Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-10-23
CLOCKS.
Ingenious Devices of Skillful Mechanics
Clocks that Could DO Almost Every
thing but Talk.

Ingenious Devices of SkiIlful M~eehanics-
Clocks that Could Do Almost Every
thing but Talk.
WW " Clemens IN Detroit FREE Press.
Many years ago two clocks of great in-
genuity and elegant workmanship were
made in London and presented to the Em-
perOr Of China by the East India company,
q wealthy organization engaged in com
meree. Each clock was made in the form
of a chariot, in which was placed the figure
of a lady leaning her hand on ONE part of
the chariot, and under it was the clock of
curious workmanship. 1t was smaller than
a twenty-five cent piece, would repeat and
strike the hours aud go for eighty days.
Upon the finger of the lady sits q bird,
finely modelled, set with diamonds and ru-
bies, with its tiny wings extended in a fly
ing posture. BY touching a diamond
button the bird would actually iutter for o
time. The body of the bird, although il
it contained q part of the wheels that gave
motion to the clock, was not more than
one-sixteenth of an inch in size. The lady
held in her left hand q gold tube, not
thicker than u large pin, On the top of
which was q small rOnnd box, tn which
was fixed a circular movement set with
diamonds and not much large than a ten
cent piece. Over the lady's head was
supported by u small tluted pillar, u dOu-
Bile umbrella The pillar was not larger
than a quill. Under the largest umbrella
a bell WAS fixed ata considerable distance
from the clock with which it seemed to
have no connection; but in reality cOmmu-
nicatiOn wa secretly conveyed To q ham,
mer that regularly struck the hour, and
repeating the same at pleasure by the
touching of diamond button fixed to the
clock below. At the feet OF the lady was
a gold dog, and before it, from the point of
the charsOt, were two birds fixed on spiral
winds, the wings and feathers OF which
were set with Jewels of various colors, and
appeared as if flying away with the chariot.
From another secret motion the chariot
was made to run in a straight, circular, or
indeed any direction. Above the umbrella
were flowers and ornaments of precious
stones, and it terminated with 4 flying
dragon, Ornamented in a similar manner.
The whole clock was made of gold, most
delicately executed and embellished with
rubies and pearls
A wonderful piece of mechanism known
rs the ClepsydrO or water clock, was once
upon q time presented by q Turk of high
rank to Charlemange. In the dialS of the
clock were twelve doors opening at he
hour which they represented, and little
balls equalling the hours in number APP
peared and struck the time upon a brazen
bell. The doors continued open until noon
when twelve knights, mounted on horse
back, issued forth, one from each door,
and after parading around the dial of the
clock shut themselves in again.
In the tower of the Town House, in the
city Of Heidelberg, Germany, there existed
many years ago q clock so constructed that
when the hours struck, the figure of an old
a pulled off his hat, y cock crowed and
elapped his wings and hands of soldiers
appeared and fought with each other.
This eariOuS piece of workmanship WIS
burnedn the year 1893, together with the
castle and town.
In olden times there was a remarkable