Historical information
This book was awarded to Mary Isabella Macdonald for second prize in Third English History in 1886. Mary entered Clarendon Ladies' College in 1885. On the original register it states that Mary was enrolled by her father named William who's occupation is noted as "Squatter" and who resided at Nhill Station in Nhill.
Significance
Presbyterian educators placed great value on a classical education matched with diligence in study. Book prizes were highly regarded and academic success admired. In the school’s early years prizes were ordered direct from London and had the school crest embossed in gold on the front or back cover. Many of the prizes given in early years were returned to the school to equip the Weatherly Library when it opened in 1936.
Physical description
Bound in green fabric with ornate decorative illustration on cover and gilt lettering. Detached spine, black and white illustrated, 469 p.
Inscriptions & markings
Book plate inside front cover: CLARENDON LADIES' COLLEGE./ BALLARAT./ Second PRIZE./ III rd English History/ AWARDED TO/ Mary Isabella Macdonald/ 19 th December, 1886.