WONDERFUL CLOCK. 



You have all no doubt heard of the quaint old city of Strasburg in Germany and its famous cathedral, which contains a time-piece counted as one of the wonders of the world. This curious clock was made over four hundred years ago by a German, who worked upon it forty years; and when the task was completed, it is said that cruel men put out his eyes with red hot irons, so he could never make another clock like it. He begged to be allowed to place his hands once more upon the work, which had become almost a part of his being. He was permitted to do this, and in revenge for the cruelty inflicted upon him, he removed or misplaced some of the delicate machinery, and for one hundred years the clock remained motionless. A skillful clock-maker at length repaired the damage, and this great work of art may now be seen in Strasburg.

This clock is about thirty feet high, and tells the time of day, the month, day of the month, day of the week, phases of the moon, and many things about the heavenly bodies. It is beautifully carved and gilded. The top section is in the form of a Gothic Chapel, with a small door on either side, and a large one in the center. 

Above the dial is a keystone, with a small door in the center. At twelve o'clock every day is heard the ringing of a bell, and the door of the keystone pens, showing the figure of Death. Soon after, the right door of the chapel opens, and figures representing the twelve apostles come out in procession, while the center door opens and the Saviour comes in sight. As the apostles reach him, they pause, and one by one, except Peter, turn toward him and bow. The bow is returned by our Saviour. A Roman sentinel on the left turns on a pedestal and appears to ask Peter if he is not Christ's disciple. Peter turns his back to Christ in denial. A cock perched on the right corner flaps his wings and crows. 

Satan appears and disappears in the balcony above.

As Judas passes by, Satan again appears and seems to exult over him. The Roman sentinel turns around, and the left door closes the scene.

I have now something still stranger to tell you. Some years ago a poor lad in Germany, named Fritz Von Engle, was apprenticed by his father, to a watchmaker. He was a faithful boy, and worked hard to learn the trade. Day after day he visited the cathedral, and his spare moments were spent in examining the wonderful clock. The sexton, a kind old man, let him look at the machinery. His mind became filled with the idea of reproducing the work. For seven long years he toiled, and at last succeeded in making a facsimile of the original. When the last weight was adjusted and the whole thing accomplished, his mind failed him. The anxiety, the toil, and the brain labor proved too much, and with the completion of his work the light of reason went out forever, and in six months he died, at the age of twenty-five years.

The clock was purchased of the heirs by Capt. J. Reid, an American agent in Europe. It is now in America. Not long since, I had the pleasure of examining it. It is one-third the size of the original, and so arranged that the apostles come out every half hour during the day and evening, and can be produced seven times each hour besides. It contains a music box and a wonderful chime of bells, that add greatly to its attractions. It is certainly an intricate piece of mechanism, and its curious history renders it most interesting.




ELIZA H. MORTON.