The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-09
Our Conne.,,eut Correspondence.

ticst-MaWsf fact ories-I oory Combs, and I'm
porfatton Of Irry-Plame Factory-BeamftfM
Scenery and Residences-Rer. Dr. Jarvts's LTD
rary aud Paintings-1fansioa House AU Liws
Rail Road Free Stone Quarries at Portland
Since attending commencement at New Haven,
! have been spending a few days at this pleasant
city, and find many objects of interests here, and
in the vincinity, TO engage the attention of a
stranger There have been goodly number Of
New Workers here this season, passing few
weeks during the summer months; and truly it
would be difficult 10 find more agreeable and
quiet resort than this, among the numerous towns
in the beautiful valley of Connecticut River.
Middletown is handsomely located on the west
bank of the rver, the ascent being gradual to the
elevated hills in the rear, on which the Wesleyan
College and some of the residences of the most
wealthy citizens are situated, commanding a fine
view Of the river and the surrounding country
Passing over these hills on the west, we enter
upon another beautiful valley, through which
flows fine mill stream, called the ArrOwmamet,
running into the Connecticut in a northeastern
direction, and dividing the city from the northern
and western part OF the town, not included In the
city limits.
The Arrowmamet, although small stream, is
remarkable for the excellence of the water power
which il affords, and for the number of important
manufactures on its banks, which are moved by
its waters. Commencing at the town of Durham,
where it rises, will enumerate these establish
ments in succession, VIZ: Button mandatory
grist mill saw mill bone grinding mill wood
turning mill cotton factory; pistol factory, lat
work for the United States); gunpowder mill
paper mill North's carbine and gun factory, Cat
work for the United States) Starts gun factory
grst mill Buckland, Stearns " Co.'S ivory comb
factory and Baldwin's plane factory.
was much pleased with visit to the ivory
comb mandatory of Messrs. auckland, Stearns
IL Co., above referred 10, which is under the man
agement Of MIR. auckland and Horace Clark, ESQ.,,
late Mayor of Middletown. The machinery by
which these combs are made is very curious and
worthy of particular notice. The teeth of the
combs are formed by the operation of small circu-
lar of the incest construction, and other parts
of the work of making and finishing the combs is
performed by equally nice and delicate machinery.
The principal portion OF the operatives are females.
They manufacture here from one hundred and
fifty to one hundred and sev0ty-ive dozen ivory
combs per day, and use over thousand pounds of
| ivory per month. These combs now successfully
compete with the English article, and esides sup
| plying our own markets, the American manufactu-
| rers of combs export TO South America, the West
| Indies, Mexico, Canada, and some have been sent
! to France. Ali the manufactures of ivory combs
| in the United States, (about half dozen in num-
| ber,) are located in Middlesex and New Haven
! countless Connecticut.
The best elephants tusks, from which ivory
combs are made, are imported from Asia. A guam
tity of about 1000 lbs. was shown me, which was
purchased in Salem, Mass, being imported from
Calcutta TO that place. The market price is now
about 81 so per Id, and the article is growing
scarce. The length of these tusks is frequently
from seven 10 nine feet, and the average weight
from seventy TO eighty pounds. The largest. ever
used at the mandatory referred TO, weighed about
one hundred and thirty pounds.
| The plane factory Is owned and conducted by
Austin Baldwin, ESD, formerly of your city, but
for several years past one of the most active and
enterprsing citizens OF Mddletown. NOtwth-
standing the establishment of planning machines
! moved by water or steam power, am informed
that the demand for planes used by joiners, cab-
net-makers and others, continues undlpinished,
and this establishment of Mr. Baldwin does large
and profitable business.
Besides the manufactures mentioned, there are
in Mlddletown several establishments, located on
the Pacbeco river, another branch of the Connec-
cut, which | had not an opportunity to visit. /
may here remark, that the scenery around the city,
and along the valley Of the streams referred to-
very beautiful, and the farms highly cultivated,
afiordDg the most charming drives amidst roman
tic and diversified scenery. On one OF the most
prominent emlnehces west of the city, ground has
been recently purchased for a rural cemetery,
which is now being laid out with great taste, by
Dr. stone, (the same gentleman who laid out the
grounds for the Cypress Hills Cemetery.) From
this hill is of the most extensive and interest
ing prospects to be found in this part OF the Con-
ne ctcut valley
There are many beautiful residences, owned and
occupied 10y the wealthy citizens OF this city, par
tculaIly those on the elevated table land, west Of
the business part OF the place. From these resi-
dences overlooking the city, as before mentioned,
there is fine view of the valley of the river; and
the buildings, pleasure grounds, and gardens gen
orally display much taste aud elegance. The soci-
ETY. here Is well known TO be excellent, rendering
the place very desirable a residence for families
Of wealth, or for those retiring moderate for
tunes. There Is want of public library but this
deficiency is somewhat supplied by some excellent
private libraries, particularly that of the Rev Dr.
Samuel +. Jarvis His library is most extensive |
and valu be aud is particularly rich in works o
ecclesiastical aud general history. DIR. Jarvis IL
now engaged ia his History of the Church, OF which
the fret volume Published some tine since
He possesses alec most valuable collection OF
paintings, purchased by him in Europe, during his
visit there some years since. This gallery of paint
ngs contains some works of great rarity, and is
well worth visit to Middletown, by any admirer
Of the fine arts.
strangers vising this place will fud at the NJ an
sion House. kept by Mr. $, II, IIod gett most excel
lent and agreeable quarters. From the piazza
In The rear of the house, there u tue view of the
nyer and opposite shores. The branch railroad
extends 10 milee, from Middletown 10 the New
Haven aud Hartford railroad, at Berlin, making
rather a circuitous route Of thirty. SIX miles be-
tween the two cities, but the time occupied is only
about an hour aud a half between New Haven aud
Mddletown.
With regard to the "Air Line Railroad" once so
much talked of. which was 10 pass through Middle
town, and here cross Coun-ciicut river, in its
straight course from New Haven to Boston, there
seems 10 be but little prospect Of its being carried
into effect very soon, u at all TIE opposition Of
the Hartford io'ks 20 the project, the construction
Of other lines through Hartford, and the branch
road 10 MiddlstoWB, seem 10 have discouraged the
hieI ds If the "Aif Line route; and new nlIences
must arise and dcvelope themselyes before we caa
EXPECT a revival II the project, Nnder favorable
circumstances. IL u doubtless the most direct
route between New York aud Boston.
Through the polteness of a friend here, have
had an opportunity Of visiting the celebrated free
stone ,usrries. the opposite branch ct the Con-
nscucut rivcr IN the town Of Portland and have
also obtained some PARTICULARS respecting them,
which NAV be interesting to your reaiers.
Portland was formerly part Of the town II Chat
ham, and H. situated directly opposite Middietown,
on the Connecticut river, which is crossed here nv
a horse boat ferry The free stone quarres al this
place, called Connecticut. Middetown or Chatham
stone have long been celebrated TO the excellent
quality OF this building material. now so extern
siyely used in New York and other citi-s, as the
mCst favofite stone for ornamental purposes in the
erection Of buildings.
Eree sfnne Nna taken from these auarIies in CON