In a message dated 5/16/2004 2:02:10 AM Central Standard Time, Chris:writes

I have always admired the dense, olive-colored graining of Nova Scotia
sandstone, which complements so nicely tan and straw colored brick. It was
in frequent use in New York City in the 1870's and 1880's by "educated"
architects like Henry Hardenbergh, as on his Dakota apartment house.

Years ago I bid on the Dakota for Cathedral; ( didn't get it )

but like Trinity there was a let down after it was cleaned somehow the mystery and majesty of its blackness made it an object of time and greatness and well after its cleaned ho-hum ....and

there used to be a great crab house down the street (Sidewalkers) with an on going "Bridge club"...$100 pots up stairs and if you hung around the street after mid night you could get the real crabs .. all gone with Gullliani

..but if you like big sandstone jobs visit Albany State House the same Scottish masons who built Glasgow City Hall built that Im told. and the sandstone in Scotland is the hardest Ive ever cut (called New Red) harder than some granites.; but they all oxidize black in time, Py