Preface

It is remarkable, that previous to the researches of Faber, Gilly, Jones, Acland, and others, the Protestants of the Alps of Dauphiny and Piedmont — those interesting links which connect the primitive with the reformed church, were known among us little more than by name.

The object of the following narrative will be sufficiently attained, if it contribute, in any degree, to awaken an additional interest in behalf of that extraordinary race — whose descendants continue at this day, living witnesses for the truth in the midst of papal darkness — “beloved,” not less for their own, than “for their fathers’ sakes.”

The story is intended to give an outline of the most remarkable of those dreadful persecutions, that have so often desolated their valleys, and which issued in one of the most ii PREFACE.

brilliant triumphs of heroism on record.* Though strictly historical, fictitious characters and events have been occasionally introduced, in order to give continuity to the narrative, as well as to afford scope for a fuller elucidation of the distinguishing virtues of the Vaudois character.

The Appendix consists of Notes illustrative of some of the statements contained in the preceding pages, with a short sketch of the present condition of the Waldensian church.

* See Appendix, note A.

THE

EXILES OF LUCERNA,