The rapid progress made by the Bell and Browning families during this period was of much encouragement to the ambitious colored people, who were laboring to educate their children.[2] [Footnote 1: _Special Report of the U.S.Com.

of Ed._, 1871, pp.

195 _et seq._] [Footnote 2: _Special Report of the U.S.Com.

of Ed._, 1871, p.

195.] The city Negroes, however, were learning to do more than merely attend accessible elementary schools.