Chapter Macaire to MacFittoch of M by Brewer's Readers Handbook

She is a terrible impersonation of evil passions and mighty powers, never so far removed from our own nature as to be cast beyond the pale of our sympathy; for she remains a woman to the last, and is always linked with her sex and with humanity.—Mrs. Jameson.

N.B.—C. Dibdin says “that though ‘lady Macbeth’ had been frequently well performed, no actress, not even Mrs. Barry, could in the smallest degree be compared to Mrs. Betterton.” Mrs. Siddons calls Mrs. Pritchard “the greatest of all the ‘lady Macbeths;”’ but Mrs. Siddons herself was so great in this character, that in the sleep-walking scene, in her farewell performance, the whole audience stood on the benches, and demanded that the performance should end with that scene. Since then, Helen Faucit has been the best “lady Macbeth.” Mrs. Betterton (died 1712); Mrs. Barry (1682–1733); Mrs. Pritchard (1711–1768); Mrs. Siddons (1755–1831); Helen Faucit (born 1820).

(Dr. Lardner says that the name of lady Macbeth was Graoch, and that she was the daughter of Kenneth IV.)

MacBriar (Ephraim), an enthusiast and a preacher.—Sir W. Scott: Old Mortality (time, Charles II.).

Maccabee (Father), the name assumed by king Roderick after his dethronement.—Southey: Roderick, the Last of the Goths (1814).

MacCallum (Dougal), the auld butler of sir Robert Redgauntlet, introduced in Wandering Willie’s story.—Sir W. Scott: Redgauntlet (time, George III.).

MacCandlish (Mrs.), landlady of the Gordon Arms inn at Kippletringan.—Sir W. Scott: Guy Mannering (time, George II.).

MacCasquil (Mr.), of Drumquag, a relation of Mrs. Margaret Bertram.—Sir W. Scott: Guy Mannering (time, George II.).

MacChoakumchild, schoolmaster at Coketown. A man crammed with facts. “He and some 140 other schoolmasters had been lately turned at the same time, in the same factory, on the same principles, like so many pianoforte legs.”—Dickens: Hard Times (1854).

MacCombich (Evan Dhu), foster-brother of Fergus M’Iyor, both of whom were sentenced to death at Carlisle.—Sir W. Scott: Waverley (time, George II.).

MacCombich (Robin Oig) or MGregor, a Highland drover, who stabs Harry Wakefield, and is found guilty at Carlisle.—Sir W. Scott: The Two Drovers (time, George III.).

MacCrosskie (Deacon), of Creochstone, a neighbour of the laird of Ellangowan.—Sir W. Scott: Guy Mannering (time, George II.).

MacDonald’s Breed (Lord), vermin or human parasites. Lord MacDonald, son of the “Lord of the Isles,” once made a raid on the mainland. He and his followers dressed themselves in the clothes of the plundered party, but their own rags were so full of vermin that no one was poor enough to covet them.

MacDougal of Lorn, a Highland chief in the army of Montrose.—Sir W. Scott: Legend of Montrose (time, Charles I.).

Macduff, thane of Fife in the time of Edward the Confessor. One of the witches told Macbeth to “beware of the thane of Fife,” but another added that “none of woman born should have power to harm him.” Macduff was at this moment in England, raising an army to dethrone Macbeth, and place Malcolm (son of Duncan) on the throne. Macbeth did not know of his absence, but with a view of cutting him off, attacked his castle, and slew lady Macduff with all her children. Having raised an army, Macduff led it to Dunsinane, where a furious battle ensued. Macduff encountered Macbeth, and being told by the king that “none of woman born could prevail against him,” replied that he (Macduff) was not born of a