Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1889 — LOOK AT YOUR WATCH. [ARTICLE]

LOOK AT YOUR WATCH.

And See How the Hours Are Marked by Roiuau Numerals. “Mark down the figures on the face of a watch,” said a Summit street jeweler to a reporter of the Toledo Blade. 1,2, 3,4, 5, 6—began the reporter as he put pencil to paper. “No, I mean Roman numerals.” Then this was produced: i, n, m, iv, v, vi, vn, vni, ix, x, xi, xn. “You are wrong,” said the jeweler. “I guess not,” said the reporter. “Try again,” said the jeweler. “Perhaps I don’t know how to count in Roman figures,” said the reporter. “You know that well enough, but watchmakers use different ones. Look at your watch.” “Haven’t got one.” “Well, look at mine. See the figures that stands for 4 o’clock.” The reporter looked, and was surprised. It was HII and not IV. “Are all the clocks and watches that way,” he asked. “Every one which has Roman figures on its dial. ’ “Why?” “Well, I’ll tell you she story. It is nothing but a tradition among watchmakers, but the custom has always been preserved. You may or you may not know that the first clock that in any way resembled those now in use was made by Henry Vick, in 1370. He made it for Charles V. of France, who has been called ‘The Wise ’ “Now, Charles was wise in a good many ways. He was wise enough to recover from England most of the land which Edward 111. had conquered, and he did a good many other things which benefited France. But his early education had been somewhat neglected and he probably would have trouble in passing a civil-service examination in these enlightened ages. Still he had a reputation for wisdom, and thought that it was necessary, in order to keep it up, that he should also be supposed to possess book learning. The latter was a subject he was extremely touchy about. “So the story runs iq this fashion, although I will not vouch for the language, but put it in that of the present day: “ ‘Yes, the clock works well,’ said Charles, ‘but,’ being anxious to find some fault with a thing he did not understand, ‘you have got the figures on the dial wrong.’ “ ‘Wherein, your Majesty?’ asked Vick. “ ‘That four should be four ones, said the King. “ ‘You are wrong, your Majesty,’ said Vick. “ ‘I am never wrong,’ thundered the King. “Take it away and correct the mistake!’ And corrected it was, and from that day to this 4 o’clock on a watch or clock dial has been HII. instead of IV. The tradition has been faithfullv followed.”