awaken from its long sleep and become
alert. Printing was invented and the Bible, along with other books,
gradually reached the hands of the common people. In the meantime,
Columbus had made his voyage to America and returned with tales of new
lands, stimulating in others a spirit of adventure. The recently evolved
compass, as well as the fact that larger and more staunch ships were
now to be had, lured persons previously shy of the sea to voyages of
discovery. On every hand new ideas were coming to light. In the clock
world somebody began making screws to replace the primitive little pins
and rivets hitherto employed to fasten wheels and dials in place; glass
came into more general use, and by 1600 crystals began to be quite
generally in evidence; and the appearance of the minute hand gave
evidence that the universe was a busier place and short intervals of
time becoming of greater worth. But although the sale of clocks
increased, watches were not yet in general use. They were too much of a
luxury. People therefore consulted their clocks (if they were lucky
enough to have them); hied them to the village square if not; or
depended upon their sundials of which there were still many in use.
Watchmen also went about the streets crying the hours.

"The rich, to be sure, purchased watches, but they bought them more for
ornaments than for use. Those who could afford it frequently owned
several, wearing them around their necks on chains or ribbons, and
displaying a different one to suit either their costume or their fancy."

"But weren't those old egg-shaped watches heavy and ugly?" asked
Christopher.

"Oh, by this time watches had got far beyond that original design and
had now become monuments to the goldsmith's art, being small and
fashioned in every imaginable design. I regret to say that a great
portion of the labor went into the cases, which were beautifully made
by hand. There were flowers with watches concealed in their centers;
baskets of tiny fruits, hearts, animals, death's-heads--every form that
was novel or original. Some cases had on their covers miniatures set in
jewels; and there were cases of leather studded with decorations in nail
heads. In every instance it was the outside of the watch that interested
both purchaser and goldsmith--not the inside. Can you wonder, therefore,
that the watch deteriorated into being a mere toy and ornament?"

"How could people be so ridiculous!" exclaimed Christopher with sc