Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1880-03-11
Old Clocks.

Vlu OlOChSs
Longfellow, in his Hyperion, tell
us that on the belfry of the Kauthaus il
Coblentz is huge head, with brazel
helmet and beard, and whenever tn
clock strikes, at each stroke of the ham
mer this giants head opens its grea
jaws and smites its teeth together as
it would say, "Time was-Time is
Time is pastP' This figure is known IL
all the country round as "The man il
the Custom House," and when frienC
from the country meets friend from
Coblentz, instead of saying, elbow arr
all the good people in CoblentzP" hC
says, "How is the man in the Custom
HouseP"
Another very remarkable clock il
found at Prague, built probably by
some of the old Nuremberg artists. i
stands near the old Hussite Church
The clock itself forms part of the orig.
inal tower, while the face or dial is ex-
posed to tbe street. The dial is six OF
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 eightfe 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 s 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 q platform between two
doors. On grand religious festivals
the door on the right of the Virgin
opens, and out walks an angel with
big trumpet, which he blows, and then
bowing 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 q 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
"This clock, in a frame
three feet high and five long, repre-
sented noon landscape of great love-
liness. In the foreground were plum
and cherry trees and rich plants in full
bloom; in the rear hill, gradual in as
cent, from which flowed cascade, ad-
mirably initiated in crystal. From this
point thread-li stream glided along
in its widenings rocks and
tiny islands, but presently losing itself
IN far-of stretch of woodland. In
The sky turned golden sun, Indicating
rs it passed the striking hours, which
we're all marked upon the frame below,
where slOwly-creeping tortoise served
Us a hand. A bird of exquisite plumage,
'esting on a plum-tree branch, by its
wings, proclaimed the expiration of
ZACH hour. When the song ceased a
mouse sprang from the grotto near by,
md, running over the hill, hastily dis
But 1T is said that Droz, a mechanic
4 Geneva, produced clock which ex-
elled all others in its marvelousness.
IN it were seated negro, q shepherd
nd q dog. When the clock struck, the {
hepherd played six tunes on his flute, !
nd the dog approached and fawned
pom him. The King of Spain came to !,
90 this wonderful invention, end was {
elighted beyond measure. "The gem t
eness of my dog" said Droz, els his ?
'ast merit; if your Majesty touch one !
the apples which you see in the shep-
erd's basket, you will admire the ami i
lal's fidelity" The King took an a
pple, upon which the dog flew at his
and, barking so loudly and so natural q
that another dog which had come !,
TO the room began to bark also. The :,
'urtiers became terrified, thinking this 4
ust be an affair Of witchcraft, and !,
ossing themselves hastily departed. !
My one ventured to remain, and Droz -
quested him to ask the negro what r
ne it was. He did so in Spanish, but h
ceiVed no reply. Droz remarked that -
o negro had not learned Spanish, and 4
Q question was repeated in French, '
len the negro Immediately replied.
lis frightened the questioner also
lite out Of his wits, and he, too, beat
hasty retreat, sure that the whole "
ing must be Of the devil.-C Church Il
d People. L