On the first Monday after the 2nd of May, Bruges celebrates the " Procession of the Holy Blood." The houses are decorated with flags and flowers, and candles burn at almost every window. Through the narrow streets, between crowds of people standing on the pavements or looking down from the windows, while the church bells ring and wreaths of incense fill the air, bands of music, squadrons of cavalry, crucifixes, shrines, statuettes, images, the banners of the parishes and the guilds, heralds in their various dresses, bareheaded pilgrims from England, France, and other countries, pages, maidens in white bearing palms, crowns of thorns or garlands, priests with relics, acolytes and chanting choristers, pass along slowly. The illustration shows a scene in which boys are dressed up to represent different nations of the world.
(This original accompanying text, pertaining to the image, will be included with your print. Firstly, a copy neatly pasted to the rear of the backing board, and a copy as a separate sheet for your reference.)
