“ MACKAY, CHARLES (1814–1889) , Scottish writer, was born at Perth, on the 27th of March 1814, and educated at the Caledonian Asylum, London, and in Brussels. In 1830, being then private secretary to a Belgian ironmaster, he began writing verses and articles for local newspapers. Returning to London, he devoted himself to literary and journalistic work, and was attached to the Morning Chronicle (1835–1844) . He published Memoirs of Extraordinary Public Delusions (1841) , and gradually made himself known as an industrious and prolific journalist. In 1844 he was made editor of the Glasgow Argus. ”