New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-26
MIR. BRYANT's DGsCOURSE
ON THE LIFE AND GENIUS on
JAMES KENMORE COOPER.

Il is now somewhat more than year
since the friends of James Fenimore Cooper,
in this City, were planning to give public
dinner in his honor 1t was intended as an eK-
preston both of the regard they bore him per-
svnally, and VI the pride thoy took in tho glory
his writings had reflected on the American
name. We thought OF what we should say In
his hearing; in what terms, worthy OF him and
of us, we should speak OF the esteem IN which
we held him, and of the interest we felt in q
fame which has already penetrated to the re-
hottest nook of the earth inhabited by civilized
man.
To-day we assemble for sadder purpose; to
pay to the dead some part Of the h0nors then in
tended for the living We bring our Offering
but he is not here who should receive 1t in HE
stead are vacancy and silence; there IS no eye
to brighten at our words, and no voice to answer.
at is an empty Office that we perform" said
Virgil, in his melodious verses, when commend
rating the virtues of the young Marcellus, and
bidding flowers to be strown, with full hands
over his early grave. We might apply the ex-
preston to the present occasion, but 1t would
be true in part only We can no longer do any
thing for him who is departed, but we may do
what will not be without fruit to those who re-
main. 1t is good to occupy our thoughts with the
example OF great talents in conjunction with great
virtues. His. genius has passed away win him'
but we may learn from the history of his life, to
employ the faculties we possess with useful &C.
tivity and noble aims we may copy his mag
unanimous frankness. his disdain OF everything
tba fair ar a
his refusal to comply with current abuses, ana
the courage with which, on all occasions, ne as
serted what he deemed truth, and combased
what he thought error.
The circumstances of COoper's early life wero
remarkably suited to confirm the natural harol.
hood and manliness Of his character, and 70 car
forth and exercise that extraordinary power o.
observation which accumulated the materials al
terward welded and shaped by his genius fns
father, while an inhabitsnt OF Burlington. IN
New-Jersey, on the pleasant banks OF the Della
ware, was the owner Of large possessions on tho
borders of the Otsego Lake. in our own state
and here, in the newly cleared fields, he built In
l7s6. the first house in Cooperstown. To thiShoms'
Cooper who was born in Burlington, In the year
1859, was conveyed In his infancy ana mere, - 10
informs US IN his Preface 10 the rloneeis, hs .ss
imprs ssions Of the external world were ootsined-
Here be passed his childhood, with the vast iores
around him, stretching up the mountains thai ovef
look the lake. and far beyond in region wnefe .n'
Indian yet roamed, and the white huater, IAN IN
dian in his dress and mode Of life, sought his game
a region In which the bear and the VOL were ~
hunted, and the panther, rn0re formida0s
either. lurked In the thickets, and tales OF w.
ipes in the wilderness, and encounters VIZ
fierce animals beguiled thu length % 'As ~
nights. OF this place, Cooper, si'A"" 49,.
moved from il 70 pursue his nuais''
,ons ,esident throughout his ns aao h''' h'' '"'s
wears were wholly passed.
A, the age Of thirteen ne wa sen' 10 iAie
.h.,s notwithstanding his exuems youtn-iof'
.i,b the exception of the poet Hinhoase' No W
The Youngest In His class, and Hillhouse "a AVE-
ward wi.hdrawA-hs progress in his ssuaiss ~, ~.
to have been honorable to his talents ne ' 49,.
College, altar residence OF three yS A.,
came a ridshipmsn In the unnea 49, w.nd.r.
year. D. soloxsd the sea, and there ye' 49,.
smo.. ,hose Who are fond OF literary an.o,s,
s..- >, me Young sailor who. In ire "iss' " oae
'.'.y n~,i.b porss, attracted the CURIOSITY o. 'as
OF 1s ;. srplaniDg to his companions Lssin ~s'a
~ conc public place. That DUNG 'o's peru -
H. himself master Of the knowledge ana We u"