The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-15


 up a cult which she fondly hoped was reviving the worship of the immortals of Parnassus; she sought to bring back the world to a pure philosophy that would satisfy the intellect and save it from the Christian gospel, which she loathed as being devoid of intellectual food, but which she saw was spread ing not only among the common peo- pie, for whom it might suffice, but among the more intelligent.
 Most prominent among the pupils of Hypatia was the handsome young Jew. Raphael Aben Ezra, reputed richest of the Hebrews of Alexandria. He had forsaken the creed of his fath CTS and had turned cynic; and he loved to dis pute with his fair nstructess-perhaps more because of Hypatia than of her philosophy, against which, after all, the sparks of his old faith in the God of Abraham revolted.
 One day as Raphael and Orestes sat in a summer room of the prefect's pal ace throwing dice for horses and slaves and dancing girls, the withered old Jewess Miriam came with a letter In answer to one Orestes had written to Hypatia. That old hag has the evil eye,' said Orestes, "and Hypatia tells me she haunts her all the time l must see to it that she is disciplined, though l SupOpSc lO lOuCn OHt Ol yOuI IdC6 would stir up all the hornets in Jewfy."
 Really, I can't say" replied Raphael ''It might. Or 1t might stir up Miriam to call in some of her loans-whieh wou-- be quite as disagreeable."
 Orestes winced at the intimate Knowledge which the Jew seemed to have of his monetary affairs, and con tinued: Well. she always has a batch of handsome dancing girls for sale and so shall be forgiven. Bid the slave bring in the letter."
 After reading it Orestes threw it to Raphael. What am I to do? She asks me to apoStatize. In the face of Cyril and his monks I dare not. They would tear me to pieces in the streets. Mar ried to Hypatia I might become Elm peror of Africa. I say. suppose you marry her, and I will make you any thing you like. You can be my right hand, and so we shall have the benefit of Hypatia's wisdom and influence"
 Your serene high -migh htiness over wh elms me-" replied the Jew, lowing; but having never in my life cared for any ones interest except my own, you must pardon me if at my time of life I refuse to devote myself to yours But you can walt. There Is no hurry about the answer. You can promise. They tell me Romans before now have .| As Raphael bowed himself out, old Miriam caught him by the arm and said: Does the fool dare? If that Pelagia had as much common sense as Hypatia has in her little finger I could place her and her Goths on the throne of the Caesars"
 "Pelagia is your most successful pu- pill, certainly" replied Raphael. The hag chuckled to herself for while bap sn1andid opal ring into RaphaePs hand, she said in a wheedling voice. There, my son. take it. Now you are safe. It has the unspeakable name carved on it, just like Solomon's own-and do not call me witch and hag as you often do. l do not mind it from anybody else, but from you--' and the old woman van ished down a by-lane leaving Raphael utterly bewildered. Moses and the proph ets," said he, "does this old lady intend to marry mel"
 As Hypatia went forth next morning in all her glory with a1crowd of phil osophers, students and fine gentlemen following her in reverent admiration across the street to her lecture room, ragged beggar placed himself in her way, and extending a dirty hand. whined for aims. Hypatia glanced at him and started with surprise. The
 
 The night before thousands of monks had broken into the Jew quarter under the lead of Cyril, and, driving the He brews from the city, had footed their houses. Old Miriam had warned Ra- phael of what was to happen, but he had calmly stayed on to the end, and then giving to the old woman for safe keeping such portable property as she could take away in jewels and gold he had dressed himself as a beggar. and now announced his intention of journeying to Italy. T am now at the foot of the ladder, most fair Hypatia. You have so often lectured of the blessing of poverty that you should not be surprised if one of your pupils at least tries the experiment" said he. q go to look for man. When find him I will come and tell you" And taking his staff and calling to his dog the most luxurious dandy in Alexan- dria went forth as beggar.
 The strange scene had been witnessed with intense interest by all; most of all by another young man who had set for himself task which it took all of his courage to carry out. It was Phil ammon, the boy monk. The reputa- tion of nypatia had become so great and her influence was extending so fast that the youth had begged of Cyril to let him go to one of the lectures and confute and confound her heath en doc trine But Cyril had warned him: Do not argue. You will be lost if YOU try to match wits with her. She is subtle as the old serpent h.mself. Do not argue. Assert and deny with vehe- mence, but no arguing"
 The scene with Raphael had filled Philammon with the question: Could 1t be possible that Jew or a heather could actually seek a life of poverty?" He had supposed only Christians capa- ble of self-sacrifice. And now the won derful beauty of Hypatia. the voice Ike music in which she poured out her words. and the rapt attention with which her hearers hung on her every expression. so entranced the young monk that for time he forgot his mission and saw only Hypatia, heard only Hypatia. But, recollecting him self suddenly, he shouted: Tt is false blasphemous, The Scriptures cannot 1ier, Yet even as he spoke he felt that he was-for the first time in his life face to face with the root questions of all thought What am and where? What can I knowT
 ..Throw the rustic through the win dowp' shouted the young gentlemen. "Turn the Smonk. out" But Hypatia said: "Let him stay, gentlemen. He Is but a monk and a plebian and knows no better" After the lecture she sent for him, presenting him with free ticket for her lectures and generally treating him with sweet condescen- sion as if he were a half-reasoning child and she a superior being-as, in- deed. Philammon began to think she