‘DEAR MISS BEALE,—Letters have been put into my hand to-day which cause me much anxiety, and before consulting the Council upon the subject, I think it best to communicate with you, begging an immediate reply in the same spirit of unreserve and candour and frankness as that in which I now write. ‘When here I took pains to impress upon your mind the fact that the Council could not in justice to those whom they represent accept a Lady Principal who holds High Church views or sympathises with them; and that they had rejected most satisfactory testimonials from one of the candidates solely on the ground of her professing doctrinal views of that character. I was thus explicit with you in order to prevent any misunderstanding upon this most important question, but nothing fell from your lips to lead me to suppose you were open to an objection of that nature. I forbore from motives of delicacy (and probably the other members of the Council did the same), to press this subject upon you in the shape of direct enquiry, feeling sure you would not conceal your real views if they were indeed such as I plainly stated to be opposed to those entertained by the founders of the institution. The letters are marked “Private,” so I am not at liberty to name the writers, but I will quote the material portions; and I may remark that both gentlemen speak in the highest terms of your qualifications in general. ‘“She, Miss Beale, is very High Church to say the least, and holds ultra views of Baptismal Regeneration.” ... “She has also a serious and deep religious feeling, and a self-denying character. _But_ she is decidedly High Church. Her opinions on the vital and critical question of sacramental grace are altogether those of the High Church or Tractarian School—assuming the _opus operatum_ of the Sacraments to convey, of necessity and in all cases, the inward grace of which that Sacrament is the sign.” ‘“It is right to add that Miss Beale avows her belief in the _Bible_ as the rule of faith.” ‘Now you have undoubtedly full right to entertain such opinions as in your conscience you believe to be true, but at the same time you are (and were) bound in honour of good faith, on such occasion as the offering of yourself for the important position to which you have been recently appointed, to _avow_ your opinions openly and distinctly; especially when made acquainted with the views of those responsible for your selection.