Paul Morphy: The Pride and Sorrow of Chess

by David Lawson

  [Capt.] H. A. Kennedy

  It was a hectic week ahead for Morphy, beginning with an entertainment on Monday evening, April 11, given by Mongredien, president of the London Club. On Tuesday afternoon he visited the club and was engaged in a game with Mr. Medley at the odds of Pawn and move. In the evening, he was the guest of Lowenthal at his new club, the St. James’. Here they contested two games, each scoring one.

  On Wednesday, April 13, after visiting Lowenthal at his office at the Era, the two of them went to the London Chess Club. The Club had asked Morphy if he would give an eight-game blindfold exhibition, to which he had agreed. Play began at 5 p.m., against eight strong players, given as follows in board order: George Walker, F. L. Slous, F. E. Greenaway, F. G. Janssens, A. Mongredien, G. W. Medley, G. Maude, and J. P. Jones. There are indications that Morphy was perhaps tired or lacked enthusiasm for the occasion, although he played rapidly. The exhibition was adjourned at 1 a.m., due to the lateness of the hour, with only three games settled. Morphy won two, while he drew a third with George Walker by the latter’s perpetual check. It is probable that Morphy would have won others had play continued.

  Among those present as visitors were Lord Arthur Hay, Marmaduke Wyvill, M. P., Barnes, Boden, Rivière, and Lowenthal. The last had been asked to serve as official recorder of the games.

  The following day, April 14, Morphy was the guest of honor of the London Chess Club at a banquet at the Ship Hotel, Greenwich. Over forty members with their friends were present. As the Era of April 17, 1859, states, Mongredien called attention to the “King of Chess,” lauded his ability and courteous demeanor, and concluded by proposing the “Health of the Champion of the Chess World.” Morphy returned the compliment by proposing the “Health of the President.”

  Later, Morphy proposed “The Health of Mr. George Walker,” paying him tribute as author and player, and expressing the great pleasure it had afforded him to make his acquaintance. Walker, in responding, expressed his gratification at being mentioned in terms so flattering by a master so distinguished.

  On Saturday evening, Morphy again visited Lowenthal at the St. James’ Club and had another game with him, which ended in a draw. Lowenthal was now working on a collection of Morphy’s games, as has been previously mentioned, and they were probably considering the games to be included. The game score between them since Morphy’s return from Paris was now even, quite possibly due to Morphy’s having made no determined effort to win against his editor.

  Morphy might now have had time for three days of relaxation. However, he had agreed to conduct an eight-game blindfold exhibition on April 20 for the prestigious St. George’s Club. This was to be followed by a banquet in his honor. Lowenthal gave the following account in the London Era (April 24, 1859) of the exhibition and gala affair at the Wellington Saloon, Picadilly:

  ST. GEORGE’S CHESS CLUB

  Grand demonstration in Honor of Mr. Morphy

  From the moment when it first became known that Mr. Paul Morphy would revisit England en passant from the Continent of Europe to that of America, the Chess players of the old country determined to pay a final and worthy tribute of respect to the esteemed and illustrious Champion of the New World. From all parts of the country letters were addressed to London, urging that suitable arrangements should be made for the demonstration; and it is needless to add that the votaries of Caïssa who dwell in the British metropolis—both east and west of the antique boundary of Temple bar—were not less anxious to award the homage due to their renowned friend.

  If indeed, Mr. Morphy could have spent a few more weeks in Great Britain, he would have received a series of ovations hardly less brilliant and enthusiastic than that we are about to speak of. But the time our distinguished visitor had already spent on this side of the Atlantic in the severer duties of his art, deprived very many of his admirers of the opportunity of exhibiting their regard for him in the way most congenial to the modern Anglo-Saxon mind. Two public demonstrations were all that he could attend, and the two clubs of the metropolis, each in turn have had the honor of Mr. Morphy’s presence at a banquet. Last week we reported the dinner at Greenwich, given to him by the London Chess Club; we now report the demonstration made by the St. George’s at the Wellington Saloon, Picadilly, on Tuesday last.

  The time was not altogether favorable to the success of a West-end fete, but it will be seen that the zeal and enterprise of the promoters of this entertainment were amply compensated by the results.

  At two o’clock p.m., the hour appointed for the meeting, the splendid saloon was filled by a body of aristocratic guests. Among the noblemen and gentlemen present were Lord Cremorne, Lord Arthur Hay, Lord Granville, H. Staunton, W. Lewis, S. Boden, G. Medley, A. de Riviere, J. Lowenthal, Esqs., and a host of other gentlemen well known in the chess world. It is, however, but strictly correct to admit that politics had to some extent deprived the assembly of a few of the most notable habitués of the clubs, and we dare say, if the truth were told, that not a few members of the House of Commons, and other ardent and noble politicians who were absent, would have been well pleased to have been present, if that had been possible.

  Punctually at two o’clock Mr. Morphy commenced his extraordinary feat, eight noblemen and gentlemen being pitted against him in the following order:—

  As is usual in these cases, Mr. Morphy took the first move in every game, M. de Riviere acting as secretary for the occasion, and notifying to the young champion the moves of his opponents. As the play progressed and Mr. Morphy’s precision and rapidity became more marvelous, the most anxious interest was expressed in the countenance of every looker-on, and although it is unnecessary to observe that at the very outset the master mind was felt to be there, it was not until a series of moves had been made on each side that Mr. Morphy’s preeminent genius was exhibited. His foresight in tracing the designs of his antagonists, his imagination in devising stratagems, and his dexterity in forming combinations only became the more apparent as the demand for their exercise increased, and it was evidently no easy task for the observers to confine their enthusiasm within the limit of etiquette. If such a demonstrative tone had been permitted the lookers-on would probably have broken the continuity of the play by frequent applause. In several of the games he speedily acquired superior positions; in the remainder he maintained his ground throughout. Our space is not adequate to the demands of criticism. We might fill columns with a detailed narrative of the feats performed on this occasion. We can but briefly observe that the play did not consume more than five hours, and when Lord Arthur Hay, the last remaining combatant, proposed a draw which was accepted by Mr. Morphy, there was no longer a motive for concealing the feelings of the assembly. A loud and long protracted round of applause greeted the victor, who accepted this ovation with a degree of modesty that gave him a still higher place in the esteem of his friends. Mr. Morphy, it may also be stated, did not betray any symptoms of fatigue.

  We cannot pass from this meeting to a formal report of the speeches delivered at the dinner in the evening without mentioning one significant feature of the demonstration. It will be a source of infinite pleasure to our readers, as it was to those who were happy enough to take part in these festivities, that so many members and representatives of the two leading clubs united in paying a farewell compliment to the American gentleman.

  THE DINNER

  About sixty noblemen and gentlemen sat down in the splendid dining-room of the building. The banquet was of the most re-cherché description; the viands and wines provided by the establishment were of the choicest kind; and the chef of the cuisine contributed in no small degree, by a happy selection of names for his dishes in honouring the guest of the evening.

  In the absence of the Earl of Eglintoun, the President of the club, Lord Cremorne occupied the chair, being supported on the right by P. Morphy, Esq., and on the left by M. A. de Riviere, the adjoining seats being occupied by the veteran player, W. Lewis, Mr. Medley, the Hon. Sec. of the London Club; Mr. Sybrandt (
Mr. Morphy’s brother-in-law); Herr Lowenthal, and others. T. Worrall, Esq., now so well known in England as the Mexican Amateur worthily filled the vice-chair; and Lord Arthur Hay and Mr. Hampton, the Hon. Sec. of the St. George’s, gave him, on his right and left, the usual support.

  After full justice had been done to the bounties of the table, His Lordship proposed the usual loyal toasts, and next proceeded to the toast of the evening, observing that it was never agreeable to say in a gentleman’s presence all the flattering things that he could couple with the name of Paul Morphy, that every gentleman present was aware of his skill as a chess player. All had witnessed his modesty, unelated by repeated triumphs, the courtesy that characterized his communion with each and all of his fellow-players; and it was sufficient to give his name merely to ensure for it that hearty reception of which it was so highly deserving.

  The proposal of the noble Chairman having been accepted with a burst of cheering such as we have seldom heard given, the young Champion arose, and made the following eloquent response:—

  I hardly know, my lord and gentlemen, in what terms to acknowledge the high compliment of which I this day find myself the unworthy object. There are occasions when a language must be spoken, of far more difficult utterance than the ordinary speech obtains among men—moments when the full heart can find no expressions commensurate with the intensity of its feelings—when every word seems cold—when language itself becomes powerless. Of such, I feel, is the present occasion. When I look before and around, and see gathered in my honor so select an assembly of Chess-loving gentlemen, I feel that mere words could never adequately express my deep sense of indebtedness. The only return I can make is to tender to each and every gentleman here present my warm, and I would beg you to believe, my heartfelt acknowledgments. To those gentlemen with whom I have had the honor to contest a few friendly battles over the chequered board, I would also express my profound obligation. Their kindness—their unvarying courtesy—their demeanor, always marked by the most polite attentions—I shall not easily forget. Let me hope that they who, for a few brief hours, were foes in the mimic strife, have become warm personal friends. To have conquered their esteem is my proudest boast. And now, gentlemen, after a sojourn of nearly twelve months in the Old I must again seek my far home in the New World. Gladly would I here remain in company so congenial, but the call of duty must be obeyed. To say that I regret the few months spent in Europe would be saying but little. What may be reserved for me in the future I will not venture to divine, but this I do feel that one of the most delightful episodes of my life is fast vanishing into the past. Come what may—be pleasure or pain my lot hereafter—the remembrance of the golden days passed in your midst will ever be dearly treasured here. Should fortune smile on my future career I shall dwell with delight on the auspicious morn that heralded the bright and happy day; and should adversity—as soon it may—lower around my pathway of life, I shall derive from the remembrance of other and better days a consolation of which nothing shall deprive me.

  Let Fate do her worst; there are relics of joy,

  Bright dreams of the past, that she cannot destroy;

  That come in the night-time of sorrow and care,

  And bring back the features that joy used to wear.

  Long, long be my heart with such memories fill’d!

  Like the vase, in which roses have once been distill’d—

  You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will,

  But the scent of the roses will hang round it still.

  [Thomas Moore]

  How prophetic were those last words: “and should adversity—as soon it may be—lower around my pathway of life.”

  It would seem that Morphy had almost no time with Lowenthal on the game collection the latter was compiling. He probably just gave him the same selection that he had chosen with Prèti of Paris. For in the short time before April 20 at Wellington and his free(?) days thereafter, Morphy is known to have played a match of nine games with T. H. Worrall at Knight odds, winning seven and losing two; two games with Mrs. Worrall at Queen’s Rook; six games with G. Maude, two at odds of Pawn and two moves, and four at Knight odds; and two games with E. Pindar at Knight odds. Few of these games were ever reported and none were at the time. Morphy also played two more games with Lowenthal, as later disclosed by Jean Dufresne in 1862 in his Der Schachfreund.

  There now remained one more extraordinary performance expected of Morphy, as was announced by the Era of April 24:

  St. James’ Chess Club—The Champion, Mr. Morphy, with his wonted kindness, has consented at Mr. Lowenthal’s request, to visit this Club on Tuesday evening next, April 26th, and then play four games simultaneously against the following excellent players:—Messrs. Barnes, Boden, De Riviere, and Lowenthal. A most crowded attendance is anticipated.

  At the last moment, H. E. Bird asked to be included and so Morphy played all five masters simultaneously. The following Saturday, the Illustrated News of the World carried a description of the event:

  GREAT MEETING AT THE ST. JAMES’ CHESS CLUB.

  A highly interesting assembly met in the splendid saloon of St. James’s Hall, on Tuesday evening last [April 26], when Mr. Morphy encountered five of the best players in the metropolis. Among the persons of distinction and great talent present, were Lord Cremorne, W. F. Baring, Esq., T. H. Worrall, Esq. (the well-known Mexican amateur), T. Hampton, Esq. (the honorary secretary of the St. George’s Club), F. Healy, Esq., J. G. Campbell, Esq., R. B. Wormald, Esq., R. B. Brien, Esq. (late of Oxford), W. Harris, Esq., of the Richmond Club; H. Foster, Esq., President of the Cambridge Club; and many others of almost equal reputation. There were, indeed, present players of all shades and grades, and of all parties in this assembly. St. George’s and the London Clubs were strongly represented; and the habitués of the Cigar Divan, the Philidorian Rooms, and Purssell’s, mustered numerously. It is also to be remarked that several of the London Daily Press sent members of their reporting staff.

  The arrangements of the room were excellent. A portion of the saloon was railed off, and the combatants were thus protected from the pressure of the eager spectators, while, at the same time, peculiar facilities were in this way given for a clear observation by all persons. The first table was occupied by M. de Riviere; the second, by Mr. Boden; the third, by Mr. Barnes; the fourth, by Mr. Bird; and the fifth, by Mr. Lowenthal. Mr. Morphy played all these gentlemen simultaneously, walking from board to board, and making his replies with extraordinary rapidity and decision. Although, we believe, that this is the first performance of the kind by Mr. Morphy, it is a remarkable fact that he lost but one game. Two other games were won by him and two were drawn.

  It was afterwards remarked that “Speaking generally, his style of play seems to be rapid and impetuous, and his coup d’oeil so perfect that he can master at one glance all the exigencies of the board. More than once in the course of the play his opponents had to call for time, which he conceded with the most good-hu-mored courtesy, chatting in the interim with whoever chanced to stand near him.”

  Some sixty years later, a casual announcement indicated that Morphy may have received attention from England’s royalty during this last visit to London, although there was no inkling of it then or for years thereafter. It was well known at the time that Queen Victoria was fond of chess and played it with Prince Albert, the Queen of the Belgians, and others. The Hereford Times of January 1889 reported “that the greatest solace the Empress Victoria has in her widowhood is Chess—a game she frequently played with the Crown Prince when they found themselves with a leisure hour. The Empress generally travels with a Chess board and men.” According to Lord Broughton, in his Recollections of a Long Life, Queen Victoria knew something of chess before meeting her prince, for Lord Broughton was one of her early chess advisors. In any case, the New York Sun of December 9, 1888, carried the following news item:

  Queen Victoria a good chess player.

  Two Empresses, Victoria, also Queen of England, and t
he other, her daughter, the wife of the late Emperor Frederick, are at Windsor together, and spend a great deal of their time playing chess. Queen Victoria, who was a very celebrated player in the old days and used easily to beat her husband, the Prince Consort[,] is no match for her daughter, the German Empress who has made the game a study, and finds in it the only consolation for her loneliness.

  Twenty years later we find in the American Chess Bulletin of November 1918 another interesting reference to Queen Victoria and a sheepskin chessboard. It seems that some years after Paul Morphy’s death, Eugene Morphy came into possession of relics he had owned:

  Eugene Morphy, a first cousin of the immortal Paul Morphy, who greatly resembles the portrait of his illustrious relative, has many interesting anecdotes to tell of the incomparable master.

  Among the numerous and splendid trophies left by the master was a simple sheepskin, upon which was drawn a chessboard; no gold lettering, no scroll work, no ornamentation of any kind, but in the lower right-hand corner the signature of Queen Victoria. It is Mr. Morphy’s intention to present this relic to the British Museum.

  Paul Morphy’s presence in London in April 1859 could not have escaped the attention of Queen Victoria. It seems likely that either he had an audience with her, at which time she presented him with the sheepskin, or that she sent it to him in recognition of his extraordinary chess fame. It is not known what became of the sheepskin. The British Museum has no record of having acquired it.

  At the time of Morphy’s death, it was reported on July 11, 1884, in the New Orleans Times-Democrat, of which Maurian was chess editor, that, “In a game with the Queen of England he gallantly permitted Her Majesty to win, but with Napoleon III he was less gallant.” Nothing further is known of Morphy’s playing with either.

  At last, Morphy left London, after some twenty full days of banquets, exhibitions, and chess playing, which he undertook to gratify his friends and the curiosity of his admirers. Much of this was probably very wearing on him.