“Mr. Smiles in his researches into the history of English industry found that it owed a good deal to the exiles who sought refuge with us after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. This led him to write an interesting volume on ‘The Huguenots in England and Ireland.’ But naturally enough his interest did not stop there. He could not but inquire what became of their less fortunate co-religionists who stayed at home, and he soon found that the answer to this revealed a story little known, but full of striking incident…..We are obliged to Mr. Smiles for a continuous history of the troubles, persecutions, and risings, which kept the South of France in continual commotion for nearly a hundred years, and only ceased at last under the strange patronage of Voltaire, who, stirred by the single case of Jean Cains, roused all Europe to an indignant sense of the horrors which had long been going on perfectly unnoticed. Mr. Smiles’s book is called ‘The Huguenots in France.’ It is a clear and simple narrative, giving in small compass the main facts of the story; and it is supplemented by a sketch of the Vaudois, who, as neighbors and sympathisers with the Protestants of the Cevennes — though standing themselves on a very distinct historical basis — naturally attracted the attention of their historian, when wandering in the valleys of Guienne and Dauphine.” — The Guardian .

“There are few passages of history more attractive, more instructive, or more tragical than that of French Protestantism in those times of secret contests or violent persecution. Certainly this history deserves a better fate than oblivion; and all Frenchmen, especially all French Protestants, owe sincere gratitude to the writers who perpetuate its memory. Mr. Smiles is in the first rank of this small company…..Of the Huguenots who remained in France after the Revocation, he renders a just homage to the energy, courage, and sincere faith, of which they afforded so many examples under the fire of persecution…..The book is well written, lively and animated, and thus in every way deserves the success which the name alone of the author cannot fail to secure to it.” — Etienne Coquerrel , in The Academy .

“We would willingly linger over many passages in this interesting narrative of Mr. Smiles’s, which abounds with spirit-stirring adventures, in which fiction must hide its diminished head before the marvels of authentic history.” — English -Independent .

“The subject teems with interest, and Mr. Smiles has grasped it, and written of it with even more than his usual success. We cannot recommend the book too highiy.” — The Hour .

“A work which will be deeply interesting to all students and admirers of that strange compound of opposites — the French charaecter.” — Westminister Review .

“We very cordially recommend this volume. It deserves a very wide circulation. The noble deeds it records afford conclusive evidence of the reality and power of genuine religion.” — Edinburgh Daily Review .

“A book of historical episodes — very brilliant, very clear and bright.” — Nonconformist .

“The volume is very rich both in interest and in suggestiveness.” — The Freeman .