Abbeville

Abbeville, an ancient and prosperous town in the department of the Somme, in France, and on the river of that name. The unfinished church of St. Wolfran (1488) is a gorgeous specimen of the Flamboyant style (q.v.), but only the facade is completed according to the original design. In the streets there are to be found excellent specimens of ancient domestic architecture. The museum, which owes its existence to Boucher de Perthes (q.v.), the eminent geologist, contains a most interesting collection of implements from the drift - an epoch well illustrated in the valley of the Somme. The manufactures consist of woollen and linen goods, soap, and paper. The Somme is navigable to this point.