veral European languages, and may
even, we are told, be read in the Persian tongue.

Other stories quickly followed. "The Pioneer" was published in 1822.
This and "The Deerslayer," "The Pathfinder," "The Last of the
Mohicans," and "The Prairie" belong to the series known as the
Leatherstocking Tales, so called from Leatherstocking Natty, the most
celebrated of the characters introduced. These deal with life and
adventure among the Indians, in description of which Cooper surpassed
all other writers. The sea tales include "The Pilot," published in
1823; "The Red Rover," in 1827; "The Waterwitch," in 1830; "The Two
Admirals," in 1842, and "The Sea Lions," in 1849. Altogether, Cooper
wrote thirty-three novels, many of them universally recognized as
entitled to first rank in that field of literature, and all full of
interest to the lover of romance.

In 1826 Cooper visited Europe, and remained for several years,
continuing his literary work and producing, in addition to novels,
some volumes of sketches of European society. He returned to America
in 1833. His last book, "The Ways of the Hour," which deals with
abuses of trial by jury, was published in 1850. He died on the 14th
of September the following year at Cooperstown.

HISTORICAL NOTE.

The events of the patriot Revolution afforded ample and excellent
subject-matter for the genius of Cooper; and in "The Spy" he treats
his material in a manner which has made the work a favorite with all
lovers of fiction. The scene of the story is laid chiefly in that part
of New York State lying immediately north and northeast of Manhattan
Island. At the period referred to New York was held by the British,
under command of Sir Henry Clinton, having been taken after the defeat
of the Americans at the Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776. At
the same time the Americans possessed nearly all the rest of the
State. The district lying between the British and the American lines,
and extending over the greater part of Westchester County, was known
as the "neutral ground." Here the principal events of the story are
placed.

This district having then practically no government, the inhabitants
suffered much, not only through the military operations of the hostile
forces, but from bands of marauders known as "cowboys" and "skinners."
The latter, professing to be supporters of the American cause, roamed
over the neutral ground, robbing Tories (friends of the British) and
others who refu