Asbestos -- not a new thing

Vevay, Ind., Jan. 14, 1825

ASBESTOS

The following article, copied from a Richmond paper, we think worthy of notice.

"A Newburyport (Mass.) paper states, that Mr. Bole has found, near Parker's river, in Newbury, a piece of mineral substance, which appears by experiment, to be the genuine Asbestos."

We well recollect in 1794 seeing several large pieces of Asbestos on an island in Parker's river, the filaments of some of which were nearly three inches in length. It was then said that the island contained large quantities. 

In 1800, about 15 miles from Baltimore, Asbestos was found, some which were near four inches in length.

It was used for the wick of a lamp in Baltimore, but though unconsumed, the flame was much more dim that that from a cotton wick.

Pliny says that cloth made of it was used by the ancients for a shroud to the ashes of the dead. A napkin, twenty-four inches square, costs in China, $170. 

The royal society in England has a piece of this cloth, 12 inches by 9 which has been washed by burning it red, but it lost in the burning, three grains each time.

{The editor recollects of having seen a piece of this mineral, exhibited by a farmer near Fishkill in the state of New York in the year 1805, who said he had obtained it on the side of the mountain, and that there was considerable quantity of it at that place. From recollection, no doubt is entertained of its being the genuine Asbestos.}

Note: Natural asbestos is formed through natural geological processes, not commercial processing; it poses a health risk when disturbed and fibers become airborne, potentially causing cancers like mesothelioma and asbestosis, but is generally safe when left alone in its rock formations. 

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