But his great and crowning faculty was that of recognizing 
the significance of each of his brilliant discoveries to the whole 
structure of science. His keenness in this, the highest mani- 
festation of thought, was incomparable; and though his gener- 
alizations were often startling, they were never made rashly, 
and they have usually secured the acceptance of a steadily 
increasing body of scientific men. 
Nor was it alone in the natural or biological sciences that 
he left the impress of histhought. Psychical phenomena, which 
are as far as possible removed from zoology and paleontology, 
enlisted a large part of his interest. Singularly enough for one 
who dealt so much in the concrete, his tendency was strongly 
towards idealism and against materialism. 
He possessed definite views on all subjects, from metaphysics 
to politics,and was hopeful and optimistic in all. No amount 
of discouragement would prevent him from striving and hoping, 
He always saw a gleam of promise ahead that things would 
change, no matter how hopeless they seemed to others. 
His power of dissociating his personal feelings from his 
actions on a given subject was so remarkable as to be almost 
unique. 
This ethical side of his character was not generally under- 
stood, though his principles were always frankly announced 
and rigorously followed. No amount of personal liking or 
repugnance would change his vote on a question which ought 
to be decided by the qualifications of an individual or the pro- 
priety of a course of action, the sole points considered by him 
were fitness and justice. 
Their most devoted friends were not fairer in estimating the 
true value of those whom Cope considered his bitterest oppo- 
nents than he. His views and convictions on all subjects 
were impersonal, and were raised far above the malarial 
atmosphere of jealousy and malice. 
ese lines are traced by one who has been for twenty-five 
years his intimate friend, as a spontaneous tribute to a great 
master in science at the moment of his death, and may strike 
a responsive chord in the hearts of those who enjoyed the 
privilege of .close acquaintance with Edward Drinker Cope. 
April 12, 1897. PERSIFOR FRAZER. 
