The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-05-09

This EEISEShS~enth SSIfCurS -fhs-SkAsAiAA>
Wizard PRODUCED CloeI>SorlS That
Performer Wonders and Figures
That Seemed Akin to Life
Few persons i'll the mechanical world
have not heard of the authorizations OF
the famous Ncuchatel mechanician or
the eighteenth century. Most people
would not know where to find automa-
tons 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 mas
terpieces are in the possession of Hen
ri Martin Of Dresden. where they are
the admiration of all those who happen
to visit Dresden and are able to exam
inc them. According to the informa-
ton kindly furnished to us by Mr.
Martin, the automatonS are In good
condition and work as we'll as at the
time when Jaquet-Droz exhibited them
to the sovcreigns of France. Spain ana
England, though now they must be
put in operation by hand
One of this wonderful mans clocks
went for q very long time without be-
ing rewound This kind of perpetual
movement was produced by different
the same temper:i ture. Another clock,
without bein. touched, answered the
question, What time is it?' I must
be presumed that the breath of the
Cuestioner WIS sufficient by delicate
CON biuntion TO put the mechanism in
movement. Still another exhibited the
hours. the minutes and the seconds.
the center Of the dial indica ting 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 GiaI was lighted at the time OF
the full moon. and the stars appeared
and Disappeared 1T the required IL
tervals This artificial tirma ment WAS
covered! with clouds II the weather was
unpleasant or. lighted if it WAS clear
AS soon as tie hour was struck a
chime was heard. 1t played nine diff
ferent melodies, to which an echo re-
Spouded. a lacy seated i'll Il balcony,
holding book in her hand. accoIn2a-
MED the music with gesture and look,
from time TO time took Il pinch of snuff
and bowed to those who opened the
glass door of the clock. When the
Ginning was ended Il canary. standing
or the ha.itl OF Il child. whose gestures
expressed admiration. sang eight dit
fcrcnt airs \ shepherd came i'll lis
turn and played on the flute. ana two
children danced around. Suddenly one
of the children throw himself on tie
floor in order to make the other lose
his balance and then turned toward the
spectators. poin:iii: at his companion
with his finger Near the shepherd 4
lamb bIeatcd from tinlc to time, ANA =
dog approached his master 10 carcss
Linn and to watch over Il basket OF APP
pies If any one touched the f"ui: he
would bark until it WIS put back in its
place.
lie presented one OF his clocks TO
King Ferdinand VI, who YVES so de-
lighted that he refunded the expenses
of the Journey and paid in addition 800
louis dor. The king assembled his
courtie,s in order to show them his nc-
QUESTION. Among the uutoma tons WAS
a clock with shepherd playin" on his
flute and dog guarding basket of
fruit.
The dog" said JaQuet-Droz. lis aS
faithful as he is well behaved Let
your majesty put him to the proof by
touching one of tic fruits in the bas-
ket' The king endeavorcd to tax" an
apple, but the dog Immediately threw
himself ON his hand, barking SO nat
urauy thar Il hound present in the
room responded with all his strength.
The coUrtiers thought that sorcery w:is
at work and lied prccipitatciy. making
the sign of the cross The King ana
the .ir.s,istcr Of marine were tho "n!!
ones 10 remain.
The latter asked the shepherd what
time it was. AS he Gid not answer
JaGuet-Droz re.ua rlicd siliiinGly that
he probably did not understand span
ish and bc2gcG lis cXci'llcncy TO ad-
dress him i'll French. The question W;iS
repeated in that language. and The
shepherd replied Immediately. i u"
minister was frightened. and lie. too.
hurried away. In consequence OF INES
seance the ~Neuchatel artist. fearing
that he might be arrested by the in
QUESTION and burned rs q so"cG2@I',
begged the king to imvit" the grand
inquis.tor TO be present. .jaIU2t-i' roz
took the clock apart III his presence
piece by piece. Showing him I'LL the
springs and explaining 10 him The &C
ton of tie train. Probably the IN
Guisitor understood little or nothing OF
the matter Nevertheless he announc-
ed the fact publicly that he discovered
no magic ami that the mechanism ETlS
,,,,-o,l ,,pf1l-.ll