The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1871-09-09
CURIOUS CLOCKS.
YANKEE CoNTnvANCEs oUTpoNE IN
THE OLDEN TIME.

The first instrument used for noting
the hours was probably the s,tit-di;li.
Hslt some nle:tnS of reckoning WAS Geed-
ed when the sky was overcast. TO
meet this want the ciep-ydrst WAS in-
vented. 1t consisted of a vessel con-
taining water. which dropped slowly
through small ori.iee, while a fiaat
in the vessel receiving it Indicated ay
it hight the lapse of time. The sand
glass, still used for many purposes. was
also an ancient invention; biit the eN-
act date of the invention Of clocks is
| unknown. BY some they are supposed
| to have originated among the monks:
! but as the Saracens are known to have
had them. in the eleventh century. it
| is much more probable that they We're
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 suceeSsiyely ard
burned four hours each, at the rate of
an inch for every twenty minutes.
Thus the six candies lasted twenty-four
hours.
In 800 Haroun al Raschid presented
a clock to CharleniGgne, in which We're
twelve doors that opened s,,ccessively
at each honr, and continued open until
noon. when the knights ON horseback
paraded around the dial. and disappear
cd within the doors, which closed after
them. The Emperor Saladin gave
Frederick the Second Il 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 Company
clock in the form of a chariot. in
H. lnIx- N; h..l. ii
ger was
, BIRD SET IN DIAMONDS
And rubies. with its wings expanded,
as if about to take its flight. and which
fiuttered for some time when Il certain
, diamond button was touched. The
l body Of the bird. which contained the
r machinery by which it was moved,
, measured about the sixteenth part OF
. an inch Over the lady's head were
two umbrellas, under the Eirg,r oi
: which bell was placed :at some dis
t t:lnce from the clock, and apparently
, having 10 connection with it. but from
; | which communication WAS secretly coli
= yeyed to a hammer that regularly
I struck the hour. At her feet w:ls !;
G gold dog. before which We're two bird
/. on spiral springs. having their wing
= and feathers set with stones of yariol.
colors. They appeared to be flyips
with the chariot. which, by a hisldc.
a motion, was made to run i'm any direc
e tion, boy stationed ut the buck seem
n i..g to push il forward. Above til
umbrellas We're flowers and ornament
!. of precious stoncs,e terminating i'll
7 flying dragon, set in the same manner
i The whole w;ts of gold, clrio,lsl,
Y wrought and embellisIed with r,lbie
!, and pearls.
Droz, mechanic of Geneva. pro
tluced an instrument which excelle.
all others III ingenuity. On il we1
l. seated negro, a sheppcrd and Il dog
: when the clock struck, the sheperd
: l.LAYED SIX TUNES
: On his flute. and the dog approache
q and fawned upon him. This wonder
d fnl machine was exhibited to the Kin
q OF Spain. who was greatly delighte
= With it.
: ssrhe gcntleness of my dog, 2 sal
r Droz. s.is his least merit. If your Ma.
t, esty touch one of tile apples which yo
i. see In the shepherds basket, you WI
; admire the animals fidelity.
The King took an apple, and the do
u flew at his hand, barking 50 loud tIis
1.-The Kings dog, which was In the room
began to bark also. At this the cpul
8, tiers, not doubling that 1t WAS a c:ls
X of witchcraff, hastily left the room
n crossing themselves as they del,aftet
a Having desired the Minister of Alarl.l
D- tthe oilly one who yefiflred 70 rstraai
as to ask tile negro what O'Clock II wa
= reply. Droz then observed that Il
fe negro had not yet learned Spanis 4
?, up1l, which the question WAS repesite
e3i E III French. when tile black iinlnetliat
4, II answered him. At this new pro6lir
le the firnDess Of the Minister sllso "a