The children’s fondness for dominos, subsided at last like their other whims, and they condescended to play with the onchets. Adriana deceived by the similarity of sound between this word and échecs, the French name for chess, supposed they were
the same game; Madame D’Hernilly explained the difference, which was very considerable; but although she was tolerably skilful at chess and draughts, she thought that their combinations were too complicated for young people. “When you are older,” said she, “I will make you acquainted with a charming poem, written by Cérutti on the game of chess; but in order to comprehend the poem, you must be acquainted with the rules of the game. I shall content myself to-day with reading you some verses descriptive of the subject.”
[1] This game and those that follow are represented in the border of the print.
CHESS.
In order due, the king, the queen,
The knights and other ranks are seen:
A picture true of martial strife,
Such as appears in human life.
The contest of the mind succeeds,
The stratagems, the daring deeds: