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. The charge of their conveyance to
Bourdeaux does not exceed one guinea. They consist of two very
large chests and a trunk, about a thousand pounds weight; and the
expence of transporting them from Bourdeaux to Cette, will not
exceed thirty livres. They are already sealed with lead at the
customhouse, that they may be exempted from further visitation.
This is a precaution which every traveller takes, both by sea and
land: he must likewise provide himself with a passe-avant at the
bureau, otherwise he may be stopped, and rummaged at every town
through which he passes. I have hired a berline and four horses
to Paris, for fourteen loui'dores; two of which the voiturier is
obliged to pay for a permission from the farmers of the poste;
for every thing is farmed in this country; and if you hire a
carriage, as I have done, you must pay twelve livres, or half-a-guinea,
for every person that travels in it. The common coach
between Calais and Paris, is such a vehicle as no man would use,
who has any regard to his own case and convenience and it travels
at the pace of an English waggon.
In ten days I shall set out on my journey; and I shall leave
Boulogne with regret. I have been happy in the acquaintance of
Mrs. B - , and a few British families in the place; and it was my
good fortune to meet here with two honest gentlemen, whom I had
formerly known in Paris, as well as with some of my countrymen,
officers in the service of France.
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