Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-09-21
Verd Antique Marble in Ver-
mont.

mont.
The annual meeting Of stockholders of
the American Verd Antique Marble Co"
holden at Roxbury, in this county, on the
2lst ultlmo was attended by an unusually
large number. and all expressed perfect sat
isfaction with the prospects of the Company.
We fancy that Vermonters do not know the
prize which has been discovered in one OF
the most modest of their little mountain
towns. Verd Antique marble is incontesi-
bly, far the most valuable Of any marble IN
the world: at Roxbury it is found in ledges
apparently inexhaustible, at the very side of
the railroad track-nnd what is worth re-
marking, another ledge is NOT kno,on in any
both in America and in Europe, bot until the
Roxbury lodges were discovered, it was
found only in boulders. Even in Italy,
where the article was procured in large
masses centuries ago, only small specimens
are now to be had, and probably most of
these are but remnants saved from the ruins
of ancient buildings. This RoAbury dis.
covery, then, is very remarkable; it places
Vermont far ahead of all the rest Of the
world in marble and if properly husbanded,
this precious deposit will be a new and
fruitful source of wealth to the State. But
IS this the genuine Verd Antique marble
30 say the scientific men so SAYS every bo-
dy who happens TO see the genuine Italian
and the American article together. The
commissioner for the new capital at Wash.
'neion had no doubt as TO the genuineness OF
the article: but he did doubt whether there
could possibly be enough of it for his pur-
pose, because he well knew that the article
hse until now been found only IN small ounn- |
titles. He is nop satisfied as to this point,
his order having been filed, and the marble |
delivered on the banks of the Potomac
We learn that every stone of The first in
stalment arrived IN perfect order, and was
accepted !; and doubtless such will be the /
fact as to the whole inasmuch as the stone
is better the deeper it is quarried
The verd Antique is green marble.
veinsd with white sometimes with an in
termixture Of purple ; it bears high polish.
and is therefore exceedingly beautiful II
has hitherto been used mainly for ornamen-
tai purposes within doors; such as tables,
mantlepieccs, lamp stands, clocks, &c. but
now the quantity is large enough and the
price moderate enough TO warrant lis use in
monuments, Easements, columns, capitals,
window and door frames, and as tiles, for
which purposes, and for all places exposed
TO the weather, it is altogether superior to
any other marble, being the most durable Of
all This fact has been tested in various
ways,and first by NC. Meigs, Captain of En-
gineers in charge of the CAPITOL at Wash /
ington. lie reports the average weight re
CURED to crush square inch Of this marble, |
to be 1886 pounds. On other marbles the
weights required range from 23,9l7 down to
7,l53 lbs. Its durability is proved by ano,h-
err test, showing that it resisis both fire aud
acids, neither Of which are resisted by other
marbles. Dr. Chas. I. Jackson, the geolo-
glst, asserts this fact, and gives the following
analysis Of the stone:
Silica rock crystal or quartz,) 1916
Msgnesia, loxIde of magnesium, 355
Prot. oxide Of iron and chromium, So
Carbonate Of lime, O0
Water, I3O
1000
lis durability on exposure 10 the weather
is also altested by A. A. Hayes, Assayer OF
the State of Massachusetts, who states that
1t will resist frost. He submitted specimens
to the scverest known test, and says; 81 I'm
der this test granite fails. Syeniie, porpby-
~. and some other hard rocks. resist; and
your mineral must take place with these in
point OF durability" This fact is important,
because the stone appears to abound IN
seams, and the natural differences would be
that 1t would absorb water in these seams.
as well as crack under the chisel. Both of
these differences are incorrect We have
assurance from sculptor, Who has submitted
the stone TO the severest trial under the
ch'sei' that no other marble is SO strong.
We state these facts for the information
OF our readers, who certainly ought to know
all about this valuable production of their
own State. The Company have row more
orders than they can fill without enlarping
their works, which they are doing A sec,
ond ledge will soon be opened If any of
our readers wish to see for themselves, we
advise them to take trip to Roxbury, and
drop into Pages excellent hotel, where they
will find directions to the qusrries aud works
OF The Company or if any Of them happen
TO be in Boston let them cal upon the gem
tlemsnly agent Of the Company, Mr.. ]. w.
Butler, 80 Exchange, Deyonshire street. who
will exhibit the stone and give all informa-
ton desired We hope soon TO obtain speci-
mems to exhibit here, and also TO be depos.
ted IN the State Library, for want of better
State neurological cabinet VIII some.
body in Rutland county send US a specimen
OF the purest 'otiie Vermont marble. 10 be
deposited In the State Library as a contrast
for the greenS Send as many varieties ss
you please, with the name Of the quarry
whence taken, and VIC will see tina, the i.
brsrlan has them. A good display will per-
hsps lead the Legislature to give a roou,
specially designed for exhibiting specimen,
of all the minerals OF the State; or bette
still. by and BY, q small building, constructed
Of tbs best Vermont mnerals-her marbles
granite and slate.
OSSscERs voR 1856. Dirsctors--N. r