_Synesius_’s Testimony to the Learning and Virtue of _Hypatia_. Some Account of his Writings and other Works.
The Thing which our Design obliges us not to pass over slightly is, the greatful Testimony he every where bears to the Learning and Virtue of _Hypatia_, whom he never mentions without the profoundest Respect, and sometimes in Terms of Affection coming little short of Adoration. In a Letter to his Brother _Euoptius_, _Salute (_says he_) the most honoured and the most beloved of God, the Philosopher; and that happy Sodality or Fellowship, which injoys the Blessing of her divine Voice_. In another to his said Brother he mentions one _Egyptus, who sucked in the Seeds of Wisdom from Hypatia_. And thus he expresses himself writing to _Olympius_: _I suppose these Letters will be delivered by Peter which he will receive from that sacred Hand. I send them from _Pentapolis_ to our common Instructress, and she will intrust them with whom she thinks fit, which I am sure will be to one that is well known to her_. In a Letter addressed to herself, he desires her to direct a _Hydroscope_ to be made and bought for him, which he there describes. _Petavius_ thinks it was a sort of Level, and others an Hour-Measure. That famous Silver _Astrolabe_ which he presented to _Peonius_, a Man equally excelling in Philosophy and Arms, he owns to have been perfected by the Directions of _Hypatia_.