The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-10-19
CURIOUS CLOCKS.
YANKEE cosrnryAsons ourposn IN THE oIpEs TIME

81
the hours was probably the sun-dial
But some means of reckoning was
needed when the sky was overcast. 10
meet this want the clepsydra was IN
vented. Tt consisted Of vessel con-
tanning water which dropped slowly
through small orifice, while float IN
the vessel receiving it indicated by It's
hight the lapse of time. The sand
glass, still used for many purposes,
was also an ancient invention; but the
exact date of the invention of clocks
is unknown. By some they are sup
posed to have originated among the
monks: but as the Saracens are known
to have had them in the eleventh cen
turv, it is much more probable that
they were introduced into European
monasteries by the Crusaders.
Alfred the Great contrived a candle
clock, which was formed OF six candles,
each divided by pins into twelve inch,
es. These lighted successfully and
burned four hours each, at the rate OF
an inch for every twenty minutes.
Thus the six candles lasted twenty-four
hours.
In 500 Haroun al Raschid presented
q clock to Charlemagne, in which were
twelve doors that opened successfully
at each hour, and continued open until
noon, when the knights on horseback
then paraded around the dial, and dis
appeared within the doors, which closed
after them. The Emperor Saladin gave
Frederick the Second a clock which
marked not only the hours, but also the
course OF the sun, moon and planets.
Some years ago the Emperor of China
received from the East India Compa-
ny a clock in the form of chariot, in
which was seated lady. On her fin
ger was a bird set in diamonds and
rubies, with its wings expanded, as if
about to take lis flight, and which ilut-
tered for some time when a certain dla-
mond button was touched. The body
of the bird, which contained the ma
chinery by which it was moved, was
about the sixteenth part of an inch.
Over the lady's head were two umbrel-
las, under the larger of which bell
was placed at some distance from the
clock, and apparently having no con-
nection with it, but from which com
munication was secretly conveyed to
hammer that regularly struck the hour
At her feet was gold dog, before
which were two birds on spiral springs,
having their wings and feathers set
with stones of various colors. They
to be flying with the chariot,
which, by hidden motion, was made
to run in any direction, a boy stationed
at the back seeming to push it forward.
Above the umbrellas were flowers and
ornaments of precious stones, terminal
ing in flying dragon, set in the same
manner. Tie whole was Of gold, cur
iously wrought and embellished with
rubies and pearls.
Droz, a mechanic Of Geneva, pro-
duced an instrument which exceled all
others in ingenuity On it were seat
ed negro, a shepherd and a dog,
When the clock struck, the shepherd
played six tunes on his flute, and the
dog approached and fawned upon him.
This wonderful machine was exhibited
to the King of Spain, who was greatly
delighted with it.
1.-The gcntleness of my dog" said
Droz, sis his least merit. Ii your
touch one Of the apples which
you see in the shepherds basket, you
will admire the animals fidelity"
The King took an apple, and the dog
few at his hand, barking so loud that
the Kings dog, which was in the room,
began TO bark also. At this the
courtiers, not doubling that ii was a
case of witchcraft, hastily left the
room, crossing themselves as they de-
parted Having desired the Minister
of Marine (the only one who ventured
to remain) to ask the negro what
o'clock it was. The Minister did SO,
but obtained no reply. Droz then OBJ
served that the negro had not yet
learned Spanish, upon which the ques-
ton was repeated i'll French, when the
black Immediately answered him. Att
this new prodigy the firmness of the
also forsook him, and he re-
treated precipitately, declaring that
it must be a work of supernatural