New-York daily tribune., 1857-10-19
BANQUET or THE NATIONAL CHESS
CONGRESS.

net exactly cOnsonant with good ehessplsy; devotion
- Bacchus and the bottle 10 adverse 10 Casss and
combinations; bat men must eat, and numbers OF them
viii drnh-the delegates 70 the frs. National Chess
Cons2ees OF America being no exception 10 the rule.
Il wss frst intended that the banque. should come
sf st the conclusion Of proceedings but the Tourns-
Dert having lasted somewhat longer than was ex-
Dseied, it was feared that members might be getting
Aspgry Hope and expectation doomed iEto truit'en
hst Saturday night, when nearly all the participants
m the Congress met each ether al the 81. Denis Hotel
BrssSvay.
The Committee Of Management had selected this
Aeuse from feeling Of gratitude toward the pro-
Dristor Denis Julien, esq This gentleman hss been
known TO all chess players for the last quarter Of
century az brilliant problem maker and fine player
a. wen as from his constant endeavoys to further the
advancement Of the game. During the hot months Of
Summer, Mr. Julien threw open his hotel to the men,
Aers Of the Chess Cab and all practitioners Of the art
providing them with every facility for plsy and this
dinner itsef is further evidence Of his Devotion 10
Pslsmede The room was fitted up IN manner con-
seaant with the occasion, and the various pyramids
and other pieces recalled the different techniealites OF
the game The principal object OF the table was an
immense cake covered with iced sugar, representing
chess board; and the pieces upon il were most ac-
curately modelled in red aud white candy. This
eljet Dart was designed by N. Julien himself, and
ike everything else on the table, prepared in his
establishment.
The Hon. A. b. Meek President Of the Congress,
at at one end Of the roou Col. Mead, President Of
he NewYork Chess Club at the other. All the PROM
inent members Of the Convention present except
Mr.. Psulsen whose absence was much regretted. As
usual on such occasions the guests did ample justice
30 the dinner, which was the theme of general cem-
meD6stion from al present When that point in the
proceedings had arrived when the convives leaned
back in their chairs and unbuttoned their vests, Col.
Mead arose and gave the health Of Judge Meek who
returned thanks in most eloquent speech, which we
regret space will not permit US to give. In conclu-
sion he proposed the health Of Col Mead and stated
that to New-York belonged the honor of inauguratng
ths first Congress Of American Chessp and that
strangers from all parts of the Union would long
member the excellent arrangements made 10 the Em.
pire City for the convention Col. Mead followed and
finally every guest bad to try his hand at speech in
eludpg the representatives Of Tile Herald, EIPress
Erening Post and TRIBUNE.
Mr.. Julien being called upon, stated, in the best
Ergsh bis French accent permitted, that since the
chess players had met at his hotel all the liquor drank
at his bar had gone down the throat Of his barkeeper
Wnen the laughter ndu lnbt tnB OCCdslOneu
he added; 1T was necessary they should understand
I" that his barkeeper did not play at chess" As
coroary to this, another speaker, MIR. Perrin dated
90 the advantages which would accrue to the young in
H study and offered the following sentiment, which
accurately represents the influence of the game;
The noble Of Chess the king Of intellectual sports
Fun o. Instructive ebles rich in nvgoIatns men,l
eisss msy at lure youth from the hsnnts Of
VICE and TO train them purposes Of elevated usefulness
Mr. Paul Morphy of New-Orleans showed proof Of
possessing talents as orator equal to those q
che"player. This young gentleman has been pre-
pairing himself for legal cNeer, aud promises to be
one of the most eloquent members of the Louisiana
bar. --.--.-
Several songs sung during the evening. The
allowing tao were composed for the occasion, and will
certainly take their place among chess literature.
Tie first Is by the host, Denis Julien, esq., whose
literary productions are well known to French resi-
dents, and, particularly, to the Garde Lafayette
The second ia by the Hon. A. B. Meek Of Alabama, a
poet Of credit and renown throughout Southern
States, and who is about publishing volume Of poems
in this city.
n