The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-05-17
An Old House in stnssbura.

Holtz Many were the artists who
loviagy decorated this unique stone
jewel he baptistery was the work
Of John Detginger; the pulpit that Of
Hans Hmmerer, and innumerable
humble misans lovingly and piousIy
decorated and embellished 1T. Their
anonymor tribute is touchingly re-
vealed 10 the slightest details Of the
gigantic md splendid masterpiece.
Tk Astronomical Clock.
The great clock of the cathedral has
been for narly six centuries an object
Of public curiosity and amusement.
This astnnomical clock was first
built By bishop Bercthold Of Birch
egg In W2. and was completed
two yean later by Bishop John Of
Lichtenbeft The clock originally oc-
cupied the pace facing that which 1t
occupies atpresent in the southern
transept BESIDES various astr0-
nomical dedces indicating the true
solar time, khas a great planetarium
in which the revolution of the planets
is Representa-, so that the relative
position Of och at any time can be
seen at Gance. Then. on an ele-
waited phttoml, are moving figures
Representing he four ages Of man.
On a still higher platform is nat
ural-sizd figure Of Jesus, and at noon
the twelve apostles pass before the
feet of their Master, bowling low. AS
Peter passes, large and marvel1
ously lfelike cock flaps his wings,
ruff1es bis feathers and crews three
times vey loudly and naturally. The
clock was definitely completed in 1874.
to be destroyed during the revolution
Of 1889. But In 1912, Strassburg
artist mined Schwielgue built the
clock which still exists and is faith.
full copy # the old timepiece.
HOSES of the Renaissance.
During the Renaissance, Strassburg
enjoyed prosperity of which some
idea can Be gained from the numer-
Gus monuments which were erected at
that peri0. Many Of these still exist,
especially those old houses which
abound ~ the little narrow streets 10
the neigNorhood Of the cathedral,
where many picturesque old sign
boards ben evidence to the past. The
Boecklin house. which once belonged
to a noble family Of lower Alsace, Is
among tk most celebrated. Of the
period. me courtyard Of this house
contains magnificent stone staircase,
and 1t alp possesses q particularly
fine Remittance doorway. The House
OF the CIV dating from the four
teenth cenafy. Is famous for its re-
markaole ceftyard, and it is said that
Frederick tie Great lodged there in
174O. Inc Horse Of the Dragon. re-
Gently oenashed, was In the four
teenth cenn1 the residence Of the
knights OF Eadinseu, whilst the IA
nous ha"6seil house on the Cathe-
drat place. oatng from 1857, Is OF
worldwide fenown. Its three stories
were built 4 successive periods; but
coiffed with IL high, slanting roof. so
characteristic Of Strassburg, it rather
resembles az immense doyecote with
its many windows
During the thirty Years, war, Alsace
fell under tie rule Of france; strass-
burg became French on . the goth Of
September, 1881. whist the annexa-
ton was definitely ratified BY the
Peace Of R,sxick ID 1897. vauban
personally directed the construction of
the citadel ia 1852. But his fortifica-
lions, strong = they we're. could not
resist the Intensely terrific lombard
ment to whieA tAe Germans subjected
the old city y August md September,
1870. and ssnsbsrr vas obliged to
capitulate afssr barely ! months re-
sistance. Dulhs ~ .sa,,,n~ ~ the
city. many ofits nnest rs,h,,c offices,
which were fbr tie NJ puD, ,"r+ Of the
eighteenth ceatury, 49, ~ % destroyed.
Amongst these figured ia maenifcen.
library.