Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-25

[" commanded universal admiration. Seldom
!" she appeared in public +; the retirement OF
. her cell was better adapted TO holy medi-
taton and prayer but her society twas
!" arGently sought for, and strangers wished
" TO be improved by her edifying CONVERSE
/" tien." p. 1874. This may seem extrava-
giant but il should be recollected, as Mr..
Bennington in;imates, that from the same
quarter, Heloisa rarely receives commenda-
ton. Abeilard's situation was now far less
agreeable than hers, and his endeavors to
reform the monks of St. GiIdes SO incensed
them that they frequently attempted his des-
truction by poison and assassination. Ter
ri6ed by the accommodation with which
he visited the most turbulent, the remainder
swore solemnly 10 leave the monastery when
that sentence should be removed. But this
oath was speedily broken, and the renewal
oftheir enormities obliged Abeillard to in
woke the aid OF Innocent II. The oath OF
obedience 10 which they were then compel
led by sthe papal legate. was as brittle as
the other, for they again projected assassi.
nation, and Abeillard owed his safety to a
friend.
AT this time in the 55th year Of bis age,
he writ the $ Historic Calumitatum' or me-
mOirs of hi, lie, by which chiefly Mr.. Ber-
ington has been guided in his narrative. De-
signed for the perusal of friend, it reached
the eyes of Helouisa. and awakened al! her
love, though the rapidity with which accord
ing to our author) it despatched the history
of her Connexion with the writer, proved
that she was no longer, perhaps never had
been, dear to him. In justice il must be sta
ted that thisis by no means the character Of
the letter to Philintus generally sscribed to
Abeillard, of which two thirds are confined
TO his intercourse with Heloisa. The sensa-
tions excited in her by the recital of his past
suferings and existing danger, connected
with some reflections on her own disastrous
life, were expressed in letter to him, 10
which for energy Of diction and accuracy of
thought. am not sure that parallel can any
where be found. Whatever emotions otrepen-
tant tenderness this epistle may have predu-
ced in Abeillard, none are pereevahle in his
answer, which is canting complimentary and
cold. In the reply of Heloisa she expresses
more particularly than before, the exclusive
dominion over her heart which Abeilard had
possessed from the commencement of their
and the impertection of her relgi-
Gus sentiments. To this fervid and eloquent
letter Abeillard returned polemical anaIy-
ais OF it, in which be enforces every topick
hat philosophy or religion could furnish to
ssuage the anguish of his correspondent. -
rom these letters of Heoisa is formed
Pope's celebrated epistle, of which the
= Uer6a ardentsa" so unusual in the origi.
nal poetry of that writer, are faithful trans
cripts from the real letters. Though there is
less fiction in it than is readily supposed, the |
remark is necessary, that for many Of what
have been deemed its exceptionabIe passage
Heloisa isnot responsible, Her genuine let
iers may be considered phenomenon in H.
terary history their purity and eloquence
would have been conspicuous in an age more
studlcus OF phraseoIogy, and their ingenu-
BUSINESS illustrates character in the writer
worthy of better times aid better fate
Our author Critcises Pope's epistle with suf-
1Clent correctness where the structures are
merely verbal, but his objections to the fame
If that beautiful poem seem less plausible. |
In saying that it wants order and an exact |
: discrimination of ideas" he only says that
il is Just such letter as a woman of ardent |
feelings strongly operated on by love, injury
and grief, might be expected to compose -
lie properly Censures the historical error in
vOlyed in the poem, that the lovers were ne
yer married, though he selects wrong OBJ
lection by making it, not moral, but literary.
In his structure on the couplet,
Snatch me, just mounting, from the blest
abode,
Assist me friends, and :ear ne from my
God
e forgets that these words are ascrbed to
moment OF ecstacy, when Heloisa almost
,addsned at the retrospect of her woes
ven Mr.. Berington's verbal criticisms are
tten puerlle. Pope makes his heroine say, |
Not grace orzeal, love only was my call,