'Automaton Chess-Player qf'M. De Kempelek. S95 
hinder division is nearly empty, and communicates with the space 
behind the drawer, the floor of this division being removed. 
The back of the great cupboard is double, and the part (P, Q,) 
to which the quadrants, &c. are attached, moves on a joint (Q), at 
the upper part, and forms, when raised, an opening (S) between the 
two cupboards, by carrying with it part of the partition (R), which 
is composed of cloth stretched tight. Fig. 10. shews the false back 
closed. Fig. 11. shews the same raised, forming the opening (S) 
between the chambers. 
When the trunk of the figure is exposed by lifting up the dress, 
it will be seen that a great part of it is occupied by an inner trunk 
(N), which passes oft’ towards the back in the form of an arch, 
(Fig. 2.) and conceals a portion of the interior from the view of the 
spectators. This inner trunk opens to the chest by an aperture 
(T, Fig. 9 .) about 1 foot 3 inches high, by 1 foot broad. 
When the false back is raised, the two chambers, the trunk, 
and the space behind the drawer, are all connected together. 
“ The player may be introduced into the chest through the sliding 
panel (U, Fig. 6.), at the end. He will then elevate the false back 
of the large cupboard, and assume the position represented by the 
dotted lines in Figs. S. and 4. Every thing being thus prepared, 
the charm’s wound up,” and the exhibitor may begin his opera- 
tions by opening the door (A). From the crowded and very inge- 
nious disposition of the machinery in this cupboard, the eye is un- 
able to penetrate far beyond the opening, and the spectator is led 
to conclude that the whole space is occupied with a similar appara- 
tus. This illusion is strengthened and confirmed by observing the 
glimmering light which plays among the intricacies of the ma- 
chinery, and occasionally meets the eye, when the lighted candle is 
held at the door (B). A fact, too, is ascertained, which is equally 
satisfactory, though for opposite reasons, to the spectator and the 
exhibitor, viz. that' no opake body of any magnitude is interposed 
between the light and the spectator’s eye. The door (B) must now 
be locked, and the screen (I) closed, which being done at the mo- 
ment the light is withdrawn, will wholly escape observation. 
It has been already mentioned, that the door (B), from its con- 
struction, closes by its own weight ; but as the player’s head will 
presently be very near it, the secret would be endangered, if, in 
turning round the chest, this door were, by any accident, to fly 
open ; it becomes necessary, therefore, to make assurance double 
sure,” and turn the key. If the circumstance should be observed, 
it will probably be considered as accidental, the keys being imme- 
diately wanted for the other locks. 
The opening (B) being once secured, and the screen (I) closed, 
the success of the experiment may be deemed complete. The secret 
is no longer exposed to hazard ; and the exhibitor is at liberty to 
shape his conduct in any way he may think most likely to secure 
the confidence of the spectators, and lead them insensibly from the 
main object of pursuit. The door (A) may safely be left open ; 
this will tend to confirm the opinion, which the spectators probably 
formed on vicAving the candle through this cupboard, that no per- 
