Brownies in the Clock Tower

This drawing depicts little sprites invented by the Canadian-born artist Palmer Cox, creatures he called "The Brownies." His illustrated stories appeared in magazines and books from the late 19th century, with a series of books devoted to the Brownies published from 1887 into the 20th century. Their harmless pranks and helpful deeds were conceived to delight children. Here, they come out at night to clean a cathedral tower and paint its clockfaces. Roofs seen below at right emphasize the tower's height.

The image was published in "Another Brownie Book" (New York: The Century Co., 1898) (MMA 1972.696.2) as an illustration to "The Brownies' Flag-Pole," on page 126. It comes near the story's end, after the flag pole has been erected, to emphasize the Brownies' industriousness:

"For Brownie's seldon idle stand, when there is fun or work on hand. At night when darkness wraps us round, they come from secret haunts profound, with brushes, pots of paint, and all, they clamber over fence and wall; and soon on objects here and there, that hold positions high in air, and most attract the human eye, the marks of Brownie fingers lie. Sometimes with feet that never tire, they climb the tall cathedral spire; when all the town is still below, save watchmen pacing to and fro, by light of moon, and stars alone, they dust the marble and the stone, and with their brushes, small and great, they paint and gild the dial-plate; and bring the figures plain in sight, that all may note Time's rapid flight."