The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-08-13

wheels, spring barrels and two horizontal
quadrants. There is also box, a cushion
and a tablet, which are traced some
characters in gold. The inventor takes
out the box and places it on a small table
standing near the machine he also re-
moves the tablet, which is to be placed on
the chess-board as soon the game is over
to enable the automaton to answer such
questions as may be put to him.
In the drawer above mentioned are red
and white chessmen on a board, with
which they are taken out and placed Oh the
side of tue chess board. There is also a
small oblong box, containing six small
chess-boards, each showing the end of
game. Any one of these situations being
set up on the automaton's chess board, he
undertakes to win, whether he play with
the red or the white men.
In showing the interior of the machine
the inventor not only opens the front but
also the back doors of the chest, by which
the wheel-work becomes so exposed as to
afford the most thorough conviction that no
living being can possibly be concealed and
III oAuSt w idhC IiIlS GA IOSulc Hloic COLi-
plete, the inventor generally places a wax
light in the chest, SO as to illuminate every
corner of it. He then lifts up the automa-
toms robe, and turns it over his head so
as to display the internal structure, which
consists of levers and wheel of which
the body of the automaton is so full that
there is not room to hide a kitten. Even
his haua in,
which is opened 10 remove even the shadow
of suspicion.
When the automaton is about to make
a move he lifts his arm leisurely, and di-
rects it to the piece which he intends to
play ; he suspends his hand over it-opens
the fingers-takes it-places it on the pro-
per square and again removes his arm to
the cushion. In capturing piece he first
removes his adversary's man, and then
substitutes one Of his own. \ slight noise
of wheel work, some what resembling that
of a repeater, is heard during every move
of the automaton. This noise ceases as
soon move is made and the autorpa-
toms arm replaced on tie cushion; ana
not till then can the adversary make a
fresh move. The automaton always claims
first move, and moves his head so as to
look over the whole board whenever the
adversary makes fresh move. He mods
his head twice when the adverse queen is
attacked, and thrice when check is given
to the king.
If the adversary makes a wrong move,
the autUmaton shakes bis head, returns the
piece to the square from which 1t had
moved, and then plays his move so that
the adversary loses his move a punish
ment for his inattention or wilful mistake
this often happens, from a desire on the
part of the player or the company present
to see the automaton detect mistake,
and take advantage of it. This condition
is one among others which facilitates the
winning of games by the automaton.
The inventor requests those who play
with the automaton to be careful TO place
the pieces exactly in the middle of the
squares, lest the automaton in opening his
hand to take the piece should miss it, or
receive some damage. a move once made
on either side is not allowed to be retracted.
The machine cannot make above ten or
a dozen moves without being wound up
again. The automaton in the course of its
travels visited, 10y special invitation, the
court of Frederick the Great, at Berlin,
where it conquered the monarch and bis
whole court. Eager to possess himself of
the secret, Frederick for large sum of
money bought the automaton, and in
secret interview with NJ. de Kempelen
learned the whole art and mystery of this
wonderful machine. Certain it is, that
like child who cries after a new toy and
no longer regards it when possession has
shorn it of it's novelty, Frederick threw "
aside the automaton, and for many years it
lay forgotten and neglected among the
ornout furniture of the royal court of
Berlin.
NJ. de Kempelen died at Vienna in 1904.
In 1906, when Napoleon occupied Berlin,
we find the automaton chess player under
another master, and prepared again to
astonish the world. Napoleon played
game with the automaton. After few
moves he purposely made false move;
the automaton inclined its head, replaced
the piece, and made sign to Napoleon to
play correctly He did so, and, after
few moves, again played piece Incorrectly
On this occasion the automaton removed
the piece from the board and played It's
own move. Napoleon was highly amused,
and after short time made false move
for the third time, when the automaton
swept the pieces from the board and de-
clined to continued the game.
OF course the reader is familiar with the
secret of The automaton chess-player Not
withstanding the inventor professed to
reveal the entire inside mechanism of the
wonderful machine, living chessplayer
was actually concealed in the chest The
following very amusing account of mis-