C 6x8 ) 
II. My way of examining the Freftinete and Salrnefs of 
Waters, tho' (becaufe it is wont to be furprizing the 
firft time one lees it try'd, and has had the luck to be 
much talk cl of in many good Companies) 'tis thought 
to be an Invention very difficult, to be either found out 
or pra&is'd, is yet really no (iich myfterious thing as 
Men imagine ir. And for my part, I hope it will be 
found much more confiderable for its ule, than I think 
it is for the degree of Skill and Sagacity, that was ne- 
ceflary to devile it. For when I remembred and con- 
fider ? d,that (as I have found by various Trials) divers 
Metalline, and other Mineral Solutions could be readily 
precipitated, not only by the Spirit of Salt,but by crude 
Salt, whether dry ordtfTolv'd in Water, 'twas no very 
difficult matter for me to think, that by a heedful appli- 
cation of the Precipitating Quality of common Salt, 
one might difcover whether any Particles of it, (at lead 
in a number any way confiderable) lay conceal'd in a di- 
ftill'd Water, or any other propos'd to be examined. 
\\\ To find whether I was not miftaken in this Conje- 
cture, as alfo becaufe it is very convenient to be as lit- 
tle as one can confin'd to one Material, I employ 'd feve- 
ral Drugs, and thofe not all prepaid by one Mcnftruum^ 
to make the intended Difcovery. And, tho' two or 
three of my other Trials had Succefles, that [ diflik'd 
not when I made them,yet that which at length I pitch'd 
upon as the mod certain, and which, therefore I meant, 
when I had the Honour to be fent for by his Majefty 
about the Patentees Water, was that which I think may 
be beft underftood, as well as recommended, by this 
Ihort Narrative. 
jy # I took fome common Water diflill'd in Glafs VefTels, 
that it might leave its Corporeal Salt, if it had any, be- 
hind it, and put into a Thoufand Grains of it, one Grain 
of dry common Salt : Into a convenient quantity, for 
Example, two or three Spoonfuls, of this thus impreg- 
nated 
