The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1837-02-08
Tns AurenAros CHsss PLAYEn--TuE MvsTE.y

flrst cxnibtted al PreSburgh by Baron henPeiosA IA
ITO. The mystery remained a long time ihPehe-
trable Master of its secret the auomaton visited he
capitals Of Germany and France; every where was
received with extreme curiosity, and often excited
transpovs of surprise and admiration. ArrtWng IN
Paris in 1885 his star became dim before the celebrated
PLAYERS of the Regent Coffee House. But one can
without shame acknowledge themselves conquered by
the Phidors and the Legas, and yet have briiaint
career 10 rum On IT'S return 10 Berlin, the automaon
challenged all the Lords Of the court Of the great
Frederic and was admitted 10 the honor OF play
ing with this prince, great amateur OF chess. In
moment Of enthusiasm, Frederic at great expense,
became master OF the machine and it's secret; a mi
mute account developed to him all mysteries OF TINS
Innocent magic. From that Tune the deusou van,
ished the automaton dethroned, disdaned, covered
with DUST was exied to an obscure apartment OF the
palace where il remained nearly thirty years hidden
and forgotten 1t owes its resurrection, IN part to
the presence of Napoleon at Berlin 1t was taken
from its obscurity, recovered It's former spendor ana
proud of having triumphed over the conaueror, of
Austertz, il again commenced IT'S travels. London
ard Paris received IT with renewed pleasure. We will
pass rapidly over some years OF the adventurous life
.of eur hero. Accompanied by exhibitor, educated
in the school of3hr. Kempeen and always wonder
fully aided by his directing power without which, 1t
could not move step, the automaton sought eagerly
every occasion to distinguish tsef and never Quilted
the battle field without being able to say with Cesar
Veni, vidi, vici AT length, preceded by an unprece-
,dented reputation it arrived at te court of Bavaria
There the astoasshment and enthusiasm winch Its
play never failed TO excite were renewed 90 great
not resist the temptation Of becoming possessor Of
tins chef dGuvre, and to be initiated in the occult
science which performed SO many wonders. This
wish was gra6ed and the pricesof his initiation was
fixed at 10000 francs. The time at hand
when the veil 20 be raised when he was 70 knew
this invisible geniue, this superior intelligence which
ruled the chessboard He was cft alone with the ex-
hibitor, who, for the whole explanation opened both
doors of the machine at once; the wheels had dsap-
peafed; man, a true chess player occupied their
place. He was seaiedupon low cricket with rollers
andseemed very i'll st ease. We nGn Judge what, at
this sight was the observation-disclosures of the new spur
chaser. The solution Of the principal problem was
reduoed to mere uggers trick. these levers, these
cog wheels, this cylinder were but thin paper cuttings,
placed on partitions ard removed at will.
Whilst the examns ton of tire interior mechanism
took place the doors only opened after anot,
err theplayer concealed in the back of the auto
maton, his limbs folded under him. sometimes lean
ing to tie opposite side with his head down and hr
hands before him he fhus by turns hid himself
the doors opened alternately One two repetlions
were sufficient to habituee him to this exercise and
10 teach him first the crank forsdrecting the
of the antomaton, then to put in motion the clas
tic spring (which was to move the fingers and last
to pull the cord that the automaton might give utter
to the,word check. The player is lighted in his
box by tafer and has before him shesc board on
which all the squares numbered; anotler chess.
board likewise numbered, is placed in the ceiling
above his head, and forms the reverse Of shat upon
which the automaton plays. The pieces strongly
magnetised n their base, by their attraction open
little traps adapted TO each square of this back
board. The player attentive TO the and fall of
these traps knows precisely the move played by his
adversary; he immediately repef Is this upon
his own chess board; plays his own move and eaus-
il afterwards 10 be done by the lutomaton. The
ingenious means iHvented to establish connection
between the exteaor and interior Of the machine
alone, fixed the attention oil the priEcc perhaps he
found he had paid too dear for the secret He said
nothing and even amused himself while in the pre-
seDce Of some intimate friends in playing the part Of
exhibitor. But that he might ENJOY his knowledge for
~ lf..l
or should be employed which would have soon open
ed all eyes and given key to the enigma The prince
found himself reduced to this alternative; either to
employ this skilfu player or again to condemn the
automaloh to obscurity. He uncertain what
part to take when Mr.. Mel, that skilful meclan-
st who separated himself with regret from his below
ed pupil asked the favor to continue the exhibition of
its brilliant talents engaging to pay the interest OF the
sum dsburscd. The proposition was accepted; and
Mr.. Me- left Bavarn and exhibited the automa-
ion with great success. He received in France
and England like an old acquaintance of whom we
JUS, retain recollecton II seemed to have renewed
fts youth although the reign Of had passed
away, il still possessed the power TO lascna,e the eye
lin more simple language il always astonished by
the ingenuity Gifts machinery, and the skill ofis
ceaed player To one or two celebrated players was
confided the internal direction Of the automaton Mr..
BIT in Paris, and Mr. L-w-s in London, made il
triumph without difficulty all who presented
themselves for combat; when Mr.. Me- formed the |
plan of working the curiosity of several cities in
I'm
had never been. To accomplish that design, it was
necessary to have the assistance Of travelling COM
panien who had superior knowledge Of chess. he !,
proposed this plan to Mr. NJ. very amable and live
iy man who consented TO accompany him. and be- |
came his associate in the benefits Of the enterprise
The most complete success sgnallscd the course of
our travellers. Wherever they pitched their tents |
spectators gathered in crowds 10 witness the combat
The automaton, like a chevalier in tournament Of
fered to his antagonist the advantages Of arms and
ground that is Ia say, in the language Of chess, the
pawn and first move, notwithstanding which he was
always successful.
The speculation was profitable; perfect harmony
existed between the associates whose accounts were
regularly settled with scrupulous exacness. After
a while however Mr.. Me- owed the player
large sum, of which under different preexts, he de-
layed the payment from week TO week. and month
10 month. A year thus passed away, and Mr.. Ne
Il refused TO settle the account when MI found an
nfallbe means TO decide IT, The automaton was
then in Amsterdam the King of Holland had early
in the morning engaged fou tn part Of the hail. and
maid for il sum in forms equivalent TO 5000 francs
Mr. Me- ran to announce this news 10 his asso-
ciate They breakfasied gaily together; Mr. Ne
i FASTENED 10 make the necessary preparations to
receive the King; the assembly were TO meet Mt half
past twelve; twelve struck and the player who should
have been in the machine is not yet at his post Mr..
Me-, out OF patience went to inquire the cause of
this delay. What is his astonshment TO find AIR.
Mt in bod and trembling as with an ague it What
do see What is the matter | have fever What