568 JOHN HARRISON BLAKE. 



a condition of general financial disaster, in which tlie Norfolk Laboratory 

 had shared and which made it impossible to take up the grants for the 

 mining and exportation of nitre secured from the Peruvian government. 

 Under these conditions he accepted the management of the Fernandez 

 copper mines in Santa Clara, Cuba, married, and took up his residence 

 there, where, in addition to the work in hand, he made observations on 

 the character and climate of the country. In 1847 he assisted in the geo- 

 logic survey of Isle Royale, Lake Superior,* and in 1848 entered into 

 partnership with Franklin Darracott as a civil engineer, to which work 

 he added that of a consulting chemist and geologist. It was his custom 

 to make no charge for consultation to individuals seeking to develop new 

 industries, regarding this as his contribution to the general welfare. 

 Among many to whom he gave valuable advice were Goodyear and 

 Babbitt. 



The business of the firm of Blake and Darracott had largely to do with 

 gas engineering and the construction of gas works, and Mr. Blake organ- 

 ized and was at one time president of five gas companies, his executive 

 ability and power of control over men making such work a pleasure. In 

 addition he was interested in iron and gold mining, carrying on the ore 

 beds and blast furnaces and car wheel works at Brandon, Vermont, and 

 organizing and operating the Yahoola River Hydraulic Mining Company, 

 of which he was president, in the Dahlonega belt, Georgia. After the 

 dissolution of the firm of Blake and Darracott he became interested in 

 street railways, building the Middlesex Road and being the President of 

 the Metropolitan Road during the period of the Civil War : subsequently 

 he was President of the Connecticut Arms Manufacturing Company, and 

 organized and was the first President of the Chapman Valve Manufac- 

 turing Company. 



One of Mr. Blake's latest contributions to manufactures was the so- 

 called antique glass. Wishing to carry out previous experiments on 

 molecular movement in solids at protracted high temperatures, he con- 

 structed a crucible furnace in South Boston, and in order to make it pay 

 its expenses manufactured glass upon the basis of his earlier analyses of 

 precious stones, the result being a glass of great brilliancy and vivid 

 color. 



to remain as the guest of the Dictator. The invitation was declined, but was re- 

 peated in an equally courteous note brought by a file of soldiers, the note further 

 stating that the Dictator trusted that the invitation would be accepted, as it would 

 pain him to be obliged to provide any narrower accommodation. 



* The promontory at the northeasterly extremity of the island is called Blake 

 Point. 



