And what shall we say of that wonderful instance of precocious mentality, Thomas Chatterton, who, at the age of eleven, wrote excellent verses, and who, before he was eighteen, successfully forged descriptions, names, and poems from the antiquated coffer of Canynge, in the church at Bristol?
An investigation of Colored American literature reveals the fact, that most of our literature was produced before our authors were thirty-five years of age. This is certainly true of the works of B. T. Tanner; W. S. Scarborough; R. C. O. Benjamin; Phillis Wheatley; A. A. Whitman; T. T. Fortune; E. A. Randolph; J. J. Coles; C. W. B. Gordon; and others whom I might mention. It may not be inappropriate for me to state, at this juncture, that "The Negro Race, a Pioneer in Civilization," was penned when I was almost twenty-two; "The Life and Times of Paul," at twenty-four; "Science, Art, and Methods of Teaching," at twenty-six; and "Freedom and Progress" is now ready for press.
In the light of these historic facts, let no one think or say that Mr. Penn is too young and inexperienced for the compilation of his valuable work. Let us be thankful that among us are young men and women who are able to think and pen thoughts worthy of themselves and race. Let us encourage, by word and deed, every intellectual and moral effort put forth by our young men and women for the enlightenment and advancement of our people.
This grand work should illumine with its light every home of our beloved state, and every fireside of the Colored Americans of our country. Its many principles and precepts; its record of struggles and conflicts, born of contending forces; its narration of the lives and deeds of energetic, intelligent men and women are well calculated to impart useful knowledge, beget lofty aspirations, and direct the life to high, manly, womanly achievements. Its every sentence is pregnant with wholesome instruction, and its every page admonishes us to exert our best endeavors to prevent and allay racial antagonism and estrangement, and to labor for the time when white and colored citizens alike will vie with each other in making Virginia the foremost state in the Nation.
Daniel B. Williams.
Professor of Ancient Languages, and Instructor in Methods of Teaching in the V. N. & C. I., Ettrick P. O., Va., November 7, 1889.
