The Hartlib Papers

ning, especially such as is found in universities, haue b are the chief fewell of division among Christians. Whence he binds his priests to no more, than to be able to read the Alcoran, and to interpret it in Turkish. Though I heare, that they begin to giue themselues somewhat to the study of philosophy, Astronomy and poetry. <H?: />    But I come to your last letter from 13. june, and thank you for the care about sending me those desired books, which MyLady Ranelagh assureth me are committed to an English Gentleman, on his way hither. I haue found D'Arcons of the Flux and reflux of the Sea, and bought him for to transmit him to you by the first sure friend, I shall meet with. I find, the same Author hath printed another book, containing many Interpretations of the Apocalypse; together with the future ruine of the Turkish Empire by the king of France; as also the Heresys of these times, whence shall rise Anti Christ. This latter book I haue not seen yet, but am promised it, though I look for no great matter from it, considering the sillines of the title.    As for Mr Bresseaux, the opticall workman, he is knowne here to be no great master, and esteemed to be one of those, that talke of more than they well know, and promise things, they neuer performe.   Seing you care not much for the philosoficall discourses of our Clubs, you are not to looke for many reall Experiments from Frenchmen. I send you here inclosed a Chymicall proces <of vitrioll> (in acknowledgement of the secret you sent me, which shall not loose the name of a secret for me) And intreat you, to communicate it to none, but noble Mr Boyle, who, I am sure, upon my desire will it [impart?] it to none but MyLady Ranalaugh, which is a person, that can keep a secret as well, as any I know. I pray, present with this paper my very humble services to Mr Boyle, to whom I haue written twice since his to me from the 18. March. which I hope, he hath both receaued.   Here passed lately through this towne that Dutchman, Rhegius, of whom I wrote formerly to you from Monpelier, expressing his Experience in Chymistry. If I were as rich, as I am poore, certainly I would engage that man in my service, but <yet> first assure myselfe of his fidelity in his discoveries and operations. He assureth to haue the proces of making an Excellent Sulfur of venus, of a pleasing taste and admirable vertues: as also the way of making drawing the Spirit of salt of Tartar etc. whereof he will disclose nothing <but> for great sums of mony. He is gone, I think, for Ipers, which is his home.        I shall be very glad to share of what intelligence you receaue from Dr Horne and others of those parts; and

rejoyce, that Mr Dymox his invention is reall and practicable, which I can persuade to nobody here.   If Mr Dalgarnos papers speake only of his dessein for an universal [letter deleted] caracter, without particularising the manner thereof, I think, it will be no news to me; and I haue more confidence in Dr Wilkins for the compassing it to usefulnes, than In any other.      Of Mr Doujat I shall giue you an account by my next, God willing.      I pray, doe me the fauor, and desire somebody, that hath an interest in Mr Barlow, whom I suppose to continue still the Library-keeper at Oxford, to inquire of him, whether these 2. books, that follow are in the Library of Oxford <just> with these titles <and the place and year of their impression,>, and what inscriptions they haue ad calcem <and in what forme they are>:

[enclosure]

Spiritum hunc albicantem, modò extractum, priori terræ rursus affundebam, et reliquo sulfure saturatum, unà cum priore in nitido vase vitreo seponebam.   Corpus verò terreum jam pallido-flavum[altered] colorem induerat: quodipsum per aliquot horas calcinatum cucurbitulæ immitebam, spiritu meo albicante eidem super infuso. Hac ratione sal pulchrum et candidum inde extrahebam, terrâ reliquâ ceu planè deinceps invtili rejectâ, tribusque principiis debitè sine vllo defectu separatis. Hoc peracto, sal meum Astrale clarificatum, cujus dimidiam Argentoratensis ponderis vnciam inveni, sumebam, nec non spiritûs mei candidi, cujus quatuor erant unciæ, unciam vnam cum quadrante. Hanc autem spiritûs mensuram in duas partes æquales dividebam, quarum unam sali suo in phiala affundebam, phialamque sollicité per fusionem claudebam. Hoc digestioni commisum in isthoc spiritu solvi rursum incipiebat: quare alteram ei partem mox addebam, eoque facto, corpus unà cum spiritu in atrum carbonem subitò redactum, sursum ad vasis usque orificium ferebatur; at nullo reperto exitu, recessit et circulari cæpit, mox fundum petere, modò medium, modò supremum locum tenere: eumque motum, inde à 4. julÿ ad 7. Aug. ad stuporem meum continuavit. Tandem verò, uniusque unione factâ, omnis materia in atrum pulverem redacta, in vasis fundo planè sicca subsedit. Hoc viso, ignem uno gradu intendebam, phialamque ex digestione in cineres mittebam; atque post exactos 10. dies materia cum summo meo gaudio albescere incipiebat. Quare hunc ignis gradum studiosé conservabam, donec colorem per omnia niveum et argenti instar splendentem materia consequeretur. Factâ verò exploratione, eam necdum fixam reperi; quare in cineres rursus collocabam; igne ad unum gradum ulterius intenso. Tum materia denuò sursum deorsum ferri cæpit, ita quidem ut medium vasis, nunquam verò fundum contingeret: quod per 38. dies durabat, coloribus interim ad 30. dies a me conspectis, quorum pulchritudinem planè mirabilem verbis exprimere non possum. Ejus unum sumpsi gradum<written above: n?>, eoque in Mercurij unciam vnam cum quadrante projecto, illud in argentum purissimum mutavi.