WHAT THE SUN-DIAL SAID.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue V, 3 August 1895, Page 151

WHAT THE SUN-DIAL SAID.

The ancient sun-dial, which is seldom seen now, except in old-fashioned gardens abroad, told the time by means of a style, or pin, that cast a shadow on a certain spot; but even this important part of its anatomy was not more indispensable to its proper completion than the motto cut beneath it. This motto must be appropriate, and one to set people thinking, and few answered these requirements so fully as the well known Tempus fugit. Variety, however, is desirable even in such matters, and whenever a new dial was erected the great point was a suitable motto.

An old building in London, known as the Middle Temple, and occupied by the Honorable Society of Benchers, or lawyers, was to have a fine sun dial made for it that should be • worthy the society and the place,’ and everything went well until it came to the motto, which seemed quite as necessary as the tail of a kite.

The maker of the timepiece was requested to wait upon the Honorable Benchers, whose gift it was, at a certain time to learn their wishes on this important subject. But when the day came the manufacturer was unable to go, and sent his foreman instead. This worthy mechanic was a plain matter-of fact person, and when he reached the Temple on so important an errand it was rather bewildering to find that the Benchers, with one exception, had disappeared, having forgotten both the appointment and the motto.

The learned member who remained was in a bad humour, for some recent provocation, and his reception of the messenger was not encouraging. The foreman’s wits were leaving him, and all he could say was that bis master bad sent him for the motto.

The member’s eyes looked dangerous at such frivolity, and he denied all knowledge of any motto.

The embarrassed foreman ventured to add that it was the motto for the sun-dial, which their Honors had promised to have ready. * I told you,’ replied the “ Honor” then present, in a still greater rage, • that I know nothing about any motto, or sun-dial either. I cannot be delayed by you any longer. Begone about your business. The foreman returned to his master in a very unhappy state of mind. No, be hadn’t seen any Benchers, except a very queer gentleman, who was in a great burry to get away, and told him to begone about his business. * Did he really sav that ? ’ asked the sun-dial maker. * Begone about your business Why, it’s capital I No one need want a better motto than that.'

The foreman could not help wondering if his master bad lost his wits, but he appeared sane enough on other points. The motto, * Bigone About Your Business,’ was actually cut on the handsome new sun dial, and every passer by stopped to admire one and read the other. The advice was excellent, suggesting, as it did, that * there is a time for everything under the sun,’ and that to fit each duty into its allotted space it is necessary to begone about one's business when the particular moment for it comes.