The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1895-03-14

of the old, gives one a very imperfect
idea of the original, especially in its
outward performances.
A clock scarcely less curious was con-
structed toward the close Of the last
century by mechanic of Geneva. 1t
had figures of negro, dog and a
shepherd. When the clock struck the
shepherd played six airs on his flute,
and the dog approached and fawned
upon him. When being exhibited to
the king Ct Spain py Dros. its maker,
the king, at his request. took an apple
from the shepherds basket. The dog
barked and set the kings dog barking
also.
One of the most prominent jewellers
and mechanicians of London about the
third quarter of the last century was a
man of the name of Cox. He had a
wonderful collection of clocks and
clockwork. One of the wonders of his
collection was cage of singing birds,
all of jewellers work. The plumage
of the birds was of stones varlously
colored. The birds huttered, warbled
and moved their bills to every note, as
they sung solos, duets and other musi.
cal pieces, to the establishment of the
auditors.
A very ingenious clock was con-
structed by Frenchman of the name
of Bordeau, in the time of Louis XIV.
1t was made for the king. 1t repre-
sented the king ON his throne sur
rounded by the. German electors and by
the italian dukes. The hours were
struck by the kings of Europe. At a
certain point of time the prince of
Orange, William III. of England, the
kings most relentless foe, was to do
homage to the grand monarque. Some
thing, however, went wrong with the
machinery, and just as William was
about to bow to the king Louis was
hurled from his seat and thrown pros,
trate at Williams feet.
In these latter years some very won.
derful clocks have been constructed;
but the useful rather than the curious
has been the guiding principle in theil
construction. London boasts of two
very wonderful clocks. The one is OIL
the Royal exchange, and is said to be
the best public clock in the world
The pendulum, which is compensated
weighs nearly four hundred weight
1t has what is known as a remontoil
escapement, its pallets are jewelet
with large sapphires, and it has {
chime of fifteen bells, which cos
$500.
Another famous modern clock adorn
the palace of Westminster. The dial
are % feet in diameter, the largest il
the world with minute hand. Thu
great wheel is 81 inches in diameter
the pendulum is 10 feet long ant
weighs $50 pounds; while the escap
wheel, which is driven by the musica
box spring, weighs about one-hal
ounce. 1t has seen the end of tw
great bells.
With the application of the sprin,
to the clock it became apparent tina
the timepieces could be made portable
Watches were but little known, i
known at all, before the sixteenth cen
tury. Francis l. gave the master clock
maker of Paris in 1914 the exclusiv
privilege of making clocks and watche
within that city. Henry VIII. seem
to have spent much money on watches
Edward VI had at his palace of West
minister "oone larum or watch of iron
the case iron gilt, with two plummet
of lead " Elizabeth was fond c
watches, Of which she had large col
lection. She had "a clocke of gold
garnished with dyemondes, rubyes
emeraldes and perles.' Zone armle
or shakell of gold, all over fairly ga,
nished with rubyes and dyemondes
having on the closing the air of
clocke,' was a gift to her in 1919 b
the earl Of Leicester, master of tn
horse.
Mary Of Scotland had her watches
In those days there was great variet
in the shape of the watch. A favorit
shape was that of a skull; anothe
was that of coffin. Descriptions ex
list of several of Mary's watches. Their
was one coffin shaped in crystal case
There was another in which cat-gu
supplied the place of the interior chat
in the modern watch. One very ma,
Vicious piece Of workmanship in tn
form of a skull is the property of tn
Dick Lander family. 1t was original
the property Of Mary Queen of Scots
and was bequeathed to Mary Setoun
her maid of honor, Feb. z, 1887. O
the forehead Of the skull are the syn
bols OF death, the scythe and the hou,
glass. AT the back Of the..skull is Tim
and at the top Of the head are the gal
den of Eden and the crucifxion. TIL
watch is opened by reversing the skull
Inside are the holy family, angels an
shepherds with their flocks. TIL
works form the brains. The dial plat
is the palate. Another skull shape
watch which belonged to Mary was
gift from her husband, Francis II.
Arnold of the Strand presente
George III. in 1894 watch of his ow
manufacture set in a ring. Later,
ITO. he presented the king with
small repeating watch, also set in
ring, the cylinder Of which was mad
of an oriental ruby. The Gar of Rul
STA. when he heard of these mites
watches, offered Arnold 1000 guines
If he would make one for him, but til
artist would not consent.