and its Associations was very great, and increased very much towards the latter part of his life, and the place has always formed a strong bond of union between Foreign and English players.  Zukertort was engaged in conversation with the writer and others, in his usual genial manner, and spent some happy hours with us on the evening preceding his death.  Every true lover of chess must appreciate the chivalry and good feelings always observable in chess play at Simpson’s.  There only leading players for mutual pleasure and without stake, and to the interest of spectators play many an emulatory game which may bear comparison with the best of the few good ones to be found in the most recent tedious chess matches played for amounts not thought of in previous times, and sufficient to disconcert and make timid both of the opponents.  With our Foreign visitors, Simpson’s Divan is the first resort to meet old friends, to hear chess news, to compare notes, and to discuss topics of interest.  It is a kind of landmark, or where the pilot comes aboard.  When they do not dine at Simpson’s, which is regarded as “par excellence,” but retire to Darmstatters, the Floric or the Cheshire Cheese for refreshment, the Divan is yet the Appetizer, or Sherry and Bitter starting point, in fact, wherever the abodes of our distinguished chess brethren may be, Simpson’s is always the centre and home of friendly attraction throughout their stay in this country, and so long as harmony and good feeling prevails it is ever likely to continue so.

For Clubs may come, and Clubs may go,
And make us ask what’s next to see;
But Simpson’s ever should remain,
The place for Chess in ecstacy.

The above article was run off for the late deeply lamented Captain Mackenzie, the amiable and dignified United States Chess Champion, on one of his visits here.  I dedicate it to our surviving foreign visitors.

CHESS OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

The following article from The British Chess Magazine furnished by the writer has been regarded with much interest, we are tempted to re-produce it.

The chess masters of the day, impartially
considered by an old English player.

An article appeared in The Fortnightly Review of December, 1886 bearing the signature of L. Hoffer, Secretary of the B.C.A., entitled “The Chess Masters of the Day.”  We are informed that the British Masters, who have read it are unanimous in condemning its tone and spirit; and a short letter of protest has been inserted in the March number of the same magazine, from H. E. Bird, specifying their principal objections to it!  In a letter to us, Mr. Bird, incidentally, mentions that the article bears the semblance of having been prepared by more than one writer; and he suggests that a confusion of ideas may account for the discrepancies in it?  He then