The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-14
Concerning Sun DiaIs.

ut seems that sun dials are likely to
again become quite comomn in the parks
and country Places said a student of
history.
I'm rambling over Red Mountain I en-
countered dial at the head of Twentieth
street, fronting the residence of Mr.. Sterl-
ing A. Wood. 1t bore the marks of
the Dent Marble works of this city
Various kinds of sun dials may now
be found at the Dent establishment and
the great marble yards of the country
are putting forth other designs in keep
ing with the mythology and mystery that
surround them,
1.-THE sun dial is one of the most ancient
inventions of mankind. Its origin is lost
in the twilight of antiquity The Bible
speaks Of the erratic King Ahas tearing
down the great fountain of laver and
other splendors of art in Solomon's tenn
pie, but overcome with awe at the sight
of the sun dial, he not only spared those
then in existence but caused a large
one to be built which is known in the
Bible as the Dial of Alias
"Pliny writes that a friend or pupil
of Anaximsnder, named Anaximenes of
Hiletus, first discovered the proportion
and reason Of shadows so far as Greece
was concerned, and taught the art of
dialing This was about $50 B. C. Herod-
otus says that the Greeks learned from
the Ghadeans this art and the dividing
of the day into twelve parts.
There are other theories, but it is
probable that the dial as a scientific
instrument was first known about 750
B. c., the Caldeans being the first to
perfect 1t. From it advanced through
Egypt to Greece and from these ponder
Gus contrvances to mark the fight of
time came gradually all the later devices
to measure his footsteps to a nicely. Sun
dials, simple and elaborate, became uni
versally employed.
1.-The sun dial is one of the things
which is thoroughly satisfying. How few
things there are in the world of which
this can be said. One cannot help but
feel the beauty and awe OF the thought
that fleeing, intangible time Is marked
by the passing of shadow almost equal
ly intangible.
1.-THE pedestal of the dial is designed
from the Egyptian mythology, represent
ing that monster sphinx with head and
breast OF a woman, body of lion,
and wings of eagle, which infested
the country around ancient Thebes and
Memphis. In the days of their splendor
the Egyptians believed that it could inn
part great wisdom and looked forward
to it's periodical visits with mingled feel
ings of reverence and fear as upon the
correct answer to Its PROFOUND riddle
hung their fate. The last time ii came
to PROFOUND those mysterious questions
it commenced by asking: What is 1t that
walks on four legs. on two, and then
on three" The King said: am wise as
you; can answer. 1t is IMAM" When
a baby he walks on four legs; grown
up, on two; and in old age, with a cane
The sphinx gazed straight to the east
and said: You will see me no more;
I am gone forever, but will say, "You
and your country will also be gone for
ever" This strange sentence gave the
King great concern. He lined the ave-
nue. leading to the temples on either
side with images of the sphynx, carved
of stone, hoping thereby to gain that wis
dom which had formerly been impaired
to him by the sphynx.
'Herodotus said: Although have never