New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-29

rEOAA inc DOotVu AuN0fIseTI
The story of the tourmalne is like the
wonderful tales Of the East, and seem
strangely out of place in New England
Here, however, have been its greatest tri-
nmphs and its favorite hiding places. Here
the superb gems have been found of the
greatest size, the most brilliant colors, and
she highest commercial value. The tour
rnaline is little known even now, excepting
10 the amateur and the mineralogist, and
over its past history veil of mystery
hangs. Among the ancients the tourmaline
of Siberia and Ceylon were probably
known, and TheOphrastns describes bril-
liant stono found in Cyprus, which must
have been a tOurmaline. Three centuries
later Piiny describes its curious magnetic
powers and its varied colors, and then his
tory loses sight of i. for ages. In the sew
enteenth century it reappeared in the form
of Brazilian emeralds, but even now almost
nothing is known OF the South American
mines, and the operations Of The miners.
f.arly in the eighteenth century, some
~hlldIen Paying in a sunny courtyard in
Amsterdam left their plsythings, among
which were some precious stones which the
Dutch sailors had brought home from the
East Indies, out ON the hot pavement, and
when they came back they were astonished
to find that the heated stones had tho
strange power of attracting and repelling
straws, ashes and other light subs tances.
The parents were called to see the wonder,
and then Dutch 1dpidaries were sen. Tor 70
explain it; but they knew nothing d, { the
stones, and gravely said they were aschen-
Srekers lash drawers) and committed them
selves no further. But the stones were
passed from one hand to another, until
scientific interest was excited, and after 8
long while. and MANY disputes. the name
of tourInaline was adopted, and by that
name these stalls have since been known
Late in the autumn of 1920 two Young
students OF mineralogy were returning from
days hunt in the mountain ridges of
Paris. Maine. They had paused to watch
the glory of the sunset, and they turned
to descend the hill, in the fading light they
saw vivid CLEAN oil emerald green fash
from the roots of fallen tree. 1t was O.
brilliant tourDaline lying loose upon the
earth. Xhe darkness prevented any further
search, End during the night there was a
heavy fall OF snow which did not melt until
spring. But as soon as the hillside was
bare again the students retained to their
search. and we're rewarded, for DR. HamIin
says "'they had stumbled upon one OF the
richest and rarest of nature'- laboratories"
some of the finest and purest If the gems
were selected rs present for Professor Sill.
siman. and entrusted Sor safe keeping to !
ZION. En0ch Lincoln. who was then Il Me IN |
Der OF Congress and ahout to star. Sog (
Washington. The roads were bad. and L.
great part of the journey had g. b. made
on horseback, and Mr. lincoln lost .he |
precious parce! before ne searheh New
Haven a similar adverse fate followed
other specimens ot this beautiful gem |
Some wer. lost. some were burned. somr
were sold by the finders. amt n" record I
made If them. till 1t seemed A. is they di..
by magic and Us if, arnuse their
strange physical properties, was the ruy-te-
Fious one Of becoming invisible. At various
times during the last fifty years excavations
and explorations have been made ia The
same ridge. new called Mount Mica. and
fournailpes OF great beauty have been
iound.
DIR. Hamlin gives an interesting account |
III the explorations, OF the minerals with |
which tourmalines are associated, of the |
strange tricks with light and color played
sy these beautiful gems; indeed. the simple
scientific report of the discoveries on Mount
Mica - fascinating story OF wonders. ]
Professor Hsmlin has verv rare fourmalines
IN his own splendid collection of gems. and
ais description of them is illustrated BY
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, giving the exact size, !
and indicating the eolors Of the CRYSTALS.
He speaks, in tho introduction 70 his me-
n0lr OF the tourmaline, of "the fascination |
which gems in all times exercised over the
minds of men," and of the part they have
"A tales of Oriental fable His trne storv
hows the charm and power IF 9TH, se bean
iful and wondrous crystalline bodies which !!
10 man has vet b. en- able to fully comma.
,end ard explain without becoming aware
# definite intent on the part of the Gre
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