THE YPRES TIMES
205
On the eve of the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Morris to resume duty in England, after a stay of four
years as the pioneers of instruction in the British School in Ypres, a social evening was held in the
Pilgrims' Room on Thursday, March 30th last, at which a picture in oils of a scene in Brugeswhich
had been subscribed for by numerous members of the British colony herewas presented to Mr. and
Mrs. Morris as a tangible token of the esteem in which they were held.
In making the presentation, the Chaplain, the Rev. G. R. Milner, M.A., expressed the thanks of
the members of the community for the unstinted way in which Mr. and Mrs. Morris had entered into
the social activities of the colony during their stay, and the regret on every hand at their
enforced departure from our midst. He ventured the hope that their future would be a prosperous
one and their days no less happy than they had been during their four years in Ypres.
In suitably acknowledging the gift on behalf of Mrs. Morris and himself, Mr. Morris assured all
present of the deep regret they felt in leaving Ypres and of the pleasure it had given them to take part
in the various activities of the community, and further expressed the hope that Mrs. Morris and he had
of visiting Ypres on many occasions in the future.
During an interval, tea, which had been very kindly provided by Mr. and Mrs. Morris, was partaken
of by the compahy and, towards midnight, a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close with the
singing of Auld Lang Syne and The King."
A. M.
IN 1343 English troops, under the leadership of the then Bishop of Norwich,
formed an alliance with the City of Ghent for the purpose of invading France
by way of the Flemish marshes. The citizens of Ypres, the intended base
of the invaders, however, had other ideas, and proceeded to put their defences
in order, and made all preparations for a prolonged siege. The English com
mander, sure of subduing the city in a short time, was no doubt surprised when,
at the end of nine dreary weeks, he was forced to raise the siege and retreat in
the face of rapidly advancing French forces. The departure of the invaders
coincided with the feast-day of Notre-Dame de Thuyne, to whose good offices the
Yprians attributed their successful defence. And from that day began her reign
as Patroness of Ypres and of Western Flanders. A popularity that has grown
with the years, till to-day the festivities, religious and lay, in connection with
"Tuindag," last sixteen days, beginning on the Sunday preceding the 8th of
August and closing on the second Sunday following. High Mass is celebrated
in the rebuilt Cathedral of Saint Martin by the Dean of Ypres, attended by the
Cathedral Chapter and members of the various religious orders in the diocese.
The beautifully decorated altars, the brilliant robes of the clergy, the banners
of the Guilds and Confraternities, the relics carried on cushions of crimson and
gold, all combine to make an unforgettable picture. Later, the Grande Place
teems with the thousands who have come from all over Belgium and the Flemish
provinces of France to pay tribute to Flanders' Patroness. The centre of the
Place is filled with stalls offering sweets and toys, cooked meats and chips, edibles
of all kinds suitable for consumption out-of-doors. A travelling theatre boosts
its attractions through the medium of a small but very noisy band, which also
accompanies and illustrates the antics of Punch and Judy in the stall next door.
LilianaThe Fat Ladyone of whose socks, as big as an average bathing suit.
