Holy-Days and Holidays 



functions, the procession of Our Lady of 

 Lourdes. It starts from a chapel adjoining the 

 suburban residence of the Bishop, and takes a 

 circuitous route through the streets of the city 

 and back again. It is composed for the most 

 part of children — the little girls clothed in 

 simple gowns of a violet hue, or of white, with 

 chaplets of natural flowers. Some have wings 

 of gauze, and represent angels. Elder girls, 

 clothed in white as nuns, chant hymns at 

 intervals. Few banners are borne in this pro- 

 cession, the central feature being an image of 

 the Virgin. Behind the long line of children 

 come acolytes in robes of light blue and black, 

 bearing candles ; then members of religious 

 confraternities, gentlemen of the place ; and 

 finally, with a bodyguard of stalwart canons, the 

 bowed figure of the good old Bishop in his 

 vestments. The whole affair is a model of 

 order, simplicity, and good taste, without a 

 single jarring note. 



Pleasant as is the procession itself, a stranger 

 may perhaps be even more impressed by the 

 aspect and behaviour of the crowds which 

 assemble to see it. The line of route is 

 massed with townspeople in gay clothes, and 



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