All this, some will say, we readily grant, that _Hypatia_ was a Lady of most eminent Learning, and that _Synesius_, with probably not a few of her other Disciples, esteemed her to be a Miracle of Virtue and Prudence; but what did the rest of the World think of her Conduct, what Marks of Approbation or Favour did she receive from the Publick? To this Inquiry, which is very natural in this Place, we answer; that never Woman was more caressed by the Publick, and yet that never Woman had a more unspotted Character. She was held an Oracle for her Wisdom, which made her be consulted by the Magistrates in all important Cases; and this frequently drew her among the greatest Concourse of Men, without the least Censure of her Manners. The Proof of so rare a Felicity we chuse to give in the Words of the Historian _Socrates_. “By reason of the Confidence and Authority (says he) which she had acquired by her Learning, she sometimes came to the Judges with singular Modesty; nor was she any thing abashed, to appear thus among a Croud of Men; for all Persons, on the Score of her extraordinary Discretion, did at the same Time both reverence and admire her.” The same Things are confirmed by _Niceforus Callistus_, _Suidas_, _Hesychius Illustris_, and indeed by whom not? So far was she from that blameable Timidity, which is contracted from a wrong Education; or from that conscious Backwardness, which is inspired by Guilt. That the Governors and Magistrates of _Alexandria_ regularly visited her, that all the City (as _Damascius_ and _Suidas_ relate) paid Court to her, is a Distinction with which no Women was ever honoured before. And to say all in a Word, when _Nicephorus Gregoras_, above quoted, intended to pass the highest Compliment, on the Princess _Eudocia_, he thought he could not better hit, than by calling her _another Hypatia_. CHAP. XII. _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.