two or three days at most cover'd with Oyl of sweet Almonds kept in a
temperate heat by warm ashes, I say if it were true, because I doubt
whether it be so, and have not as yet had opportunity to satisfie my self
by Tryals, because I find by the confession of the most Skilfull Persons
among whom I have laid out for _Turcoises_, that the true ones are great
rarities, though others be not at all so. And therefore I shall now only
mind you of one thing that you know as well as I, namely, that the rare
Stone which is called _Oculus Mundi_, if it be good in its Kind, will have
so great a change made in its Texture by being barely left a while in the
Languidest of Liquors, common Waters, that from Opacous it will become
Transparent, and acquire a Lustre of which it will again be depriv'd,
without using any other Art or Violence, by leaving it a while in the Air.
And before experience had satisfy'd us of the truth of this, it seem'd as
unlikely that common Water or Air, should work such great changes in that
Gemm, as it now seems that the Effluviums of a human Body should effect
lesser changes in a _Turcois_, especially if more susceptible of them, than
other Stones of the same kind. But both my Watch and my Eyes tell me that
'tis now high time to think of going to sleep, matters of this Nature, will
be better, as well as more easily, clear'd by Conference, than Writing. And
therefore since I think you know me too well to make it needfull for me to
disclame Credulity, notwithstanding my having entertain'd you with all
these Extravagancies; for you know well, how wide a difference I am wont to
put betwixt things that barely _may be_, and things that _are_, and between
those Relations that are but not unworthy to be inquir'd into, and those
that are not worthy to be actually believ'd; without making Apologies for
my Ravings, I shall readily comply with the drowsiness that calls upon me
to release You, and the rather, because Monsieur _Zulichem_ being concern'd
in your desire to know the few things I have observed about the shining
Stone. To entertain those with Suspicions that are accustomed not to
acquiesce but in Demonstrations, were a thing that cannot be look'd upon as