CHAPTER IV
AS A CHESS-PLAYER
"Was it right, I say, and consistent with thy duties to sport away thy evenings amidst the vanities of Chess?"
CHESS is the only game permitted in the House of Commons. Somewhere about 1885 H. H. discovered a solitary and ancient chess board, in the smoking-room of the House, which tradition said had belonged to a former member for Deptford. H. H., who, like many others, found time hang heavy upon his hands, immediately seized upon the board and in a very short time a crowd of enthusiasts were gathered round.
The crush of spectators became so great that the players proposed to start a five shilling subscription, and a Chess Committee was formed. Among the earlier players were Sir Charles Russell, Lord Randolph Churchill, Parnell, Sir George Newnes, Charles Bradlaugh, and others.
Speaking many years later H.H. said:
"Lord Randolph Churchill was a very impatient player; he used to suffer so much in thinking out his moves. Bradlaugh was by far the most astute player, but Sir George Newnes, who was the greatest player in the House in those days, could beat him. Parnell was not a particularly strong player. He used to look on a good deal. But the man who would make the merriest comments, who would send ripples of laughter round the room, particularly when Parnell
