‘ ... I shall be truly happy if any recommendation of mine can promote your success. I have had the pleasure of knowing you many years, and in your journeys with me abroad I have had frequent opportunities of witnessing your tact and common sense, as well as good temper, and believe you to possess in addition the power of management essential for such an appointment. I am sure that the College would be fortunate in obtaining your assistance.’ Some friends wrote direct to the Cheltenham Council. The testimony borne to Miss Beale’s high character is genuine and strong, if quaintly expressed according to present-day notions in some of these. Mr. Shepheard wrote:— ‘SILVERDALE, _June 1858_. ‘I have the greatest pleasure in expressing my high opinion of Miss Beale’s character and attainments generally. Though she holds opinions on the subject of sacramental grace entirely opposed to my own, it is no more than her due that I should say that her high sense of duty, and inflexible integrity of principle, and conscientious following of the path of duty without regard to consequences, have won my highest respect and esteem. ‘The circumstances under which she left the Clergy Daughters’ School in this place, were such, that I cannot speak of them in detail, out of unwillingness to reflect on the conduct of the authorities there, but I consider her dismissal by them to have been highly honourable to herself. ‘As a Teacher, I have reason to believe that she is very highly accomplished and has been very successful—though I say this from general impressions only. H. SHEPHEARD, M.A. _Incumbent of Casterton, late Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, and late Head Master of Cheam School, Surrey._’ and Miss Reynolds privately approached Mr. Bellairs:— ‘TRINITY TERRACE, CHELTENHAM. ‘A friend has asked me whether I can do anything to advance the interests of Miss Beale.... ‘Miss Beale is not personally known to me, but from all I have heard she is a very conscientious and hard-working person, as well as one whose attainments are very high in most and I believe _all_ of the departments necessary for the successful discharge of so important an office. Whether her talents for government correspond with her educational skill, and her _very high religious and moral character_, I know not; but I have been anxious to fulfil her wish in drawing your attention to her application, which she feared might be overlooked as one among many.