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 CONTENTS IN DETAIL

PRAISE FOR MYSQL CRASH COURSE

TITLE PAGE

COPYRIGHT

DEDICATION

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION
About This Book
Who Is This Book For?
SQL in MySQL vs. SQL in Other Database Systems
Using the Online Resources

PART I: GETTING STARTED

CHAPTER 1: INSTALLING MYSQL AND TOOLS
The MySQL Architecture
Installing MySQL
Summary

CHAPTER 2: CREATING DATABASES AND TABLES

Using MySQL Workbench
Creating a New Database
Creating a New Table
Constraints
Indexes
Dropping and Altering Tables
Summary

PART II: SELECTING DATA FROM A MYSQL DATABASE

CHAPTER 3: INTRODUCTION TO SQL
Querying Data from a Table
Using the Wildcard Character
Ordering Rows
Formatting SQL Code
Uppercase Keywords
Backticks
Code Comments
Null Values
Summary

CHAPTER 4: MYSQL DATA TYPES

String Data Types
char
varchar
enum
set
tinytext, text, mediumtext, and longtext
Binary Data Types
tinyblob, blob, mediumblob, and longblob
binary
varbinary
bit
Numeric Data Types
tinyint, smallint, mediumint, int, and bigint
Boolean
Decimal Data Types
Date and Time Data Types
The json Data Type
Spatial Data Types
Summary

CHAPTER 5: JOINING DATABASE TABLES

Selecting Data from Multiple Tables
Table Aliasing
Types of Joins
 Inner Joins
Outer Joins
Natural Joins
Cross Joins
Self Joins
Variations on Join Syntax
Parentheses
Old-School Inner Joins
Column Aliasing
Joining Tables in Different Databases
Summary

CHAPTER 6: PERFORMING COMPLEX JOINS WITH MULTIPLE TABLES

Writing One Query with Two Join Types
Joining Many Tables
Associative Tables
Managing the Data in Your Result Set
The limit Keyword
The union Keyword
Temporary Tables
Common Table Expressions
Recursive Common Table Expressions
Derived Tables
Subqueries
Subqueries That Return More Than One Row
Correlated Subqueries
Summary

CHAPTER 7: COMPARING VALUES

Comparison Operators
Equal
Not Equal
Greater Than
Greater Than or Equal To
Less Than
Less Than or Equal To
 is null
is not null
in
not in
between
not between
like
not like
exists
Checking Booleans
or Conditions
Summary

CHAPTER 8: CALLING BUILT-IN MYSQL FUNCTIONS

What Is a Function?
Passing Arguments to a Function
Optional Arguments
Calling Functions Within Functions
Calling Functions from Different Parts of Your Query
Aggregate Functions
count()
max()
min()
sum()
avg()
group by
String Functions
concat()
format()
left()
right()
lower()
upper()
substring()
trim()
ltrim()
 rtrim()
Date and Time Functions
curdate()
curtime()
now()
date_add()
date_sub()
extract()
datediff()
date_format()
str_to_date()
time_format()
Mathematical Operators and Functions
Mathematical Operators
Mathematical Functions
Other Handy Functions
cast()
coalesce()
distinct()
database()
if()
version()
Summary

CHAPTER 9: INSERTING, UPDATING, AND DELETING DATA

Inserting Data
Inserting Null Values
Inserting Multiple Rows at Once
Inserting Without Listing Column Names
Inserting Sequences of Numbers
Inserting Data Using a Query
Using a Query to Create and Populate a New Table
Updating Data
Updating Multiple Rows
Updating Multiple Columns
Deleting Data
 Truncating and Dropping a Table
Summary

PART III: DATABASE OBJECTS

CHAPTER 10: CREATING VIEWS
Creating a New View
Using Views to Hide Column Values
Inserting, Updating, and Deleting from Views
Dropping a View
Indexes and Views
Summary

CHAPTER 11: CREATING FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES

Functions vs. Procedures
Creating Functions
Redefining the Delimiter
Adding Parameters and Returning a Value
Specifying Characteristics
Defining the Function Body
Creating Procedures
Using select to Display Values
Defining Local Variables and User Variables
Using Logic in Procedures
Displaying Procedure Results with select
Using a Cursor
Declaring Output Parameters
Writing Procedures That Call Other Procedures
Listing the Stored Routines in a Database
Summary

CHAPTER 12: CREATING TRIGGERS

Triggers That Audit Data
After Insert Triggers
After Delete Triggers
After Update Triggers
Triggers That Affect Data
 Before Insert Triggers
Before Update Triggers
Before Delete Triggers
Summary

CHAPTER 13: CREATING EVENTS

The Event Scheduler
Creating Events with No End Date
Creating Events with an End Date
Checking for Errors
Summary

PART IV: ADVANCED TOPICS

CHAPTER 14: TIPS AND TRICKS
Common Mistakes
Working in the Wrong Database
Using the Wrong Server
Leaving where Clauses Incomplete
Running Partial SQL Statements
Transactions
Supporting an Existing System
Using the MySQL Command Line Client
Loading Data from a File
Loading Data to a File
MySQL Shell
Summary

CHAPTER 15: CALLING MYSQL FROM PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

PHP
PDO
Object-Oriented MySQLi
Procedural MySQLi
Python
Selecting from a Table
Inserting a Row into a Table
Calling a Stored Procedure
 Java
Selecting from a Table
Inserting a Row into a Table
Calling a Stored Procedure
Summary

PART V: PROJECTS
CHAPTER 16: BUILDING A WEATHER DATABASE
Technologies You’ll Use
cron
Bash
SQL Scripts
Project Overview
The Data File
Creating the Weather Tables
Data Types
Constraints
Loading the Data File
Copying the Data to Your Final Table
Scheduling the Bash Script on cron
Alternative Approaches
Summary

CHAPTER 17: TRACKING CHANGES TO VOTER DATA WITH TRIGGERS

Setting Up the Database
Creating the Tables
The voter Table
The ballot Table
The race Table
The candidate Table
The ballot_candidate Table
Adding Triggers
Before Triggers
After Triggers
Alternative Approaches
 Audit Tables
Triggers vs. Privileges
Replacing check Constraints with New Tables
Summary

CHAPTER 18: PROTECTING SALARY DATA WITH VIEWS

Creating the employee Table
Creating the View
Controlling Permissions
Using MySQL Workbench to Test User Access
An Alternative Approach
Summary

AFTERWORD

INDEX
PRAISE FOR MYSQL CRASH COURSE

“A fantastic resource for anyone who wants to learn about MySQL . . .

and an excellent refresher for more seasoned developers.”
—SCOTT STROZ, MYSQL DEVELOPER ADVOCATE

“Understand not just the ‘what,’ but the ‘why’ behind MySQL
development.”
—STEVEN SIAN, WEB AND MOBILE APPLICATION DEVELOPER
 MYSQL CRASH COURSE

A Hands-on Introduction to Database Development

by Rick Silva
MYSQL CRASH COURSE. Copyright © 2023 by Rick Silva.
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior
written permission of the copyright owner and the publisher.
First printing
ISBN-13: 978-1-7185-0300-7 (print)
ISBN-13: 978-1-7185-0301-4 (ebook)
Publisher: William Pollock
Managing Editor: Jill Franklin
Production Manager: Sabrina Plomitallo-González
Production Editor: Jennifer Kepler
Developmental Editors: Rachel Monaghan, Eva Morrow, and Frances Saux
Cover Illustrator: Gina Redman
Interior Design: Octopod Studios
Technical Reviewer: Frédéric Descamps
Copyeditor: Rachel Monaghan
Compositor: Jeff Lytle, Happenstance Type-O-Rama
Proofreader: Scout Festa
For information on distribution, bulk sales, corporate sales, or translations, please contact No Starch Press, Inc.
directly at info@nostarch.com or:
No Starch Press, Inc.
245 8th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
phone: 1.415.863.9900
www.nostarch.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Silva, Rick, author.

Title: MySQL crash course : a hands-on introduction to database development / Rick Silva.
Description: San Francisco, CA : No Starch Press, Inc., [2023] | Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2022050277 (print) | LCCN 2022050278 (ebook) | ISBN 9781718503007 (print) | ISBN
9781718503014 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: SQL (Computer program language) | MySQL (Electronic resource) | Computer
programming.
Classification: LCC QA76.73.S67 S557 2023 (print) | LCC QA76.73.S67 (ebook) | DDC 005.75/6--dc23/
eng/20221128
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022050277
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022050278

No Starch Press and the No Starch Press logo are registered trademarks of No Starch Press, Inc. Other product and
company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Rather than use a trademark
symbol with every occurrence of a trademarked name, we are using the names only in an editorial fashion and to the
benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark.
The information in this book is distributed on an “As Is” basis, without warranty. While every precaution has been
taken in the preparation of this work, neither the author nor No Starch Press, Inc. shall have any liability to any
person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the
information contained in it.
To my wife, Patti, for
her patience, love,
and support. You are
Mother Teresa in a
scarf.
About the Author
Rick Silva is a software developer with decades of database experience. Silva has worked
at Harvard Business School, Zipcar, and various financial services companies. A Boston
native and a Boston College alum, he now lives in the Raleigh, North Carolina, area with
his wife, Patti, and his dog, Dixie. When he’s not joining database tables, he’s playing
banjo at a local bluegrass jam.

About the Technical Reviewer

Frédéric Descamps (@lefred) has been consulting on open source and MySQL for more
than 20 years. After graduating with a degree in management information technology,
he started his career as a developer for an ERP system under HP-UX. He then opted for
a career in the world of open source by joining one of the first Belgian startups dedicated
100 percent to free projects around GNU/Linux. In 2011 Frédéric joined Percona, one of
the leading MySQL-based specialists. He joined the MySQL Community Team in 2016
as a MySQL Community Manager for EMEA and APAC. Descamps is a regular speaker
at open source conferences and a technical reviewer for several books. His blog, mostly
dedicated to MySQL, is at https://lefred.be.
Descamps is also the devoted father of three adorable daughters: Wilhelmine, Héloïse,
and Barbara.
Random documents with unrelated
content Scribd suggests to you:
 Of the Tincture of Gold,
Or the True

A U R U M P O T A B I L E:
What it is, and how it differs from the false and sophisticated
Aurum Potabile: How it tis be Spagirically prepared; And how to
be used in Medicine.

Of Aurum Potabile.

T
here is no man that can deny, that the true and ancient
Philosophers did study long life, and the conservation of their
health. Whence it came to pass that they did diligently seek
out the subject of preserving health, and prolonging life: wherefore
by the help of fire they did practise the separations, and proofs of all
vegetables, animals, and minerals, seeking out their powers and
vertues: Who found out the greatest harmony of all things as well in
the heavens, as on earth, betwixt the Sun, Gold, Man and wine. For
it cannot be denyed, that the life of all things proceeds from the
heat of the Sun; wherefore they sought to unite gold the terrestrial
sun or body fixed and perfect, caused by the rays of the sun, with
man by the help of spirit of wine.
 But haply there will be some, whom this my narration may offend
denying that gold is the Son of the sun, or a metallick body fixed
and perfect, proceeding from the rayes of the sun; asking how the
solary immaterial rayes can be made material and corporeal? But
they are very ignorant of the generation of metals, and minerals.
And although I am not now resolved to write of the generation, and
original of metals, yet endeavouring to demonstrate that there is a
vivifying power of the sun to be found in gold (destroyed and
volatilized) and to be prepared into a most wholesome medicine for
man, I will not omit for the sake of the ignorant and incredulous, to
demonstrate the truth by one or two examples, which although I
could demonstrate by most certain and firm reasons, yet for
brevities sake I am now resolved to omit them, recommending to
the searcher of the Nature, and propriety of metals, my treatise De
Generatione Metallorum, which without doubt will take away all
scruple from him; objecting only against him that oppposeth the
truth, two questions and reasons which are to be confuted: and the
first is, whence comes that increase of both the quantity and quality
of any viscous, mineral liquor, that hath been exposed long to the
Sun in an open glass vessel? Whether from the Sun, or elsewhere?
But thou sayest, that that encrease comes from the air, the vehicle
of all things. I answer, if from the air, whether was not that air
impregnated by the Sun? and whether there be any thing in the air,
which it received not from the stars? But place this liquor in a cold
Cellar, in a moist air, and thou shalt by experience know that no
weight is added thereto, even as in the Sun, or (in his stead) fire:
that Liquor will draw some phlegmatick moisture which will be easily
separated by heat, the weight of the former liquor being left. This
may be shewed by this Example: dissolve some sulphurous metal, as
Iron, Copper, or Zinck, with any acid spirit, and at length take away
the spirit, make the remainder red hot; yet not too much, but as
much as sufficeth to take away the spirits, which afterward (its
weight being observed) put in a crucible on the fire, but take heed
lest the metal run over, but at length let it darkly glow with the
crucible, for the space of three or four weeks, which done, take it
away again, and weigh again the metal, and thou shalt find the
evident encrease of the metal, which thou shalt perceive more
evidently by this way, as follows: Put copper, or some sulphurous
metal, with 16 or 18 parts of lead in a well-burnt cupel; made of the
ashes of wood or bones, in a tryed furnace, (the weight of the cupel,
copper, and lead first exactly observed) and cause the copper to
evaporate by fire with the lead, which done, take the cupel when it
shall be cold, and again weigh it, and thou shalt find it far more
weighty, so that its weight (though much of the lead goes into air in
the cupellating) not only exceeds its former weight, but also of the
copper and lead by the said cupellation; therefore it is justly
demanded whence this Encrease proceeds, whether the heat of the
fire was not coagulated into a metallick body by means of that
melted metal? Therefore it is probable, that if you knew the
metallick matrixes in the surface of the earth, in which the beams of
the Sun and heat of fire being received, may be coagulated, metals
may as well be generated in them, as in the bowels of the earth.
But thou repliest it is probable the heat of vulgar fire to have
something metallick in it, which comes by attraction of the melted
metal in the Cupel, but not in the Sun-beams.
He that will thus try the truth, let him put a cupel very well burnt
in the beams of the Sun, together with copper and lead, to which let
him apply a hollow Looking-glass, so that it may be operated upon
by the Sun-beams gathered into a center, and may thence be made
hot: But thou must continually hold the Looking-glass in thy hand,
that thou maist turn or direct it to the Sun, according to the course
thereof, lest the cupel wax cold, the beams of the Sun being turned
away, but if it be rightly observed, the work shall be done no less
than in a furnace of fire with glowing heat.
You must have a Looking-glass at least in diameter two feet, nor
must it be too deep; but be in depth the 18 or 20 part of the globe,
that so it may the further cast the beams: it must be very artificially
smoothed, that it may more exactly gather the beams to the center.
Now the preparation of these burning-glasses is not of this place,
but in the fourth part of our Furnaces, where we have taught not
only how they are to be made of metals, but also of glass, and how
polisht and used.
This demonstration, which might be otherwise omitted, is
therefore set down, that it may be known how Gold proceeds from
the Sun, and is secretly endued with its proper strength and
proprieties, by Chymistry, reducible into that which it was before its
coagulation, namely, into a heating and living spirit, communicating
its strength and faculties to man’s body. Therefore the Ancients used
great diligence in the reduction of gold, in which nothing is found
more excellent than the purest and finest spirit of wine made by
distillation, and they did not use common gold melted out of stones,
or washt out of sand, but purged by benefit of fire, and
Philosophically quickened and unlocked, not by help of corrosive
spirits, the usual way of vulgar Chymists, but by some water which
Nature freely gives without help of violent distillation; by which they
manifest that which is hid in gold, and they have hid what is
manifest, and therefore they have made it fit for the separation of its
tincture from a gross and black superfluous body. For they knew that
the compact body of gold hath no affinity with the vital Spirits,
therefore they have chosen only the finest part of gold to their Elixir,
viz. Its tincture, which they have radically joyned with the spirit of
Wine, and being joyned, have made them spiritual or volatile, so
that neither can be separated from each other in the fire, and being
in the fire, are sublimed, or fixed by a longer digestion; and
coagulated into a fixt stone, which they count for the greatest
treasure in this World. Therefore the ancient Philosophers affirming,
that there is not a better medicine under the Sun than it, which is
made from the Philosophical union of wine and gold, both by an
inseparable recoagulation and fixation; nor without gold can spirit of
wine, nor this without it be made a medicine, because gold without
spirit of wine cannot be made volatile, nor this be coagulated and
fixt without it. We therefore, their posterity justly, follow the opinions
of the most famous men, not for their authorities sake, but for
ocular demonstration, which is the truest tryal.
 Therefore the knowledge of the preparation of this medicine being
bestowed on me from the highest, I have intended, because a man
is not born for himself, briefly to deliver its preparation and use: but
I will not cast pearls before swine; but I’le only shew the way to the
studious searchers of the work of God and Nature, who doubtless
will understand my writing, but not the ignorant and unskilful; let
therefore the brevity of the preparation offend no man, because I
mean not to prostitute this Art (divinely obtained, not with idleness,
but with much watching, labours and pains) nor give to the
unworthy a bit before chawed, but only to communicate it to the
pious, who shall see with open eyes, that the thing is so. I desire
therefore, the simplicity of my stile may offend no man, being not
adorned with rhetorical figures, after the wonted manner, for truth
wants not many and elegant words, being contented with simplicity
and brevity, with which it is easier and better demonstrated, than
with those intricate and sophistick discourses.
℞ of living gold one part, and three parts of quick Mercury, not of
the vulgar, but the Philosophical every where to be found without
charge; and labour, (thou maist also add living silver of equal weight
with the gold, and indeed better than only gold, for the greater
variety of colours proceeding from the mixture of male and female:
but one perswaded that a better Tincture proceeds from gold alone
may mix gold only, not so, one skilful of metals, who knoweth the
power of the cordial union of gold and silver, dissolved in one and
the same Menstruum) put them mixt in a Philosophical vessel to
dissolve, and in the space of one quarter of an hour, those mixt
metals will be radically dissolved by the Mercury, and will give a
purple colour; after encrease the fire by degrees, and it will be
changed into a very fine green, to which taken out, pour the water
of dew to dissolve, which may be done in half an hour, filtre the
solution, and abstract the water through a glass alembeck in B.
which pour out again afresh, and abstract, which do three times, in
the mean time that greeness will be turned into a black colour, like
Ink, stinking like a carcass, and therefore odious: and it behoves
sometimes to take away the water reaffused and digested, and that
blackness and stink will depart in the space of forty hours, and will
produce a pure milky whiteness, which appearing, take away all the
moisture till it be dry, which will be a white mass, and in few hours
of a pleasant colour, divers colours first appearing, it is turned into a
fine greeness better than the former, to which you must affuse the
spirit of wine well rectified, to the depth of two or three fingers, and
that green gold dissolved will draw that spirit of wine, for the great
amity, like a dry spunge drawing waters, and will communicate to it
a quintessence as red as blood, by which means the greeness is
deprived of its quickening tincture, the superfluous ashy body being
left.
You must decant and filtrate the tinged spirit, and in a B. by a
glass alembeck, abstract it from the red tincture, attracting the fiery
essence of the spirit of wine, so that they may be very close and
inseparably conjoyned, from which an unsavoury water only distils,
the vertue of the spirit of wine being left with the tincture of gold
like a red fiery salt, fusile and volatile; of which grain 1. can tinge ℥ i.
of spirit of wine, or any other liquor, with a blood-red colour, for it is
soluble in any moisture; and therefore may be kept in a liquid form
for the Panacea of most desperate Diseases. Now I will communicate
the proprieties of the true tincture, by which true potable gold is
known. This tincture next the stone is the best of all medicines,
between which and that, there is but this difference, the soul of gold
is volatile, nor hath entrance into imperfect metals, and therefore
cannot transmute into pure fine gold, which vertue is attributed to
the Philosophers stone. The soul of gold, though it be the best part,
yet it is not fixt in fire, but volatile; but the Philosopher’s Stone is fixt
in fire, and remains, by reason of a longer digestion. But whether
that soul or volatile tincture and red Lyon may be fixt by help of fire,
and turned into the Universal medicine, and tinging stone, that I
know not, because hitherto I have not tryed, &c. therefore he may
who extracts the soul of gold, make further tryal, whether he can
find any thing better. For this Work treateth of nothing but the best
medicine of gold, but other things I know not.
 Therefore the deceit of the Distillers of Wine, and other vegetable
waters, selling potable gold, is not unknown, being not ashamed to
sell any water coloured yellow or red to the ignorant for a great
price. And the errour of others dissolving the body of gold in Aqua
Regia, or spirit of salt, which again they abstract to a dry remainder,
to which for extraction they affuse the spirit of wine: Which is not an
extraction, but some particular solution of gold, made by help of the
corrosive spirits left in the gold, tinging the spirit of wine with a
yellow colour, which so coloured, they call their potable gold; which
notwithstanding is reduced into gold, the spirit of wine being
abstracted, which can do no more than any other Calx of gold, which
the Archeus cannot digest, but separates, being indigested, with the
Excrements. And also it is the errour of others, ignorantly deceiving
themselves and others, extracting the Calx of gold with peculiar
menstruums and spirits, knowing not that the menstruum affused to
gold to be red of it self by a long digestion, which decanted, they
administer instead of potable gold, who if they weighed the
remaining Calx, would by experience see that nothing departed from
the gold; which you may try by the setting the spirit or menstruum
in a remiss heat, or longer in cold, which of it self doth wax red, as if
it had been affused to the Calx of Sol. But the cause of this redness
is (unknown to them) nothing but a certain nitrous salt and volatile,
as of Antimony, Urine, Tartar, Hartshorn, Hair, &c. exalting the colour
of any Sulphur.
Wherefore it necessarily follows, if Artists mingle with the spirit of
wine in which is a sulphur, such exalting salts, that it will thence be
exalted in colour, and wax red; which also happens to them, who
use to extract a tincture with distilled Oyls, having a volatile salt, as
are oyl of Lemmons, Cloves, Soot, &c.
For such-like tincture or potable gold is inefficacious, as
experience witnesseth. But I would not say there is no other tincture
to be prepared out of gold, beside this tincture: for being dissolved
in sweet menstruums, that it cannot be separated by precipitation, it
can do wonderful things in many grievous Diseases; but alwaies the
living metal is to be chosen instead of the dead.
 But true potable gold is not so only in name and shew (as are
divers waters tinged with a yellow or red colour) but also endued
with golden faculties and vertues, so that it may actually appear to
be made of gold, but irreducible by Fire into Gold, spiritual and
penetrative, strengthning the vital spirits, that they may overcome
their enemies. But it must also be endued with this Vertue, that it
may change imperfect metals, chiefly Mercury, Lead, and silver into
pure gold; not truly like a fixt tincture, tinging with profit the baser
metals in flux; but only perfecting particularly in a moist way by
digestion, where some part of the metal alone is turned into better.
For this tincture of salt or gold is very volatile, so that it cannot resist
the fire; but with a gentle heat it melteth like wax, and is sublimed
like red salt, soluble in spirit of Wine, that it may be fit for Physical
uses.
Also true potable gold being tasted, is neither corrosive, nor
astringent like other solutions of gold: neither doth it pollute the
hands, the nails and hair with a black or yellow colour, but rather
makes them more fine; neither doth it infect copper, tin, lead, with
rust or a black colour, but rather makes them more clear; neither is
it a body of gold reducible by extraction, nor into white gold, which
may recover its former colour by Antimony, and Aqua Regia, but it is
like an ashy earth, and sublimable in a gentle heat like Arsenick, not
enduring the tryal of the cuple, which vertues if it have, it may be
called the true Tincture of Gold: but if not, not so, but rather a
sophisticated potable gold, not to be medled withal.

Of the medicinal use of this golden Medicine.

W e have before demonstrated the sun to be the original of gold,

or endued with the incredible vertues of the terrestrial sun.
For the strength and vertues of all vegetables, animals and minerals
lie hid in it; which cannot be manifested but by a Philosopher, and
that by separation, to wit, of the intrinsical and pure parts, from the
impure.
 This speech will happily seem to thee incredible, or not very likely
to say that gold is reducible into a spiritual essence, agreeable to
humane nature, endued with the strength of all animals, vegetables
and minerals. Surely thou shalt hardly perswade him whom Vulcan
hath not made a Philosopher to believe it. But who will trouble
himself so much as with sure reasons to decide all Controversies,
which if possible, yet for many reasons is here omitted; but for
sureties sake I will send back the Reader to the second part of our
Furnaces, where he shall find how out of Antimony and Sulphur, by a
good Chymist, with the help of fire, may be drawn not only the force
and faculty of divers vegetables, but also their natural odour; which
yet did not appear in them before they were radically dissolved,
which if it may be done by any imperfect and fetid mineral, why not
also by a perfect and mature mineral?
If we were good naturalists, and very diligent Chymists, then we
need not to fill Elaboratories with so many pots and boxes, nor
spend so much cost in fetching in so many forreign medicinal
species, because without question the strength and properties of all
vegetables, animals, and minerals, by an easier way may be found in
some few subjects. And as the true tincture of Sol well fixed, is
endued with all the vertues of all vegetables, animals and minerals;
so also deservedly is ascribed to it the force of curing all diseases;
but with a difference. For there are divers kinds of the Gout in hands
and feet, as also of the Stone and Leprosie; which sometimes are
inveterate and uncurable Diseases, sometimes new and curable.
Who therefore, not mad, would promise to cure all and every
disease indifferently, by any certain medicine? Certainly no man,
although he had the very stone of the Philosophers.
For oft-times the Stone of the Bladder is expelled or cut out, most
hard and insoluble by Aqua-fortis, which not any medicine not
corrosive could dissolve; which strength, although they ascribe to
their medicine, yet they cannot perform it. Promises therefore do not
suffice, which none can perform: for Promises become Debts, which
is observed by few; wherefore by the haters of the Art the truth
suffers, and the hope of good success of Chymical medicines dyeth.
It is best therefore to perform more than promise, and the work
shall praise the workman. How can a Medicine penetrate to the
extream parts of the body; to wit, the hands and feet, and dissolve
the coagulated matter waxing hard, which out of the Body no
corrosive Medicine can dissolve? It is sufficient if a medicine finding
a viscous tartareous and salt matter, nor yet coagulated, do dissolve
and expel it. The like is to be understood of the stone in the reins,
and bladder. In this manner I will ascribe the curing of the Gout in
the hands and feet, the stone in the kidneys and bladder, to my
tincture of Sol, as well in old as young; but so that, if need be,
specifical Catharticks may be administred, and extrinsecally Bathes
for promoting the cure, whereby Nature may the sooner do its
office. But above all things, we must not slight Divine Providence:
For ofttimes God smites us with a Disease incurable by Art, unless
Divine wrath be first appeased by humble Repentance, which is the
best medicine of all. As also the cure of all Diseases coming of the
corruption of the Blood, as the Leprosie, the French Disease, and
other impurities; which are taken away by this tincture, if withal
Catharticks and Diaphoreticks are administred, cleansing and
renewing the blood above all other medicines. This Tincture also
takes away all the obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, Kidneys, and
other parts, because it warms, attenuates, incides, and evacuates
the original of divers Diseases. It also cures all violent and acute
diseases, as the Epilepsie, Plague, Feavers, &c.
It provoketh the Menstrues of old and young, chiefly, if also
extrinsically it be rightly administred: which way many are well
cured, who otherwise are like to perish miserably; it warms and
cleanseth the Matrix above all other Medicines, and renders it fit to
perform its office: It preserves it also from all accidents of Sterility,
and other very grievous Diseases, causing death. It expels the water
of the Dropsie by urine, it rarifieth and dryeth up the superfluous
moistures of the internal and external parts, like the Sun drying and
consuming waters, by which means the body recovers its pristine
sanity: of other diseases to write in particular there is no need,
because in all and every one, without difference, it may be used as a
general Medicine, in old as well as young. This medicine doth not
only restore, but also conserve health till the predestinated time.
The Dose is from three grains or drops to twelve or more, but to
Children 1, 2, or 3. with its appropriated vehicle, or in wine or beer
to be administred daily, which Dose may be taken oftener in a day,
respect being had to the sick party.
And so I make an end, hoping to have pleased my Neighbour: for
without doubt, who useth this golden Medicine well, shall do well,
chiefly lifting up his heart (acknowledging his sins) to God the Giver
and Creator of all good, in filial humility, imploring his help and
blessing; which the omnipotent God and merciful Father, that he
would bestow on us his temporal blessing in this life with sound
health, and hereafter life eternal, of His free grace, Let us pray,
Amen.
F I N I S.
 T H E

M I N E R A L W O R K:
T H E F I R S T P A R T.
Wherein is Taught the Separation of
G O L D
Out of Flints, Sand, Clay, and other Fossiles by the Spirit of Salt,
which otherwise cannot be purged. Also a Panacea or Universal
Antimonial Medicine, and the use thereof. Invented and published in
favour of the Studious in the
C H Y M I C A L A R T.

By John Rudolph Glauber.

A Preface to the Reader.

T
here will be some without doubt, because the Edition of other
Pieces (of which I made mention in some former Tractates a
few years past) hath been hitherto by reason of diverse
journeys, and other various impediments, neglected, who will think
(having no knowledge of me) that I am unable to perform my
promise; and there are others, who knowing my Condition, and the
Contumelies of my Enemies, will fear that I being diverted from my
purpose by these Reproaches, will make void my secret promises.
But I have resolved to stand to my promise, that these men may see
that I am neither moved nor altered with the Taunts of the Envious;
but that they may be convinced by real demonstration of my secrets;
some of which, I shall now for the publick good endeavour to
communicate. And although the ingratitude of the World be cause
enough for my silence, yet the uprightness of my Heart would not
permit me to conceal those things, notwithstanding the malevolent
and ungrateful. Beside also the following Reason moved me,
because there are some ambitious men, who falsly boast of the
knowledge of diverse of my secrets; wherefore, some have been
moved to think that mine are not my own, but the Works and
Writings of others; by which means I have been deprived of my due
Praise, being attributed to another. And this I have often found, that
one or other having by entreaties obtained a secret from me, have
afterward through Ostentation ascribed it to themselves.
There are others also who fear not to reproach me, and my
Writings, as though they were trifles, not attaining their desired end,
who (rather than I who have written plain enough) are themselves
to be blamed, for being ignorant how to work. Such and other things
might deter me, but I would not omit the publishing of these
Writings for those mens sake who are pious and honest. Wherefore I
openly affirm, that these things published by me are not only no
trifles, but most true, and also my own, and not the Invention of
another. And I call him a lyer, who shall boast himself the Author
without any of my help. But of these enough! yet I would have the
Reader know, that for the meaness of the stile, I am not like many
Writers, who more look after the flourish of words than the thing it
self; I rather seek that my Neighbour may profit by me. Wherefore,
for his better understanding, I had rather be prolixe in words,
tedious to delicate ears, than write in obscure brevity adorned with
Rhetorical figures. For I know that the studious in the Art do affect a
prolixe, plain, and distinct information or instruction, rather than a
Ciceronian or obscure. And now, in the Name of God, I will begin my
Work which is most profitable to all, and will faithfully communicate
and publish the same in that manner as it was written by me in my
travel, under the title of The Mineral Work, divided into three parts.
In the first of which shall be taught how out of sand and golden
flints, corporeal gold may be drawn by the help of Spirit of Salt.
Which secret, although it may seem small, yet it is that whereby (a
knowledge of the true stones and true sand being obtained) life may
be sustained, and also the cost laid out may be recompensed, as
shall be proved in the following parts.
In the second part shall be treated of the original and generation
of metals, and also of the destruction of Minerals and Metals.
In the third part shall be demonstrated the possibility of metallicol
transmutation by Nature and Art, and that with divers reasons:
which demonstration is not (unless I am deceived) performed yet by
any, being the foundation of all metallick Philosophy, and the Golden
Crown of all my Writings. Which God grant I may perfect, to the
glory of his Divine Name, and the good of my Neighbour. Amen.
 The First Part of the
Mineral Work.
A most profitable process of the separation of Gold out of Flints,
Sand, Clay, red and black Talk, and other Fossiles, containing
very subtle Gold, thin and spongeous, which otherwise cannot
be separated, either for its scarcity, or the obstinacy of the
Mineral, by reason of the great Cost to be bestowed; viz. very
easily with the spirit of Salt.

K
now first, (good Reader) that not all Sand, Clay, nor all Flints,
and other Fossiles do contain Gold, but only some, without
the knowledge of which, this secret availeth nothing. And
because the knowledge of these are very necessary for the Artist, I
will shew how they are to be proved, whether they contain Gold or
not, that he labour not in vain, but that it may prove to his
commodity or profit.
The madness of Men, searching after uncertain things is
wonderful, but neglecting certain, although exposed to every ones
view, for many seeking the perfection of Metals to gain Riches, are
busied about an uncertain thing, because of a thousand scarce one
obtaines his end: altho’ they may be perfected and purified, I mean
imperfect and impure metals, so that good Gold and Silver may
thence be extracted, but this Art is given to few, neither is every one
fit to perform the business; because it requires an ingenious and
experienced A r t i s t: But the thing which is certain, may be
performed with small cost and labour by any vulgar Chymist, having
any knowledge of the Art of fusion and separation, being an
ingenious man, and not seeking things too high or too gainful at the
first tryal. Be cautious therefore in the extraction of the aforesaid
stones, for if thou shouldst with the spirit of Salt extract many of
them, having no Gold without doubt thou shalt find no Gold there:
And if thou shouldst extract some contained in them, and if thou be
ignorant of the separation of it by Antimony, thou canst thence hope
for no profit.
First then, the knowledge, viz. of those stones is necessary
afterward of that separation by Antimony. Impute therefore the
fault, if thou errest, not to me, but to thine own ignorance, if thou
knowest not to extract the Gold; for I have written clearly, though
thou shouldst not know any thing that were omitted. And I before
admonish thee to be cautious in thy work, lest thou labour for
nought: For it is certain, and no fiction, that in many places there
are found golden flints, and golden clay, and sand, oft-times
abounding with gold. And if they do not abound with it, yet may
they be extracted with profit: but the flints abounding with it are
extracted with greater gain. There are also found whole Rocks and
Mountains of Gold, and great Mountains filled with golden Sand and
Clay, not returning the charge of washing, either for its too great
rarefaction or spungiosity and levity, by reason of which, its washed
away with the sand; all which, how poor soever, may be extracted
by the spirit of Salt with gain, and by Antimony fixed and purifyed.
In brief, this is such a secret, by which, no man can be an
impediment to another, as in other mechanical operations, whereof
no man may be ashamed; for God did therefore create Gold in the
earth and stones, that we may therefore extract it to the glory of His
Name, and the benefit of our Neighbour; neither hath he forbidden
the true and genuine use of it. I say therefore in truth, that I have
here described this Art, how ever despised by the ignorant, yet of
greatest moment, and almost incomprehensible. Now consider the
thing a little farther, thou shalt find every where in the earth great
Treasures to be hidden, which only through ignorance are not
discovered. Truly it is known to all, that there is found golden sand
and clay in diverse places, which for the aforesaid Reasons are left
unlaboured, but by this our Art may easily be worked upon.
There are found also silver Mountains, out of which, silver cannot
be extracted for the little weight it yields: there is also found in many
places a certain yellow or reddish earth, or such like clay, which
though it contain store of silver, yet it cannot be extracted with profit
by this way, yet separable, with gain, but not by the spirit of salt,
which leaves it untoucht, but by some other thing, every where to
be found in plenty, of which, for some reasons we shall speak
nothing here.
And this way of separation makes much for the poor mineral of
copper, which with profit cannot be worked upon by the vulgar way,
to be separated from the Copper, afterward by ripening it into a
better metal, or turning it into verdy-grease for want of a better art,
which business also may well and honestly more than maintain a
family. This way also may the rejected dross of the gold, silver, and
copper be with profit separated. But because I have decreed to
handle here only the extraction of gold out of stones, therefore
these menstrues which are used in the extraction of copper and
silver, are deservedly omitted, and reserved for another place, where
sometime they shall be delivered, to wit, if I shall see that this
demonstration shall be accepted in mens eyes, which more very
excellent shall follow. As now I have undertaken a more excellent
matter in love to my countrey, by which it may appear, that Germany
however reduced to want, is yet rich enough, if it would but at last
look upon its hidden treasures. There is no need to offer a fore-
chewed bit, for demonstration is sufficient, neither will we obtrude a
good upon the negligent; for to the ungrateful the best things are
unacceptable. These therefore being waved, in short we will give the
demonstration and extraction of those flints, not doubting but the
expert and experienced, though the sluggish may not, will thence
reap profit, and give God the praise.
What belongs then to the aforesaid stones, out of which gold may
be extracted, thus the matter stands. All kind of flints for the most
part have invisible gold, sometimes visible and invisible, volatile and
corporeal together: but many commonly contain impure iron-like
volatile gold, and also mature, and a few, sulphureous and copper-
like.
Stones which the Germans call Quartzens and Hornstein,
containing pure and corporeal gold, although mixt with silver and
copper, may be burnt and ground, and extracted with Mercury, and if
they abound with gold, be purged by flux; which labours are usual
with diggers and dealers in metals, of which I do not intend to write,
because others have heretofore writ of them. But those flints
Quartzen and Hornstein every where almost to be found, containing
but a mean quantity of dispersed iron-like Gold, Marcasite-like, and
that either fixt or volatile, cannot be separated with gain, to wit,
neither by Mercury nor by Flux, wherefore they are neglected by the
Miners, either out of ignorance or for the intolerable costs. But I
having tryed those base stones, that how little gold soever they
possess; yet may it be separated with great gain, I would not
intermit to publish this knowledge for my Christian neighbours sake,
not doubting but this publication will be profitable to very many. For
I am not ignorant that there are as well learned, as unlearned, noble
as ignoble, secular as spiritual, either by war or otherwise exposed
to poverty, so that they are hardly able to maintain their family, &c.
and for their sakes and others in want. I have published this secret,
which rightly handled may bring no small gain yearly, but especially
where those stones are plentiful, and also that spirit of salt, whereof
the description is given in the first part of the Philosophical Furnaces,
and hereafter there shall be given a better, if nothing hinder; in the
mean while use and enjoy these. And if it happen so that thou canst
not rightly perform all things of the aforesaid tractate, blush not to
learn the manual Operations [which cannot be so exactly described]
from those that are experienced, lest you hereafter unprofitably
spend your labour and costs. As for those stones know that very
many of them are found in several places, chiefly in those that are
sandy and mountainous, but in some more and better than in
others: for there is seldom seen sand without flints, and oft-times
the sand it self, though very little doth not want Gold. But they are
very likely to be found on the shoars of Rivers, where the waters
washing away the sand from the flints they are found in great
abundance, though they are not so easily known by their outside, as
those which were found clean in the sand, because they are covered
with slime. Wherefore they must be broken with a hammer, that that
may be seen which is in them, which may better appear if they be
burnt, and quencht in cold water. For the stone retaining its
whiteness when it is burnt and quencht doth contain nothing; but
acquiring a redness it shews there is something in it, and the more
red it is the better token it is.
N. B. But this is not to be understood of sandy stones, waxing red
in some part, in the fire, containing no gold, but of flints out of
which by a mutual percussion fire is brought forth, which the more
pure they are the purer gold do they yield. There are also flints out
of which fire is forced by percussion being red in the fire, which
contain no gold but Iron; which you may know by that clear redness
before the burning, which being burnt is changed into an obscure
redness, not shining and crude: but the flints containing Gold, being
burnt do acquire a fair golden yellowness, or reddish colour, as if
they were covered with gold, and that through the whole substance
if they be broken in pieces. And these give a pure gold, but those
other yield a red extraction like blood, yielding not gold, but the
purest and malleable iron, good in Chymick uses, (but chiefly for
silver to be cemented and exalted) for gold is seldome to be found in
them; the which is well to be observed lest thou draw out iron in
stead of gold, and so lose thy labour.
Also the best stones containing gold, are those which are white
and shining, here and there throughout having in the whole
substance green spots and lines, red, yellow, skie-coloured and
brown. There are also black flints out of which fire is forced by
percussion, having gold and iron, which may be separated with
profit, yielding sometimes plenty of ironish Gold, which may in like
manner, be separated of which afterward.
 They are very good flints also which being burnt retain a
whiteness, with veins green, skie-coloured, and such like, neither are
they disesteemed which burnt, have black spots, and not veins.
But the stones (Quartzen and Hornstein) although they in burning
are not altered, yet if there be seen before gold volatile and spiritual,
they by separation of themselves yield gold.
Gross and subtle sand having light and yellow gold, yields in the
burning a skie-coloured smoak, and is exalted in colour, viz.
brownish: but that hath nothing which is not altered.
Subtle earth, yellow or red, passing through sand or a mountain
like a vein contains also gold, which is for the most part volatile, and
not mature, flying away in reduction, having ingress into silver and
other metals, and therefore for this reason conservable.
For thy better knowledge thou mayst prove the stones, with white
fusile glass, which thing is treated of in the fourth part of the
Philosophical Furnaces, that thou mayst not have cause to impute
the fault of thy errour to me; therefore I would have thee
understand, viz. that all stones contain not gold, neither in all is it
separable by the spirit of salt: they are therefore to be known before
they be applyed to the work.

Now follows the preparation of flints, and the extraction of the

gold contained in them, by the spirit of salt.

F irst the flints being made red hot in the fire, they must be
quencht in cold water, after taken out and cooled, and finely
powdered.
N. B. When they are broken in a Mortar the better parts may
easily be separated from the baser: for while they are finely
powdered, always the best part goes into red powder first, the
worser part thicker and harder, containing little or nothing, being
left; And if they be coursly powdered and sifted through a fine sieve
the more subtle part like red powder goes through the sieve, the
unuseful part being left in the sieve like white dust, which may be
cast away: and if yet some redness appears, it must again be
powdered in a Mortar, and the better part shall go into a red powder,
the baser part being left in the sieve hard and white which is to be
cast away, but you must observe that not all and every of these
flints are thus separable by powdering; for some being beaten do
every where retain the same colour, without any separation of the
better parts, which you must finely powder and extract in the whole
substance, But they (viz. those separable) are more easily extracted,
because all the gold contained in one pound for the most part may
be gathered out of three or four ounces finely powdered and
separated in the aforesaid manner; so that it is not needful to
extract the whole stone, nor to spend so much spirit of salt. But
sand and clay need not such a preparation, but without a
preparation being made before, are extracted by the affusion of the
spirit of salt.
℞ then of the flints as aforesaid prepared and separated two,
three, four, six pound, to which being put into a cucurbit of glass
whole (undivided) pour of the spirit of Salt to the depth of three or
four fingers breadth, and place it in hot sand or Balneo, that there
the spirit of salt may be hot, and may extract the Gold, and so let it
continue for five, six or more hours space, until the spirit tinged with
a deep redness, can extract no more. And perchance at the first time
(though seldom) it may not be tinged with so great a redness, then
must you decant that same imperfectly tinged spirit, and pour to
other flints after the manner expressed, prepared in another
cucurbit, and place it with the flints in a moderate heat for to extract
the gold; which done pour it off again, and pour it to fresh flints,
and do so often until it hath drawn to it a sufficient quantity of gold;
which afterward thou must keep, until thou hast gotten a greater
quantity, and all the Gold may be separated at one time from it, as
afterward shall be said.
Which done pour to the reserved flints in the first cucurbit, a fresh
spirit of salt, and leave that so long in heat, until it be coloured, and
extract the gold that is left in the flints, and was not at the first time
extracted; which spirit being afterward decanted, pour it to the flints
reserved in the second and third cucurbit, to extract the residue of
the gold which was left at the first time; and so consequently to the
others reserved, until the spirit be sufficiently coloured, and can
attract no more; which afterward pour off and put it to the first,
which was reserved. You must also pour a fresh spirit to the
remainder of the extraction for the extracting of all the gold. At
length pour to it also common water to wash away the tinged spirit
of gold remaining in the flints, that none of the Gold may be lost.
And this labour is so long and often to be repeated till there
remain neither flints nor spirits; in the mean while you should cast
away the flints extracted and washed, that the cucurbits may be
filled with fresh flints, and so continue the work; and if there be no
more spirit left to continue the extraction, you may then separate
the extracted gold from the spirit, which is done as followeth: but
first you must have plenty of glass vessels, or retorts of the best
earth, which may retain the spirits; which you may so far fill with the
impregnated spirit, that the spirit in the abstraction run not over,
which done, it is to be extracted in a dry Balneo by little and little
from the Gold, which spirit ye may use again in the aforesaid work.
And the Gold which is left in the bottom of the vessels, is to be
separated from the vessels with a crooked iron wier and (kept being
very like to red earth) for its use, until thou hast gotten a good
quantity, viz. so much as sufficeth for separation and purgation (of
which afterward) to be made by Antimony.
N. B. But when thou shalt extract red talc with spirit of salt, red or
black granates, Smiris, or Lapis Calaminaris, and other Fossiles,
which beside fixt Gold contain much immature and volatile Gold; you
must in the abstraction cast in a little iron, viz. to the solution, which
retains and fixes the gold which otherwise flyes away in fusion.
Wherefore those solutions and extractions of Talc and other things
containing volatile gold are better extracted out of iron Cucurbits by
earthen alembicks than out of glass and earthen retorts, because
then that volatile gold doth attract only so much thence as is
sufficient for its fixation; which iron is after easily separated by the
Antimony from the gold, as shall after be taught. And this is to be
noted, that not the whole granate is soluble in the spirit of salt,
although it be long left in digestion, always retaining its former
colour; wherefore there is a difference to be made, or a preparation
to be learned, requisit for the solution of the gold contained in them.
And you must extract Talc not with too much or excessive heat,
lest its substance be totally dissolved in the spirit and be a
hinderance to the work; because there is little profit then, for it is
therefore appointed, that a little gold dispersed in a great quantity of
Talc may be reduced into a little compass that it need not that all the
quantity of Talc be made fusile, because it will thereby procure loss.
But there is no danger in flints, because the spirit of salt doth not
dissolve them as it doth Talc, but only extracts gold from thence, the
stony body being left. The lapis calaminaris may also otherwise be
handled in the extraction and fixation than granates, flints and Talc,
because it is almost wholly soluble in the spirit of salt; which work is
not here to be handled, because the extraction and fixation is taught
in a peculiar way in another place, neither do I mean to treat of it
here, but only of the extraction of gold out of flints every where to
be found. And this is the way of extraction of Gold out of flints and
sand in heat by the spirit of salt, to be done in glass vessels. But
there is another way too, which is done in cold without glass vessels,
which I thought worth the setting down, that in the aforesaid work
you may choose which you please, this or that, and it is done as
followeth. We must have in this way store of earthen funnels well
burnt, and not sucking up the spirits; for want of which we must
have such as be of strong glass: there must also be a form with
many holes in it to receive the aforesaid funnels, under which must
be placed glass dishes or basons to receive the strained spirit.

Here follows the work to be performed by Funnels.

T he Funnels being put in the holes of the form, you must first put
a big piece of flint in the straighter part of the Funnel, to which
after put lesser pieces, and on these again less, viz. as much as
serveth to fill the straight part of the Funnel, of which the larger part
is after to be filled with powdered flints, but so that there be left a
depth of three or four fingers breadth for the spirit of salt. By this
means those greater pieces in the lower part will hinder the passage
of the fine powder in the Affusion of the Spirit of Salt.
Which being done as it ought, pour to the flints contained in the
Funnels the spirit of salt, two or three fingers breadth in deepness,
which forthwith shall work on the flints, and attract their gold, and
then run into the dish or bason set underneath: and because for the
most part at the first time, some of the powder passeth through with
the spirit, you must so often pour the same spirits on the flints until
there be a stoppage, and the spirit come clear; afterward pour this
spirit into the second Funnel with flints; and then into the third, and
so consequently, until it be strained through the flints of every
Funnel; or till the spirit be sufficiently coloured, which you must keep
until you have gotten a sufficient quantity to be distilled by retort for
the separating the spirit from the gold. Then that first spirit being
strained through the flints of each Funnel according to order and
coloured, pour a fresh spirit to the flints of all the Funnels according
to order, beginning at the first, till you come to the last, until that be
sufficiently coloured; which being done, pour a fresh spirit of salt to
the flints (according to their order) contained in every Funnel. And
when you see the strained spirit not to receive a tincture, it’s a sign
that all the gold is extracted; and then pour on no more spirit but
common water, that it may be strained, and the water will attract the
spirit of salt left in the flints, that none shall be lost, which acidish
water save by its self to the same, and the like uses: which being
done, take out the extracted flints, and fill the Funnels with fresh as
before, viz. to be extracted; and do this so long as you have flints
and spirit. But you must not pour a spirit not sufficiently tinged into
the spirits that are well coloured and impregnated with gold, but
keep it a part, and pour it still to fresh prepared flints, according to
order, contained in divers Funnels, viz. until it be sufficiently
coloured; and being coloured, separate it by the glass retorts with
the rest, extracting it from the gold by abstraction; and being
abstracted again, use it to a new work like the former. And by this
means with 100 pound of spirit of salt may be extracted some
thousand pounds of flints prepared, and separate the gold contained
in them, which otherwise by fusion cannot be done. But the chief
point consisteth in the extraction (the spirit of salt being well and
rightly first administred) viz. that the spirit may not be wasted,
whereby many stones may be abstracted with a little spirit. But this
caution is to be observed in this extraction, which is done in cold,
that it requireth a stronger spirit of salt than that, which is done in
heat by cucurbits, or else the busines goes on slower: but with a
stronger spirit by this (the cold) way they are extracted sooner and
easier than by that which is done in heat; and neither so dangerous,
laborious or costly: this extraction then, viz. the cold, requires a
stronger spirit of salt (which is worth noting) than the hot.
And this is that way, by which those golden flints, and other
golden fossiles are prepared, and with the spirit of salt are extracted,
and by which it is again separated from them: Now shall follow the
manner of purification, viz. of the Gold left in the Retort.
N. B. The pure gold being extracted out of the flints, not the iron-
like, there needs no great business of purification; for thou mayst
purify it by fusion with borax, or with the fluxing powder made with
the equal weight of nitre and tartar: but if the gold extracted out of
Flints be mixt with iron, as for the most part it is, then you must not
fuse it with Fluxing Powder, because it is not thereby purifyed or
rendered malleable Gold, but separate it by lead, by which way it is
purged and made malleable. And if such Gold have any sulphureous
impurity mixt besides, it is not to be separated with lead, because it
is then partly turned to dross and other impurities by the iron with
loss; wherefore it is to be purged with three parts of Antimony and
separated; by which means nothing is lost; which is the best way of
separation and purification of Gold, viz. the ferreous, without which
it cannot otherwise be separated without loss.

How impure Gold may be separated and purged by Antimony.

T his work is necessary to be known, if you think to have any

benefit by the aforesaid extraction of Flints by the spirit of Salt,
which without this separation and reduction is of no moment: and
what profit I pray is there by the extraction of immature Gold, which
by the common way cannot be purg’d, requiring the industry of the
Artist in fusion, whereby it may be separated from its sulphureous
fæces and fixed? For it is easie to conjecture, that such spiritual and
volatile gold mixed with Iron, by that common flux is not reducible
into a body, but rather into dross: for experience testifies that gold
dissolved with the spirit of salt, and also iron, or any other
sulphureous thing, the spirit of salt being abstracted cannot be
reduced whole by the vulgar flux made of Nitre and Tartar, going
into dross: which if it happen to corporeal, pure and fixt gold, how
shall it be otherwise with that which is incorporeal, unclean and
volatile? for the Gold being ironish commonly, which is extracted out
of stones, and iron having great affinity with gold (by reason of
which being nearly united, it is difficultly separated, so that it easier
goes with iron into dross than parted from it) you must of necessity
make a flux not only attracting that impure gold, but also purifying
and cleansing it, that which Antimony alone doth, which with its
combustible fusible Sulphur easily enters that ironish Gold: But by its
Mercury it attracteth the pure corporeal gold, and cleanseth it, and
separates it from all dross without any loss: wherefore there cannot
be a better flux, but requiring industry, or an ingenious separation of
the Antimony from the gold, without wasting the gold; which is done
as follows.
And first your ferreous gold, that is left in the abstraction of the
spirit of salt, must be finely powdered in iron retorts or pots, and
mingled with it two or three parts of Antimony powdered, and mixt
in a very strong crucible filled and covered, and then fused in our
fourth furnace, until that flow like water; which soon appearing, pour
them together into a heated Cone, smeared within with wax, and
when they be cold, separate from the dross the Regulus (having
most of the gold) with a hammer, and keep it by it self. Which done,
you must again melt the drossy Antimony (as yet containing much
gold) that was left, in the crucible, and add to it a little filing of Iron,
mixing them with a crooked wier, and that Antimonial combustible
Sulphur will be mortified by adding iron, and will yield a Regulus
containing the rest of the gold, which, as a regard is had to the
quantity of iron added, will be more or less, and for the most part
will answer in weight to the weight of the iron; then cast the mass
(well flowing) into a Cone heated and smeared on the inside with
wax, which being cold, separate again the Regulus from the dross
with a hammer, which also is to be kept by it self; melt the dross
again, as before, and precipitate it with iron, and extract the Regulus
thence, which keep by its self, for it contains gold and silver mixt.
For the best gold is precipitated the first time, but afterward the
baser sort, and at last only Silver. Wherefore every Regulus is to be
kept by it self, that the purest gold may be a part, and the silvered
gold by it self.
N. B. And if the Antimony, by the addition of Iron, do lose its
fusibility, and therefore can yield no Regulus, it’s required, that you
at every time when precipitation is made, by adding iron, that you
do also cast in some Misy, to make the mass to melt in the crucible
and precipitate the Regulus. All the gold and silver being reduced
into three or four Regulus’s, you must keep the drossy parts by
themselves that were left, of which we shall speak hereafter.

Now follows the way of separating the Gold and Silver from the
Antimony.

T he aforesaid antimonial Regulus’s may many waies be purged,

and first by help of Bellows on a plain earthen test, as the
custom is with Goldsmiths when they make Gold fusile by Antimony,
which labour is tedious and dangerous; which cannot be done often
without the loss of health, nor in great quantity: wherefore when a
better way is known, ’tis a folly to do it so. The Regulus’s also may
be purified by lead on a teste, which work may be done in a great
quantity, but it requires abundance of coals and lead, where the
Antimony cannot be preserved: but it may be done with gain, and is
to be preferred before the former waies: Thou maist if thou pleasest
calcine the aforesaid Regulus’s to ashes, and then fuse them; which
way the gold and silver may easily be drawn out. Thou maist also
fuse them in a crucible, and by the addition of some salts, separate
the antimony from the gold and silver, turning the antimony into
dross, which being separated, those are found purified and
malleable, which though it be the easiest way, it is yet also very
dangerous, for the salts often, if you do not warily proceed, do spoyl
much gold and silver, and sometimes leave gold immalleable, and so
double the pains.
But he who knows how to do this by Nitre only, he may with great
gain, and in a short time, purifie a great quantity of the aforesaid
Regulus’s without loss of the gold, silver, or antimony. There are also
other means for the doing of it which to relate were tedious and
indeed impossible. Wherefore I will set down the best of all, most
profitable in the separations of great quantities of Regulus’s. Where
first is required some peculiar little Furnace with a Fire almost like to
that in our first part of Philosophical Furnaces, built for the subliming
of Flowers; it wants indeed a grate, but it hath little vents for to
make the coals burn, that thy antimony separated from the gold,
may be sublimated or elevated into sublimatory vessels. Which being
rightly built and heated, let so much of the Regulus be cast in with a
spoon as the Fire can bear, which will quickly melt and be elevated,
the air being attracted by the vents, without any trouble: which
being sublimed, you may cast in more, if you have more, until all the
Regulus be separated and sublimated from the gold and silver, which
are left in the Fire pure and malleable; the furnace being cold, you
may take out the Flowers and keep them (of which afterwards) for
uses, which way you may not only separate a great number of
Regulus’s from gold and silver in a small time, but also keep all the
antimony, which may many waies be used in Alchymy and Medicine
with great profit. Which sure is an excellent knowledge, for not only
hereby may any one get abundantly, without wronging his
neighbour, but also help many sick People, viz. by that excellent
Medicine made of the Flowers: which is a special gift of God, for
which we owe immortal Thanks. And this is, of all others that I
know, the best way of separation of gold from antimony, which is
not only done in great quantity, in a short time, and with small
charge, but also without loss of the Antimony.

Here follows the Use of the Antimonial Flowers.

F irst, you may take the whitest of the Flowers out of the lower
hole, and keep them for a Universal Medicine; but reduce the
rest (being less pure) into Regulus by the salt of Tartar, for divers
uses, as shall be said afterward; or you may mingle them with an
equal weight of common sulphur, or antimony, which being mixt in a
covered crucible, melt them, and they will yield an antimony like to a
natural, good to purifie gold: or thou maist mingle them with other
metals or minerals, that by this means they may be made better. Or
thou maist use them in Chyrurgery, for they of all stiptick plaisters
make the best. In brief, the aforesaid Flowers may many waies be
used with good gain and success.
The aforesaid antimonial dross may also be reduced into Flowers,
and used in the same manner; which indeed are endowed with as
excellent Properties, as they which are made out of Regulus’s;
because in that fusion and separation of gold extracted out of Flints
and Talc, the gold only that was fixt and mature, was separated from
the Regulus’s, (the immature and volatile being left in the dross) and
elevated with the Flowers: It follows thence, that these are better, as
well in medicine as in the transmutation of metals.
Or, if thou wilt, add to the antimony (as aforesaid used) old iron,
to reduce it in a furnace, and take the Regulus, having gold and
silver, which may therefore be used in other operations of Chymistry,
where there is need of Regulus, as we may shew hereafter. But the
dross doth yield a Regulus, viz. in a very strong Fire, and a Furnace
with a peculiar separatory by abstraction, which although it contain
not gold, yet it may be used not without gain, as if it be mingled
with Tin in fusion, it procures to it a hardness and sound, useful for
fashioning divers sort of Houshold-stuff, which is not so easily
darkened as the common Tin, or if thou wilt not, thou maist make
weights of it.
 Hitherto we have treated of the extraction of gold out of Flints,
and of its putrification by antimony; now we will teach you how to
use the rest of the antimony, as well in the perfection of base metals
as in medicine, as well for the preserving of Health, as the curing of
Diseases.
But seeing we have made mention of an Universal Medicine, to be
made out of antimony aforesaid, I would not have thee think that
that is such as can take away all distempers in general, without
distinction, which vertue is only ascribed to the Philosophers Stone,
but not by me to this medicine; to which I attribute no more than I
have tryed: But this in truth I dare affirm, that there is, besides the
stone, scarce any comparable to it; for it doth not only preserve the
body from divers Diseases, but also happily frees it from the present,
so that it may deservedly be termed a Universal Medicine.

The Preparation followeth.

℞ of the flowers purified from the dross a pound, viz. of Antimony,

by which the extracted gold was purified, which for the most
part are of a yellow colour, having gold volatile and immature: in
defect of which, take the flowers made out of the golden Regulus’s,
being for the most part white, to which pour in a Glass Vial, strong
and long-necked, of spirit of wine tartarised, three or four pound,
mingle and stir them well together, and put on it another crooked
pipe (within which let there be some ounces of Quicksilver, as is
described in the Fifth Part of our Philosophical Furnaces) and make
strong the joynts with a bullocks bladder thrice folded, made wet;
which dryed, place the glass in Balneum, and give fire by degrees,
that the spirit of wine with the antimony may digest, in which leave
it for 24 hours space, and so soon as the fire is out, take out the
glass, when it is cold, pour off the spirit tinged red from the Flowers,
and pour on fresh; and place it, as before, in Balneum, to digest 24
hours space, till it be red, and do this the third time, or so often till
the Spirit be no more coloured, for then no more is to be poured on,
and that which is coloured, is to be filtred with Cap-paper. The rest
of the Flowers, after the extraction, as not requisite to this business,