Performance of Some Timekeepers. 171 



really watches, and will go in any position, whereas a clock 

 requires to be kept at a certain definite angle with the 

 horizon, and although marine chronometers are intended to 

 be kept in one position, yet they will go in any, and they 

 are only a superior class of watches. In using the term 

 watch, however, without any qualification, we usually 

 mean one of from about an inch to two inches diameter, so 

 that it can be conveniently worn in the waistcoat pocket. 



In ordinary talk, watches are usually named from their 

 outward cases, as a gold watch, a silver watch, an open face, 

 or a hunter ; it is needless to observe that this classification 

 is totally useless as a guide to the quality of the mechanism. 

 Occasionally they are called after their nationality, English, 

 American, or Swiss watches ; in this case we can generally 

 form an idea as to their internal arrangements, though the 

 lines of demarcation are now much more faint than formerly. 

 The typical English watch has a full-plate movement, 

 covered with a cap, the whole of which opens out from the 

 case on a hinge, and the hands are set from the front ; its 

 most distinguishing feature, however, is the fusee with its 

 chain to equalise the motion of the mainspring, which is 

 retained in watches of even the lowest class. English 

 watches were formerly noted for their durability and time- 

 keeping qualities. In this latter quality, however, they are 

 now greatly excelled by the American (and when I say 

 American, I mean Waltham, for I have had little experience 

 of their other makes) and by the better class, yet moderately 

 priced, Swiss watches. Still, the highest class English 

 watch, which is also a very expensive article, is a perfect 

 triumph of skilled work, and is unrivalled as a timekeeper. 

 At the same time, the other extreme is reached by the low- 

 priced English productions, which are a disgrace to the science 

 of horology. The Waltham watch has usually a three- 

 quarter plate, a going barrel without stopwork, so that the 

 mainspring can act throughout its whole length ; the case 

 opens, and the hands are set at the back, and it has a real 

 compensation balance in lower grades than is usually found 

 in English and Swiss watches. No other escapement is used, 

 I believe, than the lever with open jewels for pallets. The 

 pivots are larger than in most other watches. It is, on the 

 whole, a most substantial piece of work, and is a first- class 

 timekeeper. In this respect, indeed, I think the lower 

 grades of Walthams are unapproachable. I have found them 

 keeping better time than English watches costing five times- 



