The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 4, November 1, 1851Various
History
The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 4, November 1, 1851
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
Rev. RUFUS W. GRISWOLD.
_From G. P. R. James._
STOCKBRIDGE, Mass., 23d September, 1851.
DEAR DOCTOR GRISWOLD:--I regret extremely that it will
not be in my power to be present at the meeting to
testify respect for the memory of Mr. Cooper. I grieve
sincerely that so eminent a man is lost to the country
and the world; and though unacquainted with him
personally, I need hardly tell you how highly his
abilities as an author, and his character, were
appreciated by yours faithfully,
G. P. R. JAMES.
_From Mr. Everett._
CAMBRIDGE, 23d September, 1851.
DEAR SIR:--I received this afternoon your favor of the
17th, inviting me to attend and participate in the
meeting to be held in your City Hall, for the purpose
of doing honor to the memory of the late Mr. Fenimore
Cooper.
I sincerely regret that I cannot be with you. The state
of the weather puts it out of my power to make the
journey. The object of the meeting has my entire
sympathy. The works of Mr. Cooper have adorned and
elevated our literature. There is nothing more purely
American, in the highest sense of the word, than
several of them. In his department he is _facile
princeps_. He wrote too much to write every thing
equally well; but his abundance flowed out of a full,
original mind, and his rapidity and variety bespoke a
resolute and manly consciousness of power. If among his
works there were some which, had he been longer spared
to us, he would himself, on reconsideration, have
desired to recal, there are many more which the latest
posterity "will not willingly let die."
With much about him that was intensely national, we
have but one other writer (Mr. Irving), as widely known
abroad. Many of Cooper's novels were not only read at
every fireside in England, but were translated into
every language of the European continent.
He owed a part of his inspiration to the magnificent
nature which surrounded him; to the lakes, and forests,
and Indian traditions, and border-life of your great
state. It would have been as difficult to create
Leatherstocking anywhere out of New-York, or some state
closely resembling it, as to create Don Quixotte out of
Spain. To have trained and possessed Fenimore Cooper
will be--is already--with justice, one of your greatest
boasts. But we cannot let you monopolize the care of
his memory. We have all rejoiced in his genius; we have
all felt the fascination of his pen; we all deplore his
loss. You must allow us all to join you in doing honor
to the name of our great American novelist. I remain,
dear sir, with great respect, very truly yours,
EDWARD EVERETT.
Rev. RUFUS W. GRISWOLD.
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