Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/80

 was playing, was the O'Gorman Mahon, the most notable character that ever figured in the House, and the last of the old Irish warriors and duellists."

For several years H. H. was chairman of the Chess Committee and he was the moving spirit in organizing matches.

The most interesting tournaments were those played in 1897 between the House of Commons and the United States Houses of Parliament at Washington.

The Speaker of the House of Commons wrote as follows:

Thanks for your note about the Chess-Match. I hope the best side will win, and I hope, too, that the best men will be found on this side of the Atlantic.

The match was played by cable, a telegraph line running into each House.

Sir Horace Plunkett, Mr Atherley Jones, Mr M'Kenna, Sir Charles Shaw, and Mr Parneirs brother were amongst those who played for the House of Commons. The late Mr Arthur Walter of the "Times" offered a magnificent trophy of Persian Chessmen, and paid the whole of the expenses.

The match was fiercely fought and ended in a draw: two and a half games to each side. At one time the defeat of America seemed imminent and the chairman of the American side cabled "We don't think this fair: we will play you poker."

Throughout the game there was a pleasant flow