THE RAG MARKET AT BRUGES.

eight francs; but as she had some of the same kind at home, she passed them vit
to Mrs. Jack and the Interpreter without “ extra charge.” When they showed
them toa lace connoisseur in London, they were offered two pounds for each.

But lace rags were not the only treasures

these fortunate pilgrims found in the Marché
aux Chiffons. Hercules busied herself among
_the old brass and iron, and soon ferreted out
some ornamental brass corners — evidently off
an ancient bureau or cupboard—which she
secured for afew sous. She took them home ~
to her sister in England, who is an accomplished dh. »
carpenter; and they now adorn the door of an m\ AS EN iD
old oak eight-day clock. Besides iron and brass, SaaS
there was a bit of china here and there. Most THE GREAT BASKET.
of the best china is bought up by the dealers, so
that the greater part of the pots and plates displayed in the Rag Market were
either worthless, or badly broken. But one woman had some charming speci-
x mens of old Delft —fat pots with blue tulips,
mi, and houses, and curly patterns all over them.
Sy Mrs. Jack and the Interpreter indulged in some
1! a gorgeous jars. Capable secured a lovely little
pts vase, which Monsieur Van der Berghe told her
was exceedingly good—not of the earliest
oes period of Delft, which is the most valuable, but
& a of the second, which is also highly prized.
rae “S_7 » When it is filled with red and yellow roses it
Le ‘ Set en ~ makes a perfect picture. Then there were little
ot Ff ; :
: blue Nankin cups in one corner ranged
along the pavement, and eight of these
and some old brass snuffers were pur-
chased for three francs.

The pilgrims had bought as much as
they could carry, and at last made
up their minds to leave the delights
of the Marché aux Chiffons till an-
other year, fervently hoping that
they were not carrying off any fear-
ful disease as well as their treasures.
“LACE RAGS WERE NOT THE ONLY TREASURES.” Now that business was over, the

four friends felt themselves at
liberty to go into the great market, past which they had hurried in the early
morning. The crowd under the shadow of the Belfry was even denser than it