Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-21

some Of his judges, and the ignorance OF the
rest, procured sentence that he should burn
his own book He promp obeyed, and
was consigned as a criminal TO the abbot OF
st. Medard. whence public dispieasure at his
imprisonment soon induced the legste to re-
lease him. Notwithstanding the many cir
cumstances which made residence at st.
Denys odious to Abeillard, thilher he return
ed, and there he became once more the vic
tim of prosecuting ignorance,-an opinion
founded on the authority of fhe venerable
Bele, that the walls of the Abbey did not
contain the ashes OF Denys-the areopagite
subjected him 10 new charge OF heresy.-
The chapter committing him to solitary con-
hnement, menaced the severest punishment !;
but the compassion of some benevolent monks
Enclosed his prison doors, and he sought his
liberty in the shades of night. Theobald,
count of Champagne, nobleman powerful
by his territories, illustrious by his muni6.
cence, and respectable by his virtues, offer
ed protection to the exposer o. fabulous
aud silly legend. Though thus secure
from injury, such was the moderation or
the weakness of Abeillard, that he recanted
the opinion which he had justly and delibe-
rately formed, and admitted the authority of
the ridiculous Hilduinus He then solicit
ed from the abbot of ST. Denys the privilege
OF residing in some other convent. The de-
NAL ofthis reasonable request was accompa-
MED by menace of accommodation, if
the audacious polemic did not return mme.
diately to St. Denys. What would have
been Abeilards decision is doubtful, as
death opportunely terminated the abbo's
tyranny, and by his more enlightened and
liberal successor, the petition of the former
was granted. Being required by condi.
ton Of the release TO retire TO some lonely
wilderness, he selected his retreat amid the
forests of Champagne, where the voice of ci-
Witty had never been heard, whittier robbers
fled for safety and where wild beasts roved
for prey. The abode OF Abeilaro and of the
ecclesiastic who accompanied him, and their
oratory, were built by themselves. The news
that the philosopher was again free, soon
brought TO his seclusion, crowd Of disciples
who, initiating the industry of their master,
erected their own dwellings. From the en-
thusiasm with which Abeillard was pursued
and his lectures listened to. Mr.. 3. correct
ly inters thai the condition of literature was
humble, and that its professors were few
am not sure, however, that he does not
strain this doctrine for though the Excess
siye popularity OF one learned man may be
pTinau .tdcse evidence that few men are so
learned as himself, and that the rest of the
world Is UNNECESSARILY less so, yet il may OIL
len indicate only that the tavouritc possessed
extraordinary grace IL his mode of imparting
knowledge. II cannot, perhaps, be affirmed
that the lame OF Abeilard was greater than
thai OF Socrates, Plato, Epicurus or Leno or
that the attachment OF his scholars to him
was greater than was that OF the diciples
OF these philosophers to them. Yet they GER
talniy uId not 1--we III barharous age. Let
ters, III all their departments, were never
more prosperous IN Great Britain than now,
yet On Mr. Berington's principle the hume
rouS and admming auditors who attend Mr..
Stewards lectures, prove that philosophy is
but little known in the three kingdoms The
same cause why this eloquent professor is I'M
rivalled in publick admiration, probably de.
yelopes the source of Abeillard's popularity
a superiority over all competitors in elocu
ton, rather than in knowledge.
Norfolk, jan. II.
Late Bermuda and Jamaica papers are re-
ceived al the Reading Room, per the Charles
K. MaIory--lhey furnish nothing important.
Lieut.. General Geor gre allan Ramsay, Go.
vernon OF the Island OF Antigua, died at St.
Johns on the lst December, aged SO years
and what is little remarkable, Thomas Nor
bury Kerby, Esq. who succeeded him in
Office, 0d interim, died on the 18th of the
same month Rear Admiral Campbell, OIL