Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-20
ITALIAN MARBLE.-MR. POWERS.

Discovery RE-opESISG ANCIENT MARBLE
QuARRr IN TUscANr.-We have been favored by Mr. KEEL
with the following extract of letter received by the
Caledonia from his friend the great sculptor PowERs. 1t is
not little singular that citizen of the NeD World should
become the instrument of bringing again into the long
buried treasures of foreign clime especially when
sdered that those lie in the midst Of the
refined and popuous districts ITALY, Only imagine
BILE quarry to have existed in such conspicuous position
the face OF amounain seaport, containing the most
precious material for stauay, and have been used
for period probably two thousand years. and then brought
to light through citizen of world then unknown, who exc
cues from the marble the likeness of the Hero and Patriot
whose life devoted the of liberty and the good
mankind 1t if the marble had been hidden from
the world unt could be used for noble purpose. The
first statue made from the Seavezza marble by Mr. Pow
ers-the GREEK SLAvE.-N Y. Courier.
FLORENCE, OCTOBER 2, ls47.
Nh DEAF KELLOGG have lately returned from visit to
new marble quarry just opened in Mauemma, about thirty
five miles m Leghorn say quarry, but is very
old having been worked ancient times possibly by the
EuaD Judging from the great extent of the excavation
they have made the side of the mountain quantities
marble must have been removed The sides Of the
carved down quite level with marks Of their chsels
picks distinctly visible. At distance the cliff ledge of rock
appears like aatura formation, for has covered the
face with black thin crust very unlike marble in appearance
but blow om chise exposes the beautiful material under
meath.
This marble closely resembles that of Paros that i'm.
possible TO perceive the difference and have doubt that
many Of the statues and buss heretofore supposed be made
OF Panan marble actually Of this very marble of the Mar
MT, what has become of the quantities taken
out Of these Cuarries
Until within few years the beautiful and picturesque re-
gon where nis marble is situated wilderness but it
known that in ancient times il thcky populated Re.
mains OF anlent buildings still to be in the valleys
and ruined 8stes the submits of the lofty hills in the
distance Some Of these hills full of artificial caverns
cavaed PROBABLY in search Of copper and other minerals
One OF he mines within few yards Of the quany avery
deep pit oVgown with brars and underwood at the bottom
OF which opening which leads to chambers and
long passages in various directions to an immense extent 1t
said to he very interesting place. but did go down
for want d time Some chels and picks have been found
there and at the marble quarry which closely resemble those
now IN use When return we viii visit this place at
leisure, for am you will find il worth your while. The
sight Of the quarry, about mile distance and
easy and in the that drove the ground
full galo The road to the quarry from Leghon Is along
the seasho and pleasant ride OF only five six hours
intend make the statue Of Mr. Calhoun out Of this
BILE and will perhaps, be the first fulsi statue made Of
in two thousand years. am making bustof Wua-
from Ibis MARBLE somewhat larger than life, by way
Of experiment. II nearly blocked out and salts
fled already ha the effect will be all that could be wished Il
singular that the Of the quarry is Greek, who has
found the marble supposed be peculiar to his country
here in Tuscany.
He can afford this marble for less than one-halfhe price Of
Caaa, account of the great and small expense of
eScavang aud taking it to the sea-shore The msrbe has
rich colon desirable in statues and busts il
most beautiful ID columns mantepieces, and the like. The
grain Exc the Paan, but it works smoothly and
takes a high polish While looking at the excavation
struck by the ancient and modern modes Of doing the
same thing To my right the perpendicular uniform
cutting OF the ancient Eurian pckaxe the left appeared
the terrible fracures Of the modern gunpowde huge locks
scattered about mshapen, and indicating great Of ma
eral Ivy this way immense quantity Of marble is ruin
ed Sll when consider the mountain Of il before US
enough build nearly all the cities in Europewe longer
think Of this Bot could not avoid regret seeing
Of marble, ten feet in length and or eight in
BREADTH without spot lis sparkling s1riace shattered
to pieces 10y blast directly through its centre.
As ever, your friend, HIRAM POWERS