cases these things were in themselves of no value, they at
least served to show the widespread popular interest which his writings
had aroused. Moreover, his reputation was far from being limited to his
own land. No other American, before or since, has enjoyed so wide a
contemporary popularity. Irving may have been on the whole a greater
favorite in England; but if so, it was largely due to the fact that the
subjects upon which he was employed were of special interest to English
readers, and his manner of treating them was flattering to English
prejudices. But the Continental fame of Cooper was unrivaled, and
indeed could fairly be said to hold its own with that of Walter Scott.
Long before he went to Europe himself, his works appeared (p. 057)
simultaneously in America, England, and France. They were speedily
translated into German and Italian, and in most instances soon found
their way into the other cultivated tongues of Europe. Everywhere his
ability had been recognized by those whose approbation, if it could
not confer immortality, was certain to bring with it temporary applause.
The admiration expressed for him was far less marked in England than
upon the Continent; but even there it could often be termed cordial.
It came, too, from those who, whatever estimation we may give to their
praise, did not praise lightly. From Miss Edgeworth he received
personally a tribute to his success in delineating the characters in
which her own reputation had been largely won. On reading "The Spy,"
she sent him a message, that she liked Betty Flanigan particularly,
and that no Irish pen could have drawn her better. Scott had been much
struck by the scenes and personages depicted in "The Pilot," the novel
he first read, and predicted at once the success of the sea-story and
of its creator. Many there were, even in England, who looked upon
Cooper as being equal to the great master of historical romance. "Have
you read the American novels?" wrote in November, 1824, Mary Russell
Mitford to a friend. "In my mind they are as good as anything Sir Walter
ever wrote. He has opened fresh ground, too (if one may say so of the sea).
No one but Smollett has ever attempted to delineate the naval character;
and then his are so coarse and hard. Now this has the same truth and power
with a deep, grand feeling.... Imagine the author's boldness in taking
Paul Jones for a hero, and his power in making one care for him! I envy
the Americans the