The miseries that again ensued were of the most appalling description; more so than even those which had already in this century produced so strong a sensation, in almost all the kingdoms and cabinets of Europe. For, in consequence of the ill-advised as well as cruel step taken by their enemies, the prisons of Piedmont, were, in the year 1686, filled with fifteen thousand unoffending victims. The valleys were thus literally depopulated; and the houses and lands, taken from their lawful proprietors, were given to strangers. These atrocious proceedings again called for the interposition of the European governments. But when at length, by their urgent intreaties, the prisons were opened, and the remnant who survived suffered to expatriate themselves, such havock had famine and disease made amongst the wretched inmates, that less than 7,000 remained to avail themselves of the cruel permission; -and even of these confessors and exiles, above eighty perished in the snow when compelled, notwithstanding the rigour and inclemency of the season, to cross the Mount Cenis without delay.

Arrived at length in the cantons of Switzerland, the exiles found an asylum, and might perhaps have found a constant resting-place;

but that inextinguishable love of country, which appeared to be deeply implanted in their minds, still kept up a feverish restlessness that determined a brave band-which never exceeded 800,-at the solicitation and under the conduct of the intrepid Arnaud, to repass the mountains of Savoy, and regain their regretted territory. They cherished the enterprise; and they achieved it. The dangers they had to encounter excited no dread; obstacles, though multiplied, served only to increase their vigilance, and whet their ardour; till, to the astonishment of their friends and of their foes, they found themselves struggling with the elements, and with the enemy, on the very soil that gave them birth; and from which, three years and a half before, they had been driven as a despised remnant into banishment. The contest at this crisis,-between this small force, headed by a Vaudois pastor, and an army of more than 20,000, commanded by the Marquis de Catinat,-adds one to the many remarkable proofs, not only of the heroic valour of the Vaudois, but the peculiar protection, as it would appear, of Divine Providence; since the facts, however extraordinary, are stated on authority that can never be impeached. The rupture that took place between the courts of Versailles and

Turin, secured their preservation at a moment when a longer continuance of the conflict seemed almost hopeless; and,-gladly availing themselves of an opportunity of manifesting their loyalty by joining the troops of their lawful sovereign,-peace was concluded, and permission given to re-establish themselves with their families in their small patrimonial estates. Thus re-established, they became the stock of the existing and genuine race of Vaudois, who are still to be found in the valleys of Piedmont.

As the Waldenses have obtained, of late, much of the sympathy they deserve, it is desirable to furnish some details,

III. OF THE RECENT ATTEMPTS FOR THEIR BENEFIT.

It has been their happiness, as we have seen, at former periods of their history, to obtain the protection of several European sovereigns and states, whenever the violence of their enemies overwhelmed them with calamities; and the names both of Charles I. and of the usurper Cromwell, of King William and Queen Mary, of the Elector of Brandenburg, the Duke of Würtemberg, the Landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt, and other princes, appear on the list of their ancient benefactors; whilst the United Provinces, and several Cantons of Switzer

land, afforded likewise both protection and pecuniary aid. Still more recently, our late venerated Sovereign George III., His present Majesty George IV., the late Emperor Alexander, the King of Prussia, and the King of the Netherlands, have condescended to extend their regard to the interests and wants of the Vaudois. Of the patronage and munificence of several of these illustrious personages, the particulars will appear in the following account of the late attempts to promote the welfare of the Vaudois. Those attempts may be comprised under the following heads :-(1.) The renewal of the Royal grant, &c.;-(2.) The endowment of an hospital;-(3.) The maintenance of students;-(4.) The establishment of schools;— (5.) The supply of books.

(1.) The Vaudois having been reduced to a state of abject misery after the persecution of 1686, King William and Queen Mary generously contributed to their relief, and to the support of the churches they formed in Germany, as well as to the maintenance of ministers and school-masters in Piedmont. Out of Queen Mary's grant of £500 per annum, the sum of £266 per annum was granted for the support of thirteen ministers, and their widows, after the return of the Vaudois to their native valleys in

the year 1690; and it continued to be paid till the year 1797, when, in consequence of the subjection of Piedmont to the French government, it was suspended. The editor of this volume having been made acquainted with this circumstance by the Vaudois pastors, in the year 1814, a distinguished philanthropist,--William Wilberforce, Esq.-was so obliging as to make earnest, and repeated, but unsuccessful, applications, at his request, to the late Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,-Lord Castlereagh,— for a renewal of the suspended grant. It has been, however, since restored; for, the Rev. William Stephen Gilly having visited the Vaudois in 1823, and published a volume,-entitled, "Narrative of an Excursion to the Mountains of Piemont, and Researches amongst the Vaudois," which has excited much interest in their behalf; a committee was formed in London for their relief, May 26, 1825 ;* and a deputation

* The list of the committee includes the names of the Earl of Clarendon, the Earl of St. Germans, the Lord Bishop of London, the Lord Bishop of Winchester, the Lord Bishop of Llandaff, the Rt. Hon. Sir G. H. Rose, M. P., Sir T D. Acland, Bart. M. P., Sir Thomas Baring, Bart. M. P., Archdeacon Wrangham, the Rev. Dr. Burrow, the Rev. Dr. Philpotts, H. D. Acland, Esq., Jasper Atkinson, Esq., Samuel Bosanquet, Esq., Gorges Lowther, Esq., and other clergymen and gentlemen. The Trustees are, Geo, Harrison,