Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-10
Eccentric Paul morphy.

letter In the Cincinnati Commercial cont atn5
tine dnce particulars regarding
My anXe to learn all could about Paul
MOrphy led me to examine the directory and
wander to the place designated as his residence,
No; 50 Regal s rect, plain house of the Old
style, with broad, double door, without step
or yestiou,e, opening right to the sidewalk
me Establishment Of jeweler takes up all of
made some preliminary inquiries of neighbor,
VINO told me that Mr.. MOTphy was at home, In
GOOD health, and able to see people; he walked
out good deal. In answer to ring at the bell
negro female appeared, who told me about the
same Things, and added that he was in, and that
l could see him. She went away to announce
me, leaving me to observe the broad hall with
cemented 1OCr ana walls and look through the
archWay at the end into Towering court be-
yOnd. The colOred damsel returned, saying
mat she was mistaken; that Mr.. Morphy had
gone out with his mother, but that could see
him at anoihe time. have since come to re-
gard it as VERY fortunate circumstance that 1
failed to see him while misunderstanding the
tIne state OF affairs learned from undenla-
that when addressed on the subject he either
lilies into passion or denies that he ever did
know anything OF the game. Occasionally
hear he admits that he used to play chess some
but not enough to justify persons In attaching
notoriety to him. He processes to be a lawyer
OF prominence, and although he has no Office
no clients and spends hours promenading Canal
street daily, he imagines himself so pressed
with business that he cannot realize himself for
the briefest time. The great case that absorbs
nearly all MS attention Is an imaginary one
left him by his father. He demands detailed,
explicit account Of everything connected with
their administration for number OF years; and
they pay no attention to his demands and re-
peated suits, because it is supposed of the
trouble and because everybody else interested
Is satisfied and knows there Is nothing coming
his expectancy. At certain hours every day
Paul Morphy Is as sure to be walking on Canal
street as Canal street Is sure to be there to walk
on. People Shun him for the reason that the
least encouragement will result in being com
PEELED to listen for hours to the same old story
that everybody knows by heart-that relating
to his fathers estate. He talks OF nothing else
and apparently thinks of nothing else. His
personal appearance is not at all striking, and
were it not for his singularity of manner he
would rarely be noticed in crowded thorough
fare. He Is OF less than medium height, and
thin in body; his face Is yellow, careworn,
showing every day of his forty years of
age, and destitute of beard except an effort at a
dark gray, large and intelligent. he Is always.
while an the street, either moving his lips In
sOI1loQuy, removing and replacing eyeglasses,
or smiling and bowling In response to imaginary
ders him much more agreeable object Of curl
Osity than he would be If he were negligent in
his attire. Physicians regard his as very pc
culiar case, amenable to treatment possibly, If
placed under their care; but no opportunity Is
afforded, as he regards himself as sane as any
man, is harmless to society, and is well cared
for by willing relatives. Medical experts who
have made mental phenomena a study, also
say that his chess strength is probably not at
all impaired, possibly increased from long rest,
and that II he were so inclined he could as5oniSh
the world with his wonderful powers more than
ever. Judging however, from his long retire.
ment from the chess arena, and from his per-
sistent devotion to his insane idea, 1t is only a
reasonable inference that Paul Morphy is for
ever lost to the chess world, and that he Will
continue to keep buried those talents that would
benefit the world and gain honor for himself,
together with the wealth he wants and needs,
and which he Is striving for 50 energetically IN
way that Is visionary and hopeless.