‘A PAWN (Facta non verba). – “A Pawn” labours under an egregious mistake in supposing Mr Staunton declines a match at chess with Mr Morphy from any apprehension of his prowess. Mr Staunton declines it for the simple reason that it is impossible for him, without a violation of engagements which would involve ruinous loss to others as well as to himself, to sacrifice three or four months for the sake of a contest at chess. To taunt him, therefore, for not doing what, with an Injunction over his head, he is absolutely debarred from doing, is about as valiant an act as to challenge a man who is under the heaviest recognizances to keep the peace, or to strike a prisoner. So far as the mere question of play is concerned, Mr S., though undoubtedly a pawn and two moves below his force when in full practice years ago, has shown more disposition to meet the American than the latter to meet him. Mr S. went to Birmingham and entered his name in the list of combatants at the late meeting there, mainly to confront Mr Morphy, but Mr M. thought proper not to appear. Since then, while expressing his utter inability, for reasons which are unanswerable, to undertake a long and serious match, Mr S., though immersed in literary labour, has proffered to receive the American as a guest, and break a lance with him for pure chivalry, but Mr Morphy has not condescended even to acknowledge the invitation.’

John Townsend comments:

‘The points made by Staunton in the passage which you quote seem perfectly valid.