The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-12-02
Paul MOrphy.

NiOip puyy tuc idIlOus Cncso- prayer, was u
familiar as household words in almost
every portion of the civilized world. He
was a lion in his day, and no mistake,
and for young mamie was not over
twenty then-he made considerable
noise.
For twelvemonth he was sensation,
and then passed away from public notice
and fame, as suddenly as he had risen to
those giddy heights.
Among those who recollect the bril-
liant career of the great chess king, there
are very few who could tell you anything
about his existence during the past ten
years. or, indeed, whether he lives or is
dead
But it is safe to assume that the revival
of the subject here will prove a matter
of much interest to thousands, for al
though Morphy dropped from the worlds
view many years ago he has not by any
means been forgotten; and the very
mention of his name, almost anywhere,
will suffice to awaken curious desire to
know what has become of him, and what
has been his history since he resigned
his crown in the domain of chess.
With the wonderful and dazzling Ca
reer of Morphy in 1859 and 1860 all men
are familiar. What led to it will here
be recited. He was born in New Orleans
in 1910, of Creole family, rich and re-
spected. When a mere lad he evinced
an aptitude for chess, and in six months
after having played his first game he de-
veloped into a marvellous player. He
not only beat his father and his teachers,
but vanquished the best chess players in
the city, and in three months more had
so progressed that among the most skill
full players at the game in New Orleans
and there were many good ones here
none could even approach him.
At this time his fame had travelled not
only to the North in his own country,
but to Europe, and then his star began
to rise until it became bright, conspic-
uous on two continents. His entrance
upon the life of a public-chess-player was
effected against the remonstrance of his
parents and his kindred, who saw some
thing ignoble in the public parade of
young Morphy's talents, and the culti-
vation of the notoriety which would
necessarily follow. But Paul was charm
ed at the prospect of becoming famous,
and no argument could turn him from
the course upon which he had set his
soul. So he became great, but it will
be hereinafter seen. that as the price of
his fame was his family's sorrow, it came
home to him in after years, and made
him a morbid, melancholy man. 1t has
at last reduced him to a mental wreck,
and he is now an inmate of private
asylum, where he has resided for the past
three months, and whence he will per-
haps never emerge alive, as he is cOnsid-
cred to be hopelessly insane. When
Morphy returned from Europe in 1860,
after his magnificent triumphs there, it
was not as conqueror that he came, but
as man who, having tasted the fruits of
glory, has found them bitter in the END,
and, disgusted with himself and man
kind, resolving to eschew the world
and its people forever. This was Nor
phys condition of mind when he came
back to his New Orleans home late in
1860, and then was seen the first CLEAN
of his after sorrow, which reproached him
for having grieved his family, and which
settled upon and remained with him ever
after.
From the hour of his arrival here, he
declared he had done with chess for the
rest of his life, and he not only vowed
never to play or look upon chess-board
more, but he expressly enjOined upon
all who knew him to never allude to the
subject of chess in his presence, save un-
der pain of his severest displeasure. 1t
came to be generally understood that he
had thus set his face against what had
once been his pride and ambition, because
to its indulgence he charged not only a
remorseful feeling at having crossed the
wishes of his parents, but likewise the
| forfeiture of brilliant business prospects.
At all events he despised chess as much
as he had once loved it, and he steadfast.
| ly refused to mingle in the world beyond
| the confines of his own kindred. Thus
he lived a secluded and morbid existence
here until the outbreak of the late war
when, in company with several members
of his family, he went abroad.
In 1866 he returned to New Orleans
and renewed his life here under the same
conditions which had prevailed before
his departure, save, perhaps, that he was
more retired than ever. Still he was O
conspicuous character, although no one
except his mother could lay claim to his
friendship or his notice. His daily rou
tine of existence involved walk or
Canal street every morning, where his
dapper little figure-always scrupulously
well dressed-became as well known anC
as regularly looked for as the MONDAY
bell. After his daily promenade he re
tired from public gaze until evening
when he appeared in his box at tht
opera, where, it is said, he never missed
night. 1t is further related that dur
ing these years he permitted no friendly
acquaintance; he was never known Il
associate with anybody but his mother
and persistently repelled advances from
those who, having been friends of hi
early youth, desired to renew their asso
Citations. He lived strange life,
strange, moody, and peculiarly mournfu
man.
Twelve months ago, he began to shoy
the first positive symptoms of a breaking
down of his mental faculties, and b
soon manifested such eccentlicities @
disposition in public, that his mothe
began to be unhappily alarmed abou
him.
This concern, as il proved, was no
| WlL0Oub WdTTdut. COhtlhutu w maj
ifest increased symptoms of mental abel
ration, and after vainly striving to battl
with the inevitable, his mother sadl
recognized the fact that her son was II
sane, and three months ago, as alread
recited in this article, he was placed !
an asylum.
It's a sad sequel to history who's
plges were once aglow with a world
: admiring plaudits, and there are man
in both this country and in Europe VIII
will invest the knowledge here conveye
J with q tender interest, and with it r,
vive the recollections Of a man who, !
, his time, was famous far beyond the con
mon lot of mortality.
THE situation in the British roy,
, family looks dubious. Albert EdwaI
|, has gone to meet her Highness Nugero
Dowlah- Omrow Dootah Baku Mahom