The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-02-23

I
since one O'clock.
"What have you been doing at the thea
tre" said Sheridan.
"Why,"replied Tregent, "Harris is going
to make Bate Dudley present of gold
watch, and have taken him half dozen
that he may choose one for that purpose" !"
"Indced," said Sheridan.
They wished each other good day and
parted.
| Mr.. Sheridan proceeded 10 Mr.. IInrris's
room, and when he addressed him, it was
pretty evident that his want Of punctuality
had produced the effect which Mr.. Tre-
gent described.
swell Sir" said Mr.. Harris. NJ have
waited at least two hours for you again /;
| had almost given you up; and if"
"Stop, my dear Harris" said Sheridan,
interrupting him al assure you these
things occur more from my msfortunes than
my fhult; declare | thought it was but
one o'clock, for it so happens that | have
no watch, and to tell the truth, am too poor
to buy one but when the day comes that
can, you will see shall be as punctual as
( any other man."
"Wcll then" said the unsuspecting IIar-
rs, "if that be all you shall not long want
a watch, for lhere-(opening a drawer)-
are halfa dozen of Tregents best-choose
> any one you like, and do the the favour Of
accepting"
Sheridan affected the greatest surprise
at the appearance Of the Watches but did
as he was bid, and selected certainly not
the worst for the cddecu."
Cumberland hated Sheridan, and when
the School for Scandal came out, Cumber-
lands children prevailed upon their father
To take them to see it;-thcy had the stage
box-their father was seated behind tlam,
and, as the story was told by friend Of
Sheridan's who was close by, crery time
the children laughed at what was,going on
the stage, he punched them, and said, 'What
are you laughing at, my dear little folks?
you should not laugh, my angels; there is
nothing to laugh at:-keep still you little
ounces"
PHIrosorHr. II is said that az Sheridan
sat at the Piazza Coffee house during the fire
I'D. l.. Theatre, taking some refreshments, q
friend of his haviag remarked on tho phloso-
phic calmness with which he bore his misior-
tune, Sheridan answered, "A man may surely
be allowed to take n glass of wine By his o,cn
fire side.
| How TO TURN AN ARGUMENT TO Account
The disputatious hufnour Of Richardson was
once turned to account by Sheridan in n very
Characteristic manner. Having had hackney
coach in his employ for FIVE or slx hours, and
not being provided with the means of paying
it, he happened to espy Richardson in the
street, and proposed to take him in his coach
| some part of his way. Tho offer being accout-
ed, Sheridan lost no time in starting a subject
of conversation, on which he knew his com
panion was sure to become argumentativea and
animated. Having, by wcll-managed contra
dction, brought him to the proper pitch ofex-
ctement he affected togrow impatient and an
cry himself, and saying that he could not
think OF staying in the same coach with per
son that would use such language" pulled the
check string, and desired tho Coachman to
let him out. Richardson, wholly occupied
with the argument, and regarding tho retreat
of his opponent an acknowledg of dc.
feat, still pressed his point, and even hollow
ed, more last words through the coach win
dow after Sheridan, who, walking quietly
Home, left the poor disputant responsible for
the heavy fate Of tho coach
| life Of Sheridan.
-.-eAs..-
NEw-YoRX, Feb. Z.
The arrival in the Howard of the cele-
brated automaton chess player, was motto
cd in some of the daily papers. The fol
lowing account of what we presume to De
the same wonderful piece Of mechanism
will be acceptable to many of our readers.
The automaton chess player was con-
structed by NJ. de Kempeien, of Presburg,
in Hungary, in 1863. Ii was first brought
over to England in 1888, and has often been
exhibited since that period. The figure of
the chess player is as large as life, and is
dressed in Turkish dress, seated behind
a table. The chair on which 1t sits is fixed
to the table, and the whole is made to run
on four wheels. The figure leans its right
arm on the table, and in its left holds a
pipe with this hand it plays after the pipe
is removed. A chess board of lS inches is
fixed before it. The table, or rather chest,
contains wheels, levers, cylinders, and 9th
or pieces of mechanism, all of which are
publicly displayed. The yestments of the
figure are lifted over its head, and the bo-
dy is seen full of similar wheels. There is
little door in the thigh Of the figure,
which is also opened: and the whole thus
uncovered is wheeled about the room. The
doors are then shut, and the automaton is
ready to plav: but it always takes the first
move. At every motion the wheels arc
heard; the image moves its head, and looks
on every part of the chess board. When
it checks tho queen it shakes Its head twice,
, and thrice in giving check to the king. The
automa,on chess player also shakes its
head when false move Is made, replaces
8 the piece, and makes its own move, by
which means the adversary loses one. NJ
dc kcmpelcn exhibited his automaton at
st. Petersburg, Vienna, Paris and London
btore thousands, many of whom were ma.