The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-07-05
HISTORY OF c.ocxo.
An Industry Introduced into Enslrnd by
Threa DuLch Mechanics.

An Industry Introduced Into England by
Three Dutch Mechanics.
The introduction of clock; into Great
Britain we apparently owe to the Dutch
In 1903 Edward III. granted license for
three mechanics to como over from
Delft in Holland, permitting them to
pursue their trade in England, also for
tho education of mechanics in our own
land, whereby they might be initiated
In the art by the more skillful aliens.
The Oldest known clock In England Ia
one which is fix In a turret at Hampton
Court. 1t was constructed, and there
fitted up, by command of Henry VIII,
in the year 1910. From the period OF
their introduction down to the reign OF
Elizabeth they were called orloges and
horologes. Until after the Restoration,
clocks found their patrons only in Lon
don and other large towns, for, in coun.
try houses. up TO the date mentioned,
the ancient sun-dial" held It's own.
Amongst remarkable public clocks,
there arc two which stand foremost
those of Lyons and Strassburg. They
are we'll worth attention, partly on nc.
count of their curious sworltmanship,and
partly on account OF richness OF orna.
ment and originality of design. In the
former, two horsemen, fully armed cap
a-pic, encounter in deadly combat as il
were, and boat the hour upon each 9th.
er's armor. Thcn door opens, and an
image of the Virgin, bearing in her
arms the child Jesus, steps out. She in
turn is followed by the magl, with ret
inue marching "all in good orders"
presenting their gifts, horalded by
trumpets, which continue to breathe
forth from their brazen throats while the
procession is in movement. The scone
which the Strassburg clock presents is
as follows: At each hour. as tho clock
goes round there Is n cock which claps
its wings; again, In this, door opens.
and an angel appears, who snlutcs the
Virgin, then the Holy Spirit in the form
of q dove descends and alights upon the
shoulder of the Virgin.
About sixty-Avo years ago the East
India Company presented the then En-
peror of China with two time-pieces,
manufactured by English artists. They
were of the finest workmanship that waa
ever executed. Thoy were OF similar
design, and 80 it is only ncedful TO do.
scribe one of them. 1t was in the form
OF q chariot which was of solid gold.
A lady is seutcd, In n languishing atti-
tude. leaning her right hand on that
side OF the chariot. In the centor of the
samc side is sot tho clock itself, with Its
face outwards. and which Is no arges
than shilling. 1t strikes and repeats,
and, upon being wound up, goes for
eight days. A bird, which Is almost
completely made up Of diamonds and
rubies, rests upon the lady's finger. AT
striking time 1t futters its wings for
several minutes. 1t Is something less
than the sixteenth part Of an inch from
the tip of its bill to the extremity of
tho tail Inside Its body arc contained
some of tho works which animate
1t. In her loft hand the lady holds
golden tubo which is little thicker
than large pin, and upon tho top OF
which is fixed n small round ornament
of the size of sixpence. AS long as the
clock continues to go, this ornament
moves round with regular perpetual
motion. The top Of the ornament is
studded thickly with precious stones, as
Is the whole chariot. Above tho fair
occupants head is sort of canopy, un.
der which is placed bell. To the in.
quisitive eye tho bell reveals no appa
rent connection with the clock savo as
an ornament. But there is q secret com.
munication between the two. At the
hour. from under the shade Of the can
opy thore dosccnds hammer, which
strikes smartly and sharply against the
mellow-sounding bell. This perform
ance can be repeated at pleasure, simply
by touching catch in tho form of O
minute diamond button. Tho chariot
can be set in motion by the couching OF
q spring, and will run in either circu'
lar or straight direction. Asst moves.
there are two birds with appear as If fly
ing in the air. ir.-Chambers' journal.
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