The Guardian, No. 166.
The Spectator, No. 574.
Idem, No. 379. [This number contains Budgell's _Legend of the Sepulchre
of Rosicrucius_.]
The Rosicrucian: a Novel. 3 vols. 8vo.
Zanoni. By Sir E. L. Bulwer.
After the slumber of a century, with new objects and regulations,
_Rosicrucianism_ (so to speak) was revived in the country of its birth.
A very curious volume was published fifty years ago, entitled _Proofs of a
Conspiracy against all the Religions and Governments of Europe, carried on
in the secret meetings of Freemasons, Illuminati, and Reading Societies_,
by John Robinson, A.M., &c., 8vo., London, 1798. This volume is chiefly
occupied by a history of the origin, proceedings, and objects of the
_Illuminati_, a sect which had rendered important services to revolutionary
interests, and laid the foundations of European propagandism. Much curious
matter relative to this sect will also be found in George Sand's _Comtesse
de Rudolstadt_, vol. ii.; upon, or just before, its extinction, a new
political association was formed at Baden and Carlsruhe, under the auspices
of Baron van Edelsheim, police minister of the Elector, under the title of
_Die Rosenkrietzer_. This society was called into existence by a
reactionary dread of that republicanism in politics, and atheism in morals,
which seemed at that time to prey upon the vitals of European society. The
society soon spread, and had its affiliations in various parts of Germany,
giving such uneasiness to Buonaparte, to the accomplishment of whose
projects it exercised an adverse influence, that he despatched a secret
messenger for the purpose of obtaining information as to its projects and
developments. He did everything in his power to destroy the association,
which, however, survived, until his murder of Palm, the bookseller, for
publishing the _Geist der Zeit_, seeming to call for a new and modified
association, led to its extinction, and the creation of a new secret
society, the celebrated _Tungen-Bund_, in its place.
It will be seen that in the foregoing I have confined myself to that part
of your correspondent's Query which relates to "the Brethren of the
Rosy-Cross." I have not ventured to allude to the Alchymists, or the
writings of Paracelsus, his predecessors and followers, which form a
library, and demand a catalogue for their mere enumeration. If MR. E. S.
TAYLOR, however, is desirous of farther information, and will favour me
with his address, I shall be happy to assist his researches in Hermetic
philosophy to the extent of my ability.