Kay's Originals Vol. 1

All Books Kay's Originals Vol. 1 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

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. 147 shortly afterwards to Newport-Papell, where she contrived to live upon the interest of a small sum of money. At an early age, by means of his mother, he imbibed a taste for poetry ; and Shakspeare being almost his constant study, a wish to embody his characters on the stage was soon created. The play he admired most was the Winter’s Tab. When arrived at or near the age of eleven he was sent to a school at Hemel-Hampstead, and employed the short time he was there most advantageously. From thence he returned to London, to be placed under the charge of Mr. Fournier, an eminent artist, as he had given early indications of a taste for drawing. To the house of Mr. Cripps, a silversmith of very considerable business in St. James’s Street, to whom he was nearly related, he was soon afterwards transferred for the purpose of making drawings and designs for that business ; but the sudden death of Mr. Cripps put an end to his prospects iu this line. His ardent passion for acting now gained the ascendency, and Henderson made his first public appearance in a barn at a village in Islington, where he recited Garrick’s Ode to Xhakspeaw, at that time very popular. This effort procured him a number of admirers and many invitations to parties, at all of which he displayed his powers. Exertions were made to obtain the notice of the managers; and after several years’ attendance at the levee of the presiding genius of Drury Lane, during which he was refused an engagement at Covent Garden by Mr. Colman, Mr. Garrick condescended to grant him a day of audience, and heard him rehearse several scenes in a variety of characters. After some hesitation, the manager gave it as his opinion that he had in his mouth too much worsted, which he must absolutely get rid of before he was fit for Drury Lane stage.” The same fault has been found with the able representative of fiends and ruffians, 0. Smith, and a rhyming critique on the merits of his acting concludes thus :- “ But his delivery is very shocking- He speaks as if ’twere through a worsted stocking.” Garrick, however, having no wish to discourage the “young stager,” furnished him with a letter to Mr. Palmer, manager of the Bath Theatre, who gave him an engagement for a term of three years, at the very liberal salary of “ one pound one per week.” On the 6th of October then, in the year 1772, did “the Bath Roscius,” under the assumed name of Courtenay, make a most successful debut in the character of Hamlet, the known recommendation of Ganick operating upon the attendance at the theatre that evening, and controlling in no small degree the judgment of the audience after they went. In an address written for the occasion, Henderson shortly afterwards reclaimed his own cognomen. So attractive did he prove, that the manager found it for his interest to send him on ” that season in upwards of five-and-twenty different parts. He was noticed by people of the first rank and talent, among others Paul Whitehead, Gainsborough the painter, Dr. Schomberg, and Mr. John Beard. After the first Bath campaign ha repaired to London, fondly imagining that

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148 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. the strength of his fame would cause the doors of Covent Garden and Drury Lane to be thrown open to him, and that he had nothing to do but choose between the two. But the managers even then did not propose ; and though he invited Mr. Leake of Covent Garden to an entertainment, and exerted all his skill to convince him of his merit, by. various recitations, he was unsuccessful in procuring an engagement, and returned to “his old perch” chagrined and mortified at this reception. In the notice of his life in “ Oxberry’s Dramatic Biography,” it is affirmed that while in London he amused his friends with ludicrous imitations of favourite actors, particularly Garrick, who, being informed of it, invited him to breakfast, and requested a specimen of his talents in mimicry. At the imitations of Barry, Woodward, and Love, Garrick was in raptures:-(‘ But, Sir,” said he, ‘‘ you’ll kill poor Barry, slay Woodward, and break poor Love’s heart. Your ear must be wonderously correct, and your voice most singularly flexible. I am told you have me. Do, I entreat, let me hear what I am; for if you are equally exact with me as with Bany and Woodward, I shall know precisely what my peculiar tones are.” Henderson, after some hesitation, complied with his request, and though two disinterested auditors acknowledged the faithfulness of the portraiture, Garrick, displeased, said, “Egad! if that is my voice, I never have known it myself; for, upon my soul, it is entirely dissimiliar to every thing I conceived nine to be, and totally unlike any thing that has ever struck upon my ear till this blessed hour.’’ At Bath, Henderson rose in fame by his performing Falstuf and several other characters of Shakspeare, and at the close of the second season again entered London in search of an engagement, and again met with a repulse from Garrick, and from Foote, then managing at the Haymarket; but so eager was he to make an appearance on the London boards, that when in Bath, towards the end of 1774, he wrote to Mr. Garrick, and proposed, at his own risk and expense, to act on Drury Lane stage the characters of Hamlet and Shylock. Mr. Taylor of Bath also solicited Mr. Garrick to accede to this. Mr. Garrick answered Hr. Taylor very explicitly :-He thought the proposal would be extremely injurious to Mr. Henderson himself; he could not suppose that his playing two characters would give the public a proper idea of his merit. As his well-wisher, he would strenuously protest against the other scheme ; but if Henderson chose to be with him, why not fix upon Hamlet, Shylock, Benedict, or any other part he pleased to appear in next winter. To this letter Henderson, in answer, made a new proposal-to act the ensuing winter at Drury Lane Theatre, the parts of Hamlet, Shylock, Richard, and Lear, with other characters, under restrictions. Garrick was enraged that any one should presume to dictate terms to him, and “attempt to take the management out of his hands,” as he expressed it, and again declined his services. In the summer of 17 7 6, Henderson performed at Birmingham, under the banners of Mr. Yates, where Mrs. Siddons was the leading actress, having the preceding season been unsuccessful in London.

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