These people are maintained at the expence of the king, who
allows them soldier's pay, that is five sols, or two-pence
halfpenny a day; or rather three sols and ammunition bread.
How
the soldiers contrive to subsist upon this wretched allowance, I
cannot comprehend: but, it must be owned, that those invalids who
do duty at Boulogne betray no marks of want. They are hale and
stout, neatly and decently cloathed, and on the whole look better
than the pensioners of Chelsea.
About three weeks ago I was favoured with a visit by one Mr. M - ,
an English gentleman, who seems far gone in a consumption. He
passed the last winter at Nismes in Languedoc, and found himself
much better in the beginning of summer, when he embarked at
Cette, and returned by sea to England. He soon relapsed, however,
and (as he imagines) in consequence of a cold caught at sea. He
told me, his intention was to try the South again, and even to go
as far as Italy. I advised him to make trial of the air of Nice,
where I myself proposed to reside. He seemed to relish my advice,
and proceeded towards Paris in his own carriage.
I shall to-morrow ship my great chests on board of a ship bound
to Bourdeaux; they are directed, and recommended to the care of a
merchant of that place, who will forward them by Thoulouse, and
the canal of Languedoc, to his correspondent at Cette, which is
the sea-port of Montpellier.
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