‘I was much interested in your letter. I feel strongly that when in God’s Providence we have been trained for one work, we should not lightly turn to another. As you say, there is more scope in a large sisterhood. Miss —— is very happy at Clewer. Still, I think the rules of an ordinary sisterhood are difficult to combine with the life of a teacher. I cannot help thinking that out of the Society of the Holy Name may grow up a somewhat freer teaching sisterhood.... I hold strongly that there ought to be some women, whose energies should be devoted to sending out young teachers, with a true sense of their vocation. You have gifts as a teacher; you ought not, it seems to me, to bury them....’ Among the women whose saintly lives were a source of inspiration to Dorothea Beale, there was one whose acquaintance (so to speak) she did not make until herself in mature life. None the less did the name of Mary Astell become a thought of encouragement and hope to one whose heart was ever fresh. When in 1890, after various unsuccessful experiments, a properly managed house was opened for the regular teachers in the College, Miss Beale named it Astell House, after the lady who, in the reign of Anne, put forth ‘a plan of a College for the higher education of woman, which should be at the same time a religious house. The ladies were to spend some time in study as well as prayer, Mrs. Astell holding that they had as much right as men to improve their minds.... Their special work was to be the education of girls of the higher class, and also, if their means would admit, of the daughters of poor gentlemen, who must otherwise remain untaught.... Mrs. Astell’s scheme aroused considerable interest, and an unnamed lady (supposed to be the Queen) was ready to give £10,000 for the foundation of such an institution; but Bishop Burnet, who seems to have been consulted in the matter, put an end to the plan, saying it would be too much like a nunnery.’ Miss Beale certainly wanted a nunnery no more than did the timorous Bishop. As time went on she cared less for the outward shape the spirit she strove to foster might adopt; but she grew more and more earnest and active in seeking to influence young teachers to become serious and high-minded and self-sacrificing. The Quiet Days, which were instituted chiefly to this end, affected many wholly outside the College. They are therefore better mentioned in connection with those other interests which, to borrow her own nomenclature in the Magazine, may be included under the title of ‘Parerga.’ CHAPTER XII TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL ‘Languor is not in your heart, Weakness is not in your word, Weariness not on your brow.’ M. ARNOLD, ‘Rugby Chapel.’