The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-05
Quincy and tho m...aehu.stts Stone.

The contribution of Massachusetts towards the
Washington Monument ia completed, and
may be seen at the Quincy quarry. X ia fine
specimen Of the handlwork and industry OF man.
The stone ia six feet square, fourteen inches in
| thickness, and weighs three tons. 1t bears the
oat-of-arms Of the State beautifully carved in
circle. Under the Indian, scroll, Is the motto
" Ense petit pIacidGm sub Hberfate quisfsm," and
without the circle, the word Z" Massachusetts"
is boldly carved. The stone is formidable to look
at, and it will, doubt be one of the finest con-
tributions to the monument The sculpturing was
executed by Thomas and William Smith, and they
have been almost twelve months occupied in the
preparation of the work. The result Of their years
toll is highly creditabe, and, when the block occu-
pies its destined position, il will honorably repre-
sent the product and skill of Massachusetts in the
national column which is TO perpctuate the name
of the immortal Warrington. The cost will be
about S 1000.
There are other objects of interest at the quarries
that would fully compensate visit There is a
wild grandeur in the excavations which, were one
OF poetic turn, might insure short poem on the
subject OF precpces; and the huge blocks OF gran
lite to be seen strewn all sides would be apt to
excite wonderment in person Of ordinary facul-
ties. There are some nine hundred men at present
working in these quarries and stone is being pre-
pared for shipment to various parts of the country
Massive blocks, intended for the custom house at
New Orleans, are now almost ready for removal
But Quincy has other claims to renown besides
her quarries There are the birthplaces as well as
the graves of two Presidents of the United States.
The house in which John Adams was born is still
standing, and simple cot it is is also that in
| which his illustrious son, John Quincy, breathed
his first breath.
The town itself is beautifully situated, and the
inhabitants appear to be a most industrious and
thriving community. There is not u mean house
in the place, and sloth among the people, if any
thing can be judged from the external appearance
of things, has not abiding place in the village.
The town house is granite edifce, little, if any,
inferior in external appearance to our own city
hall, and the schools attended to with that
which renders Massachusetts famous.
Its proximity to salt water, its refreshing hills
and secluded valleys, together with its accessi-
bity, must make Quincy an attractive summer
residence for portion Of the fatigued inhabitants
of Bostonat least those of them whose leisure and
fortune will admit of the luxury Of out of town
residence during tic warm season. There is an
excellent hotel in the town, the "Hancock House,"
1t is located within few steps of the railroad de-
pot, and has recently undergone extensive repairs.
II is owned and kept by Mr.. George H. French, one
of the deputy sherifis of the county, and man
who has had much experience in inn keeping, his
father having kept public house for many years.
Mr.. French has other interests in Quincy beyond
the success of his hotel He is one of the "oldest
inhabitants" his stake in life is there, and the
character of the town and his own character are
somewhat identical.-Boston Courier.