Macham (Robert), the discoverer of Madeira Island, to which he was driven while eloping with his lady-love (A.D. 1344). The lady soon died, and the mariners made off with the ship. Macham, after his mourning was over, made a rude boat out of a tree, and, with two or three men, putting forth to sea, landed on the shores of Africa. The Rev. W. L. Bowles has made the marvellous adventures of Robert Macham the subject of a poem; and Drayton, in his Polyolbion, xix, has devoted twenty-two lines to the same subject.
Macheath (Captain), captain of a gang of highwaymen; a fine, bold-faced ruffian, “game” to the very last. He is married to Polly Peachum, but finds himself dreadfully embarrassed between Polly, his wife, and Lucy, to whom he has promised marriage. Being betrayed by eight women at a drinking bout, the captain is lodged in Newgate, but Lucy effects his escape. He is recaptured, tried, and condemned to death; but, being reprieved, acknowledges Polly to be his wife, and promises to remain constant to her for the future.—J. Gay, The Beggar’s Opera (1727).
Machiavelli (Niccolo del), of Florence, author of a book called The Prince, the object of which is to show that all is fair in diplomacy, as well as in “love and war” (1469-1527).
⁂ Machiavellism, political cunning and duplicity, the art of tricking and overreaching by diplomacy.
Tiberius, the Roman emperor, is called “The Imperial Machiavelli” (B.C. 42 to A.D. 37).
MacIan (Gilchrist), father of Ian Eachin M’Ian.
Ian Eachin (or Hector) M’Ian, called Conachar, chief of the clan Quhele, son of Gilchrist M’Ian. Hector is old Glover’s Highland apprentice, and casts himself down a precipice, because Catharine Glover loves Henry Smith better than himself.—Sir W. Scott, Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).
MacIlduy, or Mhich Connel Dhu, a Highland chief in the army of Montrose.—Sir. W. Scott, Legend of Montrose (time, Charles I.).
MacIntyre (Maria), niece[niece] of Mr. Jonathan Oldbuck, “the antiquary.”
Captain Hector M’Intyre, nephew of Mr. Jonathan Oldbuck, and brother of Maria M’Intyre.—Sir W. Scott, The Antiquary (time, George III.).