<<DINNER TO MR. ROBERT SMITH.>On Monday last the chessplayers of Sydney gave a complimentary dinner to one of their best friends, Mr. Robert Smith, who is about to leave for England.
The weather was unfortunately inclement. Nevertheless, there was a muster of a score of old hands, who made up in enthusiasm what they lacked in numbers.
Mr. Walker, the president of the Sydney Chess Club, occupied the chair.
After the usual loyalties, the chairman rose to propose the toast of the evening, "The health and future prosperity of Mr. Smith."
In doing so he remarked that their guest had laid the Sydney chessplayers under many obligations by the energies he had lent to advance the noblest of games; he was emphatically a man with a large heart, whose pocket was always open when pecuniary assistance was required.
The toast was received with prolonged cheers.
Mr. SMITH, in responding, said he felt unworthy of the honour which had been accorded him; in the by-gone days, when poor M'Rae and Pendrill were stars, he certainly had done something for chess, but latterly he had been rather out of the circle, owing, perhaps, to other fascinations.
In Sydney he had found that his dearest and truest friends were the players of chess, who were gentlemen in every sense.
In England he might find better players, but he was sure he would not meet with better men. (Cheers.)
The next toast was the health of Mr. Walker, proposed by Mr. Smith, in eulogistic terms.
Mr. Walker responded and said that it gave him great pleasure to be associated with the members of the Sydney Chess Club, than whom he had never met a more sociable and gentlemanly class of men.
Mr. Lea proposed in a good speech the "Sydney Chess Club and Kindred Societies."
Mr. Smith replied, making special mention of the hospitable treatment of Sydney visitors by Melbourne chessplayers, particularly by Mr. Burns and Mr. Ellis.
After the toasts of the "Press" and the "Ladies" had been duly honoured, the company dispersed, well pleased with their pleasant reunion.
Kibitzing
