The St. Johns herald., 1890-11-27
A MARYELGT5 CLOCK.
Philadelphia's Present to the
 Cruiser Named for Her.
The Finest Specimen of Clock-Maklng Ever Produced In the Untsed States q Work of Art as We'll as an
 Accurate Time-Keepers


 Above the salver-faced dial an eagle, with outsprcad wings, assumes a defens- i've position, says the Philadelphia Ledger, while on the right side of the clock face stands full length figure of a woman, in classic attire, holding roll as she leans on the side of the bezel. To the left another female figure stands in similar position, carrying the horn of plenty On one arm. Below the clock face shield, which upon close inspec- tion is seen to represent a section on the hu3a of a vessel, surmounts crossed guns and is encfrc1ed by laurel wreath. On this shield is an Inscription setting forth that the clock was presented to the cruiser Philadelphia on behalf of the citizens of Philadelphia.
 cabfe forms square around the clock case, and in loops at each of the two upper corners a fouled anchor is held. From et-her side of the group around the dial two draped American standards jut out gracefully, and be- heath tEe two female figures, which stand on kind of premOnitory, are seen chopry waves bordered with scroll, bearing t3ae words, philadelphia Maneto." A massive scroll at the base of the clock is inscribed ''U. S. S. Phila- delphia-"
 The silver dial bears figures in gold in relief of most beautiful and original design. The minutes are divided by raised, golden pegs, while the center of the face bears an exquisite piece of the jewellers art. It is the shield of the city's arms. The blow, in the top sec- tion of the device, is in relief, as is the ship, with all her canvas on, which is in the lower third. The whole plate is most dainty and correct in detail, and above it, also in bas relief, is the arm of justice, wish the balance. A rich, golden scroA frames the arms on the face, which, altogether, is pronounced to be not only exquisite but unique. TAis part of the ornamentation is an excellent specimen of the good en- graver's art. Considerable difficulty was encountered in modelling the work in getting an eagle that would be suit able. Finally a fine specimen was secured in the Academy of Natural Sciences, and it has been faithfully re- produced. The two female figures were modelled from life, and are fair repre- sentations of graceful and 1.-the femi- nine forms. They are in a gilt bronze, which contrasts pleasantly with the dark bronze of their surroundings. In the original model Che two figures were in bas relief, but the sculptor, and rightly, too, thought that the effect could be heightened by placing the figures in full relief, as they are now seen.
 To give some idea of the care be- slowed upon the tine-piece it should be mentioned that, in order to have the guns and the old-style wooden ship in the design truthful, the firm sent to the Navy Department and received photo graphs of the old man-of-war Constitu- tion and of the new-style ordnance, and from these those seen in the completed work were modelled.
 Strictly speaking, the movement of the clock is a nautical one. It is con- structed with balance wheel on the principle of watch; consequently the pitching and tossing sea will not affect the movement The. escapement is a demi-chronometer, jeweled in all it's principal parts, and highly finished.
 Instead of the hours, tho chime of bells strikes in couplets, in true nautical style, the ships bells. When it is twelve o'clock eight bells are struck, instead of twelve, as in other time pieces; at nine o'clock, two bells, etc. This has never before been accom-
 
 ure which will be appreciated by mariners, which is also an i'm provement. is that of making the hour hand free of its twin, the minute hand, in regulating the clock. This enables them to turn the clock back or forward an hour without disturbing the minute hand, as is required to be done every day in crossing the various degrees of longitude during voyage.
 The regulation of tho hands and bells is commanded by a series of wheels, hidden in metal closet opening on one side of the case. An ingenious device has been contrived to open the bezel of the clock, so that the minute hand can be turned in regulating it. When no required to be open it is locked by a minute lock in the lower part. By in serting small hook-lil1e key and giv- ing it turn the case is unlocked. Two other hooks are placed in the sides, and the plate glass and bezel drawn out about an inch. Then by hidden hinge on the top tho piece can be raised.
 The clock is incased in mahogany box and the back is of steel. The whole piece weighs about 400 pounds, is about three feet high, and is nearly as many broad.
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