Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI. THE Stjlo't0>' ATFAIIt. " Honour pricks me on. Yea, but if honour pricks me off when I come on ? how then ? "--Sin John Falstatf. We must anticipate the events of a few months, in order to place the discussion with Mr. Staunton where it properly belong*, viz., with Morphy's achievements in England. Paul Morphy's principal object in coming to Europe was--to play a match with Mr. Staunton. I am well aware that a young gentleman, travelling for the first time in foreign countries, must have many objects in view; but, in this particular case, the pretext for the voyage, the very inducement for his friends to consent to his journey was to repeat that challenge personally, in England, which Mr. Staunton had declined on the ground of the place of combat not being in Europe. It is necessary that this point should be understood, because much of the controversy hinges upon it. If we examine the challenge addressed to Mr. Staunton by the Xew Orleans Chess Club, we find therein two main ideas: lstly. That Mr. Staunton is a representative of European chess. 2ndly. That American players challenge him to combat with their representative. Mr. Staunton's reply raised but one objection; and that objection led Paul Morphy to cross the Atlantic, in order to. remove the only stumbling-block in the way of the contest. I was constantly with Morphy after his arrival in London, and a frequent subject of conversation between us was the match with Mr. Staunton. That, too, was the first, the principal topic, at all the London Clubs we visited, and even'thing but the date was looked upon as decided. Mr. Staunton, however, had not, as yet, stated explicitly that he accepted the challenge, but he did so viva voce shortly after Mr. Morphy's arrival, ...
