MR. WINSTON, the subject of our biography, is a descendant of Drugo de Balendon, whose son Hamlet came over with William the Conqueror. The family, for their services, were created by him Lords of Winston and Trewin, in Gloucestershire. The gentleman, of whom we are now writing, was born in the year 1773. His parents dying while young, he was brought up under the kind care of his maternal grandfather, at whose death, he became possessed of a very handsome property, and in consequence of the same event, will shortly take possession of some extensive estates at Winston before-mentioned. From his infancy, his inclinations have bent towards the stage. A stronger instance of his attachment to that most rational of all amusements, cannot be better adduced, than by mentioning, (reverting to his school-days) that while other boys were employing their leisure hours in juvenile sports, his were devoted to carry into execution some project allied to his favourite amusement, and at ten years of age, he was proprietor of a Lilliputian theatre, of which he was architect, carpenter, machinist, scene-painter, and actor for his wooden groupe; and though the superstructure could not boast the taste of a Holland, or the scenery the beautiful effect which the brush of Greenwood would have left behind, yet it was far beyond what could have been expected from so juvenile an execution. In it might be found tolerably correct copies of most of the scenery of the London theatres in general use; particularly those of pantomimes, with their changes, and some ingenious moving figures in wood. From the strong partiality of his grandfather to theatrical representations, and his wish of affording every pleasure to the object of his care, Mr. Winston, had abundant opportunity of gratifying his inclinations, even at this early age, and did not fail to profit from his constant visits to the playhouses, which enabled him, by a minute observation of the scenery of the evening, to add continually to his own stock at home. In 1791, Mr. W. was principally concerned in establishing a private theatre, (unlike those seminaries of vice, at present in existence under similar titles) in Gate Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, called the "Aspasian Theatre." The members of this concern did not hold long together, not from any disagreement among themselves, but from the circumstance of having erected their standard under the same roof with that of the Ebenezer Chapel, separated only by a thin partition. The proprietor of the building perceiving, from the abovementioned circumstance, that two assemblies, each for the purpose of declamation, and so widely different in their nature, could not be continued, without the one annoying the other, made his choice which of the two he should get rid of, and succeeded in ejecting the sons of Thespis. In 1798, Mr. W. rented that unprofitable concern the Richmond theatre, under the assumed name of Neville. In the summer of the following year, he performed a few nights at various provincial theatres, and in 1802 made a tour of Plymouth, Weymouth, Margate, and Cheltenham. The following spring he became a purchaser of a part of the Plymouth theatre, for which he gave 500l. and continued there that and the succeeding summer. He has since parted with it. He not only indulged a penchant for the drama, but the specimens he has given of the performance of his pencil, have proved that his abilities at design are far from contemptible. A work entitled the Theatric Tourist, contains the drawings of every public country theatre worthy of observation, which owe their correctness to the execution of this gentleman.→ Mr. Winston is not only one of the proprietors, but likewise sole acting manager of the Haymarket theatre, although nominally, for the present season, that office has been conceded to Mr. Elliston. LIBERTY. LIBERTY would be a greater blessing to a people who have long been in servitude, if it could be given by degrees: when it is obtained too suddenly, instead of being salutary, it is sometimes noxious-like victuals served up in profusion to men half famished, the consequence of which is often surfeit, and sometimes death. J. M. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MONTHLY MIRROR. SIR, I WISH to correct some Errors and make some Additions to the account of musical Composers and Performers. For Corvetti r. CERVETTO. HANDEL. Instead of 96, this wonderful Composer and Performer of Music died at 75. There is no imagining what MUSIC would have been, had he liv'd to cultivate it with the same learning, zeal, and Genius, the same perseverance and fertility of inven tion, for 21 years longer. Especially, as his late Compositions rank among his most perfect. HAYDN is, I trust, still living: though the contrary Report was strongly credited. But whenever added to the List he will stand high in longevity; and high indeed in Fame. JACKSON of Exeter about 70. ARNOLD I believe above 60. His Life is an excellent Article in the NEW ENCYCLOPÆDIA. CRAMER the elder; I think 69, or 70. GIARDINI, I believe, attain'd to a great Age. ROUSSEAU named here on account of his Devin de Village, and other Music of delightfully soothing sweetness. He has termed Music "la Consolation des Miseries de ma Vie." He died at 70. ARNE above 60. Those distinguish'd ornaments of their Profession MOZART and PURCEL, Mozart, did not attain to old Age; and Purcel died young: at the Age of 37 in 1695. And BLOW not having attain'd to 60 cannot be inserted in the Catalogue of Musical longevity. GREENE also died in his 59th year. PERGOLESI, if Dates are correct in MORTIMER'S Pocket Dictionary, died at 27, being born in 1706 and dying in 1733. That charming Composer, GIORDANI, is I believe living in Dublin at the Age of 90: but wanting the hand of considerate benevolence to pour oil into his sinking lamp. GUGLIELMI died lately at ROME, 76. STANLEY died at a very advanced Age. Such was the power of Music to prolong and give charms to Life under the calamity of blindness. The name of TWINING also may be added as a musical Ama teur, who stood high in the List of CRITICS and SCHOLARS. And that of the late Mr. DAVY for the same reason. Both liv'd to be far advanc'd in life. The same Remark has been made of POETS and PAINTERS. All Arts addrest to the Imagination may be expected to be favorable to the happiness and continuance of Life. But Music particularly, which soothes more constantly than either, and wears less. It is with regret that I add CARTER to the List of those who have excell'd in Music and yet have not been long liv'd. Tues. 20 Aug. 1805. 1 am Yours sincerely, C. L. * If some Correspondent well acquainted with Music and with the Lives and Works of the best Composers would correct and enJarge the Catalogue of Musical Longevity, it would be an interesting accession to the important branch of the natural History of Man, and an agreeable Act of Justice to this most delightful Art. By the way may I remark that I naturally expected to see in the Mirror mention of the Marriage of so charming a vocal Performer as Miss Tennant; now Mrs. Vaughan. In SIR, my List of the longevity of musical Persons I had omitted Dr. RANDALL, many years organist of PETERHOUSE: and who died Professor of Music in the UNIVERSITY at the Age of more than And I think in 1801. 80. I request too that the statement of ROUSSEAU's age may be made 66. He was born 1712; and died, 1778. Tues. 20 Aug. 1805. I am Yours, &c. C. L. BEARD, the celebrated vocal Performer died at a great Age. VERNON also very old. I wish I were able to state with more precision. Perhaps some Friend to Music will supply these defective Dates. The short list which has occasioned us the honour of this letter from Mr. Lofft, was sent us by Mr. John Moorhead, a man of great literary as well as musical talent, who, unfortunately, must be ranked among those who died at an early period of life, He committed suicide a few months back, by forcibly strangling himself with a handkerchief tied to the lower bar of a gate, in a field near Deal. SELECT SENTENCES. A CERTAIN feeling of modesty prevents us from treating our calumniators with the contempt we feel for them. We regard them as beings so vile that we dare not venture to shew we know all their baseness. There are things which a delicate mind is ashamed to appear to know. To perceive them, or conjecture them, appears to be a stain. This delicacy, which few can comprehend, frequently gives to persons, who think nobly, the appearance of a blindness, a credulity which belongs not to them. THERE are occasions when nothing can repair the effect of a word rashly uttered.-The lover can pardon--but not forget. An heart deeply wounded is never again completely restored. Tenderness and sensibility may preserve from resentment, but not from suffering. GREAT errors are often connected with elevated sentiments; but in order to understand this, we must ourselves possess greatness of soul. THOSE Who outlive their incomes by splendour in dress, or equipage, are well said to resemble a town on fire-which shines by that which destroys it. Ir is natural that females should be more tender, and more unfortunate than men in all their affections-even the most legitimate. As wives, as mothers, what have they not to suffer! Providence, in separating the two sexes, has placed on one side courage and dangers, and on the other, by a necessary consequence, fears, inquietude and sorrow!-He who must expose himself to every kind of danger should possess an heart more firm and less tender. But it is necessary that the being whom he protects and defends, be prompt to take alarm, and tremble for his safety: that she should view with terror and dread all the dangers which he braves and encounters for her sake: even her weakness is the guarantee of her gratitude. These serve to increase her admiration and attachment. She is timid and fearful-often trembling at chimeras ;-but her love is augmented in proportion to her terrors. On the subject of maxims, lord Bolingbroke observes, "I have read in the golden verses of Pythagoras, that a man of business may talk of philosophy-a man who has none may practise it. I have a strange distrust of maxims. We make as many observations as our time, our knowledge, and the other means we have, give us the opportunity of making on a physical matter. We find that they all |