Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-12-31
From the Philadelphia North American.
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JHE AtlQAlA icN tHEoo 1LAi1n.
The principal factsn the following brief
sketch of the history of the Automaton
Chess Player are translated from French
Journal. AS history of the remarkable
success Of this celebrated invention. II will
be read with interest at the present time,
the Auiomaion having just arisen from
a sort Of Rip Van Wrinkle sleep, 10 greet
his old friends again.
II is the invention OF the Baron kempe.
lin, and has attracted more attention than
the most brilliant phenomenon that ever
appeared in the learned world. Its first
appearance in public was in ITO, when
ii challenged the bes, players to combat,
and was always sure to come oil victori-
Gus. The wonders of the Automaton
we're related with great delight by the
foreign journals; second Prometheus
had stolen the fire from heaYca TO animate
his work.
Chess pla, Jog seemed 10 have been un.
derstood to perfection by the inventor, so
admirably did the movements of the Auto.
maton correspond with those OF his adver-
sary.
Public curiosity was so much excited
tina, the reception room of Baron kempe-
lin was continually thronged with visitors.
The .Automaton was dressed in nearly the
same style then in which il is now seen,
with its chess board, &C., on the cablne,
before it. The cabinet, the machinery IN
side, the winding up with key, the man
ner Of exhibiting, the movement OF the
head and eyes Of the Automaton, and the
prohouncing a check, are oil too well
known 10 need description in this no.
| tice of IT.
| Five wears after the Automaton was
publicly known, the secret had not been
obtained. AT this time il visited the cap:
itaIs OF Germany and France, and was ev-
ery where received wish extreme curiosi-
ty. Arriving il Paris 10 l775, the star
of it's glory became dim before the celes
brated players Of the Regent Coffee
House. Ii vet had brilliant career to
run. On returning 10 Berlin, the Auto.
maton challenged all the lords Of the
Court of Frederick the Great, and was
even admitted 10 the honor ofplaying with
the prince, q great amateur OF chess. In
moment Of enthusiasm Frederick, at
great expense, purchased the machine and
its secret. A minute account led him IN
10 all the mysteries Of this innocent ma
pc. From that time the oeluson vanish.
ed the Automnton dethroned, dlsarmed,
and covered with dust, was exlled to an
obscure apartment Of the palace, where
il remained nearly thirty years hidden
and forgotten.
1t owes its resurrection 20 the presence
Of Napoleon at Berlin. 1t was taken from
ITS obscurity, and recovered its former
splendor by its proud triumph over the
conqueror oil Austerlitz, and again com.
menced its travels. 1t was received IN
London and Paris with renewed pleasure.
After much travel, and seeing opporiuni.
ties to distinguish itself, with an unprece.
dented reputation, il arrived at Bavaria.
There its play never failed TO excite aston
ishment and enthusiasm; and so great was
the impression it made, that prince Eu.
gene could not resist the temp!aiion OF be-
coming the possessor Of the chef d'Duvre,
and to be initiated into its mysteries.
For this he had paid thirty thousand francs
Like the great Frederick, when in the
possession Of the secret, he found himself
disappointed in every thing, except the IN
genious means invented to escape con-
nexion between the real player and the
machine.
lie found he had paid dear for the sc.
cret, but said nothing, and even amused
himselfin the presence of some Intimate
friends in playing the part OF exhibitor.
To enjoy his knowledge long, was ne
cessary to employ a skillul player. This
would soon open the eyes OF all, and give
key to the enigma and the prince found
himself reduced to the alternative, either
of employing sklful player or again
consiguing the automaton to obscurlty.
When in this situation, Maelzel asked the
favor 10 continue the exhibition OF It's
brilliant talents, engaging to pay the IN
terest Of the SUN disbursed. This propo-
stion gas accepted; and Mr.. Maelzel left
Bavaria, and exhibited the antomation
with great success. He travelled through
France and England, and the automaton
was every where received as an old ac-
qualntance.
To one or Two celebrated players, che
internal direction of the auiomaton was
confined. They made it triumph, with
out difficulty, over all who presented
themselves for combat.
Mr.. Maelzel now formed the plan of
working on the curiosity Of the several
cities Of England, Scotland, and Holland,
where the automaton had never BEEN
For the success Of this enterprise, il was
necessary 10 have travelling companion.
who had superior knowledge OF chess.
He proposed this to Mr.. NJ, who consent
cd 10 accompany HIM aud share IN the
J hnnefis. They travelled with the most