Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 165, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1920 — OLD CLOCKMAKER BUILT WELL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OLD CLOCKMAKER BUILT WELL

Remarkable Timepiece In English Cathedral Said to Have Been Made About Year 1822. Glastonbury, a town planned in the form ofacross and situated in the very center of Somerset, England, is full of ancient associations dating back. In legend and otherwise, to the early years of the Christian era. Early writers mention that Ynyswytryn, the ancient name of Glastonbury, was the place where the first church was built In which the gospel was preached. St. Philip, so the tradition Is, sent Joseph of Arlmathea In the year 60 with 11 disciples to Britain to preach the gospel. Averagus, the Roman viceroy, remarking that they had journeyed far and were of modest demeanor, gave each a hide of land, which was the origin of the Twelve Hides of Glastonbury. One of the most Interesting connections with Glastonbury is the ancient clock, which was at one time in the famous Glastonbury abbey, but is now in the north transept of Wells cathedral, Somerset, a few miles away. It is said to have been made by a monk named Peter Lightfoot about the year 1882. The dial plate is six feet six inches in diameter, and is contained in a square frame. The outer circle is divided into 24 parts intended to represent the 24 hours of the day. The

numbers are in old English characters and mark hours from 12 noon to midnight, and thence to 12 midday. A large gilt star points to the hour. An Inner circle shows the mlnntes, and a smalt star moves around the circle .every hour. A third circle gives the age of the moon, and on a plate in this circle the phases of the moon are shown. There is also a smaller circle in which is a female figure, having around it the motto, “Sic peragrat Phoebe.” ' Above the dial plate is a paneled tower, around which knights on horseback revolve in opposite directions every hour on the striking of the clock, which revolution is meant to represent a tournament, a popular .amusement in the middle ages. A figure, called Jack Blandlvr, which to seated some distance from the clock, at a higher elevation, strikes with Its heels every quarter of an hour against bells—two strokes at the first quarter, .four strokes at the half hour, six at the third quarter, and eight strokes at the hour. It can also be made to strike with a hammer on a bell the number of the hour. Connected with the works of the clock, on the outside of the cathedral, two knights In armor strike with battle axes the quarters on bells. The works of the dock have been renewed; the original works are now in the patent office of the South Kensington museum fitted up and kept In motion.—Christian Science Monitor.

Clock Outside Welle Cathedral; Knights in Armor Striking the Hour.