Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-09-05
EXHIBITION OF THE MT. MICA
MINING co.

was held at the Academy Hall, on Aug III
and Sept. /, and was the finest display of
the lithia group OF minerals ever given in
any country.
Mt. Mica Is too well known TO require
any description at The present time, but 1t
| may be proper TO state that number oil
gentlemen well known as mineralogists
and capitalists have formed a company to
develop several localities in this county
which are believed to be rich 10 minerals
| Of great vane in science as well as in
commerce, and certainly the late display
must encourage them 10 pursue their H.
| vestigations on more extensive scale.
For several months past the Company
have been blasting the ledge at Mt. Mica,
aud have notified many OF the mineralog
lists of the country that an opportunity
would be given on Sept. lst TO examine
the remarkable specimens that have been
brought to light up TO the present time
A great number of scientists sgnifled
their intention to be present on the occa-
sion, but many were prevented from at
tending on account OF the oppressive heat,
but among the number present were some
| of the first mineralogists in the country
Prof Brush OF Yale College, Prof. Barker
of the University of Penn, Prof Munroe
of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and
others. To assist the display of the Mt.
| Mica Company, selections were made from
the cabinets OF DR.. A. C.. Hamlin, Samuel
| Il. Carter and Nathan Perry, and altogether
they furnished matchless exhibition and
one which will not be easily surpassed for
many years to come. The principal fea-
ture OF the exhibit was the array Of tour
malines, and this can be appreciated when
We say that the British Museum, the Royal
Cabinet at Vienna, and the School Of
Mines at Paris could not unitedly have ap-
! preached IL In beauty, In extent or in value.
Some of the finest crystals of tourmaline
thus far known were grouped together,
with many brilliant cut specimens of the
mineral, forming picture OF such beauti-
| ful forms and colors as TO lead the specta-
Among the specimens were crystals of
| red, green, blue aud white colors. Others
exhibited two or three hues in the same
prism: white and red, red and green, or
white, green and red, and even white,
green, red and blue; forming a strange
arrangement OF colors. In examining
these beautiful crystals OF varied colors,
the spectator Is inclined to wonder how
they were created, and to speculate on the
marvellous force OF nature which could pro-
ducc these gems In the bosom of the gran
tie rock
These crystals varied in size from half an
inch 10 six inches in length, and 10 more
than an inch 10 diameter. The last one
discovered by the Co. is remarkable min.
eralogical specimen. being nine inches in
length by an inch in diameter, and exhib.
ting n blue green color for two-thirds of
the length Of It's shaft which is quite trans
parent.
The display of cookeite, amblygouite and
other rare minerals peculiar to this locai-
~ was very attractive 10 the student of
mineralogy, and embraced many specimens
of explorations OF years ago.
The array OF polished and cut stones from
Mt. Mica was too brilliant and varied in
hue for reality, and it seems almost impos-
siDlc for one locality and one species OF
mineral to produce so many varieties Of
color aud OF such remarkable beauty and
perfection. All colors were represented.
II was much regretted that the magnid-
cent red tourmaline belonging TO Prof
Shepard was not In the display, so that a
comparison might have been made with
the gems found since the discovery of
Shepard, bot there were some very fine
stones of Il great variety OF red hues.
Among the green gems was the splendid
and probably matchess one Of % karats
weight belonging to the Hamlins.
1t is quite impossible TO describe the par
tlculars of this exhibition, the first yet
given by the Mt. Mica Co., but we hope
that they will persevere in exploring our
lodges for the rare minerals they contain,
and they will succeed in attracting men of
science from all parts OF the country TO
come and exsminc them; and also to be-
come familiar with our natural scenery,
which is not surpassed in the country.
large part of the Pdrue of American
gems belonging TO the Hamlin family was
also exhibited, as it contained several very
choice gems from Mt. Mica. Among these
gems were several remarkable ones from
other parts Of the country-a very large
turquoise from the ancient Mexican mines
near Santa Fe, some beautiful blue and |
yellow beryl from Royalston, Mass, su-
perb green spodumene known as Heiddcn-
tie, from North Carolina, a pure garnet
and peridot from Montana, two splendid |
opals from Central America, etc.
In necklace Of the rarest gems known
to the naturalist, Mt. Mica afforded three
specimens the white, red and blue tour
maline as companions to such rare stones
as the blue topaz, the green garnet, the
yellow zircon and the white phenacite.
DEAF MUTEs.-The Fourth Annual Con-
vention of the deaf mutes of Maine was
held in the Congregational chapel at Au-
gusta, Saturday and Sunday. About sixty
persons were present from all over the
State. a. the first session, Saturday af.
ternoou officers were chosen for the epsu
ing year, as follows: President. Charles