Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-02-07
From the Scientific Amercan.)
Marble and Marble Saving Inven-
ton.

MEssas. misunderstanding more than
six. months since it was made known, through
your columns, that an invention was needed
for saving tapering forms in marble. You
accompanied that notice with editorial re-
marks in which you prophesied that the re-
quired machine would be produced, and en-
eouraged inventors to undertake the work.
Your expectation has been met. Sixteen
patents have already been granted for ma
chimes Of the character proposed, and several
of these are.now doing satisfactory work. In
a short time number moro will be added to
the list. With so many earnest, practical
minds directed to sing lie point failure was
impossible. This competition, unparalleled
in points of success, has had, apd must con-
tinue to have, the effect greatly to diminish
the commercial value Of each patent from tho
price it might have commanded standing
alone. As no one or two Of these machines
can enjoy anything like monopoly OF tho
public confidence or ofactual merit they will
at once be introduced into general use. what
the patent right Of a machine of exclusive
excellence would have been worth may be
sguessed," from the fact that several discim-
mating inventors, when they had satisfied
themselves Of their success in the production
OF good machine refused the $4,000 Of
fered and one of them sold the right Of using
single machine to one of the largest marble
manufacturers in Vermont for $1,000. An
ordinary gang Of saws is worth $1,000. but
this invention, by doubling its efficacy, makes
it pay for itself the first year. The absolute
or aggregate value of this invention must be
very imperfectly understood by those who
are ignorant Of the present extent Of the mar
BILE business in this country at the present
rate of its development, and Of its capacity
for unlimited expansion The business is yet
in its infancy, although it has increased more
than 1t huDdred-fod in ten years. have no
hesitancy in saying that the entire marble in
terst Of Vermont is now valued by its owners
at not less than 100000! Here is found
marble Of almost every hue from the ebony
black to snowy white, and varing nearly as
widely in texture. Sudbury Brandon and
Middlebury have statuary marble equal to
the best Italian, as the busts Of our native
sculptor, Kinney, testify. Roxbury has an
inexhaustible supply Of the true Verd antique,
so identical in composition and appearance
with that hitherto obtained from ancient ruins,
that the best judges have mistaken the one for
the other. Although these quarries have
been opened but couple Of years, this beam
tiful stone has already found its way into the
new capitol extension at Washington, and
into the parlors Of the rich in New York and
Paris The committee for tbs erection OF the
Benjamin Franklin monument in Boston,
adopted it for that purpose after subjecting
it to tht severest test of heat, cold, and press
ure. The " Vermont Italian" qnarry Of
Dorset present bold front on the side OF
the mountain, half mild long by $50 feet
high, and of breadth which ages cannot ex-
haust Rutland alone turned ont half mill
ion dollars worth year
And yet this marble formation which ex-
tends the entire length IF Vermont, runs also
through Berkshire County in Massachusetts,
through western Connecticut. and, believe,
into New Jersey. And probably the marblo
interests above briefly allurded to are not a
moiety of those which exist in the country.
No sane person, with these facts before
him will say that in improvement which at
once does away with one-haif Of the expense
of an important branch Of the business is not
of great value, and no reasonable pereons
will charge mercenary motives upon those who
were Instrumental in the production of these
improvements. Some inventors, in their too
great haste, seizing upon the first idea that
presented itself, instead of carefully and ex-
perimcntally feeling their way to the truth,
have made failures; and now finding them
selves minus triAing sum Of money for pat
ent fees and model; seem to forget that some
waste Of property and life always attends a
great victory.
There is yet ample room III the marble bust
ness for the exercise Of the inventive facu lily 4;
some important improvements are yet needed.
In conclusion, Messrs Editors, allow me, in
behalf Of the marble manufacturers of Yer
mont, to thank you for the early " aid and
comfort" you gave this great Improvement.
NJ. NJ MANLY.
South Dorset, VT, Jan. 1856.
The above letter, as will be seen by the
signature, is from the gentleman who offered
the prize Of 10000 for the best marble saw
ing invention,