The Illuminati.—Ii.

bloodshed , nor persecution ; it will suffice to display to the world that which has hitherto been kept under the thick veil of secrecy . " In the following chapter he describes a variety . of impostors and enthusiasts , from the fourth century downwards , all of whom succeeded in attracting large numbers of the ignorant to follow in their stepsand to take their deceptions and madnesses for veritable

inspira-, tion . Each sect , he says , invariably considered that the whole world ivas its legitimate domain , and that all rivals were usurpers ; of course , they felt it their duty to effect a revolution in society , and this they always attempted . Each has had a certain success , and after a time has sunk into oblivion ; but while the paroxysm lasted much bloodshed and crime took j . lace , and society received many severe shocks .

This has been , the history of all sects ; and thus will finish that of the Illuminati , unless , indeed , it is strangled in its cradle . In the thirteenth chapter is described the position ivhich tho society of Illuminati holds in general opinion . Do Luchet says that this bod y is an object of scorn and detestation , and that to be-accused of belonging to their abominable confraternity is equivalent to the

most infamous charge that can be brought against a man . The fourteenth chapter describes the state of the countries which are reputed to protect the sect . The author does not indicate where these nations are situated , though he is so good as to inform us that within their precincts exist total confusion of good and bad iirinciples , disorder in every department of governmentextinction of every

, patriotic sentiment , and stagnation of science , arts , and all ivhich tend to enlighten society . He might have , at least , given some more direct guide to enable his readers to avoid taking up their residence in those undesirable localities .

In the next chapter he returns to the charge with a fresh battery of infallible means to weaken the credit which he says the order unfortunately possesses ; forgetting that two chapters before he described it as stinking in the nostrils of public opinion . This is , however , one of the characteristic peculiarities of our author ; throughout the book wc find , constantly recurring , the direct reverse stated in one

chapter to those which precede ancl follow it . In the first place , he advises the writings ancl efforts of men of letters to be devoted rather for the benefit of the rising generation , and by inducing a love and respect for reli gion , truth , and wisdom , a just mode of argument and reasoning , and by studying to make of them in short , men , instead of pseudo-philosophers , to enable them to avoid tho errors of

the present time . A taste for reading must be fostered , ho adds , since hardly ten people in a thousand endeavour to improve their minds ancl scarcely one succeeds in his efforts at improvement ; an improved system of education will be found an efficacious remedy . The author next recommends a , reform in the Order of Freemasons , Avhich he describes as being spread over the whole earth , ancl having lor its object , charily , equality , and perfect harmony . England , he says , was its cradle , although this has been doubted . Its system has