The Illuminati;

have , says the author , organized a system of secret communication between their agents in the various countries of Europe , which has attained to a surprising perfection . They have spies everywhere , selected with the greatest judgment , by whose means these councils are put in possession of the secrets of courts , colleges , tribunals , consistoriesand families . Nothing escapes them—the secret weaknesses of

, princes and the real character of philosophers are laid bare by them . This chain of communication extends over the most distant states , and by its means princes and statesmen who have allied themselves to the order obtain with certainty the secrets of their rivals . By this means , says De Lnchet , the Emperor of Germany might , if he chose , have copies of the private despatches of the cabinet of Versailleswhile

, the great Frederick at Potsdam is equally well informed as to what schemes are being hatched at St . Petersburg . The system of the Illuminati thus having extended its ramifications over every kingdom , and seduced all ranks from the prince to the commoner , by flattering the peculiar weaknesses of each sect and

individual—is destined to overthrow all society . With this end in view the founders of the order have sought to incorporate in their system the institution of Freemasonry , which has lent , without knowing it , to this infamous cause , its mysteries , its secrets , and the hig h , consideration and respect which have been paid to it in all ages . Under the pretext of reforming or perfecting Masonry they formed other sects also , which

they affiliated to themselves , and from which they hoped to derive similar advantages . Amongst these , according to our author , were the order of the "Asiatic Brothers , " the "Rite of Strict Observance , " and tho "Eclectic Lodges . " By degrees they broke down the original fabric of Masonry , substituting for its precepts the tenets and rites of their new system . Several European soverei

gns plunged headlong into these extravagances ; some with the hope of acquiring boundless wealth ; others in the expectation of universal dominion . The essayist then gives a detailed account of the chain of communication between the principal European cities , all of which , he says , is directed from one supreme centre ; he omits , however , to state where this last was situated .

In the seventh chapter the author gives us a full account of the manner of proving an Illumine previous to making him a member of the " Circles " already mentioned . He says that the facts he is about to give to the public were confided to him at different periods by two separate individuals , in places far distant from one another , who could not have had any communication together , or any knowledge one of the other

; he therefore considers their statement to be equally correct with a mathematical demonstration . These worthy men were induced to become Freemasons in the first instance , being convinced of the merits and-truth of that institution . On gaining an insight into the mysterious iniquities which the Illuminati had engrafted upon the Masonic system , they retired in horror aud disgust at the new obligations which they found were to be imposed upon them . To our more