PUBLIC LIBLARY 633615 A ASTOR, LENOX AND R 1622 L The Westminster Chess Club Papers. THE promoters of this Chess Magazine think fit to explain three points:-1st. The reasons for its appearance. 2nd. The origin of its name; and 3rd, The nature and tone of its different departments. I. There is among Chess-players an insatiable desire to see their exploits in print; and long and deep has been their growing anxiety to possess an organ or vehicle wherein every contemptible achievement, be it game or problem, in which they have taken part, might be carefully registered and handed down for the benefit of posterity. It will be the aim of the Editors of this Magazine to correct this insane desire for praise and flattery, by showing to what such vanity may lead; at the same time they are not above taking every advantage of its prevalence as a means of securing the commercial success of their undertaking. II. Concerning the name of the projected periodical, many grave, astute, and prolonged discussions took place; and innumerable were the suggestions made to the Editors. Amongst them we may name "The Chess-player's Monthly Nurse," "The Chess-player's Tonic Resuscitator," "The Chess Record," "The Chess-player's Check Book," and finally, "The Westminster Chess Club Papers." As the owners of the forthcoming chess "Eye Opener" were all members of the Westminster Chess Club, the last-mentioned name was received with general applause, it being from the first discernible that the honoured name of that Society would in some way be woven into immortality on the Wrapper of the New Magazine. III. Touching the conduct and tone of the various departments of this work, the Editors will here only mention a few generals and particulars, just as they occur to them. They would prefer that all Subscriptions should be annual, and paid in advance; but they will not guarantee the size nor the regular appearance of the Magazine, nor indeed its appearance at all, in any other form or time than shall suit their ease and convenience. The drudgery and real labour of the work will be relegated to foreign enthusiasts; but on no occasion will these be allowed one atom of credit for any valuable analysis which their skill and research may deserve. The general tone and tenour of the Magazine will border on the severe indeed it might be said will be scurrilous and abusive, as the Editors are determined to shrink from nothing short of actual libel. Every number will contain numerous bitter and cutting remarks and observations, from the pens of acknowledged masters in the art of reviling. It will not be absolutely necessary that all contributors should assume a nom de plume, but a marked preference will be shown to anonymous letters, and articles to which their authors have shrunk from appending their real names. Letters filled with "buncombe" will constantly be written by the Editors to themselves, and no.windy trouble will be spared in blowing their own brazen trumpets. The notices to correspondents will be for the most part fictitious; great attention, however, will be given to the tact with which these replies are adjusted for instance, an untruth of more than usual magnitude and malice would appear as a response to "Verax," or "Veritas:" A spice of what must otherwise appear to be a most insidious injustice would be addressed to "Justitia," or to "An Impartial Looker On," who may perhaps be ingeniously implicated by the replies' commencing with such a phrase as "We entirely agree with you in the opinion expressed;" or, "We fully concur with our intelligent correspondent," &c. Appellations such as "Clericus,' "M.A.," "B.A.," "An Old Subscriber," "A Constant Reader," "Lex," "Theta," "An Anxious Enquirer," &c., will regularly be made use of, in order to give buoyancy and force to such statements as it may suit the purpose of the Editors to set afloat. All correspondence, in fine, must be conducted in such a manner as shall tend to the exaltation of the Editors, and the glorification of their Magazine: and any infringement of this regulation will be visited with that vituperative severity which is the peculiar attribute of Editors, and the favourite reading of all classes in civilized society. The Proprietors of the New Periodical desire to conclude this prefatory notice by bestowing a few general hints for the guidance of their subscribers, contributors, and the public. 1. Communications intended for the Weekly Wasp, but rejected on account of inexcusable acerbity will always receive attention from the Editors. 2. Next to the truth, there is nothing which the Editors detest so much as trouble: therefore all contributors who are not desirous that their effusions should be thrown on the back of the fire, must strictly attend to the following rules :-Never make a mistake of any kind whatsoever: Write in a hand like the finest copper-plate, or not at all: Use but one side of the most expensive cream laid note: And take good care what you are about. Ist APRIL, 1868. "I—I—I myself, sometimes, leaving the fear of Heaven on the left hand, and hiding mine honour in my necessity, am fain to shuffle, to hedge, and to lurch.”—MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Act II., Scene II.—Shakespeare. |