of democracy there was mingled, however, a weakness of feeling on the
subject of position, which occasionally degenerated into an almost
ridiculous pettiness. This was especially true of his later life. His
utterances were sometimes so apparently contradictory, however, that it
is hard to tell whether justice has been done to his real meaning on
account of the difficulty of ascertaining what his real meaning was. But
he spoke often of "the gentry of America," as if there were or could be
here a class of gentlemen outside and independent of those engaged in
professions or occupations. He seemed at times to attach that supreme
importance to descent which we are usually accustomed to see exhibited
in this country only by those who have little or nothing else to boast
of. His contempt of trade and of those employed in it had frequently
about its expression a spice of affectation. Moreover, he subjected
himself to much misrepresentation and ill-will by the manner in which he
lectured his countrymen on the distinctions that must prevail in
society. There are certain things which are everywhere recognized and
quietly accepted: they only become offensive when proclaimed. A man may
unhesitatingly acquiesce in his inferiority, socially, to one who is
politically only his equal; but he will very naturally resent a
reference, by the latter, to the fact of his social inferiority. A good
deal of Cooper's later writings was deformed by solemn commonplaces on
the inevitable necessity of the existence of class distinctions. This
drew upon him the condemnation of many who did not look upon the (p. 085)
expression of such views as an offense against truth, but as an offense
against good manners. To correct the folly of fools was itself folly; and
wise men, no matter what their station in life, did not thank him for
the instruction, the very giving of which implied an insult to their
intelligence. His remarks on the subject were never heeded, if indeed
they were ever read, by those for whom they were specially designed. But
to his enemies they furnished ample opportunities for misrepresentation
and abuse.

But any account of Cooper would be of slight value that failed to take
notice of his love of country. No other man of letters has there been in
America, or perhaps in any other land, to whom this has been a passion
so absorbing. It entered into the very deepest feelings of his heart.
Even in the storm of calumny, which fell upon him in