THE STRASBURG CLOCK.

Kumara Times, Issue 2893, 5 February 1886, Page 2

THE STRASBURG CLOCK.

The only perfect model of the famous Straabnrg clock, the great astronomical, musical, and apostolic clock, and probably of the most ingeniously constructed piece of mechanism evep invented, is still on view at the Theatre Royal. There were a goodly number of visitors to see it yesterday afternoon and evening. This beautiful and gigantic model is divided into four sections or parts, and is twelve feet in height. The lower part or base stands three feet high, six feet long, by three feet deep. The sphere in front is a cerrestrial globe which revolves from west to east in a mean solar day • it shows the time under this merid’ian, and the exact hour of the day and night over every pa’rt of the earth’s surface. Behind the globe is the grand Orrery, after the Copernican system, in the middle of which is the golden sun, surrounded by the planets, visible to the naked eye, each planet performing its revolution exactly at the allotted time. On the dial also are calculated the solar cycle and the eclipses of the sun from 180 lto 1900. An index on the dial, making a complete revolution in twenty-four hours, points during the day to the figure of Apollo and during the night to Diana. These figures are stationed at either side of the Orrery. In the corners are paintings representing Clovis, Dagobert 11., Charlemagne, and Lonis XIV. Above the dial are seen the seven days of the week, represented by seven" heathen deities, seated in chariots and drawn by the animals dedicated to them. The figures change daily, and at three minutes before the hours and half hours the figure representing the present day leaves his place, and figures representing the other days appear in succession. Iu the compartment on the right of the Orrery are three pendents, illustrating the equation of time and the geocentric northern and southern declination of the sun. In the compartment on the left is an ecclesiastical compute, with all its indications calculated for ever. On the ends of the base are beautiful paintings, emblematic of the beginning and the end of lime.

The second section contains the Grand Calendar, calculated for one hundred years, from 1801 to 1900. It, contains the years, the leap years, the "olden numbers* the epacts, the Dominical letters, the months, the days of the month, the days of the week, and the day of the week upon which any date will fall from 1801 to 1800. In the four coignes are representations of the seasons. Below, in a semi-circular dial, are represented the phases of the moon • the enlightened side of the sphere increasing or diminishing as the moon actually does. At either side aie golden lions supporting the arms of Strashurg and of the directors of the church.

In the third section is the dial which maiks the hour and minutes of mean time. On the left is seated a cherub with a bell on which he strikes the first note of each quarter. The chetub on the right holds an hour-glass with sand in it, which he reverses. Above the dial in a niche stands the figure of Death, a scythe in one hand, a hammer in the other, before him two bellsevery quarter of an hour a figure steps forward, first a child, then a youth, then a man in armor, then an old man.’ as they pass, the quarters are struck on the smaller bell, and Death strikes the hours on the other. Above the niche at either angle of the case stand the angels of Life and Death.

The fourth section is the stipestructure. It is a richly-ornamente 1 chapel of the perpendicular style of (gothic architecture, surmounted hv elegant flying-buttresses and open spires, enriched by gilded crockets and trefoil ornaments. On the left of the main body of the clock is a tower, divided into three sections, and stirmounted by a cock. The front pmneis contain a painting of Urania, the Muse of Astronomy, and nortr.i■; of Nicholas Copernicus, and J. B. Sc.'nvilque, the cous tract or yf the present clock iu

Strasburg. The paintings on the side represent the fates, Lachesis, Clotho, and Atropos. On the right is the circular stairway leading into the clock. The clock strikes in this manner: Every quarter of an hour the cherub on the left of the dial strikes a warning note on the boll, then the figure representing the quarter completed moves slowly off through the door on the right j as the quarter is struck on the bell in front of Death, the cherub holding the sandglass reverses it, the door on the left opens and the figure representing the next quarter steps forward and takes his position ; should it be the hour, Death strikes the number on the large bell—a burst of music is now heard, the door in the right portico of the chapel opens, and the Apostles appear in procession. As they advance the Angels of Lifeand Death simultaneously turn toward them. Meanwhile the centre doors gradually open, and the Saviour advances to the edge of the platform holding the banner of Redemption. As the Apostles approach, each turns and bows slowly to the Saviour, who blesses them. As Peter approaches, Satan appears, and by bis motions seems to tempt Peter, who alone does not bow, but turns his back in denial upon his Lord ; then the cock on the weight-tower flaps his wings and crows in memory of Peter's temptation. Then Satan again appears, ami with eyes watches Judas, following him stealthily along the balcony till the door closes upon him, and the great bell, which has tolled one for each Apostle, now gives the signal that the procession is over.

It will be exhibited this evening and to-morrow between 7 and 10 o’clock ; and to-morrow afiernoou there will be a Matinee for children.