ROYAL PENSION TO THE VAUDOIS. 263 But even allowing that nothing in the shape of a claim can be established by the Vaudois, for the restitution of the royal pension, yet surely it must be acknowledged, that the reasons for renewing it as a benefaction exist in as much force as ever, and that the same motives, which induced the English government to extend pecuniary assistance to the Waldensian clergy, for more than a hundred years, might be permitted to operate in their favour now. They are as poor and as aggrieved as they were previous to the year in which the pension ceased. They are as quiet and as unoffending, and as submissive to the constituted authorities of their country, as when the King of Sardinia declared, in June 1794, that he had not more loyal subjects than themselves. Be it remembered too, that in the late attempt at revolution, in the Sardinian dominions, the Vaudois took no measures which could excite the slightest jealousy on the part of their Sovereign. They are so far from being apostates, or unfaithful to the cause which recommended their fathers to the protection of England, that they have preserved their integrity, unsullied and unimpaired, in the midst of greater seductions, if not greater perils, than ever threatened the constancy of the ancient Waldenses. They are esteemed so deserving of notice by other Protestant sovereigns and states, that the Emperor AlexanderTM, and the Kings of Prussia" and of the Netherlands, have very lately exerted their kind offices, and extended their royal bounty, by remonstrances in their behalf, and grants of money for their relief. It cannot then be apprehended that this country will now drawn on the treasurer of the Society for the amount of these salaries, and certain annual stipends for the widows of the deceased ministers, to the extent of 321. in addition, making in the whole 2927." m See p. 85. For a more detailed account of the King of Prussia's benevolence towards the Vaudois see "Postscript to Second Edition." 264 ROYAL PENSION TO THE VAUDOIS. neglect a community, which has been so supported by us in former years, when the same reasons still exist for holding them in estimation, viz. respect for the cradle of the reformed churches, respect for the descendants of the men, to whom we are indebted for our religious doctrines, and respect for the people themselves, whose faith hath failed not, under persecution, want, or sufferings. There is a solemn bond of justice and gratitude incurred by us, which we cannot be unwilling to redeem; and when it is considered, that there never was a period in English history, when the interests of humanity and true religion, were more consulted, than by those who guide the counsels of the nation at this present time, it is not possible to be otherwise than sanguine in expecting, that the claims of the Vaudois, if they are proved to be founded in equity and justice, will be amply recognized °. • I am happy to find that this Narrative is likely to be followed by a work, which will elucidate still more completely some of the subjects, to which I have endeavoured to attract attention. The Rev. Thomas Sims, who has been exploring the villages and hamlets of the Vaudois, since my excursion, has brought to England a large and valuable collection of papers, which were committed to his charge, by the family of the late lamented moderator, Rodolphe Peyrani. These manuscripts comprize many unpublished compositions of that learned pastor, which appear to be of the most interesting nature. They are upon various topics, chiefly theological: but some of them contain critiques and observations upon the Greek Drama. Those of which I have been favoured with a sight, more than confirm the high opinion, which my short interview with Peyrani enabled me to form of his extraordinary talents, and variety of information. When a selection can be made, it is proposed to publish them, for the benefit of his destitute family. How melancholy to reflect, that a man of such uncommon erudition and endowments, as the late pastor of Pomaretto, should have left behind him such a mass of valuable materials, which the poverty and obscurity, to which he was consigned, prevented his committing to the press! The author is indebted to Mr. Sims for enabling him to correct a mistake in p. 86. Several private benefactions to be distributed among the widows, school-masters and poor, have been remitted to the Valleys from England, in addition to those which are there mentioned. Among these, it ought to have been stated, that they received the amount of the profits arising from the sale of "A Brief Memoir respecting the Waldenses," published in 1815.-Note to Second Edition POSTSCRIPT TO THE SECOND EDITION. THE rapid sale which the first edition has had, and the extracts, which have been reprinted from the work in a variety of daily journals, and other periodical publications, are a sufficient evidence, that the history and cause of the Vaudois required only to be made known to excite universal concern in their behalf. By one of the Reviews I was especially gratified" Here is a book," says the critic, "and the very title of it stirs a tide in the heart-Researches among the Waldenses! among that holy, retired, and delightfully pure and romantic people, who watched over the sacred fire of [religious] liberty when the darkness of superstition and the degradation of tyranny had extinguished it throughout the rest of Europe.-Those fathers of religious liberty! Let us see how nobly they resisted, and how heroically they suffered, when there was none to assist and applaud. In a case like this, as for criticism, that is out of the question, so thankful are we that the book exists." But even this sort of testimony, expressing that the public are glad to have the history of the ancient and the condition of the present Waldenses brought before them, has been exceeded in value by another of a still more delightful nature. I have received letters after letters, unexpected applications not only from my own friends, but also from perfect strangers, requesting to know in what way the 266 POSTSCRIPT TO THE second EDITION. writers of them could make remittances of money, to relieve the wants of this interesting and distressed Protestant community. To two of these I have referred in pages 107, 245. A venerable Bishop, whose long life (far extended beyond the longest span of man's age) has literally been passed in doing good, no sooner read the narrative of their sufferings, than his Lordship honoured me with a communication, desiring that I would point out the best means of rendering a donation beneficial to these poor Vaudois, and become his almoner. I have it also in my power to refer to a more illustrious example still; His Majesty himself has been graciously pleased to express the interest which he takes in the Vaudois, by contributing one hundred guineas towards the fund which is raising for their relief. After such gratifying proofs that the cause of the Vaudois is not a matter of unconcern in this country, I was sanguine in my expectations of being able to report, before my last sheet goes to press, that the pension, of which so much has been said in the preceding pages, has been restored by the British government; more particularly as liberal donations from several of his majesty's ministers appear on the subscription list, and shew that they are well disposed towards these most deserving petitioners. Hope however is still deferred, but I trust that this hesitation or delay is to be attributed solely to circumstances, which render it necessary that the claim to the restitution of the pension, as a matter of justice, should be fully established, before a grant be renewed, which might lead to embarrassing applications from other quarters, if it appeared to be made merely as an act of benevolence. Much additional light has been thrown upon the subject, since it was first discussed, and whatever was advanced by way of conjecture, or upon the authority of Morland, Leger, and other historians of the Vaudois, relative to the pension being originally paid out of the interest of monies raised by POSTSCRIPT TO THE SECOND EDITION. 267 Parochial collections in 1655, is fully confirmed by researches, which I have had permission to make in the State Paper Office. Since the first edition was printed, very valuable and interesting information relative to the energetic part, which Cromwell took to relieve and assist the suffering Protestants of Piemont, has been gathered from the original books of the Council of State which were kept during the Interregnum, and contain minutes of the daily transactions of the Executive Government, from 1649 to 1659. The greater part of these most curious documents was originally brought to light, and has since been arranged by Mr. Lemon, Deputy Keeper of the State Papers, a gentleman, to whom every body, who has the privilege of making researches in the State Paper Office, cannot but acknowledge himself indebted for able assistance, and for the most kind and ready attention. The following are copies of minutes most essential to the establishment of the fact, that the pensions which the Vaudois enjoyed till the year 1797, and now petition to have restored to them, originated in a public contribution which was raised in their behalf. "Committee of Affuyres of Piedmont, Wednesday, May 6th, 1657. 66 Ordered, "That it be referred to Sir Gilbert Gerard, Sir J. Trevor, Sir Thos. Vyner, Sir C. Pack, Mr. Cresset, Mr. Nye, and Mr. Jenkyn, to take into consideration, and to inform themselves, how the remainder of the moneys paid in upon collection for Protestants of Piedmont, and not disposed of, may be let out to further advantage to that work, with respect to securing the principal, and letting it forth, so as to be called in again upon a short warning, and report at next sitting." 66 Ordered, "November 27, 1657. "That the Treasurers dispose of the residue to the best advantage. |