Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-06-03
THE PAUL MoRpuy TESTIMONIAL.

THE PAUL MORPHy TESTIMONIAL.
The New York Chess Club have done hon
or to Paul Morphy, as the King of Chess
players, by an appropriate present of great
beauty and richness. The presentation was
made Wednesday evening, May 25th, in the
presence of a large assembly of ladies and
gentlemen. Speeches of considerable length
were made to Mr.. Morphy by Mr.. John Van
Buren, and Mr.. W. j. Fuller. and short,
neat and modest acknowledge were made
by him in reply A letter was read from
Prof s. F. b. Morse, in which he said
was so fortunate as to be present at Paris, at
the Cafe dc Rcgence, at tho marvellous contest oil
Mr.. MoRPHY with the most skillful European |
players, when he engaged with them in eight dli-
ferent games at the same time, and without see
ing their boards, unaidcd but by his most extrnor
binary memory and unrvallcd skill. witnessed
not only his marvellous triumph, but his modest
and unassuming bearing in the moment OF victory |
And not the least gratifying part of the scene was
the spontaneous outburst of generous and mag
unanimous applause from his French antagonists,
that filled the air with shouts as they conducted
him in triumph to his carriage. 1t was beautiful
proof to me that the flame of II high-soulcd chiy-
airy still burned in the hearts of Frcnchmcn
The presents consisted of a set of gold and
silver Chess-mcn, with a Chcss-board made
of rosewood, ebony and pearl, with silver or
naments and appropriate nscriptions' and
rich gold watch, made expressly for the
purpose. and finished in character
istic style. The cost of the thcss-mcn
was about : 800 and of the Chcss-board
$500. They were made at the celebrated
establishment of Tiffany u Co. Here is a
description Of the Chcssmcn, as given in the
n. Y. Times
The Chess-men, which are the CONSPICUOUS
objects of the "Morphy testimonial, are OF
the purcst gold and silver, d,-with the
exception ofthc cornelan pedestals-oi those
materials alone. In design and execution, as
well us in Intrinsic value, the set is SO far
us we are informed, unequaled-thc cclcbra-
ted establishment in the possession of Queen
Victoria, though of similar design, being OF
inferior proportions. The connOsscur will
especially remark the exquisite details of the
artists conception. As chess is royal game
the pieces in this superb set are appropriately
modelled after study of one OF the grandest
historic cpisodcs-the contest of Christianity
and Barbarism 1.-THE Reds" or the gold
ting the components of an imperial array. in
the days when Kings and Queens went forth
with their armies, and Bishops exchanging
mitre and crosicr for battle axe and sword,
transferred the war of proselytism from the
sanctuary to the field. "Thc Whites or
the silver pieces, in happy contrast, repre-
sent the Northern horde which disputed the
domination of Thcodosius, or, at a latter pc
rod, for while withstood the march Of Clo-
Wis and Clothide.
In detail the pieces are as follows The
Gold King is statuette four inches in height
and weighing three ounces, royal robes grace
fully falling over his armor, the Imperial
globe upon his martially defended head, the
crown and sccptre at his feet by his side an
elegant shield, and in his right hand the
sword of Empire The Queen arrayed in
character, is of proportions slightly inferior
to those of her Lord. The Bishops. in the full
panopy of warriors, three and a half inches
in height, stand perceptibly inclined forward
grasring drawn swords, with blades advan-
ccd, and are spirited illustrations of the tierc
Prelates who anticipated the Higher Law
conflicts of the Pulpit and Press by good cut
and thrust augmentation on hand-to-hand.
TheKnights ON both sides are admirably sculp-
tured chargers. pranclng nearly upright. and
ruby-cycd. In the Rocks and Castles, the ar
tist has adopted the chinese design, and
'lanKCd tne rear lines ny stiteiy eieplla'i'S'
cach bearing" an Eastern h0wdah' upon which
an ci'Sahtiy wrought Eagle Is slreaui''s ms
P''l''nS' rs II 10 ounce upon MS PryGE' LUZ
eyes oi poti! nru ana peaSt are pflill'''! iu.
admirable, the artist having achieved man
{ fest triumph in the ntrast which his fine
chasing has elected between the coarse hide
Of the elephant Il the tgcr-skin mantle of the
hoWdah' Inns eiapotatea piece t'lec anu
tnree-quartcr 'nche' IN heish'' anu We's"'
c'ShS Solu d'li'rS' "r--'noIe "lli''''''S
G h'g T., pu, ne, .....,... ;.
me SILVER NlhS Is happy c9uh.erldr. ~, ~
ms 'olueh adversary AS i'nI ,i " Wv
barhariahs, ms covering Is oi o"lr : my
ana only dlsiInSuiShel rom ,hat o' his 'o,
lowers ny tle iIIer urefSi'iS ~ mas Iooct,e I,
, pispntinS the Emplre WIN the ieaogr ol t''
i opposing most me- 100; wears 'nc itiPci'"
Slope upon Wilieh resi- 'h"'' EN- oielna'c wl,'S,
win Whicn tAG NoFSeli ici az" i"o , ,,
adorned the'r h'li!ets' ne roy'l o,liuicii,'
t lie at hls ieet. WINE on ms ielt arm uePehu'
shieia inscribed win the 4enanI motto
: - L''n.!!y' ana III mis rI-nt manu- ~ EiI'i
Il warllke brand LIS Huoch ! arInSeu III
proper cnHl'G.'I luz i',9oi %r''i InS
, ian alyersarics. their panoply otherwise
according with that OF their posts III pro
: portion anu we's"', '''u9J l'''07 pow
The Gold Pawn. are statuettcs two and {
t half inches in height, weighing two ounces
In TINS piece i've ar''S, mas c'apor ft: Wv
, strn;,h+ donhIe-odgnJ sword heinz exact Co
V pies Of those borne by man-at-arms of th'
t Western Empire Inc SILVER fawh Is slll'la'
: | IN proportion, ana torI'spplulhSlS cAu'