But-- _'magna est veritas et prevalebit_.' There is comfort in that at any rate." It would seem that not only was the inventor forced to uphold his rights through a long series of lawsuits, but a great part of the press of the country was hostile to him on the specious plea that they were attempting to overthrow a baleful monopoly.

In this connection the following extract from a letter to J.Fenimore Cooper, written about this time, is peculiarly apt:-- "It is not because I have not thought of you and your excellent family that I have not long since written to you to know your personal welfare.
I hear of you often, it is true, through the papers.

They praise you, as usual, for it is praise to have the abuse of such as abuse you.

In all your libel suits against these degraded wretches I sympathize entirely with you, and there are thousands who now thank you in their hearts for the moral courage you display in bringing these licentious scamps to a knowledge of their duty.

Be assured the good sense, the intelligence, the right feeling of the community at large are with you.