His works are translated into all the languages of the Continent; editions of every work he publishes are printed in, I think, more than thirty different cities, and all this without any pains on his part.  He deals, I believe, with only one publisher in Paris and one in London.  He never asks what effect any of his sentiments will have upon the sale of his works; the only question he asks is—­’Are they just and true?’

“I know of no man, short of a true Christian, who is so truly guided by high principles as Cooper.  He is not a religious man (I wish from my heart he was), yet he is theoretically orthodox, a great respecter of religion and religious men, a man of unblemished moral character.  He is courted by the greatest and the most aristocratic, yet he never compromises the dignity of an American citizen, which he contends is the highest distinction a man can have in Europe, and there is not a doubt but he commands the respect of the exclusives here in a tenfold degree more than those who truckle and cringe to European opinions and customs.  They love an independent man and know enough of their own heartless system to respect a real freeman.  I admire exceedingly his proud assertion of the rank of an American (I speak from a political point of view), for I know no reason why an American should not take rank, and assert it, too, above any of the artificial distinctions that Europe has made.  We have no aristocratic grades, no titles of nobility, no ribbons, and garters, and crosses, and other gewgaws that please the great babies of Europe; are we, therefore, to take rank below or above them?  I say above them, and I hope that every American who comes abroad will feel that he is bound, for his country’s sake, to take that stand.  I don’t mean ostentatiously, or offensively, or obtrusively, but he ought to have an American self-respect.

“There can be no condescension to an American.  An American gentleman is equal to any title or rank in Europe, kings and emperors not excepted.  Why is he not?  By what law are we bound to consider ourselves inferior because we have stamped folly upon the artificial and unjust grades of European systems, upon these antiquated remnants of feudal barbarism?

“Cooper sees and feels the absurdity of these distinctions, and he asserts his American rank and maintains it, too, I believe, from a pure patriotism.  Such a man deserves the support and respect of his countrymen, and I have no doubt he has them....  It is high time we should assume a more American tone while Europe is leaving no stone unturned to vilify and traduce us, because the rotten despotisms of Europe fear our example and hate us.  You are not aware, perhaps, that the Trollope system is political altogether.  You think that, because we know the grossness of her libels and despise her abuse, England and Europe do the same.  You are mistaken; they wish to know no good of us.  Mrs. Trollope’s book is more popular in England (and that, too, among