The first manner of preparing the spirit of Brimstone.

WEE have caused a draught to be made of the figure of the Vessels for both these operations, because the mind of the Artist is more sensibly toucht with this representa∣tion of them, and he may thereby much better apprehend how to dispose of things; for objects move more powerfully the appre∣hensive faculty, then words can do; wherefore we refer to that Scheme, they that shall be inclined to put in practice the follow∣ing operation.

Take a great gray earthen pan, in the midst whereof place an Iron Trefoot, capacle of upholding an earthen dish glazed with∣out and within; fill up this dish with Brimstone beaten to coorse powder, and melt it in a slow heat, then set it on fire with a brimstone-Match, or an Iron made red hot in the fire After which hang up a glass Bell, such as those that are us'd to cover Melons; let it be moistened with aqua vitae above the earthen dish so as the flame may come into the Bell, but not reach to the top or touch it; take also care that there be not more distance between the circumference of the pan and that of the Bell, then the breadth of an inch, or one inch and a half, because this space is Page  [unnumbered]

Page  [unnumbered] Page  343sufficient to entertain the flame of the Brimstone, and hinder the extinction thereof, which if it should happen, great care must be had to kindle it again, that no interruption may happen in the work: and when all the Brimstone shall be spent, have another dish in readinesse to substitute in the place of the other. So shall you have the true spirit of Sulphur per campanam very heavy, acid and of a brown red colour; if the time hath not been too moist, and the Brimstone not too much impregnated with vitrio∣lick Salt. And if the distilled Liquor proves to be only clear and yellow, let it be rectified, and the superfluous phlegm thereof drawn away. The Artist may place as many earthen pans and bells un∣der a Chimney as it can hold, to advance the more his work, for he may as easily use four or five as one; above all times chuse that of the two Aequinoxes, vernal and autumnal, to work this Spirit. That season being moist for the most part and rainy, which is a thing necessary in this operation, otherwise you shall draw very little spirit from lib. j. of Brimstone, because if the ayr be too dry by intervention of either cold or heat, it is not capable of coa∣gulating the acid and vitriolick spirit of the Brimstone, which contrariwise is totally dissipated with the fat and inflammable substance of the Brimstone. We will speak of the vertue and faculties of this Spirit after we have taught the second manner of preparing it.