Tracts, legal and historical

113
Scaliger, " the Dictator of Letters," who affirms that
— " prcEclarum ingenium non potest esse magnus
3£atke?naticus" — which may apply to Napier with
due force, for his pursuits were limited, and chiefly
confined to the department which this great autho-
rity pointedly undervalues. Indeed, it is thought
by some, that mathematics contract the mind, and
unfit it for other pursuits.
There are but few traits of a private character
preserved of Napier of Merchiston, a remark that
may be extended to nearly all his co-temporaries, not
forgetting Craig, to whom Mr. Napier has directed
his attention. 1 In these circumstances, although
certainly from an amiable motive, their respective
biographers are, perhaps, rather apt to presume too
much in their favor, and to array them in an ideal
excellence, which is rarely indeed to be be met with
at the period. The author may here repeat what
he has asserted elsewhere, that the more the subject
is probed, the more will the scale preponderate in
respect to moral excellence, delicacy of sentiment,
and rectitude, in favor of modern times. Notwith-
standing their severe exterior, stern, and uncompro-
mising religion, and covenants with their Maker, the
heroes of the sixteenth century were not inattentive
to their worldly interests ; and however accomplished,
and even elegant they may appear in their writings,
they exhibit but a sorry picture when we withdraw
1 Memoirs, p. 97.
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