AN

HISTORICAL SKETCH

OF THE

ITALIAN VAUDOIS.

MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN:

I am about to address you on a subject of a more serious character than is usually brought before you on these occasions; but which, I trust, will not be less acceptable on that account; as it is delivered before a Society, whose express object is, whether it treats of Science, or of History,—whether it investigates the animal, vegetable, or mineral kingdom,—to "do all to the glory of God."

Although my subject, this evening, possesses something of a theological character, I have every confidence in the belief that I shall not violate that fundamental rule of our Institution, which requires us to avoid all religious controversy, as I have the pleasure to stand before a Protestant community.

Though the people of whom I have to treat,

A