New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-09-16
Death Of james Fcnimore Cooper.

The deceaSe OF THIS ulsuh9ulshcu hldHi
who for over a quarter Of q century has held
such an eminent position in American Ltera-
ture. took place at o'clock on Sunday after
noon. the l4th inst. at his residence in Coop
erstown. For several months past, his health
had been in a condition which awakened
the anxiety OF his friends. although with
vigorous constitution and temperate habits,
they could not but anticipate his attainment
Of a ripe old age. tie left tue City about
the first of June for his country residence;
his strength was greatly impaired he
hoped much from change OF air and
scene: but as it has proved. he returned
home only to breathe his last in the
bosom of his family. His death will
| call forth an emotion of sadness, through
out the whole extent OF our country. for
there are few who do not deem themselves
his debtors. for many hours of the Purest IN
tellectual qualification. while the most re-
markabe features of American scenery have
been invested with a new charm BY the ma
gic touches of his pen. Nor in his native
land alone will the announcement of his de-
cease strike a tender chord in the memory.
and recall the delight with which the mag
nation has reyeled in his fresh and glowing
pictures of nature and passion. His fame
IS not onlv coextenslve with the English
language. but his works have become per-
manentlv incorporated with the best htera
ure of every civilized country. Without
ceasing to be American, he was emtnently
cosmopolitan. gaining a congenlal home tor
the productions of his genius In every order
of society. and holding his wizard spell over
the backwoodsman, who read the adventures
of Stocking by the light of pine
knot in the log cabin, as well as over the
votaries of science and of fashion in the bril-
Liant saloons of Paris and Vienna.
Mr.. Cooper was born at Burlington N.J.,
on the 18th of September. 1888, and had
he lived one day longer, he would have
DttH SlAlN-lNO NtdiS VI dEts ILL., 'AN'AN''
the late Judge Cooper, was large land
holder in Otsego county, IN this State, re-
siding alternately at Burlington and Coopers-
town. and giving his name to the latter
township, which has since been distinguish
ed as the residence of the world-renowned
author. He received the rudlments OF
classical education under private IN
structOr at Burlington, continued his studies
with an accomplished Episcopal clergyman
in Albany, and was prepared by him for
Yale College, which he entered m lHo2.
Al this early age, scarcely turned OF
thirteen, he was Unqualified for the
attainment of academic distinction still
he held a respectable place IN bis
class: and in the department OF ancient
languages is said to have outstripped
every competitor 1t is certain, however,
that he had not vet manifested a vocation for
literary life. No one who then saw the
blooming and somewhat reckless youth.
who it is understood had already begun to
develope the spirit Of sturdy independence,
which aiterward took the shape OF way
ward obstinacy, could have predicted or suS-
pected the position which he was destined
to win among the literary men OF his coun-
try. \ native passion for the sea, and an
uncomfortable love of adventure led him,
.ol,.it al ~
the American Navy, at that time IN 1t, most
imperfect infancy. and in 1903 he entered the
service as Midshipman. He remained in
the Navy for six years. The influence of this
period of his life is indeiibly stamped upon
his subsequent productions. II enabled
him To describe the minute of nautical al
fairs with that breadth and boldnesS OF
touch, which could be commanded by no
writer who had not himself been rocked on
the giddv mast, and to whom the taste of
salt water was not more familiar than the
fountains OF HellcOn. " It'll the vivid I'M
pressions OF experience, obtained IN the
fresh and wondering age of boyhood. with
creative Imagination slngulariy alive u
the impulses OF external Nature, and with
4 freedom and energy of deliniation which
Is impaired only by the possession Of ac-
tual knowledge. he had store of materials
for the production of tales of the sea-
which. had he written III no other depart
ment of fiction. would have decided his re-
putaton a. a consummate master.
In the year 1910 Cooper resigned his
post in the Navy. was married to the lady
who survives to mourn his loss, and took up
his residence at Westminster, III the vicinity