THE FATAL MATE.

"Quelque découverte que l'on ait faite dans le pays de l'amour propre, il y reste bisa les terres inconnues."-La Rochefoucauld.

MUCH as may be said in favor of the game of chess, of its noble and scientific character as an intellectual enjoyment of the highest order, and the almost irresistible attraction it acquires for its votaries, still many are deterred from its practice by an ill-judged sensitiveness and morbid fear of defeat. Let those who have commenced the study of chess, and who really wish to improve, bear in mind that the player who learns not how to lose, will never learn how to win, and dismiss at once all impatience and rising irritability.

It must be confessed, however, that no game affects so directly the vanity of the individual as chess. That the winning of the game is due solely to the skill of the player, and that not a leaven of chance has mingled with and assisted his good play, becomes, in weak minds, a fixed idea, productive sometimes of the strangest aberrations. Illustrative of this weakness, I recollect an anecdote of a somewhat singular nature.

In the autumn of 18—, while spending a week at the seat of General D- —, a few leagues from Paris, I was introduced to an English gentleman, with whom I usually played a rubber at chess in the evening, after a long ride or a day's sport with dog and gun.

At the time I speak of, I was far from being an adept in the game, and my adversary, though not a very strong player, was still my superior, and an opponent against whom I could not allow my attention to flag a single moment without paying that direful penalty, "checkmate.'

Among the persons who usually seemed to take most interest in our games was the charming Countess V... On the evening of our last match, the next day being fixed upon for a return to Paris, seated near the chess-table, it appeared to me that she had followed, with unusual attention, a preceding game won by my adversary. I had never, however, heard the Countess express the least wish to

play, nor intimate in conversation that she possessed any knowledge

of the science.

Our game had verged into the following position. I was the player of the White pieces, and it was my turn to move.

Over this situation I had already paused some time, and was not a little embarrassed. To my inexperienced eye, the proximity of one of my adversary's Pawns to the royal line foreboded danger, and filled me with secret terror. I also feared his playing his Queen to her Rook's square, threatening Knight's Pawn, and worse, a mate. On the other hand, although the position of his King seemed to be one of some constraint, yet it struck me that on any move of mine, the advance of his King's Pawn would free him from embarrassment.

Thus perplexed and irresolute, I was hesitating between removing Bishop or playing Queen to her Rook's square, when instinctively I looked around in the direction of the Countess, as towards the person

who had taken most interest in the contest.

There probably was

much of appeal in my expression, and her compassion must have been great indeed, for as my hand was nearing the Bishop, I heard her make a remark on the position to Madame D... in a tone that seemed to banter my inexperience. The words indeed had been pronounced in a subdued voice; nevertheless they had been overheard by some of the bystanders, who looked towards the Countess with some surprise. They had also fallen on the quick ear of my antagonist, who suppressed a rising frown. Whether I blushed outwardly I know not, inwardly I certainly did. The Countess's hint, however, had been a ray of light for me, and the truth gradually unfolding itself, I announced checkmate in four moves.

Proud of having carried out so well the conception of my fair ally, I approached to thank her for her timely assistance.

"I confess my inferiority," said I, "but I have yet full time to improve, and, under the direction of a mistress so well skilled in the game, I feel I should make rapid progress.' The Countess smiled, saying I flattered her, and that assuredly she would not undertake to teach an art she never practised. "It is even so," added she; 66 we often show most enthusiasm for those things with which we have an imperfect acquaintance, and happy those who are not tormented by a thirst after profound knowledge. Since you consult me, sir, my advice is, that you take no master to perfect your chess education." "I understand, madam; my capacity for the game does not strike

"It strikes me as excellent-quite excellent enough to insure success, and enable you to play in a short time a very scientific game. But are you aware of the probable result of all the science you may acquire? Believe me, sir, it will only serve to aggravate the disappointment at losing, in a proportion a thousand times greater than the pleasure of winning. Reflect on this, I pray."

The Countess pronounced these words with so grave and solenin an air, that I could not dissemble my astonishment. "You may not believe me, sir," continued she, "nevertheless, if you will grant me your attention, I hope to convince you there is some truth in my remarks." I seated myself near her, and she commenced the follow ing recital: