[Illustration: _Watch Maker_]
"The invention of clocks," said Mr. Durnford, "is to be ascribed to
the Saracens, to whom we are indebted for most of our mathematical
sciences. Hubert, Prince of Carrara, caused the first clock that
ever was _publicly_ erected to be put up at Padua, as they had hitherto
been shut up in Monasteries. Towards the end of the fifteenth century,
clocks began to be in use among private persons. Watches were used in
London, in the reign of Henry the Eighth. Dante, the celebrated Italian
poet, was the first Author who mentions a clock that struck the hour.
But the use of clocks was not confined to Italy at this period; for we
had an artist in England, who furnished the famous clock house, near
Westminster Hall, with a clock to be heard by the courts of law, in
1288. Before this invention was generally known, sun dials and hour
glasses were used. The Elector of Saxony had a clock set in the pummel
of his saddle, and the Emperor Charles the Fifth, had a watch set as
a jewel, in a ring. Nothing can equal the perfection to which this
species of mechanism is now carried. I have half a mind, Theodore, to
treat you to a watch, for you have deserved one by your attention to
your studies, and our poor watch-maker looks so woe begone, that I fear
he has not sold one to-day. Examine this plain gold hunting watch, and
tell me if you like it."
Theodore was in raptures with it, as he had long sighed to possess a
watch. "Tell me in what country the gold which composes the case of
this watch is to be found," said his father.
"The Mines of Chili and Peru, in America, are the richest, papa,"
replied Theodore, "but very fine gold is found in some parts of the
East Indies. Gold dust is found on the coast of Guinea, in Africa, and
hence the name of our largest gold coin. Silver Mines are in all parts
of the world, but those of Potosi in Peru, and some others in America,
are the most productive. All the precious stones, which so frequently
enrich the backs and fronts of our watches, come also from America, and
Cornelian stones, of which seals are made."
Mr. Durnford, highly delighted with his son, now made him a present of
a gold watch and seals, one of which he ordered to be engraved with
his name. They next proceeded to the