THE Waldenses being weary of living out of their own Country, have once again contriv'd the means of returning thither.

This Affair was manag'd with so much precaution and secrecy, that the laudable Cantons were wholly strangers to this Design. And all things being made ready for the execution, every Individual receiv'd Order to Repair on the Friday-Morning to the Wood of Nion, which is upon the Banks of the Lake, between this City and that of Geneva: And all obey'd the Orders: They had each a Musket, a Sabre, a Bayonett, and a Pistol; this was all their Baggage: Being come to the Rendevouz, to the number of Two Thousand Five Hundred Waldenses, and Five Hundred French Refugees, they were distributed into Companies, each of Twenty Five Men, to which were appointed a Captain, a Lieutenant, and Two Serjeants, all Men of Service. Some Days before they had made choice of an Officer of great Ex­perience to Command them; they Swore to obey him, and the other Officers, after which was given to each a Pound of Powder, Lead in proportion, and Bread for Three Days.

That same Day between Eight and Nine a Clock in the Evening, the Wea­ther being very close and duskish, the Army march'd out of the Wood, and went to the Lake, where Twelve Vessels waited to waft it over into Savoy. Before they went on Board, Messieurs Arnaud, and Boutrous, Waldensian Mi­nisters, who have never forsaken this People, and who have manag'd and brought this matter to the point it is, caus'd the Army to be drawn up in Battle­array, [Page 2]and having all prostrated themselves on the Earth, Monsieur Ar­naud made a long and fervent Prayer, which drew Tears from all those of the Assembly: He compared them to to the People of Israel, upon the Shoar of the Red Sea; promising himself from the Goodness of GOD, that would bless their Enterprize, since it only tended to his Glory, to the Deliverance of their Ministers, and of their Children that were unjustly detain'd in Savoy; and to return unto the Inheritance of their Fore-fathers, that so they might Serve GOD in Peace. The Prayer being ended, and the Resolution taken not to do any injury to the Catholicks, at least, unless they oppos'd their Passage, they Embark'd about a Thousand Men, which was all the Twelve Vessels could contain. When these had perform'd their passage, which was done in an Hour and halfs time, they return'd to take on Board as many more again; and this was done three times. The Masters of the Vessels who carried them over, report, That they met with none to oppose their Landing; but that in the Morning of the 27th, the Peasants inhabiting about the Lake Toll'd an Allarum Bell, to warn their Neighbours to come in to their Assist­ance. The Waldenses sent to tell them, That they came not to do them a­ny injury, that they only mean'd to pass on; and that if they took any thing of the Inhabitants of the Country, they would faithfully pay for it. This was said in such manner, as that the Savoyards gave credit to it, and caus'd the Allarum-Bell to cease. Our Brethren began their March in Battle-array, having a Van guard, and a Rear. It is beyond all expression how much Joy and Resolution they express'd at their departure. If it has pleas'd the Lord to continue them his Assistance, they are by this time, believ'd to be got in­to their own Country: And if they are there, it is certain that all the Duke of Savoy's Forces will not be capable of driving them thence. I know not how his Royal Highness may have entertain'd this News; but do not questi­on it will be very grating to, and disrelish'd by the Court of France.

On the Day before the departure of those poor People, there was celebra­ted, throughout the whole State, a Day of Fasting and Prayer, with great De­votion. Just now we understand, that there is forming another Assembly of the Waldenses that remain'd in this Country, and that as soon as the Number shall be compleat, it is said, they will follow the rest; unless they are hinder­ed by the Cantons.

Note, If these poor People succeed in their Design, it may possibly give occasion to an Insurrection of all the French Protestants in Dauphiné, and Lan­guedock, and thus make way for as great Revolutions in France, as have hap­pened else-where.