The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-09-05

nTEW persons in the mechanical
world have not heard of the au-
donations of the famous Neuchatel
mechanician of the eighteenth century"
says writer in the Scientific American.
Most people would not know where to
find automatons of Jaquet- Droz They
are said to be in Russia in England and
scattered here and there throughout the
world. But the most remarkable of these
masterpieces are in the possession of Mr..
Henri Martin of Dresden, where they are
the admiration of all those who happen
to visit Dresden and are able to examine
them. According to the information kind
ly furnished us by Mr.. Martin. the au-
donations are in good condition and work
as well as at the time when Jaquet-Droz
exhibited them to the sovereigns of
France, Spain and England, though now
they must be put IN operation by hand.
"One of this wonderful mans clocks
went for very long time without being
rewound. This kind of perpetual move
ment was produced by different metals
temperatures. Another clock, without be-
ing touched, answered the question,
What time is it?' It must be presumed
that the breath of the questioner was
sufficient. by a delicate combination, TO
put the mechanism in movement Still
another exhibited the hours, the minutes
and the seconds. the center of the dial
indicating the course of the sun through
the zodiac. and the four seasons and the
different phases of the moon in perfect
accord with its evolution.
The dial was lighted at the time of the
full moon and the stars appeared and dis
appeared at the required intervals. This
artificial armament was covered with
clouds if the weather was unpleasant, or
lighted if it was clear. AS soon as the
hour was struck chime was heard. 1t
played nine different melodies, to which
an echo responded. lady seated in
ba lcony; holding a book in, her hand, ac-
companied the music with gesture and
look, from time TO time took a pinch of
snuff and bowed to those who opened the
glass door of the clock. When the Chin
Zig was ended canary, standing on the
admiration, sang eight different airs.
shepherd came in his turn and played on
the flute and two children danced around.
Suddenly one of the children threw him
other lose his balance. and hen turned to-
ward the spectators, pointing at his COM
panion with his finger. Near the shepherd
lamb bleated from time to time and q
dog approached his master to caress him
and to watch over a basket of apples. If
any one touched the fruit he would bark
until it was put back in its place.
Presented to King ferdinand.
HE presented one of his clocks to King
Ferdinand VI, who was so delighted that
and paid in addition 500 louis der. The
king assembled his courters in order to
show them his acquisition, Among the
automatons was a clock with q shepherd
playing on his flute and a dog guarding
basket of fruit. THE dog" said Jaquet-
Droz, lis as faithful as he is well be
haved. Let your majesty put him to the
proof by touching one of the fruits in the
basket The king endeavored to take an
apple, but the dog Immediately threw
himself on his hand. barking so naturally
that hound present in the room re-
Sponded with all his strength. The cour-
tiers thought that sorccry was at work
and fle0 precipitately, making the sign of
the cross. The king and the minister OF
The latter asked the shepherd what time
it was AS he did not answer Jaquet-
Droz remarked smilingly that he prob
ably did not understand Spanish and
begged his eXcellency to address him in
French. The question was repeated in
that language and the shepherd replied