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Napier's favourite books when a boy。 His mind was early imbued by
it with a passionate admiration for the great heroes of antiquity；
and its influence had； doubtless； much to do with the formation of
his character； as well as the direction of his career in life。 It
is related of him； that in his last illness； when feeble and
exhausted； his mind wandered back to Plutarch's heroes； and he
descanted for hours to his son…in…law on the mighty deeds of
Alexander； Hannibal； and Caesar。 Indeed； if it were possible to
poll the great body of readers in all ages whose minds have been
influenced and directed by books； it is probable thatexcepting
always the Biblethe immense majority of votes would be cast in
favour of Plutarch。
And how is it that Plutarch has succeeded in exciting an interest
which continues to attract and rivet the attention of readers of
all ages and classes to this day？ In the first place； because the
subject of his work is great men； who occupied a prominent place
in the world's history； and because he had an eye to see and a pen
to describe the more prominent events and circumstances in their
lives。 And not only so； but he possessed the power of portraying
the individual character of his heroes； for it is the principle of
individuality which gives the charm and interest to all biography。
The most engaging side of great men is not so much what they do as
what they are； and does not depend upon their power of intellect
but on their personal attractiveness。 Thus； there are men whose
lives are far more eloquent than their speeches； and whose
personal character is far greater than their deeds。
It is also to be observed； that while the best and most carefully…
drawn of Plutarch's portraits are of life…size； many of them are
little more than busts。 They are well…proportioned but compact；
and within such reasonable compass that the best of themsuch as
the lives of Caesar and Alexandermay be read in half an hour。
Reduced to this measure； they are； however； greatly more imposing
than a lifeless Colossus； or an exaggerated giant。 They are not
overlaid by disquisition and description； but the characters
naturally unfold themselves。 Montaigne； indeed； complained of
Plutarch's brevity。 〃No doubt；〃 he added； 〃but his reputation is
the better for it； though in the meantime we are the worse。
Plutarch would rather we should applaud his judgment than commend
his knowledge； and had rather leave us with an appetite to read
more than glutted with what we have already read。 He knew very
well that a man may say too much even on the best subjects。。。。
Such as have lean and spare bodies stuff themselves out with
clothes； so they who are defective in matter； endeavour to make
amends with words。 （5）
Plutarch possessed the art of delineating the more delicate
features of mind and minute peculiarities of conduct； as well as
the foibles and defects of his heroes； all of which is necessary
to faithful and accurate portraiture。 〃To see him；〃 says
Montaigne； 〃pick out a light action in a man's life； or a word；
that does not seem to be of any importance； is itself a whole
discourse。〃 He even condescends to inform us of such homely
particulars as that Alexander carried his head affectedly on one
side； that Alcibiades was a dandy； and had a lisp； which became
him； giving a grace and persuasive turn to his discourse； that
Cato had red hair and gray eyes； and was a usurer and a screw；
selling off his old slaves when they became unfit for hard work；
that Caesar was bald and fond of gay dress； and that Cicero （like
Lord Brougham） had involuntary twitchings of his nose。
Such minute particulars may by some be thought beneath the dignity
of biography； but Plutarch thought them requisite for the due
finish of the complete portrait which he set himself to draw； and
it is by small details of characterpersonal traits； features；
habits； and characteristicsthat we are enabled to see before us
the men as they really lived。 Plutarch's great merit consists in
his attention to these little things； without giving them undue
preponderance； or neglecting those which are of greater moment。
Sometimes he hits off an individual trait by an anecdote； which
throws more light upon the character described than pages of
rhetorical description would do。 In some cases； he gives us
the favourite maxim of his hero； and the maxims of men often
reveal their hearts。
Then； as to foibles； the greatest of men are not visually
symmetrical。 Each has his defect； his twist； his craze； and it is
by his faults that the great man reveals his common humanity。 We
may； at a distance； admire him as a demigod； but as we come nearer
to him； we find that he is but a fallible man； and our brother。 （6）
Nor are the illustrations of the defects of great men without
their uses； for； as Dr。 Johnson observed； 〃If nothing but the
bright side of characters were shown； we should sit down in
despondency； and think it utterly impossible to imitate
them in anything。〃
Plutarch； himself justifies his method of portraiture by averring
that his design was not to write histories； but lives。 〃The most
glorious exploits；〃 he says； 〃do not always furnish us with the
clearest discoveries of virtue or of vice in men。 Sometimes a
matter of much less moment； an expression or a jest； better
informs us of their characters and inclinations than battles with
the slaughter of tens of thousands； and the greatest arrays of
armies or sieges of cities。 Therefore； as portrait…painters are
more exact in their lines and features of the face and the
expression of the eyes； in which the character is seen； without
troubling themselves about the other parts of the body； so I must
be allowed to give my more particular attention to the signs and
indications of the souls of men； and while I endeavour by these
means to portray their lives； I leave important events and great
battles to be described by others。〃
Things apparently trifling may stand for much in biography as well
as history； and slight circumstances may influence great results。
Pascal has remarked； that if Cleopatra's nose had been shorter；
the whole face of the world would probably have been changed。 But
for the amours of Pepin the Fat； the Saracens might have overrun
Europe； as it was his illegitimate son； Charles Martel； who
overthrew them at Tours； and eventually drove them out of France。
That Sir Walter Scott should have sprained his foot in running
round the room when a child； may seem unworthy of notice in his
biography； yet 'Ivanhoe；' 'Old Mortality；' and all the Waverley
novels depended upon it。 When his son intimated a desire to enter
the army； Scott wrote to Southey； 〃I have no title to combat a
choice which would have been my own； had not my lameness
prevented。〃 So that； had not Scott been lame； he might have
fought all through the Peninsular War； and had his breast covered
with medals； but we