The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-11-30
Translated from Wasg. a Welsh journal printed
at Pittsburgh, Pa.
- The Usefulness OF States.
BY SAP ARooN," "a member of N. B. Geo
logical College,.

As it was designed that gold should be
the purest and most precious OF metals,
and coal to be the best fuel, we may also
believe that the wise Creator designed the
slate vein to be useful and beautiful cov-
ering for the huts and buildings of the
children of men, But man very often
THINKS he can go beyond the propriety
and design of God. The brewer suspects
that beer is better drink than water
the makers of preserves think that Jams,
etc., are better to sustain the heart of man
than bread and milk; the chemist thinks
that balls and condiments, etc., are better
to fatten and SAVIOR mutton and beef than
the small leaves of sweet fruit from the
hllsides, OF the wholesome clover from the
dae and the physician who keeps an es-
tablishment for consumptiye patients,
thinks that the perfumes of his chambers
are better for the thousands of air cells of
the lungs than the balmy breezes of the
sprightly mount. And if they do not think
so, it must be that they deceive for the
sake of earthly gains and false renown.
Thus it is also concerning the usefulness
of states. etc. Jehovah himself went to
raise states for Moses upon Mount Sinai
and Moses went after this to the slate quar-
ry of Sinai (after he he had broken the
states upon which the commandments wert
first written for new states to hold the ter
commandments.
1t is likely that Moses was the first tt
show the usefulness of the writing slate t.
the world? At what time the usefulness
of the slate to cover buildings first came t
the notice of the world we cannot at pre-
sent determine; yet it is likely that tn
Romans, the Italians andGrecians used then
in ancient times, for civilization, art, inven
ton, and the ability of the architects o
the nations named were enough to caus
them to perceive the adaptation and exec
lence of slate upon every other roofing ma
terial. Wherever there are mountain
which contain several kinds of rocky bed
or LAYERS, there may also be seen anon
them slate rocks of different character
They are found in China. Lower Asia, tn
mountains of Arabia, Spain, Italy, Saxony
Prussia, Hungary, Switzerland, Belgium
England Scotland, and Ireland. but prime
pally in North Wales.
Slate veins may also be seen upon OF
American continent, Labrador, NewfounC
land, Nova Scotia, Canada East, Massachl
sets, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland
and upon the mountainous chain throug
Virginia, North Carolina, to the borders {
Georgia. Slate is also found in Californi,
and there is no doubt, many slate veins
the territories, and the shores of the Pacif
ocean. They also appear in the remote
parts of Minnesota, and the deserts {
Michigan; and it is more than likely th
there are ten times more slate veins undi
covered in America, than there are alread
discovered.
The civilized character of a nation, Il
geographical, geological and advantageo1
state or portion of country has much
> do with the nature, character and roofir
materials for the buildings of such region
The wandering Arabans are content wi
a leafy or reedy roof over the tops of the
huts? the red Indians of America are So
= isfied with roof made of the bark OF tree
the uncivilized inhabitants of the South
content with roof made from clay
compound to cover their huts; the Iris
men of Ireland delight to have PUSHES al
straw to cover the roofs of their cottage
the mountainous Scotlander is satisti
with turf to cover his root the Yankee
content if he he has shingles to cover t
TOP of his wooden house and the 3" llaRci
of EyYri" are satisfied with the pleasi
green states of their country, to material
and usefully adoln their whitcwashed COTS
es. AS we have already intimated, there 0
many seeking to overcome the usefuln'
and good character of slate with inventlo
and artificial mixtures, such as tiles, I'll
lead, wood, bark, iron, plastics, straw, a
felts, etc., Notwithstanding that good a
pure states, which were designed by !
wise Creator to be the roofing material !
buildings, stand and are to stand as mu
above every other roofing material us
golden pitcher is above the earthen Vess
the pure coal above turf, or the silly
spoon above the wooden.
We will next try to explain the compo
tive and material nature ana elements
slate and slate quarres.
AS there is diversity in the veins a
wealth of gold, silver and lead mines,
the fields and beds OF coal and marble gu