Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1891-02-21
Wonderful Clocks.

Among remarkable public clocks,
there are two which stand foremost
those of Lyons and Strasburg. They
are well worth attention, partly on
account of their curious workman
ship and partly because Of their rich
ness of ornament and originality Of
design. In the former, two horse
men, fully armed cap-a-pie, encoun>
ter in deadly combat, as it were,
and beat the hour upon each
others armor. Then a door
opens, and an image of the Virgin,
bearing in her arms the child Jesus,
stems out. She in turn is followed by
the magi, with letinue marching "all
in good order" presenting their gifts,
heralded by trumpets, which contin-
ne to breathe from their brazen
Threats while the procession is in
movement.
The scene which the Strasburg
clock presents is as follows: AT each
hour, as the clock strike, there is cock
which claps its wings; door opens,
and an angelic appears, who salutes
the Virgin; then the Holy Spirit in
the form of a dove descends and
alights upon the shoulder of the Vir-
gin.
About siXty-five years ago the
East India Company presented the
Emperor of China withtwo time
pieces manufactured by English
artists. They were of the finest
workmanship that was ever execut-
ed, and were of similar design. Each
was in the form of a chariot, which
was of solid gold. A lady is seated
in a languishing attitude, leaning
her right hand on that side of the
chariot. In the center of the same
is set the clock itself, with its face
outward, and which is no larger than
quarter of dollar. 1t strikes and
: repeats, and, upon being wound up,
goes for eight days. A bird, which
is almost completely made up of dia-
monds and rubies, rests upon the
lady's finger. At striking-time ii
hutters 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 the tail. In
side its body are contained some Of
the works which animate it. In hel
left hand the lady holds a golden
tube, which is little thicker than 6
large pin, and upon the top of which
is fixed a small round ornament, o.
the size Of ten.cent piece. AS long
as the clock continues to go this or
nament moves round with a regular
perpetual motion. The top of the or
nament is studded thickly with prec
ious stones-as is the whole chariot
Above the fair occupants head is s
sort of canopy, under which is PLACED
a bell.
To the linguistic eye the bell reveals
no apparent connection with thu
clock, save as an ornament. Blu
there is a secret communication be
tween the two. At the hour, from
under the shade of the canopy Their,
descends a hammer, which strike
smartly and sharply against the mel
low-sounding bell. This Performance
can be repeated at pleasure simply b!
touching a catch in the form of
minute diamond button. The chario
can be set in motion by the touchinl
of a spring, and will'run in either
circular or straight direction. A
it moves. there are two birds whicl
appear as if flying in the air. 1t need
a close glance to discover that the,
are attached by wires, pliable an,
strong, yet no thicker than hair, t
the canopy of the chariot. The clock
together with its carriage.rest, its fun
niture and appointments, is wonde
of compactness, as it is a marvel c
dazzling brilliancy and costliness.