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 Lead OARS, TIN, ANTIMONY, QUICKSILVER, IRON, STEEL, and the LOADSTONE. BOOK IV.

CHAP. I. Of Lead Oars.

THIS Book shews how to prove Lead [Section▪ 1] Oar for Lead, and how the common or unseparable light Lead Oars are to be smelted in the great smelting Work: next, how to prove an Oar for Anti∣mony and for Spelter, and how to bring the Spelter out again: Also to try Tin-stones for Tin, and Quick silver Oar for Quick silver: Also of Iron stone and Steel stone, for Iron and Steel, with some Instru∣ments for Tin sope works, and trying of Tin stone in the little Oven: and also of the wonderful properties of the Magnet or Loadstone.

Now, concerning Lead oars they are usually to be well [Section. 2] known among the other Metal oars, for they are mostly grey, heavy, bright of colour like the Lead it self, and from [Section. 3] its brightness is called bright oar; and such bright colo∣red [Section. 4] Lead oars are the richest, and contain above half lead: then there is white lead oar like a Sand-stone and red lead [Section. 5]

oar, like a reddish clay, these Two, viz. the white and red are heavy, but not so rich in lead as the bright: also [Section. 6] yellow lead oar mixt with grey, which is called, the Lead ram: These and such like Oars are counted the smooth∣flowing and deft oars: and the heavyer they are, the more they yield in lead.

[Section. 7] But the lead oars which are poor, and taken from flinty, blendy or mountainous places, are either visibly or invisibly insperg'd or sprinkled with brightness (like the Lead oar at Goslar) and are very heavy: yet commonly no visible [Section. 8] brightness in them, they are somewhat hard and unflow∣ing, yet they do partly separate and purify in beating and washing, but partly they do stick fast in the water, that one with the other remain unseparated.

CHAP. II. How to prove defty-lead Oars for Lead.

[Section. 1] PROVING of Lead oars do require dif∣ferent observations (as in other oars, therefore the pure-soft and flowing-lead oars, you must prove thus, first grind the oar small, and weigh of it two cent∣ners, and put it in a crucible, with twice so much fluss which is made of Copper oars) with a lit∣tle Sandiver, and mingle it with a little filed Iron, after this put also on the top of the Crucible a half square fin∣ger high of common Salt, press it down a little and co∣ver the Crucible, and lute the joynings with a thin Clay, that no coals fall into the crucible, for that will do hurt, especially in the Lead-Proof, by reason the fluss will boil up in the Crucible, and the lead will not come to∣gether in one grain, but in the slacks, like grains.

When your Crucibles is thus prepared with the proof, then set it in a little Oven, prepared for the proof of the Copper Oars, put fire in it, and when the Cruci∣ble [Section. 2] is glowing, blow very hard with a hand-Bellows, that the proof may have a strong heat, so that it need not stand long: then take out the Crucible, and let it be cold, then beat it asunder, and you will find below a grain of Lead, so much as the 2 centner-proof-weights will yield; then draw up the Proof-weights, and you will see how many centners of the bright or deft-lead Oar will yield a centner of lead.

But to this proof must be added filed Iron, that the [Section. 3] Antimony which is in the raw lead-Oar may touch the Iron rather than the lead, for if it had no Iron to con∣sume, it would begin on the weak Lead, therefore in many places, in the great fire, old Iron, or Iron scales, slacks and sinders are to be added to the melting, whereby more Lead is produced: it hath also this service in mel∣ting, that some Lead yields foul and unclean vvork, which by the Addition of the Iron becomes clean, for the An∣timony or remaining Sulphur vvill give it self (in the melting in the Lead-Kilns) to the Iron, and will come away that so the lead may be pure.

But some Assayers pretend to set the Grain-lead [Section. 4] upon a Test, which in proving is found below in the cru∣cible, and let it drive, so it vvill become clean: which is false, for the Lead being a vveak-volatile Metal, easily consumes it self in the fire: therefore I judge that vvhen the proof hath once suffered the fire, the Lead vvill become good and clean, unless the grain of the Proof be not clean, and that there doth hang on the same Lead, ravv glimmer or stone, which is a sign that the Proof hath not received its due heat, which ought to be observ'd by the Assayer) and then he must make the proof once more.

CHAP. III. How to prove an undefty, Lead-Oar for Lead.

BUT the right lead Oars (which have with them some flint, or other harsh stuff) they prove thus: Beat the lead Oar into pieces, as small as grains of hemp, and weigh of them 2 centners, and set them in an Assay test in a proof Oven, and roast them, but make it not too hot at first, that it may not run together like Sinders (and do just as is above mentioned with the Copper-proof) then grind the roast-Oar very small, mingle it with the fluss (cove∣red with salt) and you need no filed Iron to this, for it hath two contrary Sulphurs which consume one another, so that the lead will remain sure, then boyl the proof in the little oven before the bellows (as before) thus the lead will be right in the proof.

CHAP. IV. How to prove poor separable Oar by boyling it, and trying it by smelting.

[Section. 1] MANY times also Silver containing Lead glimmer do break in the Oven (being insperged with stony-Oar) but when you have a separable Oar, let it separate it self from the glimmer in the water, viz. when the Oars are beaten that they may be drawn in washing and cleansing to a pure Oar: of these

I must mention something for the good of the Mine-workers, what difference is to be observed in the beat∣ing, because oftentimes by Negligence comes dammage; but first of the try-proof in the little work.

Take a common proof of the light oars, beat it small [Section. 2] and mingle it well, weigh of it by the Proof-weight 20 centners, more or less, and draw it into a Tub to a clean Oar, and gently separate this from the light, and weigh how many centners of clean oar, the wash'd common oar will yield; and then you may easily reckon how many centners of common oar will yield a centner of good oar; and this pure oar may come to be so by the beating, sif∣ting or washing it, (and do waste and prove, as above) but the good clean and bright oar is proved upon lead; thus you have the content of the Lead.

Now concerning the beating in the great work, the [Section. 3] lead Oar you know is a heavy Oar, yet 'tis subtile and easy to be beaten into dust, which swims upon the wa∣ter, and goeth forth; especially, if the same be in a glim∣mery or flinty, or horny stone (which Quarryes or horn-stones do afford) to which add the glimmer in beating, and make it dust, and this subtile dust (which is the best of the Oar) doth oft times yield a blew, dust which will lay it self on the great walls or stones in the wash∣ing, and comes to no profit.

[Section. 4] But, some use the Beaters or Workers (which build the Beat-works) to prepare thus the wet-works, viz. That the hindmost stamping Pestel which beates the light or rocky Oar from behind, and beats against the lamins or plates; understand it in this manner, That the hind∣most Pestel may fall first, then the middle one, and at last, the first next the Plates.

This beating is not profitable because it causeth great dammage, by reason that the beaten stuff or rocky Oars set themselves before the Plates, so that the graind Oar

cannot well come through, but beats it self into a small or subtil dust, and goes away in the beaten or wash'd [Section. 6] stuff, therefore many Washers esteem the dry-beat Works better, where one may work over the Seeve, and have the great and small Oars asunder, and also make more sorts than with the wet work, which is found that if the wet-beaten work is built and prepared thus, the poor or rocky Oars will be beaten back from the plates, viz. that the Pestle nearest the plates will fall first, then the middle one, and at last, that which is behind, thereby the plates will remain clear, and the holes will not be stop'd, but the water will carry the pure Oar through without hin∣drance, whereby not only more Oar will be preserv'd, but also the Oar may be made great or small, and so to greater profit: and having found this in the work, I would not leave it unmentioned being so fit for every Mine-worker and Assayer to know.

CHAP. V. How to try common Lead-Oars for Lead, in a little Oven.

LIKE as the Copper Oars (mentioned in the Third Book) are to be try'd in a little Oven, so may it be done with the Lead Oars, especially if they are ve∣ry clean, right and good, let them be thus beaten raw, as small as half an Ha∣zel nut, then set them upon a little Oven, but it were better 3 or 4 pounds of such small beaten oar might be laid first upon a Test, and gently roasted, and then beat∣en and roasted again, that its great wildness may come off, and so the lead will easily separate from the slacks without other Additions.

CHAP. VI. How the inseparable and light Lead Oars are to be assay∣ed in a little Oven.

CONCERNING the light-common-Lead-Oars, [Section. 1] which do not separate in the water, they must be beaten in like manner as is spoken of the separable; on∣ly they must be roasted somewhat better, and when they are thus prepared, then melt them through the little Oven, but when the lead is not come altogether, then beat the slacks very small again, and take the clean lead from it, as you separate the stone; Now when the Lead oar is flinty (if one be diligent) then weigh the lead which is cleanly separated, and make your account how many centners of Oar may yield a centner of Lead; but if the lead oar be very coppery, 'tis to be roasted, whereby in the proof melting the Copper will come among the lead, therefore it must be separated upon a very flat harth, and you must cause the lead (as above in the Copper proof direction) to run off with a gentle fire, and so the lead will become clean, and the Copper will remain setled, and this makes clean work (as you are taught before.) But the little oven for proving the lead oars must be prepared (like to the Copper Oars and flints) that you may bring out the slacks and lead very clean, as such practise will shew.

[Section. 2] But in the Assay Crucibles the proof must be thus: Take the light lead oar, grind it small, weigh two Cent∣ners of it with thy Proof-weight, set it upon a proof Test in the Oven, let it roast till it stink no more of Sulphur, then grind it small, put it in a little Crucible with four

centners of the fluss (which is used to the deft lead Oar) put in it also melted Sandiver, and cover it with Salt, lute it with clay, and let it boyl in the little Oven before the Bellows, blow more strongly to this proof than to the clean bright proof, and thus you have the Content right.

[Section. 3] You must also know, That every lead Oar may be proved unroasted; thus, Grind it small, weigh two centners, use the fluss to it (according to Instruction given) only with the Sandiver take among-it raw Argol, mingle it together, cover it with Salt, and the crucible with a covering: Lute the joynings with clay, and set it in one of the little Ovens, blow strong to it like to a Copper proof (as above) thus you will find the Content of the Lead.

CHAP. VII. How to make a Lead-Proof on a Table or in a Stove.

THE Lead oar to this proof must be ve∣ry clean and good, take and roast it a little, then make a fluss of two parts of good clean Salt-Petre, and one part of small ground Coals mingled together, put two parts of this fluss, and one part of the roast Lead Oar also well mingled into a Crucible, cast a little glowing coal in it, then it will begin to burn, and the Lead which is in it will flow together, and although this is an uncertain proof (not to be trusted to) yet thereby one may learn to know the property and nature of Minerals.

CHAP. VIII. How to make Lead Oars (though they will not separate in the water) to be profitable.

ALTHOUGH I intend not to write much of the smelting, and thus to mingle what pertains to the smelting and lesser proving; yet I could not but leave som∣what to signify of smelting of the light lead Oars, because 'tis necessary, and no common labour, but to many unknown.

[Section. 1] The Lead-Oars which are poor, and will not separate in the Water, are flinty Glimmer, or such as come from unseparable Oars, and yet to be made to profit (if one have a pretty quantity of them) but not by the com∣mon smelt-work or arch'd Oven, for there the wild and sulphury slacks of the oars consume the Lead very easily, [Section. 2] that almost no Lead, or not half so much as in the little proof is found or can be made, but only after the useful melting at Goslar, with which the light contenty lead Oars of the same place are to be smelted in a great quan∣tity, and by no other ways, as by me and many others have been tryed.

But that you may have a sure Instruction for this work, and how such volatile oars may be help'd, I shall therefore describe the whole Goslarish Method, which they use in preparing their Ovens, &c.

First, I will signify what manner of Lead-Ovens there are at Goslar, and what they contain, that one may the better find out what doth follow.

[Section. 3] The Lead Oars at Goslar are commonly black Oars, also a white-gray flint with insperged Copper flint, and

are very shining, which Glimmer is not to be seen in the Oar, but apparently in the melting and slacks, a Centner of the best of that Goslarish oar (if there appear not Glimmer) doth not contain above 16 pounds of Lead, but of the common Oar (mingled among the flint which cannot be separated from it, and breaketh the most) usually there is but 7 pound of Lead, and of the light∣est less: this also hath an Oar Quarry which stands inter∣mixt with it, and this Oar is to be roasted in very great Ovens, and to every one three fires given; and then a Centner will contain but little above 5 pound of Lead, and one dram of Silver (notwithstanding it contains more before the roasting) which I judg doth come of this, that in the roasting such Oars there comes among the others, light and good; and therefore the Content is more equal, and these 5 pounds of Lead, and one dram of Silver are for the most part melted out in the Smel∣ting.

[Section. 4] Secondly, In the same place must be no more than two Smelt Ovens to one spring (though the Melters think (if it might be so for the Waterfalls-sake) that it were better that every Smelt Oven should have his own spring and wheel, because every one might order his Bel∣lows most advantagiously, which must be with great might and with heaps (as will be shewn) to force the Oar through the Oven: yet it is at all times set through the smelt Oven nearer the Wheel, than through the other, and so where is more set, there is more Lead made, and with more profit of the Coals.

[Section. 5] They make such Smelt ovens inward, within a wall of two bricks and a half deep, and two bricks wide, and the Walls above it, two ells and a half high, of Shiffer∣stones which are not thick, that one may, when he will, break out the Oven for the Lapis claminaris, which grows in it (as hereafter you may hear) for the Shiffer

or slackstone in the same place will very well indure the fire, and they do lay the foundation of the same two ells deep under it, crossways; that it may go out against the bellows, yet some foundations extend or reach to the wheel-room, but I do not approve of it, for it they become moist thereby, or draw moistness to it self, then it is hurt in melting, therefore it matters not a little that the smelt Ovens be right in their wideness and hight, as also that the Foundations be in their right places, that no water may come in, not too deep nor too moist, for if the water go on the Foundations, then the stuff in the Lead will not separate nor work well; also that the forms may lay right according to every kind and condi∣tion of the Oar, neither too sharp nor too flat, which should be fitted that the Bellows may blow in the midst of the stuff in the Oven, just near the forewall; The smelt Ovens at Goslar have very great Bellows, of six Ox hides to one pair, to force the Oar through in great quan∣tities, therefore the Bellows must be strong.

[Section. 6] Concerning the Crucible in the Oven, it must be made thus, Lay upon the Foundation a great stone, which is called the Crucible-stone, upon this they make a harth of Clay, mingled with little slacks, and upon it, another harth of Clay, and when 'tis dry they wash the Crucible which is half in the Oven, and half out, the mid∣dle standing right under the Wall) with burnt Oars of a thumbs thickness, and when 'tis dry and well warm'd, that it will glow very well, and become firm in the Cru∣cible like steel, then the smelt Oven is prepared till the clo∣sing: but such a Crucible must be to the smelt Oven five quarters of an ell deep, and without the oven, it must so bend it self that the Lead may come to stand before the oven in the Crucible, and not in the oven.

[Section. 7] When all this is done, then they put a vessel with Coals in the warm Crucible, and upon the Coals three

Vessels full with light coal-dust, which they make thus: They make on the Wheel on the end of it a Beater or Mallet, and as the wheel goes round about, then the Mallet falls down twice upon little hard coals, which the servant of the Melter, when he hath time doth put under with a Shovel, albeit it is a slow work, yet they make so much dust with it as may serve two ovens, for they are not willing to lay so great a burden upon the Wheel, but they beat no Clay with it (as they use in the dust in other Smeltings) then they moisten their Coal-dust, and force and beat them with some heavy thing, into the Crucible in the oven, (commonly with an iron Beetle) that it may not come upon one another, and also before the oven, vvhere they make it a little higher, that the slacks may not flovv out, and leave a hole open belovv on the oven, under the forewall, (which is called an Eye) that one may almost reach his hand into the Oven.

[Section. 8] After the preparation and closing of the oven, they put on the Top of it glowing and other Coals, and after that a dray or tvvo full of their slacks, then coals again, upon it the burnt oar, and so continually coals and oars till the Oven be full to the top, also they lay before it live coals, but not many, only that the dust may remain warm near the fore-vvall, vvhere the slacks flovv out: Novv vvhen the oven is set full, they stay till the fire burn in the Oven, and then they begin to melt, and make the Oven vvet, vvith vveak slacks, as in other meltings: nei∣ther have they Iron-stones, but copper which is to lye pretty far in the oven, for the Iron gratty slacks vvill de∣vour the Iron stones quite in tvvice vvorking, which they do not so easily to the Copper: yet in time they do con∣sume also, so that they must be renevved once in a quar∣ter of a year.

[Section. 9] Their time to melt is 23 hours, in this they set into one Oven 66 to 70 Centner of roast oar, and the oar vvill

flovv like vvater, and vvorks it self very fresh, and there is nothing else to be taken to it, but only the burnt Oar.

Now, when the Melter lifts off the uppermost slacks, [Section. 9] (which is very heavy and thick) the rest under it will stand very clear, and then with a great iron Ladle he pours them out, which will run like lead, so fresh as they are, and the slacks look like a melted slack-stone. But the lead creeps through the light dust in the Oven, and hides it self under it near 23 hours, and therefore the wild Sulphurish slacks cannot reach it, nor the long during heat consume or devour it.

When the Melter hath observ'd his time, then he [Section. 10] opens the Funnel below, and takes out the light dust to∣gether with the slacks which are settled in it, and whilst the Melter is drawing the dust out of the Oven, a servant must gently pour water, that the Melter may endure the heat, and when all the dust is drawn out, then the Melter with his fork stirs the Lead in the Oven below, so that all the Lead may come together, then he casts the Lead into the harth standing by the Oven, and it must be kept warm continually.

Out of this he draws it into Cakes or sows of Lead [Section. 11] (according to the old Fryberish Method, and brings out of the 60 or 70 Centner of melted Oar (in such a time well melted) near three centner of Lead, of which one cent∣ner contains 4 loths of Silver, and the rest of the Lead and Silver will remain in the slacks; and though there be almost as much yet remaining, it is a Wonder that so much should be produced out of a poor contenty stub∣born Oar.

But if you would melt other Oars besides this (after [Section. 12] the Goslarish Method) you must be careful the Oar may vvork it self fresh; for if it do not, then you must help it, for the light dust cannot suffer the very soft slacks▪ also

when the light lead Oar contains pretty much Silver and little Lead, then at all times, according to the con∣dition of the Oars, there may be added hard Lead, that the Silver may have a refuge into the lead.

I must signify, that in the melt Oven of the Goslarish Lead oars, they lay on all four walls of the Oven a gray with a yellow mingled matter, every Row or Lay as [Section. 13] thick as a straw bredth) which they call Galmay, used in the brass-melting (and adding as you have heard in the end of the Third Book:) and this matter must be put out of the melt Oven after 8 or 9 Rows or Lays are made, else the Oven will be too narrow, so that no more can be melted in it with profit.

[Section. 14] Thus much I was willing to mention of Lead oar and Lead, that every Mine and Smelter, who will imploy himself in it, may know how every one may be help d; for 'tis a weak tender Metal, and may in Smelting quickly be hurt: And, 'tis manifest, if this way of Smelting of poor light oars of Goslar had not been in∣vented (by which they make their Lead) neither the Ci∣ty, nor the Mine-work could have been thus long useful, having continued these 700 years, and by the help of the Lord may longer continue. The following Sculpture

[illustration]

Deciphered.

• 1. The The Walls of the Furnace.
• 2. The Lines on them, shews the Gradations of the Me∣tal descending.
• 3. The man that manageth the metal in the furnace.
• 4. The back of the Furnace with the coals and pieces of metal flaming.
• 5. The grand Test.
• 6. The Oven for that Test.
• 7. The pieces from the Test.
• 8. The man that beats the Oar.
• ...

[illustration]

• ... 9. The pieces of Oar and Cinders.
• 10. A heap of Charcoal.
• 11. The water-troughs to wash the Oar in.
• 12. The Pipes by which the foul water is cast out.
• 13. The Instruments for the Furnace and Tests.

Sculpture XXXVI.

CHAP. IX. Of melting Oars with Moll or Turf.

BECAUSE some years since the Mi∣ners and Smelters have pretended that all sorts of Oars might be melted with Sods or Turff (as the Saxons call it) I could not omit in this part, but give the Reader my Judgment. And because the Oars are not all of one sort, but partly harsh and hardy, and partly mild saft and flowing, and that the Turf yields very heavy and much Ashes, which in the Melt oven comes to be a slack (almost like a Glass) I judg it must not be used at all to the weak oars, to which this separating Work is unprofitable, for through their ma∣ny heavy Ashes the weak flowing oars are hindered, and the Oven thereby stopped, and though you use half coals with it, yet it would not turn to profit. But what are harsh-hot-graty Oars (especially roasted lead oars by help of Coals) may be melted, and it will be serviceable, for they will work themselves more separable and deft: so that one need not much other addition (as aforesaid.)

But if one would melt such harsh Oars with Turf on∣ly, I fear the Oven will be stopped many times, by which the work will be much hindred; therefore I conclude it better to melt with Coals, than with Moll, Sod or Turf.

CHAP. X. How to prove Spelter or Wizmet Oar, which some call Bizmuth.

SPELTER Oar is a white heavy Oar, and [Section. 1] yields among other Oars the most flow∣ing Metal, which needs no singular Pains to melt it down: But there are two sorts of melting it, in the Wind, and before the Bellows; as will follow: for, if you will prove this Oar, how much Spelter it may contain, then grind it small, and weigh a centner of it, and two centners of the fluss (before spoken of, made of Argol and Saltpeter) mingle it, and put it in a Crucible, cove∣red wit Salt, and cover it, Lute it with Clay, and boyl it up in a little Oven before the bellows, like (to a flowing Lead proof) thus you will have the Spelter below in the Crucible like a lead Regulus; draw it up after thy proof weight, and you will find how much Spelter a centner of Oar yields: but, till of late, we had not the vvay to melt so much out of the Oar, as hath been found in the proof, and the difference is alike, for we finde almost the half part more in the little proof, vvhen the Spelter [Section. 2] is melted out of it: But, as it hath been mentioned in the Tin-slacks (vvhich by a strong fire vvill melt the remaining Tin) so it is possible to do vvith the Spelter.

But to melt the Spelter out of the Oars tvvo methods [Section. 3] are used: one by the wind, the other by Bellows: the vveakest sort of Spelter Oars are to be melted on the wind, vvhich is to be done thus; Take of the Oar, and beat it to little pieces, about the bigness of Walnuts, and put it in little iron Pans (set in order) that they may

spread abroad, and set them in the field in the winde, and make a fire of dry wood, so that the wind may bring the flame into the pans upon the Oar; thus the Spelter will flow quickly out of the Oar into the pans, and when 'tis almost flown out, stir the Oar about, that what the flame hath not touch'd yet, may be melted all out.

[Section. 4] This is the true proof for the Spelter oar (and the right melting) because after this, can nothing more be melted out of it; then lift the pans off the fire, and put out the oar, and make the spelter clean, let it be cold, and put fresh oar into the pans, and melt continually; this spelter so melted is the best and cleanest, and some centners may be made at a melting, which melting is clearly to be seen in the following Sculpture.

[Section. 5] The other way of Melting it, is thus, make the Oar clean and beat it small, and prepare a little Oven, a good span wide below, and four spans high, and above two spans square, then place a weak Bellows (like a little Smiths Bellows) behind, and in this melt the spelter Oars or slicks with wood and soft Coals; and before it be all slacks, draw it out of the Oven into a trough of wood, made on purpose, and in this stir the glowing Oar to and fro, and so the spelter will flow together, then separate it and make it clean; what remains at last of the dross (by either way of Melting) makes a blew colour in great quantity, and may be used for glass to give it a blew, 'tis here and there sold to the Glass-houses.

[illustration]

Sculpture XXXVII.

Deciphered.

• 1. The little Iron Pans for Spelter or Wismet Oar.
• 2. The fire of vvood for them.
• 3. Melted Spelter that is to be made clean in the iron Pan, and the work-man that tends it.
• 4. He that draws the Oar out of the Mine.

CHAP. XI. [ XII] Of Tin.

[Section. 1] ZWITTER or Tin-stone whereof Tin is made, is heavy Oar, yet the Metal which it produceth is the lightest of all other Metals; the Zwitter is to be known by its brown colour, which in∣clines a little to yellow, yet the rich Zwit∣ters are black and of fine growth, and so smooth as if they were polished, and very rich in Tin, yet sometimes the Zwitters are found in another form like Iron stone, or a pointed woolferan Oar (which the old Miners have not known) therefore 'tis needful to prove the Zwitter with diligence whether it be Tin-stone or not, and whe∣ther it yields much or little, that the Mine-workers may the better know what to do.

But the Tin-stone, as well in the little proof as in the great work, must not only be burnt, but also purified clean before the melting, otherwise it yields not so much Tin, as when cleanly prepared.

Yet, 'tis to be known that every Tin-Mine-work hath a singular manner to prepare the Zwitter or Tin-stone, which is to be admired.

CHAP. XII. How to prove Tin-stone for Tin.

[Section. 1] ALTHOUGH the proving of the Tin-stone how much properly doth contain a centner, be an uncertain proof, yet by it thus much may be learnt, that one may know whether the Tin-stone be good or light, likewise what happi∣ly

may be made of Tin, and to know its true content, and the most common way to be used therein is as here∣after followeth.

First, when you have taken a common proof of the Zwitter, or well-beaten Tin-stone, then grind it small, and weigh of it vvith thy proof-weight vvhat you think fit, and dravv that which is vveighed off into the slick or dross, and weigh that too; then set it in an Assay-oven upon a test, and roast it in a pretty heat, and when it is cold again, grind it, wash that which is light in a wood∣en trough, and weigh the clean slick again, and observe how much goes off from the slick in the roasting and shifting, and do this two, three or four times, till the stone is very clean, and that nothing more goes off from it; thus 'tis prepared to the proving.

Of this prepared Tin-stone weigh two Centners, and [Section. 2] mingle among it small ground Pitch, and take a glowing hazel or Lime tree coal, or any other that doth not spring or break in the fire, but remains whole, cool it in the sand, and cut in it a Channel, and at the further end of the Chanel, make a little hole, into which put the mingled Tin-stone above, upon the broad place of the Channels, and lay upon the same Coals, other Coals, just as broad as the first, for which you must also have a hole below and above, that the Bellows may blow between, and lute the Coals on both sides, that they may remain to∣gether; and when 'tis thus prepared, lay it together with a cool temperate fire, so that the Tin-stone may come above and in the little hole (in which the Tin is to flow) lay glowing coals upon it, and blow it with the Bellows, so that the blowing may just move upon the coals in which the Tin-stone is, so the Tin will flow out of it with a fresh flame, then lift the Coals out of it, and let it cool, and weigh how much Tin the two Centners of the prepared Tin-stone hath given, then you may make

account how many Centners of the common Zwitter yields a Centner of Tin, this I judge the surest proof.

[Section. 3] Then one may weigh off the prepared Tin-stone, and with the fluss (made of Salt-peter and Argol mingled, and put into a Crucible and covered with Salt) boyl it in a little Oven (like to the Copper Oars) with the Bel∣lows to give the Proof a strong and suddain heat: for the Tin will burn easily in a strong fire, and so you will find how much Tin the Tin-stone doth contain.

[Section. 4] But the Tin-Melters have a singular proof upon the bucking, and wash'd unburnt Tin-stone, namely, to cause a shovel to be very glowing hot upon which they put the Tin-stone that remains upon it, and springeth not off, and doth colour it self, this they account a good Tin-stone, but if there be much false Oar among it, they may see it, and I judge it more needful to prove the Tin this way, because you may know whether it be good or bad, and vvhat may be made out of it, but for those who have not long conversed with it, or well understand it, 'tis better to use the first proof.

CHAP. XIII. How to try Tin-stone in the little Ovens.

WHEN the Tin-stone is cleansed and burnt, then weigh an half, or vvhole pound or two of it: and set it through the little Ovens (as before is taught of the Copper and Lead Proof) and melt it with the Bellows, without any other Addition, whereby you may fully see how much Tin-stone it yields: but observe, if you will set the Tin-stone in the little Oven, or will melt it, 'tis to be put in

wet, and no small or smooth Coals used to it, for the Tin cannot suffer the heat, like Copper and other Me∣tals.

CHAP. XIV. Of beating and preparing the Zwitter.

BECAUSE in preparing the Zwitter, [Section. 1] commonly so much Tin-stone cannot be made and washed from it, as in the little proof, which I do impute to the useful and long observed beating, be∣cause the Pestels fall not (as I have men∣tioned above in the Lead-work) I judge the other beat∣ing (though not tryed and prepared upon the Zwitter∣work) not to be unserviceable for the dressing it; but by it more Tin-stone is obtained, and it stands with Rea∣son, because thereby the Lead-oar may be profitable to the Zwitter or Tin-oar which I leave to every ones con∣sideration and pleasure.

There comes often many profitable works to light by [Section. 2] trying, which otherwise would have been lost; as lately the Melting the old Tin-slacks which have lain long useless; also upon a new Method, that you need not melt them as before, through the Zwitter Oven, but over a common Melt Oven, which is used to raw Works, and may always add fresh, making it not only much but also good Tin.

But because commonly the Melters make not out of [Section. 3] one Vessel of Tinstone, so much Tin as out of the other▪ that is not as I judge in burning and preparing; but the fault is in their way of Melting, else it were not possible to melt such Tin out of the slacks, as now is proposed.

I must further instruct the Reader, That I am of this mind in preparing and melting the Tin-stone, because 'tis [Section. 4] sure, That out of the common Zwitter so much Tin cannot be made in the great proof, with the usual beating and melting, as is to be found in the little proof, because in beating and melting, there may be loss, (as above is mentioned) therefore it follows, That to this preparing and melting some better ways may be invented, in my Judgment sutable to this way.

[Section. 5] For the Tin in melting cannot suffer so much, and is more volatile in the fire than Lead, and good clean Tin-stone goes off as well in beating, burning and washing as the Lead oar: and I judge it more profitable and fit to be tryed, that the Tin-stone be left in grains, and then well burned, but not made half so clean, as to the now usual melting; and when it is melted over the light dust with strong blowing (after the Goslarish Method) under which the Tin may hide it self, and remain sure, for the slacks and great heat: and I doubt not but by this way, out of 60 Zwitters may be made more Tin than in the com∣mon way of melting, considering the light Contents of the Goslarish Lead oars (are as is above written) which doth not separate in the water nor are made clean: but of the Lead which is in it, (as it is said) one Cent∣ner commonly contains but five pound of Lead, by rea∣son of the light Content, and the many flints vvith the Oar, vvhich vvill not let it vvaste avvay, and in no other Melting can Lead be melted out of it, as by the admirable vvay of Melting in this place is discovered; vvhereby I judge this trying vvould not be fruitless, if it vvere truly tryed, yet I leave it to every ones considera∣tion. But if the Goslarish Method should not be used to this, then I knovv that through their Melt-ovens it can no vvays be done▪

CHAP. XV. An Instruction for Tin-stone Work.

THERE are many sorts of Tin-stone [Section. 1] Working: some being rich and some poor; in the Stone, and in the washing there is much hurt by the great waters which the Tin-workers use, by which so much of the Tin-stone as is flowing and subtil runs avvay, so that for two, three or more Miles the Tin-stone is found under the Water: which in my Judgment may be the more profitable, because a full Mine-Tub of the Wash-work yields commonly one Loth of clean Tin-stone, and may be set over the Seeve-work and washed, so as a Wash-man may do as much in one day, as two Boys can bring.

But such cleansing must be in a Tub of water with a hole in the bottom, that the slicks may fall through upon a plain harth, and yet the Tub be always full of water, and in this the Tin-stone is to be driven over the plain harth made clean and preserv'd.

By this Work, if in one day 400 Mine-Tubs were filled and made clean (to which there needs but four persons) there might in a Weeks time almost half a Centner of Tin-stone be made clean and gathered, and this were to better profit than the other usual way; but I leave it to every one's pleasure.

[ XVII] CHAP. XVI. To prove Tin Additions.

[Section. 1] YOU must take clean Tin, wherein is no Addition, cast it into a round Ball in a frame (made on purpose) cut the Ingot clean off, and take the Tin you would prove against it, and cast also of it a round Ball like the other, and cut the Ingot also clean off, weigh the Balls against one another, as the pure Tin, and if they weigh alike, then they are of one sort of Tin, but if one Ball be heavier than the other, [Section. 2] there is Addition either in the Melting, or put to it afterwards; but the lighter the Tin is, it is the better: but to know justly the Addition, you must have a par∣ticular weight made on purpose▪ and when the Addi∣tion is found, then such proof must be weighed against the clean wrought Tin, and the Tin Vessels made for the Tin, upon divers Mine-works, will have a difference on the weight (as is mentioned of the Coppers) and the Proofs will not agree.

CHAP. XVII. How to prove Antimony.

ANTIMONY is a fine heavy Oar bright like Lead, yet spizy, and in Germany and Bohemia it is found in great quantity, yet some better than other: and now, because it is used in some matters, I will shew the best way how to prove it: viz.

Beat two or three pounds of the Oar small, put it in a pot vvith a hole at bottom, cover it, and set it on ano∣ther pot, Lute the joynings, and set them between Tile-stones [ XIX] in the fire, that the lovver part may be cool, and that the fire may not touch it, let the upper part stand in a glowing heat, so the Oar will flow easily, and also the Antimony from it through the hole, then cool it, and take out the Antimony, so you will see how much Antimony those pounds of Oar will produce, and accor∣dingly you may order your self.

CHAP. XVIII. Of Quick-silver.

QUICKSILVER is a fine red and brown Oar, like Gold Oar, partly deft and partly insperged in the Mine. To prove this Oar it cannot be done in an ordinary fire (as the other Oars are, nor melted out of it) but as a spirit must be driven off in a strong distillation, for its Metal is in the fire volatile like a spirit.

CHAP. XIX. How to prove Quick-silver-Oar for Quick-silver.

FOR the accomplishing whereof, the best way is to take half a pound of it, or somewhat less, beat it as small as half a Nut, and put it into a Retort or other well luted Instrument, and drive the spi∣rit into another Instrument laid before it

in water or other moistness, thus the vapours or spirit will presently resolve it self in the coldness or wetness in∣to Quick silver: But if one hath no Retorts, he may use a well luted glass Bottle, and set upon the Bottle a Helmet (which hangs over) in which water is to be put, and the joynings every where well luted, that no spirit may go out, then let the Retorts on the Bottle in a little Oven, and make first a gentle fire with wood, then stron∣ger, thus the Quick silver will drive it self from the Oar in the coldness or wetness, for the Quick silver loves cold∣ness and moistness, and avoideth the heat as its Enemy: Now when you have found Quick silver in the proof, weigh it, and then you may see how much the Oar was which was set in, whereby your reckoning may be made accordingly.

But concerning melting of Quick silver in the great Work, do thus, beat the Oar small as a little nut, put it into Juggs (made on purpose) in each about four pound: then prepare a flat harth of moistned Coal-A∣shes, on which set round Tests, three square fingers deep after one another, and turn upon it the Jugs fill'd with Oar, stop it well with the moistned dust, about the Tests and Jugs: then make a wood fire upon it, and the Quick silver will avoid the heat, and seek the cold which it finds in the Test below.

This Labour in the great Work is to be seen in Ger∣many, and in many places upon the Mine-works.

CHAP. XX. [ XXI] Of Iron and Steel-stone, how to know and prove them.

IRON-STONE is brown, and its co∣lour is so that commonly it looks like roasted Iron; but the best and rich∣est Iron-stone its colour is blewish, like to a dug Iron, and some of these Iron-stones are Magnetish, and draw the Iron apparently, which proceeds from their hidden heat, as shall hereafter be discoursed of.

CHAP. XXI. How to prove whether the Iron-stone be rich in Iron.

[Section. 1] SO this by the Loadstone; therefore if you will try the Iron-stone, roast it (though some take it unroasted) grind it small, and take a good Loadstone, turn or draw it about with it, and the good will hang all on the Magnet, stroak it off with an Hare's foot, and lift the Iron-stone up again with the Magnet as much as it can bear, and if at last any re∣mains that will not be drawn up, that stone is drossy and not good: Thus you may see whether a Mine hath Iron, or whether the Iron-stone in it be rich or poor in Iron, for the Magnet (as is said) lifteth up no other Metal but Iron and Steel.

The Steel-stone and Iron-stone are alike, though not in colour, some look like yellow sparr, this the Magnet will [Section. 2] not lift up raw: nor some Iron stone at all; but if you roast the Steel stone, it colours it self, and is like the colour of the rich Iron stone, and then the Magnet will lift it very easily, and sooner than the Ironstone: and then the Iron may be made (with a long and strong heat, and with hard Coals in a Secret glow) without dammage to good Steel, and the common Steel by Smith-working will turn into Iron again.

[Section. 3] When such proof is found by the Magnet that the Ironstone is good and rich, then the Hammer-smiths (with their Additions) use further to prove and try it, in the great fire.

[Section. 4] The Iron stone being of an hot Nature, will not flow or melt with a small fire, as Gold and Silver will, but it must be a great and strong fire, and when 'tis forced to flow out of the Iron-Ovens, many Instruments may be cast, and its hot Sulphur will flow from it: also upon melting of it, somwhat of its substance will come out, and though it be refreshed in the fire with fresh Ironstone, yet so much of its substance will go from it as it hath lost in the first melting. But when the Iron stone is to be mel∣ted in the high Ovens, or in the running work (with a true Addition as every Ironstone requires) then let it force it self, yet the twice melted Iron is best for use, and most deft for to work.

Thus much of the Ironstone, how to prove what it yields in the little work: But how the Iron may be boyled into Crocum Martis, as also to get Vitriol out of the roasted Iron (of which the Philosophers write much) and how the Iron is to be wrought after several Manners and Methods, and hardned: But all this be∣longs not to proving of Metals, and so it falls not un∣der

my Instructions, but the Reader is left to find out other wayes.

CHAP. XXII. Of Magnets.

LOADSTONES or Magnets being mentioned in BOOK II. CAP. II. and in this IV. BOOK, I will discourse some∣thing of its Nature and wonderful Pro∣perties, because there is none amongst all Jewels which doth so naturally shew its Virtues as this Jewel or Magnet, and therefore I will let the Reader understand what Serapion an old Philo∣sopher writes of it in his Book De Simplicibus & Mi∣neralibus, where he sayeth thus, Take the Magnet, lay it in an earthen Vessel, and add much of Calx viva, lute the Vessel well about with Plaster, and make a great fire un∣der it, and let it stand in the heat till the fire goes through the earthen Vessel that it may well glow; then set the earth∣en Vessel with the matter to burn in a Potter's Oven, till the overluting be consumed on the Test, then take the Loadstone out of the Vessel, and mingle it again with Calx viva three or four times, and let it burn as before, and when 'tis taken out of the Oven the fourth time, then hold the Magnet in such a place that neither the Wind, Water nor Dew may come to it, nor any other Moistness, till it be cool, then beat it small and add yellow Sul∣phur, in like weight; Thus the Magnet is prepared, and if one do drop Water only upon it, a great fire will spring out of the Magnet, which would burn all that it toucheth.

This was Serapion's Opinion, against which I have nothing to say, whence the Magnet doth so vehement∣ly love the Iron, and the Iron the Magnet, as though they were both of one Nature, and created one for the other; the Magnet being very desirous of Iron, and draws it to it self with its whole Power, and the Iron presently shews it self by springing to it, and so remains hanging on it.

The Magnet is also called the Sail-stone, for the Sail∣ors look upon it as their Chief Instructor in their way upon the Water, far and near; namely, after they have touch'd the little tonge or Needle in the Compass with the Loadstone.

Also the Magnet is used to the Compass Needle, in the Mine-work, and to direct their Glass and Audits; and also in the famous and worthy Art of Separation: and also with common Miners, the Sun-Compass is very useful; so for Brevity sake, I will conclude this Fourth Book: and desire the Reader, for this time, to be con∣tented with the Instructions I have here given.

The END of the Fourth BOOK.

Notes

• The Purpose of this Book.
• Lead known from other Metals.
• Bright Oar.
• White lead Oar.
• Red Lead Oar.
• Yellow lead Oar.
• Flinty Lead Oar.
• Ʋnsepara∣ble lead Oar.
• The mix∣tures for it.
• How to dis∣pose it into Crucibles and Ovens.
• Iron is to be added to the melting of lead.
• rindx
• A goodway of beating Oar.
• A hurtful Beating.
• Difference in Beating.
• In the little Oven
• In Crucibles
• Ʋnroasted.
• Rocky lead Oar.
• The Sul∣pher Slaks▪ devour the Lead.
• Goslarish Lead Oar.
• ☞
• Two melt Ovens upon one water.
• Smelt Ovens.
• Two Crvci∣bles for the Lead.
• The Closing the work in the Ovens.
• Of kindling the Fire.
• ☞
• Opening the Oven.
• Of the Cakes or Sows of Lead.
• ☜
• Galmay, or Lapis Cala∣minaris.
• The Goslar Mine 700 years conti∣nuance.
• The proper∣ty of the Molls.
• Two sorts of spelter Mel∣ting.
• The Differ∣ence of the Content.
• To melt on the wind.
• To melt in the Oven.
• Zevar Co∣lour.
• Tin-stone or Zwitter.
• The way of Proving it.
• In the Coals.
• With the Fluss.
• Vpon a sud∣den Heat.
• ☜
• To melt old gathered Slacks.
• The loss in Burning it.
• The way of burning it.
• Goslarish Melting.
• Seeve-Work.
• The light Tin the best.
• Quicksilver Oar▪
• ☞
• Jugs.
• Try'd by the Load∣stone.
• ☜
• By the Steel∣stone.
• ☞
• To melt Iron. stone.
• ☜
• Mark Schiden.