218 ON CHINESE HOROLOGY, ETC. 



1,000 per annum ; and probably 503 more would more than cover the 

 ■whole annual manufacture of the empire. A few watches are made, 

 with the exception of the chain and spring, which are imported. The oil 

 used by Chinese workmen to abate friction appears to be particularly 

 adapted for that purpose, though expensive ; it is obtained from the 

 flowers of the Olea fragrans. 



Before describing the kind of clock which seems adapted for this 

 mark et, a brief glance at the history of the horological art in China may 

 not be inappropriate. It had its rise, as in the western side of Asia, in 

 the clepsydra. 



Assuming — what is in the highest degree probable— the authenticity 

 and accuracy of the Shuking, we find that, forty-rive centuries* ago, the 

 Chinese had occupied themselves with the construction of astronomical 

 instruments somewhat similar to the quadrant and armillary sphere, and 

 the observations they made with them, even at that remote period, are 

 remarkable for their accuracy, enabling them to form a useful calendar. 

 The present cycle of sixty was adopted at that time, by Hwangti, 

 (2697-2597 B. C.) To this emperor is attributed the invention of the 

 clepsydra. The instrument at that period w;:s probably very rude, and 

 not used as a time-piece, but for astronomical purposes, in the same 

 manner as employed by Tycho Brahe, for measuring the motion of stars, 

 and subsequently by Dudber in making maritime observations. It 

 was committed to the care of an officer of rank styled clepsydra ad- 

 justor. 



The greatest philosopher in Chinese history anterior to Confucius 

 was Duke Chau, the alleged inventor of the compass. He appears, also, 

 to have been the first to employ the clepsydra as a time- piece. He divided 

 the floating index into one hundred equal parts, or " kih." In winter, 

 forty kih were allotted to the day. and sixty to the night, and in summer 

 this was reversed. Spring and autumn were equally divided. This 

 instrument was provided with forty-eight indices, two for each of the 

 twenty-four terms of the year. They w r ere consequently changed semi- 

 monthly — one index being employed for the day and another for the 

 night. Two were employed every day, probably, to remedy in a measure 

 the obvious defects of all clepsydras — of varying in the speed of their 

 rise or fall, according to the ever-varying quantity of water in the 

 vessel, which might be done by having the indices differently divided. 

 To keep the water from freezing in winter, the instrument was con- 



* Although doubts may exist respecting the absolute accuracy of Chinese 

 chronology, it must, nevertheless, be admitted that it is so far correct as to 

 reader arguments founded on the commonly-received chronology altogether 

 untenable ; and it is matter of regret, therefore, that the latter has been follow ed, 

 in their Chinese publications, by all Romish and Protestant missionaries. I can- 

 not too earnestly urge the adoption of Hale's Chronology, and that speedily, lest, 

 in the mean time, some Cbinese Celsus or Porphyry should arise, and bring ob- 

 jections against our faith not easily answered to the satisfaction of their country- 

 men. 



