As I entered the cloakroom of the British museum, I couldn’t help but be reminded of our reading by CLR James titled Letters from London. In his exploration and critique of the city, James evaluates a clock in Wells Cathedral. The clock’s history dates back to the end of the fourteenth century. Still ticking away, James notes it (the clock) has a “Rather dull existence tick-ticking away,” (page 7). However, James turns the perspective of existence inward and states, “But I couldn’t help remembering with envy that in a few years I would probably be gone, while the old beast would probably be there in a thousand years, tick-ticking away, living his narrow but peaceable life,” (page 7).

James shifts his observation of a clock to an observation loaded with existentialism. One of my favorite clocks in the clock room exhibit sat in the back corner of the room. It is an astronomical table clock from 1778, and it features a blue dial that displays the orbit of the seven known planets (at the time) fixed around the sun. Not only did this clock remind its viewer about the passing of time (as all clocks do), it also provides a reminder of the placement of our planet within our grander solar system. At one point, it was assumed the Earth sat at the center of the universe. Many people’s faiths were shaken at the discovery that our planet did not lie in the center. These thoughts spurred by this clock as I admired it reminded me of James’ description. 

This existentialism reminded me of the modernist movement, and how Freud inspired many within Bloomsbury to look inward (and carry this through within their work). This piece of text and the 1778 clock allowed me to reflect on my existence and how to make it fulfilling.