Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1805-05-24

ton not to be disrtgarrfed without diso-
beving that law, which is a deviation
from moral rrc,itudc.
To illustrate and enforce this doctrine
would not require much art nor would
it be dlihtu!t to find many instances in
real lie where us observance and neglect
have been mutually exempliGed. At
present, however, the Lay Curatr will
conclude with an Apologize troma Greek
philosopher, who nouri,hcd tow ards the
close o! the second century, and which
has been pr s,rvrd by the lucky PARTIAL
Nv Of one o! the FArHrRs. Bat before
he proceeds he must be allowed to say a
word or two concerning the author.
Athenagoras was an Athenian. He
was the first OF that sect Of philosophers
who called themselves EcAticks; and 10
i'm We are principally indie bted for the
ittle we do know Of the domestic man-
ners Of the Greeks of that period, DELE
heated in his romances Of which but a
small comparative portion has survived
the wreck Of learning. He afterwards
became convert to Christianity, and
wrote several treatlses in its defence, all
of which have been preserved To the
French clergy the learned world is much
indie bted for the best editions of the Fa-
theirs whose works they have with pn-
common zeal and diligence collated and
revised. But here follows the apaloSue,
or anccdote, for it seems to have the ap-
pearance of truth: we are not, however,
told whether it was written before or
subsequent to his conversion to Christi.
anity.
Among the mountains on the south
side of Beotia lived n young swain nam
ed Sos,henes who having frequent oc-
casion to so down into the plains Of At
tica, became acquainted with a young
woman, whose father was one of the
most respectable inhabitants Of the vil-
lage in which they lived, and was by right
a citizen OF Athens. In his house the
youth was entertained and his visits
became the more interesting on account
of Phillida, whose company he found
peculiarly agreeable to him, as well from
the pleasure he took in doing and saying
those things that pleased her, as from
the observation of the satisfaction she
evinced in being so pleased. He soon
discovered thar he was miserable when
absent Fl ON her, and could not picture
to himself any mode of happiness, how
ever fortune might otherwise bless him,
unless she shared with him in its enjoy.
ment.
"AGter a long probation, and after
having consulted his own heart as to the
necessity, and his knowledge. OF life as
to the prwdeHcn, Of making declaration,
he one day avowtd his sentiments with
all the sincerity of pure attachment
and was proceeding to say that his hopes
and his happiness were at her disposal
but before he had finished, she very
catmly observed to him, that she was
sorry to think he should have permitted
any portion OF hrs peace or Contentment
to rest on that issue: Verrserrv he had
changed the ground Of their fellowship:
and as 4 friend she'had always consider
ed him ; but that she owed to Justice and
to herself to say thar she could own no
softer feeling; and that she would stu
DC haPPy IN ms acquaintance, II he could
maintain it ON that footing.
Sosthcnrs was cnnfoundcd by this
reply. There appeared SO much of SIM
ceritv in her air and manner, that he
could not doubt of her truth vet there
was so much Of softne in the exprrssi-
ons respecting the circumstances, and
the desire OF the continuance of their
friendship was so sweetlv conveyed, that
the painh4l feeling which arose from the
destruction oihis fondlv cherished hopes
was, in a great degree, deprived ofl its
poignancv.
"In deep detection he took his leave;
but he couldnot cease to think, fPhliida.
Her welfare still continued to be the first
concern Of his heart. lie thought he
could not see anv tras"n why he should
not continue bis friendship "a his visits.