Gov. What does my child want? Gov. Consent ! to what? Atha. To Athanasia's happiness! Gov. And is not her happiness my only wish? Speak! Atha. I am dear father-in love! Gov. How? Beny. (confused.) I-I-I must take my leave. Atha. Stay, Benyowsky-I do not blush to avow my love Gov. Amazement? this so sudden * * * * * Atha. (seizing Benyousky's hand, and turning tẹ her father.) Dear father, your blessing! Gov. What child, is the count your favorite ? Atha. Whom else could I be partial to Į * * * * * Gov. But have you considered Atha. Yes, all I have considered his greatness, his goodness-I have considered my dear mother's last moments. Need I repeat her dying words?— Here, in this room-on this very spot-she breathed her last. At her head you sat-at her feet I kneeled-you wept, and so did I-she, poor departing soul, utter'd a groan-struggling with death, once more she raised herself, and pressing your hand, in faultering accents said-Let Athanasia marry the man she loves! Here stands the man I love this man, dear father, let me marry! Gov. Child, you astonish me! Atha. Here, on this very spot, where my poor mother breathed her last, we implore your blessing! -Dear Benyowsky, you do not speak! Beny. What can I say?-I am lost-I am bewildered!-Must not your kind father suppose I have secretly advised this rash proceeding? Atha. No, father-believe me the count never encouraged me to ask your consent-never; on the contrary, he has tormented my love-sick heart with cool reason he has been insensibly prudent, unfeelingly just !-e MUSICAL ATTAINMENTS OF THE LATE EARL OF SANDWICH. From the new Annual Register, for 1799. THE HE Earl of Sandwich was one of the few noblemen who spend a considerable portion of their time at their country seats, where he usually resided whenever he could gain a vacation from the duties of office and attendance on parliament. His house was at all times open for the reception of his friends and neighbours, and distinguished for the generous, truly hospitable, and liberal entertainment which it afforded-the noble host himself always making the most pleasing part of it, inspiring, by the easy politeness of his address, his affability and engaging manners, and the charms of his conversation, universal chearfulness and good-humour amongst his guests, equally endearing himself to all ranks and conditions. The mind of Lord Sandwich was uncommonly active, and never rested from exertion. In the intervals therefore of his political engagements he was ever planning rational and elegant amusements at Hinchingbrook, which were the delight and admiration of the numerous company who resorted thither from all parts to partake of them. Theatrical exhibitions at times made a part, performed by his relatives, friends, and neighbours, in a very superior style, with great taste and splendor. They were attended by crowded audiences; and many of those who composed them were admitted to a gratification (which they valued more highly) at his lordship's social board. What very much recommended these entertainments, and rendered them peculiarly grateful to all visitants, were the perfect regularity and decorum very scrupulously preserved throughout. Among other qualifications for which the Earl of Sandwich was eminently distinguished, his love for music deserves to be particularly mentioned. It may with truth be asserted, that though he s up no pretensions to reputation, either as a theorist, or as a performer, yet very few persons have ever existed to whom the cause of sound and sublime harmony has been so much indebted. Without being a bigot to any particular style of music, and capable of receiving pleasure from all, yet his natural discernment enabled him instantly to distinguish real excellence from mere ostentation and trick ; and his good sense never suffered him to encourage a sacrifice of the head to the hand. It was his custom when he was in the country, to devote one evening in the week to music, which was chiefly of the vocal kind, occasionally improved by the aid of a few instruments, the best that could be collected in the neighbourhood. Twice in the year (at Christmas and at the Cambridge commencement) he used to avail himself of the assistance of a few academical friends, by which means he was enabled to furnish out a tolerable concerto. On these occasions he sometimes introduced a selection from the music in Macbeth and the Tempest with good effect. From such a small beginning did his active genius, by methods peculiarly his own, in the short space of about a year and a half, contrive to assemble, principally from the towns and villages in the neighbourhood, an orchestra of between sixty and seventy performers, disciplined with the most rigid exactness, and equal to the execution of the most difficult of Handel's oratorios. The entertainment now began to assume a more magnificent appearance. The performances, which were rendered complete by the addition of a few principal hands from London, were extended throughout the week. Their reputation began to excite general curiosity. Most of the principal families in the neighbourhood resorted with eagerness to so splendid a celebrity; and Hinchingbrook became a scene of hospitality worthy of our best times. I do not believe there ever was an instance, either before or since, of six oratorios being performed for six successive nights by the same band.* In other places the performers stand in need of a little intermission and rest: but here nothing of this kind was ever hinted at in the slightest degree. Indeed the bodily fatigue suffered by the greater part of the band used to be a subject of mirth among themselves; and the accounts of it would hardly be believed, if many persons still living could not bear testimony to their truth. Every oratorio which was performed in the evening was rehearsed throughout in the morning. After dinner catches and glees went round with a spirit and effect never *About this time Randale, of Catharine-street, in the Strand, was engaged in publishing several of the oratorios in score; and whenever any made its appearance that was not much known, it was of course put into a state of preparation for the next meeting by which means one or two of the sublimest of Handel's works were brought into notice, which had been in danger of falling into oblivion for want of being heard; and one of them in particular became the favourite performance of the We, in preference even to the Messiah. felt before, till every body was summoned by a sig nal to the opening of the performance. This always lasted till supper was on the table; after which catches and glees were renewed with the same hilarity as in the earlier part of the day; and the principal singers generally retired to rest after a laborious exertion for about twelve hours. His lordship constantly animated the whole by his own personal assistance, keeping every body in the best order and in the best humour; submitting himself at the same time to the discipline of the orchestra with the most scrupulous obedience. These meetings were continued for several years with unrivalled splendor and festivity. But the situation of public affairs at length calling his lordship's entire attention to the great department over which he then presided with so much honor to himself and advantage to the nation, it became impossible for him to devote so much time to the entertainment of his friends in the country as would have been necessary for carrying on the performances with their usual perfection-they were therefore discontinued; but the memory of them is still cherished with enthusiasm by all who ever had the happiness of assisting at them, and will expire only with life itself. As a proof that his lordship's zeal for his favourite art was not diminished by the discharge of his public duties, he soon afterwards took a leading part in laying the foundation of the Concert of Ancient Music, which was framed, as nearly as circumstances would admit, after the model of the Hinchingbrook meeting. And it is but justice to bis memory to acknowledge, that the celebrated performances at Westminster-Abbey owe much of their splendor, and the order with which they were conducted, to the unremitted exertions of his indefatigable mind-whose powers on this, as well as on |