MODE I. MARBLE* 397 



Isles are poor in marbles *. It is only the fashion- 

 able rage after foreign kinds, joined with an old 

 routine of commerce, blindly followed by the ma- 

 nufacturers, which prevent vast treasures of this 

 decoration from being discovered in Great Britain 

 and Ireland ; particularly in Wales, and the High* 

 lands of Scotland. 



IRELAND. Near the celebrated lake of Kil- 

 larney are found white and red, and black and 

 white marbles. Indolence and ignorance have 

 prevented further research. The fine black mar* 

 ble of Kilkenny is conchitic; but the north of 

 Ireland yields a brown marble, and one of a pal 

 white, like earthenware f. 



Having begun with these northern regions, it 

 may be proper to continue in the same climate, 

 that the comparative view may become mora 

 distinct. 



NORWAY. The marble of Gillebeck, which 

 resembles that of Tirey, will be described among 

 the Composite Rocks. Even the Danes show a 

 more patriotic taste than Britons, for it has been 

 employed in constructing the church of Frederic 



* Brard, 442. Some of the Assynt marbles promise well, but 

 due quarries are not yet sufficiently deep to expect the finest kinds. 

 Those of Italy have been worked for 1500 years. Adits might be 

 found advantageous. 



t Da Costa, p. 210, says a grey marble, with white spots, from 

 the county of Cork, was much used in Ireland. 



