CHAPTER IX 



THE SUNDIAL IN" THE GARDEN 



The life story of tlie sundial reads like a fas- 

 cinating page from some old romance of an early 

 century. The first record of its use was in the 

 eighth century before Christ, when it was employed 

 by the Babylonians for the purpose of marking 

 time. Later on, it came into use in England, at- 

 tached to public buildings. One of the most inter- 

 esting was shown late in the sixteenth century on 

 the Belton House, Lincolnshire, England. It was 

 a representation of old Father Time and Cupid 

 cutting stone. 



A passing fad at one time was diminutive sun- 

 dials, so small that they folded and could be used 

 much as watches are to-day. They soon became 

 very popular and attracted the attention of roy- 

 alty, when Charles I was seated on the throne. His 

 collection was the largest in existence and repre- 

 sented all sorts of odd shapes and forms. The 



Stuarts were all interested in sundials, and Charles 



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