Serious doubts are really entertained on this subject, and it is
elaborately discussed. I must confess that I have none whatever,
and for the following reasons:
First--There is no satisfactory evidence that any one person ever
lived in any age or country of this world, of the statue of ten feet,
unless it be Goliah of Gath. I know very well what is claimed and
said on this subject, but the evidence would not satisfy a jury
of intelligent men.
Second--There is nothing in the general aspect, which leads any
one to think it anything but stone. I venture to say, that were
it in any other form, such a supposition would never have arisen.
Third--The stratification of the stone is perfectly visible, even
to the imperfect observation now allowed. Mr. Calthrop's letter
is full and satisfactory on this subject, but in addition to the
places pointed out by him, the stratification may be seen on the
left shoulder, and I think on the top of the head. That upon the
left breast is, however, most clear, distinct and satisfactory.
Fourth--The whole statue, in all its parts, furnishes the most
conclusive evidence, that it was all cut from one stone. It is
quite clear that the stone has been cut away just far enough and
only just far enough to show the legs, the arms and the fingers.
Fifth--The fracture of the stone along the left leg,, and especially
on the heel of the left foot, which seems to be recent and fresh,
is the fracture of our common gypsum, and leaves no doubt, so far
as the eye can determine, that the material is stone.
It is said that on striking the head or the chest, it gives forth
a sound indicating that the statue is hollow. Such evidence must
in any event be very uncertain, and now no such experiments are
permitted.
No one is permitted to touch the statue, but I was allowed to look
at it with a powerful glass at my leisure.
I have carefully read the nine points made in the Standard of the
23d, to its being a statue. None of them are conclusive, nor, as
it seems to be very strong, do they affect my belief on the subject.
The marvelous has a great attraction for all of us, but we cannot
afford to surrender our better judgment for the luxury of enjoying
a belief in it.
In the meantime, why will not Mr. Newell run a dozen or twenty
trenches from the locality of the giant, in every direction, down
through the alluvial soil to the clay, and see if other discoveries
may not be made, which will throw light on this one?
Very respectfully, E.W. LEAVENWORTH, SYRACUSE
Oct. 20th, 1869.
From the Syracuse Journal, Oct. 27th.
LETTER FROM PROFESSOR HALL, THE STATE GEOLOGIST
ALBANY, Oct. 26th, 1869.
Messrs. Truair & Smith, Publishers of the Syracuse Journal:
GENTLEMEN:--I have just received your favor of the 25th instant,
in relation to the "Stone Wonder," visited by us. There can be
but one opinion about it, I think.
It is a statue, cut in gypsum, and intended to represent a human
form of colossal size in a recumbent posture. As to its source
or origin, I cannot conjecture. It is worn and dissolved by water
to a degree that indicates long inhumation, and it is covered by
an alluvial deposit of three feet or more in depth. The sculpture
is of a high order and very different from those of Central America.
I enclose you a few paragraphs* which I wrote in reference to a
statement that I had not been permitted to examine the object in
question. I do not see that we can say more at present.
I am respectfully, your ob't servant, JAMES HALL.
*The same letter communicated to the Albany Argus of October 25th,
under the signature "H." and printed on page--.