The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-04-03
ODD OLD WATCHES.
Curious and Artistic Ancient Time
pieces.
Relies of Royal and Distinguished Per
sonage~ Of a By-tsoue Tinc-SoTne
Old specimens of the watch
makers skin.

Some of the earliest watches were
made about the beginning of the SIN
teenth century and We're, of course at
that time considered marvels Of skill
These first pocket-Cloclls says the New
York Journal. were made Of almost
any shape except round aud had but
one hand and required winding twice a
a dav. Some OF them IN addition 10 ne
cording the hour OF the day, We're per
feet almanacs, giving the day OF the
month, the changes of the moon, the
rising and setting of the sun and other
items of useful information.
In the time 81 Queen Elizabeth
watches were susPe round the necka
of their wearcrs OF attached 70 orace-
lets. and for this purpose they were
made in the shape Of crosses and varl-
Gus other suitable forms. Many OF the
early timc-pieces, however. were
much too large and heavy 10 be worn
in this manner. and were. in fact. IN
tended 10 be placed on private affairs
such as were to be found in most of the
noble houses Of the day.
Some Of these watches are in the form
of "A skull. One OF these curious time
pieces belonged % Mary Queen Of Scots.
and which She gave TO the fair Mary
Seatou. one OF her -four MaryS. This
strange keepsake il ornamcnted with
various figures, each having particu-
ar meaning and has q good deal OF
open work at the bottom in order 70
allow the sounding of the passing
hours TO be heard. rs they are struck
upon silver bell III the interior,
A large number Of the earlier watches
were OF an oval shape, though some re-
sembIc those Of the present day. The
poet Niltou's w1tch-upon the face Of
which his name in full is engraved thus:
Iuauni NIiltoni, l631-may be seen in the
British Museum us wen as two said TO
belong To oliver Cromwell The case Of
one Of these is made of silver. and Is
ornamentcd at the top with the pro
tector's initials, %. c., and NJ the bot
tom is d representation OF curved
sword which, doubtless, iN intended to
denote that the owner belonged 10 the
army.
There are many uld-faehioned time
pieces i'm the same collection. Most of
these were made during the eseyantcenth
century. and are in the form of skulls,
crosses bells and various fruits There,
also. il a very curious German book
shaped watch made about ne wear 1Gea.
1t is made of silver and when closed
resemble, "a tiny book with the cover
beautifully yornanentcd. us was the fash
ion in those days. - hen opened the
fucy of the watch is disclosed.
Among other pccu'iar watches in this
collection is one that was made in
France between the yeG-. 1890 and 1889.
II Is il the form ~ Jog. resting. \
little catch under the iorepaws of the
dog secures the outerca~c. and 80 we are
not permitted To- have glimpse at the
face of this curious watch.
king George III. was ou one occasion
pre-"utcd with remarkable watch, as
q birthday present. It va- less than an
inch in Diameter, weighed mo- more than
a SiVprncr and rcptutcdtha bour-, quar-
tiers Jut even The hatt-lugrtcrs. This
beautiful tim'-pinyc was designed and
madc by g'ut.I-rraker named Arnold:
and II ;. .'ut.i That the King was 80
delighted With o.. ei.t that hc sent in
return note uI thanks and sum OF
five hundred guuca-. II /, said tA..t
the clever workman was 49,, ,,f-
~. 60. ''''' ,uou~aud pouud~ 10y
..,sur Of Russia Tor duplicate
of the Ii,r,. marvel. hu "a, refused To
make another even for that large sum
-, Iuur,v,,
Another very small watch was for
u..I- tu, property ot King George III.
IL i- -..r "a. 81 ring. ant Inc uia.. which -
about tine -5.eui . -.s."u-s. D. surround
ed with y,rv sm.u diamonds. with 81
lar-,. "a i4ua-d con DasN side. Ii Is OF
exquisite workmanship. and must have
cost II large sum of uuuey.
some Curipua watches We're made
many wear, AGO for enabling person To
tel tn, time during the night 10y merely
FEELING the face of the watch. These
were called touch wataEc-.' and had
ouly one hand. with raised pins at each
hour. $50 ,Hat a person could feel the
time at uiyhr.
Then There were the curious old-fash-
ioncd table ,ys cheS. These were usual
ly constructed with a kind Of dome. and
were much larger than the watches in
ordinary use, being made especially foT
use a. table.