_Synesius_’s Misfortunes; his Letter of Complaint to _Hypatia_.
On his Promotion, or, as he accounted it himself, his Banishment to the
Bishoprick of _Ptolemais_, he was forced to quit the Fellowship of his
Condisciples, and the Presence of his dear _Hypatia_. As an Augmentation
of his Affliction he soon lost his Wife, with his Children in a little
Time after, whom he very tenderly loved, and whose Death he did not bear
with the same Fortitude, that is reported of some other Philosophers. On
this Occasion, and a fancied Neglect of his Friends, he wrote the
following Letter, “_To_ Hypatia _the Philosopher_ (that I may use the
very Words of the Inscription.) I salute you, happy Lady, and by your
Means the most happy Companions. I have of a long Time had an Intention
to chide, by reason I have received no Letters from any of you. But now
I perceive that I am neglected by all, not that I have in any Thing
failed of my Duty; but that I am in many Respects unfortunate, and
indeed as unfortunate as any one can be. Nevertheless, could I be
thought worthy of receiving your Letters, and of being informed how you
lead your Lives (being confident however it is after the best Manner
that may be, and that you fail not to exercise a sprightly Genius) I
should only think myself unhappy by Halves, while I enjoyed any
Happiness on your Account. But now I must reckon this also, as one of
the Misfortunes wherein I am involved. For I am not only deprived of my
Children, but likewise of my Friends, and of every body’s Kindness; nay,
what is more than all, of your most divine Soul, which only Thing I
flattered myself would continue stedfast to me, in Spite of the Injuries
of Fortune, and the Storms of Fate.” One would think that he could not
better express, in so few Lines, the good Opinion he had of his Teacher;
yet he’s still more pathetical in other Letters, which, because serving
to give us the fuller View of _Hypatia_’s Character, I shall produce as
essential to my Subject.