A Wrong Number.
No doubt many persons have wondered why the hour four ia represen- ' ted on a watch or a clock dial by 11 11. instead of IV. A watchmaker who knows the history of the custom says it goes back to 1370. The first clock which kept anything, like accurate tiime was made by a certain . Henry Vick, in 1370. It was made to the order of Charles V. of France,, who, it will be remembered, was called ' The Wise.' It is pretty evident), though, that Charles was not as wise as he "liked to imagine. When Vick brought tihe clock to him, he looked closely at it, and then frowned. "You have got the figures on the dial wrong,' he said. ' 1 think not, your Majesty,' answered Vick. ' Yes ; that four should be four, ones.' ' You are wrong, your Majesty.' 'I am never wrong ! ' thundered the king. 'Take it away and correct the mistake.' Vick did as he was commanded, and so to-day we have 1111. when we should have IV.
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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 21, 12 June 1902, Page 29
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174A Wrong Number. New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 21, 12 June 1902, Page 29
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