Of the structure of the first Furnace .

AS for the first Furnace it may be built greater or lesser as you please , a regard being had of the quantity of the water to be distilled , and also either round or square ; either of Bricks or by a Potter with Potters clay . Now when the Diameter is of one span , viz. withinside , the height must be of four , viz. one from the bottom to the grate , another from the grate to the hole made for putting in of Coales , and two from thence to the top of the Pipe , which must at least go forth out of the Furnace one span , lest the receivers should by the worms of the Furnace be heated . The Pipe also must have on the fore part a Diameter , answering the third part of the intrinsecal Diameter of the Furnace ; also a little larger on the hinder part then the forepart . Let the grate be such a one , as may be taken out at your pleasure and made clean , being stopt by the water that is cast in and distilled : for it is easily stopt in distilling of Salts melted with the coales , whereby the aire is kept from coming to the fire , and the distillation by consequence hindred ; Or let there be put into the vessel cross-wise two strong Iron bars , upon which lay four or five lesser , distant the one from the other the breadth of a finger , going a little out of the Furnace , in which when they are stopt , you may take them with a paire of Tongs , stir them , and cleanse them from the burnt water , and then again put them into their own places : wherefore also the Furnace must on the fore part be open under the grate , that you may the better order the grate .

Also the grate must have above , a covering of Iron or Stone , with a hole in the midle thereof with a certain distinction , which is to be filled with sand , that the cover may the better and more fitly shut the hole , and prevent the exhaling of the spirits which by this means will being forced , go forth thorow the Pipe into the receivers , after you have cast in the water which is to be distilled .

Of the Receivers .

Let the receivers be made of glass , or of strong earth , which may retain the spirits , and such is Waldburgick , Hassiack , Frechheimensian , Siburgic earth , &c. They are better that are made of glass , if they are to be had , and those especially which are made of strong and firme glass , which may be smoothed about the joynts with a Smiris stone , and so fitted that they may the better be joyned together , and then they need not laving ( but how they shall be smoothed with the Smiris stone , and be fitted , shall be taught in the fifth part , which treates of Manuals ) because by this means they are joyned so close , that no spirits can go through the joynts : otherwise you must close the joynts with the best lute , such as will not let the spirits exhale , which shall be taught in the book treating of Manuals . The form of the recipient you may see in the delineation thereof . As for the quantity thereof , know that by how much the greater they are , so much the better they are , for then you need the fewer , but the more , by how much the lesser they are . Let the superior orifice be larger then the inferior , so that alwayes another receiver may with its inferior orifice be joyned to it , and let the inferior orifice have a Diameter of three fingers breadth or thereabouts , I mean in case the Diameter of the Furnace be of one span . For a greater Furnace requires greater holes , as also orifices of the receivers , by which means a sufficient , and due proportion of aire may be given to the fire : or if the Diameter of the furnace be more then a span , it must also have two or three pipes ( which being considered together should have a wideness answering the wideness of the third part of the Furnace , for so great a wideness , and so much aire is required , if the fire burn freely and do its office ) to which vessels of the aforesaid proportion must be applyed , that the fire be not choaked .

Now the figure that is annexed will teach the conjunction of the receivers , as also their application to the furnace . And in the first place the receiver stands in a threefoot stoole bored thorow in the middle , that the neck of the first receiver may pass thorow , to which is applyed a dish with a pipe receiving the dropping spirits : To the first there is joyned a second , and to that a third , and so consequently ( viz. neer unto a wall or ladder ) so many as you please . Let the upper receiver , and indeed , all the rest be left open ; To the lower , as hath been said is joyned a dish with a pipe , by which the distilled spirits run down into another certain glass vessel added thereunto , which being filled is taken away , and another is set in the place of it , because that is set under it without luting , and therefore may easily be changed . And if you please to distil any thing else , you must take away that dish with a pipe , and make it clean , and then joyn it close again ( that no spirit may breath forth ) to the work of the lower receiver . And if that dish cannot be so closely joyned , that nothing exhale , pour in a spoonful of water , for that doth astringe , neither doth it hurt the spirits , because in the rectifying it is separated .

Of Subliming vessels .

These you need not make of glass , or of such earth as may retain the spirits , as hath been above mentioned ; it is sufficient if so be they be made of good common potters earth and be well glazed within , viz. of such a form , and figure , as appears by the annexed delineation .

Yet you must choose good earth that will endure the fire , for the lower pots are so heated by the fire , that they would be broken if they should not be made of good earth .

Now I will shew you in general the manner it self of distiling ; as also the manual necessaries in every distillation .

The manner of distilling .

In the first place let there be some burning coales put in , which afterwards must be covered with more until the Furnace be full almost to the pipe , which being done let not the uppermost cover be laid over its hole ( that the heat and smoke , may pass that way , and not thorow the pipe , and receivers which will thereby be red hot ; and this will be a hind●ance to the distillation ) untill the fire be sufficiently kindled and the furnace be throughly hot ; then cast in with an Iron ladle of the water prepared for distillation as much as will cover the coales , which being done , stop the furnace very close , by pressing down strongly the upper cover upon its hole , or sand , which is put in the lower part of the hole being a place made for that purpose . Now let him that casts in any thing thorow the middle hole , presently stop it with a stopple of stone , and that very close , for by this means all those things which were cast in , will be forced after the manner of a thick cloud to break forth through the pipe into the receivers , and there to condense themselves into an acid spirit , or oyle , and thence to distil into the dish set under , through the pipe whereof they do yet distil down further into an other glass receiver . The Coales being burnt out , and all the spirits being come forth , you must cast in more Coales , and more materials , untill you have got a sufficient quantity of Spirits . In this way of distilling , you may at your pleasure cease , and begin again without any danger .

When you will make clean the Furnace , you need do nothing else , then draw out the Iron bars that ly on the cross bar , that the Caput Mortuum may fall down , which afterwards may be taken away with a fire shovel , which being done you must put in the bars again and ●ay them on the cross bars as before , upon which you must cast burning coals , and upon them others until there be enough , then on them all being well kindled cast your materials .

When you go to make clean the receivers , and to begin to distil an other thing , you need not remove them , but only pour pure water into them , viz. by their upper receiver , by the descending whereof the other are purified .

And by this way not only out of vegetables , volatiles , and minerals ( incombustible ) but also out of metals fixed , and stones , spirits , oyles and flowers are drawn forth wonderfully , easily , and in good quantity , which otherwise could never have been done by the vulgar art of distilling .

Now in this furnace are distilled only such materials , which being distilled yeeld an incombustible quantity , as common salt , vitrial , allom , and other minerals , & vessels , each of which doth yet require their peculiar manuals , if operated upon .

Now because this furnace doth not serve for every water , because the materials to be distilled are cast upon burning coals , which are things combustible , I have determined in the second part to give another , viz. a lesser unlike to this , yet convenient to distil all combustible things that are endued with volatile spirits , as Tartar , Hartshorn , Amb●r , Salt armoniac , of urine , &c There are by the help hereof made most subtile , volatil , sulphureous spirits of salts , and minerals , as of common salt , vitrial , allom , nitre , antim●ny , and of all other minerals , and metals , which otherwise without this furnace could not have been made , with which spirits wonderful things are performed in Medicine , and Alchymie , as in the second part shall be demonstrated more largely .

Now I will shew you a way to make other receivers belonging to the first furnace , and indeed such as are more fit for some operations , as the former were more fit then others : wherefore let him that will operate choose these , or the other , as he pleaseth .

As therefore the former being erected upwards by a wall , or ladder , by which means the spirit might ascend from one into an other so long , untill being refrigerated , and condensed might again drop downward into the dish that is annexed thereto : so these are a contrary way set and placed collaterall in a vessel filled with cold water to condense the spirits , by which means you need not so many receivers ; Also they must not be fashioned like the former , as to be open above , and below , but only above like pots that serve for boyling : but this you must observe that by how much the deeper and larger they are , by so much the better they are .

Also you must joyn them together by the help of earthen pipes , being so distinct , that the spirits may be kept back , being yet hot ( and not refrigerated ) from passing out of one into the other , but being forced through the middle of the separation of the pipes may go to the bottom of every receiver , and thence arise by another pipe into another receiver that hath a double cover like the former , where again descending to the cold bottom , remain refrigerated , and condensed . Now three or four of these are enough ( whereas of other thirteen or fifteen are required ) a regard being had of their greatness .

You may see the figure of these receivers , as also their joyning together by the annexed delineation . Now for the most part one is sufficient for him that distils a few things , especially if the water be not pretious , and then let one crooked earthen pipe at least be joyned , one arme with the pipe that goeth forth of the furnace , the other with the receiver , but so that it go into the receiver downwards , even to the middle thereof , and then you need not shut the orifice of the receivers , for it is no great matter if somewhat evaporate , viz. if the water to be distilled be not pretious ▪ And by this way may new spirits , and new flowers be made every houre , with the help of one furnace , and one recipient but with this caution , that for every new distillation , the recipient be washed with water before it be put to the pipe ; which being put to , you may then cast your species into the furnace , and this do till you have a sufficient quantity of spirits .

And this way of distillation serves especially for the trying of the natures and properties of many and divers minerals , such as yeild in the fire spirits , and flowers . For it would be too tedious in every new distillation to apply a new and distinct receiver : as also many studious of the Chymical art would quit their study , being able to make by retort but one tryal in a day . And no wonder if expences , and loss of time should deter many .

Now here there is no need of many Retorts , nor of laving them , without receivers , and such like superfluous things ; neither is there here required the constant presence of the operator , the observation of the regiment of fire , the neglect whreof would otherwise endanger the loss of the retorts and receivers , and by consequence the loss of labor . These and such like tedious things are not here to be cared for , because it is sufficient only to cast the water upon the coals , and cover the furnace , and then presently go forth the spirits , and flowers of the same kinde with their mineral : of which when thou hast got a sufficient quantity , thou must draw out the Iron bars , upon which the coals lye , that they may fall down , and be taken away ; and whilst the furnace is yet hot , to put in the Iron bars again , and upon them to lay fresh coals , which then will of their own accord be kindled with the heat of the furnace . In the mean time you must take away the receiver , and make it clean and set it to again , or if you had rather put another clean one , viz. for the new distillation of another water .

And by this way divers things may be in the space of 1. hour distilled , and sublimed , viz. in a small quantity . But he that will distil , or sublime in a greater quantity , let him take three or four pots that the spirits may pass from one into another , that nothing thereof be lost . Here need not ( as I said before ) the continual presence of the operator , for he may be gone , cease , or repeal as he please , because the work is without danger of breaking the retorts , and receivers .

He that knows the use of this furnace may do many things in a short time without spending much time or cost . For any one may do more by the help thereof in one hour , then in the common way in 24. by which way also there is a great saving of coals , because ten pound of coals will do more this way then a hundred the other . As for example , he that will try shall make a pound of spirit of salt in one hour with 3. 4. or five pounds of coals ; whereas after the other way are required fifty or sixty pounds , and at least twenty or thirty hours time , viz. in the common way by the help of retorts : which is indeed very tedious .

Also by this way may be made the flowers of minerals , and metals , in a great quantity , very easily , and in a short time without great cost , so as that in one hours space with three or four pound of coals may a pound of the flowers of Antimony be made . And this is no small help to the Physitian , and Chymist .

Moreover this furnace being once built endures for many yeers , and being broken is easily repaired .

And by this way you shall need only materials to be distilled , no retorts , and receivers are not in danger , by which means much cost is saved .

Besides the aforesaid wayes I have yet another , and that more compendious , viz. of distilling , and subliming , and more easie , by which means in a very little time , an incredible quantity of spirits of salts , and flowers of Minerals , and metals may be made : which I shall refer till another time because for the present I have said enough .

Now I do not doubt but diligent Chymists will follow my steps , and finde out those things which were unknown to me . For it is easier to adde to things founde out , then to finde out things unknown .

The construction therefore of the furnaces being in mine opinion cleerly shewed , there now follows the manner of distilling , and subliming with it .

Although haply , and contrary to my hope any obscurity should be met withall , yet one process will explain another : and the diligent operator , and searcher of nature shall without doubt by his practise attain the effect after the same manner as I have prescribed . And this is that , which together with the blessing of God may overtake all pious Chymists , Amen .

How the Spirit of Salt is to be distilled .

THE reason why I enter upon the spirit of salt , before I say any thing of the spirits of vegetables , is this , viz. because it is even the chiefest , which can be made in this furnace : for few exceed this in strength and vertues ; wherefore I also have given it the preeminency . Neither is there any of the acid spirits , about which the Chymists hitherto have been more busied , then this , wherefore also it was of all , of greatest price , &c. For some have mixed salt with potters clay ; and have made this mixture into little bals , which they have for to get the spirit , forced by retort into a very strong fire : some have mixed salt with bole , some with the powder of tyles , others with burnt Allume , &c.

Others using a more compendious way have made salt to flow in a retort , which hath a pipe both in the upper , and hinder part ; by the upper pipe of which they have dropped in cold water , to elevate the ponderous spirits of the salt , but by the hinder they have blown with bellows , to force the spirits into the retort : and this way is not altogether to be slighted , yet it hath this inconveniency , that in process of time the retorts are broken , that they can no longer retain the salt , and so the distillation is intercepted . Some have attempted it with Iron retorts , but by this means the spirits have been deaded , because they easily set upon the Iron , whence in stead of spirit they have had flegme . And such , and other tedious wayes of distilling they have invented ; and by the best of them indeed they could scarce distill one pound in 24. or 30. houres space with 50. 60. or 100 pound of coals ; this being the reason , because the salt is very little wrought upon , and therefore it is that few ever had the spirit right , and good , whence also the vertues thereof have been unknown .

And this therefore I was willing to make known , that it might appeare , what price this spirit hath hitherto been of , and how easie , and abundantly , and with what little cost , it may after my new invented way be made .

It is said above , that the materials may in this way of distilling be immediately cast into the fire ; yet this must be wisely understood . For although some of the species may without any preparation be immediately cast into the fire , yet it doth not follow that all and every one of them must : for in some of them we must use our discretion , as in the distilling of salt . For if the salt be immediately cast into the fire , it will not only yeeld no spirits , but will leap so long upon the coals , untill it finde a descent to the lowest part of the furnace : Now this may be prevented divers wayes ; and first indeed after this manner : Dissolve salt in common water , then quench burning coales in this water , that they may be impregnated with the salt , which afterwards set on fire in the furnace : but you must first cast in other burning coals , upon which you must cast those that are impregnated with salt untill the furnace be full , as is above said : and whiles the coales burn the the salt is resolved by the force of the fire into spirit .

Now you must observe that he that distils spirit of salt after this manner must make choice of glass receivers , because the spirit whilest it is hot , penetrates by reason of its wonderful subtilty , those that are earthen . And this spirit is of a most grateful tast . But in defect of glass receivers , I shall shew you another way , wherein you may use those that be of earth .

Mix salt , and vitrial or allome together , grinding them very wel in a morter ( for by how much the better they are ground the more spirit they yeeld . ) Then cast this mixture into the fire with an Iron ladle , viz. so much of it as will be sufficient to cover the coals , and then with a great fire the spirits come forth into the receivers , where being coagulated , they distill down into a dish , and thence into another receiver . And if thou knowest how to work aright , the spirits will like water continually run out through the pipe the thickness of a straw ; and thou mayest easily every hour make a pound of the spirit . Now the reason why thou shalt by this way have more spirits then by the other , is this , viz. because the vitriol , and allome which is mixed with the salt , makes it flow quickly , by which means it is prevented from falling down through the coals to the lower part of the furnace , but sticking to the coals is almost all of it turned into spirits . The Caput Mortuum , which is reddish , easily fals with the ashes through the grate , and can no more be distilled , but yeelds by excoction a white fixed salt , which serves for the flowing of metals ; and being dissolved in warm water serves also for a glyster against the worms , which it kils , and purgeth also the bowels .

Thou wilt object , that the spirit made after this maner is not the true spirit of salt by reason of the mixture of vitriall and allome , but mixed , and compounded . I answer ; There can by this way distill no spirit of vitrioll , and allome , being that which I often tryed , casting vitriol , or allome into the furnace , where I received no spirit at all ; the reason of this is , because these spirits are far more heavy then the spirit of salt , neither can they ascend so great a height , viz. of three spans , but are burnt , whence unless the flegme , nothing distils . Wherefore the spirit of salt that is made after this manner is not mixed , but pure and meer spirit of salt , of the same tast , and vertue as that is of , that is made by it self ; because in this furnace the spirit of allome , and vitriol cannot be made unless a pipe go out of the furnace neer the grate , as you may see by the delineation of the furnace , for otherwise it cannot be made ; besides , these spirits are better , and more truly taught in the second part . And if it be granted that somewhat together with the spirit of salt come forth ( which is yet impossible ) what hurt I pray you comes from thence either in the solution of metals , or medicine ? wherefore the spirit made after this way is not to be suspected . Yet I will satisfie the incredulous , and will shew him another way without the addition of allom , or vitrial , for the distilling of that spirit , but that will be in the second part of this book , where I will teach you the furnace by which is made spirit of nitre , Aqua foris , and amongst combustibles ; the oyles of vegetables , and fats of animals and other things which cannot be made by this : and by this way I will satisfie those , who are not pleased with the former .

Now for want of glass receivers we are forced to use earthen , but these cannot retain the spirit of salt made after the aforesaid wayes : in which case I could indeed discover a certain little manual , by vertue of which the aforesaid spirit may be received even in a great quantity in earthen recipients : but for certain causes I shall here be silent , and shal refer it till the edition of the second part . Let it suffice therefore that I mentioned such a thing , wherefore omitting that , I shall proceed to shew you the vertues , and use of this spirit , as well in Alchymie , as in medicine , & other Mechanical arts .

Of the use of the spirit of Salt .

IT is worth while to speak of the power , and vertues of this excellent spirit ; what other authors have cleerly described , I shall here pass over , and refer the reader to the writings of those Authors ; touching only on some few of which they said nothing .

The Spirit of salt is by most accounted a most excellent medicine , and safely to be used as well inwardly , as outwardly : It extinguisheth a preternatural thirst in hot diseases , abstergeth , and consumeth flegmatique humors in the stomack , exciteth the appetite , is good for them that are hydropical , have the stone , and gout , &c. It is a menstruum dissolving metals , excelling all other therein : For it dissolveth all metals and minerals ( excepting silver ) and almost all stones ( being rightly prepared ) and reduceth them into excellent medicaments . It doth also many excellent things in mechanicall arts .

Neither is it to slighted in the kitchen , for with the help thereof are prepared divers pleasant meats for the sick as well as for those that are in health , yea and better then with vinegar , and other acid things : and it doth more in a small quantity , then vinegar in a great . But especially it serves for those countreys that have no vinegar . It is used also instead of verjuice and the juce of Lymons . For being prepared after this way , it is bought at a cheaper rate then vinegar or juice of Lymons . Neither is it corruptible as expressed juices are , but is bettered by age . Being mixed with Sugar it is an excellent sauce for rost meat . It preserves also divers kinds of fruits for many yeers . It makes also-raisins , and dryed grapes to swell , so as to acquire their former magnitude again , which are good to refresh a weak stomach in many diseases , and serves for the preparing of divers kinds of meats of flesh and fish ; but you must mix some water with the spirit , or else the raisins will contract too much acidity . This spirit doth especially serve for making meats delightfully acid ; for whatsoever things are prepared with it , as Chickens , Pigeons , Veale , &c. are of a more pleasant tast then those which are prepared with vinegar . Beefe being macerated with it becomes in a few dayes so tender , as if it had been a long time macerated with vinegar . Such , and many more things can the spirit of salt do .

A distillation of vegetable oyles , whereby a greater quantity is acquired , then by that common way , by a gourd still .

AS many distillers as hitherto have been , have bin ignorant of a better way to distill oyles of spices , woods , and seeds , then by a gourd still , or alembick , with a great quantity of water . And although they may also be made by retort , yet there is a great deal of care required , or else they contract an Empyreuma ; wherefore that way by a still is alwayes accounted the better , which way indeed is not to be slighted if you distill vegetables of a low price , and such as be oleaginous ; but not so in the distillation of spices , and of other things that are of a greater value , as are Cinnamon , Mace , Saffron , &c. which cannot be distilled in a gourd still without loss , because then there is required a great quantity of water , and by consequence great , and large vessels , to which something adheres , wherefore we lose almost half , which is not to be so much valued in vegetables that are oleaginous , as in annisseed , fennel , and caryoway seed , &c. But the loss made in the distilling of dryer and dearer vegetables , as of Cinnamon , Lignum Rhodii , Cassia , is evident enough , and by consequence not to be slighted . Neither can it be , that all things can be distilled that way , for a good quantity by coction acquireth a gummy tenaciousness , which cannot ascend with the water . But that this way for the future be prevented , I will shew another way to distill the oyles of spices , and other pretious things , which is done with spirit of salt , whereby all the oyle is drawn forth without any loss , the process whereof is this , viz. Fill a gourd with cinnamon or any other wood , or seed , upon which pour so much of the spirit of salt , as will be sufficient to cover the wood , then place it with its Alembick in sand , and give it fire by degrees that the spirit of salt may boyle , and all the oyle will destill off with a little flegme , for the spirit of salt doth with its acrimony penetrate the wood , and freeth the oyle that it may distil off the better and easier . And by this way the oyle is not lost by the addition of that great quantity of water in those great , and large vessels , but is drawn in lesser glass vessels with the addition of a little moysture . Distillation being finished the spirit is poured off by inclination from the wood , being again useful for the same work . And if it hath contracted any impurity from the wood , it may be rectified : but the residue of the spirit which remains in the wood ye may recover , if that wood be cast into the aforesaid furnace upon burning coals , by which means it may come forth again pure , and clear : and by this means we lose none of the spirit of salt . And after this way by help of the spirit of salt are drawn forth oyles of dearer vegetables together with their fruit which cannot be done by a still .

There are made also by means thereof oyles of gummes and rosins , cleer , and prospicuous .