_Synesius_’s recommendatory Letter to _Hypatia,_ in Behalf of two young
Gentlemen, on a Suit depending at _Alexandria._
It was during this prosperous Gale of publick Favour, that _Hypatia_’s
devoted Friend _Synesius_ sent her this recommendatory Letter on the
Behalf of two young Gentlemen, that had a Claim depending at
_Alexandria_. “Although Fortune cannot take every thing from me, yet she
has a mind to strip me of all she can; she that
“Of many Sons, and good, has me bereft.
“But to be ambitious of doing the best Things, and to assist the
unjustly Oppressed, is what she shall never take from me; for far be it
from me, that she should ever be able to conquer my Mind. Therefore I
hate Injustice, since this I may do still; and am also desirous to
repress it, but that is one of the Things taken out of my Power, and
which I lost before my Children.
“Once the _Milesians_ valiant were.
“Time also was, when I could be useful to my Friends, and when you were
wont to call me _Others Good_; as turning to the Profit of other Men my
Interest with Persons in great Authority, whom I made to serve me as so
many Hands. Now I am left destitute of all, unless you have any Power;
for you, together with Virtue, I reckon a Good, of which none will be
able to rob me. But you have, and will always have Power, by reason of
the excellent Use you make of your Credit. Wherefore let _Niceus_ and
_Philolaus_, virtuous Youths and Relations, return Masters of their own,
thro’ the Care of all who honour you, whether private Men or
Magistrates.” Thus, as a necessary Part of her History, I have inserted
at Length, all the Letters written to _Hypatia_ by _Synesius_, except
the 15th, whereof I have given the Substance; and the 33d in the
Collection of his _Letters_, which is too short to contain any
Instruction; as likewise the 154th, which, being too long, I have
abridged above.