Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/27

 and the mother of Patrick Heniy, was a native of Hano- ver County, and of the family of Winstons. She pos- sessed, in an eminent degree, the mild and benevolent disposition, the imdeviating probity, the correct under- standing and easy elocution by which that ancient family has been so long distinguished. Her brother William, the father of the present judge Winston, is said to have been highly endowed with that peculiar cast of elo- quence, for which Mr. Henry became, aftenvards, so justly celebrated. Of this gentleman I have an anec- dote from a correspondent,* which I shall give in his own words. " I have often heard my father, who was intimately acquainted with this William Winston, say, that he was the gi'eatest orator whom he ever heard, Patrick Henry excepted; that during the last French and Indian war, and soon after Braddock^s defeat, when the militia were marched to the frontiers of Virginia, against the enemy, this William Winston was the lieutenant of a company; that the men, who were indifferently clothed, without tents, and exposed to the rigour and inclemency of the weather, discovered great aversion to the service, and were anxious and even clamorous to return to their fami- lies; when this William Winston, mounting a stump, (the common rostrum, you know, of the field orator of Virgi- nia,) addressed them with such keenness of invective, and declaimed with such force of eloquence, on liberty and patriotism, that when he concluded, the general cry was, Met us march on; lead us against the enemy;' andtliey were now willing, nay anxious to encounter all those dif- ficulties and dangers, which, but a few moments before, had almost produced a mutiny."

Thus much I have been able to collect of the parent-


 * Mv. Pope.

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