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