Treateth of Corn: Shewing what means it is to be Concentred, and Condensated by, so as to be Exported in great Quantities into other Countries, whereby both Gain and Moneys may be thereof made.
I have instructed you in the foregoing Chapter, after what manner such Wines as are of a meanprice, may by the help of Concentration be conveniently transported out of one Country into others more remote, where no Wines grow, and produce good profit. The which Artifice may be of most great benefit to the Inhabitants of such Countries as abound in Wine, and want sometimes Chapmen or Merchants for the same.
’Tis very well known to every one, that in most places ofGermany(but especially inFranconia, and in the other Countries adjoining) Corn is so exceedingly plenty, and of so vile a price, that the inhabitants know not what to do therewith; and for that reason it lies and rots in their Barns and Granaries, the exceeding abundance thereof either hindring the sale of the same, or the great costs and charges of Carriage hinder the Transportation of it into the lower Countries ofGermany, where ’tis dear enough.
Hence comes it to pass, that the miserable Inhabitants have indeed Wine and Corn enough, but want Moneys to pay the Tributes due to the Magistrate; so that tho’ they have such plenty of the Divine Gifts, and so much Riches, yet for all that they are in great penury and want, in that they cannot sell off so much as to pay their Family’s expence,viz.Men-servants and Maid-servants wages, or so much as to sustain them. Verily, this is a punishment from the hand of God, and a singular one too, by which he corrects us ungrateful men. In time of the Wars, when a huge Scarcity pinched the Inhabitants ofGermany, then the common outcry went up to Heaven, and promised largely an amendment of life; but when the War was over, and all quiet, and a most wisht-for Peace returning, then all men generally became worser, and more wicked, tho’ the goodness and bounty of God had bestowed on them such a great plenty of things so exceeding necessary: And now such great Fulness being enjoyed, they now gape after Money too, and murmur against God, as theIsraelitesdid, who loathing, as ’twere, the plentiful abundance of things necessary, murmured atMoses.
The reason why Corn is so exceeding plenty, is this:
After the making of Peace, and sending away the Souldiers, many Commanders being weary of warfare, and abounding with Money and Horses, bought (or rather squeez’d out) of the poor Inhabitants, every where destitute of Money, most notable Farms, for a very mean price, and did set themselves with the utmost of their Industry to till the Earth, which had lain fallow a long time; which Lands became so fruitful that it even amazed all men. The poor Inhabitants too, who now had gotten a little Money, they also set their hands to the Plough, and used even the utmost of their endeavours in the tillage of the Earth: From hence it came to pass, that they were so furnished with such a vast deal of Corn in a few years space, that they knew not at all what to do therewith. As for carrying it into far distant Countries, the troublesomeness and charges of the Carriage were too great an hindrance: To lay it up in the Granaries, that the Air will not suffer them to do, tho’ in the time ofJosephsuch a thing was done inEgypt, where the Air being Nitrous, dry, and not so easily subject to corrupting, as ours is, preserved the Corn from Corruption.
What I have here written, hath proceeded forth from a good mind and sincere intention, and I hope ’twill do more good than hurt. I know that the eyes of many will be opened to see what aBabylonishConfusion the present World is in; I pray God to be an helper to the Good, and to be a reducer of the Wicked from the course of their Impiety, into the Right way.
In the first place, you are to make a Malt of your Barly, Wheat, Oats, Spelt, or any other kind of Grain or Corn, the which dry either in the Sun or in the Air, or else in an Oven heated a little, and not to be scorched and parched as it were after the Brewers custom; for so the sharp fume of the wood would stick thereunto, and make it black and bitter, and it may easily be conjectured, that there would be no good come of it, for by this means the smoak of the wood would stick on to the Corn and the Sprouts it has thrust forth, and are moistened, and so would make the Ale that is boil’d thereoutof unwholsome, and of an ungrateful bitter flavour: But now such Malt as is dried in the Air, Sun, or in a warm Stove or Oven, has no such ungrateful taste as comes from the smoak of the wood, but remains sweet and pleasant.
NB. Else you may do thus; The Corn, after it hath sprouted and hath been thrown abroad on some Floor, open to the air, and thereby been a little freed of some of its moisture, may be dried purely and quickly too in the Brewers great Coppers, in which they are wont to boil their Ale or Beer, provided it be continually stirred about with some wooden stick without ceasing, that it may be all over hot, and so become dry. But yet you must have a care that your fire be not too strong under your Copper wherein you dry your Malt, and so burn the Corn, and make it taste untowardly; this done, the dried Malt is to be ground as other Malt which is used to make Ale withal is wont to be, but yet so, that it be not too finely ground nor too grosly; for if it be too gross, and the Grains be unbroken, the water cannot sufficiently get out the Virtues and Juice in the boiling, but that the best part will remain in the boiled Grains, and so be thrown away on the Beasts in their nutriment; but if it be ground too small, it will run into heaps, and hinder the straining out of the Ale; therefore a mean is to be observed, and care taken that no errour be committed, by either excess or defect. The Malt being on this wise prepared, every one may boil his Ale according to his custom, and so much thereof as his Vessels, Coppers, and Coolers will admit of: Some do pour boiling water on their Malt, and mix them both by stirring them well together, and then let them settle for some time that the water may take into it self the strength of the same; then they draw out that water by a Tap, and pour on more, and repeat the Infusions so often, until the water can get out no more sweetness, and there remain nothing but the insipid Husks, the which are nourishment for Cattel.
NB. Othersome that have no Vessels to extract the Virtue out of the Malt in, by boiling water, do put the prepared Malt in wooden Vessels or Tubs, and pour thereon warm water or cold, and stir it very well about, and leave it so for some hours, that the Malt may be macerated; then do they put it in a Copper, and pour thereunto so much water as may keep the Malt from burning to in the boiling; and having boiled it for half an hour, they pour it out upon a bed of straw, fitted for that purpose, and placed over a Cooler, and so strain the Ale: This Labour of pouring on, boiling, and straining, is so oft repeated, till the water sucks no more sweetness out of the malt. This manner of boiling Ale is used by those only who want store of Vessels, and pretty large ones: The former way is not only better and more commodious, but likewise more fit for the boiling of a greater quantity of Ale.
NB. This is to be observed in this place, when the best and first Juice or Extraction is drawn out of the Vessel by a Tap, and fresh boiling water poured a second time on the malt in the Copper, and again drawn off by the Tap, those two waters in which the chiefest Virtue of the malt is, may be boiled and thickened by little and little in a plain or flat Copper. The third and fourth pouring on are indeed as yet good, but yet not fat enough, and seeing they are not very strong, are not worth the boiling away, for they won’t quit the costs of the Fire, and therefore are to be applied to some other uses. Now when a man is about this work, he may so order his boilings, as to have several of them one after another; and then those pourings on,viz.the second and third, remaining of the first course of boiling may be poured on the second course of boiling, in the stead of bare water: And so is it to be handled, that alwaies the first and second pouring on (and which contain in them the chiefest Virtues of the malt) may be boiled to the consistency of Honey in a Copper made for that purpose, of Evaporation; and the third and fourth pouring on may be alwaies kept for the next following course of boiling, and be poured on the malt in the room of bare water, and so are to be condensed by evaporation in a Copper, as the first and second pouring on were done withal in the first course of the boiling; and so always the3d.and4th.pouring on of the former course of boiling, is to be the first and second in the next following course of boiling; and this way of proceeding draws out of the malt its best and chiefest Virtues, and lessens the charge of the boiling: For the Costs would be far greater, if the third and fourth pouring on were to be boiled offper se.
NB. The Coppers and Pans necessary for the thus reducing these extracted Juices to the consistency of Honey, are already described, where mention is made of the Concentration of Wines. He that can’t well enough understand me, may take the pains to come and see my Furnaces, Coppers, and other Instruments appertaining to this work; as likewise the manual Operation, for I cannot help him any other way. And as for a larger description of these things, my time will not permit me at this instant to make it. The Juices being condensate, are to be drawn out of the Copper by a Tap fastened therein, or laved out, and being cool, put them up in Barrels, and shut them up tight, that the external air may not get thereinto; for thus may you keep them uncorrupt, even as long as you please.
NB. In your boiling them you must be very diligent that the Juices be not burnt to, by the overmuchness of your Fire, or that by being heat too hot, they boil not over; all which may be prevented by Registers (as theChymistscall them) destinated for the regulating of the Fire. This is a most compendious way of extracting the Virtues out of Corn, and of reducing them into a narrow room, the which if you order according to Art, that nothing of your Juices be spilt or lost, 8 Barrels of Malt will yield you one full of Juice, and which contains all the Virtues that were in those eight Barrels; the residue serves to fatten Beasts withal.
NB. He who knows how to convert those remains to his use, in another kind of way will do better, and extract thereoutof so much as he is constrained to lay out in buying his Corn, insomuch that he can have his Juices as it were evengratis. But of these things more hereafter.
As touching these Juices, they comprehend in them the whole Virtue of the Corn, out of which you may when you please boil Ale, make Adust or Brandy-wine or bake spiced Cakes; for if it be used to them instead of Honey, it makes them much the sweeter. These Juices therefore are to be prepared in those places in which Corn is sold at a very mean rate, and which cannot be exported to foreign parts, and is there in such great plenty, as that the Country-men know not what to do therewith, but there it lies in great Stacks and rots. Farther, they are yet prepared with greater benefit and more gain where the plenty and cheapness of wood is, the which yields no small encrease and addition to the Gains.
But that the nature and condition of this Labour may be the better understood, the following Computation will shew. Suppose I take 8 Barrels full of Corn and bring them into Malt, then boil it into Ale after the aforesaid way, and condense it into a Juice, wherewithal I fill one Barrel: This one Barrel now is far more commodious to be carried into foreign places either by Waggon or by Ship, than those 8 barrels, and will bring me double or treble the profit that 8Medimni(a Measure containing some six bushels, or the eight barrels) of Corn. Why? because the greatest labour is already over, and there remains but very little to boil the Ale out of the Juice, as the following Example will demonstrate.
I buy me eight barrels in that place where Corn and Wood are to be had at a mean rate, and there passeth some River or other by the place, as theMheneinFranconia,NicerinSuevia,VisurgisinHassia, and the Dukedome ofBrunswick,AlbisinSaxonyandMisnia; for in all these places there is abundance of Corn, and store of Wood, and the price of each, mean enough in conscience. If now oneMedimnus(or six bushels) of Corn be esteemed at the price of one Imperial, eightMedimniwill yield eight Imperials; the Wood will cost one Imperial, the Labour one Florin: The juice out of the 8 barrels of Corn may be put in a Fir-Cask, as they use to do with Honey, that so in paying the carriage, it may not be accompted for Wine or Ale, but some dry Goods, and so valued by the hundred, as other dry Wares are priced; so then the Barrel will cost the Carriage by Water to some of the Maritine or Sea-coast Cities, two Florins. Now if we sum up all these Expences upon the Corn, Carriage, Fire, and Labour, they come to 12 Florins or 8 Imperials. But now, out of that one Barrel of Juice there may be made eight Barrels of the best Ale, and if you will have it somewhat smaller, then ’twill make 10 or 12, according as you boil your Ale to a stronger or weaker degree. However, this is certain, that one Barrel of Corn will yield more than a Barrel of good Ale; so that out of one Barrel of Corn may be made one and an half of strong Ale. Now then, if one of those Barrels of Ale yield three Imperials, the eight Barrels, which cost the buying, and reducing into one Barrel, and the transporting it, eight Imperials, may there be sold for 24 Imperials; from which the eight being subtracted, the remainder of the Gains is 16 Imperials, which verily is enough upon those 8 Barrels.
But put case the Corn were dearer, and the Carriage of the Juices to those places did cost more, and that those 8 Barrels of Corn, or one Barrel of Juice, did yield (besides all the costs) only 8 Imperials profit, yet would this be profit enough, and may well content a Man. I forbear to mention the other benefits and profits arising over and above besides this Gains; for by this kind of way is saved and made vendible that Corn which would else be spoiled: Besides in a plentiful time the mean-prized Corn may be bought up,concentrated and kept till a scarcity come. Nor is there any cause of fear that it will be devoured by the Mice and Rats, or be spoiled with lying, or wax mouldy, or be any other way corrupted.
Nay more, it occupies less room than the Corn would; for where one Barrel of Juice lies, there should have lain eight Barrels of Corn.
Besides, the Magistrates and Subjects may by this means reap much profit and help. The Magistrate may be satisfied by taking Corn of the Inhabitants instead of tribute. The Subjects may by the benefit of this Medium satisfie the Magistrate, and there will not need the selling his Cattle, or Sheep in the Fold, or to borrow Money upon use, and to give his Wife and Children for pledges. For there is requisite no other labour than that the Magistrate appoint a place to boil his Ale, in which the Corn may be malted, boiled and thickned into Juices. As for Wood, that he has himself and needs not lay out a farthing upon that. So now, by this means may a Country be brought to that degree of happiness as never to want Money, Corn, or any other necessary things. For where the Juices can be but brought to the Sea-towns many thousand Barrels full may be sold to those Magistrates and Merchants which send their Ships into theEastandWest-Indies; in which Countries may be made good Ale at any time of the Year, even in the midst of Summer, or in the Dog-daies themselves, if you have but Hops and Water at hand; the which is far better and more profitable.
For in the room of this one Barrel of Juice, there must have been stowed 8 Barrels, and yet that sometimes turns sour too, and is spoiled, the which never betides these Juices. Now such Ale prepared of the Juices by means of Hops and Water are much wholsomer than the common Ales are, because that the Fire hath consumed all the Crudities; in the boiling of the Juices or hath corrected them, and this every one will readily believe or assent unto.
Nay more, these Juices may (and that with very great profit too) be sent into those places wherein (by reason of the abundance of People there) Corn and Ale is much esteemed, as inHolland, and the bordering Countries. If the Ale-brewers could but once get such Juices, without doubt they would not be at the costs to brew it out of the Corn, for they would not need so much time to brew in, nor such Coppers, nor so many Mens help, all which they must necessarily have in the common way of brewing. In these Juices, there is much sparing of Fuel, (the which makes the common way of brewing Ale, more costly,) and of Men’s labour which doth likewise prove chargable. Nor are we silently to pass over that great benefit which they have hereby, for that good Ale and such as will not sour may be made without any danger even in the midst of the Dog-days. Every one knows what it is to brew Ale (then,) and that the brewing is at other times sufficiently troublesome,viz.so to order it as to prevent the danger of souring. But now this brewing (that I mention) is void of all this kind of fear of souring; whereas the usual kind of brewings do for the most part (in the Summer season) become sour either in the straining it through the Grains, or by standing in the Coolers: but these labours are in our brewing already dispatched, and that in those places where the charges of Labourers, Wood, and Room fit for boiling it in, are not so great.
This work therefore is of mighty profit both to the buyer and seller: For the seller can afford his Corn at a reasonable rate. And the buyer need not be at any other charges in brewing good and wholsome Ale at any time of the Year save only the hire of one man that may prepare or sit the Juices, and Hops, and Water for the boiling, and set it a-working or fermenting and pour it into the Vessels. Whereas on the contrary in the common brewing of Ale there needs many mens help, huge Coppers, and wooden Flats and a great deal of room to brew in, and store of Fire which is sufficiently dear in some Countries; all which are avoided in the brewing with the Juices. Do but consider I pray what a notable and profitable thing this would be in great Cities, and especially in those places where Houses, Fuel, and Mens labour are very dear, if such kinds of Juices were set to sale; that so every Master of a Family might buy up some Barrels of this Juice, and dissolve them at his own home with Water and Hops, in a small Copper according to his pleasure, and make the said Juices into Ale, as fat or as lean or small; and as bitter or as sweet as he listeth; and then put it up in his own purified and well cleansed Vessels, and he and his, drink thereof all the whole year; and if need be, might make either Physick-drink or Spiced-ale. And would it not be much better than the buying such Ales of theBrewers, which are sometimes either too new or too stale, and oft-times acid, impure, not well boiled, and stinking, and instead of Hops have Aloes, Xanthium or Burr, Henbane and such like Herbs put in them. For in some places, theBrewersuse such kinds of Herbs and the like hurtful things, instead of Hops, to make their Ale bitter, and to save a few charges in the making their drink. Therefore all such as use to drink of such kind of Beer are never wont to be in compleat health; and especially in watery and moist places they are for the most part afflicted with the Scurvy, Melancholly,&c.which is the usual fruits of such kind of Drinks, for they obstruct the internal parts of the body and the principal members, and stir up such Diseases. But our Ales that are made of the Juices and good Hops do not only not stir up such Distempers, but do even (by their purity and clearness) resist them, and preserve men from them; but especially if such Juices be made of such Malt as has not a smatch of the smoke of Wood, but is dried in the Air, and which are so handled in the fermentation or working of them as that all the defilements settle to the bottom; for then will you have such Ale, as doth both in wholesomness and sweetness exceed such Wines as are infected with, or have a tang of,Sulphur, or that grow in a soil abounding with Chalk. They dull not the head, they do not cause windiness, they puff not up the body after the manner of other Ale; they do not stop the Urine but provoke it, and keep the Belly soluble: They are Medicinal without the addition of Physical Herbs, are sweet and wholsome, and of an excellent tast, and such as the like of them cannot be made without this medium or way.
Such Ales deserve a peculiar praise, and many would there be who would drink of Ales often, could they but get such: and would leave off the drinking troubled, unwholsome, and sulphured Wines. For my own part I will make use of such kind of Ale, and Wine, in my own house for the sustaining of mine own Family.
I could mention much more concerning such Ales if the time would permit me, but I have spoken enough already. And as for what remains unwritten here, may be gotten out of, (or understood by) the things here described. I question not but that good (or provident) Masters of Families will set about thisbusiness of preparing these Juices, and of sending them into such places where they may be sold to Ships that are bound for far Countries, and so mightily enrich those Countries with store of Money that abound with Corn.
Besides, theBrewersof Ale or Beer that are in great Cities will not disdain such an excellent Art, but will themselves buy such Juices at a considerable rate.
Princes, Nobles, and great Cities, will also provide (or buy up) great quantities of such Juices, and lay them up in their Forts and Castles, and in their Store houses as a good Treasure, that so they may have it to use in time of necessity. Nor will good (or provident) Housholders neglect to furnish themselves therewith, that so they may have wherewithal to sustain them and theirs in a time of scarcity.
In the time of Wars, eminent Captains and other Military chieftains will take care to have them, and carry them into their strong holds, and there loosen them (or put a proportionable quantity of Water to them) and turn them into good Ale; as for Water, there’s to be found (enough) of that every where, and so need not store up that, and as for Hops that is easie enough to be bought.
So then, there will be a notable benefit by this Artifice to strong Holds and Castles, and such fenced Places as fear a Siege. Briefly, Words cannot express the benefit and profit which will redound to all places, by these Juices, in times both of Peace and War.
Therefore every Magistrate who has a care of his Subjects health and preservation, will worthily and with his utmost diligence carefully provide for the having such prepared Juices, that so in times of necessity they may be at hand for use.
But now, some may object and say; I perceive and well see that this Artifice is good and profitable, but ’tis not so easie a matter for every one to purchase himself Coppers requisite for this work? To such I answer. ’Tis not so needful that every one should furnish himself with such (utensils); if there be in every City but one man only that is imployed thereabouts, who may buy off his Neighbours Corn and pay them their Money for the same, ’tis sufficient. And if others also betake themselves thereunto, there will be the more Money gotten, and the Country made the richer; neither is any reason to fear or doubt, but that, if he shall bring eight thousand Barrels of Corn condensed into a thousand Barrels of Juice unto the Cities on the Sea coast, he will sell it off for ready money. Will a thousand Barrels (think you) be sufficient (or be a drug) in some populous City wherein are daily drunk some thousands of barrels of Ale? Verily he that shall expose to sale in such a like City many thousand Barrels, would not stay long there, but would be loaden (or furnished) with ready Money for the same, by those who knew the Art of making Ale with such Juices.
I do verily believe that it would be altogether much better to sell Corn after such a manner, and so to have profit by it, than let it perish with lying; which is a great sin before God, and a shameful disgraceful thing before Men.
But further, It may be objected and said. If this Artifice of making Ale were set up in those places, in which there is wont to be a certain Tribute paid the Magistrates for every Barrel (of Ale,) it would not be allowed of, because by this means the Tribute or Customs due to the Magistrates would be diminished. This inconvenience is easily prevented, if the Magistrate impose the same Tribute of Ale on the Juices. For by this means the Tributes or Customs would not be at all diminished, but be equally as profitable upon the Juices, as upon Ale. The like may be done with the condensate Juices of Wine.
So then ’tis clearly evident, that there cannot possibly arise any detriment from these Juices, but rather infinite profits and commodity. And therefore every Magistrate should seriously cause his Subjects to make these kind of Juices of such Corn as they cannot sell, and instead of spoiling it get riches by it. Certainly this would be far better, and far more profitable for such Subjects as are very poor and go miserably tattered and naked, and have nothing to help themselves (of which sort there are not a few.) Verily there would be no want of any thing, but the Subjects as well as their Rulers would have enough: And for this reason have I willingly undergone this trouble and this labour in manifesting and laying open this Artifice.
And although I am not to expect any reward from any body for manifesting a thing of so much concernment (for this is an unthankful World) yet have I obeyed the will of God and have out of a Christian love benefited my Neighbour, and in this well-doing do I rest, no ways doubting but that God the rewarder of every good (action) will recompense in another place, this my well-doing which I bestow upon the World.
Farther, I can in a kind of a Prophetical manner predict, that if regard be had of this my wholsome Doctrine and Admonition, many Countries will in a very short time recover their former happiness, and both the highest and lowest will live in a prosperous condition; but especially those who first set upon this business afore it becomes common, will get great riches. Now then, whosoever they be that by the help and benefit of this way shall get the blessing of God, let them not forget the poor, but bestow that blessing on the cherrishing and comforting poor Orphans and Widows, to the Honour of God. For the Treasures and Riches in this temporal Life cannot be better laid out, and laid up, than in distributing them amongst the poor. For by that means there’s no fear of being spoiled of them by Thieves and Robbers; And more, in the Life to come, they shall be recompensed with a ten-fold reward.
Of the Concentration ofVegetables.
We have already taught in the two foregoing Chapters by what means Wine and Corn are to be by an Artificial condensation reduced into a narrow compass, and brought to be a gainful Merchandice. It now remains to shew the way conducing to a condensation of the Virtues lying hid in Herbs, Bushes, Shrubs, and Trees: (which Vegetables do most plentifully abound in most places and yield no profit) that so even out of them as well as from Wine and Corn may be reaped a very great profit. No body is ignorant of this,viz.That there is nothing more vile and of less esteem than the Grass (or Herbs) of the Field, and Briars or Bushes, and Shrubs, and lofty Trees too, especially when being at a good distance from Men’s dwellings they cannot be applied to any use, and upon this account are they not valued at all,nor by reason of their distance profitable to any, but there they grow and perish in those vast woods and desart places. And this is to be seen in those most huge Woods ofGermany, such as are theIngriones, the WoodArdenne, theOttonicane,Hercinian,Semane, andBohemianWoods, and the woods of other Countries, in which woods there rots and is spoiled above ten times more wood than men make use of.
Now no body hath hitherto known what use to put those Woods unto; such Woods as are not too far off from Cities or Villages, do Men make use of for building, for firing, for boiling, or brewing, and for baking, and other occasions, so that the Wood which is daily used, and every year fetch’d from the bordering Woods or Forests, is thereby saved from rotting and being spoiled.
But as for such wood as is in Mountains and Woods scituated far off from mens dwellings, and which are not frequented, that is not of any use at all, they are Dens and lurking places for cruel Beasts, as Bears and Wolves; which said wild beasts do annoy and hinder other profitable ones, as Staggs, Does, Boars, Hoggs, Sheep,&c.from feeding on the wild Fruits of such places. But who is there will amend it, and bring such places to a due or good use? What! should such vast Woods, which are the receptacle of those cruel wild Beasts be cut down and lie a rotting, or be consumed by Fire, so to destroy those wild beasts? Surely no body will attempt it, as fearing the toilsomness requisite hereunto: And besides, forasmuch as no other profit is to be thereby expected, save an extirpation of those wild beasts, there’s no body will take that Task upon him. Nor is it a thing so behoveful to Fire, and burn down such huge Woods, as we read in History, that some have heretofore done,viz.most great Woods have been burnt, meerly to destroy Insects and other hurtful, wild, and ravenous beasts. There is an hazard run in so doing, for such a Fire may spread wider, and do a great deal of mischief.
There are such Examples which may be produced, which witness how that Fire being put to Heaths, have (by burning thereof) crept into the bordering Woods and destroyed them, and mightily injured the neighbouring Inhabitants: And therefore ’tis not so advised a Work to consume Woods by Fire; and to cut them down, that so they may lie and rot, and be thereby rooted out, cannot be done, because of the great costs thereto requisite.
So that such places must of necessity even remain the Receptacles of hurtful Beasts and Thieves; for albeit that sometimes the Glass-makers do in suchlike places build their Furnaces or Glass-houses, yet they fall far short of consuming so much Wood by their making of glasses, for those Woods are scarce the thinner or lesser for that: Tho’ they spend daily in every such Glass-house twenty loads, yet such a vast quantity as that is, will not decrease. Besides, the Glass-men do not use all the wood without making any difference, but make choice of the streightest and smoothest wood, such as they may best and easiest cleave: As for shrubs and knottyOaksandBeach, those they touch not. So then the best Trees only are used about their Glass Works, and the brushy woods, asBriars,Thorns,&c.and which are the most commodious hiding places for the wild Beasts, are unmeddled withal, as being unprofitable for the Glass-makers: Nay, they let most curious arms or branches ofBeachlie a rotting, and make use only of the body of the Trees. Moreover, in such Woods as are far off, the Glass-makers build no Houses, but do erect them as near as possible they can, to such places as are inhabited, because they must of necessity have commerce with men.
Farther, ’tis not a little wood that is spent in the Mines about Metals, especially in such Mines where Iron is molten; but what we said but now touching the Glassmen, the same is to be observed here; for such metal-melting Houses are never erected on the high Mountains, or are built in far remote Woods, because they must have the assistance of Men, and water to drive their bellows-mills, and besides the place must be such, as that all Necessaries may be brought them in Waggons, and their Iron transported into the Cities or Towns. Nor do the Metal-melters indifferently use any wood they meet with; nor make they their Charcoals of every kind of wood, but leave the shrubs and bushy woods as unfit for coaling. And therefore those great and vast woods, tho’ there be Glass-houses and Metal-melting-shops in many places, do remain untouch’d, because no body knows the use of them.
But now, forasmuch as I have all my life-time most accurately search’d by a diligent observation into the wonders of God, and have not spared any labour or costs about the secret wonders of Nature, and have learned from Nature her self, my instructing Mistriss, that God being a true and just Lord over his Family, did neither do, make, or create ought without certain and just causes, which notwithstanding is not regarded by the most part of us men, who imitate the irrational beasts, and alwaies live without the knowledge of God and of His Works. Verily, we have no colour of Reason at all for it, not considering that men were created and appointed by God for another-guise end, than the brute beasts, which are void of all Reason; and we regard not the Truth of that old Saying,God and Nature never make any thing in vain.
So then, whereas this is a Truth (as assuredly it is) certainly we may see that these huge Woods were not in vain made, but that they have some benefit (for so they have)viz.a most great Treasure for such who know it, and know how to use it. Which I will therefore shew, as clear as the Noon-day Sun, and will so set it afore the eyes of the blind and darksom world, that the Deriders and Contemners of natural Philosophy, such as is to be Learned only by the fire, and not out ofAristotle, may be even enforced, will they, nill they, to confess and grant that the Fire is the true Teacher and Master of natural Arts, and so will be; for whosoever they be that are Ignorant as to the Fire, and that know not its wonderful efficacy, tho’ they may be most skilful Proficients in foreign Tongues or Languages (which in the more-secret Philosophy makes not at all to any purpose); yet nevertheless they will not be able to accomplish any the least matter in things of so great a moment: I do therefore say, that such men as are skilled in natural things, are not of right to be contemned, or secretly back-bitten by those who say, Believe not such a man that hath not attained the empty vain Title of a Doctor in the Universities. I confess ingeniously, that I never frequented the Universities, nor ever had a mind so to do; for should I have so done, haply I should never have arrived to that knowledge of Nature, which I mention without boasting, as I now possess; neither doth it ever repent me, that I have put my hands to the Coals, and have by the help of them penetrated into the knowledge of the Secrets of Nature; I do not desire to disturb any one in this way, or to thrust any out of their places; I never was willing to live on the costs of great men, but have with my own hands gotten me my Food and Raiment, alwaies advisedly thinking on that most known Verse;
——Alterius non sit qui suus esse potest.Let not him anothers be,Who can of himself live free.
——Alterius non sit qui suus esse potest.Let not him anothers be,Who can of himself live free.
——Alterius non sit qui suus esse potest.Let not him anothers be,Who can of himself live free.
——Alterius non sit qui suus esse potest.
Let not him anothers be,
Who can of himself live free.
But to return to my concentration of Wood, I can with truth affirm and will experimentally demonstrate it, that the greatest Treasure of the World; yea, as great or greater than is in Wine or Corn, lies hidden in Wood. Wine and Corn do require the Labour of Man for its growth out of the Earth; but Leaves, Grass, Briars or Bushes, Shrubs, Twigs, all sorts of Trees great and small, do come forth out of their seeds and sprouts and grow up and encrease infinitely without any help of man at all.
Therefore I say that more profit may be reaped of Wood than of Corn and Wine, were the Art of extracting thencefrom so great a benefit but known to any.
So then, forasmuch as this little Book (as being the first part of the Treatise of concentration of things) treats of the emendation of Vegetables only; and that of Wine and Corn is already finished; I will now in the name of God set about Wood, Leaves, and Grass, and lay open those most great and hitherto hidden Treasures and Riches, and set them forth before the Eyes of the whole World. And I pray God, the Omnipotent, Wise, Unsearchable and Merciful Lord and Father of all Creatures in Heaven, in the Earth, Water and Air, that he would so govern and guide my hand that I may here write and teach nothing save only such things as serve for the Glory of his Divine name and the health of all Mankind.Amen.
We have shewn in the two foregoing Chapters how Wine and Corn are to be condensed into their juices, that so they may be commodiously sent into those places, in which profit may be gotten.
Here now falls in this question, How the Juices are to be squeezed out of Herbs, Twigs, Shrubs and great Trees, and being pressed out what good they serve for, seeing they are not of use for meat and drink like those which are extracted out of Corn and Wine.
To this question I make this reply, that indeed there is not any food to be prepared from them, but that yet other things are thence preparable, and such as men cannot be without,viz.Wholesome Medicines, and likewise Gold and Silver wherewith a man may also buy, besides Wine and Corn, other necessaries as Garments and other appurtenances which men stand in need of, besides meat and drink.
But to begin the work it self, we should in the first place teach the way how juices may be squeezed out of Leaves, Grass, Shrubs, and then afterwards shew their use. But forasmuch as none is of so weak a judgment as to lay out Moneys or things valuable, and to bestow his labour and sweat on such a thing whose use and profit he is ignorant of; ’tis therefore necessary, that (before we come to teach the way of squeezing out the Juices) we first shew, what benefit and profit ariseth from that kind of work; that so a Man’s labour may not be spent in vain: To give satisfaction herein, I affirm, that the greatest and best virtues of all Vegetables are hidden in a certain Salt which the Physicians and Philosophers call the Essential Salt. Of this Salt all Vegetables are full, but yet, one fuller than another as experience testifies. Such Herbs as have not much taste, as Lettuce, Coleworts, Rapes and such like have a less portion thereof, and are therefore easily putrefied. But such as are sharp and bite the Tongue, asWater-robbin,Arsmart,Laurel,Pepper-wort,Scurvy-grass, all the kinds ofCresses, all the sorts ofRadishes,Leeks,Onions,Garlick,Mustard, and such like; also all bitter Herbs, asCarduus benedictus,Wormwood,Fumitory,Esula,&c.all such as these are full of it. Besides, all such Vegetable plants as are naturally sour, yield much of that Salt; amongst which, may be reckoned, unripeGrapes, sourApples, sourCherries, WildPlums, rough (or wild)Grapes, the unripeMulberriesorBlack-berries, the unripeBarberies,&c.But yet some of them yield more, others less Salt; which inequality and changableness is accidental, for they are as to their natural foundation like each other.
NB. Some Herbs and chiefly those which have a notable bitterness, asCarduus benedictus,Wormwood,Fumitory, do (after their being squeezed, and when their Juice is depurated, and the Phlegm draw off, and the remaining Juice concreted or condensed in the cold,) yield natural Nitre, and such as being put upon a burning Coal will presently burn up in a flame, like the common Salt-petre which is usually extracted out of the Earth digged in Stables, and so concreted, or crystallized: As for other Herbs and Fruits which are not bitter, but have a piercing sharpness, as all theCresses, they (after their expression or squeezing) yield a volatile Salt, which does not burn like that which is drawn out of bitter Herbs: Such as have an acidity in them, asSorrel,Barberries,Ribes, curledGrapes, wildApplesand Orchard ones, and other unripe Fruits, do yield another Salt,viz.a Salt tasting like the acid taste of Wine, and resembling Tartar of Wine, in taste, virtue, efficacy & propriety.
And now albeit that these three kinds of Salts are unlike in taste, yet notwithstanding the one is most easily transmuted into the other, insomuch that Tartar may be made Salt-petre, and Salt-petre Tartar. The third sort which is more volatile than the others, and which proceeds from theCresses,Mustard,Aron,Pepper-wort,&c.will easily be turned into either of the former.
But as concerning this last, it is virtuous in Medicine, as I have hinted to you in several places in my other Writings, but (set aside its Medicinal use) and it is of but little benefit. The two latter,viz.The Nitrous, and Tartarous are of various use. The Dyers use Tartar in Dying their Cloths, and Salt-petre is used to make Gun-powder withal, and for the Transmutation of Metals, and other such like Arts, as I have clearly proved in my Explication of myMiraculum Mundi. Forasmuch therefore as both sorts of Salt are used in great quantity throughout the whole World, and that there can scarcely be had so much as serves for necessary use, and upon that account are always good Commodities, and that Salt-petre is twice the value of Tartar, therefore ’tis but fitting, and well worth while to extract Salt-petre out of the Juices of Herbs and Trees, it being of more value, and better price than other Salts. But if it should so be, that there should be so much Salt-petre as that it should be of a poor price, then may the Juices be turned into Tartar. But forasmuch as it will not easily so happen, that there should be such a glut of Salt-petre, it will be the best way, to improve those Juices on the making of it; and specially because it may at all times serve for the profitable bettering of Metals; nor can ever so great a quantity be produced, but that it will sometime sell off. ’Tis more profitable, and better to use it for the bettering of the meaner Minerals than to make Gun-powder with it; and were not that most pernicious Art already too well known, it were better to be without it, than to make it, so far should it be (from any one) to describe the manner of making Gun-powder.
But forasmuch as neither my desire nor will tends to be any occasioner of hurting my Neighbour by the help of Salt-petre, but inclines rather to benefit him thereby; and to this end I have already clearly enough disclosed many most profitable Arts which proceed therefrom,viz.in myMiraculum Mundi, and in the Explication of the same, and moreover shall do in the following third and fourth part of this Book, about the bettering and concentrating of Metals: I am, verily, confident, that none will interpret it in the worst part, if I shew the way of making Salt-petre out of Wood and other things, that so, our Country may by the benefit of (such) Herbs, Grass, and Wood, which otherwise, ly a rotting, and are of no profit, be enriched (if it be only sold) with abundance of Treasure, and may afterwards be spent on most profitable Arts, as may be seen in theMiraculum Mundi, and in the Concentration of Minerals and Metals. So that he that would not make it into Gun-powder, has no need so to do.
Besides these Virtues of Salt-petre which we have reckoned up, there do daily more and more new and admirable ones spring up out of the dark, all which, were they here to be summed up they would even draw the whole World into an admiration of them. But we will forbear to multiply more words concerning things of such moment; for it may easily be perceived from what has been hitherto demonstrated, and from those Publications I have made (by my Writings) that many more, and greater things lie hidden in this Subject, which neither I, nor others know of. Deservedly therefore may Salt-petre, or Nitre, be termed an Universal Subject, and Wonder of the World, notwithstanding many rude and unskilful Fellows, will upon this saying, shrink up their Noses, and audaciously contradict me (and say) that Nitre is not the true and Universal Dissolvent.
But if Nitre be not that Universal Subject, then let those that prate against this Judgment or Opinion of mine, produce another and better Subject; which, yet, in my Opinion they will never be able to do. If it were not an Universal Subject, how comes it to be so plentifully found to be in all things. Is it not found in all Vegetables? Is it not in all living Creatures that live either under the Earth, or in the Waters, or in the Air, or on the Earth? Is it not met with (or found) in the inmost Bowels of the Mountains, and even in the most hard Stones? I will demonstrate it in this small Treatise by most clear Arguments, and will most evidently evince it.
In the first place, that all Vegetables have it, is already clearly demonstrated and proved, for I my self (and I am the first, as I know of) made trial and turned their Juices into natural Salt-petre. But I will now so evidently shew the truth of this thing, that even those blind Back-biters and Detracters shall feel it with their hands.
In the first place therefore, I demand, whence the common Nitre is gotten? Is it not out of the Earth, which is digg’d out of the Stables where Beasts stand? For it has insinuated it self into (or joined it self with) this (Earth) passing out of the Excrements of the Beasts in length of time, and hath coagulated it self therein, out of which it is at length drawn by pouring on of water, and then is boiled up into Salt-petre. Who can deny this? I think no body can. So then if this be granted, that Nitre is found in the Stables where Cattle stand, the Question is, By what means, and way it came into the Stables? It is by the help of the Urine and Excrements which the Beasts have there cast forth. Then again, I ask whether or no those Beasts have those Excrements from their Meat and Drink, or from elsewhere? They cannot arise from water, forasmuch as they drink nothing but Water: So that they must necessarily have their rise from the food they eat, and that consists of the Vegetables, Grass, and Herbs. Therefore we affirm, that the Salt-petre was of necessity in these Herbs, and Grass, afore the Beasts feeding on them. For if it had not been there it could never have been made in the Beasts Bodies that which it was not afore. For their Stomachs contribute nothing to this Operation, save a bare putrefaction. And besides, the Countreymen do even the same thing, for they gather up Stubble, the Leaves that fall from the Trees, the Grass, and such like things, and put a great quantity of them into a Pit together, and there leave them so long, till by the help of Putrefaction they are all turned into Dung, and therewith do they afterwards Dung their Ground (in such wise) as is wont to be done with the Excrements of Beasts. Therefore, forasmuch as that putrefied Grass and Stubble doth dung the ground and render it fruitful, (as well) as the Excrements of Beasts, it must needs be granted, that they have likewise Salt-petre in them. For it is not the Dung, but the Nitre in the Dung, that is, the Author of that Dunging Impregnation and Fertility, as I have already confirmed by Arguments in myMiraculum Mundi, and which will be sufficiently convincing proofs here in this place.
I would therefore fain see that Man that dares be so bold and heady as to deny this thing, that the Essential Salt neither is, nor can be made, Nitre.
And now we come to treat of the Beasts in the Fields, of the Fish in the Waters, and of the Birds in the Air, that so by a thorough examination of all these sorts we may see, whether or no they are enriched with Salt-petre, and whether or no their Essential Salt be like the Essential Salt of the Vegetables, and can by the same means pass into Nitre.
In the first place, and above all, this is here to be considered, as a main principle, (viz.) That all those things which dung the Fields and Lands, and fatten them, most necessarily contain in them Salt-petre. For from this only, and alone, comes all the fertility throughout the whole Earth, which Axiome cannot be gainsayed. But now, that the Animals, or Beasts, Birds, and Fishes are Partakers of the same Virtues, I firmly gather from hence.
First of all, it is not unusual for the Gardiners to put the Horns, Hoofs, and Bones of Beasts, to the Roots of Trees, and so cover them over with Earth, and that on this account, because they make them exceeding fruitful. This now is every where used: Likewise the Gardiners do every where buy up Hens Feathers, Hens, and Pidgeons Dung; as also from the Tanners and Curriers the Offals or Shavings of the Beasts Skins, and their Hairs, and use them to enrich their Gardens. The Vine-dressers also buy up the shavings of Horns of the Comb-makers in many places where they can get them, by which, they fatten their Vines, far better than with Dung, and that lasts for nine or ten years. The Gardiners do likewise buy up from the Tailors bits, or pieces of Woollen and Linen to dung their Gardens when they plant Colworts. If they did not find any Nitre, or Fertility in them, to what end would they lay out their Money on so base a Matter? To the Ignorant andUnskilful, these things may seem wonderful and incredible, because such a kind of dunging Land is not every where in use. He that is incredulous, let him go toColenon theRhine, and there he’ll find that I have spoken nothing but the truth. All these things do the Gardiners make use of according to their ancient custom, for from their Predecessors learned they these Secrets. Nor know they what other reason to alledge for their doing this, but only tell you, that they serve exceeding well to enrich their Fields and Vineyards.
But I do assuredly affirm, that ’tis the Nitre that is hidden in these things, performs this effect: There is therefore far more abundance of Salt-petre in the Superfluities (as Nails, Horns, Hair,&c.) than in their Excrements, or Dung. And I thus prove it.
First, Because they will give you for one Sack full of the Shavings of Horns, half an Imperial, which is as much as will buy four or five such sacks full of Cow, or Sheeps dung.
Secondly, They will give the Tanners, or Curriers, above an Imperial for one Cart-load of the Shavings of the Hides, whereas with the same Money they may buy three or four Load of dung. Rags are sold for a quarter of an Imperial. Were they not virtuous or effectual, why should they be so dear? This here spoken, we have proved so to be, by the customary practice of the common men only, as Husbandmen and Gardiners. Were it lawful for me to reveal somewhat to the purpose, I could teach how to extract out of every hundred weight of Bones, in Beasts, Birds, and Fishes, ten pound of Salt-petre. But this is not to be divulged.
Now it remains in the next place, to confirm, that Nitre does not only lie hidden most plenteously in the Vegetable and Animal Subjects, but that it may be digged, or gotten out, and prepar’d of Stones, Rocks, Cliffs, Hollows of Mountains, and out of the plain Field in a very many other places; and this is undeniable, for ’tis evidently known, and if need were, I could, for witness sake, make mention of many such Testimonies. He that is desirous of knowing more, as touching this salt of the Earth, let him peruse the ancient Philosophers. But forasmuch, as every one hath not those Books at hand, and that many Men cannot understand them, I will for Amplifications sake add yet one demonstration, to shew whence that Nitre ariseth, which sticks on to, or swells out of those moist and old Walls of Houses. Comes it not from the Mortar, with which the Bricks are joined together? Not only allStonesare fit for making Calx, or Lime of, but also all kinds of Stones, which break, or grow in the Waters, like Drops, or Pebbles: Likewise, those stony things which grow in the Sea, as Coral, the Pearl shells, or Mother of Pearl, and Shell fish of all sorts, which being burnt, moulder in the Air, have in them plenty of Nitre, and will easily yield it forth to those who have the way of extracting it disclosed unto them. But this is not the place to mention it in, because I have determined to treat here, of only expressing the Juices of the Vegetables, concentrating them, and making them gainful or profitable.
Forasmuch as we have hitherto understood (or shewn) that Nitre or Salt-petre may be had from all things,viz.from Herbs, Wood, fourfooted Beasts and creeping Things, from Birds in the Air, and Fishes in the Water, yea from the very Elements themselves, as Earth, Water, Air, and Fire; It must needs follow that it is that so much spoken of Universal Spirit without which nothing can either be or live: It is the begetter and destroyer of all things; in which all things are, as I have demonstrated in myMiraculum Mundi, out of the most ancient PhilosopherHermes. I therefore hope, that no body will any more doubt thereof or oppose himself with a perverse stubbornness against a truth so manifestly known. Were not the shortness of time an impediment unto me I could most easily produce more arguments and those too more pregnant. If any one is minded firmly to cleave to his own stubborn perverseness, evenHermeshimself should he arise from the dead, would lose his Labour in teaching him; and therefore let them keep their contumacy to themselves.
We have sufficiently confirmed and that by arguments enough, that Salt-petre is an universal Subject, and every where to be found. Hence it may be easily believed that it may also be met with in woods, and that more strong, more powerful, more corporal, palpable, and visible than in any other Subject: Upon this account therefore is it to be also sought for, and drawn forth out of them too. But forasmuch as such an Extraction cannot be made afore that the Juices are prest out of the Wood, out of which Juices the Nitre is to be drawn forth, the whole Art consists in Squeezing out these Juices, but yet by another kind of way than is done with Herbs. Therefore the due Presses being fitted ready, I shall be able to shew him who requesteth it at my hands (so as he does not endamage me) the way of squeezing them. For to prostrate a work of such great moment to every ones view, whereby those that are unworthy, should partake of such great Secrets, and by which a thing of so much value should be obnoxious to a common Abuse, is not verily, either necessary, profitable, or laudable. Let not any one therefore take it amiss, that I have so careful a regard of things so considerable. Let it suffice, that I have detected the thing, wherein such great Treasures have hidden themselves, which hitherto are profitable to no body, but are easily acquirable, or to be had. Do but look a little upon those most vast Woods ofGermany, which are stored with such mighty abundance of Trees, that wood is of no account. There hath been none as yet that has converted them unto their use, save a few, who in some places make Pot-ashes of the wood they burn; and yet they have but small gains therefrom, because they can’t have vent sufficient for as much as they could make by their burning the wood, nor do any use them, but Soap-boilers, and Dyers.
Besides, I never as yet saw the Man that duly attempted that Artifice, and so administred it as to get therefrom a greater gain. For sometimes they gather scarce an hundred weight of Pot-ashes out of the burning of ten or twenty great Trees, and they can hardly have above five or six Imperials for it. And now consider but the great Labour and Sweat in burning so much Wood into Ashes, and of boiling the Ashes into a black Salt, and then of making this Salt red hot in peculiar Furnaces, that it may become white, green, or blueish; all this consider’d, ’twould make a Man admire what ’tis that could stir up those that follow this work, or order it to be done, to suffer such a quantity of Trees to be burnt up, for so very little profit. But what need many words? They have the wood for nothing, and (as the Proverb runs)The half White of the Egg, is better than the empty shell. Haply if they knew how to make any thing better, or more profitable out of their Wood, they would not omit so to do.
How many hundred weight of wood, are they toburn afore they have one hundred of Pot-ashes? But now if the Juices that are squeez’d out of them were boiled into Salt-petre, they would get ten times the profit with far less trouble.
Let us compute the case, and suppose that out of an hundred pounds of Wood, there are squeezed forth twenty pounds of Juice, and that from these twenty pounds of Juice, you have some 4 or 5 pounds of Nitre, and that a midling Oak or Beach will load, when cleft, some ten Carts, and each load hold twenty hundred weight. Now then, one hundred yielding five pound of Nitre, a load of twenty hundred, yields an hundred pound of Nitre; the Tree that is about ten load, yields a thousand weight.
Now we’ll put case that a hundred weight of Nitre yields twenty Imperials, which being ten times multiplyed, makes two hundred Imperials for ten loads, or for that one Tree divided into ten loads.
But to wave so accurate a computation, and not to extend it too far, we will suppose a hundred of Wood to hold only three pound of Nitre, and a load to be about twenty hundred of Wood; this load will yield Sixty pounds of Niter, and the Tree ten loads, So there will be Six hundred pounds of Niter. If now one hundred (of Nitre) will cost ten Imperials, that Tree will yield sixty Imperials for the six hundred pounds of Nitre. The smallness of the cost (in making it) makes the labour the more profitable; nay, if by this invention of mine, the price of Nitre should fall down, even to ten Imperials (which notwithstanding, will not so easily come to pass) yet would the gain thereby be great, yea ten times more than that which comes from the Pot-ashes. But he that knows how to use this Nitre, for the concentrating of Metals, (concerning which the three following parts of this Book shall treat) will not have any cause of fear, that this Nitre will lie on his hands and yield him no profit.
By what hath been said, the well-minded Reader will easily perceive what vast treasures are oft-times before his eyes, and through ignorance lie as yet unknown, and not used to advantage. What man knows God’s end, in producing to light such great Mysteries and Secrets of Nature, in this most filthy Dregs of the World? To give thereof a Reason, we will not tire our understanding, but give most humble thanks to God for such great mysteries that he hath revealed for the comfort of many men, and will pray unto him graciously to bestow on us his fatherly blessing, to the end that we may well use such great gifts so freely bestowed.
But now if any should be of the mind that it is wholly unnecessary, that this Art should be made publickly known, because that Gun-powder is made of Salt-petre, and that by Gun-powder many Cities and most strong holds are overthrown, and nothing is to be expected thencefrom, but Slaughters and Destruction: To such, I answer, That it was not for this end that I disclosed this most great and most profitable Art, that by its base abuse I might help on these horrid Calamities; but my aims have been chiefly at this, if haply any new Foreign Enemies should invade our most dear Country (which is a danger we seem not far off from) we might be able to receive them with like Arms or Weapons, and by a just defence drive away such a Calamity.
And withal, that those most thick and vast Woods being despoiled of their thickness, may not for the time to come be a shelter for Thieves and Robbers, as likewise for wild beasts, all which oftentimes do much mischief.
And farther, That many thousands of Men may get their Food and Rayment more Commodiously and more easily, and may make good Gold and Silver from the unprofitable Wood. For by means of this Art, thousands of moneys may be gotten in ourGermanCountries, without any hurt to our Neighbour. Nor is it needful to cut down any great Tree, for the superfluous Branches or Loppings, and the shrubby briary Underwood which is all about the Trees, and doth chiefly afford a passage to the Stags, and hiding places to other hurtful Creatures, will be sufficient for this kind of use or imployment.
The other Trees that grow up aloft may be preserved to build Houses withal, which may be employed about Hunting: And besides, when the Trees are freed from that thickness, and have thereby a free access of Air, they will the more easily dilate their Boughs, and grow up taller. And then too, those wild Beasts that are profitable, will (when such vast deal of underwood or shrubbiness is taken away) meet with fatter pasture, and with more plenty of Grass, and escape by having a freer Course from the pursuing Woolves, which now they are letted from by those most thick Shrubs and Bushes. But yet if so be that in such places in which is such a deal of Wood, and to no man useful; a good part even of the great Trees should likewise be cut down, and used about this Artifice of ours; yet notwithstanding there would not arise to the Possessors thereof any loss, but much Profit; and when all’s done, there would be yet remaining a huge multitude of Trees. Consider I pray those most spacious Woods theArduenne,Ottonick,Semane, andBohemianWoods, and many others which the Countries inGermanyare cloathed (or environed) with.
Can it be imagined, that they can at all be lessened by the Glass Furnaces, or the melting of Minerals and Metals.
These places that are one year bared by cutting down the Trees, you shall see in few years covered over again, by the benefit of nature, with new Trees; so that it cannot possibly be, that though even a very great many Presses should be used to press the Juices out; such a vast immenseness of Woods should be exhausted, and make any sensible diminution of the Wood.
But now, if any one shall believe these writings of mine, and shall, after the afore-mentioned way, set about the Concentration of Wine, or Corn, or Wood; I do faithfully affirm unto him, that I have in this Book openly proposed the very naked Truth, without any disimulation, and have not omitted any thing save the revealing of the Presses, which for certain causes I conceal.
And therefore I certifie every one, that I will not as yet divulge this most wonderful secret, of thus-boiling Nitre out of the Juices of Wood, or else I would have described the Press too. Besides, though a man should even see the Press, and know how to make it, and were ignorant of the purification and concentration of the Juices, he would not bring the Art to effect; so that, without my instruction, the work cannot so easily be made publickly known. And though this seems to be a thing so mean, yet this squeezing out of the Juices of Wood, is far beyond (or richer) than the operations on Wine or Corn. But I doubt not but that many, well considering of this unheard of, and very gainful Artifice, will begin to think whether or no good Nitre may not likewise be gotten out of other Subjects easie to come by. Now then I must methinks needs instruct these.
The common Fossile Salt, and Sea Salt may by the benefit of this Art, be also turned into Natural Nitre; but I judge it needless to speak more of this, for as much as that which I have already mentioned concerning the Wood seems abundantly enough. Breifly, God doth in all places set before our eyes His Omnipotency, where he gives not Wood, there vouchsafes He Stones and Bones, out of which Nitre may as well be extracted, by those that are skill’d in this Art, as it may out of other things. And where Fire is wanting, there is Water however. But I know that it is certain, and past all doubt, that by the certain experience of Art, plenty of good Nitre may be made out of Sea Water.
Now if any shall object and say; Thou affirmest that Nitre is to be found in all places of the World, but especially in Wood and Stones; but yet, that there are many places which have neither Wood or Stones, & have only a Marshy Moorish Soil, which brings forth Grass only: By what means can Nitre be there, or in what things, or what places should it be sought for, thinkest thou there?
I answer; I have already, in what hath been said afore, confirmed, that Nitre may be drawn in large quantity even out of Grass; but verily there’s no such need here of so doing, to rob the beasts of their food, and to use the Grass about Nitre-making: For the Cheese and Butter that come from the Grass, will easily yield more than the Nitre that’s made thereof, would; God deals not so unjustly or unwisely with the Creatures as to give his blessings with a liberal hand to one, and take the same away from another: No, no; The Treasure of his Riches is inexhaustible, and he gives his Creatures largely to partake of them; nor doth that axiome (or maxime) which is so very usual in this perverse World, prevail at all with him,viz.The fall of one is the rise of another; but his will is, that all should have their necessaries abundantly supplyed, that every one should have enough, and that every thing should come to perfection. Therefore it is not at all necessary, that Nitre should be extracted out of the Food which the Beasts live on, because it may easily be extracted out of other Subjects which bring not any profit to Man or Beast, and this in great quantity too. For in such plain low Countries and moist watery grounds, where you shall not meet with either Mountains or Vallies, or Stones, or Wood: The most gracious God hath, like a provident and wise housholder provided for the inhabitants, giving them a certain kind of earth inlaid with many Roots and Fibers that grow therein, which theDutchcallTorf, weTurfs, the which they use instead of Woods, to boil with, and about other necessary uses; so that they may easily be without the wood, which is yearly brought them in such vast quantity out of other Countries. Now these same Turfs contain in them the like Essential Salt as Wood does which Nitre is extracted out of.
As concerning Stones, they do not in those places shew themselves to sight (as lying deep) if you except such as are burnt (or Bricks) and which are brought hither to build houses withal, yet God hath bestowed on them a matter sufficiently apt to make Lime withal, so that they may be without, even Stones themselves. The Shell-fishes of all Sorts (serve to this work), and sometimes the raging of the Sea, drives the Fishes shells ashore by heaps, and like little hills, the which being carryed by the Inhabitants into the Cities and Villages, they put them in the Lime-Kilns, and reduce them by a strong fire into good Lime, and that by means of the Turfy fireing we mentioned but now; so that I do not see any reason why, in these Countries that are destitute of Wood and Stones, there should be found less Salt-petre than in others, in which huge quantities both of Wood and Stone are found. Nay, rather I affirm, that there is more there, than is in almost any Country ofEurope; for do but compare the price of Turf and Wood, the Wood is dearer, the other cheaper; besides the Wood is harder to press out, and this yields its juice more easily.
So then, from all the foregoing demonstrations I absolutely conclude, that there is not any place in the whole World, wherein great quantities of Salt-petre may not be made.
And if I should say, that there is not to be found in the whole world any places in which Nitre may be easier and plentifullier made than in the low Countries ofGermany, asBrabant,Holland,Zealand,Flanders,Frieseland, theGroningen Fields, the County ofEmdane, and all those Countries which run as far as theGermanandBaltickSea, in this their moorish kind of ground; verily I should not speak untruth, but if need were, I could witness it of a certainty.
But lest my Writings should remain too obscure and unknown to such as are unskilled, and that such may not overmuch torment their Brains by unnecessary Pleadings how this may be effected, I judge it altogether necessary openly to confess the Truth before every one, and say, That Nitre or Salt-petre, were but its true use known, is justly and worthily to be accounted of as the greatest Treasure of the whole world, as being a thing by the help of which, good Health, Honours, and Riches may be purchased; and this we shall confirm in the three following parts. If then that this be granted, then this also will be yielded too, that the Subject-matter out of which it is extracted, is not to be despised, but to be highly valued; and therefore ought Wood and Turf to have their due Honour given them, concerning which, I have by many Arguments affirmed, that the one of them is every where in the upperGermanyin great plenty, and the other in the low Countries ofGermany, (nor doth these at all come short of the others) and that both may and ought to yield Nitre. Besides, not only the bare Turf is hereto useful, but likewise the hitherto thrown-away ashes, which are every where cast out as unprofitable.
NB. They are not useful in washing, as wood-ashes, with which the Laundresses make Lyes, and being they are not, they are thrown away as good for nought. But yet there is in them a great quantity of a certain salt, which being inverted by Art, passeth into Nitre; therefore through meer ignorance is there cast away, together with those Turfy ashes, a vast quantity of unripe Salt-petre, from whence a mighty profit might redound to those Countries, but being improvidently thrown away, is meerly lost. But yet I would not have any imagine, that the Salt which is made of the Lee of Turf-ashes, is presently Salt-petre; no, for ’tis needful that the subtilty of Art be first thereto used, afore such a Salt be brought to that pass, as to burn like Salt-petre: But yet care is to be taken, that that Art become not common, for then so Noble a thing, and so profitable to our Countries, will be known by Enemies as well as Friends; which to prevent, it must be warily handled, and the principal work here requisite is this,viz.That it may not be published so imprudently, as to render the ungrateful and unworthy partakers of the same, as well as the thankful and worthy ones.
By these things here spoken may every one see and gather, that God is no respecter of Kingdoms and Principalities, and provides for some better than for other some; all Men are His Creatures and Heirs of all HisGoods, if so be they be but willing, and do not stubbornly oppose and slight the Divine Grace, and do not wantonly cast it away and neglect it: Concerning which we shall speak more in the following part, touching the Concentration of Minerals.