MDMD[5] p. 155 (Clocks amd Time)

[calbert at pop.tiac.net]

David Braden elucidates:
>         Chapter 7 begins the history of "The Missionary Clock."  It
> describes the influence of Jesuits within the Ming Dynasty:  
>         "Ricci and Jesuit missionaries who came after him used their
> knowledge of astronomy and the calendrical sciences to secure influences
> within the Chinese government."  (p. 61)
> He describes the Imperial court's fascination with the mechanical clocks.
> Not so much as timekeepers, but as mechanical toys. The section goes on to
> speculate why the clock became a centerpiece for European civilization and
> only a curious novelty for the Chinese civilization.
  
Just a few minor details for the sake of context:
1) The ming dynasty was done by 1642 or 4, I can't recall exactly. 
 Ricci arrived in 1601.
2) According to Spence, Ricci gained influence for two 
reasons. He had an astonishing mnemonic capacity, and used it both to 
amuse his hosts with tricks (allegedly could repeat one hundred 
numbers... backwards)and to astound them by learning their language 
in short order. Also, by the time Ricci arrived, the dominant sect 
(again my memory fails me) was beginning to fall into local disfavor 
as a consequence of the proclivity of their monks to engage in acts 
of pederasty with the indigenous children.
love,
mom o' h.