278 



in fact they were the outcropphigs of the ledges, which hy 

 blasting had produced the quarries of limestone so deep and 

 cavernous as to have been for a long time designated as the 

 Devil's Den. In the quarries, now for many years disused, 

 are found several beautiful mineral veins, of which serpen- 

 tine, and the variety called precious serpentine, predomi- 

 nates. Besides this the silky asbestos, the fibrous tremolite, 

 the amorphous garnet are known to the locality. The ham- 

 mer of the geologist and mineral seeker was instantly busy, 

 while curiosity prompted others of the company to explore 

 the passages of the shafts. The cool and moist retreat from 

 the bright sunshine was attractive to others, and draughts of 

 cooler water were passed from hand to mouth. Through 

 the courtesy of several gentlemen from Newburyport, who 

 met the company on the arrival of the train, the most pic- 

 turesque spots of this wild region, with its weird and fantastic 

 names were pointed out, and their local history defined. One 

 of these was the " Pulpit B.ock^'' situated near by. In the 

 Neck woods we were led to another quarry, situated in a 

 dee]3 ravine and some of its sides were of a steep and preci- 

 pitious character. This, we were told, had been extensively 

 Avorked within a few years, but it was found that the 

 cost of fuel would become too great for any profitable revenue 

 from the lime. 



At ten o'clock, several vehicles arrived to transport the 

 company to another locality, famous for its natural scenery. 

 A ride of five or six miles now carried us through Oldtown 

 in Newbury, through High Street in Newburyport, and to 

 laurel grounds on the bank of the Merrimac River. The 

 villages of ximesbury and Salisbury lay on the right hand of 

 the road in the distance, flanked by the smooth and verdant 

 elevation known as Powow Hill. The place of stopping was 

 near the birthplace and early home of William Bartlett, 

 a house of about one hundred and fifty years old and bear- 

 ing the marks of its antiquity. The weather beaten exterior, 



