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REPRESENTATIVE WOMEN OF NEW ENGLAND

lar and successful. In her own words, "I suppose it is because I have such complete self-possession myself that my audience feel easy and comfortable themselves." She was State Regent for Rhode Island of the Daughters of the American Revolution from 1895 to 1897, and is now an Honorary State Regent.

Miss Greene says: "I did not intend to delay for so many years my application for admission to the bar of Rhode Island. No woman has yet applied here. By the rules of court a member of the bar of another State may appear here and plead, but all court papers must be signed by a member of the Rhode Island bar. As I do not practise in court, there has been no need for me to apply, and I have put it off from time to time for a more convenient season. I am not an 'agitator' of any sort, and do not care to do anything merely for the sake of the notoriety of doing it. I am glad to help where I can to make the world better by informing the people of present conditions, pointing out reforms, and helping others to do the reforming if I can."


MARY DANA HICKS PRANG, art educator, residing in Boston, was born in Syracuse, N.Y., October 7, 1836, daughter of Major and Agnes A. (Johnson) Dana. The Dana family to which she belongs has a record in New England of over two hundred and fifty years, its immigrant progenitor, Richard Dana, having come to this country in 1640, and settled in Cambridge, Mass. From Richard1 the line continued through Daniel,2 Thomas,3 Daniel,4 Daniel,5 to Major Dana, above mentioned, who was of the sixth generation, Mrs. Prang being of the seventh. Mrs. Prang’s father was a prosperous merchant, a man of sterling character, who supported every forward movement. Among his remarkable qualities were a memory that never failed and an usual appreciation of beauty of effect, of fine design, and of harmony of color. Her mother, who was a brilliant woman, a poet and artist, was a leader in the literary society of Syracuse. Benevolent enterprises received her encouragement, and she was an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. She lived to the advanced age of ninety-four years.

Mary Dana was an observant little girl, and at the age of two years had learned her letters from large handbills. For some time she was a pupil in a private school close by her home. Throughout her school life she was found equal to children three or four years older. She was graduated from the Allen Seminary, Rochester, N.Y., in 1852, after a course of study in mathematics, the languages, and history, with general study of the sciences; and later she pursued special studies at Harvard and at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

On her twentieth birthday she became the wife of Charles Spencer Hicks, a promising young lawyer of Syracuse. In less than two years her husband was drowned. On April 15, 1900, she married Louis Prang, of Boston, the distinguished art publisher.

Owing to financial reverses in 1858, she received private pupils, the greater number being in drawing. Her work with these pupils led her to a deep consideration of the influence of art instruction on education. Drawing was commonly regarded as an end to be attained only by the specially gifted. Close study and wide observation confirmed her in the belief that drawing should be a study not for the few only, but for all, a means of expression for every child, and therefore should be an integral part of public school education.

Receiving the appointment of supervisor of drawing in the public schools of Syracuse, she visited several of the larger cities in the country, to observe school conditions. She found that drawing had a place in nearly every course of study, but that there was actually very little work of merit accomplished. More favorable conditions existed in Boston than elsewhere, but even in that city drawing was not given the prominence to which she believed it justly entitled. Strengthened in her judgment respecting the value of art-teaching in the public schools, she continued her work in Syracuse with increased enthusiasm.

About this time Walter Smith was called to Massachusetts to become the head of art education in the State. He established the Normal School in Boston, and gave considerable im-