Mr. Seymour, "as the game descended through different ages and countries."

Mrs. Beacham, who had been for some time listening with much interest to the curious discourse we have just related, here ventured to ask a question: "As you appear to have taken some trouble to ascertain the origin of this game, you can perhaps inform me at what period it was introduced into England.

The major replied, that the learned Hyde supposed it to have been first known in our country about the time of the Conquest; but that Mr. Barrington believed it to have been introduced during the thirteenth century, upon the return of Edward I. from the Holy Land, where he continued so long, and was attended by so many English.

66

"It is certain that our ancestors played much at chess before the general introduction of cards," observed the vicar, as no fewer than twenty-six English families have emblazoned chess-boards and chess-rooks in their arms, and it must therefore have been considered a valuable accomplishment."

"Cards," observed the major, "must have been known in England previous to the time of Edward IV., since a statute was passed in that reign against their importation ; but they did not become general for many years, and the progress of the custom appears to have been extremely slow."

"Check,—and mate!" exclaimed Mr. Seymour.

66 Upon my word, I have lost the game. Mr. Twaddleton, I lay this to your account," said the major; "you ought not, sir, to have intruded your antiquarian discussions at such a time.'

"You have lost the game, major, because, like Charles XII. of Sweden,* you are too fond of advancing your

*Voltaire tells us that Charles XII. always lost the game at chess, from his eagerness to move his king, and to make greater use of him than of any of the other pieces.

king: but it is quite natural that you should feel mortified by your defeat: a chess-warrior never likes to be beat, because it is a trial of skill and address; chance has no place, and he therefore never loses except from the superiority of his adversary. You may remember that William the Conqueror, upon being check-mated by the Prince of France, knocked the chess-board about his pate, an event which became the source of much future enmity. I must say," continued the vicar, "that this, in my view of the matter, is an imperfection in the game; for, if it be the type or representative of a military campaign, fortune should have some share in deciding the fate of the day; and, if I remember correctly, Sir William Jones has stated that the use of dice, to regulate the moves, was formerly introduced in the East."

"I will give the major his revenge whenever he pleases," said Mr. Seymour; "but as I well know how dearly the vicar loves an antiquarian anecdote, if he will listen I will furnish him with one that will be probably new to him. Do you observe the form of the chess-board, resembling, as you perceive, two folio volumes? The origin of it was this: Endes, bishop of Sully, forbade his clergy to play at chess. As they were resolved, however, not to obey the command, and yet did not dare to have a chess-board seen in their houses or cloisters, they had them bound and lettered as books, and called them their wooden gospels. These same monks had also drinking-vessels bound to resemble the breviary, and were found drinking when it was supposed they were at prayers."

THE ARRIVAL OF THE POPULACE AT OSTERLEY PARK.-THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FESTIVITIES. DANCING ON THE TIGHT AND SLACK ROPE.BALANCING. AN EGG POISED ON ITS BROAD AND NARROW END.- CONJURING, -THE MYSTERIOUS LADY.-THE KING OF THE SALAMANDERS. -THE FIRE ORDEAL. - - WATER FROZEN IN A RED-HOT CRUCIBLE.-ICE SET ON FIRE. OPTICAL ILLUSIONS. DECEPTIVE SOUNDS.-INVISIBLE GIRL.-VEN

PHANTASMAGORIA.

TRILOQUISM.-VARIOUS GAMES.-THE PENTHALUM.-QUOITS.-THE BANQUET. THE GAME OF QUINTAIN.-GRAND DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS. COLOURED FIRES.-A TABLEAU IN THE INFERNAL RE

NEVER had the rosy fingers of Aurora shown so much

reluctance in unbarring the gates of the East as on the

morning of the Osterley Jubilee; at least, so thought some score of peasants, who, fevered by anxiety and expectation, had arisen from their beds long before the break of day.

At length, however, the sun arose; but, indignant no doubt at the accusations he had so unjustly suffered, he immediately veiled his fiery countenance in dark and lowering clouds. Here, then, was a fresh source of doubt and anxiety; would the day be rainy? The gardener at Overton Lodge was immediately sought and consulted; and, cheering as were his predictions, they scarcely succeeded in dispelling the gloom which shaded many a fair countenance. The apprehension of disappointment was, however, suddenly relieved; for between nine and ten o'clock the sun reappeared, beaming in all his glory, and shedding the brightest refulgence on the scene of the approaching festivities. At this period hundreds of villagers, dressed in their holiday attire, were seen pouring along the high road, or winding their way through the verdant valleys. So admirable had been the arrangements for the admission of the populace into the park, that, great as was the concourse of spectators, not the slightest impediment occurred during their entrance.

At half-past ten o'clock the whole population of the country had assembled; the various performers were on their respective stages; and the arrival of Major Snapwell and his guests was eagerly expected, as a signal for the commencement of the festivities of the day.

At length a distant murmur was heard in the direction of the house, which gradually increased as it approached the meadow, until it swelled into one grand and universal chorus. The vicar appeared with his wand of office, which he no sooner waved in the air than the murmur gradually subsided. Major Snapwell and his friends, Harry Beacham and his bride, and the Seymours with their children, and numerous visitors, followed. The several bands, stationed on the platforms erected before the show-booths, simul

taneously struck up the national anthem, in which the whole multitude joined, and produced a most surprising and thrilling effect.

There were eight booths appropriated to the several exhibitions; and it had been arranged that each should commence at the same time, and repeat its performances eight times during the day; so that by dividing the spectators into eight groups, and delivering to each person a ticket distinguished by a particular number, every spectator at once knew the booth into which he was to enter; and having witnessed the exhibition, he was directed to exchange his ticket; by which means every chance of confusion was avoided, and each person was enabled to witness, successively, every performance.

The vicar and the party entered the first booth, and were followed by all those whose ticket was distinguished by No. 1; those of No. 2 at the same time entered the second booth, and so on.

The first show was appropriated to the various exhibitions of vaulting, tumbling, balancing, and rope-dancing.

During the performances of the balancer, Tom Seymour's attention was riveted on the artist; he watched every movement, and examined its effect in preserving the centre of gravity within the base. "Papa," cried the delighted boy, "I never experienced so much interest in a performance of this kind, until I was capable of explaining the principles upon which it was conducted. I have attentively followed every change of position, and discovered the effect of such changes upon the line of direction." As to the wire-dancing, Tom observed that he saw very plainly the swinging of the wire backwards and forwards diminished the difficulty, and assisted the actor in keeping his equipoise.

Mr. Seymour was highly delighted with these remarks; and, casting an intelligible look at Mr. Twaddleton, who

* See page 69.