Mahjong History: a game even more fascinating than bridge and liked by the Churchills.

Mahjong: a game even more fascinating than bridge and liked by the Churchills.

The new game has come from China, by way of America according to some, and there are already handbooks about it and professors, native and foreign, ready to initiate proselytes into its mysteries.

Mahjong is said to exercise a greater fascination than bridge. It possesses several advantages: notwithstanding its exotic vocabulary and Oriental punctilio it is not too difficult to learn; it combines, to an extent, the qualities of dominoes and cards — though it is neither — and it demands a set of pieces of subtle workmanship, the more beautiful the better, and expensive enough at present to prevent it from being too quickly acclimatised in unworthy parlours.

Will it become permanent, like chess which despite modifications of age and country still smacks of the lands of its origin, or will it be only a passing fashion? Or will it, like games that have never quite caught on, such as halma, to which Napoleon in his last phase was devoted, sink into a humdrum and occasional status?

On the analogy of other games of skill and chance, it may be supposed that on arrival in Europe it will undergo changes, but for the time being it is probable that there will be enthusiasts desirous of cherishing the full flavour of a piquant chinoiserie.

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Certainly there are things in it which it would be a pity to modify. The number of pieces, for instance, and their names, commemorate old and far-off things of which Chinese exponents are said to be still subconscious. The building of the square wall of pieces at the beginning, the sides fitting closely to keep devils out, and the designation of players by the titles of the four winds, indicate a philosophy and a civilization which do not deserve to be too hurriedly translated into the current coinage of the card-table.

There may be doubts whether Occidental society is quite fit to receive the gift. In the 18th century the novelty might have stood a better chance, for then was the age of leisure and stately amusements. It is difficult to see the 20th century in its rubber overalls, as Mr Beerbohm has depicted it, sitting down nightly with that steadiness of purpose, nicety of courtesy, and gravity of silence which the laws of mahjong appear to exact from its votaries.

But since the wind blows from the East we can but try our best at playing the game in its due rigour.

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The Article From The Times: November 8, 1923