Watches were first made at Nuremberg, Germany, in 1477, by Peter Hele, a clock-maker, and were accounted “a wonder of the world.” It required nearly a year’s labor to produce the first watch. It varied nearly an hour a day from the true time, and required winding twice a day. The price set upon it and its fellows by the inventor was equal to $1,500 in gold at the present day. It was egg-shaped and about the size of a goose egg, hence it was sometimes called the “Nuremberg animated egg.” The statement made by some, that Robert, king of Scotland, had a watch about the year 1310, is doubtless erroneous. The invention of spring watches has been ascribed to Dr. Hooke, and by some to Huygens, about 1658; the anchor escapement was invented by Clement, in 1680; the horizontal watch by Graham, in 1724; the repeating watch by Barlowe, in 1676; and Harrison produced his first timepiece in 1735.
377. What famous men of antiquity were killed by lice?
Lice appear to have been a great plague among the ancients, and many persons suffered from the disease now known as Morbus pediculosus, or Phthiriasis. Among the most famous persons who died of this “creeping sickness” were Acastas, the son of Pelias, Alcman the poet, Pherecydes the theologian, Callisthenes the Olynthian, Mucius the lawyer, Eunus the fugitive, who stirred up the slaves of Sicily to rebel against their masters, and Lucius Cornelius Sulla, dictator of Rome, although the immediate cause of the latter’s death was the bursting of a blood-vessel. Plutarch thus describes, in substance, the case of Sulla. In consequence of his excesses, his corrupted flesh at length broke out into lice. Many were employed day and night in destroying them, but the work so multiplied under their hands, that not only his clothes, baths, basins, but his very flesh was polluted with that flux and contagion, they came swarming out in such numbers. He went frequently by day into the bath to scour and cleanse his body, but all in vain; the evil generated too rapidly and too abundantly for any ablutions to overcome it.
378. Who was the “American Fabius”?
This sobriquet is often given to George Washington, whose military policy resembled that of the Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus, who conducted operations against Hannibal by declining to risk a battle in the open field, harassing him by marches, counter-marches, and ambuscades.
379. Who were the “Seven against Thebes”?
They were the seven leaders of an expedition designed to place Polynices on the throne of Thebes, from which he had been driven by his brother Eteocles. Their names were Adrastus, Amphiaraus, Capaneus, Hippomedon (Argives), Parthenopæus (an Arcadian), Polynices (a Theban), and Tydeus (an Æolian). The expedition was a failure, as the chiefs were arrogant and boastful, and despised signs sent by the gods. Adrastus, who escaped by the swiftness of his horse Areion, the gift of Hercules, was the only one saved. Ten years afterward, a second expedition, conducted by their more pious sons, the Epigoni, who acted in obedience to the will of heaven, was crowned with success.
380. Who was the “Sage of Monticello”?
Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), third President of the United States, was often so called from the name of his country seat in Virginia, and in allusion to his wise statesmanship and great political sagacity.
381. What was the origin of the term “Johnnies,” as applied to the Confederate soldiers during the late Rebellion?