40 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Before his flight, Captain Macrae resided at Marionville, a villa near Edinburgh,
where he had an apartment fitted up for private theatricals,’ a species of
amusement by no means common in Scotland, and for his attachment to which
he was greatly censured.
A story is told of him while residing there, which does credit to his
generosity of disposition. One of his servants having done something in a
manner that did not please him, he struck him, whereupon the man muttered
that “he durst not strike him so, if he were one of his fellow-servants in the
hall.”--“ Oh !’I said the Captain, “ if you are for a boxing-match, I shall give
you a fair chance for it ; only you must not strike me in the face.’’
This being agreed upon, down stairs they went, and fought till the Captain
owned he had got enough, adding, “You are a bit of good stuff, sirrah; there
are five guineas for you.” The servant with great humility remarked, he would
be content to be thrashed for as much every day.
No. XIV.
CAPTAIN PAGE AND CAPTAIN VICARS.
THEY were both officers in the 7th Regiment of Foot, which was in Edinburgh
in 1786. A statuary once requested, as a great favour, to be allowed to
take a model of Captain Vicars, who was allowed to be the handsomest man
among 10,000, while the regiment lay at Gibraltar. The lady admiring his
figure, is dressed in the costume of that day.
‘‘ PRIVATET HEATRICALS.-The performance of the tragedy of the Grecian Daughter, which took
place at Marionville on Friday last (15th January 1790), wa.~ in every respect delightful. Mr. Macrae,
in the first part of Dionysius, gave infinite satisfaction. His figure, which is remarkably handsome,
and his countenance, at once manly and expressive, every way suited him for that character. He
was particularly great in the third act, when descrihing to Philotas the cares that accompany a regal
state. Sir John Wrottesley played the part of Philotas with great judgment. Eis voice waa
remarkably pleasing. Mr. Kinloch was exceedingly great as Evander, His first scene with Euphrasia
was very affecting. Bnt it is
impossible to do justice to Mrs. Macrae in the character of Euphrasia ; suffice it to say, that the part
was never better performed on any stage, either by a Siddons or a Crawfurd.
“ It is difficult to say whether her tragic or her comic powers are most excellent, as in both she
gives equal satisfaction. Her perfomnnce of Lady Racket, in Three Weeks after Ham’age, was
superior to any thing we have ever seen of the kind. Mr. Hunter, in Sir Charles Racket, was inimitable.
His manner waa easy, and perfectly that of a gentleman, and his mode of acting truly natural.
Mr. Justice, in Drngget, showed much zeal and comic humour, and gave proofs that he thoroughly
undentood the character.”-Edin6grgh Evening Courant, Thursday, 26th January 1790.
Mr. Justice supported the part of Melancthon with much propriety.