De la Pirotechnia

BOOK ONE

[...to discove]r the way The text completes the word "scoprire" (to discover)., not only to find how to reach the belly where such things stay hidden, there is no doubt that you will become as rich as those mentioned before, or even more so. You will be adorned with honors, authority, and every comfort that wealth can provide, considering that the benevolence of nature is most generous and promises and provides for those who seek such things. Therefore, those who desire to possess wealth should more readily turn their whole intent toward the excavation of mines than toward military service (which is full of troubles), or toward commerce (scouring the world), or other tedious cares—perhaps illicit for good men—or undertaking long and tedious journeys by land or water with many hardships among strange and unknown people, who are often of a savage nature. Nor should they give their efforts to the mythical alchemical stone original: "fabuloso lapis alchimico" as many do, who hope to stop that "fugitive servant" A common alchemical metaphor for mercury (quicksilver) because of its volatility., or to "fix the moons" An alchemical term for the transmutation or stabilization of silver., or other such sophistical particulars and similar vain things without foundation.

And although I believe that the way to find mines is a special grace from God, it is nonetheless necessary, since we are born, to go where these things are produced by nature. By searching, we must attempt to find them, and once found, seek through digging to receive that grace, aiding the disposition of Fortune and its inclination with our own will and natural judgment.

Yet even this is not enough; for beyond being able to begin and follow through, one must be wealthy original: "pecunioso" so that when one cannot do all that is desired with one's own labor, the lack can be supplied with the help of hired laborers original: "mercennarii"; Biringuccio emphasizes that mining is a capital-intensive industry requiring a paid workforce..

But let us now set aside the reasoning on such matters, presupposing that you have made the expenditure and have not only found the mine you sought, but have also brought a great quantity [of ore] out into the open. Indeed, it is one of the first thoughts required of you, even before you begin to dig: to consider and well-examine the availability of necessary things and the requirements found there, such as wood of every kind, water, and provisions—for there must be an abundance of each.

First, of wood, a great quantity is needed—proportioned to the needs of the mine—to make charcoal original: "carbone" for the meltings, for roasting, refining, and other burnings, besides the timber needed to shore up the excavations, construct buildings, huts, and similar things. One must also think of the sites where the buildings are to be made, ensuring there is good air and plenty of water with good falls. For the sake of the charcoal, they should not only have wood nearby, but it should be convenient to the mines.

Above all other inconveniences, a lack of water is most to be avoided, as it is a most important material for these effects. With the force of its weight, it is used to drive wheels and other ingenious instruments to easily lift large bellows original: "mantici" to invigorate powerful fires, and to make trip-hammers original: "magli" of very great weight strike, to turn grinding stones, and similar effects. These forces (as can be seen) are a help to men, for otherwise it would be almost impossible to achieve the necessary results; the power of a wheel is more constant and solid than the tiring labor of a hundred men. Therefore, one must have very great...