VERMONT. 395 



mass of water in the pond precipitated at once down the declivity to- 

 wards Barton river. The small pond was ingulphed and borne off 

 witn all the mills and bridges along Barton river, and large tracts of 

 excellent soil covered several feet deep with sand, wood, Sec. 



Botany... .Mr. Williams, the historian, of Vermont, has given an 

 enumeration of the most common and useful Botanical productions 

 of the state. His enumeration contains 40 species ot forest trees, 30 

 of small trees, shrubs and vines, esculent, and valuable on account 

 of their salubrious and pleasant fruit; 10 of vegetables, which are 

 also esculent and valuable on account of their roots and seeds ; 29 of 

 indigenous vegetables, which are applied to medicinal purposes; 

 and 8, which in a state of nature operate as poisons, but which, by 

 chemical preparations, become valuable medicines. Ginseng grows 

 in great plenty and perfection in this siate. The Bayberry deserves 

 to be noticed for its fine perfume and delicate green wax. The prick- 

 ly ash is valuable for its uncommon aromatic properties. The Witch- 

 hazel blossoms, after the frost has destroyed its leaves. The Indian 

 Hemp may be wrought into a fine and strong thread. The Silk Grass 

 contains a fine soft down, which may be carded and spun into an ex- 

 cellent wick yarn. The berries of the common Sumach are used to 

 great advantage in medicinal applications, and in several kinds of 

 dyes. 



Mineralogy. ...A valuable copperas mine, in Strafford, Orange 

 county, has, since the year 1809, yielded a sufficient quantity of that 

 mineral, to supply this, and the adjacent parts of the surrounding 

 states. Iron mines abound on the west side of the mountains; the 

 first opened in this state, was in Tinmouth in 1785, since which, 

 others have been discovered and worked in Shaftesbury, Rutland, 

 Shoreham, Monkton, Milton, and several other places. There is a 

 lead mine in Sunderland. The vein of ore, which is very rich, is in 

 a rock of white flint. Rich pyrites is found in Shrewsbury. It is so 

 saturated with sulphur, that, thrown into the fire, it blazes like a 

 brimstone match. In the town of Rutland there is a vein of fine pipe 

 clay, which might furnish materials for the manufacture of white 

 earthenware. Another species of clay, resembling in quality that of 

 which porcelain ware is made, has recently been discovered in Monk- 

 ton. White, gray, and variegated marble abounds throughout the 

 state ; but that which claims pre-eminence on account of its superior 

 fineness, and the beauty and variety of its clouds, is obtained from a 

 quanyin Bennington. Specimens of gold and silver have been found 

 in this state, but no mines. 



Chakacter, manners and customs.. .This state was settled prin- 

 cipally by emigrants from the other New-England states, whose man- 

 ners and customs they, in a great measure, retain. Like most other 

 nevv' settlers, they are active, hardy and industrious; temperate, and 

 economical in their living ; hospitable to strangers ; brave, indepen- 

 dent, and enterprising ; tenacious of their liberties, and jealous of 

 their rulers. 



Education.. ..Although Vermont has made ample provision for the 

 future education of her youth, they do not at present possess the ad- 

 vantages and facilities enjoyed in the neighbouring states. Few, as 

 yet, have either liesure or means to attend to the higher branches of 

 learning In 1791, the legislature passed 'an act establishing a Uni- 

 versity at Burlington. Its funds consist in donations to the amount of 

 20,000 dollars, and 33,000 acres of land, reserved in the grants made 



