his family and court to receive the thanks of his subjects for the free constitution he had granted them, which alone stood firm among the many given by various rulers when danger threatened them. It is worthy of remembrance not only that the constitution which gave religious liberty to the Waldenses has remained unchanged, but that the kingdom of Sardinia has become the Free United Kingdom of Italy, where religious liberty is established from the Alps to Mount Etna.
Carlo Alberto abdicated in 1849 in favour of his son Victor Emmanuel, and died in 1850. Nobly did his successor fulfil the promise given to the Waldenses, not only maintaining their liberties intact, but showing openly the regard he felt for them. When the German Emperor visited Italy, and again when his son the Crown Prince was at Milan, a deputation from the Waldenses was received with every mark of honour, and on the moderator, Pastor Lantaret, was bestowed the title of Commendatore. Well might Italy weep when “il re galant uomo” was laid low by the fatal fever, and when tidings were flashed in every direction that Victor Emmanuel had passed away from the throne of Italy. Never was sovereign more universally regretted, and well was it that his son and successor King Umberto could give the assurance that he would be faithful to the constitution and to the cause of religious liberty well is it that he has thus far been true to his promise.
In the concluding chapter of our little work, we purpose giving the subsequent history of the Waldensian Church up to the present time. We have long enough called on our readers to sympathize in their sufferings; our pleasing task will now be to ask their participation in the brighter prospects of tolerance and emancipation that have opened around them.
