A compendious body of chymistry, which will serve as a guide and introduction both for understanding the authors which have treated of the theory of this science in general: and for making the way plain and easie to perform, according to art and method, all operations, which teach the practise of this art, upon animals, vegetables, and minerals, without losing any of the essential vertues contained in them. By N. le Fèbure apothecary in ordinary, and chymical distiller to the King of France, and at present to his Majesty of Great-Britain.

To make Hydromel or Mead, and the Vinegar of Honey.

TAke a q. of very good Honey, and viii p. of depurated Rain-water, or River-water, left some dayes in a Vessel, to defecate and cleanse it self from Impurities; then let it boyl softly to the consumption of one half part, being first exactly skimmed. This remaining Liquor put in a Cask, and upon every 30 pints of Liquor put ℥ i. of Salt of Tartar, and ℥ ii. of the Tincture of the same Salt to help Fermentation, which within the Philsophical

Moneth, which is 40 dayes, will be compleated: But you are to note, that every day the Cask must be filled anew, to repair what the fermenting Spirit drives away: that done, put the Cask in a Cellar and stop it well: and this may be used for a very good drink, both by healthfull and crasie bodies.

But when you will make Vinegar, put, in the Vessel wherein you have boyled your Honey and Water to a half consumption, as you are directed above, a knot containing the pounded seeds of _____ _____ grossely beaten, and leave the Cask in a warm room if it be Winter, or expose it to the Suns heat if Summer, untill the Liquor hath done boyling and fermenting; and it will by degrees and slowly turn into very good Vinegar; which may be distilled as the other uses to be. It is an excellent Menstruum for the dissolving of Peble stones, and all others, though not calcined before; and this is that Vinegar which Quercetanus doth call in his writings, the Philosophical Vinegar. You are to note also, that the same Author doth often make mention of Ho∣ney, in his Works, under the notion of Dew, or Heavenly Manna.