The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-11
ODD OLD WATCHES.
Curious and Artistic Ancient Time
pieces.
Rencs OF Royal and Distinguished Per-
sonages OF q By-Gone Tlme-Some
Odd Specimens OF tho Watch
makers Skill.

Some of the earliest watches were
made about the beginning of the SIX
teenth century and were, Of course, at
that time considered marvels of skill
These first pocket-cloclss, says tho New
York Journal, were made of almost
any shape except round and had but
one hand and required winding twice
"a day. Some of them In addition to re-
jcording the hour of the day, were per-
lfect almanacs, giving the day Of the
month, tho changes of the moon, the
rising and setting Of the sun nnd other
items of useful information.
In the time OF Queen Elizabeth
watches were suspended round the necks
tof their wearers or attached to brace
lets, and for this purpose they were
made in the shape Of crosses and vari-
Gus other suitable forms Many of the
learly time-pieces, however, were
much too large and heavy TO be worn
in this manner, and were, In fact, In
tended to 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 skull. Ono Of these curious time
pieces belonged to Mary Queen Of Scots,
and which she gave TO the fair Mary
Seaton, one of her -four Marya" This
strange keepsake is ornamented with
various figures, each having particu-
lar meaning, and has n good deal of
open work Mt the bottom in order to
ALLOW the sounding Of the passing
hours to be heard, as they are struck
upon silver bell in the interior,
A large number Of the earlier watches
were OF an oval shape, though some re-
semble those Of the present day. Tho
poet Millions watch-upon the face Of
which his name in full Is engraved thus:
Ioanni Miltoni, 1631-may be seen in the
British Museum as well us two said TO
belong to Oliver Cromwell. The case Of
one Of these is made of silver, and is
ornamented ut the top with the pro-
tector's initials, 30. c." and at the bot
tom is representation of curved
sword, which, doubtless, is intended to
denote that the owner belonged to the
army.
There are many old-fashioned time
pieces In the same collection. Most of
these were made during the seventeenth
century, and are in the form of skulls,
crosses, bells and various fruits. There,
MISC, is very curious German book
shaped watch made about the year 1850.
1t is made of silver and when closed
resembles a tiny book with the cover
beautifully ornamented, Us was the fash,
ion In those days. When opened the
face of the watch is disclosed.
Among other peculiar watches in this
collection is one that was made in
France between the years 1920 and 1850.
1T is in the form Of dog, resting. A
little catch under the forepnws of the
dog secures the outer case, and SO we are
not permitted to have glimpse ut the
face OF this curious watch.
King George III. was on one occasion
presented with a remarkable watch, as
a birthday present. 1t was less than an
inch in diameter, weighed no more than
a sixpcnce and repeated the hours, quar-
tiers and even the headquarters. This
beautiful time-piece was designed and
made by n matchmaker named Arnold;
and it is related that tho King was SO
delighted with the gift that he sent in
return n note Of thanks and sum of
five hundred guincas. 1t is said that
the clever workman was afterward Of
9ered more than thousand pounds by
the Emperor of Russia for n duplicate
of the little marvel; but he refused to
make another even for that large sum
of money.
l. Another very small watch was for
(merly the property of King George III.
1t is set in a ring, and the dial. which is
about the size of a sixpence, is surround
ed with very small diamonds, with a
large diamond on each side. It is of
exquisite workmanship, and must have
cost large sum of money.
Some curious watches were made
many years ago for enabling person to
tell the time during the night by merely
feeling the face of the watch. These
were called ''touch Watches" and had
only one hand, with raised pins at each
hour, so that q person could feel the
time at night.
Then there were the curious old-fash-
Toned table watches. These were usual
~ constructed with kind of dome, and
were much larger than the watches in
ordinary use, being made especially for
use at table.
The Pusfer.
Tho pusher is q table utensil with