These are considerations of a mechanical order, perhaps; it may be admitted that technical skill of this sort is only valuable in giving a proper chance to more essential gifts; but when those exist, it is of the highest value. And Lucian's versatility in technique is only a symbol of his versatile powers in general. He is equally at home in heaven and earth and hell, with philosophers and cobblers, telling a story, criticizing a book, describing a picture, elaborating an allegory, personifying an abstraction, parodying a poet or a historian, flattering an emperor's mistress, putting an audience into good temper with him and itself, unveiling an imposture, destroying a religion or a reputation, drawing a character. The last is perhaps the most disputable of the catalogue. How many of his personages are realities to us when we have read, and not mere labels for certain modes of thought or conduct? Well, characterization is not the first, but only the second thing with him; what is said matters rather more than who says it; he is more desirous that the argument should advance than that the person should reveal himself; nevertheless, nothing is ever said that is out of character; while nothing can be better of the kind than some of his professed personifications, his _Plutus_ or his _Philosophy_, we do retain distinct impressions of at least an irresponsible _Zeus_ and a decorously spiteful _Hera_, a well-meaning, incapable _Helius_, a bluff _Posidon_, a gallant _Prometheus_, a one-idea'd _Charon_; _Timon_ is more than misanthropy, _Eucrates_ than superstition, _Anacharsis_ than intelligent curiosity, _Micyllus_ than ignorant poverty, poor _Hermotimus_ than blind faith, and Lucian than a scoffer. THE WORKS OF LUCIAN THE VISION A CHAPTER OF AUTOBIOGRAPHY When my childhood was over, and I had just left school, my father called a council to decide upon my profession. Most of his friends considered that the life of culture was very exacting in toil, time, and money: a life only for fortune's favourites; whereas our resources were quite narrow, and urgently called for relief. If I were to take up some ordinary handicraft, I should be making my own living straight off, instead of eating my father's meat at my age; and before long my earnings would be a welcome contribution.