the Vaudois, still occupies the strong holds of rock and mountain, from which their fathers never could be driven, and still resembles the ancient stock in every thing that constitutes "A PEOPLE OF GOD." I have therefore chosen to throw a great part of my materials into the more attractive form of a traveller's narrative, interwoven with incidents, anecdotes, and observations, in order that I may catch the attention of such readers, as would not engage with a work professedly ecclesiastical. The weightier matter, and such as could not conveniently be introduced in the Narrative, but which is indispensable towards an illustration of the subject, is added in an Appendix, which has been adopted in preference to notes, as the latter are sometimes thought to interrupt the continuity of a relation, and are often overlooked entirely. The documents contained in the Appendix will not be thought cumbersome or unessential to the work, by those who love to grapple with the subject. They will assist the researches of such as are inclined to investigate the opinions and conduct of the Waldenses, as opposed to the Romanists; and will enable them to trace the former, with the interruption of very short intervals, from the primitive, through the dark and middle ages, to the present enlightened times; and to recognize their political existence from century to century, either in the writings of their barbes, in the bulls of popes, or in the edicts of princes. One of the maps, that of "part of Savoy and Piemont," is delineated upon a larger scale, and in a more accurate style, than could have been otherwise accomplished, if I had not been fortunate enough to obtain the assistance of a grand topographical chart of Piemont, which was lately made, under the direction of scientific persons, employed by the Sardinian government. The other, that of the " three valleys of Lucerna, San Martino, and Perosa," is taken from an old map, drawn by Valerius Crassus, in the year 1640. I am proud to acknowledge how much I am obliged to my friend, the Rev. John Lamb, the present Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, and Master of Corpus Christi College, for facilitating my access to the valuable Vaudois manuscripts, deposited in the University Library, and for furnishing me with the fac-similes that front pages 217, 226, and in the Appendix, p. x. To the Honourable Mrs. Fortescue I am also more indebted, than I know how to express in adequate terms, for permitting me to embellish my volume with Mr. Nicholson's six lithographic drawings, from her faithful and beautiful sketches of the scenery in the valley of Lucerna. I employed an artist of Turin, to go from that city to the Vaudois villages, for the purpose of taking views both of the landscape and buildings; but when they were finished and transmitted to me in England, I had the mortification of finding that most of them proved such indiffer ent performances, that it would be useless to have them engraved. The views of the churches of San Giovanni, Villaro, and La Torre, and of the interior of the latter, drawn on stone by Mr. King, from the originals by the Piemontese draughtsmen, are the only four which I could venture to retain out of the whole collection, and these are merely inserted to give an idea of the construction of the Vaudois churches. In this dilemma, Mrs. Fortescue most kindly made me an offer of a selection from her valuable portfeuille, and expressed her regret, that from several untoward circumstances, she was not able to make more than five sketches in the Vaudois country. The letter in which this gratifying proffer was communicated, contained an observation, which I cannot but transcribe, as it contains so strong a confirmation of the account which this volume is meant to give of the Vaudois, and the transcendant beauties and sublimities of nature, by which they are environed. "I do not know any part of the continent that we more lamented not being able to explore than this: the scenery promised a rich harvest for the pencil, and the inhabitants, particularly the pastors, are a most interesting people. I assure you we are not a little pleased, that their sufferings, which they bear with Christian resignation, will now be made known." This leads me again to advert to the principal object which I have in view in the publication of this work, viz. that of bringing the Vaudois under notice; because it has been the occasion of my hurrying the following pages through the press with greater rapidity, than perhaps is strictly consistent with an author's reputation. It is of importance to the interests of the Vaudois, to bring their claims, and distressed condition, before those, with whom the decision, with regard to the proposed relief, will rest, at this particular period; and I have not suffered any thing else to interfere with this paramount consideration. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Secluded situation of the Vaudois-Derivation of their name-Inducements PAGE 1 |