Serpentine. 



29 



than $40,000. Still more recently there were in operation in West 

 Stockbridge, for sawing marble, nine mills, moved by water power ; 

 and two hundred hands were employed. From twelve to fifteen 

 quarries had been opened, and in 1827, about two thousand seven 

 hundred tons of marble were exported from this town. The marble 

 used in building the city hall in New York city was chiefly from this 

 town. A part of the marble in the state house in Boston, was from 

 the same place. In 1828, a charge of two hundred and four pounds 

 of powder, was put into the rock in one of the West Stockbridge 

 quarries, and a block from fifty to sixty feet square and eight feet 

 thick, was raised ; and as much more loosened. 



The Lanesborough marble is of a superior quality, and a good 

 sample of it may be seen in the capitol at Albany. The New Ash^ 

 ford quarries furnish a marble of the same kind ; and several quar- 

 ries are opened. Only one mill is there erected for sawing it into 

 slabs. A mill of the same kind is in operation in Lenox, and anoth- 

 er at New Marlborough. In Sheffield, three quarries are opened. 

 In Alford, two. In Egremont, a bed of marble limestone extends 

 nearly through the town. 



There can be no doubt that greater facilities for the transportation 

 of the Berkshire marble — such as a rail road to the Hudson — would 

 greatly increase the demand for it, by reducing its price. Such fa- 

 cilities will undoubtedly be provided at some future time. For as a 

 country grows older, and increases in wealth and refinement, its val- 

 uable and ornamental minerals and rocks will be more sought after 

 and used. The inhabitants of Berkshire cannot, therefore, but re- 

 gard their inexhaustable deposits of marble and common limestone, 

 as a rich treasure to themselves, and an invaluable legacy to their 

 posterity. 



The limestone of Smithfield, R. I. and of Stoneham, in this state, 

 bears a close resemblance to that w r hich produces the celebrated Ca- 

 rara marble of Italy. But as yet, few blocks have been obtained at 

 either of these localities, large enough and free enough from fissures, 

 to be used for statuary. 



Serpentine, 



In richness and variety of colors, this rock exceeds all others ; and 

 is, therefore eminently suited for ornamental sculpture and architec- 

 ture. The prevailing color is green, of different shades, spotted or 

 clouded, or veined with other colors ; and hence its name, from its 



