, 1879-04-06
AN OLD GAME REVIVED.


LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AS PIECES ON 1 cHyss-
BOARD.
a novelty In the way Of public and private eu.
tertainment is being introduced which bids faft;s
have q run. It consists OF the game OF chess
played by living figures, in costumes, Representing
the kings, queens, knights, etc., which mora
from square to square as directed by the pa!ea
who conduct the game. 4 fete was Eiyea SONS
years ago in Hanover, oy the Minister OF Foteisa
court and ciLy were present. and the sparkia
with the diamonds OF the noble ladies and the sts
of stately lords. The festivities began with pro.
cession OF living chessmcn. consisting OF til
character pieces g6rgeously attired- After tka
display the walking pieces took up their proprrpo-
sitions on gigantic chess board under the dsec-
ton Of two maglcians in costume. They then
played gnme, which is s1ld to have excited crest
interest and afforded much entertainment to. ds
fortunate spectators o.,
DON John OF Austria is stated to have possessel
similar board composed OF large squares OF btstk
and white marble, upon which live cnessmen Tets
accustomed to move under his guidance. II snas
panto, or that other Don John Of Austria, who vi
so severely beaten by Turenne OF Dunes in l65s
A Duke Of Weimar used to pass his leisure hoan
in similar manner. But the best authenticated
instance OF the employment Ut human CHESS pieces
is that Of wealthy and prodi.a1 young ChlnamanL
1t ia well known that the provinces of ShenSe aal
Shan-Se contain some Of the most opulent men ID
China The natives assert that they have money
heapcd up like mountains. The chief money.
lenders in Canton are from these provinces.
During the last year OF the Emperor hed- King
rich widow, named Chun, who resided in the Dis.
trict Of Tae-yueu foo, had 4 son wac went 10 u!
lengths in luxury and extravaganza. lie was
great chess-plavcr. but chess on hoard Of ond-
nary dimensions and quality did not satisfy him.
Master Chun conceived new idea. lie had the doof
OF large painted chess-bo with tapt1
for himself and friend on opposite sdes.~:F :Fds
chessmen he purchased set OF beautiful fema.
slaves, dressed them up in various colors, ana
made them perform BY signals the duties q
knights, castles, pawns, kings, queens, etc. TIA
high chess s-player saved himself the trnubla offt.
moving the pieces. At given signal the captured
men made their exit al the door. OF these proteed'
ings the Emperor got intelligence. and, probably,
enraged that rich subject should out do him y
luxury, he affected to be horribly offended at shs
idea OF buying slaves to perform the Office OF chess
men. lie fined Master Chun 5000. oo01 taea
49, 600, 000). and TRANSPORTED him to the An'oo'e
Black Dragon River for life. telling him at the tas1a
time that he onght to be infinitely grateful that 9a
bEaincup fhead) was not separated from big oo6I:
But. to come nearer home. We learn that Mrs- =.
Lincoln, society belle OF Washington. i5 aooufIo
entertain her friends with chess in living fsnres,
the pawns being represented by young ladies'
eight blonds and eight brancttes: knights ~
sallants. Miss Lillian Carpenter, the pretty ]
daughter Of Senator Carpenter. viii ne the qutsa
and Montgomery Blair the King Of the blondes
We are also about to huyc more 4orgeous ~
Music in this city, than even the Hanover Aln5s,
Don John, the Duke Of Neiiner. or Master Gag
ever dreamed Of. There will be fifty costumes II =
use. The board will BE- composed OF nasenn
presenting q velyety texture, and contain o'st @ ]
1.200 square feet. The games will be PLAYED c
TIVE. OF the worlds most noted plasess-sSsus.. ;
Mckenzie, winner Of one OF tue prizes at tae ~.
Exhibition last year, and Eugene Delinar aso
champion in many well-contesied to9tnsl*
Eugene 3. Cook, the orldrenowned proolemss
will contribute some Of his beautiful stratenew
sIfons. This exhibition will be gwen under " ~
auspices OF the Manhattan Chess Club OF .seaa
York, and no expense will De s!'ated TO m3As. m!I.
ono OF the most novel and beautiful e1n19'w1. . W.
ever presented to New York audience. We II n
informed that this grand chess tournament, ~ ~
take place the evening Of Wednesday, tne ~ -.
Of April prox. We shall possibly see this phlm, s
ION Of New York in The society circles.-ifs IN
Star. 1