Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-03-11
Old Clocks.

Longfellow, in his " Hyperion" tells
us that on the belfry of the Kauthaus In
Coblentz is huge head, with 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 II
it would say, "Time was-Time is
Time is past!" This figure is known in
all the country round as {" The man in
the Custom-house, and when friend
from the country meets q friend from
Coblentz, instead of saying, Show are
all the good people in CoblentzP" 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 original tower,
while the face or dial is exposed to the
street. The dial is six or eight feet in
diameter, and has q great number of
hands, recording hours, minutes, days,
months, years and even centuries. The
dial is set in an elaborate framework,
about eight feet high and fifteen long,
and this metal framework is ornament
cd with many curious and quaint de-
wees. 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. 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 a big
trumpet, which he blows, and then bow.
ing to the Madonna passes on. He is
then followed by three men, represent
ing the Three Wise Men of the East,
one of whom is rs 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 a 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 out
stretched wings.
In an old record is found the follow
ng account of a remarkable Japanese
"This clock, in a frame
hree feet high and five long, represent
d noon landscape of great loneliness.
n the foreground were plum and cherry
rees and rich plants in full bloom; in
he rear a hill, gradual in ascent, from
which flowed cascade, admirably imi.
ated in crystal. From this point n
stream glided along, en-
ircling in its windings rocks and tiny
stands, but presently losing itself in q
ar-off stretch of woodland. In the
KY turned golden sun, indicating rs
passed the striking hours, which were
IL marked upon the frame below,
here slowly-creeping tortoise served
5 a hand. A bird of exquisite
lumage, resting on a plum-tree branch,
y its wings proclaimed the expiration
each hour. When the song ceased
house sprang from the grotto near by,
nd, running over the hill, hastily disap.
cared"
But it is said that Droz, a mechanic
Geneva, produced clock which
scelled all others in its marvelousness.
n it were seated negro, n shepherd,
nd dog. When the clock
ruck, the shepherd played six tunes
, his flute, and the dog approached and
wned upon him. The King of Spain
lme to see this wonderful inyention.
I'd was delighted beyond measure.
The gentleness of my dog" said Droz,
is his least merit; il your Majesty
UGH one of the apples which you see
the shepherds basket, you win
lmire the animals fidelity" The
ing took an apple, upon which the
g flew at his hand, barking SO loudly
i'd SO naturally that another dog which
ID come into the room began TO bark
so. The courtiers became terrified.
mixing this must be an affair of witch.
aft, and crossing themselves hastily
parted. Only one ventured to remain.
d Drozrequested him to ask the negro
nat time it was. He did SO in Spanish,
t received no reply. Droz remarked
at the negro had not learned Spanish,
d the question was repeated in French.
len the negro Immediately replied.
lis frightened the questioncr also
lite out of his wits, and he, too, bea,
hasty retreat, sure that the whole
ng must be of the devil.-Church and
ople.
PoLITENEss to ladies is Justly consid.