A Wonderful Timepiece

A wond erf ui clock is now on exhibition in Merrill Hall, in Detroit, which itfcracts ïnuch attention. It is the work of Mr. Felix Meier, of Detroit, ui ingenious mecharric, who has spent the last 10 yeais in pert'ecting what is ustly regarcled as a masterpiece of injenuity. It is called the national and tstronomical clock, and, in its taste:ully carved walnut case, stands 18 feet ïigh, and is seven or eight feet wide at ;he base. The dial is a large circle surrounded by an immense belt, on which are carved the signs of the Zodiac. Inside the circle is a blue back ground, representing the canopy of the heavens studded with stars. In the center is the sun, a large golden ball, around which the planets revolve. The planets are arranged in accordance with astronomical calculations as to size and distance from the sun, the earth and its moon being set to one side and enlarged in order to show the action of the solar system to better advantage. The planets are suspended opon silver rods which project from the sun, around which they revolve. Upon the brass belt are marked the days of the month, and above these are shown the month and the day of week. Extending from the sun are four rods which mark the seasons - spring, summer, autuirm and winter - and the earth bears its relativo position to these points as well as to the sun. Surrounding the large dial are thirteen small dials, which give the correct time at San Francisco, Washington, New York, London, Taris, Berlin, Vienna, Constantinople, St. Petersburg, Pekin, Melbourne and Cairo. At the top of the case, under a canQEÏ surmounted.„..wit,li,i iAli'-tcy.fr.rA m au arm chair. On either side. of Washington are two closed doors guarded by colored servants. As the music begins the servant on the left opens bis door and out walk the Presidents of the United States from Washington down to Hay es. As the line draws up in front of his chair, Washington arises and waves aloft the Declaration of Independence ; the Presi dents salute him and pass on across the platform wherethe other servant opens his door and tliey pass out of sight This interesting scène is repeated every hour. The pendulum, which swings below the dial, is inclosed in a píate glass case and is of gilt, bearing the emblems and motto of the Unitec States, together with the name of the inventor and builder of the clock Felix Meier. The ornaments are too elabórate to be enumerated and the architecture is something ad mirable. Supporting the dial are hand somely carved statuettes of William Gullen Bryant and Prof. Morse, anc the whole case is surmounted with a bronze figure of Columbia. On niches at the four corners of the clock are four human figures representing infancy, youth, manhood and age. Each af these figures has a bel in one hand and a hammer in the other. The niches are supported by angels with flaring torches, and over the center is the figure of Father Time. At the quarter hour the figure of the infant strikes its tiny bell; at the half hour the figure of the youth strikes its bellof louder tone; at the third quarter the man strikes his bell, at the full hour the gray beard. Then the figure of Time steps out and tolls the hour. Mr. Meier is a Bavarian by birth, is about 34 years of age and has lived in this country 13 years. He is a stonecutter by trade and was employed for a number of years in the stone yard of David Knapp. To furnish him time and means to complete this clock a joint stock company was tormed called the American national and astronomical clock company, with a capital stock of $50,000, and this company now owns the cloek, upon which it has expended in actual cash some $7,000.