Boulogne,
Feb. 11, 1850
Dear Brother O. Pratt,--This town is divided into two parts, the upper and
lower town, both connected by a steep street. The upper town is
built on the summit of an eminence, and compassed with walls; the lower
town is partly situated upon declivities, stretching down from the ramparts,
and the slopes of the hills, which line the harbour,
and is flanked on either side by two long piers, upwards of 2000 feet long; its
population exceeds 29,000. During the summer the number of visitors generally
amount to 10,000. Good and friendly feelings appear to exist between the French
and English families. The distance from London
Bridge is 120 miles.
The inhabitants say that the town of Boulogne
is one of the most ancient in France,
and its origin may be traced back to the invasion of
the Romans. This part of the country was at that time called Morina. When Julius Caesar had rendered himself master of Gaul,
he built a city on the present site of the old town, in order to preserve his
conquests, and to facilitate his communication with Britain.
Quintus Pedius, one of his lieutenants, gave to the
town the name of the place of his nativity, (Boulonia,)
from which is derived Boulogne,
54 years B.C. The old town is still encircled with feudal ramparts,
and entered by three arched gateways.
The ramparts, citadel, palaces, convents, seminaries, churches, &c., are
grand and worth seeing, showing the ingenuity of the mental powers of man. The
museum contains nine extensive galleries, enriched with a valuable collection
of curiosities; the library open, free from ten to three daily, containing
22,000 vols., in ancient and modern languages, and 300
manuscripts, many of them of the 7th, 10th and 11th centuries. The music
academy is open, free of all expense; also the drawing academy, to both French
and English. The town contains thirty boarding, and many day schools for the
instruction of both sexes, many of whom are wholly english. The town likewise possesses a great number
of learned, private professors in every branch of knowledge; but you know the
number was not complete until the Mormon professor appeared with his
encyclopedia. Such is the brief account of the town, destined, I hope, for the gospel conquest. The
arrival of the false prophet (as they say) at Boulogne, spread like fire, and due warning given by the shepherds to all
the flocks not to handle such, nor taste the poisonous pastures of the
said false teacher, &c.
I have visited three clergymen of the Church of
England, the Protestant French clergymen, Baptist Ministers, the Wesleyan
Ministers, &C., but my reception was rather cold. I
left the pamphlet, entitled "the Kingdom
of God," &c., with fifty
families. I hope the Lord will find me one friend
amongst them, if not I shall go on.
Yours in the Lord,
W. HOWELLS.
