The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-06-11
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part of the hidden wealth of Hartford coun.
ty Is coming to light Last week / paid visit to
the quarry OF precious serpentinc belonging to
The liaYre Iron Company, which is situated on
Broad Creek about two miles above its mouth
was met at the quarry by Mr.. E. NJ. Bye, one
OF the proprietors, and superintendent of the
works, who very politely gave me all the infor.
nation sought in regard 10 the valuable stone
they are quarrying. The beautiful stone |
speak of was first discovered by Mr.. Bye, who
is justly entitled to gives name 10 this rare gem,
but he has not yet named it, At present it is
called precious serpcntnc or emeraldine. 1t is
silicnte of magncsia, colorcd with chrome, and
is certainly one of the most beautiful stones in
the world. 1t has the finest texture and the
most splendid blending of the different shades
OF color. The texture is so fine that when
Professor Client, of the University of Pennsvl-
vania, examined piece of the polished stone
through microscope that magniiied 900 times,
he could not see on the polished surface gap
or hofr rs large as pins point. The stone adj
nuts CT The finest polish, and is perfect mirror
You can hold newspaper before it and read
the reversed contents in the mirror where they
are reflected, and you might shave yourself be-
fore one of these polished stones. The colors
Of this magnificent gem arc different shades of
green, from the lghtest emerald shade to the
darkest tint OF green, and the colors are most
beautifully blended, variegated and notified.
III some of the polished pieces there is the an.
pedrancc of rivers with dots on their banks re-
tcmblmg rocks, whilst in the back ground of
she same picture perfect trees and shrubs are
represented. This stone is beyond doubt one
of the most rare and beautiful specimens of
mineralogy in the world and The quarry is of
great value. MIR. Bye showed me block that
he is going to send to the Scientific Academy of
Fine Arts, in Baltimore This gentleman has
already received orders for a large quantity of
the stone. lie is going to prepare magnificent
column for the Centennial Celebration, which
will be twenty feet in length and three feet in
diameter which vii limo doubt compare fayorably
with the splendid column of red syenite that
will be on exhibition from Italy. Specimens of
this rare stone have been sent 10 London, Liver.
pool, Glasgow, Paris, Rome, Venice, and all the
principal European cities, and the scientists
there pronounce it to be the most rare and bean.
tiful stone in existence. 1t will make splendid
columns for princely palaces 1t will make the
msot beautiful tables, stands, counters and
everything else where rare and beautiful stone
is needed. The discovery is indeed an impor
tant one, and reflects credit on the skill and
Judgment of thc fortunate disooyerer. The Com.
pany will shortly erect mill Oh Broad Creek
at the quarry, for the purpose of saving and pol,
ishing tho large boulders that they are now TAX
ing from their primitive bed. The locality of
the quarry is wild and romantic, and If any of
your readers should visit the place they will be
well repaid for their trouble. In Mr.. Bye they
will find heightened intelligent gentleman.
who is most obliging in showing his visitors the
stone quarry and the rich iron mines that lie
contiguous. MARS.