Paul Morphy: The Pride and Sorrow of Chess

by David Lawson

  Colonel Mead then announced that W. J. A. Fuller would present the watch on behalf of the Testimonial Committee. After this presentation, Morphy responded:

  Sir: It has been my good fortune, on a previous visit to your City, to form acquaintances which have ripened into friendships. You are the organ, Sir, of some gentlemen with whom my intercourse has more particularly assumed the character of intimacy. The presentation of the very elegant watch you have handed me must necessarily be less formal than that which has just taken place. Words of learned length or thundering sound would ill become the nature of the occasion. I will simply say that I value this testimonial not less highly than the other. It is friendship’s gift—the vade mecum that must accompany me wherever I go, to remind me that in whatever section of this broad Republic my abode may be planted, there will be in the far North friends whose anxious gaze will be turned to my home, whose hearts will watch with deep emotion the part I sustain in life’s great drama, eager to see me touch the goal of success. Interpreting it in such a manner as a token of the interest felt in my future career by those you represent, I receive this beautiful piece of workmanship with unaffected pleasure. Long may the hands on its dial mark golden hours for my friends, and may no untoward mate ever arrest their course of success on the great chess board of the world.

  The watch presented by the committee was made to order by the American Watch Company of Waltham, Massachusetts. The Testimonial Program describes the watch:

  The stem or pendant is exquisitely carved, so as to represent a King’s Crown. It is set round with brilliants, with another large diamond at its top, which answers for a push-piece by which to open the watch. Upon one lid the United States coat of arms is richly carved in relief, and on the other lid, also in relief, the monogram:

  P.M.

  Instead of the usual Roman numerals on the dial, the hours are represented by the various pieces of chess, finely done in red and black—the Black King standing at twelve, and the Red King at six, the Queens at one and eleven, Bishops at two and ten, Knights at three and nine, Castles at four and eight, and Pawns at five and seven. The cap is engraved with the following inscription:

  TO PAUL MORPHY

  From the testimonial committee of the New York

  Chess Club, as their tribute to his genius

  and worth

  New York, May, 1859

  It was added elsewhere in the Testimonial Program that

  The movements of this watch were made entirely by machinery, and its interior and exterior presents as elegant a specimen of art as can well be imagined. The whole is highly creditable to the celebrated makers, and to American ingenuity.

  Col. Mead then announced that the chess board and men, which were on the platform, would be on exhibition at Tiffany’s for several days and the watch at Runnels. The company then separated, to the tune of the Marseillaise.

  Charles A. Buck, author of a little pamphlet on Morphy, Paul Morphy, His Later Life, written some seventy-five years ago, appears to be responsible for a number of erroneous statements that have been widely accepted. In his pamphlet, Buck mentions an incident that interrupted the testimonial presentation:

  The festivities of this occasion were unhappily marred by a dramatic episode that showed Morphy’s growing sensitiveness to the “profession of chess.” Colonel Charles D. Mead, president of the American Chess Association, was chairman of the reception committee which greeted Morphy, and in his address of welcome he made an allusion to chess as a profession, and referred to Morphy as its most brilliant exponent. Morphy took exception to being characterized as a professional player, even by implication, and he resented it in such a way as to overwhelm Colonel Mead with confusion. Such was his mortification at this untoward event that Colonel Mead withdrew from further participation in the Morphy demonstration.

  No such incident occurred. Contrary to Buck’s contentions, Colonel Mead never characterized Morphy as a professional chess player, nor did he use the word “profession” during the proceedings. Mead introduced the speakers, mentioning where the chessmen were to be seen, and closed the proceedings as reported above by the New York Times. He was also with Morphy the following evening at another testimonial.

  Buck first published Paul Morphy in the Evening Gazette of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on December 29, 1900, and it was later reprinted in the American Chess World of January 1901. Will H. Lyons published it in pamphlet form in January 1902 and added His Later Life to the title. Evidently, Buck did not consult Morphy’s Chess Monthly, the Ledger, or other major sources, for the pamphlet contains numerous errors in addition to that already cited. He apparently just talked to “old-timers” and did little research for his article. The following corrections to false statements in Buck’s pamphlet should be especially noted:

  Stanley did not win one of his match games with Morphy at the odds of Pawn and move.

  Morphy annotated thirty-five Labourdonnais—M’Donnell games, not fifteen as Buck states.

  Morphy attempted to establish a law practice in 1864, not in 1859 or 1860 as Buck states.

  Morphy did complete his contract with the Ledger, although Fuller helped.

  Fiske, in a letter to Will Lyons dated February 5, 1901, says Buck “errs when he states that Mr. Morphy contributed very little to the Chess Monthly.”

  There is no evidence that Morphy was rejected by anyone because he was “a mere chess player,” even though Frances Parkinson Keyes corroborates Buck in this contention. Keyes’s novel about Morphy is more fiction than fact.

  Morphy returned to New Orleans in 1864,not 1865 as Buck states.

  He did play some chess after 1869.

  Zukertort did not meet Morphy in 1882 as Buck states he did, nor is it likely that they ever met. Zukertort first visited New Orleans in 1884.

  Buck mentions an incident concerning a lawyer, a piece of candy, and a remark that he says Morphy made, about all of which nothing whatsoever can be authenticated. It is likely to have as much substance as other statements by Buck called into question here.

  The New York Chess Club never acquired Morphy’s chessmen as Buck states it did.

  The “apochryphal” game was played between Lowenthal and a Mr. Murphy of London in 1855.

  Morphy was co-editor of the Chess Monthly for three years, not five.

  It is not difficult to determine the first symptoms of his malady. Rumors of a Morphy mental condition started in 1875, not 1871 as Buck states. Maurian says he first noticed something was wrong with Morphy in 1875.

  Morphy was taken to the Louisiana Retreat in 1875, not in 1882.

  Colonel Mead in his address of welcome at the testimonial reception did not refer to chess as a profession. Morphy did not resent anything he said. Mead did not retire in confusion and mortification, but remained as chairman throughout the proceedings as previously stated.*

  After the testimonial presentation at the New York University Chapel, Morphy was taken to the Century Club, a club frequented by literary gentlemen and artists, and was received by the club’s president, Mr. Verplanck, and others. Following a cordial reception and collation he was presented to the members.

  The Century Club has today a mahogany chess table with the following inscription on a plate:

  This table was used by Paul Morphy at the rooms of the New York Chess Club in 1857. On it he frequently played with Paulsen, Fiske, Marache, Thompson, Mead and other celebrities of that period. The table was presented to the Century Association in 1875 by John Treat Irving.

  The public furor over Morphy at this time was such that several New York newspapers devoted most of their front pages the next day to an account of the testimonial presentation given at New York University. One can imagine the excitement Morphy created when one considers that the New York Daily News of May 26, 1859, gave its entire first page, except for a portion of its last column, and the New York Times used four of its six first-page columns to describe the Morphy testimonial. Few celebrated persons have received such attention f
rom the New York papers.

  The following letter also appeared on the first page of the New York Times on May 26, 1859:

  THE LADIES AFTER PAUL MORPHY

  To the Editor of the New-York Times:

  Would you not oblige a great many ladies by inviting Mr. Paul Morphy to give a chess matinee, where they could witness his method of playing the Royal game, and make his acquaintance on equal terms with our gentlemen friends. If Mr. Morphy had the slightest idea of the anxiety that prevails among his fair countrywomen to see and do him honor I am sure he could not say them nay.

  M. L. M.

  On the day following the New York Chess Club presentation, Morphy was the object of another testimonial, as reported in the New York Times of May 27, 1859:

  Last evening the members of the Union Chess Club entertained Mr. Paul Morphy at Buhler’s Restaurant, corner of Eighth Street and Broadway, and presented him with the beautiful silver wreath which has attracted crowds of admirers to the windows of Ball, Black & Co. for the last fortnight.

  Upwards of seventy gentlemen sat down, among whom we observed Dr. Waterman, Mr. Isidor, President, Col. Mead, Mr. Perrin, D. W. Fiske, James Thompson, Theodore Lichtenhein, and other gentlemen prominently known in the chess world.

  At half-past ten o’clock the President addressed the honored guest: Mr. Morphy—Gentlemen: It affords me much pleasure to welcome, in the name and behalf of the Union Chess Club, over which I have the honor to preside, our distinguished guest . . . crowned with the laurels of victory over the acknowledged chess masters of the old world.

  Dr. Waterman then arose and addressed Mr. Morphy at the close of which he presented to Mr. Morphy an elegant silver wreath. The wreath was of sterling silver, weighing 12 ounces, handsomely shaped into laurel leaves.

  REPLY OF MR. MORPHY

  “Mr. President and Gentlemen: I sincerely thank you, and to one and all tender my warm and heartfelt acknowledgements. I feel the more deep the compliment paid me this evening from the fact that it proceeds from a quarter whence it was not reasonably anticipated. You, gentlemen, assembled here in my honor, this evening, are, for the most part, countrymen of that great master of the ‘chequered field’—the world renowned Anderssen. [Applause] Leaving aside all feeling of nationality, you have, with the chivalry worthy of the German character, extended the right-hand of friendship to his late antagonist. [Applause] I speak it advisedly, when I say, that were he now within our reach, none would act more heartily in paying him every honor than myself. [Applause] You have spoken, Sir, of some qualities of mine, and to many of which I must say, I can lay no pretensions; nor do I deserve so flattering a testimonial of your regard.

  “The present occasion, Mr. President and gentlemen, furnishes a beautiful illustration of the cosmopolitan character of chess. You and I are natives of countries between which there is the space of the great ocean. You speak a different vernacular, and on many subjects probably entertain conflicting opinions, yet we are congregated this night in honor of the same game, and, gentlemen, we worship the same Deity. And now, Mr. President and gentlemen, I hope you will not doubt my sincerity when I say I fully appreciate this token of your regard. Its value is enhanced in my eyes when I think of the motive which has actuated the donors, and long may their Association flourish in undimmed splendor. I propose, in conclusion—‘Health and prosperity to the members of the Union Chess Club.’” [Cheers]

  The toast was heartily responded to.

  The President then gave:

  The United States—Proud to claim Paul Morphy as a citizen thereof.

  Mr. Dittanhoper responded in an elegant speech, in which he eulogized Mr. Morphy’s achievements in Europe.

  The next toast—“The Champion of the Chess World Universally Acknowledged”—was responded by Mr. Steen, who delivered an appropriate address.

  The American Chess Congress—Forever to be remembered, the brightest star in the horizon of chess.

  Mr. Thompson responded, in the absence of Col. Mead who was obliged to leave at an early hour. Mr. Thompson’s address was very humorous, and elicited loud cheers.

  Late in the evening of the next day, Morphy, accompanied by J. Lorimer Graham, Jr., and other friends, left for Boston. He arrived there Saturday morning and put up at the Revere House. In the afternoon, he was escorted from the Revere House to the Boston Chess Club for a reception held in his honor. That evening he won two games at Knight odds, one with Mr. Broughton and the other with Dr. Richardson. Late that night he was serenaded by the Germania Band. Sunday may have been a day of rest for him. Undoubtedly the quiet was most welcome.

  Monday afternoon, May 30, Morphy went sightseeing and visiting. He enjoyed a ride through Cambridge (where he called upon Professor Longfellow), Watertown, and Brighton. When he arrived in Waltham he visited the American Watch Company’s factory and was shown through it by the proprietor. Upon returning to Boston, a private dinner was held in his honor at the Park House.

  It is likely that Morphy’s visit to Waltham was by invitation of the proprietor of the American Watch Company, who probably asked him at the factory if he would be willing to report on his watch’s accuracy after a few months. Without doubt the company was immensely pleased to receive the following letter from Morphy some months later (published in the New York Saturday Press of October 15, 1859, and later):

  New York, Oct. 5th, 1859

  Mr. R. E. Robbins, Treas., Am. Watch Company:

  Dear Sir:—The American watch, No. 9240, presented me by the New York Chess-Club, has proved to be a most reliable and accurate time-keeper—almost unnecessarily so for ordinary purposes. It is now nearly five moths since it came into my possession, and during that period its variation from standard time has been but a trifle more than half a minute. The following is a record of its performance. It was set June 3d, correctly:

  I give you permission to make use of this statement as you may think proper. I am, with respect, yours truly,

  Paul Morphy

  The watch company received the above “commercial” gratis, although it appeared in the New York Saturday Press a number of times. Any suggestion that he be paid for it would have been repugnant to Morphy.

  As reported in the Boston Gazette of June 4, 1859, the evening of Morphy’s visit to Waltham, “a large number of ladies and gentlemen assembled at the rooms of the [Boston] Chess Club to witness Morphy’s play.” Among those present was Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who mentions Morphy several times in the second volume of his Journal and Letters:

  May 30th. In the evening, went to town to see Paul Morphy play, at the Chess Club. A crowd of ladies and gentlemen. Morphy played serenely, and with a delicate nervous touch, as if the chessboard were a musical instrument. A slight youth, pale and quiet. T. [Thomas Appleton, Longfellow’s brother-in-law] said he reminded him of Chopin.

  June 1. The Paul Morphy dinner was a brilliant affair. Holmes presided; and of course there were endless speeches. Judge Shaw, Sparks, Agassiz, and so forth.

  2d. Dined with the homeopathic doctors in the armory of Fa-neuil Hall. In the morning, Morphy and two handsome youths from New York came out and sat an hour. Also Murdoch, the tragedian.

  It would appear that Morphy was playing chess much more than he desired. He was now expected to play wherever he went—to entertain, to show off, or to convince others of his superiority. Morphy was an innately courteous person and therefore seldom expressed his displeasure with being asked to play so often. Only rarely did he disappoint the often unreasonable demands made upon him. However, on the evening of May 30, after winning from Broughton, the Boston Gazette of June 4, 1859, reported, “It was expected that Mr. Morphy would play several games, but fatigue, incident upon the pleasures of the day, made him unwilling to do so.” It was further noted in the Gazette that “Mr. Morphy has thus far played but three games since his arrival in Boston, all of which he won. It is hoped and expected that he will, before the close of his visit, give further opportunity to our players to cope with him
.” And a letter from J. A. Graham, Jr., of Boston to Fiske, dated June 1, 1859, mentions complaints made about his playing so few games there!

  The evening of May 31, the Boston Chess Club gave Morphy a complimentary dinner at the Revere House. The occasion was made particularly brilliant by 18 of the 140 invited guests. The Boston Journal of June 1, 1859, reported the event as follows:

  At 6 1/2 o’clock the company entered the hall to the music of a popular march played by the Germania Band. The Auto-crat of both Hemispheres, the learned, witty and genial Dr. Holmes, presided at the festive board. On his right were Paul Morphy, Dr. Horace Richardson, President of the Club, Hon. Jared Sparks, Prof. Pearce of Harvard College, Rev. Dr. Huntington, and Prof. Lowell. On his left sat President Walker of Harvard College, Chief Justice Shaw, Hon. Joel Parker, Prof. Agassiz, Prof. Longfellow, and Rev. T. Starr King. At another table in front of the President were the other invited guests— Hon. Henry Wilson, Mayor Lincoln, Hon. Josiah Quincy, Jr., Edwin P. Whipple, Esq., James T. Fields, Esq., and Hon. B. F. Thomas.

  At 20 minutes of 9 o’clock, the President of the Boston Chess Club, Dr. Richardson, arose and addressed the assembly as follows:

  “In behalf of the Boston Chess Club I am very happy to welcome on this occasion our distinguished guest, Mr. Paul Morphy, and the many other eminent guests assembled on this occasion. And they may be assured that the welcome is not less cordial and sincere, although so brief. I now introduce to you the President of the evening, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes.” [Prolonged applause.]