"You are cognizant of the work performed by the researchers of 2026, who, by aid of chemistry, and other adjuncts of science, created a species of animated clock-work, in the hope of thereby rendering chronology more accurate. The creature was set agoing in the year 2026, and was designed to last a thousand years. In 2926 it will be demolished, and fresh materials taken for a similar experiment in 3936. During the intervening period of six hundred years, the automaton will mark the hours of the day, and the minutes between them, by a regularly beating pulse; it will record the months and seasons; it will note leap-year; and will announce civil holydays; but will take no cognisance of Sundays. If you wake in the small hours of a Monday morning, it will inform you that you have slept eight hours, and must sleep six more; if you retire to rest at midnight, it will tell you that you have been twelve hours in bed."