I devote an entire chapter to Penmen, because I regard this art as one of the special evidences of race progress. The delicacy of the work and the close application to study required to succeed in it make it doubly hard to command any considerable attention.
PROF. RICHARD HILL.
PROF. RICHARD HILL, NASHVILLE, TENN.
Prof. Richard Hill, who is principal of Writing, Drawing and Music in the colored schools in Nashville, Tenn., has much to be proud of. Mr. Hill is a native of Nashville; he attended the city schools until he had gone through the ninth grade. At that time the colored schools were not carried any higher. In order that he might better prepare himself for a useful life in the interest of his race, he earned money by blacking boots on the streets until he saved enough to attend Gaines High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. At nineteen years of age he came home, and began teaching in the same room where he himself had been taught his letters. We feel warranted in saying that Mr. Hill is the only colored man in the country who has been placed in charge of Writing, Drawing and Music in so many schools. He has seven buildings, fifty-six teachers, nearly 4,000 children under his care in the branches named. In 1893 the Penman's Art Journal, of New York, held a public school writing contest. The colored children in the Nashville schools were allowed to enter on equal footing with the whites. There were two prizes offered and I am glad to say that the colored schools won them both. But we are sorry to say the colored schools have not been asked to take part in any other contests. Penman's Art Journal said recently: "Superintendent Webb, of Nashville, Tenn., writes us that 'the winners of the two certificates awarded to Nashville in The Journal's public school competition, as well as three other pupils whose names were included in the roll of honor, are pupils in the colored schools of that city. Richard Hill, Assistant Supervisor of Drawing and Writing, has charge of the work in these schools, and to him should be given the credit that, without this explanation, would naturally be given to me.' This speaks very well for the colored schools of Nashville and their Supervisor, himself a colored man, and the only one we know of who occupies this responsible post. He is a fine writer and skilled in ornamental work. We are reliably informed that he acquired this skill and knowledge at the cost of great personal sacrifice, his preceptor being our friend, Lyman D. Smith, the well known author and teacher, whose methods he closely follows. The Journal takes pleasure in according this deserved recognition to Mr. Hill, his pupils and his race."
FREDERIC S. MONROE.
Mr. Frederic S. Monroe, of New Bedford, Mass., is employed as stenographer and typewriter to the Pairpoint Mfg. Co. (a corporation with a paid-in capital of $825,000, a weekly pay-roll from $6,000 to $8,000, employing a force of several hundred skilled workmen), and engaged in the manufacture of gold and silver plated ware, casket hardware, fine cut glass, decorated ware and decorated French china. The company has stores in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Montreal; from each of these places as well as from the factory a force of traveling salesmen are sent out, who cover the whole of the United States and Canada.
FREDERIC S. MONROE.
He has held this position for four years, and has given perfect satisfaction. He resigned a clerkship in the book and stationery store of Robert W. Taber to accept his present position. Was in the employ of Mr. Taber for about two years and a half, and prior to that time had filled the same position with his predecessor in this business, Jas. M. Lawton, Jr. Was with Mr. Lawton for about twelve years, and for the last three had entire charge of the book and stationery department, when he increased the business by the purchase of a music and art store.