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.

AL A AL

ALCHIMIE. T. Alkumy, L. Alchimia, but by Plau∣tus is writ Orchimia, which may well have relation to our word Ore or Oar. The Lord Verulam tells us, 'Tis an ART of Distilling or Drawing Quintessences out of Metals by Fire, separating the pure from the impure, setting at liber∣ty such Bodies of Metals as are bound and imprisoned, and bringing to perfection such as are unripe, and this is the chief subject of this Book; now in his Lordships mentioning Fire, in this Definition, it seems only to relate to Culinary Fires: But I apprehend this ART looks higher, even to the use of Celestial Fires; from the Sun and Stars, and their influ∣ential Heats, gain'd by Contractions, Reflections, &c. which are or may be used in this Art, as will be shewn.

ALCHIMIST, T. Alchumist▪ L. Alchimista (from the Greek Alkamos, or Hebrew Alkum) is one that is used or skill'd in the Art of Alchimy or Chimistry, and therefore in

A. he is commonly call'd Alchimist or Chimist, Melter, Pro∣ver, Assayer or Extracter of Quintessences; and such an one was our Author. But before we fix our Title or Epithite to the Master of this Science, it is fit to shew the Progresses of it; at the first step to it, he is called, a Miner, or he that finds out and digs (or causes to be dig'd) the Metallick Oar out of such Mines. The second is the Washer, or he that washeth the Oars from their useless Excrements or adherences. The third is the Stamper, that knows how to beat or stamp them by mills or otherwise in∣to such Particles as that they may be fitted for smelting Ovens (which are the great melting Works, but called Smelting for distinction from the lesser.) The fourth, is the Smelter of the great Quantities in those great Ovens or Furnaces. The Fifth, is the Finer that smelts them over again, and separates the met∣tals in the great Works. The sixth is the Refiner, that melts them again so often as he thinks fit, till he hath brought the separated Metals to their several perfections and intireness. The seventh, is the Prover or Assayer, who by Tests, Crucibles, Weights and other Experiments is able to judge of all Oars, either as they come from their Veins, or made into melted, fi∣ned or refined Metals; and such an Assayer was our Author in all these seven Gradations, and therefore intituled the far renowned Laxarus Erckern, Berkmeister, or Chief Prover, (which we call, Assayer) of the Mines of the Emperor of Germany, and the depending Principalities of that Empire.

In what Emperors time he lived, I cannot learn, but his five Books were printed and published at Antwerp, Anno. 1629. from which many of the yonger Chimists of this Age have derived their skill, by Copies surreptitiously gain'd from my first Translation, about 14 years since, which occasions my printing of it now, being made more perfect.

His Name, Lazarus, is in Imitation of the old Ro∣mans, Germans and Belgicks, who assumed Names suting to their temper, or some observable Actions: the word Lazarus sig∣nifies in Sacred Writ one that was beloved of our Saviour,

also one that was raised from the Earth; and, in the Parable, signifies a good poor man in Abraham's Bosom, and accord∣ingly in the conclusion of his fifth Book, he shews his Zeal for God's Glory, and his true Belief in Jesus Christ, assisting him in his deep Knowledg of Metallick Science, and he might well expect, by his Humility of mind to be lodg'd in Abraham's Bo∣som (who we find was well verst in Metals:) and the Rosy Cru∣cius (of whom Majerus and Spagnetus do give a full account, being a sort of Metaphisical Chimists, who do make it a chief Principle of that Science, to be strict in their Devotion to∣wards God, and just towards men, without which they be∣lieve they cannot attain to any Perfection in this Science: also Paracelsus (that great Chimist) goes so far as to make the two Trees of Life, and of Good and Evil, and the Ʋrim and Thummin, (and many other things written by Moses) to be only mystically related to this Science; but to pass by this.

His other Name is Erckern (Erskerus being but a mistake in the first Translator, for in the Original it is Erckern) now Erk in T. is Oar, and Kern in T. is granum, or grain; so that to kern is to granulate (which is to reduce Metals into certain proporti∣ons of the purest part which they call grains:) also kern signi∣fies to pulverize any thing▪ and so may be applyed to Metals, whereby it may intend also that magisterial pouder of Projecti∣on (of which I shall speak more:) or else it may very well come from the Latin word Cernere, which we English to discern, the Latine often using c for k; and so we do in our Language, so kern or cern, may justly signify to see, know or judg.

Now joyning all together, I may represent him as an hum∣ble minded industrious man, that knows how to judge of all Oars, and how to manage the Products of them, for the Glory of God, and good of mankind.

By which we may see how Goodness and Industry do im∣prove the Fortunes and Esteems of such men, and that the ex∣act Knowledge of this Noble Science, and Art of Proving or Assaying Metals, do raise them to be owned, and dignified,

even by Emperors, Kings, Princes and States; and their very Names renouned to Posterity, as may be seen in Histories.

Now, I have shewn the seven Gradations to a Chimist, so I must tell you that he looks on himself in an higher degree and justly defined, according to the Lord Virulam, for he, not only knows all these seven Gradations, but also knows how to Extract Quintessences or several marvelous Works out of all, and if he would stop there (as Erckern doth) it were well for him, but it seems he cannot be content, unless he attains to the high Elixir or Pouder of Projection or Philosophers-Stone, which is believed by some of them to have a power of Transmuting or turning all other Metals into Gold; but by woful Experience of some mens credulity, instead of turning every thing into Gold, they have turned all their Gold into nothing (Verulam.) But our Author (though it may well be supposed, that he knew much more than he writ) goes no farther in his Books, than what is safe and fit to be known and publish't; i. e. only concerning Fining and Refining of Metals, neither stooping too low to the meaner Gradations, nor ascending too high to the Me∣taphisical Speculations, but leaves those subjects to other Writers.

Now, as for the word Alchimist, it is the same thing with Chimist, but usually taken in an imperfect or ill Sense (like Ben. Johnson's Alchimist) that is, one that can or pretends to coun∣terfeit Metals: so that to sum up the chief Terms; an Assay∣er judgeth of the purity of Metals, and the Chimist im∣proves this purity to Spirits, Quintessences, Virtues, &c. But the Alchimist, Counterfeits and Adulterates them, by making them appear to be pure, which realy are not pure, but mixt with other sophistications, (Verulam.) Of this latter our Author is not Guilty; so as he stands for a renown'd As∣say-Master, a good Chimist, and one that understood, but was not a Sophisticating Alchimist, nor a Lapidarian Philosopher, or Metaphisical Projector. See Assaying.

Alkali or Alcali, reckoned by Doctor Wilkins amongst

Stones, but here and in other parts of the V. Books, call'd Sal Alkali, which is a Salt made of the Herb Kali or Salicornia; vulgarly call'd Glasswort: The herb is hot and dry, and therefore such Salts of that Quality are called alcalous, and this Salt is often used by our Author, as having a nature to dis∣coagulate Metals, by opening their Bodies. (l. 1. c. 32. s. 4.)

ALIMBECK, See Limbeck.

ALLAY, T. Linderen. L. Mitigare. A. to lessen or allay▪ See Money and Coin.

ALLUM, T. Alaum. L. Alumen, from Lumen, in respect of its transparency and nearness to Christal, and is accounted among the brighter stones; of this Mineral there are several sorts from several Mines, and Allum works erected in England, and they are also in many parts of Europe, some more acid and sharp in taste than others, by which their goodness is chiefly distinguished: and this Mineral is of great use to Chi∣mists, Dyers and others Artists. l. 2. c. 4. s. 5.

AMEL, or to Enamel, T. Eyn-brennen, and is call'd the me∣tallick Calx or Lime, compounded of two parts, viz. one of Lead and one of Tin, and being well calcin'd in an Oven of Reverberation makes the Amel, and in the making 'tis so deli∣catly ting'd with variety of colours, (the Art being grown to so much perfection in this age) that all sorts of Features, Images, Landskips, &c. are so lively represented to the eye in a conden∣sed work of the same, that they are as delightful and more du∣rable than those which are done with oyl or gums, l. 2. c. 4. s. 1. see Nealing.

AMONIACK, see Armoniak.

ANTIMONY, T. Speiz and Speiz-glass (which is properly Glass made of Antimony) L. Stibium, and it is also called by some Mineralists Red Lion, Wolf and Proteus (in re∣spect of its various qualities). It is a heavy, bright Oar, like Lead, but more speizy and porous, and less ponderous, and some give it the name of white stone or imperfect Metal (be∣cause they say, it is the beginner or producer of Silver or Lead)

and the extracts made out of it, are of singular Virtues of, which his late Highness Prince Ruperts red drops were chimi∣cally made, and given with good success for most Diseases, l. 4. c. 17.

AQUA FORTIS, (which for brevity is printed Fort.) T. Scheid-wasser, called by Lat. Chimists Aqua separatoria, and is a composition of Nitre and Vitriol, &c. and this liquor is used for dissolving and separating Gold and Silver, and hath many other excellent properties, as may be collected from the 5 Books. l. 2. c. 16. to c. 34.

AQUA regis, is a water made of Aqua fort. and other compositions, and is of a more strong and corrosive nature than aqua fort, and it is observable the aqua fort. is a specifick for silver, and this aqua regis for gold, for it will touch only gold and not silver. l. 2. c. 28.

Aqua argentea, see Quick silver, and metals.

Aqua Vitrioli, see Vitriol, and minerals.

Aqua dulcis, see common water.

Aqua fontis, see Spring water.

ARGOL, T. Weinstein, L. Tartarum, and in English Tartar or the Lees of Wine, which sticks to the sides of wine∣Vessels, hard and dry like a crust, and therefore sometimes cal∣led Argol-stone from its compacted hardness, and this is of great use in metallick Operations, l. 1. c. 10. s. 17. and other pla∣ces. l. 1. See Feces.

ARITHMATICK, T. Rechenkunst, L. Arithmatica, the Art of Numbring, or Reckoning, according to the T. and this Art of all others is the most assisting to the Metallick Science, in judg∣ing of the goodness of Metals, after Fining and Refining them. l. 1. c. 1.

ARMENICK▪ See Armoniack.

ARMONIACK, T. gives it the Latine Name, Bolus Armeni, and we Bole Armoniack, and I find these words of kin, both in their Orthography and Pronuntiation, viz. Amoniack Armenick and Armoniack. The first Pliny tell us,

l. 24. is a Gum which he calls Gumma Amoniaci, of a gluti∣nous nature (like other Gums) and so may be used for Metal∣lick Vessels. The second viz. Armenick; I find the word Sal always joyned with it, and so called Sal Armenicus, and this Salt was antiently accounted a natural Salt, but that being now unknown to us, we use the Armenicus, which is made of the Ʋrine of Elephants or Camels (as 'tis said) boyled to a Lix∣ivium or Salt, and called Sal Armenius or Armeniacus, and this is of great use for purifying and refining of Metals. To the third Armoniacus the word Bole is added, I suppose for distinction sake: Pliny, c. 35. mentions a Stone, which he calls Lapis Armeni, of which he counts several sorts, but the best of those he saith, are of a blew colour, and calls it verd de Azure (being of great price and esteem with Painters, but the common Ar∣moniack he calls Synoper (and we Synople) from a City of that name, where it was plentiful, and 'tis probable this is the same which we call Bole Armoniack, being of a reddish colour, and this is oft used by our Author, and for distinction the word Gum is put to the first, Salt to the other, and Bolus to this: which I write to prevent Errors in Medicines or Metallick Experiments. l. 2. c. 20.

ARSNICK, T. Arsenick, L. Auripigmentum, We, Orpine or Orpiment, and commonly Rats-Bain (being used to kill Rats) of Arsnick there are two sorts, yellow and red, (which some, by mistake, esteem to be red Oker) Pliny, l. 34. saith, it is of the same substance with Sandarack, and inclines to that Colour, the best of which, saith he, resembleth Gold, and therefore I suppose called yellow orpiment.

There is also a white or Christalline Arsnick, which is compounded of Salt and the yellow Orpiment, so becomes transparent like Christal, and from thence is made the white Rats-bane, and it may be observ'd this white, consists of two parts, viz. a crusty or external part, and a Christaline or inter∣nal part, and this makes metal brickle, the other solid, and of

the Regulus of this mineral a good metal may be made, l. 1. c. 14. s. 1. See Sulphur.

ASHES, T. Ashen, L. Ciner, A. Ashes, and these are made so by the power of Fire, from metals, minerals, stones, bones, earth and wood; which puts me in mind of those trees which plentifully grows in England, call'd Ashes, T. Esschen or Asschen-Baum, quod optimos cerneres efficiant (Minslaw) but the L. calls it Fraxinus, and of this Ashen-wood I have seen the great effects of it at Yarmouth and Laistoff in Suffolk, for with this wood and no other they dry their Herrings, (which is a profitable commodity to them) and it seems that the Salt and drying Vapours of that Wood, do cure (for so is their term) their Herrings of all malignities: and doubtless that wood is most proper where it is to be used for dissolving metals, and the ashes of it rather than any other for metallick uses (except Bone-ashes) and especially for Salt-Petre which is the Subject of the 5th Book. l. 2. c. 20. s. 5. See Dust, Bone-Ashes, Pulveration, &c.

ASSAYER, T. Probirer, L. Probator. A. Assayer or Tryer.

To ASSAY, T. Probiren. L. Probare. Which we call also to Assay, Prove or Try Metals, all intending the same thing, though different in Dialect; but there is another Word of the like signification, which is written with an E. as Essayer and to Essay, &c. both are rendred, by Dictionarys to Try, L. Tentare, Probare

Now I think, some have committed an Error herein, and ought to have made a more clear distinction, for I take Assay∣ing to have relation only to things of Weight, as Metals, &c. from the word As or Assis, (which signifies a pound Weight, or 12 Ounces, or the whole of any substance which may be di∣vided into parts) and especially applicable to the greatest or smallest Coins that are made of any Metal, which many times were, and still are of Copper or Brass, which the L. call Aes, and thereupon I suppose it is sometimes writ Essaying (with∣out a diphthong) and so confounded these two words in their applications, and to confirm my just distinction of them.

We read in the Stat. of H. 6. c. 12. that the Kings Officer of the Mint, who, (as the Statute saith) is indifferently appointed between the Master of the Mint and the Merchant (which brings Silver thither to be minted) is called the King's Assayer, and not Essayer, and in the Records Assaisiator not Essaisiator, (See Goldman's Dict.) And some latin Records render it me∣tallorum prebendorum Praefectus, and the Italians, Assaggiatore, and the Belgick calls Assay, Examen Probitatis monetae, applying the word wholy to Metals, but Essay they define it specimen ar∣tis, or Exemplum quaesitae artis. (See Binworts Biglotton.) 'tis true the French make the two words indifferent: yet further to support this distinction in our English Language, the ever to be admired Lord Virulam calls his excellent Observations on Men and things, Essayes and not Assayes, and so Dr. Don (a Critick in our Language, and in general Learning) calls his quaint Discourses on some Pieces of Divinity Essayes and not Assayes, and therefore to prevent the misapplication of those two Words (with submission to those of this present age, who write themselves Essayers and not Assayers of Metals) I take leave in these Discourses to apply the word Assayer and Assaying to Metals, and metallick substances, and the word Essayer and Essaying to Accidences, and other ingenuous Un∣dertakings, and not to metallick substances, having such Au∣thorities, as I have cited to countenance me, l. 2: c. 2.

ATHANOR, T. Heinzen thurne▪ L. Fornax, which we also call Kiln or Oven, and indeed is only a Furnace of several shapes, so this is called Athanor from its distinct shape from others Furnaces or Ovens being like a Thurn, which in Teut is a Tower; but from whence the word Athanor to which the name of this kind of Furnace is given, I cannot find, unless it be from the Greek word Athanatos which signifies immortal) and so the spirits of the Metals which are drawn from thence into lesser Ovens, and so into Recipients, do thereby perfect Quick-silver which may be said to be of an immortal nature.

Or else from the Saxon word Thane, which signifies No∣ble,

as also a Servant: and thence called Athaner or Athanor, because it hath those two properties, as being the most noble of all Furnaces for Metals: and also the most serviceable in the operations of refining Metals, l. 2. c. 7. s. 2. See Ovens.