An Encomium on _Synesius_, one of _Hypatia_’s Scholars; who, tho’ a Heathen, was consecrated a Christian Bishop.
One of these, who has preserved to us the Names of several others, is the celebrated _Synesius_. He was a Native of _Cyrene_ in _Africa_, on the Borders of _Egypt_, a very ancient _Greek_ Colony, the Birth-place of _Aristippus_ and _Carneades_, which _Synesius_ forgets not to mention in his Writings. He travelled for Improvement to his neighbouring Country of _Egypt_, the undoubted Mother of the Sciences, where he happily succeeded in his Studies at _Alexandria_ under _Hypatia_. This Personage alone may suffice for a Specimen, of the extraordinary Spirits that she formed. If we may rely on the Judgement of no less a Man than _Nicephorus Gregoras_, Patriarch of _Constantinople_ (who wrote elaborate _Annotations_ on his Treatise of _Dreams_, a Piece fraught with uncommon Learning) he says, _There was nothing he did not know, no Science wherein he did not excel, no Mistery in which he was not initiated or skilled_, with a great deal more to this Purpose. And it must be owned, that to all the Vivacity natural to his Country, there was joined the most profound Knowledge and solid Judgement. His Works are every one highly commended, but _his Epistles are admirable_, as _Suidas_ very truly remarks, and in the Opinion of _Protius_, as well as of _Evagrius, they are elegant, agreeable, sententious, and learned_.