CHESS. Deep and abstruse as this game is in its prin. ciples, and comparatively complex in its movementa, it is yet so ancient that we have no certain Amusement has ever been found an indispen-account of its origin. However, to a short ac CHAPTER I.-THE GAME. count of the History of the Game, we will devote another chapter. We are tired of making apologies for the nonappearance of our chess type: when they come, we assure our readers that we will use them. ENIGMAS. No. 7. By Mr. Meymott. WHITE.-K at K B sq.; R's at K Kt 4th, and Q 7th; B at K 7th; Kt at K 4th; P's at K R 3d, K B 4th, and Q 4th. BLACK.-K at K B 2d; R's at K R sq., and Q Kt 3d; B at K R 2d; Kt at QB 7th; P's at K Kt 4th, and K 3d and 4th. White to play and mate in four moves. No. 8. By Mr. A. G. McO. sable requisite in human life. Whether it be adopted for the sake of relaxation from the toils and anxieties of business, or from the perhaps still more severe stress of pursuits especially mental, experience has proved that it is not only pleasing but necessary. Many who have been stimulated by the promptings of duty or the desires of ambition, have endeavored to do without that rest of the spirit which is found in the engagement of time without any directly profitable object in view, and which is usually designated by one of the two terms that we have applied to it above; but no one ever did so with impunity. Unremitted labour will cause a strain, and even the cheat which care has often attempted to put upon itself of obtaining the end desired, by a change of occupation, instead of a cessation of fatigue, has ever proved delusive and vain. Since, then, amusement cannot be dispensed with, the first consideration, and an important one it is, is that the means which are taken to procure it should be innocent, and the next is, that they should, if possible, have a tendency to be useful. Various devices have been resorted to for this purpose; but among them unquestionably the first in importance and value is the Game of Chess. It possesses not only the attraction of intense interest, but so effectually calls forth, nay, absolutely requires the use of the faculties in the nobility of their power, that we will venture to affirm there are few species of discipline so influ- (The moves appeared originally in the Stockholm entially permanent and effective. Indeed, one of our best writers has not hesitated to assert that if two individuals were to set out in the world gifted with equal ability, placed under the same circumstances, with the same education, and having the same opportunities, one of whom played chess well, and the other not, the first would inevitably checkmate his friend in every situation in life, when they should be brought into contest. Chess is acknowledged by all writers to be the most entertaining and scientific game in existence. It allows the greatest scope to art and strategy, and gives the most extensive employment to the mind. Lord Harvey, in an essay on Chess, says that "Chess is the only game, perhaps, which is played at for nothing, and yet warms the blood and brain as if the gamesters were contending for the deepest stakes. No person easily forgives himself, who loses, though to a superior player. No person is ever known to flatter at this game by underplaying himself." VOL. III.-B WHITE.-K at K R 2d; Q at Q Kt sq.; R's at K Kt sq., and Q Kt 3d; B's at QB 8th, and Q Kt 2d; Kt at K Kt 5th; P's at K R 4th & Q 6th. BLACK.-K at K Kt sq.; Q at Q Kt 2d; R at R 2d. 2d; Kt's at K B 7th and Q B 4th; P at K White to play and mate in three moves. WHITE.-K at K Kt 3d; R at Q Kt 5th; Kt at K B 6th; B at Q 4th; P's at K R 2d and K Kt 4th. BLACK.-K at K Kt 2d; Q at her 7th; R at K Req.; P's at K Kt 3d, and K B 6th. Either party to play and mate in four moves. GAME BY CORRESPONDENCE, JUST TERMINATED, Aftonblatt, evening paper.) BLACK (Stockholm), 1. K P two sq WHITE (Upsala). Q Kt to B 3d B takes Q Kt P B to Q R 4th B to Q Kt 3d Drawn Game. 1 JULIEN'S CONCERTS. its organization and the perfection of its detail, Koenig on the cornet, Bottesini on the double bass, Wuille on the clarionet, Lavigne on the oboe, and Reichart on the flute, constitute the first class of soloists; and the Brothers Mollenhaur on the violin, Schreus on the viola d'amore, Hughes on the ophiclede, Collinet on the flageolet, and Hardy on the bassoon, the second class. the "Echos du Mont Blanc." The peculiar strength of lip required to produce this effect may be best appreciated by those conversant with the mechanical difficulties of the instrument. As a mere mechanician, Herr Koenig has no equal; and when we add that unimpeachable good taste characterizes every phrase and note, we need not wonder at the hold he has taken of popular feeling. Bottesini is at least an equal prodigy on the ponderous instrument, from which he extracts such wonderful tones. In his hands the contrabasso becomes entirely metamorphosed. Divested of its usual orchestral character, it rises to the dignity of a singing Concert instrument. No First in importance, as in popularity, we men- longer confined to the dull ordinary routine of tion Herr Koenig, whose performance on the orchestral substratum, it soars into the regions of cornet à piston has given him the highest position the violincello and violin, and vies with these in the estimation of the public. Of him, as instruments in the delicacy and subtlety of its indeed of all the first class soloists, it may be said tones. And yet it loses none of its elementary that he stands confessedly at the head of his characteristics, but retains all the fullness, depth, profession. He has no peer, he is par excellence and firmness of tone, which gives it its fundathe player of the world. His tone is distinguished mental importance in the orchestra. It is incomfor its purity, fullness, clearness, and correctness. prehensible to us, how Signor Bottesini with his Considered as a mechanical player he surpasses fragile physique, manages to wield this gigantic all others in the rapidity and distinctness of his instrument, requiring as it does the utmost execution and the perfection of his trille. His rapidity and dexterity, with the greatest strength phrasing and expression are the most correct and of hand and fingers for the production of the artistic; but his crowning influence consists in lower notes. His harmonics, and that too, in the beautiful delicacy of his intonations and his running passages, are equal to those of Ole Bull fine sympathetic powers. Every note is replete or Paul Julien. In the "Carnival of Venice" with sentiment and pathos; a poetic feeling he gives the most remarkable example of his pervades all; whilst the intensity of his expression is so great as to produce a tremulousness of tone as rare as it is delightful upon this instrument. One of his greatest effects is the wonderful echo which he produces in such a telling manner in wonderful facility in passages of execution, and in the solos from "Sonnambula" the artistic feeling in singing sostenuto passages are not sur passed by any artist of the Italian Opera. He is unapproached and unapproachable in the world. |