The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 5, April, 1836Various
General
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 5, April, 1836
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
He has also a peculiar shuffle with
his feet, calculated to induce suspicion of collusion with the
machine in minds which are more cunning than sagacious. These
peculiarities are, no doubt, mere mannerisms of M. Maelzel, or, if
he is aware of them at all, he puts them in practice with a view of
exciting in the spectators a false idea of pure mechanism in the
Automaton.
The Turk plays with his left hand. All the movements of the arm are
at right angles. In this manner, the hand (which is gloved and bent
in a natural way,) being brought directly above the piece to be
moved, descends finally upon it, the fingers receiving it, in most
cases, without difficulty. Occasionally, however, when the piece is
not precisely in its proper situation, the Automaton fails in his
attempt at seizing it. When this occurs, no second effort is made,
but the arm continues its movement in the direction originally
intended, precisely as if the piece were in the fingers. Having thus
designated the spot whither the move should have been made, the arm
returns to its cushion, and Maelzel performs the evolution which the
Automaton pointed out. At every movement of the figure machinery is
heard in motion. During the progress of the game, the figure now and
then rolls its eyes, as if surveying the board, moves its head, and
pronounces the word _echec_ (check) when necessary.[2] If a false
move be made by his antagonist, he raps briskly on the box with the
fingers of his right hand, shakes his head roughly, and replacing
the piece falsely moved, in its former situation, assumes the next
move himself. Upon beating the game, he waves his head with an air
of triumph, looks round complacently upon the spectators, and
drawing his left arm farther back than usual, suffers his fingers
alone to rest upon the cushion. In general, the Turk is
victorious--once or twice he has been beaten. The game being ended,
Maelzel will again, if desired, exhibit the mechanism of the box, in
the same manner as before. The machine is then rolled back, and a
curtain hides it from the view of the company.
[Footnote 2: The making the Turk pronounce the word _echec_, is an
improvement by M. Maelzel. When in possession of Baron Kempelen, the
figure indicated a _check_ by rapping on the box with his right
hand.]
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