The fruit of the early years of trial was beginning to show itself when progress was once more impeded by the calamity of the Great War. Yet in these trying years the Religious drew strength from their emblem the Cross. They knew that the way of Jesus Crucified was a way of hardship, and in imitation of His generosity they worked patiently for those who were experiencing the worst effects of that disaster.

Particular care was given to Belgian refugee children, who sought shelter in this country. At this time the need for a Day School became urgent, and the Religious responded by the opening of a Secondary School in Knyveton Road.

In the years that followed, the Convent suffered greatly, and the number of pupils was alarmingly reduced. Yet the work was continued in the same spirit, for it was consecrated solely to Him and could not be judged by material successes the failure of the Cross in the eyes of worldings, but the triumph in His.

It is often after periods of darkness and depression that a new hope is born; the difficulties of the post-war years prepared a way for a time when, with improved conditions in national life, numbers increased. For a long time the desirability of having the Day School nearer the Convent building had been felt, and in 1921 a house opposite the Convent was acquired and the Day School was transferred to it.

New demands in education made it advisable in 1930 to amalgamate the Boarding and Day Schools that the pupils might derive greater benefit from the improvements. The Seniors remained in the Convent building while St. Joseph's, which retained much of the homeliness of a private residence, was considered most suited to the little ones.

One might feel that the Religious would have been content to allow the work to consolidate before venturing upon any further undertakings. But there can be no rest in God's service; there is always new work awaiting those who are generous enough to devote themselves to it. Although ample provision had been made for the school girl and small boy, there was no special department for the senior girls when the ordinary school course had ended.

Accordingly in 1934, Kerryton was opened as a Domestic Science School, in which every course of Housecraft and Dressmaking might be pursued. When one considers the many evils of the present day which have their roots in the breaking up of home life, it is not difficult to recognise the importance of preparing our elder girls to fill their position in the home, while at the same time instructing them in those ideals which should be the basis of family life.

"To the glory of God and the honour of Jesus Crucified." These words so familiar to all of Boscombe's children, as the opening of the annual school report, give the keynote to the work undertaken and the instruction given during these fifty years. We have followed the development of the material building, " Ad majorem Dei gloriam," but this ideal has yet to be considered in the more intimate details of the life of those who have been happy enough to come under the care of the Religious.

Their educational work was undertaken with the motto of St. Ignatius in view; nothing for themselves but all for Him. "Whatever you do to the least of these little ones, you do it to me." Accordingly seeing in every little one the person of Him who for our sakes became a child, their love and care for each has been equal and boundless.

Not only the brilliant and attractive have received the benefit of their motherly care. but still more the less favoured to whom only they who see with His eyes can devote themselves unreservedly. Ever conscious of their tremendous privilege of being permitted to instil into these young hearts a love and piety which shall find its perfection only in eternity, each individual soul is to them a precious object which must be fashioned in His way.

Perhaps a stranger to the work might be tempted to imagine that the Religious, having themselves renounced the world, would fail to provide for the requirements of the children in the light of time. Every page of the Convent's history refutes any such suggestion.

Although strangers to the methods and systems of this country, the Religious of the early days laboured zealously to adapt themselves to the new conditions, since only thus could their work tend to that perfection, which is the mark of all that is done for Him, who is in Himself Perfection. Soon after the foundation we find records of successes in public examinations, a tradition which has been well maintained.

As methods of education changed, the Religious adapted themselves, despite the great personal sacrifice it often entailed. In this was the opportunity of spending themselves; for comfort and the easy way of life can never promote the honour of Jesus Crucified.

To give as much and as generously as possible has always been the guiding principle of their education. The demands made upon themselves have never been considered: Boscombe of 1888 and 1938 are one. In the years of the foundation those saintly Mothers, now gone to their reward, gave without counting the cost, their country and all that was dear to them: to?day the sacrifice is of a different nature, but none the less complete.

The children must be provided with all that the most recent improvements require. They will perhaps never realise by what sacrifices these have been provided for them. The Religious do not ask this reward: their only prayer is that they may be given the grace of forming and directing these young souls, so that in the great battle of life, Boscombe's children may he found " steadfast for the right upon God's side."

"MEMORIES 1888 - 1938".

As the Jubilee Year draws to a close, our thoughts go back to the Mothers and Sisters whose devoted self-sacrifice has helped to build up the traditions of our Boscombe Convent as we know it to-day.

First of all we remember the Reverend Mother General to whom we owe the earliest foundation of our Order in England, Mother Caroline Got, whose burning zeal for God's dory and the extension of His Kingdom on earth urged her to come to England with a little band of nuns, there to plant the standard of the Cross.

After many vicissitudes they settled in Boscombe where Reverend Mother Got had acquired the large property on which the Convent now stands. She always took the greatest interest in her Boscombe foundation, and bequeathed her love of England to her successor, our beloved Mother Marguerite de St. Preux, during whose term of office the building was greatly extended and modernised.

Mother de St. Preux's frequent visits to Boscombe were always a time of great rejoicing for nuns and children. Although her knowledge of English was somewhat limited, yet she always found a kind and encouraging word for each one, and those who knew her best, love to think that her spirit of kindness, serenity and great-heartedness, has descended on the dear Reverend Mother whom God has placed at the head of this House at the present day, just as of old the mantle of Elias fell on his beloved disciple Eliseus.