It may not be generally known, that the first rehearsal of this tragedy
took place in the lodgings in the Canongate, occupied by Mrs. Sarah Ward,
one of Digges' company; and that it was rehearsed by, and in presence of,
the most distinguished literary characters Scotland ever could boast of.
The following was the cast of the piece on that occasion:--
_Dramatis Personae_.
_Lord Randolph_, Dr. Robertson, Principal, Edinburgh.
_Glenalvon_, David Hume, Historian.
_Old Norval_, Dr. Carlyle, Minister of Musselburgh.
_Douglas_, John Home, the Author.
_Lady Randolph_, Dr. Fergusson, Professor.
_Anna_ (the maid), Dr. Blair, Minister, High Church.
The audience that day, besides Mr. Digges and Mrs. Sarah Ward, were the
Right Hon. Pat. Lord Elibank, Lord Milton, Lord Kames, Lord Monboddo, (the
two last were then only lawyers,) the Rev. John Steele, and William Home,
ministers. The company (all but Mrs. Ward) dined afterwards at the Griskin
Club, in the Abbey. The above is a signal proof of the strong passion for
the drama which then obtained among the _literati_ of this capital, since
then, unfortunately, much abated. The rehearsal must have been conducted
with very great secrecy; for what would the Kirk, which took such deep
offence at the composition of the piece by one of its ministers, have said
to the fact, of no less than four of these being engaged in rehearsing it,
and two others attending the exhibition? The circumstance of the gentle
Anna having been personated by "Dr. Blair, minister of the High Church,"
is a very droll one.--_Edinburgh Evening Post_.
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