Edward Thring.
Great Souls who sail uncharted seas,
Battling with hostile winds and tide,—
Strong hands that forged forbidden keys,
And left the door behind them wide.
Diggers for gold where most had failed,
Smiling at deeds that brought them Fame,—
Lighters of lamps that have not failed—
Lend us your oil, and share your flame.
TO
Dr. ELSIE MAUD INGLIS
WHOSE CRIMEA WAS SERBIA,
BUT WHOSE POST-WAR WORK
IS IN ANOTHER WORLD
SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS.
| PAGE | |
|---|---|
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
| Discoveries and enterprises of the Nineteenth Century—Effect on the educational world—Girls’ education in age of Elizabeth and in Nineteenth Century—Protests against the latter—Pioneers of higher education—Our indebtedness to them | [1] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| Dorothea Beale—Parentage—Mrs. Cornwallis and her daughter—Their influence on Dorothea Beale—Home life—Early education—School life—Time of self-education—Attitude to games—Reading in early life—Euclid—School in France—Some personal characteristics—Religious and other influences of home | [4] |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| History of Queen’s College—Early students—Rev. F. D. Maurice—His opening address—Dorothea Beale’s attitude to teaching—Study and friendship at Queen’s College—Appointment there—Difficulties—Resignation—Impetuosity of nature—Some inherent difficulties of women’s life | [10] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| Clergy Daughters’ School at Casterton—Hasty acceptance of post there—Beautiful situation of school—Evils—Personal difficulties—Mr. Beale’s letters—Dorothea Beale’s dress and appearance—Thoughts of resignation—Father’s advice—Appeal to committee—Suspicions of High Church tendencies—Determination to resign—Notice from committee—Acknowledged indebtedness to the school—Appreciation—Work at home—History of England begun—Spartan habits—Some philanthropic work—Offer of service—Dawning conviction of real vocation—Her diary begun—Extracts—Time of waiting—Religious life and beliefs | [16] |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| Cheltenham Ladies’ College—Early history—The first Principals—Advertisement for new Principal—Dorothea Beale candidate—Tributes to character and ability—Alleged High Church tendencies—Declaration of belief—Time of anxiety—Appointment as Principal—Work at Ladies’ College—Personal appearance at this time—Rule of silence—Precarious financial position of school—Practice of economy—Question of renewing lease of Cambray House—Mr. Brancker—His wise policy and administration—Some reminiscences—The Fight against ignorance and prejudice—Dorothea Beale’s inspiring leadership | [27] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| Blue Book Report on condition of girls’ education—Dorothea Beale’s evidence and theories with regard to women as teachers; effects of higher education on health; idleness and health; the teaching of music—Modern ideas on the teaching of this subject | [38] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| Rearrangement of school hours at the Ladies’ College—Opposition met and overcome—Gradual breaking down of prejudice—Gossip and disloyalty—Dorothea Beale’s gift of inspiring loyalty—Miss Belcher—Death of Dorothea Beale’s father—How she spent holidays—Singleness of aim—Idea of Sisterhood of Teachers—Expansion of Cheltenham College—Opposition to a new building—Dr. Jex Blake’s plea—Farewell to Cambray House—Continued growth—College incorporated under Companies’ Acts—Boarding houses made an intrinsic part of College—Defining of Principal’s powers—Cambray House again | [43] |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| Cheltenham College magazine started—Dorothea Beale, editor—Her “silver wedding”—“Old Girls’” Gift—Scheme of Guild put forward and carried out—Emblem—Opening address—Dorothea Beale’s remembrance of former pupils—Miss Newman’s work—Continued after her death—St. Hilda’s, Oxford—St. Hilda’s, East London—Dorothea Beale’s attitude to charitable enterprises | [51] |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| A time of darkness—Effect on outlook and character—Some general interests—Freshness of outlook—Pundita Ramabai—Interest in Indian widows—Women policemen—Balfour’s Education Act, 1902—Attitude to prizes—John Ruskin and the Ladies’ College—Paris Exhibitions—Another Royal Commission on Education—Visits of Empress Frederick and Princess Henry of Battenberg to College—Epidemic of smallpox—Dorothea Beale and vaccination—Personal honours—Officier d’Académie Française, Tutor in Letters of Durham University, Corresponding member of National Education Association, U.S.A., Freedom of Borough of Cheltenham, LL.D. Edinburgh—Robes presented by staff—Three weeks’ tour—A brief interval of ill-health—Story of the Shannon portrait—College Jubilee celebrations | [58] |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| Greatness of personality—Varied gifts—Prodigious power of work—Great organising capacity—Organisation of the Ladies’ College—Advice to teachers—Her sense of humour—The tricycle learnt at 67—Her extreme sensitiveness—Power of sympathy—Her outlook that of a religious poet—Her Scripture lessons—Her views on marriage—Tribute of the Bishop of Stepney | [70] |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| Signs of the end—The last Guild meeting—The last term—A journey to London—The doctor’s verdict—Operation—Waiting the call—A morning of suspense—Laid to rest—Tributes to her character and work | [75] |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| The modern world—The need of work—Power of education—Supreme importance of home training—Responsibility of parents—Teaching as a vocation—Personal fitness—Different kinds of teaching—Elementary schools—Boarding schools—Demands of the work—Its joys and advantages—The need of devoted teachers | [79] |
PREFACE.
I should like to acknowledge my indebtedness to all who have helped me in the writing of this short biography: especially to Mrs. Raikes for her kind permission to use her “Life of Dorothea Beale of Cheltenham,” without which this book could not have been written; also for her most generous help in many difficulties: and to Messrs. Constable, the publishers, for their kind consent. It is impossible to name all who have so willingly helped me, but I should like to mention Miss A. M. Andrews of Cheltenham; Lieut-Colonel J. F. Tarrant for his help in many ways; Mr. J. J. Shannon for kindly allowing a reproduction of Miss Beale’s portrait; Messrs. Martyn of Cheltenham for their photograph; “The Times,” Messrs. Macmillan, and other publishers, who have permitted me to quote extracts from works which are still copyright.
E. H. S.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY.
“Tho’ they to-day are passed
They marched in that procession where is no first or last.”
—Austin Dobson.