It is
pronounced by competent judges to be superior to the Italian marble
for statuary, and the only doubt is, whether large blocks can be ob-
tained sufficiently sound. No sufficient exploration has been made
to settle that question. No persons have been able and willing to
invest a sufficient capital for that purpose. Some injudicious ex-
penditure was made on a quarry about a mile east of the village of
Middlebury. But it has been in hands not yet able to maka a thor-
ough exploration. Another quarry, on which there has been some
expenditure, is at Belden's Falls, two miles north of the village of
Middlebury. It was purchased, together with the water power, by
the late Cd. Perkins, of Boston, and Perkins Nichols, of New
12 HISTORY OF ADDISON COU>'Ty.
Tork, both too far advanced in life toengage personally in ths
business. Under a contract made "with them, a company of men
undertook to make an examination of the quarry, under the super-
intendence of a scientific gentleman, Professor Foster. The ex-
amination was continued for several weeks, and a considerable num-
ber of blocks were taken out, and the Professor, to the very last,
expressed entire confidence that the marble was sound, and that a
large establishment would soon be made for the purpose of working
it. But the work Avas suddenly stopped without any reason known
to us.
Doct. Eben W. Judd, of Middlebury, was the first person who
wrought marble by water power in this State. He and his son-in-
law, Lebbeus Harris, carried on the business extensively for sev-
eral years ; but both dying, the business was closed. They wrought
principally the blue and