The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-12
MASTER HUMPHREYS CLOCK.
The Old Cisek not n Myth-How Dickens
Gained an Introduetien TO saueers.

Gnined an lntrouucuou 70 baucorss
who OF the many thousands of Dickens
readers in this country can forget his Master
Humphreys Cloch," with Master Humphrey and
the nameless deaf old gentleman, and the other
members OF the quiet party who used to meet at
the clock side at 10, and separate as their old
and trusty companion was on the second stroke
Of 81 1t was from the old clock case that the
story Of tho "Curiosity Shop" was taken-the
story that SURPRISES all that Dickens ever wrote
In pathos and quaint humor. The trials and
surerines OF Little Neil. the baby heroine, who,
though surrounded by all that tends to debase,
retained to the last her almost celestial purity ;
the dabocal record of the impish dwarf, Qulp
the rascally cunning and cruelty OF Sampson
Brass and his sister Sarah, only more cunning
aud cruel than her brother; the simple ndellty
OF Kit, Little Nell's lifelong friend the quaint
philosophy of the Marohioness, and the no less
comical ethics OF her companion, Dick Swivel
Ter; the weird picture OF the curiosity shop,
with Little Nell awaiting amid It's collection OF
dread figures the return OF her infatuated grand
father from tho gamblers den; the long tramp
through the country: Mrs. Jarleys WAX works !
the dinner OF the giants and the dwarfs-all
these aud a hundred other recoilcctlons, almost
life experiences to Dickens's readers, will DO at
once recalled at the mention Of Master Hum
phIeys Clock" from whose case were taken
NAM other stories that have entranced thou
|
The old clock was not altogether myth, a
mere ngment OF the brain; nor was Master
Humphrey altosether crs,iurc Of the i'm sein-
alton, auv more than were Mr.. Pickwtck, Mark
Tapley, pecksnif, aud Micawber. Mr. lIumph-
rey was a clockmaker at B,rnard Castle, In the
county Of Durham, England. Many voars ago
he aided Dickens In collecting material for his
Nicholas NiCkleby,' and IL was a large clock
| tn the worthy artisans shop which suggested to
Dickens n name for collection OF stories, am ng
| which were the curiosity Shop" and Barnaby
kldge." There Ia now In the possession OF the
0alara tlN Lar ffnuf
lug this fact. II was Sir. Humphrey who direct
ed Dickens and his friend Hlplot X. Browne
! Cphiz - to the school which the writer and the
artist made ~ famous under the title OF Dothe-
| boys IL al. 1t Is related hat the scho9lnasier,
the original Of "Wackfotd squeer.," having
been very successful In obtaining pupils. was
very Insulting To- strangers, and that during the
| interview with Bon" aud "Phiz he occupied
| himself In making pens Browne sketched the
! features OF the wretch on hie thumbuail, and
| the likeness when reproduced In the novel was
| :, accurate that the identity OF the original
! could not be mistaken, and so widespread was
! tue feeling against "SQueeTs" that the typical
"Dothebo,s Hal" aud similar Institutions, OF
| which there we're many IN Yorkshire and other
! counties, soon became Things OF tire past.
The old clock IL now In The possession OF Isaac
III. BIiey u this city, who received 1t last week
| a. a present from the irm of George Angus n
| Sons, leather factors OF Liverpool and Newca.-
| tie. Woo had purchased t from the Humphrey
family for the purpose OF sending It To the Cen
tennial. IL lie now IN the hands Of a clockmaker.
who Is preparing new case for II. When this 10
| done. 1t will tie placed in Mr.. Baley's establish
| ment. II spruce street, where II will remain un-
| TT the owner fOrwards IL to the Centennial. II
IL a large clock with a dial tvo feet In diam eter
| on which tue houis are marked in yellow Roman
| letters, ana VIII last much longer than many
more modern Instruments which have not done
one-tsnth its work.
one cannot look uoon the open face OF the
| Old clock, at the mention OF whose name SO
many tender and touching memories are res
\ called, without hearing once more the sadly
cheerful words Of uOpe addressed to IL by Old
Master Humphrey, when bis friends had d
| parted. and WHOM the heart leaves taken from
the old CLOCK case were on their way to carry
| messages OF peace and comfort to Thousands Of
| homes, and u arouse In Thousands Of hearts
more tender feelings toward the poor and thu
suffering OF earth.
! IL not selfish love. / would not keep youi
merits 10 myself. but disperse something Of
| pleasant association with your image through
the whole VIDE world; l would have mef
| couple with your name cheerful and healthfu
| thoughts; would have them believe that yot
Keep true aud honest time; and how It wOuiC
gladden. me 10 know that they recognize some
hearty English work In Master Humphrey'
| ClOck."