New-York daily tribune., 1842-09-07
Erance and fhe Rrcnch.
A TRAVELLER FIRST IMPRESSIONS.
Cnrres snandence nf the Tribune

II
Correspondence Of The Tribune.
Whoever has passed from London to Boulogne
cannot but have remarked the low, black and un-
comfortable steamers which ply between these two
! ports, and which not .inapty may have reminded
him Of the poets description Of Charon's craft.
& / do not know whe.her they may be taken
fair specimen Of British coast packets, but from
the number and character of the passengers they
are intended to convey, one would suppose there
existed sufficient inducement to render them as
comfortable and elegant as any in the kingdom.
For in whatever degree the boat may resemble the
bark of the old ferryman, the passengers composed
of the gay and fashionable in pursuit of pleasure,
can scarcely be said to bear resemblance to the
pale cadaverous Of Chnron, unless it be during
the melo-drama of sea-sickness which seldom fails
70 be exhibited to the no small annoyance of those
4 who have part to sustain. During its represent
ation the company is indeed sufficiently triste
for any occasion. Never was the fleet of pious
1Eneas so tossed about by the vengeance of Juno
as cur bark on entering the Straits of Dover, an
incident worthy of notice were tnot for the
account it eyacted Of the stomach of previous
excesses. The passive spectator, who feels no
fear Of being called TO act his part, may be seen
looking with self-compacency and philosophic in
difference upon those around him, who, nautical
phrase, are casting UP their accounts with as
doleful coun,enances as delinquent debtors in
hard times
There is remedy for every i'll except death.
saith Sancho Panza: thanks to steam arrived
In a few hours, in spite of wind and wave, in the
harber, and, though at the solemn hour of mid
night, were put ashore, where found file of
soldiers drawn up to receive US whethes to honor
us with a public reception and escort us to the
custom house some hundred yards distant, or to
prevent rs from entering the French dominons ex-
cept at the street gate, we leave our readers to
judge. We entered the custom house with the air
of patient resignation with which one is wont to
encounter an unavoidable evil whose very name
recalls to the mind of the traveller who has ever
had the calamity to iall into their hands, the Off
GERS and menials connected with the revenue in
England. We entered them, as if we should pro-
+ "A eably need all the temper and patience of which
a weawere in possession, the stock of which is not
apt to be great at this late hour of the night
- Monsieur rotre' passport" cried whiskered
mustachoed little fellow. with eyes peering through
green specs, and whose chin projecting over a
nigh writing desk left nothing except the head visi-
5, ble. LIE passport" reiterated the same voice
. in a little mere familiar tone. Passport with my
usual carelessness had left il with my baggage on
boaad. OF this informed the important little
tnnctionary who med NJ first but little satisfied
with the explanation, but the impatiencc of the
crowd and the late hour of the nigh, probably pre-
vailed oyer all other Considerations SO register
4 ing my name, taking glance at the color of my
eyes, hair and length of the nose, (Which always
occupies as prominent position Ia French pass.
port as in the counienance,) and having duly noted
these particulars, nc passed me over 10 an asso-
ciase, who has the privilege of thrustng hands in
&C
the royal revenue.
must say he performed his disagreeable duty
with delicacy and peliteness; perhaps we attr-
bned to his poli,eaess what was really the effects o.
his indoleace; can only say tnat ne took pecl
into our hats, applied his hand TO our pockets
whenever they presented little suspicious enhon-
point, and concluded by begging pardon for inquir-
ing If they contained any cigars, letters other
forbidden articles. Escaping from these vexations
were beset by half score or more of ipterpre
* tiers, pa,ters. etc. who have as elsewhere kindly
taken it upon themselves TO counsel the traveller
where to go or where not. The traveller who fol-
lows our advice will value their disinterested zeal
at zero; select the least noisy, aud proceed where
aver he may take him. If he has not previously taken
the precaution ss informing himself of the bes,
hotel, for purse and person. And we would add
too, select one who at least understands English
for take whomever he will, he is sure to be im-
posed upon; bat il he be an American or English
ne may esteemit some consolation to leave him a
parting blessing in language which be will under
stand for nothing is more annoying. than TO be i'm
posed upon without having the power of rernon.
STRANGE even by grunbhng, which is indeed she on,
privilege. John Ball enjoys even in England and
which be'sedon fails to exercise.
In the morning we foand our baggage al,eaa,
in the Custom House and waiting our presence I,
fe and which " effected Will
lit,le delay, and none of that rudeness Of whicl