The jacket has a small tear at the top outer edge and the head and tail of the spine re chipped; there are three small fleck on the fore-edge, else squeaky clean. The Brigidine Nuns were "Pioneers from rural Ireland, they formed part of that flood of female religious streaming into Australia during the 1880s. They first established communities in the farflung Dioceses of Sandhurst and Ballarat before expanding into the Melbourne Metropolitan area. Their mission was to open parish primary schools, as well as convent primary, secondary and boarding schools. In doimg so, they could instil into the children the truths and traditions of the Catholic faith" (front flap) xi, 306 pages including index, illustrated.