Point II

Painters by the help of this, may prepare for themselves most excellent Colours, as Ultra-Marine, blue Smalt, fine red or Scarlet Lacca, Venice Ceruse, and others necessary for their Uses, which otherwise they must have from far, as Italy, Holland, France, &c. and at a dear rate.

That excellent colours for Painting, may be made by the salt of the Earth, I will thus prove: Blue Smalt is otherwise prepared of flowing Sand, Chalcitis, and Potters-ashes: But if instead of those ashes, you take the fixed salt of the Earth, the smalt will not be only rendred more open, loose, and fine, but also purer, by reason the salt of the earth is purer than those ashes. Lacca for the most part is made of Flocks shorn from crimson or scarlet cloth in the dressing, and by a singular lixivium (instead of which Nitre may be taken) the colour is extracted, which is to be precipitated, edulcorated, and dryed upon clean Boards in the sun, or by a stove. Verdigrease and Ceruse are commonly prepared by the help of Vinegar, in Iron Vessels put in Horse-dung; but if the Copper or Lead be dissolved in spirit of Nitre, and the Copper precipitated by a lixivium of salt of Tartar, but the Lead by salt water, then edulcorated and dried, the Copper will exhibit a green colour, which may be used in all Paintings, and will not corrode and destroy other colours, as the common Verdigrease is wont to do: And the Ceruse is rendered more delicate white, and pure than that which is prepared by Vinegar, with which oftentimes much Chalk is mixed to augment it, and is not so conducible to Painting, nor to the shops, as that which is made per se, without any mixture.