The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-01-05
The strasburg Clock outdOne.

In Reading, Pa. there Is now on exhl
bition, the most wonderful clock in the
world. Capt. ]. Reid, the owner, claim
that it is far more wondrous than tn,
greatest of all clocks, the one at Strasburg
and when he takes it to Paris next sprin,
it viii not only open the eyes of the world
but win realize Reid fortune.
It was conceived and built by StepheI
d. Engle, jeweler and matchmaker, a
Hazleton, Pa. He is about forty-fiv'
years Of age, married man, with wifi;
and children, and he was about twenty
years in perfecting the clock. Mr.. ReiC
says he paid Engle 81, 900 for it, and gavt
an order for another and much larger one
to cost $4,000. Engle never saw tbs
Strasburg clock, In fact he has seen bu
little of this world, as he has not Travelled
more than 200 miles from home at am
time.
This clock stands eleven feet high. Al
its base it is about four feet wide and a
the top about two. It is about three fee
deep at the base, gradually less toward the
top. Its colors are dark brown and gold
The Strasburg clock is about thirty fee
high, yet its mechanism is not so intricate
nor has it as many figures as the Hazleton
clock. The Strasburg clocks figures ar
about three feet high and the American
clock about nine inches. A view Of the
latter's working, as can be seen at its daily
exhibition, is far more satisfactory thar
that of the Strasburg clock.
The Engle clock shows at the top an
apostolic procession, the tempting Satan
Christ, the three Marys, figure of Justice
and golden cock, that crows after Peter
has passed. Three minutes before the
hour (any hour in the twenty-four) pipe
organ inside the clock plays hymn or an
anthem. 1t has FIVE tunes. Bells are
then rung, and when the hour is struck the
apostolic march commences. Double doors
in an alcoye open and figure of Jesu:
appears. Double doors to the left Their
open and the apostles appear slowly one By
one in procession. As they appear and
pass Jesus they-turn towards Him. Jesu:
bows, the apostles turn again and proceed
through the double doors in an alcove on
the right. As Peter approaches Satan
looks out of window above and tempts
him. Five times the devil appears, and
when Peter passes, deuSlng Christ, the
cock flaps its wings and crows. When
Judas Iscariot appears Satan comes down
from his window and follows Judas out in
the procession, and then goes back and up
to his place TO watch Judas, appearing on
both sides. The Biblical lesson is mag.
ni6cently illustrated, the figures being
carved and colored after a very old and
reliable painting. After the procession
passed, Jesus and the three Marys disap.
pear and the door is closed. This scene
can be repeated seven times in an hour il
necessary, and the natural motion of the
clock produces it four times per hour,
whereas the Strasburg procession is made
but once a day at twelve o'clock.
Below the plaza where the procession
is made on the Engle clock, is the main
dial, about Is inches in diameter. To its
right is figure Of "Time," with an hour
glass. Above this is a window, at which
appear figures representing youth, man
hood and old age. To the left of the dial
Is skeleton representing death.
When the hour hand approaches the
first quarter, Father Time reverses his
hour glass and strikes one on bell with
his scythe, when another bell inside re-
spends, then childhood appears instantly.
When the hour hand approaches the
second quarter, or half hour, there are
heard the strokes of two bells. Then
Youth appears and the organ plays a sa.
cred hymn. After this Father Time
strikes two and reverses his hour glass,
when two bells respond inside. One min
ute after this chime of bells is heard
when folding door opens in the upper
porch aud one at the right of the court,
when the Saviour comes walking out.
Then the apostles appear in procession.
The clock also tells of the moons changes,
the tides, the seasons, days, and day Of
the month and year, and the signs of the
zodiac, and on top soldier in armor is
constantly on guard, walking back and
forward. As the hours advance, Man
hood, Old Age and Death take part in the
panorama. Il is a marvellous work of
genius and one that should be seen to be
appreciated.-LGncaster Hntelligencer.