True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1839-04-22

LITERARY REPUrATIoS.-Start not gentle reader!
we not about to nict upon you long dissertation
this theme. We could descant upon it by the hour
We could tell you with what days Of toll and nights Of
bitter anguish, it has been wrung from reluctant pub
lie. We might cite for your sympathy, the prvations
and misery encountered and experienced by those who
have wrought in their attic chambers, ground down by
penury and want, children Of neglect, sconed in their
life time, by cold unrehectng, uncnring world with
fire them, food to nppease the gnnwings of
hunger, clothes shield their squa',d wretchedness
but il is not object. A revolution has taken
place in letters and respect is paid to the iv.
ing ikernteur than in times past and he is amply
flor the production Of his fancy and
Th''vers, liability to whc els exposed, is that he
mny ls to ouslive his fame, and by imbcce and weak
productions, diminish, IL destroy his former repu,a
ton:
"From MarIborough's eyes the Of dotnse flow,
And Swift expires drisel!er and show"
In country, young it is a nation, and espe-
ciay youthful in its literature, not without ex-
nmpes. and none furnish with forcibe illus.
tration, than J. Fennimore Cooper Surely no ono
commenced literary career, with brighter prospects,
His early works of fiction favorably received
in fact, very highly prizsd. Tie was looked upon with
eyes Of pride by his countrymen. His in
every mouth and his books III the hands Of every rea.
der. They found ready sale and brought good prices.
But his avarice of reputation, and his overwecnng
ity could he satisfied Losing sight Of his proper
sphere and blind to his faults, he has sough, new
themes for his pen. to which he unequal, and
fields, win which his cabre not Of the right sort,
and the consequence is he has written himself down.
All Of his late prod uctons have been than feeble
and insipid iIs satire has been souless and his wit
without point and dull. His attempted rdicue Of his
counrynen has faen hack upon himself and his snaw-
ing envy manifesng itself every preposterous shape
has subjected him merited contempt. The ieshness
and vigo and fulness Of tia first ears have been blast
ed by the widowed that followed-the lean kline
have swallowed up the fat and healthy kline. His spir
tied and manly avail fctions and sketches Of American
life and scenery-te daring Of the hardy pioneer and
the hat,ea seges, fortunes" Of the aboriginal ten
ants Of soil, all forgotten in the miserable fail
that he has imposed upon his publishers, who in
their have thrust them the public We not
very sorry for him. 1t is necessary that examples
should beaconshts, and his is An Itch
ing he deemed universal genius, and acquire po
cal rank or office induced him from the true policy
he should have pursued and made him elo de sc in re-
gard 10 hs own reputation.
Happening IN auction room in this city, which is
generally hronged and than on that eve
ming with eager bidders, struck with the light
rcpu,e in Which Mr.. CooPer's works were held. The
same hooks which formerly commanded the highest
prices obtained for works Of felton, were az ,ually
knocked ofn three pienyu"es per oolnme. There
no novel offered whilst in the that did not
sell more readily and a, higher rate. The Monikins,
Ho'neward Bound, Home found, and sunlry poiiti-
cal tracs semrd he fresh in the minds Of the bidders,
and the trhing price, at which his works with the
c.p,ion Of these named knocked of, most
luciantly given. Ste traAs He is unfortunate l,t
erariaH who ouves his fame, and no has .scrc-
tion enough to stop the proper huliing place. tits
bu, indifferent that gives good milk and kicks
over tile phil $50 '=.--