The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-02-06
Remark able Clocks
SOME NOTABLE TINE-PIECrs AND THEIR PECU-
LIARITIES.

SUME NOIABLE ]IME-PlECIS AND lhElk IECt'
LIARITIES.
Lougfellow, in his Hyperion, tells us that
on the belfry OF The Kauthaus III COblentz
is a huge head, with braZen helmet and a
beard, and whenever the COCK strikes, al
each stroke OF the hammer this giants head
opens lis great Jaws and Smites its teeth to-
getber as II it would say, "Time was Time
ls-TiIce 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 a friend from Coblentz,
instead OF saying. GLOW are all the good
people in Coblcnlz?" he saws. How is the
man in the cuStOm-houSeY
Another very remarkable clock is found
at Prague, built probably by some Of the
old Nuremburg artists. 1t stands near he
old HusSite church. The clock itself forms
part OF the original tower, while the face or
dial is eX posed to the street. The dial is
six or eight feet in diameter, and has Il
great number Of bands-recOrding hours,
minutes, days. months, years, and even cen
turics. The dial is set IN an elaborate frame
work, about eight feet high and fifteen
long, and this metal framework is orna-
menled with many curious and quaint de-
vices. One Of these is connected with the
striking Of the hours.
In Venice may be found another Won
derful clock. On the dial.pIate Of this. in
st. Marks Cathedral. the twenty-four hours
are marked with the signs OF the zodiac
and the phases Of the moon. AsOve this
is the Madonna, sitting in state upon a
platform beneath 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 10 the 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 before the Virgin, and
then pass through the door on her lett.
which closes after them. On the platform
is huge bell, beside which stand two
giant figures, who st!lke the hours with
edge-hammers. while above all is the Lion
OF ST. Mark. with OutstTctcbed wings.
In an old record j. found he following
account OF a remarkable japanese time
keeper: "This clock. in a frame three feet
high and five long, represented a noon land
scape OF great lOyelineSs. In the foreground
were plum and cherTy-treCS and rich plautS
in full bloom; in the rear hill, gradual in
ascent, from which flowed a cascade, admi-
rably initiated in crystal. From this point
thread-like stream glided along. encrcling
in its winding rocks and tiny islands, but
presently losing itself in a far-0if stretch Of
woodland. In the sky turned Il golden sun,
indicating as it passed the striking hours,
which were all marked upon the frame be-
low, where slowly y-creeping tortoise served
as a hand. A bird OF exquisite plumsge,
resting on Il plum-tree branch, by its wings
proclaimed the expiration OF each hour.
When the song ceased a mouse Sprang from
groltO near by. and running over the hill
hastily disappeared"
But II is said that DrOz, mechanic OF
Geneva, produced clock which eXcelIed
all others in its maryeIlOusnesS. On 1T were
seated negro, a shepherd, and doc.
When the clock struck the shepherd played
six tunes on his flute, and the dog APP
preached and faWncd upon him. The King
OF Spain came TO see this wonderful inyen-
ton, and was delighted beyond measure.
"Tbe gcntleness OF my dog said DrOZ,
els his least merit. Ii your Maiesty touch
oae Of the apples which you see IN the sheI'-
herG's basket you will admire the animal :
fidelity" The King took an apple, upon
which the dog flew a. his hand, bark
| ing so loudly and s) naturally That
another dog which had come into the room
began to bark also. The cOurters became
terrified. thinking this must be an affair OF
witchcraft, and crossing themselves hastily
departed. Only one ventured to remain,
and DroZ requested him to ask the negro
what time il 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 also quite out OF bis wits,
and he, too, beat hasty retreat, sure that
the whole thing must be Of the devil.