Free Thoughts on God, the Universe, Man, Freemasons, Rosicrucians, and the Philosopher's Stone

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But what are they doing with the King?

— "They pray with him" — and he The author of the "Secret Letters," Mirabeau. makes a crime out of that? —

"Yes, it is deception; they have a hall where shadow-fencing Schattenfechterey: Literally "shadow-fencing," this refers to the use of optical illusions, magic lanterns, or "phantasmagoria" common in some 18th-century occult circles to simulate appearances of spirits. is played and vain delusions Original: "Blendwerk" — referring to trickery or "smoke and mirrors" intended to dazzle the senses. are practiced."

Is this a wise man who allows himself to be deceived in such a blatant manner as the letter-writer narrates? And he [the writer], who as an uninitiated person can have no access at all to these operations, sees everything in his study better, more accurately, and more completely than his King? Strange!

"However, these men nurture in their breast, under the mask of Freemasonry, secret Jesuitism, Catholicism!"

Should a wise King not notice that? Would it be prudent to draw the King himself into it if one intends to undermine the rights of the monarch, overthrow constitutions, and subject his subjects to the Jesuits? Is it not ridiculous to dream such a dream in the face of such enormous standing armies and such politically finely woven and strongly built state systems? And, even if it were their intention, would it not be counterproductive to lead the monarch there—