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

rae Req. Joseph Berington. Svo.
No. 2.
While Abeillard was thus revealing in the
luxury Of praise, the event occurred to which
are ascribable many Of his misfortuRes and
much Of his renown. Our author conjec-
lures, that the Incidence which ensued on
triumphant superiority disposed the philoso-
pher for the visitations of love---a passion
ofleaer connected with laziness than senti-
mentalists would admit. Be this as it may,
It's certain that influenced by this emotion,
or grosser one he devised plan ofwhich
the retrospect is as painful as the adoption
was infamous. Al the period ofbis life now
under our consideration, resided in Paris
with her uncle, the celebrated Heloisa, then
not Is years old, but celebrated through the
Kingdom for talents and learning. Mr.. Ber-
ington justly suspects exaggeration in the
contemporary accounts, for beside adjoining
her with every virtue and every grace. they
ascribe TO this parsonage solidity OF Wis
dom iooimpeccable to consist with her sub
sequent imprudencies. But after even more
is deducted from these hyperbolical encomia
than probability requires, enough will still
remain tojuslify an opinion, that in any age
Of the world. Heloisa would be regarded
as being very extraordinarily endowed. =
Too coYetous of literary acquisitions to be
vain of personal charms, she yet possessed
the latter so abundantly, that every admirer
of her genius became also the worshipper of
her beauty. To obtain her love was vision
too faitering to Abe lizard to be UNDECIDED, -
Gifted with an engaging person and melodi-
Gus voice, he doubt ted moi thar the beautiful
and brilliant Heloisa would feel battered by
Der conquest, and be unable to resist the APP
plause OF him who was applauded by man
kind. So great says he, "was my repu-
tation, and so captivating the attractions of
+" my youth Che was nearly forty years old)
:" and person, that feared not to be rejected
:. by any woman whom should deign TO no.
8 nour with my regard. Up "a. To accom-
plish his detestable prcject,he pursued sys-
tenn Of articles which am reluctant 10 re-
view. The vanity of Fulbert was fattered
by possessing the philosopher as the inmate
of his house, and bis peGuriousness was graz
tilted by the liberal compensation that was
offered. Abeillard, industrious in cruelty,
soon inspired his pupil with a love which"
says, Mr. Berington S the wild annals OF ro-
/" nance have never, believe, equalled."
.. 80. Intoxicated by her beauty and abili-
Ties, he grew insensible to the charms of phi
losophy and the excitement OF ambition. His
scholars viewed with bitter sorrow the fading
glory of their instructor; envy pointed with
malicious JOY TO the cloud which rested on
his name Fulbert reproached him with Sc
verify !; but the innocent victim remained
firm and faithful, and in the Disguise OF nun
accompanied Abeilard. 10 Brittany. Here
an event occurred which Weakened senti-
ment of justice in his breast, and be promised
the angry canon--the only atonement he
could effer-to marry his niece. But fearful
shat his prospects of ecclesiastical prefer
ment would be destroyed by the publicity OF
this arrangement, he annexed secrecy as a
condition, and thus his calculating selfish
ness deprived the recompenSe of its solitary
benefit to Heloisa. Her generosity refused
any advantage injurious TO Abeillsrd, and
when he preferred marriage, she noby dis
dained it, fortifying her rejection by null
titude of historical authorities illustrating the
banefui results of the power which matrimo-
Dy confers on women. In this conversation
1t is impossible not 10 admire the prompti-
iude and opultnce of Der mind. She how.
ever finally consented, and the marriage was
speedily and SECRETLY solemnized. Believ-
ing the violation of his promise necessary to
the honour Of bis family. Fubert confirmed
the rumour of the marriage which arose, and
the lovers strenuously denied it. lrritated
and Indignant. the Canon looked gloomily on
his niece, and Abeillard secured her from his
dreaded vengeance in the cloister of Argen-
teuil. The rage Of Fulbert then growing
too powerful for restraint. he grati6ed it by a
dreadful and Ubiquitous revenge. The &c
clesiastical Judges DEPRIVED HIM OF MS
sENEsIcE AND coSFIscArED HIS GOODS.
The next event of this affecting biography
manifests with more clearness than any O.