[189] Henry Winstanley, son of Hamlet Winstanley, the projector and
builder of Eddystone light-house, was designed for a painter, but
became an engraver, and clerk of the works at Audley Inn in 1694, and
New-market in 1700. Walpole supposes that he learned in Italy the
tricks and contrivances which amused the public at Piccadilly and
Littlebury.
Winstanley's mathematical water theatre stood at the lower end of
Piccadilly, distinguishable by a windmill at the top. The exhibitions
here were diversified to suit the seasons and the company; and the
prices, except that of the sixpenny gallery, varied accordingly.
Boxes were from four shillings to half-a-crown, pit from three to
two shillings, and a seat in the shilling gallery sometimes cost
eighteen-pence. The quantity of water used on extraordinary occasions
was from 300 to 800 tons. Winstanley had another house of this sort
at Littlebury, in Essex, where there were similar exhibitions. On his
death, his houses came into the possession of his widow, for whose
benefit they were shown in 1713.
From contemporary advertisements we learn, that the mathematical barrel
was at times turned into a tavern, and supplied the company with
different sorts of wine, biscuits, spa-water, and cold tankards; it
was also converted into a coffee-house, and a flying cupid presented
tea, coffee, and newspapers to the gentlemen; fruits, flowers, and
sweetmeats to the ladies. In the month of May there was the addition
of a May-pole and garland, a milkmaid, a fiddler, and syllabubs.
Soft music was heard at a distance, or sirens sung on the rocks.
An advertisement in the _Daily Courant_ for Jan. 20, 1713, speaks
of "great additions, to the expense of 300 tons of water, and fire
mingling with the water, and two flying boys, and a flaming torch with
water flowing out of the burning flame."
[190] No. 71.
[191] Published in 1674. "The Whole Duty of Man" has been attributed to
various authors; but probably it was written by Richard Allestree.
[192] This article is often ascribed to Swift; but looking to the date
at the head of it, such a theory seems disproved by Steele's letter to
Swift of October 8: "I wonder you do not write sometimes to me" (see
note to No. 81). The article cannot have been held over for any time
by Steele, because of the allusions in it to the Queenhithe election;
this was a matter respecting which Steele had written in the preceding
number, whereas Swift could not have heard of it in Dublin.
[193] See Nos. 67, 81.
[194] They were obliged by the statutes of these colleges to keep to
Aristotle for their texts (Nichols).
[195] See the account of the Queenhithe election in No. 73.