Kay's Originals Vol. 1

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Go to: Kay's Originals Vol. 1 Title Pages Advertisement Introductory Notice to Original Portraits, Biographical Sketches I. Mr. John Kay II. A Triumvirate. The Daft Highland Laird, John Dhu, or Dow, alias Macdonald, and Jamie Duff, an idiot. III. Francis McNab, Esq. of McNab IV. Three Giants, with a Group of Spectators V. Lord Kames. Hugo Arnot, Esq. of Balcormo, Advocate. Lord Monboddo. VI. Contemplation VII. Lord Gardenstone VIII. Hugo Arnot, Esq., Advocate, and Gingerbread Jock IX. Dr. Glen and the Daft Highland Laird X. A Sleepy Congregation XI. Dr. James Graham going along the North Bridge in a High Wind XII. Dr. James Graham lecturing in Edinburgh XIII. James Macrae, Esq. XIV. Captain Page and Captain Vicars XV. The Three Captains of the City Guard. George Pitcairn, George Robertson, Robert Pillans. XVI. Provost David Steuart and Bailie John Lothian XVII. Alexander Hunter, Esq. of Polmood, and Roger Hog, Esq. of Newliston XVIII. Francis Grose, Esq., F.A.S. of London and Perth XIX. Captain Mingay, with a porter carrying George Cranstoun in his creel XX. Samuel McDonald and George Cranstoun XXI. Major Fisher XXII. Dr. Joseph Black XXIII. Dr. Joseph Black, Lecturing XXIV. Dr. James Hutton XXV. Philosophers XXVI. Dr. John Brown XXVII. Dr. Brown in his study XXVIII. Sir James Hunter Blair, Bart., Late Lord Provost of Edinburgh XXIX. Alexander Carlyle, D.D., Inveresk XXX. The Modern Hercules XXXI. Adam Ritchie XXXII. Angelo Tremamondo, Esq., Riding Master XXXIII. Lord Rockville Dr. Adam Smith, and Commissioner Brown XXXIV. Adam Smith, LL.D. And F.R.S. of London and Edinburgh XXXV. The Sapient Septemviri. King's College, Aberdeen. XXXVI. Vincent Lunardi, in his basket, ready to ascend. XXXVII. Marriage XXXVIII. A group of Aeronauts. XXXIX. The Right Honourable Colonel Lennox. XL. Colonel Hunter. XLI. The Rev. William Robertson, D.D., author of the History of Scotland and Charles V XLII. Dr. William Robertson, D.D., in his full clerical dress XLIII. Quartermaster Taylor XLIV. Cock-fighting Match between the counties of Lanark and Haddington XLV. James Donaldson XLVI. Mr. Alexander Thomson and Miss Crawford XLVII. Retaliation; or the Cudgeller caught XLVIII. Henry Viscount Melville and The Hob. Robert Dundas of Arniston XLIX. Bailie James Dickson and Bailie James Torry L. William Doyle, Samuel Sone, and William Foster LI. Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., giving the word of command LII. General Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., viewing the army, encamped on the plains of Egypt LIII. Lauchlan McBain LIV. Second print of Lauchlan McBain LV. Mrs. Siddons, Mr. Sutherland, Mrs. Woods, of the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh LVI. Captain George Gordon, Captain George Robertson, and John Grieve, Esq., Lord Provost of Edinburgh LVII. Rev. Hugh Blair, D.D. of the High Church, Edinburgh LVIII. The Honourable Henry Erskine, Dean of the faculty of Advocates LIX. James Bruce, Esq. of Kinnaird, and Peter Williamson LX. Courtship LXI. Mr. William Martin, Bookseller and Auctioneer in Edinburgh LXII. Mr. Thomas White LXIII. Mr. Henderson and Mr. Charteris, of the Theatre-Royal, Edinburgh LXIV. The Rev. Joseph Robertson Macgregor, First Minister of the Edinburgh Gaelic Chapel LXV. The Rev. James Lawson of Belvidere, The Job of Present Times LXVI. An Exchange of Heads. Hugo Arnot, Esq. - Mr. William Macpherson, and Roger Hog, Esq. LXVII. The Rev. John McLure, Chaplain to the Grand Lodge LXVIII. Mr. Alexander Wood, surgeon LXIX. Mr. Wood LXX. Captain Hind LXXI. Robert McQueen of Braxfield, Lord Justice-Clerk LXXII. George Pratt (The Town-Crier) LXXIII. The Rev. Dr. John Erskine, late of the Old Greyfriars' Church, Edinburgh LXXIV. Dr. Erskine LXXV. Dr. Henry Moyes, lectureer on Chemistry, etc. LXXVI. Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, banker in Edinburgh LXXVII. Thomas Fraser (A Natural) LXXVIII. The Marquis of Huntly, afterwards Duke of Gordon LXXIX. Sir James Montgomery of Stanhope and David Stuart Moncrief, esq. of Moredun LXXX. Rev. Greville Ewing LXXXI. The Earl of Hopetoun LXXXII. Charles Hay, Esq., Advocate LXXXIII. Lord Newton on the Bench LXXXIV. The Earl of Errol and the Right Honourable Lord Haddo. LXXXV. Voltaire, the French Philosopher, and Mr. Watson, an Edinburgh Messenger LXXXVI. Mr. William Smellie, Printer and Mr. Andrew Bell, Engraver LXXXVII. The Right Honourable David Earl of Leven and Melville LXXXVIII. The Right Honourable Lord Adam Gordon LXXXIX. Right Honourable Lord Adam Gordon and His Royal Highness the Count D'Artois, afterwards Charles X XC. John Dhu XCI. Sir William Nairne, Baronet, Lord Dunsinnan XCII. Mr. Ralph Rylance XCIII. Levelling of the High Street of Edinburgh XCIV. Mr. Moss in the character of 'Caleb' XCV. Mr. Robert Meikle XCVI. Mr. Thomas Neil, Wright and Precentor XCVII. Major Campbell of the 35th Regiment XCVIII. The Royal Edinburgh Volunteers. Mr. Archibald Gilchrist XCIX. John Davidson, Esq., and Lord Henderland. George Paton, Esq. Lord Monboddo and Dr. Hutton. C. David Ross, Lord Ankerville CI. Francis Home, M.D. CII. The Right Hon. the Earl of Haddington, Sir William Forbes of Pitsligo, Bart., and Sir James Hunter Blair, Bart. CIII. Dr. William Cullen CIV. Dr. Cullen in his study CV. William Brodie, Deacon of the Incorporation of Wrights and Masons, Edinburgh CVI. George Smith and Deacon William Brodie CVII. General Buttons, An American Officer CVIII. Mr. John Wright, Lecturer on Law CIX. John Wright, Edq., Advocate CX. The Rev. William Beat, Minister of Kilrenny CXI. James Marshall, Esq., writer to the Signet CXII. Rev. John Wesley CXIII. Sir James Grant of Grant, Bart. CXIV. Dr. Alexander Monro, Secundus, Professor of Anatomy CXV. Rev. John Kemp, D.D. CXVI. The Most Noble the Marquis of Graham, and The Right Hon. the Earl of Buchan CXVII. Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville CXVIII. Andrew Nicol CXIX. Three Legal Devotees. Andrew Nicol, Mary Walker, and John Skene CXX. Four Bucks. Dr. Eiston, Signior Stabilini, Captain McKenzie, and Macnab of Macnab CXXI. Dr. Andrew Hunter CXXII. Lord Craig CXXIII. Mungo Watson, Beadle of Lady Yester's Church, etc. CXXIV. James Robertson of Kincraigie CXXV. Thomas Muir, Esq. Younger of Huntershill CXXVI. Sir Archibald Hope of Pinkie, Bart. CXXVII. Robert Blair, Esq. CXXVIII. Robert Blair, Esq., Solicitor-General CXXIX. The Hon. Robert Dundas of Arniston CXXX. Captain James Justice of Justice Hall, and a Lady in the costume of 1790 CXXXI. Andrew Dalziel, A.M., F.R.S. CXXXII. Two Shadows. Lord Kames, and Hugo Arnot, Esq. CXXXIII. Neil Ferguson, Esq., Advocate, and the Little Polish Count CXXXIV. Dr. Alexander Hamilton, Professor of Midwifery CXXXV. Rev. Rowland Hill, A.M. CXXXVI. James Gregory, M.D. CXXXVII. Dr. James Gregory, in the uniform of the Royal Edinburgh Volunteers CXXXVIII. Alexander Osborne, Esq., and Francis Ronaldson, Esq. CXXXIX. Rev. Robert Walker CXL. Sir David Rae of Eskgrove, Bart., Lord Justice-Clerk CXLI. Mr. David Downie, Goldsmith in Edinburgh - tried for High Treason along with Robert Watt in 1794 CXLII. Mr. Thomas Blair, late of the Stamp-Office, Edinburgh CXLIII. Rev. William Moodie, D.D. CXLIV. Thomas Elder, Esq. of Forneth, Late Lord Provost of Edinburgh CXLV. The Right Hon. Lord Viscount Duncan CXLVI. Admiral Duncan on the Quarter-Deck CXLVII. Lord Hailes CXLVIII. Rev. Dr. David Johnston, Minister of North Leith CXLIX. Sir James Stirling, Bart. CL. Henry Dundas, and Sir James Stirling, Bart. CLI. Lord High Chancellor Loughborough, afterwards Earl of Rosslyn CLII. John Campbell, Esq., of Blythswood CLIII. The Hon. Basil Cochrane, and James Edgar, Esq., Commissioners of the Customs CLIV. Rev. Dr. Thomas Davidson, late of the Tolbooth Church, Edinburgh CLV. Colonel Patrick Crichton CLVI. George Fergusson, Lord Hermand CLVII. Mr. John Shiells, Surgeon CLVIII. Mr. Robert Johnston, and Miss Sibilla Hutton CLIX. Mr. John Bennet, Surgeon CLX. Three Officers of the Hopetoun Fencibles. Lord Napier, Major Pilmer, and Major Clarkson. CLXI. Mr. John Adams, Master of the Royal Riding Menage CLXII. Mr. William Scott, Mr. James Sibbald, George Fairholme, Esq., and James Kerr, Esq. CLXIII. Rev. William Paul CLXIV. Byrne, the Irish Giant, Mr. Watson, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Fairholme, and Geordie Cranstoun CLXV. Allan Macdougall, Esq. of Glenlochan, Alexander Watson, Esq. of Glenturkie, and Colquhoun Grant, Esq. CLXVI. Ensign Macdougal, of the Hopetoun Fencibles CLXVII. Mr. James Rae, Dr. William Laing, and Dr. James Hay CLXVIII. George Mealmaker, author of the 'Moral and Political Catechism of Man' CLXIX. Two Turks CLXX. The City Guard House. Corporal John Dhu Notes to Vol. 1 Index to the Portraits, etc. in Vol. 1 Index to the Names Incidentally Mentioned in the First Volume » Kay's Originals Vol. 2 » Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time » Edinburgh Past and Present » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. I » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. II » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. III » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. IV » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. V » Old and New Edinburgh Vol. VI

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 149 At last chance brought about that which his own fame and the strong recommendations of men of genius and nobles could not effect. Mr. Colmaa having purchased the patent for acting plays at the Haymarket from Mr. Foote, and fearing that the infirmities of that gentleman might incapacitate him from furnishing his quota of public entertainment in writing and acting, engaged Henderson to supply his place occasionally, at a salary of one hundred pounds for the season, which was eagerly accepted. He opened in Shylock, and, after appearing in one or two other parts, his success was complete. All the world ran to the Haymarket to witness his performances, and a considerable sum was realised by the manager, who, though no stipulation had been made to that effect, gave him a free benefit. Messrs. Harris and Leake, of Covent Garden theatre, insinuated that Henderson was not fit for the t'opping parts, but was only equal to a second or third rate character, and still withheld from engaging him ; but Sheridan, who had seen him act, Hamlet twice, was not to be swayed by their dictum, and, on his own responsibility, enrolled him as a member of the corps of Drury Lane for the ensuing winter season. His salary was fked at 310 per week, and Mr. Sheridan at the same time undertook to pay the forfeiture of articles to Palmer, the Bath manager, amounting to 3300, which was done by Sheridan giving Palmer the liberty of performing The School for Scandal. Nothing was now wanting but the countenance of Mr. Garrick ; but he, to use his own words, '' could not think of having any connection with a man who had ridiculed him by mimicry, and had exposed and laughed at his letters." The latter charge Henderson always denied. On the conclusion of the season, Henderson took a trip to Ireland, by which movement his purse and reputation were considerably increased. On his return to England, he espoused a lady bearing the Cockney plebeian name of Figgins, at her native place, Chippenham, Somersetshire, on the 13th January 1779. He again visited Ireland during the summer of that year, and in consequence of some disagreement between him and Mr. Sheridan, transferred his services to Covent Garden during the winter. It was during this engagement that he performed Macbeth for the first time. The summer of 1780 he passed at Liverpool, and returned to Covent Garden in the winter, when he appeared in the characters of WoEsey, Sir Jolm Bwte, and Iago; there is an engraving of him in the last character by Bartolozzi, which is rather scarce. In the summer of 1781 he was without an engagement; 1782, he played at Liverpool; and in November 1783, appeared as Tamerlane to Mr. Kemble's Bajazet. On Saturday, 31st July 1784, he made his first appearance on the Scottish stage at Edinburgh, in the character of Handet. The following is a notice of his performance of that character :-" On Saturday evening Mr. Henderson made his first appearance in this theatre, in the character of Handd, to a very genteel audience. The house was full, but not crowded. This gentleman is undoubtedly the most correct actor at present on the stage. His deportment is easy and unaffected ; his voice, when not carried too high, pleasing and comprehensive ; and his action is the result of good sense, taste, and a perfect know

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150 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. ledge of his author. To speak comparatively, Digges’ figure was better, and his voice perhaps more mellow and powerful, but Digges played with little judgment, was very deficient in the nicer touches of the art, and often had no conception of what he spoke. In judgment and taste Mr. Henderson is eminent, He understands perfectly the character he plays, and never fails to give the just meaning of his author, and this, in so difficult and various a character as Hamlet, requires the powers of a master. He avoids that unnatural violence and rant which is often introduced into the part, and which seldom fails to catch the ears of the groundlings, but is certainly more characteristic of the blustering player than the Prince of Denmark. From what we have seen we are of opinion that the admirers of Shakspeare, who wish to understand perfectly their favourite author, should attend Mr. Henderson ; in his mouth no passage seems perplexed, and he is a comment at once pleasing and instructive.” On the 2d August he acted Shylock in the Merchant of Venice, which the newspaper advertisement, for the instruction of the ignorant, announces to be “ written by Shakspeare.” “ One would have thought,” continues the critique alluded to, “from the crowded state of the house, that the Siddons was still here. Greater praise, perhaps, was not due to Mrs. Siddons for any of her parts than to Mr. Henderson ,for the inimitable humour and original manner in which he played Falstn, In this character he stands unrivalled on the British stage. He met with repeated bursts of applause from every part of the house. One honest gentleman was so tickled with the humour, that he almost fell into convulsions with laughing. Mr. Henderson was perhaps painted too youthful for the character.” 5th, Don John in the Chances, as altered from Beaumont and Fletcher by Garrick. In this comedy “he gave a proof that his powers were as well adapted to the lively-spirited rake, as to the serious and philosophic Hamlet.” 7th, Acted iyacbeth. ‘‘ In Macbeth he was equally animated and correct as in any of the other parts he has displayed.” Sth, Sir John Falstaf, in the First Part of King Henry IK, for his benefit. “ In this character he exceeded any thing we have seen of his performance. The continued peals of laughter and applause, from a most brilliant and crowded audience, testified the strongest approbation, and the part perhaps was never played with such inimitable genuine humour. The Knight’s description of his troop, with Mr. Henderson’s looks, tones, and gestures, was beyond description admirable. On the 3d, Sir John Falstaf in the Merry Wives of Windsor. loth, Richard 111. 14th, King Lear. 16th, Sir Oiles Ouerreach. 1 ‘‘ It is surprising that there should not be a proper Scots dress on the stage in the metropolis of Scotland, and that a Spauish dress, or indeed any other, should serve as a Highland dress by the addition of a piece of tartan drawn awkwardly across the shoulder, as if it waa the insignia of an order of knighthood. The characters in Macbeth, indeed, exhibited the dresses of all nations, and one might have thought that a dealer in Monmouth Street had been airing his stock-in-trade to prevent it being eaten by moths.”-Courccnt. . The witches are said to have made a Dutch chorus of the music.

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