AUTOMATON CHESS-PLAYER. 



327 



while Fig. 70 shows the same back raised, so as to form 

 the opening S between the chambers. 



When the spectator is allowed to look into the trunk 

 of the figure by lifting up the dress, as in Fig. 70, it will 

 be observed that a great part of the space is occupied by 

 an inner trunk N, Fig. 70, 71, which passes off to the 

 back in the form of an arch, and conceals from the 

 spectators a portion of the interior. This inner trunk N 

 opens and communicates with the chest by an aperture T, 

 Fig. 72, about twelve inches broad and fifteen high. 

 When the false back is raised, the two cupboards, the 



Fig. 63. 



Fig. 64. 



trunk N, and the space behind the drawer, are all con- 

 nected together. 



The construction of the interior being thus understood, 

 the chess-player may be introduced into the chest through 

 the sliding panel U, Fig. 69. He will then raise the 

 false back of the large cupboard, and assume the position 

 represented by the shaded figure in Fig. 63 and 64. 

 Things being in this state, the exhibitor is ready to begin 

 his process of deception. He first opens the door A of 

 the small cupboard, and from the crowded and very 

 ingenious disposition of the machinery within it, the eye 

 is unable to penetrate far beyond the opening, and the 

 spectator concludes without any hesitation that the whole 



