At Milford, Del., I found Miss Serrenna Palmer, who began business in 1889 with a cash capital of $7, which she invested in notions. She has had wonderful success, and in addition to a good-sized stock of goods she has paid for two houses. [Illustration: MRS. VICTORIA EARLE MATTHEWS.] Among the highly cultured and brilliant women of America I present here a portrait of Mrs. Victoria Earle Matthews, who has done grand service for the race as President of the Women's Loyal Union, of New York and Brooklyn. Mrs. Matthews began life in Georgia as a slave, but came North when quite young, and made the very best of her educational advantages. Mrs. Matthews is now doing a splendid work in what is known as the White Rose Mission, which was the outcome of a desire on the part of a few Christian women to create sympathy and practical interest in the isolated condition of the Afro-American woman and girl in New York City. At the urgent solicitation of Rev. H. G. Miller, of Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church, the neighborhood surrounding East 97th Street was decided upon as a basis of work. Mr. Winthrop E. Phelps offered free use of rooms for a year. A small company of Afro-American women volunteered regular service and contributions of furniture. For more than eighteen months it has successfully conducted Neighborhood Visiting, Mothers' and Young People's Meetings, also classes in Sewing, Dressmaking, Cooking, and Kindergarten. While I am making mention of a few writers, I will call your attention to Mrs. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, who has been a writer of ability for many years. She is also a well-known temperance worker, and at one time had charge of the colored work for the W. C. T. U. among colored women. The literary effort of her life is the beautiful story, entitled, "Iola Leroy; or, The Shadows Uplifted." This book is indeed a gem and should be read by every one. I am confident if such books written by Colored writers could be read by the leading White people of our country, much good might be done in breaking down the awful prejudice which now exists. Her book received many very fine press comments from the leading White papers of this country; for want of space I can only give one: "The story of 'Iola Leroy' is well worth reading. The plot is natural and the characters are to be found in everyday life. The dialogue is exceedingly clever, full of pathos, humor, and authentic. The plot covers periods before, during, and after the war, and gives abundant opportunity for changing scenes and dramatic effects. Mrs. Harper has never written to better effect nor with a more worthy object in view. The book will greatly increase her popularity as a writer and prove vastly beneficial to the cause of her brethren."--_Public Ledger, Philadelphia._ [Illustration: MRS. FRANCES E. W. HARPER.] The Chicago _Inter-Ocean_, New York _Independent_, _Daily Evening Telegraph_, Philadelphia, and Boston _Herald_ all spoke in the highest praise of "Iola Leroy."