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.

MA M MA

MAN, See Vir.

MARCASITE, T. Marcasit, L. Pyrites, and we Marcasite, Erckern saith, It is rich in Gold, Dr. Sal∣mon,

calls it Bismuth, but I find it to be no where else, and makes it to be one of the Recrements of Silver; he agrees with other Lapidists, that there is both a Goldish and a Silverish Marcasite, the one yielding Silver the other Gold, however, they are excellent Fire-stones which we find in our Mines in England, but not so good for Fire-locks, as those which are brought from Germany, &c. And our Marcasites do neither afford Gold nor Silver worth the charge. Diascorides saith, That Brass may be made with composition of this stone, but that will not quit cost, because the Marcasite is not so soft as Calaminaris, but it may be tryed whither by mixing it with Calaminaris it will not give a nobler Tinge to Brass, and be∣cause it is not generally comprehended in Metals, but of an Epicene or doubtful Gender, I shall refer it to Stones.

MARBLE, T. Marmel steine. L. Marmor, and A. Mar∣ble, which is but a little Variation from the general Name of Marmor, in Greek Marmoras, and we have several sorts of them, which consist of various colours and uses, and of these we have in Devenshire, and other Counties in England, good white and black, brown, blewish, green, serpentine, yellow and grey, faintly intermixt, and though, ours consists of various co∣lours and degrees of hardness, yet they are short of those which are brought us from beyond Sea, or at least we think so; and as for the Porphory or red Marble, we have none of it that ever I saw: And the Alabaster which is a kind of soft white Mar∣ble, we have but little good of it, but of the Lapis Lidius or Touchstone, which indeed is a kind of black Marble, by which (being polish'd) Goldsmiths try their Gold without Touch-nee∣dles) and of these we have plenty, especially in Darby shire. (See Touchstone.) but the Occasion of Erckerns mentioning Marble, is because the stone is the hardest of any common stone, and so used by Painters to grind their Colours on, and for re∣ducing Metals into Dust, by Metallists. See Lime, Morter and Stone.

MARK, T. Merch, L. Marca, signifying eight oun∣ces;

the Word in English is applyed eight several wayes: See Dictionarys.

MARK CUTTING, that is, cutting of pieces of Me∣tal which are mark'd out to be divided, so the Art is in divi∣ding of the pieces to be cut, whereby they may bear a just proportion of weight one with another, and this is perform∣ed only with a cold Chizel (Dr. Revell.)

MARLE, T. Marghel, L. Marga. See Earth.

MATRAS, We retain the same Name. See Utensils.

MEASURE, T. Masz, L. Mensura which are conside∣red either of Longitude, Latitude, Altitude or Profundity: and these are sometimes used distinctly, or joyntly, and so re∣duced to Measures of Application, T. Zuphurgung, and to Measures of Capacity, T. Emphaung, the first of the four (called Longitude, L. Longitudo) is termed also in T. Masz, A. Longth, but the Latine hath variety of Words adequat∣ed to the extention of things to be measured, as the Measur∣ing of Lands, Geodesia, &c. 2. Latitude, T. Breit, A. Bredth, broad, and large, L. Largus, and Latitudo: 3. Altitude, L. Altitudo, T. Die hahe. A. Hight. 4. Profundity, T. Lage, L. Log, and Profunditas, A. Depth, deep, and many other names, according to the proportion of natural or artificial Contentures, as Cyathus and Coclearium, &c. about which Di∣ctionaries may be consulted, for I speak only of such as are mentioned by Erckern for metallick uses, of which some are uncertain measures, (viz. a Fingers length and bredth, an hands thickness, and breath, a span, a mans foot, a cubit, &c. and some certain, viz. a yard, an ell, a fathom, &c. and of the men∣surae Capacitatis, some are also uncertain, as Crueibles, Tests, Cruises, Jugs, Pots, &c. and some certain, as Pints, Quarts, Galons, &c. of which in order; And first of the Finger, T. also Finger, L. Digitus, which signifies the length and bredth, but we may read in Georgius Agricola (de mensuris & ponderi∣bus, and other Books) that they consist of several Proporti∣ons; and in Gallen (de usu partium) of several uses: and of

this word Digitus, Holiock makes no less than 24 Observati∣ons: but that which concerns this Subject, I have in part collect∣ed from Cor. Agrippa, that the Thumb, or first finger (Teut. Daum, L. Pollex) was dedicated to Venus and the Moon; and in Metallicks, lucky to Silver and Copper; the fourth Finger to Mars, and lucky to Iron and Copper, red (and yellow, artificial, that is Brass:) the third called digitus infamis (I know not on what grounds) to Saturn and Jupiter: and lucky to Lead, Tin, Silver and Gold: The second finger to the Sun and Sa∣turn, lucky only to Gold: the first or little Finger to Mer∣cury, and lucky to Quick silver, Tin and Silver; and these Notions are the chief Foundations of the Art of Chyromancy or Palmistry, so that by the Fingers and lines in the hands, the temper of men might be the better known for Metallick and Chimical Purposes (but the Poet who ever he was that made this Verse)

Miles, mercator, stultus, bene nuptus, amator;

applicable to the 5 fingers, had I conceive another prospect, to shew that their Fate was at their Fingers ends, and by the Influences of the stars did direct them to their most genuine Imployments, whereby the Chiromancer might know to what one was by Nature adapted; and accordingly, by that Artist, was directed to apply himself: but to pass these Curiosi∣ties, it is writ by several Authors, that the length and bredth of the fingers, and so of the hand, gave the first Rules to the smaller Measures, the next is the Span, T. Span. L. Spithama, which consists of three parts, viz. the Thumbs, (having three joynts) made one; the space between the Thumb and finger, making the other, and one of the fingers (having also three Joynts) making the third, so in all seven; and though these seven do differ in proportion (the spaces and joynts being un∣equal) yet from the top of the Thumb to the top of either finger fully extended, was the span, consisting of seven propor∣tions: and 'tis observable, That David calls mans Life a span,

which afterwards he explains, by saying the Years of Man are seventy, that is, seven decimals, or seven times ten, which is seven spans, so as the short span is from the Thumb to the end of the fourth or little finger, but if he had a long Life or Span viz. from the Thumb's end to the end of the middle Finger, it occasioned but pain in the extending it (from police the Thumb to stultitia the Fools Finger) which is the Vanity he speaks of, and as the spaces differ in proportion, so doth our se∣veral Ages.

The next is a Foot, T. Fusz, L. Pes, and though this natural Foot is an uncertain Measure, yet it retains its name, by a certain new Measure, called a Foot-Rule; and as to the first, I may say, that that Foot hath some Anology with David's Span; for by the Span the length of our Race is adjusted, and by the Foot that Race is to be run.

My next consideration is of a Cubit, which is accounted from the Elbow to the end of the middle Finger. T. Cubit. L. Cubitus, and the same word Cubitus also signifies a Couch or Bed, telling us, That before our Race is run, we grow weary, lay down on our Cubit (or Couch) to ease our Limbs, where we lean on our brachial Cubit or Elbow, and commit our Heads to be supported by our Span, or handle of our Cubit, and then we consider of our abillity or disabillity, in getting to the End of our measure of application, and the Divine Prize of our Race proposed to us.

Next for the mensura capacitatis, it consisted only of the con∣traction of the palm of the Hand, which was originally thought sufficient to hold so much as might quench the Thirst of Na∣ture.

But when by excess we forsook the proportion of our first Constitutions, Frames and Pugils, some having Fingers, Hands and Spans, more than treble to the common length, and also their Feet a Cubit long (as Pliny tells us) and of the Sciopides (which Munster speaks of) that one Foot sheltred their whole Body against the Sun, whereby in process of time, almost all

Men and Women became disproportionate to that perfect proportion (which I have mentioned in my Volatiles on Adam, from Paulus Lovatius) it was time to make some cer∣tain Measure both of Application and Capacity, least the large gripple Hand, should take away all from the lesser, and justify it from its large Dimensions, and therefore much to the Honour of the Botanists and Galenists; the Standard of mea∣sures was made from the Barley-Corn, which is so Noble a Plant, that it is observed (whether it grows upon a fertile or steril Soyl, yet) it continues one constant proportion of Measure (though it may differ in weight) and of these, three in length or six in breadth do make an Inch, whic hthe T. calls ein dannim breit, or the bredth of the Thumb, but in Latine the word is Ʋncia, which they apply both to an Inch of Application and to the Ounce of Ponderosity, still making the Grains of Barly or Wheat their Judges, both in measure and weights: now this Ʋucia or Inch of Application (as Arrius Montanus saith) consists of the breadth of six Barly Corns, thereby making bredth to have a Priority to length) but the later Writers, more properly make three Barly Corns in length, to be the length of an Inch, and twelve Inches of a Foot, and for Measure of Pon∣derosity, those who are for the Troy Weight, make twenty four full Grains of Wheat, and twenty penny Weights to be an Ounce, and twelve Ounces a Pound, which complyes with the measure of Aplication (or 12 Inches to the Foot) and this weight is used for Gold and Silver, &c. but others who are for Aver-de-poise weight allow 20 grains of Wheat to make a scruple, three scruples a dram, and 16 drams to an ounce, and 16 ounces to a pound: and these of Ponderosi∣ties do also comply with the measure of Capacity; for I com∣pute that a Pound of Troy, viz. 5760 grains of Wheat will fill a certain Vessel which the Latines call Hemina, and the English (and in most Europian Languages a Pint (or Pinte) two of which makes a Quart, and four a Pottle, and eight a Gal∣lon, so as the Pound of ponderosity and the Pint of Capacity

are both equal, and this agrees also with the Measure of Appli∣cation, for a foot square (on a cubical account, makes 144 In∣ches, so that for every one of the 144 Inches, 40 grains of Barley being allowed (as the just proportions of Capacity) it amounts also to 5760.

Now as (I have shewn) that the Latines do apply the same word Ʋncia, both to an Inch of Measure, and to an Ounce of Weight (and, it may be, for the Reason which I have given) so they apply the word Ʋlna to a Yard, Ell and Fathom in Mea∣sures (and so by Dictionaries jumbled together) whereby the genuine proportions of those Measures are confounded; where∣as a Yard, in T. Girte, and L. Verda, is applicable to any Rod or Stick, that is not appropriated to any certain rule of Di∣mension; but as Ʋlna or Yard is fixt to a certainty, it signifies the length of 3 Feet, or 36 Inches; and an Ell, T. Ellen, and A. Ell, from Elbow (or Ell-bone, because from that bone to the top of the middle Finger, is accounted a Cubit or a Foot and half) so 2 of those Cubits makes a Yard, and 3 Foot and 9 Inches makes our Ell, and a Fathom, which is a Measure used about sinking our Mines (called also Ʋlna) is two Yards: I might mention many more Measures of Application, used both above and under Ground, for the guiding and working of Mines, as also of other Measures of Capacity, as Furnaces, Ovens, Pots, Pans, &c. used for Metals: but I must not run too far upon this copious Subject; yet because the Ells length, and other Measures (which I have named) are often mentioned by Erckern, and knowing that one Ell English is two German Ells, and the like of many other Measures; I intend this at first, only as a Caution to Assayers, &c. in making Furnaces or Instruments, according to the German or English proportions; which must be left to their Ingenuity to judge, what lengths or bredths are best suiting to their Operations.

MEDALLS. T. Schraw grochen, L. Sigillum fusile, that is, a piece of cast Gold or Silver, wherein some observable thing is represented, and is given by Princes, as Memori∣als

of Virtue, or notable Accidents, and are accounted rather gratifying Presents than currant Coyns, and the word signifies also Counters, or something imprest on them, worthy of our account.

MELTER. T. Schmeltzer. L. Fusor, and by our English, Mine-Workers, (as at Consumlock and Tallibant, &c. in Wales) where they still retain the words Smelter and Smelting, which was brought into us 1. Q. Eliz. by one Hosetter a German; but in fining the Metals (after they are smelted) for distinction, the work is called melting and remelting, or fining and refining, See Alchimist, Metalls, Utensils.

MENSTRUUM, which we Translate Flowers, and de∣fine them to be Purgatio frigidi & indigesti humoris quem natu∣ra quasi noxium ejicit; now the word Menstruum as it re∣lates to the Female Sex, (of which you may read in Pliny, l. 7. c. 15. is pernitious: but our Menstruum relates only to Metalls (which are all seven of the Neuter Gender) and the menstrual parts of them, do afford many great vertues and ex∣cellent medicines, and is the most sublime part of the Scoria's of metalls, and therefore also called Flowers, from its nature of flowing and shewing it self on the top or corners of the Vessells, where it usually resides.

MERCURY. See Metalls, Mineralls and Quicksilver.

METALS, T. Metal and Ertz and the Metal-Work∣er Berck-hawer and Berck-werk from Berg, mons: (wherein they are generally found) and Werk, Opus: and the Latin Metallum and Metallarius, A. Miner; the kinds of Me∣tals are accounted seven viz. Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron, Lead, Tin and Quicksilver, which I treat of in their Al∣phabetical Discourses: But as a Deputy Governour for the Mines Royal in England and Wales, I must aquaint you,

That, 1. as for Gold, (we have it not in Sands as in Africa or America) or so intermixt with other Minerals, that it will requite the charge of Separation, and yet upon information of two Mines (one at Pullox-hill in Bedfordshire, and another in

little Tawnton in Glocestershire) which, as was pretended, con∣tained a great quantity of Gold in the Oar, we granted two di∣stinct Leases; but they proved not at all successful: 'tis true, that among the Tin-Mines in Cornwall, they find little pieces of Gold, and seldom above the worth of 10 s. But this, as they dig for Metal, not in the Metal.

2. As for Silver, we have none, but intermixt with other Me∣tals, especially in Lead; And in the time of the late Wars, Mr. Bushel set up Mills at the Mines in Cardiganshire, and made out of those Lead-Mines 20l. of Silver out of every Tun of Lead: and at Shrewsbury, a Mint by his Majesties Permission was set up, and then coined so much as paid that part of his Army, but it doth not now answer the Expence, or at lest the know∣ledge of it is kept from us: and I am confident we have seve∣ral Lead-Mines in England which would yield in every Tun, from 20 l. to 80 l. of clear Silver, and why this is not put in practise, I shall hereafter disclose.

3. Of Copper we have very good and plentiful; See the word Copper; and why those also are not wrought, I shall say more hereafter.

4. Iron is not in our Patent, only Iron-Wire, for the mak∣ing of which, we have Mills at Tinturn in Monmouthshire; See more in Word Wire.

5. Of Lead We have the Government both in England, Wales and part of Ireland (except the Lead-mines at Dovegang, in Darby-shire, and at Mendyp in Somerset-shire; and also all other Mines that do not hold Gold or Silver, because in those two places, and some others, the Lead is look'd upon to be so poor that no Silver can be extracted from them, or at least, not proportionable to the charge of fining, &c. of which you may see more in my Book called Fodina Regalis.

6. Of Tin, we have also the Power of Inspecting them in all Mines, (except Cornwall, where they are managed by a peculiar Court, called the Stanneries from Stannum, the L. for Tin, of which you my see more fully in Cambdens Britania, p. 185.)

and for other Tin-Mines none do venture on them, because of the great Product of Cornish-Mines.

7. Of Quicksilver we have very little or none in our Mines, so as we are forc'd to have it from beyond Seas, for which rea∣son, whatever others account of this, as the seventh Metal, we cannot, because it is not our Native Metal, and therefore we may rather chuse Antimony, of which we have plenty; or Brass, of which we may make sufficient for our selves and Neigh∣bours.

And there is another Metal which Pliny makes the seventh Metal, by the name of Electrum, containing upon disso∣lution the fourth part of Gold, and a fifth of Silver; but we have none such, yet such a thing is mentioned in Holy Writ: see Fodinae Regales.

And as for Gems, we often find in our English Mines, Sa∣phirs, Amethists, &c. but very imperfect, for want of a strong∣er heat, as in hotter Countries, and about Bristol in the Calla∣mine Hills, there are plenty of such Stones which imitate Dia∣monds, where I had the luck to find one of a good value, which I caused to be cut and set, and yielded a fine splendor.

MINERALLS. T. & A. L. Mineralia; these are Metals of a middle nature, between the 7 Metals and Stones; of which sort, Erckern mentions these; Allum, Antimony or Stibium, Ar∣moniack, Arsnick, Brimstone, Sulphur, Calaminaris, Cinabar, Talk, Vitriol, Nitre, Orpiment, Sandover, &c. which I treat of also distinctly, in their Alphabetical Discourses; but of all these we have so great plenty in England and Wales, that we need not have recourse to Foreign parts for them, only in those Countries where the Metals are not, I do not find any of these, or scarce any other Mineral, for it seems they are of a friendly nature not to part.

Mines, Ertz-Grub, from Ertz-metallum and Grub fodere: (which Word Grub we still retain in England in the same sense) L. minera, which relates to places in the Earth, where Mettals or Minerals are found, and I conceive the word Mine

is no other than a translation of Meus, which the Belgicks write Miine, and the T. Mein, and A. Mine, so as doubtless they have all this sence; that, that Metal or Mineral, which I find in the Earth is Mine (Proprio Jure salvo Rege) and this is still a custom at Mendip, and at the Dovegang before men∣tioned) however altred in other places; but here it only signi∣fies the place or Bed, where the Metal or Mineral is lodged (without relation to the Proprietor) and they who dig for them are called Miners, it may be from Minores, being a People of lesser Quality than those above ground, so that in the Ro∣mans time, they were Slaves, or such as for Offences, were (in∣stead of other Punishments condemned to the Mines (Good∣win's Ant.) See Alchimist.

Whilst I was writing this, a Friend of mine came to me, and seeing me intent about this Book, ask't me why I left some other Subjects about Parliaments, &c. of which I Published but some parts, and others were expected? I told him, that I had not the opportunity of seeing Records, as I formerly had, and so did betake my self to this of Metalls, being far more pleasant, in respect it consisted of greater varieties than any one of the Liberal Sciences or Arts, and withal added, That there is a certain Chain in all our Affairs, by which we are invisibly guided, of which the Story of Joseph (sold for a Slave, yet proved a reliever of those who inslaved him) is significant, and though that Story doth not quadrate in all Mens Actions, to have the like success; yet in this, to me it doth; for even those Notions which I had of this Subject, which began with some dangerous Attempts (as I shall shew) have continued in my mind by accidental Occasions and Imployments, till this very time, that by them I now find my self full of content and hap∣piness, in the Divine and Humane Contemplations of them and their circumstances; and now, Sir, said I, give me leave to be∣gin with the first link of this Influential Chain, which is held at both ends, by the Hand of Divine Providence.

Whilst I was a small Student of Pembrook Hall in Cam∣bridge,

my good Mother (then a Widdow) consulted with Sir Tho. Bendish (a near Neighbour, and related to her) how I might spend the Summer Vacations to Improve my self, and thereby keep me from other inconveniences, which usually attend Youth (being then 17 years of Age, and of that Ʋniversity 3 years) Sir Thomas (who was a Practical Master of most Sci∣ences, and insighted into all, and afterward Embassador to Tur∣ky, whose Transactions there, for 14 or 15 years, deserves a particular History (which in Gratitude I shall endeavor to per∣form) replied, Madam (said he) if you please to intrust your only Son with me, I will my self accompany him for two Months every year, till we have seen the chief Varieties which England affords, that he may be the better accomplish't for Foreign Travels; this favour was kindly accepted, so in three Summers more (before I left the Ʋniversity) he did perform what he promis'd, and the first Summer, our first Gess led us through Darbishire, which affords more pleasing Objects of Art and Nature, than any County of England; but I shall speak only of such things, as relate to the subject of this Book, and of my entrance into the concern of Metals; the Theory of which, with other Rudiments, my Tutor, Mr. Boswel (Brother to the Boswel that was then Resient at the Hague) had imprest in my thoughts: but as to the inducing Practicks, we spy'd seve∣ral Wells near the Roads over the Dovegang (which abound with the poorer sort of Lead Mines) so we rode up to know the uses of them, and we were answered, That they were not called Wells but Shafts like Wells, only Shafts were square, and common Wells round, one made of Wood and Timber, the other usually of Stone or Brick, and whilst we were speaking, a Basket of Lead-Oar was drawn up (as our Buckets are to our Wells) I ask't, whether I might be safely let down in the Basket to see their Works? they assured me I might, and so with Sir Thomas's consent (who in respect of his Corpulency thought not fit to lead the way) I was let down (not in the Basket) but by a strong stick, laid cross the Hook of the Rope,

I sate on it between my Legs, one hand holding the Rope, the other guiding me from grating on the sides; so soon as I was down (being about 24 Fathom, or 48 Yards) the Labourer that waited for the Basket, was quickly informed of my in∣tents, who presently, at my request (promising Reward) fetch't two Candles lighted, by which I saw, that there was no other passage than what I came down in, and by what I was to go into the Mine, but by that time we had gone half way, I told my Conductor, that I could not keep my Candle light, and at the same instant both Candles went out; Sir said he, I pray stay here, and I will go fetch more Candles, for it is nothing but a damp; at which words, my Spirits were much discomposed, yet I had so much left as to crawl back to the Shaft, and suck't in as much Air as relieved me; my Conductor soon returned with more attendents to light me, but I was very unwilling to return again, but gave them liberally something to drink, which the more obliged them to perswade me to see their Works, as∣suring me, That those Damps were not killing, but they had taken care (by keeping open the passage of their Waters) that no such Accidents should happen while I was there, and that they had good Aqua Vitae, Rosa Solis, and good Ale to cheer me; with that, I went to the Mine, where their constant Lamps and Candles, which they lighted for my sake, did make the glitterings of the Oar very pleasant to me, by which I also savv their method of Digging, and vvas vvell treated vvith their pro∣mised Drinks, besides good Beef and Bread, so as their liberal∣lity encreased mine, and then I vvas attended to the Shaft, and so dravvn up as I vvent dovvn, and in my gentle passage, I thought of Virgil's Distick,

Dic quibus in Terris, & eris mihi magnus Apollo, Tres Patiat Caeli spatium non amplius ulnas.

But I vvas not Edified by it, and so I came safe up, and gave a pleasing account to Sir T. Bendish.

From thence vve vvent to Eldon Hole, (being on the

top of the highest Hill, in the Peak-Forest, which we com∣puted to be above an 150 yards long, and more than an 100 broad, the bottom (as 'twas told us) not to be fathomed; and by prying, I had certainly fallen into it (for the ground is slippe∣ry) if I had not been caught hold of.

But Sir Thomas espying some work men making of Walls, (for there and in other stony Countreys, they make their In∣closures of loose stones (or slates) in stead of which in Suffolk, Norfolk, &c. they make Ditches, and plant them with Quick∣sets, on the sides of the banks, but in Devonshire, &c. they use high Mounds of Earth and flag, and plant them on the ve∣ry top of the Mounds, and both are beneficial Fences by their Products, (whereas those walls affords none) but he resolving to try some experiment did ride to them, and by our generous Promises, perswaded three of them, with their Pick-axes and Tools, to mount behind us, to the Hole; where first, they dig'd a pretty large stone, which we tumbled in, and the noise of its motion pleased us: then they dig'd a second stone, as much as six of us could well roul in (for the mouth of the hole was declining) and presently laid our ears to the ground, and we could tell eight score distinctly, before the noise of its moti∣on ceased, and then to our apprehensions, it seemed to plunge it self into water; and so we tryed a third stone, of more than the former Magnitude, with the like Observations, which plea∣sed the Labourers (with the Addition of our Gratuity.)

From thence we went to Buxton's Wells, bath'd our selves that night, and the next morning (of which I shall speak more in the word Waters.) we went to the Devils Arse of Peak, (saving your Reverence, as the learned Mr. Cambden expresseth his Civilities) where we saw a large hole, in the bot∣tom of a steep hill, on the top of which stood an antient de∣cay'd Castle (of which you may read more in his Britania) We had Candles, and saw as much as we could, till we were hindered by running Streams. Now of these two Holes, there are many fabulous stories; but some years after, upon viewing

other Mines, and their Shafts and Audits to them, I apprehend∣ed that this Eldon-hole vvas an antient Shaft (made in the Ro∣man's time) to a Mine, and that the Devils arse was the Mouth of an Audit to that Mine, and I am the rather of that Opinion, because I conceive, That the Level of the Water (vvhich stopt our further passage into that Audit, Arse or Fundament of the Mine) is level with the Water at the bottom of Eldon-Hole, and the word Arse may be applyed upon two accounts, first that upon a Mistake of the word Arse, for the Latine word Ars or Art, where the Romans, when they brought out their Oars of Lead, and probably made Silver of it, and did there∣by shew their Ars Metallica, which the British not being latiniz'd cal'd Ars, and as an Art which they did not under∣stand, they (as the Vulgar do yet) attribute it to the Devil, and so call'd the Devils Arse or Ars diabolica; (as we see in the Weapon Salve or Sympathy Pouder, the knowledg of which two great Secrets were attributed to the Devil, as we may see by Godelmanus, and other Books, till they were convinc'd of their Error: or it might come from Arce the Ablative of Arx, Latine for a Castle, and probably this Castle was originally built to protect the Treasure which came out of the Hole under it, or to keep the Miners in aw (there being the like Castle at the Roman Mines on the Darren Hills in Wales) and possibly the Governour of it being severe in his Duty, the Vulgar (as they are apt to do in any regular Government) might call him, and it, Diaboli Arx, and since opprobriously the Devils Arse, but I have said enough as an Apology for the Word, and for my Opinions therein.

I conceive they are not so fabulous as those which are told in the Country about these two Holes.

Here my Friend interrupted me, and ask'd how Eldon Hole, (from the usual proportion of a Shaft) came to be so large as I described it; I answered, That Gutta cavat lapidem; and if one drop by often cadency will make a hole in a stone, it is easy to be credited, That the fall of Clouds of Waters, (from the

time that this was a Shaft, being about 2000 years) might well widen it, from Virgil's dimension of 3 ulna's, yards or ells square, (for I conceive he meant the Shaft of a Mine) to this great Dimention, at which he smiled: and so I went on; Sir, said I, the next two Summers, we made a further Insight to several mines & Caves with no little danger (which I refer to other Discourses) and also their several wayes in their operations at those Mines.

Some few years after, the Wars came on, where my Spe∣culations were improv'd by the information I had at Oxford, that the Royal Mines in Wales were very helpful to his late Majesty during those Civil Wars (as I have shewn.) And, af∣ter the Wars viz. 1650. telling these Stories to Mr. W. B. he told me, He had a share in the Society for the Mines Royal, and desired to transferre it to me, in trust, which I accepted, and did execute it, for near 10 years after; and then resign'd it, but the Societys finding my Diligence, and Insight into that Affair, were pleased to bestow two quarter parts on me to continue me, and as a Testimony of my Gratitude, in Anno 1670, I writ a Book of their Priviledges and Rules, which I called Fodinae Regales, and dedicated it to them, with a promise to proceed in the publishing of Erckern, which now I have done, and some other pieces which I hope to do.

And thus, Sir, said I to my Friend, I have given you an Account of several Links of this Chain, which guided me in∣to this Laborinth of Metals: But to get out of it, that which I aim at, is to write a little more of their Products, and to offer some Expedient how the Mines may be made more profitable to his Majesty, and to other Proprietors, with some Advantages to the Societies, which, God willing, I shall per∣form in due time, and then we parted, he wishing me good Success to my Endeavours.

And so I went on, where I left, namely to Acquaint the Reader, that Erckern doth tell us of several Mines in Germa∣ny, p. 28. especially in Austria, p. 285. Bohemia, Belgia, Flanders, p. 170. Hungary, p. 103. and Saxony, p. 77. he al∣so

mentions the particular Cities and Villages to which they belong, and where they are refined viz. at Brussells, p. 170. Cracow, p. 208. Cuttenburgh, p. 142. Friburgh, p. 6. Gal∣may, p. 285. Goslar, p. 78. Hessen, p. 285. Holland p. 170. Joakims-Valley, p. 34, Islenburgh, p. 285. Caufingen, p. 285. Knien, p. 100, (where he saith the Mines contain good Duke-Gold) Lick-beter, Manhren, p. 4. Meichsen, p. 4. Mis••ia, p. 6. Norimberg, p. 86. Saxen, p. 4. Schwath Slackenward, p, 83. Shesron, p. 4. Sorath, Suevia, p. 285. and Suabem—Tyrol, p. 285. Villach, and Waldenburg, and many other pla∣ces which he and Geographers do mention (See Heylen) and therefore I think fit also to mention the Counties of England & Wales wherein Royal Mines have been discover'd to us, viz. in Bedforshire, Cheshire, Cornwal, Cumberland, Darbyshire, De∣vonshire, Dorsetshire, Durham, Essex, Glocestershire, Here∣ford-shire, Kent, Lancashire, Monmothshire, Notinghamshire, Northumberland, Rutland-shire, Shropshire, Somersetshire, Staf∣fordshire, Sussex, Warwickshire, Westmorland, Worcestershire, Yorkshire, and in all the twelve Counties of Wales, so as of the 52 Counties there are 38 of them Metallick Counties, but in many of the rest, viz. Barkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cam∣bridgshire, Hampshire, Hartfordshire, Huntingtonshire, Lei∣cestershire, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Northamp∣tonshire, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Surry, Wiltshire there are good Minerals, but in some of them neither Metal, Mine∣ral or good Quarries, and yet they are recompenced some other wayes.

Now, though Germany abounds in Metals and Minerals, yet Erckern acknowledgeth that they have a better sort of Cop∣per and Lead from the Mines in Poland (as it seems p. 268.) and a better sort of Gold from Hungary, p. 108. India and Ae∣thiopia, p. 101. and a better sort of Lapis Calaminaris, (and other good Oars of Metal) from England (which Erckern calls Britain, p. 286, and a better sort of Soap, to contemper Me∣tals, from Venice, than their own, so though we have as good

Mines in England, yet we are forc'd (for want of a con∣stant use of them, and thereby improve our Knowledg) to borrow the Products of their Mines, and indeed our chief Knowledg how to work them (as I find by our Records) and they may well have greater Experience than our selves, because Erckern tells us, That the Mine at Goslar, formerly under the D. of Saxony, but now under the D. of Brunswick, hath been in constant working for above 700 years, to his time: and Heylen tells us, That the D. of Saxony's Mines, (the Territo∣ries not so big as England) yields to him above 130000 l. yearly; now why ours are not made so beneficial to us: I attribute it either to Reasons of State, or want of Knowing the several Arts which belong to the Working of them.

MINT, T. Muntz, vel locum ubi monetam cuditur, L. Monetarium, Officina monetaria, Taberna monetaria, Officina Cusoria, A. it signifies vvith us, (as Cowel renders it) the place vvhere the the King's Coyn is formed, be it Gold or Sil∣ver, which is at this present, and long hath been, in the Tow∣er of London, though it appear by divers Stories, and other Antiquities, that in antient time the Mint vvas at Callis, Ann. 21 R. 2. cap. 6. and An. 9. H. 5. stat. 5. cap. 5. the Officers belonging to the Mint, have not been alvvayes alike: at this present they seem to be these; the Warden, vvho is chief of the rest, and is by his Office to receive the Gold or Silver of the Goldsmiths, and to pay them for it, and over-see all the rest belonging to this Function (his Fee is an hundred pounds per Annum:) the Master-Worker, who receiveth the Gold or Silver from the Warden, causeth it to be melted, and delivers it to the Monyers, and taketh it from them again, when it is made (his Allowance is not any set Fee, but according to the pound weight:) the third is the Controller, who is to see that the Money be made to the just Assize, to over-see the Officers and Control them, if the Mony be not as it ought to be (his Fee is one hundred Marks per Annum:) them the Master of the Assay, who weigheth the Gold or Silver, and

seeth whether it be according to Standard (his Yearly Fee is al∣so one hundred Marks:) then the Auditor to take the Ac∣compts, and make them up (Auditor-like:) next the Surveyor of the melting; who is to see the Gold or Silver cast out, and not to be altred after it is delivered to the Melter, which is af∣ter the Assay-Master hath made trial of it; then the Clerk of the Irons, who seeth that the Irons be clean and fit to work with; next the Graver, who Engraveth the Stamps for the Moneys; then the Smiters of Irons, who (after they be Engra∣ven) smiteth them upon the Money; next the Melters that melt the Bullion (that is, Gold or Silver in the Mass or Billot) before it come to the Assaying or Coyning; then the Blanchers, that do aneal, boyl and cleanse the Money (reducing it to its na∣tural colour, viz. to yellow if Gold, and to white if Silver:) next the Porter that keepeth the Gate of the Mint; then the Pro∣vost of the Mint, who is to provide for all the Monyers, and to over-see them: lastly, the Monyers, who are some to sheer or clip the Money, some to forge it, some to beat it abroad, some to round it, and others to stamp or coyn it (their Wages is not by the Day or Year, but uncertain, according to the weight of the Money Coyned by them:) Other Officers have been in former times, now useless, because Mills are used for that purpose, and the Art of Mintage and Assaying of Metals is much im∣proved, by his Majesties great skill and insight into that Af∣fair. See Coin, &c.

Now it seems by Cowel, That Mints were erected in most parts of England, but he mentions no particulars, except Cum∣berland, Northumberland and London, (see his Title Moniers) yet under the word Mint, he cites the 21. of R. 2. c. 16. and 9. of H. 5. c. 5. in which two Kings Reigns, the Mint was removed to Callis, being then under the English Jurisdiction; and I do not find it, either before or since, removed from the Tower of London, except in the late Usurpation, and then his Majesty caused one to be Erected at Shrewsbury, to Coyn the

Silver which was brought thither from the Mines in Wales (of which I have spoken before.)

MISPICKLE. T. Miszpickle; I know no other word for it, being mentioned as a kind of Oar, distinct from others (l. 1. c. 2. s. 11. and l. 3. c. 1. s. 6.) but it may be derived from the next word Missy. See Oars.

MISSY. T. Missy. A. & L. Misy. which G. Agricola from Pliny, calls Atramentum sutorium, or Shoe-makers Black; but Pliny makes it a kind of Vitriol, and is confessed to be a mi∣neral, and the Oar sparkling like Gold; so as I conceive Mispi∣kle is an Oar of the same nature, only spotted; which the T. calls spickled, A. speckled: so it is a kind of Missy-Oar speckled.

MONEY. T. Muntz. L. Moneta, Pecunia, &c. see Coyn, Metals, Measures and Weights; and this Money is proportioned from 20 Grains of Barly Corns, which make a scruple (accord∣ing to Physicians terms) or a Penny according to metallick terms; and 20 pennyes make an Ounce, and 12 Ounces (either of Gold or Silver) makes a pound (according to the Trojan computation, and thence called Troy Weight:) as for Haver du-poise weight, or Haver weight, it hath 16 Ounces to the Pound, and Metals and Gems are not concerned with it: how∣ever, the Barly-Corn bears the sway in both; so the poor pro∣ducts of the superficies of the Earth, seems to give Laws to all our subterranean Treasures, both before, and when it is made passable, and communicable or currant Money; whereby I con∣jecture, that the word sterling Money, may not improperly be derived from Sterilis, or natural unfructified Ground (which is proper for Barly) whereas fertil, dung'd, or artificial Grounds, makes it more ponderous, and its Grains not of so true a stan∣dard for sterling Money, as those of a more Natural Earth.

Now to all Silver or Gold Money, there is an Allay; that is, a taking away part of the fine Metal, and adding the like part of the baser; that is of Copper, &c. and this is done upon two accounts: first, that the baser Metal may make the finer to be

more apt for Coynage: the other is, that the Soveraign of that Government where it is so allay'd, may by the deduction or allay, be paid the full charge for the Coynage or Minting of it: Now the less allay that is put to the Coyned Gold or Silver, doth ren∣der the Government the more Honourable, and the Soveraignty of a greater Esteem, than in other parts, where they have great∣er allay (Vaughan.)

It is good for a Traveller to be skillful in the different allays, whereby, as a Friend of mine told me, That he carried out an 100 l. with him, and with his art of Exchanges▪ in Countrys where allays differ'd, he bore his Charges of Travel, and brought his stock home again; however, this Mony thus allayed, is called Coyn, when the Soveraign Stamp is upon it (which is a Legal Stamp) and every Soveraignty useth a different Stamp, as here in England, and in the Empire, France, Spain, &c. proper to its Soveraignty; and every piece of money so stampt, hath almost a different allay: yet all Princes do agree in severe, yet just, Pe∣nalties, for Counterfeiting allays or stamps, and make it, as in Eng∣land, High Treason. vid. Coke. 2. In. p. 575.

MONYERS. see Money, lately called Bankers.

MORTAR. T. Gips. L. Gibsum, made of Water, Calx viva, Lime and Sand, and used in all sorts of Structures, to cement Bricks or Stones. See Calx and Sand.

MORTER. T. Morsell, Morsner. L. Mortarium, which Minshaw says, is morte earum rerum quae in illo teruntur, and though we write one with an A. the other with an E. for di∣stinction, yet the Beaters for that, and Pestles for this, makes Minshaws discription serve for both of them. See Sand and Pe∣stle and Sculp. II. and IX.

MOULD. T. Model. L. Modulus. A. Frames, &c. See Utensils.

MULLET, T. Mallen & schleifer, L. Molarius, marmori∣us, a little flat piece of marble stone on vvhich Painters grind their Colours, and Metallists their Metal to dust, from molare to distinguish it from the Mullet fish.

MUNK, T. Munich, which I conceive, comes from the L. Munitus (and not from Monicha) as an Instrument that guards and strengthens the Operation of Metals, by covering it from the Air, and therefore though A. write it munk, it were more proper to be writ munt, as an abreviation of munitus.

Notes

• Eglog. 3.