THE STRASBURG CLOCK.
TUfc following i-« a description of this wonderful piece of inecli uiiMn which is to be exhibit*?*.! at Hamilton to day, tomorrow and S.iturd.iv, between the hours of 2 and ."• and 7 and 10 p.m. :— This model is di\ ided into four section*-, and is twelve feet in height. The lower j.irt or base stands three feet high, *iv feet long, and three feet deep. The sphcie in fiont is a terrestial globe which revokes from west to e.t*t in a mean solar d.iy ; it show s the time under this meridian, .md the exact hour of the day and night over e\ery p.ut of the earth's smfaee. JMimd the globe in the grand Orrery, after the Copeinican system, in the middle of which is the golden sun, surrounded by the planets, visible so the naked eye, each planet performing its revolution exactly .it the allotted time. On the dial also an; calculated the solar cylti and the eclipses of the sun from 1851 to 1000. An index on the dial, making a complete revolution in twenty-four hours, pointing 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 nrc paintings representing Clows, Dagobert 11., Charlemagne, and Louis XIV. Above the dial arc seen the «evpn days of the week, represented by .seven heathen deities, seated in chariots and diawn by the animals dedicated to them. The figmes ' change daily, and at three minutes before the hours and half hours the Hguro* representing the present day leaves his place, and figures representing the other days appear in succession. In the compartment on the right of the Orrery are three pendents, illustrating the equation of tune and the geocentric northern and southern declination of the sun. In the compartment on the left is an ecclesiastical compute, with all iU indications calculated forever. On the ends of the base sire beautiful paintings, emblematic of the beginning and the end ot time. . The second section contains tlio dranu Calendar, calculated for one hundred years, from 1801 to 1900. It contains the years, .the leap years, the golden numbers, the epftcts, the Dominical letters, the months, tliH days of the week, and the day of the week upon which any date will fall from 1800 to 1900. In the four coignes are representations of the seasons. JJelow, in a semi-circular dial, are represented the phases of the moon ; the eulightened side of the sphere increasing or diminishing as the moon actually does. At either side are golden lions suppoiMng the aims of Strasbwg»nd the directors of the church. 2n the third section is the dial which nJrl-a the hours and minutes of -mean txnm 0n the left U seated a cherub with a beH on which he strikes the first note of each quarter. The cherub on the right holds an hour-glass with sand in it which he reverses. Above the dial in a nicho stands the figure of Death, a scythe in >one hand, .a hammeKin the other, before him two bells ; every quarter at an hour a. figure steps forward, lirst a child, then ti youth, then a man in armour, then an old man ; as they pass, the quarters aro .struck on the smaller bell, and Death strikes the hours on the other. Above the niche at cither angle of the case stand the angels of Life and Death. ,The fourth section is the superstructure. It is a richly-ornamented chapel of the perpendicular style of (iothic architecture, surmounted by elegant flying-buttresses and open spires, enriched by gilded crochets and trefoil ornaments. On the left of the main body of the clock is a tower, divided into three sections, and surmounted by a cock. The front panels contain a painting of Urania the Muse of Astronomy, and portraits of Nicholas Copernicus, and J. B. Schwilque the constitutor of the present clock in Suasburg. The paintings ou the aide repre sent the fatts, Lachesis, Clotho andAtropos. On the ughtisthe circular stairway leading into the clock. The clock strikes in this uvinner : Every quarter of an hour the cherub on the left of the dial strikes a warning note on the bell, then the figure representing the quarter completed moves blowly off through the door on the right as the quarter is .struck on the bell in ] f rpnt of death, the cherub holding the sandglsss 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 stiikes the number on tlie Urge bjsll — «i bur.st of music is now heard, the door in the right poitico of the chapel opens, and the Apostles appear in procession. As they advance the angels of Life and of Death .simultaneously turn, toward them. Meinvvhile 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 lowly to the Saviour, who blesses them. As Peter approaches, S.tt'an appears, and by his motions seeks to tempt Petpr, who alone does not bqw, but turns his back in denial upon his L r >rd ; then the cock on the weight-tower flaps his wings and crows in memory of Peter's temptation. Then Satan again appears, and with eager eyes watches J udas, following him stealthily along the balcony till the door closes upon him, and the great bejl, which has tolled one for each Apostle, novy gives the signal that the procession is over.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18860610.2.29
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Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2172, 10 June 1886, Page 3
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936THE STRASBURG CLOCK. Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2172, 10 June 1886, Page 3
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