We find him reverting, in a review written in 1826,[108] to his rapturous emotions on the occasion of seeing his first play; and in the private theatricals which he and his brothers and sister performed in the family dining-room he was always the manager.

In 1810 he was active in helping to bring out in Edinburgh the _Family Legend_ of his friend Joanna Baillie.[109] One of the actors on that occasion was Daniel Terry,[110] who became an intimate friend of Scott's.

For Terry Scott wrote _The Doom of Devorgoil_, but the piece was not found suitable for presentation.

Several of the novels were more successfully dramatized by the same friend, so that we find the "Author" humorously complaining in the "Introductory Epistle" to _The Fortunes of Nigel_, "I believe my muse would be _Terry_fied into treading the stage even if I should write a sermon." Among Scott's friends were several other actors, particularly Mrs.Siddons and her brother John Kemble, and the comedian Charles Mathews.

In Scott's review of _Kelly's Reminiscences and the Life of Kemble_ we find recorded many of the discriminations he was fond of making in regard to the talents of particular actors.
In his childhood Scott felt well qualified to take the part of Richard III., for he considered that his limp "would do well enough to represent the hump."[111] After a similar fashion we find him commenting on the improbabilities of the tragedy of _Douglas_: "But the spectator should, and indeed must, make considerable allowances if he expects to receive pleasure from the drama.