by John Robison
Introduction by Jeffrey J Fox
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 was written by John Robinson in 1798 and attempts to credit (or discredit) social societies with everything from the establishment of more sinister organizations to the outright plan for total world domination. The author is well learned and promotes an idea very popular in 1798. We, in the present, have the benefit of history and the facts which resulted in that history. We now know that these organizations were not striving for world domination per se but rather were a gathering place for the more liberal thinkers of Europe. At the time, however, Robinson’s ideas and hypothesis were not only accepted but also promoted.
Throughout this book the reader will find themselves transported through time to the late 18th Century especially near the time of the French Revolution. It is important to read this volume with that historical lens, lest the important lessons be lost in the translation of time. It is obvious to many that some of the historical problems which have plagued social groups have survived time, while others have been dealt with in such a way as to eliminate them from the cares of the modern social gentleman. Throughout this volume the reader will be asked, either directly or indirectly, to suppose that there is a necessity for the existence of these organizations. I suggest that the reader read this volume with an open mind and accept the bias which should become obvious.
The author is attempting to make a point; or perhaps, to suggest a particular school of thought. As with any historical document, this book was fitting for its time. It made suggestions and suppositions relevant to 1798 as do modern books and movies do to our current day. The book is broken into sections to allow the reader to digest the depth of information suggested in each section; this also allows the objective reader to perceive the bias while understanding that this volume has served its purpose.
Westphalia Press 