The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-03-20
Old Clocks,

Longfellow, in his " hyperion tells
us that on the belfry of the Kauthaus in
Coblentz is huge head, with a brazen
helmet and beard, and whenever the
clock strikes, at each stroke of the ham
mer this giants head opens its great
jaws and smites its teeth together as if
it would say, Cline wasSTime is
Time is pastr' This figure is known In
all the country round as "The man in
the Custom House," ant when friend
from the country meetsa friend from
Coblentz, instead of sayho, "How are
all the good people ii Uoble1 .ap'' he
says, 'How is the man in the Custom
HouseP"
Another very remarkable clock is
found at Prague, built probably by
some of the old Nuremberg artists. 1t
stands near the old Hustle Church.
The clock itself forms part of the orig
inal tower, while the face or dial is ex-
posed to the street. The dial is six or
eight feet in diameter, and has a great
number of hands, recording hours,
minutes, days, months, years and even
centuries. The dial is set in an elab-
crate framework, about eight feet high
and fifteen long, and this metal frame
work is ornamented with many curious
and quaint devices. One of these is
connected with the striking of the
hours.
In Venice may be found another Won
derful clock. On the dial-plate of this,
in st. Mark Cathedral, the twenty-four
hours are marked with the signs of the
zodiac and the phases of the moon.
Above this is the Madonna sitting in
state upon a platform between two
doors. On grand religious festivals
the door on the right of the Virgin
opens, and out walks an angel with a
big trumpet, which he blows, and then
bowling to the Madonna passes on. He
is then followed by three men, repre-
senting the Three Wise Men of the
East, one of whom is as black as night.
These all pause and bow before the
Virgin, and then pass through the door
on her left, which closes after them.
On the platform is huge bell, beside
which stand two giant figures, who
strike the hours with sledge hammers,
while above all is the Lion of St. Mark,
with outstretched wings.
In an old record is found the follow
ing account of remarkable Japanese
time keeper: "This clock, in frame
three feet high and five long, repre-
sented noon landscape of great love-
illness. In the foreground were plum
and cherry trees and rich plants in full
bloom; in the rear hill, gradual in as
ooDt FROM, ubiob Aowod q ooooodo cd
mirably initiated in crystal. From this
point thread-like stream glided along
encircling in its widenings rocks and
tiny islands, but presently losing itself
in far-of stretch of woodland. In
the sky turned golden sun, indicating
as it passed the striking hours, which
were all marked upon the frame below,
where slowly-creeping tortoise served
as hand. A bird of exquisite plumage,
resting on plum-tree branch, by its
wings, proclaimed the expiration of
each hour. When the song ceased a
mouse sprang from the grotto near by,
and, running over the hill, hastily dis
appeared.
But 1t is said that Droz, q mechanic
of Geneva, produced clock which ex-
celled all others in its marvelousness.
On it were seated negro, a shepherd
and dog. When the clock struck, the
shepherd played six tunes on his flute,
and the dog approached and fawned
upon him. The King of Spain came to
see this wonderful invention, end was
delighted beyond measure. "The gen.
tleness of my dog" said Droz, sis his
least merit; if your Majesty touch one
of the apples which you see in the shep-
herds basket, you will admire the ami
mails fidelity" The King took an
apple, upon which the dog flew at his
hand, barking so loudly and so natural
ly that another dog which had come
into the room began to bark also. The
courtiers became terrified, thinking this
must be an affair of witchcraft, and
crossing themselves hastily departed.
Only one ventured to remain. and Droz
requested him to ask the negro what
time it was. He did so in Spanish, but
received no reply. Droz remarked that
the negro had not learned Spanish, and
the question was repeated in French,
when the negro Immediately replied.
This frightened the questioner also
quite out of his wits, and he, too, beat
hasty retreat, sure that the whole
thing must be of the devil.-Church
and People.
o.