The Russellville Democrat., 1880-03-18
REMARKABLE CLOCKS.
Some Notable Time-pieces and Their Pecu-
 HarIiies.

| some NotaDic lime pieces ana lhelr Pecu-
 narities.
 Longfellow, in his Hyperion, tells US l that on the beifry of the Rauthaus in Coblentz is a huge head, with brazen helmet and beard, and whenever the clock strikes, at each stroke of the ham, mer this giants head opens it's great jaws and smites it's teeth together as if it would say, Time was-Tim is-Time is l pastl" This figure is known in all the country round as The man in the Gus tom House." and when friend from tbe country meets a frieId from Coblentz, instead of saying, ..Hew are the good people In Cobientz?" he saws, "How is the man in the Custom House?n Another very l remarkable clock is found at Prague. built probably by some of the old Nuremburg artists. It 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 great number of hands-recoiding 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 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- derful clock. On the dial plate of this, in St. Marks Cathedral, the twenty-fonr hours are marked with signs of the zod- iac and the phases of the moon. Above this is the Madonna, sitting in state upon a platform beneath two doors. On grand religious festivals the door on the light of the Virgin opens, and out walks an angel with a big trumpet, which he blows, and then, lowing to the Madona, passes on. He is followed by three men, representing the three wise men of the Eist, one of whom is as black as night. These all pause and bow before ther Vir- gin, and then pass through the door on the 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 out stretched wings.
 In an old record is found the following account of a remarkable Japanese time- keeper.
 This clock, in 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 rear hill, gradual in ascent from which flowed a cascade, admirably initiated in crystal, From this point a thread-like stream glided along encircling in its winding rocks and tiny island. but pres entity losing itself in a far-off stretch of woodland. In he sky turned q golden sun, indicating as 1t passed [ striking hArt xxyl. .tni. tAlI rt- -H1 flS, frame below, where slowly creeping tortoise served as hand. A bird Of ex- quisite plumage, resting on pium-tree branch, by It's wings proclaimed the ex- piration of each hour. When the song ceased mouse sprang from giotto near by, and running over the hill hasti- lv disappeared"
 But it is said that Droz. a mechanic of Geneva, produced clock which ex- celled all others in it's marvellous busi- ness. On it were seated negro, a shep- herd and dog. When the clock struck the shepherd played six tunes on his flute, the dog approached and fawned upon him.
 The King of Spain came to see this wonderful invention, and was delighted beyond measure.
 The gentleness of my dog" said Droz, Sis his least merit. Ii your Majes- ty touch one of the apples which you see in the shepherds basket, you will admire the animals fidelity"
 The King took an apple, upon which the dog flew at his hand, barking so loudly and so naturally that another dog which had come into the room began to bark also. The courtiers became terri fled, thinking this must be an aflir of whichcraft, 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 quite out of his wites, and he, too, beat nasty retreat, sure that the whole thing must be of the devil.