Cromwell also despatched a letter to the Swiss cantons, plainly signifying his own readiness to go all lengths, in conjunction with them, for the benefit of the Vaudois; and warning them that they were bound, by every consideration, of interest, as well as feeling, to see that the most ancient stock of the reformed religion be not destroyed, in the remains of its old faithful professors, lest the next blow should fall upon themselves. Unfortunately for the Vaudois, Oliver Cromwell did not live to render them farther assistance; he died in the same year that these last letters were written; and, in him, they lost their most zealous and powerful protector. Charles the Second suspended the annual pension, arising from that part of the collection made in England, in 1655, which Cromwell had put out to interest, and did not protest against the continued persecutions of their sovereign, with that earnestness and spirit, which might have enforced attention. But even this prince, attached, as he was, to the Roman Catholic faith, could not entirely forget what was due from the king of a Protestant nation, to the Waldensian sufferers; and the copy of a letter is preserved, which he addressed to the Swiss cantons, in answer to their request that he would use his intercession in favour of their brethren in the valleys. This letter is a curious specimen of the effect, which a just and righteous cause, supported by public opinion, could have, even upon the thoughtless and unsteady mind of Charles the Second. "Mighty, respected, and noble sirs, our right good friends, "It is with great pleasure that we have received your vestra convallenses ne rejiciat; sed nolim aliis rationibus ad defensionem calamitosorum quàm fide à majoribus data, pietate, regiaque animi benignitate ac magnitudine tantum regem permoveri. Ita pulcherrimi facti laus atque gloria illibata atque integra vestra erit, et ipsum patrem misericordiæ ejusque filium Christum regem, majestas vestra, cujus nomen atque doctrinam ab immanitate nefaria vindicaverit, eo magis faventem sibi atque propitium per omnem vitam experietur. Westmonasterio ex aula nostra Maii die 26, anno Domini 1658." CHARLES THE SECOND. 239 letters of the 11th of June past; and as we have nothing more deeply at heart, or more agreeable to our minds, than to re-establish and renew the ancient affection, which the reformed churches entertained for ourselves and our ancestors, and to deserve a continuance of it, we will do all in our power, and upon every occasion, as you have recommended us, to soften the calamities, and prevent, by our intercession with the Duke of Savoy, the dangers which threaten them. For this reason, as soon as we shall send our minister to that court, we will not fail to make use of our intreaties and interest with the duke, our cousin, in their favour and for their relief, to the end, that in future he may treat them with the mildness they hope for; and that they may exercise their religion with security and confidence. In the mean time, if any opportunity shall offer to promote their views, we shall, from our heart, do all we can towards the preservation and safety of those, who are so closely united to us by the sacred ties of a common faith. "Given at our court at Hampton, the 14th of July, 1662, and in the fourteenth year of our reign. (Signed) "Your good Friend, CAROLUS REX"." In 1664 and 1665, the council of extirpation, at Turin, was proceeding so openly in its designs, for the total destruction of the Protestant families in the three valleys, that memorials were again and again presented to the French king, by the different Protestant ambassadors at that monarch's court, and the name of the English minister, Hollis, appears at the foot of several documents of this nature. But they were not worded in the strong and indignant language which distinguished the remonstrances of Cromwell, and they were treated with the contempt which feeble ma a Translated from the copy preserved in Leger's work. nifestoes deserve to receive. France and Savoy had a perfect understanding upon the subject, and the fiat went forth for blotting the name of the Vaudois from the face of the valleys of Luzerna, Perosa, and San Martino, as it had already been effaced from that of Frassinière, and from the Marquisate of Saluzzo. Most providentially the compact of blood was dissolved in the year 1690, and the Vaudois are still bearing witness to the truth, in the settlements of its first professors. It was during the dreadful persecution, of which I have been speaking, that Milton wrote the following sonnet. Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones To Heaven. Their martyr'd blood and ashes sow SONNET 18. CHAPTER XI. A festive party-Alpine dance-Rustic beauty-Return to Turin -Delightful recollections of the Vaudois-General observations -Loyalty of the Protestants of Piemont-Gratitude of the Sardinian government-Ancient Waldensian church-Gradual advance of Romish corruptions-Christianity as it was in the primitive church-Progressive departure from it-Steady resistance and integrity of the Waldenses. THE time passed so imperceptibly with the good pastor of La Torre, that it was late before we remembered, that we were engaged to look in upon the little festive party, which was collected at the house of one of the family of the Vertus. M. Bert's son and daughter, and one of his English pupils, had set out long before us, and I began to fear, lest I should have the appearance of forgetting the early habits of these simple mountaineers. My venerable friend quieted my scruples, by assuring me, that upon occasions like the present, amusements were extended till long past midnight. We found the house to which we were invited, as full as it would hold. All the principal families of La Torre were assembled together, young and old, and the largest room was set apart for the use of the dancers. One or two adjoining apartments were employed as rooms, to which the company might adjourn for refreshments, or conversation. In the most complete sense of the word, it was a rustic assembly, where all was good humour, cheerfulness, and frankness. The music consisted of a flute, and a couple of violins: the dances were those of the country; the refreshments were a thin wine, and cakes; and the dress was principally the costume of the Alps. Two or three young girls, and among them the charming girl to whom the younger Ꭱ M. Vertu was engaged, were dressed in white; but colours, and chiefly red, were conspicuous. The young men were attired without any regard to the fashions of Turin; and the movements of their steps were regulated by nature, and a good ear; and not by the studied lessons of a ballet-master. The elder personages looked on with unfeigned satisfaction; and the youthful actors in this happy scene, performed their parts with all that gaiety of heart, and simplicity of manners, which distinguish the inhabitants of remote villages. It was, indeed, a genuine, unmingled delight to witness the innocent happiness of the hour: for if the sight of pain be itself pain; the sight of pleasure is no less pleasure, where the heart is pure, and the mind is uncorrupted. I was interested in observing how much M. Bert entered into the spirit of the amusements of the evening. Austerity forms no part of the religious character of the Vaudois; and this worthy minister thought it not at all inconsistent with his sacred profession, to be present at an assemblage of his flock, wher、 music and dancing were admitted. “I love," said he, "to see cheerfulness and happiness under every form; and where can be the harm of young persons thus recreating themselves under their parents' eyes, where nothing indecorous is done; or of my being the spectator of their innocent revels?" Formerly, dancing was prohibited among the Vaudois; but it was in those dark and dismal times, when these poor people were scarcely ever secure of their lives, and when any indication of merriment agreed but ill with their miserable condition. In days of active persecution, piety will naturally assume something of the gloomy tincture of the period; and when the heart ought to be sad, every movement of levity is ill-timed, and unbecoming, Upon this occasion, every body had a smile, or a salutation, or an expression of affection for their bene The author has heard that this amiable couple are now married. May their union be attended with every happiness!—Note to Second Edition. |