The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-02-20
OLDCLOCKs.


IongfeIlow. in his Hyperion, y tells
us that on the belfry of the Kauthaus
in Coblentz is head, with brazen he'll
met and beard, and whenever the clock
strikes. at each stroke of the hammer
this giants head opens its great jaws
and smites it's teeth together as if it
would say, "Time was-Time is-Time
is past ~ This figure is known in all
the country round as The man iE the
custom house, +" and when friend from
the country meets a friend from Cobletz
instead of saying "How are the good
people in CobletZ 2'' he says. 'How is
the man IN the custom-house. -
Another very remarkable clock is
found at Prague, built probably by some
old Nuremburg artist. 1t stands near
the old Hussite Church. The clock it
self forms part of the original tower.
while the face or dial is exposed to the
street The dial is six or eight feet in
diameter, and las a great number of
hands, recording hours, minutes, days,
months, years and even centuries. The
dial is set in an elaborate frame work
about eight feet high and fifteen long
and this metal frame work is ornament
ed with many curious and quaint devices,
One of these is connected with the Strik-
ing of the hours.
In Venice may be found another won
derful clock. On the dial plate of this
in st. Marks 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 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,
10 h., TO- he
1 Madonna passes on. He is followed by
three men, representing the three wise
men of the East, one of whom is as black
as night. These all pause and bow be-
fore the Virgin, and then pass through
/ the door on her left, which closes after
/ them. On the platform is a huge bell,
! beside which stand two giant figures,
/ who strike the hours with sledge ham
mers, while above all is the Lion of st.
Mark. with outstretched wings.
J In 4 record is found the following ac-
count of a remarkable japanese time
keeper This clock, in a frame three feet
. high and five long, represented noon
/ landscape of great loveliness. In the
. foreground were plum and cherry trees
and rich plants in full bloom; in the real
hill, gradual in ascent, from which
flowed a cascade, admirably initiated il
L
stream glided along, encircling in it:
winding rocks and tiny islands, but pre-
sently losing itself in far-off stretch o
woodland. In tie sky turned a COLDER
sun indicating as it passed the striking
hours, which were all marked upon the
frame below, where slowly creeping
tortoise served as a hand. a bird c
eyquisit plumage, resting on plum tre
branch, by its wings proclaimed the eX
piration each hour When the sOne
ceased mouse sprang from a grott'
near by. and running over the hill hast
ily disappeared.
But it is said that Droz, mechani
! of Geneva, produced a clock which ex
celled all others in its maTvelousness
On il were seated a negro, a shepher,
and a dog. When the clock struck, tn
sheperd played six tunes on his flute
and the dog approached and fawned up
on him. The King of Spain came to Sc
/ this wonderful invention and was deliGh
! ted beyOnd meSuUe. 1.-The gentleneSS o
my dog. said Droz 'Gs his least merit
if vour majesty touch one of these apple
which YOU see in the shepherds baSkP
YOU will admire the fidelity" The Kim
took an apple, upon which the dog fiey
at his hand, barking so loudly and s
naturally that another dog which hat
come MO Inc lOoH beGdn % DdTh alSO
: The courtierS became terrified, thinkin
, this must be an affair of witchcraft, an
, crossing themselves hastily departed
Only one ventured to remain, and Dro
5 requested him to ask the negro wha
time it was. He did so in Spanish, bu
received no reply. Dorz remarked tina
/ the negro had not learned Spanish, an
} the question was repeated in Frencl
: / when the negro Immediately replied
- This frightened the questioneT also quit
out of his wits, and he, too. beat hast
retreat. sure that the whole thing mu:
D L2----I-