...n, are made in Germany. These have been pretty much superseded in this country by the softer, neater, and greatly superior article, known as soapstone pencils, made from a peculiar stone found near Castleton, Vt. This stone contains over 50 per cent of silica, a large proportion of alumina, and also some potash and iron; and, while having some resemblance to soapstone, more nearly resembles slate in texture ...