A study of the Berlin Monthly showed that of all the contributors to the journal over the thirteen years of its existence (1783-96), 15 per cent were noblemen, 27 per cent were professors and school teachers, 20 per cent were senior officials, 17 per cent were clergy, and 3.3 per cent were army officers. In other words, more than half of the contributors were in paid state employment.

On the religious angle, originally the discussion groups — of which there were around 200 across Prussia — banned religion as a topic which risked stirring “divisive passions”. Yes, that changed in the following years — and your ancestors and mine found their way to South Australia.

Also interesting to note that my ancestors fled the state-instituted religion in the mid 19th century due to the conversation going religious.

What a funny world.