The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-19

pure and fine, that che was sure 10 ris'
ultimately to the highest heights Of The
line Of art her nature had marked out
for her. In her poems Of nature she
Il at her finest, and. with her deeper
feeling. there is winsome lightnes'
> and grace as airy as the delicate wood
land grasses and flowers which her per
paints on her pages.
To her friend. Mrs. Livingston Mins
she has dedicated what she deems her
finest work in the soDnets written re.
Gently. Into them she has thrown the
truest and finest part OF her personal
emotion. and the inspiration Of the
subject has given an added grace and
beauty.
Miss Bell is growing in her work
every day. She is careful student Of
her art and a careful critic Of herself.
and everything she does leaves an inn
preston vivid, clear, and infinitely
chsste.
MRS. MEL CoLQUTr.
Though Mrs. Mel Colquitt IL better
known as writer Of prose, her verses,
contributed now and then to the Con-
s;itution and many other leadingpspers
aud magazines, have always reached
the truest hearts and highest intelIects.
Mrs. Colquitt is magnetic woman and
a magnetic writer. She is also prac-
teal. direct writer. whose directness is
made forcible and exquisite by the
sympathetic tenderness Of her nature.
Whatever she does is sure to be strong
aud lovable. 1t is all the work Of a
lovable woman-she has that divine hu-
mainly which upiifts, and is one with
the joys and sorrows of mortality.
About her, too. is a clear, critical,
humorous vein. that with the finer ore
makes one laugh aud cry simultaneous
". like Sol Smith Russell in the Poor
Relation OF all her poetry the last
lines in The Constitution, her tribute to
Henry Grady, was her gem Of gems.
than which none brighter have been set
In the immortal crown Of our great
hero.
MISS MINNIE QUINN.
The photograph from which this cut
was taken in no wise does justice to
the wonderfully pretty face Of Miss
Minnie Quinn. the young lady who has
been known from her earliest girlhood
as one Of The Constitutions most gifted
poetical contributors.
II she had never written a line Of
verse or done anything else admirable,
her looks would be enough to win over
any lover Of beauty to belief in her
merits. Her style is peculiar. From
beneath her finely arched. dark brows
there shines large, luminous pair OF
clear gray eyes whose pupils are very
dark and very black. Her hair is dark
and wavy, her complexion dark and Of
that soft, creamy downiness seen on a
perfect peach. Her mouth, with its
brilliantly white teeth. is rather large,
deliciously sweet, firm and expressive,
and there are. around its corners and in
the pretty cheeks, the most enchanting
dimples. Her face Is one that is a
pleasure to the memory, 50 full It is OF
happy. youthful beauty.
Since she was little girl. seven years
Old, Miss Quinn has been putting her
thoughts into rhyme. AT first she sang
them 10 herself as she rocked her doll
babies to sleep. At eight years old she
published her first poem in the Spartan
burg Herald, and frem the age Of nine
until twelve she contributed regularly
to the Sunny South. AT fourteen she
published her first volume OF verse,
called "Under tho Roses" and this
volume brought to her acomplimentsry
acknowledgment from LoDgfellow.
The year she graduated at the high
school she published May Blossoms,
which won her a high and enviable
reputation.
The year before her graduation she
won. over the graduating class, the
medal for a poet;cal composition. Mr.
Grady wrote the first complimentary
review Of her books. and Paul Hsyne,
during his life, was one Of her staunch-
est admirers and friends. Through all
the labors of his literary life he wrote
to her regularly, long charming letters,
full Of helpful encouragement.
OF him she says: "He was the great
est stimulant and help to my ambition,
and now | miss most sadly the bright
intercourse which SO long existed be-
teen us.
In all Of her work Miss Quinn shows
bright, vivid Imagination. aud charm
ing feeling. She ia versatile in her
talent, writing Of love. of nature, Of
Joy and sorrow, with fine conception
Of every subject she undertakes, and
rythmical smoothness aud grace which
betoken a thorough mastery OF her
art. Her earliest works bespeak the
careful clever student. In them cannot
be found the bad rythm, the jarring ca
dences and awkward words 80 often
the attribute of youthful poetry. The
verses flow easily, brightly as silver
summer stream.
MISS MARGIe K BELL.
Miss Margie Key Bells young poet
ess, who through her yerses in The Con-
stitution, has won much praise. Her
personality is sweet. womanly and at
tractiye. She has fair hair and com
plexion. blue eyes, mouth firm and
.waaf and a faca full 81 trentlapoaa and