236 Of the G oi d 



This experiment afforded me a double pleafure % 

 one, as it is fo much adapted to our prefent en- 

 quiry, and may yield no fmall matter of reflection 

 to thofe, who, while they attend the bufinefs of 

 reparations, overlook that of introduction : another^ 

 and not the lead circumftance, is omitted, but which 

 is very needful for the information of the curious 

 imitator •, efpecially as it attributes to the filver, 

 what one might be apt to afcribe to the regulus. 

 As in filver, not indeed in all, fomething may lodge, 

 which by certain additions , may be educed from it, 

 fo the fame may with probability be affirmed of 

 ores : and here the additions may be made in three 

 different ways ; either with other ores, with metals, 

 with unmetallic earths, or with fulphur or arfenic, 

 or both together, under a proper previous prepa- 

 ration : not to mention at prefent falts and (harp 

 acid waters, which are foreign to our prefent de- 

 fign. 



(1.) Ores may not be fo well adapted, unlefs 

 previoufly one of them be made receptible, and 

 thus fitted and prepared ; or be, in regard to the 

 two middle-minerals, fulphur and arfenic (the two 

 grand mineralifing matters) of a different nature 

 and habitude : for, not only do thofe volatile bo- 

 dies operate on each other, but the arfenic may, by 

 means of its (landing the fire longer, wait the de- 

 fulphuration of any other ore, and into this intro- 

 duce its own naked hungry earth ; unlefs by an 

 undue degree of fire its efficacy happens to be de- 

 rlroyed \ or a fit metal lodging in the one, with 

 which appropriated earths may be brought into 

 mutual action, they are both loft. 



(ij I 



