The Newtown bee., 1880-02-04
Remarkable 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 if 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 8 friend from the country meets a friend from Co., blentz instead of saying, "How are all the good people in Coblentzp" he says, "How is the man in the custom house?"
 Another very remarkable clock is found at Prague, built pro bably by some of the old Nuremburg artists. It stands near the old Hussite 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 great number of hands, recording hours, minutes, days months, years and even centuries. The dial is set in au elaborate framework, about eight feet high and fifteen feet long, and this metal framework is orna- mented with many curious and quaint devices. One of these is connected with | the striking of the hours.
 In Venice may be found another won- 1 derful clock. On the dial-plate of this. in St. Marks cathedral, the twenty l 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 trum- pet, which he blows, and then blowing l to the Madonna passes on. He is tol- lowed by three men, representing the three wise men of the East, one oi 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 plat form 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 out stretched wings.
 In an old record is found the follow ing account of 8 remarkable Japanese time-keeper: This clock, in a frame three feet high and five long, represented noon landscape of great loveliness. IT the foreground were plum and cherry trees and rich plants in full bloom; ir the rear a hill, gradual in ascent, from which flowed a cascade, admirably imi tated in crystal. From this point { thread-like stream glided along, encir cling in it's windings rocks and tiny islands. but presently to fling itself in ; far-off stretch of woodland. In the sky turned golded sun, indicating as i passed the striking hours, which wer' all marked on the frame below, wher, a slowly creeping tortoise served as ; hand. A bird of exquisite plumage resting on a plum tree branch, by it wings proclaimed the expiration of eacl hour. When the song ceased a nous sprang from grOtto near by, and run ming over the hill hastily disappeared
 But it is said that Droz, mechanic o l dtHtNds pIOuuCSo d ClOCh " lIlCli eA celled all others in its marvelousness On it were seated a negro, a shepher' and dog. When the clock struck, tn shepherd played six tunes on his flute and the dog approached and fawne upon him.. The King of Spain came t see this wonderful invention and wa delighted beyond measure. "The gen tleness of my dog," said Droz, is hi least merit; if your majesty touch on of the apples which you see in the sheT herds basket you will admire the dog fidelity" The king took an apple, upo which the dog flew at his hand, barkin so loudly and so naturally that anothe dog which had come into the room ht gan to bark also. The courtiers becam terrified, thinking this must be an affai : of witchcraft, and crossing themselve hastily departed. Only one ventured remain, and Droz requested him to as the negro what time it was. He did S in Spanish but received no reply. Dro remarked that the negro had not learne Spanish, and the question was repeate in French, when the negro immediatel replied. This frightened the question: also quite out of his wits, and he tot l beat a nasty retreat, sure that the who thing must be of the devil.-Chatrch aaa 1 PeOD1e