Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-09

wssrer IN beautifully clear and s,isery
tone. A piston passes through the
stem, which is to be firmly pressed
with the thumb whenever the lite
fairy within is expected 70 signal Tue
time.
A far more interesting inscription
than that on the exterior covering Is
found on the back ofth watch proper
The same kind Of srabesque work APP
pears here as that which has been de-
scribed, only it is, if snJthing, richer.
II is, of course, in better state OF pre-
servation Is well, having been wholly
protected from contact with other oo-
iects during the greater part Of the Gen.
fury and more that has elapsed since IL
left the hands Of the epgraver. La
the middle of the central tablet Is q
rose with Q sprig Of foliage. In the
lower left-hand portion is the ehifre OF
the French King, the same mark that
one encounters in almost every plscein
France that was ever inhabited by roy
atty. 1t is the double historic L which
the successive Louis Of the house OF
Bourbon adopted as their special mono
gram. Louis XIV. caused the sign to
be engraved on every frieze Of the old
Louvre, and it is increasingly conspicu-
there to the eye Of the traveller.
In the lower right-hand portion OF the
tablet are three tieurs- de-lis, deeply and
clearly defined, as if stamped with
die. Both the feurs-de-Gs and the
monogram are exactly similar to those
which are visible on all the articles OF
gold or silver that belonged to the
royal house. The back of the move
ment is shielded by polished brass
cup, on which the legend Of the maker,
as already transcribed, appears.
BY pressing delicate slide this cap
may be lifted off, and the works are
exposed. The briefer inscription,
"Edw. Howard, London" and the
number, "2,ll0," are on the exterior
plate. A small raised disk, carved inper-
forated arabesque style, like the cases,
but with much finer design, halfconceals
and half reveals the oscillations OF the
regulating wheel, which is still bright
and free from rust, as if it had
been adjusted yesterday. The me-
chanism is very minute, and is
packed into an exceedingly-lim-
tied space. The gong on which
the lapse Of time is sounded is
fastened by single screw into the con-
cave Of the inner case, and has exactly
the same form that that has. When
the spring governing the striking appa-
ratus has been pressed back a small
h,mmer shoots out and comes in sharp
contact with the edge of the gong. Not
withstanding its great age and its COM
plicated mechanism. the watch still runs
with perfect regularity and accurately
marks the hours. The correct num-
Der of strokes is always given on
The gong, even to those which
indicate the quarters. A part OF
the proof Of its authenticity which
| should not be forgotten is the we'll
known stamp of the London silver.
smiths guild, which is on the inside OF
| the outer case. There is lion ram
pant and a feur-de.iS, with a crown
above it. On the right is the letter
"P" in Old English. and in the centre
| he letters "R. p" The cases are
both composed Of silver, which was
covered with gold, under the influence
Of high temperature, process which
is now but rarely employed. A large
| portion Of the gold has been worn off.