Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-06-25
WHOLE NO. 1851.
Paul Morphy's Latter Historv-Ab-
surd Hatred of His Own Genius

| New Orleans Correspondence Of wilkes Spirit
In 1859, Paul Morphy, the worlds
chess king, returned to America
crowned with such triumphs and
honor as perhaps have never been
shown to any exponent of that or
any other game OF skill. In the full
flush OF his brilliant career it seemed
that this distinguished man would
pursue to still greater fulluess the
measure of his success, which had
made him lion not only in America,
but in Europe.
Strangely enough, he withdrew
from that pursuit, directly upon his
return to America, and in the retire.
ment OF his New Orleans home, he
gradually dropped out of public re.
collection.
During the late civil war, be resid-
ed in France, whittier q great num-
Der of New Orleans creoles migrated
to avoid the distressing experiences
Of that epoch. At its close he return
ed to New Orleans and engaged in
the pursuit of tho legal profession, to
which he had been bred by his faith
er, and which he abandoned for the
glories of chess-playing.
Here he has continued to reside
since that time, and, singular to re-
late, during the period from his re-
turn to the present day, he has not
played single game of chess, and,
what is more singular, he has mani
lested such antipathy to the game
that, by express understanding
among his friends, tho subject is be-
fore him a forbidden one, and even
chance allusion thereto in his pres
ence is painful one.
The question that quito naturally
arises is, "Why is this thus ?" No
one has yet been able to answer it.
Certain it is, however, that for near
ly ten years he has not even seen a
chess-board, and if he has his way
about it he never will see one more.
These facts | ascertaned some days
ago, when, upon learning Of a report
that he was expected to play chess
at the coming Centennial Exposition,
visited him at bis residence to know
whether there was any foundation
for the rumor.
OF course there exists here deal
speculation touching the action of
Mr.. Morphy in thus avoiding-nay,
shunning--a career which, to most
men, would be the consummation of
fond ambition +; the goal of public
adulation and popular honors, so fas-
cinating to the average human heart.
In imparting to me what | have
written hero, Mr.. Morphy begged
that | would not write anything
about him nor mention his name in
connection with chess that he had
done with it forever, AID he desired
no public mention Of his name. But
| know it will be of interest to many
to revive recollection Of this strange
genius, and | have therefore, been
constrained to set down what may be
read therein.
Those who know him best account
for his present sentiment upon the
principle that when he became pro-
fessional chess-player he did SO
against the advice and earnest APP
peals of his family, and that in fol-
lowing the bent of his inclination he
sacrificed most brilliant business pros
poets, which were then opening be-
fore him.
In time he came to realize what
golden opportunities he had wasted,
and in the same way he came to look
upon his chess-playing procivities as
responsible for such misfortune, and,
gradually turning against it in re-
sentiment, he has grown into an alb
horrence of it, Truly, that's what it
seems, and nothing else.
1t may, therefore, be understood
that the report concerning his reap
pearanoe as a chess player is baseless,
and it may be furthermore under
stood that the light of tho chess-play-
ing genius of this greatest player the
world ever saw, is lost to that world
forever