Table of Contents

"The Centurys: First through Fifth", or "Wealthy Store-house of Treasures" (5 books), 1667 from the Complete Works of Glauber, trans. by Chris. Packe. R.A.M.S. 1983. 207 pages. (CENTURYS: .doc, .pdf)
Table of Contents:
The Preface. p.2
The First Century. Part II. p.6
I. Concerning Fire and Salt, and what Alchemy is. p.6
A Square within a Circle. p.6
II. A Demonstration whereby it is proved that Fire and Salt are most noble Creatures of God, and that in Fire there lies hid the purest Salt, and in Salt a most efficacious Fire. p.7
III. It is moreover demonstrated, that in all Salts an admirable Fire doth lurk as being laid up therin, though the indeavour whereof very many admirable things may be prefected as well in Medicine as in Alchemy. p.8
IV. Of the Preparation of the Fire of Vitriol. p.9
V. A proof whether this Oil of Vitriol be well prepared and strong, and fit enough for that operation of which we here treat. p.11
VI. Another tryal or experiment. p.11
VII. Another further Proof. p.11
VIII. Concerning the use of this Fire of Vitriol in Medicine. p.12
IX. Of the general use of this Oil in Antimony. p.12
X. Of the use of this fire in other Arts. p.12
XI. An evident demonstration of such a fire lying hid even in the Salt of the Kitchin, and that known to every one. p.13
XII. Of the preparation of the fire of Salt. p.15
XIII. A Concentrating the rectified Spirit of Salt into a moist and cold Fire. p.15
XIV. The manner whereby that most precious Pearl of Salt may at least wise in some respect be rendered conspicuous or apparent. p.17
XV. An operation of alluring forth a Philosophical Pearl out of Salt. p.18
XVI. How the Pearl being attained is made visible. p.19
XVII. A more easie manner of obtaining a Philosophical Pearl. p.21
XVIII. Of the preparation of the moist and cold fire of Salt Peter. p.22
XIX. Of the moist fire of Allome. p.23
XX. Of the moist and cold fire of Sulphur. p.24
XXI. A most powerful manner of extracting a fire out of any wood, or any Herb whatsoever, and of rendering it palpable and visible. p.26
XXII. The manner of manifesting the fire of the Vine. p.28
XXIII. Another manner of extracting or drawing forth a far more stronger fire out of Tartar. p.29
XXIV. A manner of drawing forth as yet a more vehement fire out of Tartar. p.29
XXV. The preparation and Con-centration of fire out of Animals. p.30
XXVI. The operation of preparing a fire out of man's Urine. p.31
XXVII. Observations which concern the preparation of an Animal Fire. p.31
XXVIII. The general use of our concentrated fiery and ripening Spirits, extracted out of Salts, in the amendment and converting of metals into more noble ones;. p.35
XXIX. An infallible practice of changing the more imperfect Metals into more perfect ones by the help of crude Salts. p.39
XXX. After what manner Metals may be slain by their enemies and be transmuted into better. p. 41
XXXI. A brief and compendious manner of extracting and rendering corporeal, a volatile Gold out of coloured Flints, Red Talck, Granates or Red marble Stone, Sand, White Clay and the like metallick earths. p.43
XXXII. After what manner out of Minerals being extracted, a true salt-Peter may as yet be gotten with profit. p.44
XXXIII. A way shewing the extraction of a volatile and fixed Gold out of the Water, from which the Minerals are withdrawn, and the profit which may be received by that Water. p.45
XXXIV. Another and better manner of extracting gold by Aqua regia. p.47
XXXV. An easie making or composing of Aqua Regis for extracting of minerals. p.48
XXXVI. Another as yet more easier way of preparing Aqua Regis for extraction. p.48
XXXVII. How the Calx of silver, which hath fished out gold by Aqua regis, is to be recovered. p.49
XXXVIII. After what manner precipitated silver is to be reduced without a loss of its weight. p.49
XXXIX. Another manner of reducing a fugacious or volatile silver, with greater profit. p.50
XL. An operation, teaching to extract Stones and Minerals, or Mines that are poor in Silver, and Copper by a moist way. p.51
XLI. A more easy manner as yet by far, of plentifully extracting Gold and Silver out of poor mines, as Sand, white-clay, and other the like minerals, by fire without fusion. p.51
XLII. The preparation of a Water necessary for the extracting of Gold. p.52
XLIII. Another water for extracting silver. p.53
XLIV. Another easie manner of plentifully extracting gold and solver out of poor minerals, as being of little or no cost. p.53
XLV. Another more easie manner of extracting gold and silver out of minerals. p.53
XLVI. An easie operation of plentifull extracting gold and silver, out of far white Clay or Potters-earth. p.54
XLVII. After what manner by the help of art, gold may be easily and plenteously extracted from the sand of Granates, Agaths, Saphyrs, and Rubies, and other stony Mineral earths, which do either admit of fusion, nor lead, nor sharp Waters. p.55
XLVIII. A most firm demonstartion, that sharp Waters and Salts after the manner of the ways hitherto described, do draw forth Gold and Silver as it were without cost, out of Mines or Minerals containing Gold and silver, than sumptuous or costly melting Fires. p.56
XLIX. A fundamental and evident demonstartion, that a true transmutation, or tans-changing of Metals may be exercised in all places of the earth,. p.57
L. After what manner, out of this partly Green, partly Skie-colour of Copper, Gold and Silver is to be separated. p.58
LI. After what sort pure Gold may be extracted out of any Copper. p.60
LII. The manner of extracting Gold out of natural vitriol. p.61
LIII. After what manner Gold is to be extracted out of Sea Salt, or Sea Water, not indeed with profit, but only that it may be demonstrated, that Gold is hidden even in sea Water or Sea Salt. p.61
LIV. How, out of poor Mines of Copper, from which no profit can be perceived, Copper, as also Gold it self if it be present, is to be easily and without costs, extracted and separated. p.62
LV. after what manner Gold may be by an easie business by Fire and Salt, be separated out of Copper. p.63
LVI. How Copper being extracted out of vitriolated water, and adhering to Rods of Iron, is to be changed into Verdi-grease. p.63
LVII. Out of wild or course Minerals, or veins of Lead, admitting of no melting, out of which no good Lead, much less Gold or Silver, can be drawn, how to extract not only Lead, but also Gold and Silver with profit. p.64
LVIII. Another way teaching by the help of Salt and Fire to draw silver and Gold with great profit, out of all stubborn or rude and untamed metallick earth,. p.65
LIX. After what manner Metals are to be amended by pure Fire, or the fiery spirits of Salts. p.66
LX. Let us now ascend higher, and demonstrate what incredible miracles or wonders our secret Fires of Salts may effect nigh to that great work of Philosophers. p.67
LXI. How a vegetable subtile sulphur is to be so actuated by the nitrous moist fire, that it may extract the fixt sulphur of metals, or their pure tinging soul. p.72
LXII. What spirits are, and by what means they operate good or evil. p.78
LXIII. The particular medicinal use of the con-centrated spirits of Salts. p.79
LXIV. An Antidite against Poison. p.80
LXV. What Beasts they are whose teeth and Horns do (as a medicine) exceed the rest. p.80
LXVI. An experimental discovery of what vermine are fit for use of medicine. p.80
LXVII. An experimenal discovery, of what Herbs are profitable for Medicine, or unprofitable. p.81
LXVIII. The manner of preparing an effectual medicament out of venemous vermine and Insects. p.81
LXIX. The manner of separating the medicament made of Vermine dissolved by the moit fires. p.82
LXX. How the operation in dealing with all kinds of Vermine is to be used. p.82
LXXI. The separation of the medicinal Liquor from the moist fire, after the separation of the Oil. p.83
LXXII. Whether or no every moist fire of salt is also fit for this labour? p.84
LXXIII. Question. Whether or no there may be any more or any other usefull things learned from this solution of venemous vermine? p.85
LXXIV. The way how to know the internal nature of every Worm in the earth, Fish in the water, Birds in the air, yea even of Man himself. p.85
LXXV. The preparation of good medicaments out of venemous vegetables, by the con-centrated spirits of salts. p.86
LXXVI. The correction of the too vehemently purging subjects by the moist fires, whereby they may be safely made use of. p.87
LXXVII. The correction of the too vehemently operative Diureticks, whereby they may be of safe use in the cure of the Stone. p.87
LXXVII. The amending of narcotick and somniferous subjects, by our moist fire, that so they may perform or shew their virtues without hurt or danger. p.88
LXXIX. the amending of venemous subjects, that are together purgative, suderifick, diuretick, and somniferous, by our moist fires; insomuch that they do not only become safe, but are the effecters of much good in medicine. p.88
LXXX. Whether or no poisonous minerals may be corrected as well as the vegetables and animals, by our secret and moist fire of salt, and be turned into wholesome medicaments. p.89
LXXXI. how the venenate and volatile minerals are so to be inverted by our moist fires, that the volatile be rendered fixt, and the poison be made a medicine. p.89
LXXXII. The manner of transmuting the fugacious and easily fusible (fluxible) minerals by the moist fires of salts, so that being fixed they hardly admit of fusion or smelting. p.90
LXXXIII. How flying mercury is to be so fixed as to admit of heating red hot. p.91
LXXXIV. Another experiment easily demonstarting the possibility of rendering mercury constant in the fire, by our secret fires of salts, which thing the known and common fire can never do. p.91
LXXXV. An historical discovery of the reduction and restoration of tenactous and corrupt wine, to its former clarity and goodness. p.92
LXXXVI. How our moist fires of Salts are able after a sort to fix the yellow and common sulphur, so that it may be used with profit both in Medicine and Alchymy. p.94
LXXXVII. A way of turning Antimony into a snow-white medicament, ny our moist fires of salts, and which is of safe and profitable use against the Plague, all Fevers, and other diseases. p.95
LXXXVIII. By what means black and crude Antimony is to be reduced by the nitrous fire into a white powder, and the combustible and yellow sulphur separated therefrom, that it may serve as a Panacaea for the resisting of all diseases,. p.95
LXXXIX. By what means the con-centrated fire of kitchin salt drives over Antimony in a retort like Butter, and affordeth a matter of profitable use in Medicines and Alchymy. p.96
XC. The way of turning mecury into red, and strongly purging medicament by the operation of the nitrous fire. p.97
XCI. The way of converting or turning the internal and yellow colour of our moist and white nitrous fire from the inmost parts, outward, and making it visible. p.97
XCII. Of the admirable nature of Magnetism, attracting to it self its like. p.98
XCIII. A clear and evident demonstration, whereby is shown that even the most hidden things may be manifested and rendred visible by their magnets. p.100
XCIV. An operation demonstrating or affirming, that the internal and hidden natures and properties of things may be manifested and obtained by attractive or repulsive magnets. p.100
XCV. The manner of extracting out of niter its gold-like soul. p.105
XCVI. How the moist and cold fire of nitre is to be so ordered as to yield its visible flame. p.106
XCVII. An operation shewing the manner how by the jelp of Salt peter promoted to the highest degree of subtility, the superfluous combustible sulphur of the imperfect metals may be kindled and burnt up;. p.107
XCVIII. The way of putting glasses in distillation and digestion, and so conserving them, that the boiling matter be not spilt. p.110
XCIX. the manner of preparing such crucibles as will hold metals in flux a long time, and which can either be broken nor melted. p.110
C. An infallible demonstration, that in salt and fire all things lie hidden; or, that by the help of the Sun and Salt all things are generated, arise, grow, and encrease. p.111
An Admonition to the friendly reader,. p.115
The Second Century. p.118
The First Arcanum or Secret of the Second Century, Sheweth;. p.118
II. The manner of redusing lead into ashes, and so handling it with the spirits of salt, that gold and silver may be thence gotten with profit. p.120
III. The operation of incinerating the lead, or reducing it into ashes. p.120
IV. The manner of battering the ashes of lead by the spirits of salts, and of extracting thencefrom the gold and silver with gain. p.121
V. A brief description of the secret Cementatory Pot, which admits not of any spilling, and which is sealed with the Seal of Hermes, of which I made mention in the first Century. p.122
VI. Of the Cover of the Cementatory-pot, what it ought to be, that so it may suffer nothing to get away in fume. p.122
VII. Of the use and benefit of the secret Cementing Pot. p.123
VIII. Another emendation or bettering of Lead by the graduating extractions of coloured Flints. p.125
IX. The manner of reducing the precipitated and washed Calx of Sol without any loss. p.126
X. The reduction of the solar Calx precipitated by the Liquor of Flints. p.127
XI. How the Gold which is precipitated by the Liquor of Flints, is to be melted without Borax, by the Glass of Lead only, which is of a far meaner price. p.127
XII. By what means the Glass of Lead which as yet contains in it some reliques of Gold is to be dealt withall, that it may let them go out of its body. p.128
XIII. The preparation of the Glass of Lead, for the reducing such Gold as being precipitated by the Liquor of Flints, is of difficult fusion. p.130
XIV. Another way of reducing Gold precipitated by the Liquor of Flints. p.130
XV. Another way of rendering the Gold precipitated by the Liquor of Flints fusible. p.131
XVI. The way of reducing Gold, precipitated by the Spirit of Urine. p.131
XVII. By what means the fulminating force of Gold precipitated by a Lixivium, or spirit of Urine is to be taken away. p.132
XVIII. By what means Gold that is despoiled of its fulminating force, by means of Sulphur may be reduced. p.132
XIX. The manner of reducing the Metals that are not gotten out of the Waters by precipitation, but are freed from them by abstracting them. p.132
XX. By what means such Gold as is commixt with Iron or Copper, and from which (being extracted out of the Minerals) the dissolvent has been drawn off, is to be reduced. p.134
XXI. Another proper and fitting matter to reduce such Gold as hath Iron in it. p.135
XXII. The separation of the Antimony from the Gold. p.135
XXIII. The way of making most excellent and inflamable Salt Peter in plenty, and with profit out of common Kithchin Salt and the Lixivium of Salt Peter that has been used. p.136
XXIV. Another far more compendious way of converting common Salt, by the help of fixt Salt Peter into excellent Salt Peter. p.139
XXV. Another gainfull way of making good and burning Salt Peter out of common Salt, by the help of fixt Salt Peter. p.140
XXVI. The reduction of Silver extracted out of the Minerals, and freed from the Aqua Fortis by abstraction, (or drawing off the said Aqua Fortis). p.141
XXVII. The reduction of extracted Copper. p.141
XXVIII. The way of making Copper, which hath iron in it malleable by reduction. p.141
XXIX. By what means Copper is to be separated from the Silver, if they are both together extracted out of the Mines, and the Silver has not been precipitated out of the solution by the Water of Salt, but the dissolving Menstruum hath been abstracted from them so conjoined both together. p.142
XXX. If the extracted Copper comprehends in it any Gold, by what means the Gold may be therefrom separated. p.142
XXXI. The making of such a Menstruum as dissolveth the Copper and drives from it self, or precipitates the Gold. p.143
XXXII. Another reduction of Copper that hath Gold in it, and the perfect separation of the Copper from the Gold. p.144
XXXIII. A brief description of the above mentioned artifical In strument, by the help whereof the spirits necessary for the extraction of the Metals out of the poor Mines that conatin in them Gold, Silver and Copper, are plentifully prepared, the Minerals themselves extracted, and the dissolving Menstruums, again easily separated from the Metals. p.144
XXXIV. Now follows an explication of some secrets effected by the help of my Sal Mirabilis, concerning which there is mention made in the second part of Miraculum Mundi. p.146
XXXV. By what means any Water, Wine, Ale, Vinegar and other liquors may be coagulated in a few hours space into hard pieces like ice, by the Sal Mirabilis. p.146
XXXVI. The separation of the Water, Wine, or Ale from the Sal Mirabilis. p.147
XXXVII. How the sharp spirits of Salts, or Aqua Fortis, Aqua regis, Spirit of Salt, Spirit of Vitriol, of Allum, and the like may be coagulated into hard Salts, not unlike to frozen Water. p.147
XXXVIII. How the head of a fountain may be stopped up by this Sal Mirabilis. p.148
XXXIX. The way of separating the Phlegm from subtile Spirits. p.148
XL. Another and easier way, yea even almost an incredible and miraculous one of freeing Wine, Ale, Vinegar, Brandy, and all other moist liquors from their unprofitable Phlegm in a moment of time, by my Sal Mirabilis. p.149
XLI. The receiving or catching the breath of Men, as they sit in some warm Stove, and the changing it into the form of Ice. p.150
XLII. A momentary operation of rendering any common Wine more generous, and exceedingly bettered by the cold Fires of Salts, and that in the presence of many Men. p.151
XLIII. The amending of any midling or smallish Ale in the Winter Season, as well at Home as abroad. p.152
XLIV. Wherein this secret is beneficial to those that travel in the Winter Season. p.154
XLV. What profit those that sail in the Sea may have by this secret. p.155
XLVI. How by the help of this secret the unprofitable Phlegm of Brandy made of Corn may be taken away, that so it may become equal to the Spirit that is made of the lees of Wine. p.155
XLVII. By what means the superfluous waterishness is to be taken away from the weaker waterisher Vinegar, that so it may be made stronger. p.156
XLVIII. It may be quaeried whether or no this bettering of Wine, Ale, Vinegar, Brandy, and other Drinks, and rendring them stronger and sweeter, may be done in great plenty, or whether it is to be accounted of as a curiosity only? p.156
XLIX. Whethter or no likewise a great quantity of cold Fires out of Salts may be easily prepared. p.157
L. How my Sal Mirabilis can free watery Oils of their superfluous humidity. p.157
LI. The way of taking off the mustiness or stink from a Vessel corrupted or grown musty by lying, that it may be again fit to put more wine into. p.157
LII.The manner of preserving all kinds of Fruits, Eggs, Onions, and other moist Fruits of the Ground a long time from corrupting. p.158
LIII. Question. Why doth the Sal Mirabilis, which Corn has been macerated withall afore its sowing, and some whereof is mixed with the Earth, (or sown) attract the Rain, coagulate it, and hold it with it self longer than other Salts? p.158
LIV. The preparation of the Sal Mirabilis, so as that it may become an universal MEDICINE FOR ALL VEGETABLES. P.159
LV. What's the reason that Wood lying in the Water wherein Sal Mirabilis is dissolved, is turned into a hard stone? p.159
LVI. To reduce an half dead tree to life again by the help of Sal Mirabilis, that it may revive and begin again to sprout out. p.159
LVIII. How by the help of Sal Mirabilis most hard and insoluble subjects may be very easily dissolved. p.160
LIX. What Sal Mirabilis is to be used to dissolve the Coles. p.160
LX. The manner of reducing any Char-coal in half an hour space to its first matter, that is, into a sulphureous Salt, by the Sal Mirabilis. p.161
LXI. How the Vegetable Sulphur is to be made visible. p.162
LXII. Another way demonstraing that a Mineral Sulphur lise hidden in all vegebles. p.162
LXIII. There is yet another way of making the same Sulphur of Coals visible. p.162
LXIV. There is likewise another way of extracting the same Sulphur out of Colas. p.163
LXV. It may be demanded, whether or no the Coles themselves are to be only made use of for this revivification of the dead vegetables, and not the green or dry Wood they are made of, and the Herbs too, may also be this dealt with. p.164
LXVI. It may be queried, what wood or what herb being changed after that same manner by the Sal Mirabilis, yields the most excellent Medicine. p.164
LXVII. A Demonstration, that out of dead herbs and such as are again restored to life, may new Herbs be produced without the addition of the Seed of other Herbs. p.165
LXVIII. How by the help of Sal Mirabilis, Metals are to be dissolved by the dry way, and to be converted into most excellent Medicaments and first of Gold. p.165
LXIX. The graduating of any Iron into Gold by this purple Salt. p.166
LXX. The manner of exalting Copper into Silver. p.166
LXXI. How Iron may be exalted into Copper in the Melting by the help of Sal Mirabilis. p.167
LXII. The universal use of Sal Mirabilis in the emendation of Metals. p.168
LXXIII. By what means the imperfect Metals may (by the Sal Mirabilis) be turned into perfect ones. p.170
LXXIV. The manner of conjoining Gold contrary to its nature, with any burning and Volatile Vegetabl Sulphur, and of amending the other Metals, all done by the help of my Sal Mirabilis. p.172
LXXV. The way of making a most excellent Medicine out of the Carbuncle of Gold. p.174
LXXVI. How by the help of this Medicament, there may be conferred on the Seeds of Vegetables, such an excellent faculty of growth, that they may be as it were seen grow, and may obtain a much nobler Nature, Colours, Savours, and Virtues, than they are wont to get out of the most stinking Dung. p.174
LXXVII. What is to be observed in this Operation, that some good effect may proceed from thence. p.175
LXXVIII. How any Wood or any Wood-coal may be so prepared by the Sal Mirabilis, as to be capable of a long while resisting the Fire. p.176
LXXIX. How much kind of Woods which are always so near the Fire, as that they are still in danger of being burnt, and thereby threaten damage may be conserved from firing. p.177
LXXX. How by the help of Sal Mirabilis any wood may be conserved so, as for a long time to remain unhurt in the Water. p.178
LXXXI. The preparation of the Sal Mirabilis for this Work. p.178
LXXXII. By what means trial may be made, if the Sal Mirabilis be duely prepared, and how it may be fitted for this and other Uses. p.179
LXXXIII. It may be quired, whether the Sal Mirabilis serves for the use of Artificers and Craftsmen. p.179
LXXXIV. How every Countryman may encrease any kind of Corn or Seed with a thousand fold encrease by the Sal Mirabilis if he can get it. p.179
LXXXV. Whether or no a thousandfold encrease may be had of Corn by the Sal Mirabilis. p.182
LXXXVI. The true and right way of macerating Corn in the Sal Mirabilis. p.182
LXXXVII. The rue and right way of sowing your macerated Corn in the Earth. p.183
LXXXVIII. By what means the Sal Mirabilis may bring profit to the Dressers of Vines. p.184
LXXXIX. By what means notable profit may be gotten by my Water-attracting Magnet. p.185
XC. The second benefit. p.186
XCI. The third benefit, and which is most acceptable to all Masters of Families. p.186
XCII. Another way of getting profit by the Magnet's drawing the Water out of Wines. p.187
XCII. There's yet another way of getting notable profit by the said Magent, viz. if the ill taste and fetidness is taken away from the Brandy, usually made of Corn. p.187
XCIV. The benefit purchased by separating the Water from the Vinegar. p.188
XCV. By what means good Wine and Vinegar may be every year prepared by the help of this same Magnety, in those Countries which the Grapes do not ripen. p.188
XCVI. How in those cold Countries; as in Poland, Denmark, Norway, & etc. which by reason of the Coldness of the Air admit not of making Wine, there may nevertheless good Wine and Vinegar conducive to the health of Man be made. p.189
XCVII. Whether or no, there be any other benefit, which our Magnet can bestow. p.191
XCVIII. How the Water attracting Magnet may be serviceable to Physicians. p.196
XCIX. The Cure of the Stone in the Reins and Bladder, and likewise of the Gout. p.197
C. An universal Antimonial Purge to be used in all grievous Diseases, with a very happy success. p.200
The Third Century. p.206
Courteous Reader,. p.206
Here follows an Explication of the Poetical Fable, teaching use to make the Oil of Sulphur in quantity. p.221
The Fourth Century. p.223
To extract the Sol that is in Granates. p.223
To make a good Mercury of Wine. p.223
To make a Mercury of Metals. p.223
What the Soul of the greater and lesser World is. p.223
All superfluities of Nature afford a volatile Salt. p.224
A Good Bath. p.224
To separate Sol from Luna by fluxing in a Crucible. p.224
To recover the Sol and Luna which is got into the Pores of the Crucible. p.224
Another way to perform the same. p.225
To extract the Colour from Sol. p.225
To extract Sol out of Stones. p.225
To extract Sol from Stones. p.226
A Tincture from Metals. p.226
That there is a renovating virtue hid in Spiders. p.226
Secrets of Serpents. p.227
Sol and Sulphur yoeld a Tincture. p.227
To make Sol red. p.227
To make Purpurissa, or a Paint to make the Face look ruddy. p.227
An Experimet upon Purpurissa or the Blood of the Lyon. p.228
A Cementation that graduates Venus into Sol. p.228
To make all Corrosives sweet. p.228
A sweet graduating Spirit, usefull to the Melioration of Metals. p.229
The Philosophical Work. p.229
Sulphur is the Father of all Metals. p.229
Sulphur is the universal Coagulator. p.229
Demogorgon the Grand-father of all things. p.229
The Vital Spirit, or radical moisture, is the Life and Growth of all men. p.230
The Fifth Century. p.237
The best particular and chiepest Universal. p.237