2-913-728 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Grand Military Mass, at the Camp at Honvault, near Boulogne, on Sunday last, 1854. British and French troops at a religious service in France. 'When the troops arrived at the chapel, they formed in close column of companies on the front and the two sides of the altar, leaving a large open space immediately in front, for the officers in command...the bands of the 15th and 41st commenced playing the "Domine Salvum", a large number of the men singing the well-known words...The beautiful music was hushed for a few moments, the ripple of the waters on the beach alone was heard. The sound of the bell told of the coming elevation of the Host - the non-military part of the congregation stood reverentially...The site of the altar is grand and picturesque, about twenty yards from the cliff, with a great expanse of sea, towards the English coast'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.