The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1843-11-11

finally made up his mind In favor OF the church,
and actually went down to Wales TO observe
how his friend lived, SO as to Judge how he
would like the kind of life himself A dozen
games at chess, however, decided him against
the learned or the military professions from
that time he became simply chess-player. His
habits and motions are governed by his favonte
game: were he knight or bishop, he could
not more completely belong to it: for whatever
NAV be the point of discussion in any company,
the name of Mason, incidentally mentioned, is
certain to change the subject to chess playing
| Whenever he visits, not the friend himself, but
his chess apparatus is the attraction: whenever
he travels, chess is the cause OF his journey. In
London he is well known at every coffee-house
where the game is respectfully played from his
frequent patronage and presence. He visits
them in regular rotation every season and when
he has used them quite up commences his an
nual provincial tour. After Oxford and Cam
bridge, he proceeds to the north; and so great
is his skill, that his journey may be said TO be
one triumph till he gets to Edinburgh. There
he is but too delighted to find his match-an ad
vocate, belonging to the chess club OF the mo-
den Athens, being strong enough to give hum
first move. From Edinburgh Mason starts for
Paris, to make tour of the chess-playing cafes
He then returns to open the London campaign,
and thus has he passed year after year during
the last quarter of a century. Ii you drop In at
any of the cigar-divans, literary institutions, or
coiIee-houses, during the London season, you
will, provided you select the right evenings,
meet MIR. Mason. He has his nights also for The
various literary and mechanics institutions, OF
all of which he has been elected an honorary
member from his eminence in the chess world,
of which their subscribers form no considerable
proportion. On Mondays you will see him at
the Grand Divan in the Strand. AT his entrance
many of the games in progress will be stopped,
and he will most likely be pointed out to the
country cousins present as the "lion" OF the
room. Should he condescend to play, many
table will be deserted by ambitious imitators
of his style. His favorite rendezvous is Kilpack's
in Covent Garden, famed amongst artists, actors,
and authors, as the cosiet of chess rooms
Call there on Wednesday evening, and
you will see at the end of the room a group
Of lookers-on, shrouded in ANXIOUS silence, while
| standing round a chess-table. In the midst
i of them you will see our friend Mason seat
ed opposite to his favorite antagonist gen.
tleman whose grave department receives addi-
tional solemnity from pair OF silver spectacles.
On Mason's countenance sits the calmness OF an
assured victor, whilst his opponent occasionally
breaks out into state OF perspiring perplexlty.
So complete is the absorption of the players, that
nothing short of an earthquake would be likely
\ to disturb them. Indeed, Mason once withstood
test which would with other men be hardly less
effective. One night his lawyer-who always
knew where to find him-hastened into the divan
to acquaint him with some good news, The
specialized antagonist had fortified his king SO
strongly, that our friend could by no stratagem
weaken its position but at the moment Of the
attorneys entrance, chance of surprising the
enemy's camp by grand coup-de-main offered
itself The lawyer rushed into the midst Of the
group at this tickilish point, saying, "Mr. Ma
son, have news from India !" !" Indeed" he
answered, moving his bishop. "Yes, sir. Your
uncle, the major, is no more" "Ha, ha! he
exclaimed to his opponent, shutting out each
faculty from everything but the game; you
must take it, you perceived" The antagonist
made the capture" Good" he rejoined; and
while moving his knight, the lawyer informed
him that seven hundred a-year was, by the death
OF his uncle, added to his income. He was deaf
| to the charming intelligence, for at the moment
lit was uttered, he had earned the delightful
privilege of exclaiming 'tCheck-mate Then
turning to the attorney, he said in careless tone
FL beg your pardon, Nibbs but you were re-
marking 49,. The information was repeated
and Mason, after paying short but affectionate
tribute to the majors memory, cody asked his
adversary if he would have another game The
sang roid upon an occasion which would have
caused in other breasts the most lively emotions
is only to be equalled by DR.. Robertson's story
Of an ancestor of his Royal Highness Prince
Albert. John Frederic, Elector of Saxony, having
been taken prisoner by the Emperor, Charles, w.
was one day amusing himself at chess with
ERNST Of Brunswick, when a messenger came
to inform him that his enemy had condemned
him to death. In spite Of the sad intelligence,
the eector played on with such spirit and inge-
nuity, that he won the game
/ #
HRESH DRY GOODs-Just received in addi-
j. tion to my former stock
Black, blue, and gray cloths, at very low prizes
Beaver and pilot cloths from rs cents up
Fancy and plain cassmeres
Cassinets, Kentucky and Glenrock jeans
/ FLANNELs.
White, red, and yellow, at all prices, from 20
cents up
/ BLANKETS.
Rose, Whitney, and point blankets, at very low
/ prices
| DOMEsTIcs.