A Wonderful Clock

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 23, 4 June 1903, Page 6

A Wonderful Clock

Perhaps the most interesting gift to the Pope on hia I ontiiical Jubilee was an ancient clock, in the form of a planisphere, dating from 1725. It was constructed at 1 Jaisance by the mathematician Barnardo Facini who presented it to the wife of Philip 11. of Spain The planisphere- gives the houis and the minutes, according to the Italian and Spanish style ; the length of the days and nights, according to the seasons ; the daily position of the sun, according to the signs of the Zodiac; solar and lunar eclipses, the real seasons and the seasons according to astronomy Notwithstanding the enormous progress made in mechanics since its construction tho movement of the wheels is absolutely unknown. When it broke flown on one occasion no one, it is said, was found able to repair it.