The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-11

Eclectic CIock-IIuminated Dial.
There isnow, over the principal entrance into the
Bank OF louisiana, Cont street, beautiful spec-
men OF the newly invented plan of illuminating the
dial plates of clocks in public edifces. For many
years 1t had been great desderatum in mechanics
10 get rid OF the cumbrous agencies by which the
dial plates Of clocks in churches, factories and
other large edificcs, Illuminated These were
by means OF exterior refcctors which, besides being
10 certain degree imperfect and subject 10 de-
rangement, necessitated being drawn in and put
out morning and evening, occasoning consd-
crablc labor In the year 1S45 Nj. Durey, a mer-
chant at Hayre, formerly, we believe, shpmas-
ter, by series Of very ingenious experiments dis
covered method, as beautiful as it is simple for
supplying the want that had been so long felt. He
prepared a dial of plain glass, painted on it the
hours and minutes in white, and placing a couple
Of strong, refiectors in square box, lined with
black velvet, technically called dark chamber
(chambre obscurc,) fixed the latter behind tie
dial, when the most beautiful effect was produced
lie Immediately applied for patent, which was
given unhcsitatingly, and his invention was char
acterized rich in outward show beautiful in
effect as to the distribution of the light, and simple
in contrivance Most Of the public ediices in pa ria
now supplied with clocks have dial plates iIlumin
ated by these interior refectors
Since the st. Louis Cathedral has been in the
hands OF the workmen for the purpose of being en-
larged, the church wardens applied to Mr.. Stanis-
laus Fourier, eminent clock maker of this
city, and eieoe of the celebrated Lepante, of
Paris, 70 put in complete repair the old clock of
of M Durey, illuminated by night with interior re-
Electors. That gentleman, in undertaking the
task, sent to Paris for glass dial in order TO make
an experiment before he proceeded TO work on the
cathedral clock. How he has succeeded may be
seen every evening before the Louisiana bank, the
liberal directors of which institution having given
him permission to exhibit his dial plate above their
principal entrance.
This is sngularly beautiful object to look at
from the street; but there is something still more
interesting connected with it, This consists of the
s;nS employed for setting the hands in motion
long sought for a means of applying the electric
current toward marking the hour on dial plates,
separated from the clockwork and only connected
that the desire accomplished. MIR. Fournier,
who Is familiar with such pursuits, determined ON
joining second experiment to that of illuminating
the face OF the clock, he has succeeded equally
as well IN the latter the former.
At the Bank of Louisiana there is nothing but the
dial and the hour and minute hands; the clock is in
Mr.. F.'s store rs Royal store, where also is the gal
vanic pile from which the conducting wire leads to
the bank, past the adjoining houses, and along
which the electric current travels that moves the
hands. person standing in the street can see both
by day and night the progress Of the minute hand,
which moves every half minute We examined
the apparatus for applying this novel and beautiful
mOtiUe power at Mr.. Fournier's store Yesterday af
ternoon, and can truly say that it is specimen of
elegant simplicity of which he may well be proud
it Is emphaticay as simple toy. The manner
In which the electric current is alternately ar
rested and released in order to keep pace with the
march OF the contiguous clockwork and to GO forth
every half minute fiery messenger to operate
on the distant hands the dial plate is beyond all
praise, making the spectator wonder the extraor
binary resources of art in this extraordinary age
II is Of course well understood that the electric cur
rent will act as well the hands, if the dial plate
be fixed at the extremity of the Third Municipality
at Lafayette, or, indeed at any other distant spot
and that the minute and hour will be correctly
indicated. Distance between the clockwork and
the dial will in the least delay or interfere with
the action OF the current.
Last evening, which is the first time the dial at
the Bank OF Louisiana was illuminated, numbers of
our fellow-citz stopped and gazed with admira-
ton at Its refulgent appearance, whilst the half
minute movement of the long hand seemed to puz-
zle whilst it amused the unntiated into the secret
OF the experiment.
We recommend all our citizens who take an in
terest in every new triumph Of science to direct
their steps, should leisure permit, in the direction
OF Cont street tonight, in order to witness this
elegant novelty. We signalize, also to their no.
tce the two inventions thus illustrated by Mr.
Fournier, worthy their best patronage. We
think all our public edifces should have clocks in
front of them; and certainly, since it 80 easy TO
give them illuminated dial plates. the use as at
present of opaque ones should be discarded.
The hands OF n clock, constantly visible day and
night have been found to subserve society in
higher way than by merely indicating the measure
of time. They often act as monitors, particularly
when pursuing their silent watch at night over the
dial plate that beams with sweet mild lustre, and
seem TO say at each onward step
"Seize the moments as they fly,
Know TO live, and learn to die"
In reference to the employment of electricity in
moving the hands, il is pregnant with the greatest
advantages to all large communities. A single
clock might be made TO serve dozen dals, or even
more, all in distant parts of the same city This is
subject worthy the attention of the municipal
councils, the invention unites accuracy with
economy. One good clock might serve the whole
of the public buildings in the three municipalities.
Netc Orleans Picayine, ooh ut.