FALCONER & CO., CONTINUATION.
Mr. George Falconer, who added a jewellery department to the firm, took an active interest in local affairs and was one of the Commission of Inquiry appointed in December 1871, to investigate the local Police system. He died in London on August 5, 1875.
That his firm was decidedly enterprising is shown by the fact that they imported a unique and wonderful clock in 1872, which must have caused something of a sensation in Hongkong. I take the following extract from a contemporary record dated August 8, 1872:
"Messrs. G. Falconer & Co., have just imported a remarkable mechanical clock, which is now to be seen at their establishment in Queen's Road. It is, we understand, the only one of the kind ever manufactured and cost the maker about $4,000 and upwards of 20 years labour to bring it to perfection. The clock, which is of exquisite workmanship, represents the peristyle of a temple in the form of the famed Maison Carree at Nimes. The pediment is supported by two Doric columns surmounted by an enamelled globe, on the poles of which revolve in opposite directions circles studded with stones.
"On this globe is perched a humming-bird whose plumage is of the richest colours; the wings, tail and beak are in motion, while it sends forth its melodious strains, imitating the natural song of the nightingale, lark and canary.
"The movement of the clock is in the interior of the pediment. It strikes the hours and quarters with a rich tone. The hours and minutes are indicated by means of two small apertures over a representation of the sun, the rays of which, in red enamel, are thrown forward by an expanding circular movement, while those of the interior rise and fall, giving play to the stones with which they are studded. In its centre is a double circle set with stones revolving eccentrically. On each side of the sun is a star of brilliant colours changing each minute alternately from red to green and from blue to violet.
"At the base of each column is also an enamelled star, the centre of which is set with a brilliant stone, and each star revolves eccentrically, giving a peculiar and brilliant effect. Under the pediment, and between the columns, are the gates of the temple, which open, discharging a Chinese juggler, sitting at a table in his sanctum, which is decorated with mirrors. His head, eyes, and lips move; he becomes animated as the music enlivens, and particularly so when the music has ceased and the humming-bird ceases. Another little bird, perched on a golden basket of flowers in the centre of the table, announces by its warbling that its master is about to commence his magical work.
"The magician then raises alternately two golden goblets, upon which appear and disappear successively balls and fruits of various colours, and in the interim, the little bird disappears twice from the centre of the basket, reappears under one of the golden goblets, and then returns to its former place. This little bird chirps and moves its beak, wings, and tail on each occasion of its appearance under the goblet. These performances take place regularly five minutes before every hour, and each operation can be performed singly and at pleasure, or the whole simultaneously.
"This extraordinary piece of mechanism contains many thousand pieces, all of the most exquisite finish, the finer...