The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-09-25
Old Clocks.

Longfellow, in his Hyperion" tells us
that on the belfry of the Kauthaus in Cob
lentz, is huge head, with brazen helmet
and beard, and Whenever the clock strikes,
at each stroke of the hammer, this giants
head opens its great jaws and smites its
teeth together as if it would say, "Time
was-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 friend from Coblentz In.
stead Of saying, show are all the good PEG.
pie in Coblentz?" he says, "How is the man
in the custom-house?'
Another very remarkable clock is found at
Prague, built, probably, by some of the old
Nuremburg 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 feetin diameter, and has 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 ornamented with
many quaint and curious devices. One OF
these is connected with the striking of the
hours.
In Venice may be found another wonder
full clock. On the dial-pate 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 Ma
donna, sitting in state upon a platform | e.
tween two doors. On grand religious festi-
valc tho door IN hp piubf Of IN
opens, and out walks an angel with a big
trumpet, which he blows, and then bowling
to 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 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 outstretched wings.
In an old record is found the following ac-
count of remarkable Japanese timekeeper:
"This clock, in frame three feet high and
five long, represented a noon landscape of
great lovelness. In the foreground were
plum and cherry trees and rich plants in full
bloom; in the rear a hill, gradual in it's as
cent, from which flowed cascade, admira-
bly, initiated in crystal From this point a
thread-like stream gided along, encircling
in its windings rocks and tiny islands, but
presently losing Itself in a far-off stretch of
woodland. In the sky turned golden sun,
indicating, as it passed, the striking hours,
which were all marked upon the frame be-
low, where slowly creeping tortoise served
as hand. A bird of exquisite plumage,
resting on plum tree branch, by its wings
proclaimed the expiration of each hour.
When the song ceased mouse sprang from
a grotto near by, and running over the hill
hastily disappeared"
But it is said that Droz, mechanic of
Geneva, produced clock which excelled
all others in its marvellousness. On it were
seated negro, a shepherd and a dog. When
the clock struck, the shepherd played six
tunes on his flute, and the dog approached
came to see this wonderful invention, and
was delighted beyond measure. "The gen
tleness of my dog said Droz, sis his least
merit; if your majesty touch one of the ap-
pies 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 cour-
tiers became terrified, thinking this must be
an affair of witchcraft, and crossing them
selves, 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 re-
marked that the negro had not learned Span
ish, and the question was repeated in
French, when the negro Immediately re-
piled. This frightened the questioner quite
out of his wits, and he, too, beat hasty re-
treat, sure that the whole thing must be of
the devil Church and People.