The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1843-11-11
From Chambers Edinburgh Journal
CHESS.

So completely identified is MIR. Mortimer
I Mason with this game, and SO intense has been
his application to it, that close observer may de-
tect g chess player" written in capital letters
upon his countenance. He has broad forehead
made slightly bald at the crest from habit of
lhrusting his hand into his front hair while in
the throes Of a difficult position. His eyes,
though penetrating, have thoughtful express
sion; his mouth is usually closed; the tight
compression of the under lip indicating great
frmness and energy Of purpose when once his
mind is made up as to the move he will make
shall never forget my introduction to him. II
took place at the house of country friend,
whittier we had gone under pretence OF shooting.
After dinner, he challenged me to the chess
board, and we sat down at seven O'Clock. AS
Hector and Achilles are described by old Homer
TO have commenced their fight with more caution
than energy, so did We reading, though I'M
conscious Of each others power-make our first
moves with slow and painful deliberation. By
half past eight, my adversary forced an exchange
of bishops-a desperate measure, indicating that
his courage was rising. AT nine, affairs looked
more serious and vain was our hostess's inter-
ference to effect truce by sending to announce
tea. The fight was continued with equal
determination on both sides till ten and by
halfpast eleven-when a servant brought us
sandwiches two pawns and knight, from
each side, besides the bishops, had been dragged
from the field Up TO this time our host-him-
self an enthusast-looked on but at midnight,
a summons not to be sighted Withdrew him
from the scene of action; though not till he
ordered his servant to inform him Of the pro-
gress of the game during the night and of
its final fate. About two o'clock the next
morning, Mason saw an opportunity Of gain
ing strong position by throwing away
rock and the servant retired to knock up his
MASTER and inform him that sthe white castle
was taken" My counter-move struck terror
into the enemy's ranks; it was an unexpected
manGuyre; one of those happy flashes Of ge-
MUS that sometimes dart unbidden into the
mind. J. too, sacrificed my rock, SO as TO obtain
those advantages OF position my antagonist CO.
vetted. But, in the end, Mason was too much
for me- We fought on till four exhaustion was
stealing over us; and seeing that my opponents
skill was in reality greater than mine, / seized
an opportunity of exchanging the only too fight
ing pieces left upon the board. Convinced that
! could never win the game, took care not to
lose II; and at quarter 10 five, John bad the
pleasure OF announcing TO his sleeping master
that " it was drawn gamen From that me-
morable morning, Mason and have been fast
friends; Notwithstanding that when we encoun-
ter he seldom fails to beat me. During these
frequent meetings, have managed to draw from
him some particulars concerning his history
which, as he is type of large class will per-
haps be found interesting.
One wet afternoon, while on visit to a college
friend in the mountains of Wales, Mason learnt
the moves; and, from that period, chess nav be
designated the motive power of his existence.
he was IN state OF perplexing doubt as to the
choice OF profession. Having competency for
the necessities of respectable subsistence. he
hrsf thought Of the army, then Of the bar, but
f.