universally permitted; and pitiable will be the state of the nation when their number makes them familiar and no longer captivating. But although it must be confessed that great encouragement was given to the sceptical, infidel, and licentious writings in Germany, we see that it was still necessary to practise seduction. The _Religionist_ was made to expect some engaging exhibition of his faith. The _Citizen_ must be told that his civil connections are respected, and will be improved; and _all_ are told that good manners or virtue is to be supported. Man is supposed to be, in very essential circumstances, what he wishes to be, and feels he ought to be: and he is corrupted by means of falsehood and trick. The principles by which he is wheedled into wickedness in the first instance, are therefore such as are really addressed to the general sentiments of mankind: these therefore should be considered as more expressive of the public mind than those which he afterwards adopts, after this artificial education. Therefore Virtue, Patriotism, Loyalty, Veneration for true and undefiled Religion, are really acknowledged by those corrupters to be the _prevailing_ sentiments; and they are good if this prevalence is to be the test of worth. The mind that is otherwise affected by them, and hypocritically uses them in order to get hold of the uninitiated, that he may in time be made to cherish the contrary sentiments, cannot be a good mind, notwithstanding any pretensions it may make to the love of mankind. No man, not Weishaupt himself, has made stronger professions of benevolence, of regard for the happiness of mankind, and of every thing that is amiable, than Dr. Bahrdt. It may not be useless to enquire what effect such principles have had on his own mind, and those of his chief coadjutors. Deceit of every kind is dishonourable; and the deceit that is professedly employed in the proceedings of the Union is no exception. No pious fraud _whatever_ must be used, and pure religion must be presented to the view without all disguise. "The more fair Virtue's seen, the more she charms. Safe, plain, and easy, are her artless ways. With face erect, her eyes look strait before; For dauntless is her march, her step secure. Not so, pale Fraud--now here she turns, now there, Still seeking darker shades, secure in none, Looks often back, and wheeling round and round, Sinks headlong in the danger she would shun."