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    rushing torrent is generally heard ; and sometimes , especially at Prai , the dreadful avalanche overwhelms an individual on the road , or a family in their cottage ,

    J now proceed to some cursory re * tn ^ rks on the character and manners of the Waldenses , premising that it is not at all intended to go through the round of mortal virtues- and shew

    how far they are respected or exemplified by the people , but merely to state a few particulars of which I was informed , or which fell under personal observation . They preserve from their

    forefathers a sincere respect for pure and tindefiled religion . Public worship is very generally and conscientiously attended \ and when I had an opportunity of witnessing a communionday , the church was quite full , and the behaviour of the communicants

    solemn and pleasing . * Nor is their religion wholly confined to their temjftes : on the Sunday evenings in wintier several families assemble in a sta-Toie ( partly induced by the intense cold ) , and unite in religibas exercises , as reading the scriptures , and singing psalms and hymns .

    ^ he social duties they also exercise to a very considerable extent . For instance , though more frequently persecuted than protected by their sovereigns , the WaJdenses are loyal subjects . When the King of Sardinia was lately restored to his crown , they

    sang Te Deum" on the occasion , as "well as presented an address of congratulation : aijd when , at a former period , Louis the Fourteenth ' s army invaded Turin , Victor Amadeus II . was advised to rely upon their loyalty , and take refuge in Rora : he did

    » o ^ and remained secure siil Prince Eugene came to his relief . They are also remarkably honest . Whilst the immediate vicinity ( the plain ) is infested with robbers and assassins ,, these valuable men devote themselves , with that industry and patience which the nature of the soil

    >* Religious instruction is very carefully iatfiUed before young persons become far the firat time communicants . I was told that a young * lady of Turin had been fo ^ r ninths at a relation and ministers house , KftWitnfe through a course of refigiour tfta-

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    requires , to useful labour for their subsistence . A robbery seldom or never occurs in the valleys . Assured of this , I felt no anxiety , though once overtaken by night near the woods ,

    and entirely at a loss which of the numerous intersecting by-ways to choose . My companion and myself walked fearlessly along till we perceived a light , and got an obliging Vaudois to attend us home .

    We find , indeed , more than mere hoaesty among them ; evert a generous disinterestedness , though so poor . I could not prevail upon a man atone time , upon a child at another , to take any reward for a trifling service they

    had rendered 5 and I recollect seeing a soldier , who offered himself to the King of Sardinia instead of his brother or some other individual , unaccustomed to war , who might be required to serve .

    Hospitality is another very pleasing trait , and exercised in such a manner , that when you quit their roof , the Vaudois se ^ m as if the y had received , and not conferred a favour . Their humanity is also , on many occasions ,

    conspicuous . If any one is il'l , the neighbours cheerfully and gratuitously sit up at night in the sick chamber , and there is even a sort of dispute who shall pay the first and the greatest attentions . In case of ati accident

    that a poor person has met with , & sermon is sometimes preaiihed , and a collection made . But this kindness is by no means confined to their own friends . Whilst the Catholics around usually relieve the necessitous of their own religion , the Vaudois give what they can spare to the destitute of either communion . There is otie

    illustrious instance , in particular , of their humanity , which should not pass unnoticed . When the Austrians and Russians , under MarshS ? Suwarrow ,

    compelled the French army to retreat , three hundred wounded French soldiers received all the assistance , with respect to medicines , &c . that could be given ; and ajb the request of M . Rustan , their Minister , the

    inhabitants of Bobbi cartted these poor men on their shoulders over the mountain * to the Frendh territcwry ^—a most painful task , as those can well attest who have taken the tedious and difficult road- of the mountaii * from Piedmon t toBaW ^ Hiite . : > lt ^ Wifttf $ * flP * M te have beeti * pure afct of huaia&ttf

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    w 14 # Memoir respecting the W ( d £ en $ e * .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1816, page 134, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2450/page/6/