WANDERINGS AND MUSINGS IN THE VALLEYS OF THE WALDENSES. BY JAMES A. WYLIE, LL.D., AUTHOR OF "THE PAPACY," "PILGRIMAGE FROM THE ALPS TO THE TIBER," LONDON: JAMES NISBET AND CO., 21 BERNERS STREET. M.DCCC.LVIII. L. W A WORD PRELIMINARY. Is there room in the world for another book on the Waldenses? I am not quite certain that there is. Nevertheless, I venture to give these pages to the public, only craving leave, while sending them forth, to prepare their way so far by a single word of explanation. All former publications on the Vaudois have had a main, if not an exclusive, reference to the people: this aims at being a PHOTOGRAPH of the country. It is "The Valleys❞— the scene of so many heroic achievements, and of so many sublime martyrdoms-which I have attempted to call up before the reader's eye in the following pages. The scenery of these valleys is of unrivalled magnificence. On that ground alone the interest that belongs to them is great; but that interest is much enhanced by the moral halo that surrounds them. Perhaps no one ever read their wonderful history, without feeling a desire to visit a soil which that history has made for ever sacred. It is only a few who can hope ever to realise that desire; and for the sake of that large number to whom a personal visit is out of the question, I have humbly endeavoured to provide this substitute. To what extent it can be accepted as a substitute, or whether it can be accepted as such to any extent at all, others must judge. I have let the sun-light fall upon the scenery. I have |