The Theoretical Brothers, or the Second Stage of the Rosicrucians

"I recognize in this," said the philosophical courtier, "the entirely benevolent ruler of Scheschian Scheschian is the fictional setting of this story, likely serving as a satirical stand-in for a European state.. — May God long preserve Your Majesty for the welfare of your subjects. —"

The more enlightened portion, therefore—those who called themselves Knights Templar—allied themselves with several so-called Essenes The Essenes were an ancient Jewish sect; in the 18th century, many theorists wrongly believed they were the secret ancestors of the Freemasons. during the time that their brothers were sacrificing their fellow men to a misunderstood zeal. These Essenes formed their own secret society of virtuous theists theists: those who believe in a creator God through reason and nature rather than through organized religious dogma and naturalists naturalists: early scientists or philosophers who studied the physical laws of the world. The Templars allowed themselves to be initiated by them, taking their institutions, their aims, and their discoveries back to Europe. There, they continued to maintain their bond, spreading light in secret and transforming the customs of their age.

But soon these men rose to a level of power that became terrifying to the Sultan The narrator uses 'Sultan' to refer to the French King Philip IV (the Fair) to maintain the story's Eastern atmosphere. reigning at the time. The riches accumulated through the industry of these knights also incited the greed of the despot, and thus he resolved upon their destruction. A few villains among them (and where