Year: 1863

1t is q game that requires the possession OF in
tellect to excel in, and neither is it true that
monkey ever, has been asserted by some natu-
ralist became an expert, nor that q piece of
mechanism was made to play it. The autOmatOn
chess player, we all now know, owed its triumphs
to the cunning of its fraud, and not to the inge-
nuitv of its mechanism.


| remember a story told me in Barcelona when
sitting at chess. Did you know, Senior Amigo"
said mine host, a merchant of that ilk, and
Spaniard of ancient blood and deyilish pride;
g did you know that upon the success of such a
game as we have just been playing once depended
the discovery of that land of yours which you are
so proud of Dragging about!


And sly twinkle lit up his sharp eyes at the
thought of belittling our great and glorious
country by making the knowledge of its existence
depend upon SO small a matter.
- The most important events in the world are
controlled more or less by the slightest of causes"
said I. Providence has so evenly balanced
events in this world, that feather weight may
often turn the scale. But let me hear, Senior"
WhereupOn the old man, stroking his beard and
knocking the ashes from his cigar, and moistening
his throat with swallow of Xeres, recounted to
me the following legend which he assured me was
current in his childhood among the people of
Southern Spain


1.-The great Genoese navigator had made long
and wearisome application for help at the court of
Spain. His spirit was worn; he had grown poor
in health and purse, and yet no decided answer had
been given by the King, upon whom he placed his
last hopes. At last day came, upon the after
| noon Of which he was to receive an audience and
his final answer from King Ferdinand. Fearful
of REFUSAL he made all ready to depart with the
morrow's dawn, and seek-he knew not where
the means to prove his great problem. Pale, dis
eOuraged, heart-sick with the bitterness of hope
deferred written upon his brow, he entered the
royal hall, and found the King engaged in game
l. Il. ,loa f,t1
In vain he waited hour after hour, wisfully watch
ing from distance the long-drawn game. Hour
after hour flew by in silence. Still the game was
not concluded, and still the King bent his gaze
| only on the board.


''The tried spirit of the great man rebelled
against the careless delay. His patience was ex-
hausted He sought the Queen, his steadfast
farewell at once to a court where he had wasted
much precious time.


as Wait but an hour longer, Signor Capitano,
said the Queen to him. He consented.
sShe entered the silent chamber where her royal
husband was doing mimic battle with his subject.
The noise of her entrance disturbed one of the
players. Ferdinand looked up, and, nodding to
Isabella, without further consideration moved the
pawn upon which he had already placed his
finger.


az Check to your queen said the old grandee,
his opponent, moving a knight.


"'Ihat concerns you, Madame said the King,
seeking to hide his vexation in a Joke. At any
rate, it is your fault


Sc Check to the queen is not checkmate,' said
Isabella, taking q seat at the Kings side.


a. Nevertheless the game is lost.' was the royal
answer. That one unconsdered move


60 But suppose my King WINS said the Queen,
smiling. yet looking keenly over the board.


40 Then I'll fit out your protege for his voyage
to Cathay,' answered Ferdinand, laughing.


The Queen started. 1t was risk she would
not have dared to ask But now, with pale face
and beating heart, she gazed more earnestly upon
the board.


60 The queen is in check this pawn will pro-
teet her, sire,' she said, after a moments consid
Grafton. Move him but one step forward


mo sooner said than done.


" And now the Queen, taking up the game
moved vigorously to the assault of her opponents
position, disposing of knight, castle and pawr
with the generalship of an experienced warrior.
GO And now, your Majesty said she at length
drawing long breath of relief in four moves you
can checkmate.'


" The King, who had watched the game, saw
the opportunity the hour out as he crieC
checkmate, and the noble Isabella had the Joy t
bring the first tidings of his unexpected success
the future discoverer.


Sand so,'' concluded my friend the wine-mer
t chant ' you see, Amigo, how but for Queen
!, fortune at chess your boasted New World nigh
to this day have lain in oblivion


And you would not have been this evenin!
smoking genuine Cuba cigar" said l. laughin!
in return.