The New York herald., 1850-04-25
An Extraordinary lnvention--The Moving
Calendar.


We read in the CCnctiiatesw AgeaOis, late
French rlper, that one Joseph Cusson, a farmer cf
Aiguicn, twenty-five years Of age, without having
received any other education than that which the
children OF peasants in the country generally re-
ceive, has just completed AN extraordinary piece OF
mechanism, OF his own inyention-a vertable chef
d'Gmre-aEd one which would suppose the neces-
SHY Of profound knowledge both Of mathematics
ard mechanics, IN the person designing and eXecdt-
ing the same. The invention consists of wooden
clock, which the inventor has appropriately enough
named Il 'moving calendar" II is provided with
several dials, which mark the hours, minutes, Sc
conds, The days OF the week, those OF the month,
the months OF the year, years and centuries; the
rising and setting of the sum- the rising and setting
Of The moon, &c, the fo,tf ensemble moving with a
regularity and precision truly remarkable.
he wheel works being admirably arranged be-
hind glass front, which is nterposed for the par-
pose OF Protecting the delicate machinery from dust,
the visiter is enabled TO examine the whole at a
glance, aud 10 satisfy himself Of the wonderful per-
lection OF each part OF the apparatus, az well as OF
the regularity OF its movements. Below the wheels
and dlals, upon a surface about yard in length,
ranges beautiful gallery, with cells in the middle
and tower al each end. When the hour is about
10 strike the door of of the cells is seen to open,
aud lime, armed with his scythe, comes forth,
followed by our Saviour, who with whip IN hand,
Pursues and drives the grim messenger before hun,
forces him into another CELL and secures the door
Az the Inst stroke OF the clock small COCK, perch
ed upon cross surmounting one of the little tow
es, flaps It's wings and stretches out its neck, as u
about TO crow. The striking Of the clock having
ceased, Time and the Saviour return to their re-
srecfive cells, into which they enter and close the
doors.
Three times day, namely, at six o'clock in the
morning, al noon, and at six O'Clock in the evening,
by means OF an ingenious piece of mechanism, The
sound OF the -Angclus is heard. The Holy virgin,
leaving her cell, appears for moment on the gall
lery, and then enters chapel; at the same instant
an angel is seen 10 descend tapping It's wings, from
one OF the miniature towers and entering the cha
mol ttsaH NOS he Niru,p w
incbnes, as if about TO address her with the sublime
salutation of which we read in the scripture Ma
ry becomes agitated; she trembles, and the behol-
der may, perceive her holy fear This touching
scene takes place during the three hrst strokes OF
the Angelus. The angel twice ascends, and as often
repeats the same movements and the same saluta-
tions just described.
In the above description are given, in few
words, some Of the details respecting this magnl-
fcent masterpiece of human skill and ingenuity.
To the inventor is due the merit of having de-
signed, well as having executed, the entire work
and nearly every thing connected with IL; and II
may with truth be said, that the execution is not
less admirable than the idea. The whole OF the
wheel-woiks composed either OF wood or brass.
What an amount OF patience, 10 fashion and impart
TO them that degree of finish and nicely of action so
necessary in a work OF this description During
the day, this peasant indusrously labored IN the
fields, while at night, by the pale gmmer OF a
candle in one corner of his small inconvenient gar
ret, he completed his wonderful clock. he OBJ
stacles which he must continually have had to
contend against, would have efectuay disheart-
ened less determined or enthusiastic mind. AT
every step difficulty presented ITSELF but diftcu-
ties neither disturbed his patience nor shook his
courage: he planned, reflected, and success crown
ed his efforts.
A few weeks only have elapsed, since the work
was achieved. The humble peasant now ranks
among those rare geniuses who become familiar
with the and Sciences without having studied
them. What greatly enhances the merits of young
Cusson, is his having done all himself; with his
own hands he made the tuning-lathe, the greater
part of the tools with which he wrought, as well
as the wood and brass wheels and their appenda-
ges, &c. In word, this extraordinary man COM
bnes the avocatons of a joiner, turner, and clock
and SO beautifully finished, that it would be an
ornament to the most elegant saloon or drawing
room.
Cusson resides on the right bank Of the river
bridge of Aiguillon, where he and his clock may
be visited daily.