‘June 1889.
‘I certainly have a very great objection to the thought of my portrait being placed in the Ladies’ College during my life. When our Guild asked me to allow this last year I refused.
‘Secondly, I should much regret the diversion of funds which are so much needed for improvements in the College, and for the extension of work in many directions; whether that money is contributed from public or private sources.
‘Lastly, I believe that putting myself forward in this way would be a real hindrance to my work, as it would give a false impression regarding the share I have been allowed to take in helping on the growth of this College.
‘I thought of getting Miss Stirling, who models portraits, to take one in clay, this would be executed in stone by Mr. Martyn at small cost, and would answer all historical purposes. I have a variety of photos, too.’
Later, she consented to give a few sittings to Mrs. Lea Merritt, for whose work she had a great admiration. The approach of the College Jubilee made a new moment for appealing to her again on this subject, and at the Guild meeting of 1902 she was presented with the following address, composed by Miss Amy Lumby and signed by a large number of old pupils:—
‘Dear Miss Beale,—We, the undersigned, your “children,” once in learning and always in affection, approach you with a very earnest wish. There is not one amongst us who does not look back with loving delight to the time when she saw your face daily, and learnt from your lips what things were best worth learning.
‘The face we can never forget, but we should like to be able to have it constantly before us in such a form as shall call up again the spirit of those happy bygone days. There exists as yet no counterfeit presentment of our “School-mother” which does this; only a great artist can accomplish the task worthily; and so we beg, and beg most earnestly that, for our sake and for the sake of those who come after us, you will consent to let a portrait of yourself be painted by such an one, and will accept it for the College in commemoration of the Jubilee.’
Miss Beale was much touched by this appeal. She received it in eloquent silence, but at the last gathering before the Guild members separated her reply was read aloud by Miss Ker:—