The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-08-16
4 WONDERFUL CLOCK.
THE APPARATUS CONSTRUCTED BY
.-- SWISS MATCHMAKER OF NEW.
q CASTLE, PA.
Newcastle letter.


Newcastle letter. k
Theodore Rohrer. Swiss watch
maker of this city,.has just complet-
ed an automa. ic clock, which for IN
tricate mechanism surpasses the Gel |
ehrated timepiece at Strasburg. 1t is
built in imitation Of an ancient cas-
tie, and Is about five feet in width |
and eleven feet high. On the top is
perched an eagle holding in its beak
a pendulum. Beneath the bird is a |
globe encircled by dial plate of |
twenty.four hours, which. in it's revo
luton of once a day, gives the time
at any meridian. At 4 o'clock, 6ials |
placed on each side of the stand on
which the nationa: bird rests, regis
ter the time at Washington, San
Francisco. London and st. Petersburg.
The machinery is SO adjusted that
at the hour of l, two figures, repre-
senting Roman soldiers with shield
and sword, announce the dawn of
time, and mans entrance upon the
oooSC VI lIC. rive iulliuGcS IdGcI d
small door near the Top of the clock
flies open and an almost life like bird
appears, and in exceedingly doleful
notes chants the Flight of time"
Another five minutes glide by, when
the door of another apartment opens
and reveals little babe, which re-
mains five minutes At different
periods until the next hour there
come and go figures which represent
the child, ,outh. man in his strength,
in his decline, helpless age, and in
his last long sleep.
During the entire day and night
sentinel walks to and fro along gal
lery prepared for him. and halts and
turns as natural as life. At each hour
there appears a figure representing
the different nations Of the earth
at one O'clck the Russian, at two the
Prussian at three an invisible Or
chestra mystifies the hearer with
most excellent renditions of choisest
selections; at 6 two doors in the
chapel open and a s. xton sound the
chimes, Which are set to form perfect
harmony. and several beautiful selec
tions are rendered at a representa-.
Tive of France bows to the lOokers-on.
and then marches on to make roOn
at 8 for the Spaniard. At the Or
chestra is again heard. At 10 red
coated Johnny Bull steps forth. and
is followed at IL by Uncle Sam, Who
appears from the rear of the clock.
flag in hand, and performs the re-
markable feat OF climbing a pole on
the top of the ,lock. He fastens the
Stars and Stripes to the top. descelds
and disappears. While shis sceneeis
going on drums in the interior are
beating merrily.
i At II o'clock large folding doors
are opened and a sacred scene is pre-
sented, which is still more wonderful
than those already mentioned, II
shows the Saviour i'll the presence Of
the apostles evidently giving them
their instructions, as it is His last
night on earth He moves about anc
addresses each one of HIS faithful
followers in turn. making life like
4 gestures. After thus having deliver
ed Himself. lie lies down, surrender
T ing Himself TO His enemies. Tht
aDostlesthen withdraw from thescene
followed by the traitor Judas, who
with the bag containing thirty pieces
ofsilver, strikes five bells as he leaves
) the scene. The cock on top Of the
clock then flaps his wings aud crows
5 three times. During the time Christ
| is instructing His apostles Satan ap
r pears upon. the scene twice. as if ir
doubt to his actions. This scene
closes, when two trumpeters appear
S ard raising their bugles to their lips
h proclaim the close of night. Durln.
the twelve hours the clock plays three
a musical selections, and 2,O22 auto
). matte movements are made. y
q course, the machinery is so arranged
as to permit the entire Performance
. of the automatons taking place ever.
S fifteen or twenty minutes.
The inventor of this wonderful
!. timepiece was born in Baden, Ger
n many, in 1916. and serving an ap
|. premiership to matchmaker in hi
e native place, went to London, wher
q he renamed six years. In 1871 h
a came to this city and secured sit
!. uatlon with Mr.. j. C. Hanna, wher
O he has since remained. His wonde
" full clock he constructed in spare me
n ments, in the mornings and ev ening'
sr having commenced work On 1t seve
r. years ago. He has always shown r.
markable ingenuity, having severe
3 years ago made miniature cioc
- which he wears for shirtstud. an
1t which keeps correct time.
,fl- This invention caused considerab
.e talk in scientific circles,as Mr.. Rohrt
le was the first person who succecde
in demonstrating the fact that q pei
ID dulum could be made to swing viii
y, the time piece lay on its back. III
st dial of his ''shirt front" clock is hel
in the pin-hole nearest the cola
while the lower part of the minatul
70 concern appears about one inch he
1s low, where the pendulum is see
swinging to and fro. Mr.. Rohrer i
tends putting his latest product
exhibition throughout the country.