Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). Small capital text has been replaced with all capitals. The carat character (^) indicates that the following letter is superscripted (example: N^o.). If two or more letters are superscripted they are enclosed in curly brackets (example: S^{re}). * * * * * PROOFS OF A CONSPIRACY AGAINST ALL THE _RELIGIONS AND GOVERNMENTS_ OF EUROPE, CARRIED ON IN THE SECRET MEETINGS OF _FREE MASONS_, _ILLUMINATI,_ AND _READING SOCIETIES_. COLLECTED FROM GOOD AUTHORITIES, By JOHN ROBISON, A. M. PROFESSOR OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, AND SECRETARY TO THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH. _Nam tua res agitur paries cum proximus ardet._ The THIRD EDITION. To which is added a POSTSCRIPT. PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED FOR T. DOBSON, N^o. 41, SOUTH SECOND STREET, AND W. COBBET, N^o. 25, NORTH SECOND STREET. 1798. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM WYNDHAM, SECRETARY AT WAR, &c. &c. &c. _SIR_, _It was with great satisfaction that I learned from a Friend that you coincided with me in the opinion, that the information contained in this Performance would make a useful impression on the minds of my Countrymen._ _I have presumed to inscribe it with your Name, that I may publicly express the pleasure which I felt, when I found that neither a separation for thirty years, nor the pressure of the most important business, had effaced your kind remembrance of a College Acquaintance, or abated that obliging and polite attention with which you favoured me in those early days of life._ _The friendship of the accomplished and the worthy is the highest honour; and to him who is cut off, by want of health, from almost every other enjoyment, it is an inestimable blessing. Accept, therefore, I pray, of my grateful acknowledgments, and of my earnest wishes for your Health, Prosperity, and increasing Honour._ _With sentiments of the greatest Esteem and Respect_, _I am, SIR, Your most obedient, and most humble Servant_, JOHN ROBISON. EDINBURGH, _September 5, 1797._ _Quod si quis verâ vitam ratione gubernet, Divitiæ grandes homini sunt, vivere parcè Æquo animo: neque enim est unquam penuria parvi. At claros se homines voluêrunt atque potentes, Ut fundamento stabili fortuna maneret, Et placidam possent opulenti degere vitam: Nequicquam,--quoniam ad summum succedere honorem Certantes, iter infestum fecêre viaï, Et tamen è summo quasi fulmen dejicit ictos Invidia interdum contemptim in Tartara tetra._ _Ergo, Regibus occisis, subversa jacebat Pristina majestas soliorum, et sceptra superba; Et capitis summi præclarum insigne, cruentum, Sub pedibus volgi magnum lugebat honorum: Nam cupidè conculcatur nimis ante metutum. Res itaque ad summam fæcem, turbasque redibat, Imperium sibi cum ac summatum quisque petebat._ LUCRETIUS, V. 1116. INTRODUCTION.