The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-09-13
LITERARY.


canoe over the rolling wave
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LITERARY.
Thomas Moore has lately published in
London, "Ihe ENlcnrcau. IGle. lhe
Atlas Ga Loudon meckly,) gives the folio"
ing outline Of the fable, and brief criticism
on its merits as literary production.
hlcphron, the youthful and accomplished
pre- sident Of the gardens Of Epicurus at Ath-
ems, satiated with pleasure, and dissatisfied
with the doctrine OF his sect, that limits hu-
man existence to the present world, longs
for the discovery Of that Great Secret which
Shall teach him the art OF Eternal Life
Worke ed upon by dream. he bids adieu to
the elegant gaities of Athens, aud seeks IN
Esypt the land Of sacred mystery, the ssu-
ton Of the melancholy difficulties which mad
beset him on the subject of death, and sat"
isfac tion Of his anxious desire OF immortail
tv. He FIRST betakes himself to Alexandra,
where he spends his time III rount. OF plea
sure; he thence ascends the Mic to Mem
phis, III The hope that beneath It pyramids,
and amidst its mystic halls he may still pur-
sue the investigation which WAS nearest inc
heart. Arriving at Memphis on the eve Of
festival, he witne ,sed the proud spectacle
with which the priests Of Egy,i, dazzle the
cphron is captvated by the beauty Of one oi
tile sacred nynphs OF Isis, as she ptl forms
her part III a solemn dance. but looses sight
Of her among the crowds OF her young sister
worshippers, as she vanlshcs after the sa-
cred bird into the temple. he ph!loso-
pher becomes the creature ol an irresistible
passion, urged by which, he %andera every
where iii pursuit OF the object OF his sudden
enthusiasm In an adventure into which
lie is led by an arcdental vision OF ms ioVey
priestess. he IS entrappca by the Juggling
priests of Memphis; who subject him. ~
Their secret recess and su5tcrraneous gar
dens, to various ordcals Of severely trNihH
description. The fate Of a philosopher o.
an opposing sect, in che hands Of the crnc
and powerful ministers Of the Egyptian sn
perstition, seemed scarcely duDions, whti
, ne is surprised, while Watching the sacftt
!. veil of Isis, by the appearance OF the loVei'
$ lnymph whose charms have HncansGiahsl!
led him to his present dangerous sAuation
| Her knowledge Of tic intricacies and stud
t led difficulties of egress from the sacred pre-
i, cints enable the voung philosopher and th
beautiful prIestess to escape together. ~
bout this time Christianity was making
rapd progress. and though periodically visit
ed with the most bloods and unrelentins per
; srcuton, the fidelity of its adherents wa
. unshalten. aud their example produces
!, wide. powerful, but often secret effect npo
others. The young pr. stess proves 70 hay
4 been privately educated a christian bv rs
{ mother: and facilitates an escape TO ictrei
: in the mountains, where Melanlns, yen
crable teacher of the new faith, worship
Q the true God, and leads a life OF sanctitY i
the desert Alciphron is the companion
!. her flight, and their solitary voyage natu
!, rally produces corresponding sensations
), the bosom of the lovely Alethe. Her pur
' ty is her safeguard, and Alciphron is reluct
! antly compelled to deliver his charge int
! the hands OF the aged Christian pastor.--
= But incapable of enduring separation lro'
. his beautiful companion; he ielgns to De nm
!, self convert to the Christian faith. Mela
: : MUS receives him with benignity, establish
;. ', &c tbe president of the gardens of Epicuru
:. in neghboring cell, rude!y carved trot
). the rock, and before long looks with appie
: baton upon the loves of his Youthful disciple
:. = and sanctions their bctrothment. At tn
: time raging persecution at the christian
breaks out: Meianius and Alethc are snatch
= ed from their retreat and hurried betoi
: the imDartial magistrate of Rome. ma neigl
boring CITY. Melanius is martyrcd, and a
= ethe dies in prison poisoned 5y Coral "reat
y with which malignant Egyptian pre
= had encrcled her brow as She is led to prl
:. on, after having firmly and boldly proclaim
: ed her faith. Alciphron, in endeavollng
:. rescue her from the Roman centuriohs,
. himself wounded, and only arrives at tile CT
: of Alethe, in the environs of Antione
~ time TO be recognized, and to see he
;. breathe her last, under the torture OF IL
!, poisoned wreath. a biographical note IS az
- - ded to the tale, which states, that A!clphra
NJ rcd
- Christianity, A. D. 257, by a young EsyI
=. tisn maiden who suffered martyrdom IN th
:. wear, died at an advanced age ia the bra
"a mines of Palestine, A. d. 297, where he ha
IN been condemned to hard labor for refusir
:. to comply with All impartial etlict.
J. Such are the outlines of the story Of tt
&c Ehicurean; tale which, in style, suhjec
W and method of treatment, differs most e
I'd sentially from the productions Of the day
re 1t is conceived in the spirit of a Greek r
nance Of the later ages Of that langras