The mines were discovered in 1721, but it was in 1849 that the utility of their product as a road covering was first noticed. The rock was then being mined for the purpose of extracting the bitumen contained in it for its use in medicine and the arts. It is a limestone, impregnated with bitumen, of which it yields, on analysis, from eight to fourteen per cent.
It was observed that pieces of rock which fell from a wagon were crushed by the wheels, and under the combined influence of the traffic and heat of the sun, a good road surface was produced.
A macadam road of asphalt rock was then made, which gave very good results, and finally, in 1854, a portion of the Rue Bergère was laid in Paris of compressed asphalt on a concrete foundation. From Paris it extended to London, being laid on Threadneedle Street in 1869, and Cheapside in 1870.
Curious Effect Produced on French Newspapers By the Series of Successes That Attended the Emperor's Progress from Elba to Paris.
There are instances on record of cases in which distance did not "lend enchantment to the view." Of these instances Napoleon's advance to Paris after his escape from Elba affords a striking example.
In 1815 the French newspapers announced the departure of Bonaparte from Elba, his progress through France, and entry into Paris, in the following manner:
March 9. The Anthropophagus has quitted his den.--March 10. The Corsican Ogre has landed at Cape Juan.--March 11. The Tiger has arrived at Gap.--March 12. The Monster slept at Grenoble.--March 13. The Tyrant has passed through Lyons.--March 14. The Usurper is directing his steps toward Dijon, but the brave and loyal Burgundians have risen _en masse_, and surrounded him on all sides.--March 18. Bonaparte is only sixty leagues from the capital; he has been fortunate enough to escape the hands of his pursuers.--March 19. Bonaparte is advancing with rapid steps, but he will never enter Paris.--March 20. Napoleon will, to-morrow, be under our ramparts.--March 21. The Emperor is at Fontainebleau.--March 22. His Imperial and Royal Majesty yesterday evening arrived at the Tuileries, amid the joyful acclamations of his devoted and faithful subjects.
A True Tale of the South Seas That Tells of the Remarkable Experience of an American Trading-Vessel and Its Skipper's Terrible Revenge, More Than a Century Ago.