Now that for which I mention to you this
preparation, (which as he communicated to me, I know he will not refuse to
_Pyrophilus_) is this, that though the Liquor (as I can shew you when you
please) be almost of the Colour of a German (not an Oriental) Amethyst, and
consequently remote enough from Green, yet a very few drops being let fall
into a Large proportion of good Rhenish, or (in want of that) White Wine
(which yet do's not quite so well) immediately turn'd the Liquor into a
lovely Green, as I have not without delight shown several curious Persons.
By which _Phaenomenon_ you may learn, among other things, how requisite it
is in Experiments about the changes of Colours heedfully to mind the
Circumstances of them; for Water will not, as I have purposely try'd,
concurr to the production of any such Green, nor did it give that Colour to
moderate Spirit of Wine, wherein I purposely dissolv'd it, and Wine it self
is a Liquor that few would suspect of being able to work suddenly any such
change in a Metalline preparation of this Nature; and to satisfie my self
that this new Colour proceeds rather from the peculiar Texture of the Wine,
than from any greater Acidity, that Rhenish or White-wine (for that may not
absurdly be suspected) has in comparison of Water; I purposely sharpen'd
the Solution of this Essence in fair Water, with a good quantity of Spirit
of Salt, notwithstanding which, the mixture acquir'd no Greenness.
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