Instructions about good Copper.

[Section. 1] ITEM, One piece shall have 2 Centners and an half of Lead, and three quarters of Copper, and there shall be no more in one piece than 18 loths.

[Section. 2] Item, Three quarters of a Centner of fresh Copper to 21 loths, and three quar∣ters of a centner of Lead: to three loths and a half, half a centner: to two loths three quarters of a centner of fresh lead, and a centner of Litarge: thus you have four Pieces of 77, and a half loth of silver, in 11 cent∣ners.

[Section. 3] Item, Three quarters of a centner of copper to 18 loths, and an half centner of lead: to four loths and an half, three quarters of a centner: to three loths, one quarter of a centner: to two loths, one quarter of a

centner of fresh, and one centner▪ and 18 pounds of Litarge, mingled in 74 loths of lead, do yield 10: and a quarter and an half of a centner of lead.

[Section. 4] Item, Half a centner of copper to 15 loths of Sil∣ver content; and one quarter of a centner to 20 loths, and one centner of lead: To 4 Loths, half a centner: To two loths, one quarter of a centner of fresh: one centner of Litarge leaded in 70 loths of Silver doth yield 10 centners of lead▪

[Section. 5] Item, Half a centner of copper to 15 loths: one quar∣ter of a centner to 17 loths: One centner of lead to 5 loths: half a centner to one loth and an half; one quarter of a centner fresh; one centner of Litarge leaded in 70 loths will yield ten centners of good lead.

[Section. 6] Item, Three quarters of a Centner of Copper to 17 loths: one centner of lead, to 4 Loths: one dram, one quarter of a Centner to 4 loths and an half: one quarter of a centner to one loth and an half: and one quarter of a centner fresh, one centner and 18 pound of Litarge leaded in 74 loths yields 10 and an half centners of lead.

[Section. 7] Item, Three quarters of a centner of Copper to 18 loths and half a centner of lead: to three loths and an half, a quarter of a centner: to four loths and an half three quarters of a centner: to three loths one quarter of a centner: to two loths one quarter of a centner of fresh, and one centner of Litarge leaded in 76 loths and a half yields 10 centner of lead.

[Section. 8] Item, Three quarters of a centner of copper to 16 loths and half a centner of lead: to 3 loths and a half: three quarters of a centner: to four loths and an half: one quarter of a centner: to two loths one quarter of a cent∣ner of fresh: and one centner of Litarge (or instead of it, three quarters of a centner of fresh) leaded in 70 loths and a half do yield 10 centners of lead.

Item, Half a centner of copper to 19 loths: and a

quarter of a centner to 7 loths: one centner and a half of lead to three loths and a half: and half a centner to one loth and a half; and one centner of Litarge leaded in 69 loths and a half, yieldeth 10 centners of lead.

[Section. 10] Item, Half a centner of Copper to 19 loths: one quarter of a centner to 16 loths: one centner of lead to 4 loths: one dram and half centner to one loth and a half: one quarter of a centner fresh, and one centner and 18 pounds of Litarge leaded in 74 loths do yield 10 centners and an half of lead.

[Section. 11] If there be no Litarge to be had, then take half a centner of good copper to 9 loths, one quarter of a centner of copper to 30 loths: one centner and a quar∣ter of lead to 4 loths, and an half centner to one loth and an half, and a quarter of a centner fresh: thus make all times the additions upon the hard lead, that there may be in a piece 10 centners, 10 and an half, or 11 centners of lead, also the silver in 4 pieces, 70, 72, 74, 75, 77 loths, thus the lead doth contain 7 loths of sil∣ver, happily one dram more or less.

[Section. 12] Item, Three quarters of a centner of fresh copper to 20 loths: three quarters of a centner of lead to 4 loths; and half a centner to two loths, and one centner of Lit∣targe: and half a centner of fresh lead leaded in 76 loths yields 10 centners of lead.

[Section. 13] Item, Three quarters of a centner of Copper to 21 loths: three quarters of a centner of lead to three loths and an half; and half a centner to two loths: and half a centner of fresh lead, and one centner of litarge, or three quarters of a centner of fresh lead, leaded in 77 loths and a half do yield 10 centners of lead.

CHAP. XVII. Six additional Instructions about proving of fresh Oar, called hard Lead.

[Section. 1] ITEM, Three quarters of a centner of Copper to 11 loths; and half a centner of fresh lead; 2 centner of Litarge is leaded in 8 centners, into 4 pieces, con∣tain 33 loths.

[Section. 2] Item, A half centner of copper to 8 loths; a quarter of a centner to 15 loths: one centner and a quarter fresh, is leaded in 8 centners, into 4 pieces contain 31 loths.

[Section. 3] Item, Half a centner of copper to 15 loths; one quar∣ter of a centner to six loths, three quarters of a centner to two centners of Litarge leaded into 9 centners, into 4 pieces, contain 36 loths.

[Section. 4] Item, Three quarters of a centner of copper to 11 loths and a half, and half a centner of fresh; and two cent∣ners of Littarge leaded in 8 centners, into 4 pieces, and contain 34 loths and a half.

[Section. 5] Item, Half a centner of copper to 13 loths: a quar∣ter of a centner to 10 loths: half a centner of fresh, two centners of Litarge leaded in 7 centners, into 4 pieces, contain 36 loths.

[Section. 6] Take notice, if the Copper be very poor, then you may add such lead, as doth contain one and a half, or 2 loths of silver.

[ XIX] CHAP. XVIII. Three Additions concerning Thornels, or parts of Oars not fully melted.

[Section. 1] TAKE two Centners and an half of Thornells, that is half separated Oars, and half roasted, and a centner and a quarter of hard Lead: and a quarter of a centner of Litarge, the Lead must contain 3 and a half: 4 loths, 4 and a half, till to 5 loths.

Item, to a Centner of Littarge is counted 3 quarters of Lead; and a Centner of Littarge is counted at 135 pounds; and also upon 145 pounds of hard Lead, one centner of soft Lead, although to some separating Works are taken 130 pound of Litarge in stead of a centner of Lead, and 140 pound, hard Lead, instead of soft lead.

Also there goes commonly off from 10 centners one centner and a half of Lead; thus you may know how to substract from the additions together with the Loths, which will be found in the centner.

CHAP. XIX. Six more Instructions concerning good and deft Coppers.

ITEM, Take Copper to 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, Loths, and of this one may make hard Lead, being commonly ta∣ken as Additions: of which 65 pounds will yield at all times in 4 pieces 39 loths of Silver; but if it be not

enough (with the 65 pound of Copper in the Content) then one may take of the Copper three quarters of a Centner, and at all times upon one loth of Silver 29 pounds of lead, and this will make in one piece, three Centners four pounds of fresh lead, and in four pieces, 12 Centners, and 16 pounds, in which are 42 loths of Sil∣ver.

[Section. 2] Item, 65 pounds of Copper to 15 loths: one centner and a quarter of a centner of fresh lead, and 305 pounds of Litarge, there will come upon 4 pieces 11 centners 31 pounds of lead, in which will be 39 loths of Silver; and if one doth sever it in an Oven, and with such Ad∣ditions, there will come out of it 9 centners of lead, which will contain to three and three quarters of a loth, or three loths and a half: this is together, 33 loths, three drams; so there will remain in the Thornels and Kein∣stocks five loths (if well wrought) but it consumes much lead by it.

[Section. 3] If the Copper contain 18, 19 or 20 loths, 'tis usual to take sixty or sixty five pounds of Copper, according as one hath poor or rich lead, and the Addition is made thus, that together in 4 pieces, may come 75 loths of Copper and lead; and upon this 75 loths, is taken one loth and 15 pounds of lead; if then one do sever it in an Assay-Oven, it will yield 9 centners and an half of lead; and this will contain 6 loths and a half, or six loths three drams, and then there will remain in Thornells and Kein∣stocks, 11, 12 or 13 loths, but how the Additions are to be made, is hereafter specified.

[ 4] Item, One piece shall have (with lead and copper,) 3 Centners, 25 pounds, and four pieces; together 13 Centners, and of lead 11 Centners, 25 pounds, so there will come in one piece 65 pounds of Copper, to 17 loths; and two Centners and a half of lead to three

loths; yet the 4 pieces will contain no more in copper and lead, then 75 loths.

[Section. 5] Item, 65 pounds of Copper to 18 Loths, make 47 Loths addition in the Lead. Take one centner three quarters of Lead to 4 loths, they do bring in 4 pieces; 28 loths one quarter of fresh, and 30 pounds of hard, so there will come 11 Centners, 25 pounds of lead, in 75 loths.

[Section. 6] But the Thornels which are to be severed from it, must have this Addition, Take to one piece, one centner and a half of lead-Thornels, 1 Centner of roast Thornels, 1 centner 18 pounds of hard, and one quarter of a centner of fresh Lead, and 30 pounds of Litarge, then the lead will commonly contain 3, or 3 and a half, to 4 loths of silver.

CHAP. XX. Seven more additional Instructions about good Copper.

[Section. 1] ITEM, if one take to a piece of 80 pounds of Copper, which may contain 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 loths, and so there will be of 4 pieces, ten Centners of lead, and so in one piece, 2 Centners and an half, the process is thus, Take one Cent∣ner of Litarge, one centner and a quarter of lead, to 4 loths, one quarter of hard lead, and a quarter of fresh lead, as it happens, yet that in 4 pieces will come to no more than 72 loths of Silver, and take to one loth 14 pound of lead, and this in one piece will be two Cent∣ners and a half, and 2 pounds of lead, yet 'tis always bet∣ter * 1.35to take much Litarge and little lead, for the Litarge doth draw better to it self the Copper than the fresh lead, likwise much Copper than little, and so the lead will not

consume so much, and there will be wrought much more copper with less lead. Therefore if you take 65 pounds of copper to one piece, then there will be to four pieces, eleven and a quarter of a centner of lead, and one melt∣ting may make just so many pieces. But if you do take 80 pounds of copper, for 65 pounds of lead, then there will remain in the Thornels and Keinstocks, 10, 11, or 12 loths.

[Section. 2] Item, Take 75 pounds of Copper (rich or poor) and in four pieces 72 loths, that upon one loth may come 14 pounds of lead into four pieces, 10 Centners, 8 pounds of lead, and this doth yield commonly good Keinstocks, and if this be thus severed, then the lead of it will contain 7 loths of Silver, and a dram more or less.

[Section. 3] Item, to make hard lead, take 65 pounds of Copper to 19 loths, and 200 pounds of Litarge, and 190 pounds of hard lead, and 40 pounds of fresh lead, to two loths; and thus there will be in 4 pieces 52 loths, and one dram, and ten Centners, and 80 pounds of lead.

[Section. 4] Item, take 75 pounds of Copper to 16 loths, and not more than 48 loths in 4 pieces, and to one loth 21 pounds of lead, that the most part may be Litarge, so the lead will contain 4 loths and a half, or 5, and remain in the Keinstocks 6 or 7 loths.

[Section. 5] * 1.36In brief, to fresh Copper one may take three quarters of a centner of Copper, and two Centners and an half of lead, and in four pieces not above 34 loths, this doth well; and to the hard lead, three quarters of a Centner of copper, two and a quarter of a centner of lead, and no more, and it will bring into it 33, 34, to 38 loths▪ of Silver.

[Section. 6] * 1.37Concerning the poor coppers (they are partly seve∣red in Hungary, and contain to five, six, seven, eight loths of Silver, or nine at the highest) they must be so

severed, that the severed lead may come upon the right Content, as a centner upon six to seven loths of Silver, so the copper will be good, and if you add lead accord∣ing to the Content, the copper will not have lead enough, and the Silver will not come all out, and the Keinstocks will remain rich.

[Section. 7] Now, when the Melter makes the fresh Pieces, then must all their Additions first be weighed upon every piece apart, and then he must put the Copper and hard lead first in, and afterwards the Litarge; and lastly, the lead in the Oven, and when the Division of one part is almost gone down, put after it a quantity of slacks, that when he seeth the same, he may know how much hath been weighed (in one piece) out of the Oven, before he put in the other, and when that goes down in the Oven, pour the first piece out of the furthermost Cruci∣ble into the pan, and then take care that one piece may not be heavier than the other, and so he must still labour till he hath cast all the pieces (as such practise will shew) But how the fresh Oven is formed, and the fresh pieces cast, you may see in the Sculpture following, thus

[illustration]

Deciphered.

• 1. Copper and Lead in pieces, weighed.
• 2. The Oven for Assaying those piecs of fresh Oar.
• 3. The Copper-pan into which those fresh pieces are to be put and melted.
• 4. The fresh piece melted.
• 5. The Melter.
• 6. The Vault in which the Dust and Smoak is received.
• 7. The little door out of which the dust is to be cleansed.

[illustration]

Sculpture XXXI.

CHAP. XXI. Nine Rules, shewing how the Regulus of poor black Copper-Oar is to be assayed, after the Hungarian Method.

[Section. 1] FIRST, I will mention how the poor Coppers are to be split before their mel∣ting in the separating Works, and the content made rich, that they may the better be melted and separated.

[Section. 2] Item, in the Sheds or Houses where * 1.38black Coppers (which commonly contain 5, 6, or 7 loths of Silver) are used to be smelted there, the melting Oven for them is formed like a driving harth with a Vault, and in the fore-part thereof the fire is to be made of Birch, or other small split fire-wood (as is used in Kitchins) and the melting Oven must have a Crucible before it, in which the black Copper (when 'tis wrought enough and be∣comes good Copper) may run out of it: On the other place of the Oven are the slacks done off, and the Bel∣lows are not to blow in the midst of the Oven, but on an iron Pipe, which is directed against a corner of the Oven, in which the Wind may blow, so that it may go through the Pipe into the spleiss Oven in the midst of it upon the copper.

[Section. 3] If you will smelt them, then put into the smelting Oven 38 centners of black copper, of which the centner contains six loths of Silver) when this is smelted, let the slacks go off from it; that it may be 11 to 12 centners, then 4 to 4 centners and an half, in which you must be diligent, that you may know how to give it its due heat. After open the smelting Oven near the foremost Crucibles, and

set the copper in it, and smelt of the 38 centners of black copper, out of the Crucibles 18 to 19 centners of good and rich copper, but of the smelted Copper, every Cake is to be cut out, and cast into Ingots, of which a centner holds commonly near 9 loths of Silver, the remaining Silver you will have in what is swept off, and in the slacks, as follows.

[ 4] But because much smelting at once (as in great works) is counted by the Smelters a Work for half a week, therefore to this belongs a Master and a Servant, and they cannot work but twice a week in an Oven, and to such Operating in one work, there is to be used near 4 layes of Wood.

[Section. 5] * 1.39The slacks that come from the above-mentioned black Regulus, or which are twice done from the copper, must be beaten small as Wallnuts, and smelted through a smel∣ting Oven, then draw the slacks off again from it in the crucible, and out of it you will have a red Regulus.

[Section. 6] Of this red Regulus, one must take 40 centners for a smelting Oven (as above is signified) and may smelt of it 30 to 31 centners of red Copper, and of this the cent∣ner contains two and a half, to 3 loths of Silver, which cannot all be brought out, therefore it must be forced out with an hammer. But if it be made to sell for Bells, then there must be smelted of this 40 centners, or 33 centners to 35 centners of red Copper, and to this one needs but one Oven, 2 to 2, and half the proportion of wood, and 'tis counted by the Smelters for two Works for a Week, as upon the black Coppers.

[Section. 7] But the slacks which (of this 20 centners of Regulus) are to be done off out of the smelting Oven (and happi∣ly 6, 7 centners to 7 centners and an half) they are to be beaten asunder and smelted through a smelting Oven, and one may draw off the slacks in the Crucible, and make of a * 1.40Cobolt Regulus, or Copper-stone, 40 centners upon a smel∣ting

Oven, and smelt it off from 32 to 34 centners of * 1.41Licbeter or speizy or unclean Copper, of which a cent∣ner contains one, or one and an half loth of Silver.

[Section. 8] Now when all is smelted off, then take that which re∣mains upon the brim of the driving harth, also that which is about the crucible, and some good slacks, and beat them * 1.42small with the stamp, upon which the water doth run, and then the good copper will fall on the ground, and that is to be gathered and washed and then settled: and, if it be at hand put 12 to 14 centners upon the smelting Oven. Likewise happily 5 or 6 centners of leady-Cop∣per which remain'd upon the harth; and if the copper en∣ters in it, and will not out again, then put to it 18 centners of black Regulus: and smelt again 20 centners of stampt Copper (which Copper is to contain 12 to 13 loths) and this same, being thus assayed, one may set it upon the driving harth, and drive it off with the poor and rich lead.

What comes off at last from the stamps in the casting and settlings, is also to be taken up, for 4 centners of this will yield a centner of copper, and such is to be smelted with the slacks.

CHAP. XXII. Seven more Instructions for the Hungarian way of sepa∣rating, and how the first work or Instrick is to be performed.

TO the first Instrick (by which you must understand the first Schicht, work or operation which a Master with his Ser∣vant can smelt in 8 or 9 hours) they do take 30 centners of rich or good Copper and fresh lead, which comes from Crac∣caw,

of which a centner contains near one loth of Sil∣ver) 110 centners: in all 140 centners of Copper and lead: out of which work will come 40 pieces, this being put out of the former Crucible into a copper pan, there will come upon one piece of rich and good Cop∣per, three quarters of a centner▪ of fresh lead, two and three quarters of a centner: And every Smelter must ob∣serve, That the Addition of every piece come only to one piece, and that the piece may be cast equal, that to the whole work may not come more or less pieces than were weighed to it before (as above is signified) the slacks are afterwards to be drawn clean off, out of the foremost Crucible, and smelted again in the Oven, and out of this will come slack-lead, and the centner will con∣tain one loth.

[Section. 2] But the above-said 40 pieces are to be assay'd so that alwayes five pieces be set upon the Assay-Oven, and the lead which flows out of it (being in a hole) is af∣terwards to be cast into little copper pans, and the Centner of the same lead (according as the copper is rich) will com∣monly contain 2, to 2 loths and a half of Silver; and that which remains upon the Assay-Oven is called Keinstocks * 1.43(which are pieces yet undry'd or unroasted, and what falleth down from the Assay-Oven, and between the roast-Oven are called Thornels, of which Thornels they do weigh 80 or near 100 pounds.

[Section. 3] * 1.44These Thornels are thus to be made to profit; Take 20 Centners of them from the Assay-Oven, and 20 centners from the roast-Oven, and 40 centners of hard lead, and Litarge, of each sort half; (in the whole 8 Cent∣ners) out of this there will come from the Work 20 pieces: and there will come upon one piece 2 Centners of Thornels, and 2 centners of hard lead and Litarge, for it must be thus distributed upon the pieces, and the slacks upon the foremost Crucible must be drawn off

clear, these are to be smelted apart, and out thereof will come the slacks of lead.

[Section. 4] Afterwards 5 pieces of these 20 pieces of Thornels * 1.45are alwayes to be set upon an Assay-Oven, and assay the lead of it, of which a centner will contain near 2 loths of Silver, and the Keinstocks will remain above, and what falleth down betwixt the Oven is (called, as is said, Thornels) and they do weigh near 8 pounds, as above is mentioned.

[Section. 5] * 1.46To the second Inlay, by which you must understand the second Work) the Additions are to be made thus, they do take rich or good broken Copper, 20 centners and 20 centners of Thornels from the separating and roast Oven, one with another, and 20 centners of Litarge, (in the whole 60 centners) out of this comes 40 pieces, so there is to each piece half a centner of good Copper, and half a centner of Thornels, and half a centner of Litarge, and these are to be set (as before) always 5 pieces upon a separating Oven, and assay'd, and the Lead of it is to be cast into little copper pans, and the centner will contain 3 and a quarter, to 3 loths and a half of Silver, and the Keinstocks will remain in the separating Oven, and the Thornels fall down: Now, this is not used in the com∣mon work, but only when rich Copper is to be taken to [Section. 6] * 1.47the work, or the store doth increase.

To the third Work you must understand the third measure, which is called Rich putting in: the Additions are to be made thus, Take 30 Centners of rich and good Copper, and of the Thornels of Lead, 120 centners (in the whole 150. centners) then smelt all through the Oven, and draw the slacks clean off, and of these will come 40 pieces, and of one piece will come three quar∣ters of a Centner of Copper, and three Centners of Lead, and these 40 pieces are to be assayed, and every time set 5 pieces on a separating Oven, and the Centner of this

lead will contain near 3, and three and a half loths, and of this there will also come Keinstocks and Thornels like as of the second Work.

[Section. 7] But to this third Work or Inlay, To one piece is to be taken a quarter of a Centner more of lead than to the first; the reason is, because to the first there hath been added Crackaw lead, which hath contained Silver: se∣condly, because it is Copper: and thirdly, That so the rich works in the lead (which in the working are become Coppery) may also be included.

CHAP. XXIII. How Litarge Pieces are to be made.

[Section. 1] LITARGE Pieces are to be made thus, First, their addition is upon a Shich, to 15 centners of rich copper add 15 Cent∣ners of Thornels from the Assay-Oven, 60 Centners of Litarge, and 37 cent∣ners and a half of slacks or fresh Lead, (in the whole 127 centners and an half: This stuff may be smelted in the Oven by a Master and his servant in 8 hours, and the slacks being clean drawn off, and then being cast into a pan, it makes 30 pieces; and in one piece, will be half a centner of rich Copper, and half a centner of Thornels from the Assay Oven, 2 centners of Li∣targe, one centner and a quarter of slacks, or fresh Lead.

[Section. 2] These mention'd 30 pieces of Litarge are to be assay∣ed, and alwayes 5 pieces to be set upon the Assay-Oven, * 1.48and out▪ of this willcome the lead which is called Litarge∣lead, and one Centner will contain 2, to 2 and a dram of Silver, and there will come also out of the Assay-Oven Keinstocks, and Thornels, as in the second Assay∣work.

[Section. 3] Another Addition upon Litarge pieces is this, They take 15 centners of copper, 15 centners of Thornels (from the Assay Oven) 90 centners of Litarge, 15 centners of slacks or fresh lead (the whole 135 centners) and out of this will come 30 pieces, and to one piece will come half a centner of rich Copper, and half a centner of Thor∣nels from the Assay-Oven, and three Centners of Litarge, and half a Centner of slacks or fresh lead.

[Section. 4] The before-mentioned 30 Litarge pieces are to be as∣sayed, and set 5 pieces at once upon an Assay Oven, and the Centner of lead which comes of it will contain two to two loths and a quarter of a loth of Silver: of this also there is Keinstocks and Thornels, as formerly hath been mentioned.

[Section. 5] When all the before-written assayed rich and poor * 1.49lead are brought together, they make this account upon it (whereby they may know to make an Inlay, (that is a quantity of it) so that a centner in the same Inlay of rich Copper and lead in the assay'd lead may contain 5 loths and a quarter of a loth of Silver, and this Inlay is to be made thus. Take 26 centners and a half of rich cop∣per, and 115 centners and a half of rich and poor lead (that they may come upon the before-mentioned reckoning) so that a centner may contain 5 and a quarter, or at most 5 loths and an half of Silver; what is done above, is with dammage, and the ready copper will become too rich: In short, 141 centners and three quarters of a cent∣ner, are also to be smelted through an Oven, and the slacks drawn clean off upon the foremost Crucible, and a Master and servant to make this shich or work into 42 pieces, so there will be to one piece 5 eight parts of a centner of the rich Copper, and of all the sorts of rich and poor lead, 2 and three quarters of a centner.

[Section. 6] These now mentioned 42 pieces they assay upon an Assay-Oven, but no more at once than 5 pieces of

rich lead, that one centner with the other may contain 5 loths and a quarter of Silver, and there will remain also upon the Oven Keinstocks and Thornels, which are fallen down, such Thornels which come of rich lead they separate, for they are the best, and are to be used again, and to be laid among the Litarge-pieces: Upon this poor Contenty Copper Assaying, meditate with diligence, for 'tis a profitable Instruction.

CHAP. XXIV. How Silver is to be separated from spizy and unclean black Coppers.

WHEN the speizy and very unclean Silver Contenty coppers are to be separated from other good coppers, then they use the prepared coppers, which are deft of themselves, though they are brickle and unsmooth, and are not to be used to all sorts of Works: to avoid this, prepare to assay such degenerate black coppers as follows: Take such black Coppers, and dress them like a black Licbeter Copper with help of the lead, by these means they will become clean and deft, and brought thus into compass, so that often∣times of three centners hardly remains one, yet nothing of the Silver gone off, but what hath been before in the three raw centners, and this is to be found together, and then separate this prepared copper, with good copper, or by it self (as is usual) and in Hungary they use this care about the poor Coppers, though not very unclean, which in their separating is often try'd, and the coppers becomes rich by it.

But that you may see how the copper Ovens are

formed, and how to assay upon them, this following Sculpture will shew.

[illustration]

Sculpture XXXII.

Deciphered.

• 1. The separating Oven as it stands fram'd.
• 2. The Supporters to it made of Copper, as they are to stand under the Oven.
• 3. The cast pieces as they are to stand in the Oven.
• 4. The Walls of the Oven (or the four sides of it) and the fire in it, and how the Oven is brac'd with iron hoops.
• 5. The stamp'd Pieces, and coals on the top of the Oven.
• ...

[illustration]

• ... 6. The copper or iron little pans, with a man putting the melted stuff into them.
• 7. The Keinstocks.
• 8. The Crane or draught by which the assayed pieces are to be lifted out of the assay-Oven, or otherwise dispo∣sed of.
• 9. Instruments, viz. Ladle, Picker, Fork and Hook.
• 10. The troughs or place to cool the Instruments in water.

CHAP. XXV. Instructions for driving Lead and Copper from Silver.

IF you have enough of that rich Lead, of which a centner contains 5 loths and a quarter of Silver, then prepare the driv∣ing harth, formed with a Vault like a great Bakers Oven, and lute it with all diligence, and lay 100 Centners of this lead upon it, and six centners of the richest copper, which is to be pick'd out of the harth of the speize Oven, of which the Centner contains 10 to 13 loths of Silver, (which is call'd the stamp'd Copper,) drive the work, but not quite off, and if it make lead slacks, then quench it and retain the same lead slacks, so in this will be near 50 marks of Hungarian Silver.

* 1.50 But there must be two driving-harths one near the other, and while you drive off the one work, the other must be prepared with diligence for the other, and then put upon it six centners of the richest Copper, and an hundred Centners of rich Lead, which contains 5 loths and a quarter of Silver, and drive off the work (as aforesaid) and when the Silver will almost go to it, then add the said lead slacks in which the 50 marks of Silver

are, and let the work go quite off, thus you have 100 marks of Silver to 15 loths of fine. But such works are used to drive them off in 4 or five weeks, that common∣ly one week with another, is reckoned to make 125 marks of Silver, and 'tis needful to such a driving off, to have 4 layes of wood, and you must not feed the fire upon such driving harths with long split-wood, but (be∣cause the Oven hath a singular Vault) it must be fed with good dry faggot-wood, and let the Bellows go true upon the work.

CHAP. XXVI. Of driving the Keinstocks and Thornels.

[Section. 1] KEINSTOCKS are prepared upon the said Assay-Oven; and if it be of rich or poor Lead, or Thornels or Litarge pieces, put them together in a driving Oven, and let there be four such driving Ovens, and in every one 4 Rows or lanes: up∣on these you are to set all sorts of Keinstocks, near 120 centners, then make a fire of dry split wood before and behind the Rows of Litarge, and dry the Keinstocks about 12 or 14 hours, and that which runs first out into the Litarge rows (which will be but little) this pour out, and it is fresh Lead, and what remains of the Thornels will fall down in the rows, then they are to be melted to thornels, like those which are flowen out under the melting Oven.

[Section. 2] Item, such Keinstocks which remain above those O∣vens, are not to be boiled in the great speize Ovens (like the raw black Coppers) but must be beaten and knock'd that the shiffer and other uncleanness of them may be re∣moved,

and then put them upon the boyling harth, and drive the copper to be pure, and when the slacks are clean drawn off, then split the plates or cakes one after ano∣ther, this is ready and deft copper, and so the remains that are in a centner of such ready copper will be almost a loth of Silver, and one doth take to a shich 4 harths to contain near 18 centners; there are to be two such harths or copper-ovens in the separating houses or sheds, [Section. 3] wherein you may spleize or work all working dayes.

* 1.51 The slacks which are to be drawn off from the harths are to be melted again through a melt Oven, and a Re∣gulus made of them, which is called a copper Regulus, which I judge to be like the Copper, made at Swatk, set them in a dry Oven and dry them off, from this the thornels will fall down into the rows, these must be melt∣ed into thornels, (as above is mentioned) for such cop∣per Regulus must not be wrought by it self, for they are speizy, therefore you must mingle them among the Kein∣stocks, which are to be dryed, and you may make pure copper of them.

Thus you have sufficient Directions how Coppers [Section. 4] may be assayed and separated.

But concerning the reckoning which (alwayes in such [Section. 5] things) is necessary to be made known, I will not recite here, for every ones Practice will teach them, and the keeping of the Book is the surest Rule for it. The next Sculpture is thus

[illustration]

Deciphered.

• 1. A drying Oven.
• 2. An Oven soon made according to the Hungarian way.
• 3. A common and ready Harth for drying.
• 4. Keinstocks, as they are to be pick'd and beaten by a man.
• 5. Harths for the Hungarian speizing or working.
• ...

[illustration]

• ... 6. Copper Cake, quench'd in a Cistern of Water by a man, 6. 6. 6.
• 7. A Pipe and Tub that lets water into the Cistern.

Sculpture XXXIII.

CHAP. XXVII. A singular way of melting in the Assaying work.

WHEN flint or Copper Oars are intended [Section. 1] for Copper, then the Oars are to be roast∣ed well and stick'd through; and then to make it Copper it must be burnt and roasted again.

In such work one may surely know the Content of the raw stone, and also by the Content of the Stone (which is stick'd through the little Proof) how much Copper and Silver is in it.

When the stone for making of Copper is perfectly pre∣pared and burned; then take of this roasted Common proof (among some other) and prove it by 2 or 3 proofs upon Copper, and then the Copper upon Silver, and when the Copper-stone in the roast is of unequal content, it is not well mingled, yet you will find in the content, a very small difference; yea sometimes none at all, and then see whether the content of Copper (of the roast) doth agree with the content before, which is found in the through burnt stone.

Therefore try whether you have all the Silver in the roast which was in the Copper-stone, if there be a diffe∣rence [Section. 2] * 1.52to 3 or 4 loths in a Centner against the other, then take the middle of it, and make your Additions thus, In case you have found in a prepared roast (through the little proof) that two centners contains three quarters of a centner of Copper, and a centner of this Copper contains twenty loths of silver. Then weigh of [Section. 3] * 1.53that which is melted 2 centners of the roast, and set them asunder, one heap after another, and of eve∣ry

heap two centners of roast, and to every part weigh its due of Lead, that may alwayes come upon a loth of Silver, (which is in the Copper 18 loths of lead) or if it be good, 17 pound: and are to be weighed to the roast-heap which is weighed off, and because two centners of the roast do contain three quarters of a Centner of copper, (and must be melted through, to one piece) then after the common proof, three quarters of a centner of Copper will contain 15 loths of Silver; then weigh to it 15 times 17 pounds of lead, so upon every fresh piece will come two centuers 35 pounds of lead, and one fresh piece will weigh 3 centners 7 pounds.

But 'tis to be observed (in making the Addition of the lead) that you must know what the lead contains, viz. whether the centner had 1 or 2 loths of Silver. Then upon the same Silver which the lead contains up∣on every loth must be counted 17 pound of lead; for the Assay-work must contain but 7 loths, if they contain more, 'tis a sign the Keinstocks is too rich, and the Sil∣ver comes not all out of the Copper (as is before men∣tioned) therefore if one hath lead which contains silver, such cannot be taken to the rich Coppers, for the fresh pieces are too great and receive too much lead, and the Copper will go through the Assay-Oven with the lead to loss.

[Section. 4] But if one have copper-stone or poor copper which may * 1.54yield to 10 or 12 loths, to this it may be used; especially if it becomes good, then the Addition must be thus: If you find by the Proof, That 2 centners of the roast-stone contains three quarters of a centner, and one centuer of the Copper 12 loths of Silver: then in 3 quarters of Copper, or in two centners of roast-stone there will be nine loths of Silver; to this add the due of lead, upon every loth of Silver, 17 pound; and because one hath not other lead than what the centner contains in 2 loths of Silver,

then there will come upon the 9 loths of silver, in the cop∣per, and of the silver in the lead to one piece, 2 centners and 1 pound of the two loths of lead: but to a fresh piece you must not take all such weak lead, or which doth con∣tain silver, but mingle it with the fresh lead that the silver may come out cleaner, yet for want of fresh lead, som∣times such weak lead is taken as necessity requires.

* 1.55 Upon the common melting Furnaces, the Additions [Section. 5] are made in stead of the fresh lead: with hard lead or Li∣targe, and substract the waste, what might go off in the fresh, and in stead of the 100 pound fresh lead you must take 125 pound hard lead and Litarge; yet the Litarge and hard lead must be refreshed with fresh lead, else, at the last when the hard lead is too weak, there will be damage: This may be used also in this labour and mel∣ting, if one have Litarge and hard lead that (according as above is mentioned) to add to the 2 centners of roast the competent weight of hard lead and Litarge, and let it go through the Oven, and then the fresh pieces are cast right.

* 1.56 But possibly some person may say, It could not well [Section. 6] be done for the spar-stones sake; yet it must again be considered, Though the spar-stones may be leady yet they will be very poor in silver, and therefore they are not spoiled, though they be leady and mingled with them, and so bring them among the Copper-stones, in the roasts, which will afford but little profit, therefore 'twill be more profitable to melt them.

Further observe, If one would melt the stone, and beat the hard lead and Litarge, care must be taken that [Section. 7] one doth put in the hard lead and Litarge when the stone is in the Oven; and then the lead needs not stand so long on the harth among the copper and slacks, and thereby burn: but it were better to refresh the Litarge and hard lead fully (after the Goslarish manner) whereby you

may make (with one labour in one day and night) 100 Centner of fresh lead which else is lost, but when the Ad∣ditions are to be made with it after it hath been refresh'd, then there goes nothing more off in the little by-Oven, only that it will flow and work through amongst the Copper, and such refreshing of the hard lead and Litarge may be done (if one thinks it not too great a labour) that the work might go the better.

[Section. 8] * 1.57When the Melter thinks fit to shut the Melt-Oven, then he must make the Crucible in the harth a little nar∣row and deep like a fresh Oven, and near that Oven an∣other little Oven, in which the wind may drive, and wher∣in he may also warm the added lead; and when he begins to set it, and hath two centners of the weighed roast upon the Oven, then he must put in some weak slacks, by which he may see when the two centners of roast are throughly done when those slacks do come, then he stops the hole of the Oven, and draweth off the slacks and stones from the Copper: and then take out of the by-Oven the hot lead, and the Copper in the crucible, with a warm ladle to reach into the crucible, and take out a ladleful or two, that it may come among one another, and then he must cast into the pan the first fresh pieces, and when it is cast then weigh it, by which you may easily see whether the desired copper be come: and when the first two centners of the roast are melted throughly, and the weak slacks do come and the Eye or hole of the Oven is stopp'd, then the Melter must set up another heap of two centners of the weighed roast, but whilst he casts the fresh pieces, the Melter must take out again the gathered Copper which flows out upon the harth, and warm another weight of lead in the little by-Oven, that the work may go speedily on, and not be hindred.

[Section. 9] When these two centners of roast are set▪in the second

time, then the Melter must put in again some of the weak slacks, and when they come, then he must stop it (as before) and draw off the slacks, and must take the lead out of the little by-Oven, and cast the fresh piece, thus he may melt continually as long as he hath Copper-stone to put in.

Such fresh pieces when there are enough, cast into the [Section. 10] melting-Oven, and they are to be melted off, while other fresh pieces are melting and making.

* 1.58 This melting-work is (in my judgment upon such [Section. 11] Copper-stones which yield copper) very profitable in comparison to the other: because you have the Silver quickly out of the copper, with the same Expence as is spent upon the black Copper making, and used with pro∣fit, better than when they must first be melted in the copper, and afterwards with great Expence to be wrought, and the Silver to be assayed out of it. Upon which every one who useth to melt may further con∣sider.

This also I think fit to mention for the Instruction of [Section. 12] the common copper-Melters, so that all who care for it may be diligent in it: for this is not only a supposition, but proved in the great work.

What and how the Thornels (and other things which [Section. 13] come by melting) may be melted and made to profit (as before is shewn:) the form of the Melting-Oven and of the little by-Ovens will be seen in the Sculpture following, which is thus

[illustration]

Deciphered.

• 1. The Fresh Oven.
• 2. The little By-Oven for lead.
• 3. The fresh piece, with a man lifting it.
• 4. The Separation of roasted and weighed lead, brought by a man in a Wheel-barrow and laid in heaps▪
• ...

[illustration]

• ... 5. The Vault for the Smoak and Dust.
• 6. The Tunnels to convey away the Smoak.
• 7. The fresh Oven without fire in the Furnace, or fore∣wall.
• 8. The Assay-Oven. 8. 8.
• 9. The little Pans for the melted Metal.

Sculpture XXXIV.

CHAP. XXVIII. How Copper is to be made Brass.

TO the Brass burning as it is observed in [Section: 1] Cauffingen in Hessen, and as before in the * 1.59City of Goslar and in Ilsenberg on the Haiz, they use Goslarish Lapis Calami∣naris which is sometimes gathered out of the Smelt-Ovens, where (in smelting the lead Oars into 10 or 12 pieces) it ofttimes lyes about a hand thick; but the Lapis Calaminaris at Galmay mountains, and other mountainous places, (as those near the River Ach in Schwaben or Swevia, in the County of Tyrol in Austria, and elsewhere) breaketh yellovv and gray, and is to be added to the Copper to make them of a yellow Colour, and which is called Brass, but the Goslarsh Lapis Calaminaris must be roasted or burnt and ground small upon a Mullet made on purpose, and then they prepare it as follovveth.

* 1.60 They take one part of it, and tvvo parts of small [ 2] ground Coal well quench'd, and well mingled; dry them with one another, then pour a bowl-full of water upon the Lapis Calaminaris that it may every where suck it in, let it stand an hour and moisten together, but some use Ʋrine instead of water, and add a little Allum; this gives the brass a fair colour in the first fire: then they have a crooked Instrument and draw all well together 3 or 4 times, then mingle it with a proportion of Salt, and draw it again with the Instrument twice or thrice, thus the Lapis Calaminaris is prepared: but they make alwayes so much Calaminaris together at once, as will be needful for two Ovens.

When they make Brass they make round Ovens in the ground, so that the wind may force the fire through [Section. 3] * 1.61the holes below in the Oven, and in one of these Ovens they set 8 pots or pipkins at once, and let them be warm and hot, and when they are so, take them out quickly, and put the Calaminaris in them, also they have a sho∣vel made on purpose, that therewith they may take up and know how to distribute near 46 pounds in such eight pots. Then they lay in every pot upon the Lapis Ca∣laminaris 8 pounds of small broken Copper pieces, and set-in the pots again, and let them stand 9 hours in a great heat, and in this 9 hours are to be taken one heap and a half of Coals, and when such Coals are burnt out, then stir the stuff in the pot with an iron, and see how 'tis flow'n, and let it stand in the fluss, and graduation an hour more, then lift the pots out of the Oven, and pour them (if you will have a piece of Brass) all in one hole, and while the stuff is warm, break them, yet so that they may remain and lye close together.

[Section. 4] * 1.62Thus the Brass receives in the breaking a fair yellow colour, but if you make Kettles of it, and other work, then cast the stone into great pots and large pieces pur∣posely for it, which stones are called Britanish Stones, or Lapis Calaminaris, (because they come thence) from which they cut afterwards some Ingots; and from them draw wyers, and beat out what they please for other uses.

[Section. 5] Sometimes the Brass-burner sets in the Brass once more, especially if they will have the colour higher, but 'tis not with profit to be done, for the expence is more than the gain.

[Section. 6] * 1.63Further, 'tis to be known, That the Brass receives in such burning a heaviness, for if you put in these eight pots 46 pounds of Copper, so the Brass will receive in * 1.649 hours an increase of 26 pounds of Brass, so one pour∣eth out again 90 pounds of Brass, this comes from one

Oven in the week, as to 14 fires) to 3 Centners 34 pounds of Brass increase: And others say, That the Goslarish Calaminaris brings more increase than the mountanous Calaminaris, but it makes the Brass in the breaking gray, therefore in the glowing you must take care, that the stuff may not run in the work; and it must only be made glowing with the flames of wood.

This I was willing to mention in short, how Copper is to [Section. 7] be burnt to Brass, for their sakes who know nothing of it: But how the Kettles are to be beaten, and the wyer to be drawn and extended by water, is to be seen at Ilsenberg, in their works, and in many other places.

How the Brass Ovens, the Pots, Shovels and lifting [Section. 8] Tongs are to be framed, and the Britanish stone dispo∣sed of, the Sculpture following shews, thus

[illustration]

Deciphered.

• 1. The Oven in which Brass is to be burnt: the shape of it in the inside, and how the pots and crucibles are to be placed in it.
• 2. The little brass Ovens are to be placed in the other.
• 3. How the Pots and crucibles are to be formed.
• 4. The shovel to take up the beaten Lapis Calaminaris stone, which is to be mixt with Copper for the making of Brass.
• 5. The tongs by which the Pots are to be set in, and ta∣ken out.
• 6. The holes in the Oven.
• 7. The pieces of the Britanish stone or Lapis Calamina∣ris unbeaten.
• 8. The place for the workman that sets in the Pots.

[illustration]

Sculpture XXXV.

Thus I conclude the Third BOOK concerning Copper Oars, and its Labour, with other necessary Instructi∣ons appertaining to it; and the Reader may consider further upon them: as also of other things which he may have occasion to use.

The END of the Third Book.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Purpose of this Book.
• * 1.2

  Coper Oars yield fine Colours.
• * 1.3

  Copper Glass.
• * 1.4

  Green and lazure Colours.
• * 1.5

  Brown Cop∣per.
• * 1.6

  called Gamahes.
• * 1.7

  Copper flint.
• * 1.8

  Copper stone.
• * 1.9

  Crucible form.
• * 1.10

  The Clay.
• * 1.11

  Little Ovens for Copper. Proof.
• * 1.12

  Another Form of a little Oven.
• * 1.13

  A little Oven of Tiles.
• * 1.14

  Proof of Furnaces.
• * 1.15

  ☞
• * 1.16

  The manner of it.
• * 1.17

  The Oar burnt quite dead.
• * 1.18

  Some Cop∣per not fit for Brass.
• * 1.19

  ☞
• * 1.20

  To boil Oars for Copper.
• * 1.21

  Copper Shif∣fer.
• * 1.22

  When there will be no stone in the proof.
• * 1.23

  ☞
• * 1.24

  Another way.
• * 1.25

  Retorts.
• * 1.26

  Of Copper Needles.
• * 1.27

  This Proof not certain.
• * 1.28

  Another Manner.
• * 1.29

  Copper flint and Tin stone may be Seperated.
• * 1.30

  A flat Hearth.
• * 1.31

  ☞
• * 1.32

  One way of Preparati∣on doth most serve for Copper.
• * 1.33

  How much Lead to be used.
• * 1.34

  A profita∣ble Rule.
• * 1.35

  ☞
• * 1.36

  Fresh Cop∣per.
• * 1.37

  Hungarian Copper.
• * 1.38

  The Melt∣ing Oven for them.
• * 1.39

  Red Copper Regulus.
• * 1.40

  Cobolt Re∣gulus.
• * 1.41

  Licbeter or spizy Cop∣per.
• * 1.42

  stampt Copper.
• * 1.43

  Keinstocks.
• * 1.44

  Thornells.
• * 1.45

  The first In∣lay.
• * 1.46

  The second Inlay.
• * 1.47

  The Third Inlay upon rich Copper.
• * 1.48

  Litharge.
• * 1.49

  The last In∣lay.
• * 1.50

  Two drive harths.
• * 1.51

  Copper Re∣gulus.
• * 1.52

  Copper roast
• * 1.53

  Addition of parts.
• * 1.54

  Addition of parts.
• * 1.55

  Hard oar and Litarge
• * 1.56

  Spar-stones.
• * 1.57

  How to make the Oven and cast the fresh pieces.
• * 1.58

  The profit of this Assay work.
• * 1.59

  Copper dif∣ferent in Countrys.
• * 1.60

  To prepare Lapis Cala∣minaris.
• * 1.61

  The Ovens for it.
• * 1.62

  Brittain stones.
• * 1.63

  The Propor∣tion of Cop∣per and La∣pis Calami∣naris.
• * 1.64

  ☞