William Winter

“ In 1825 he was associated with a provincial company acting at Norwich, and elsewhere in England, and he played low comedy. His aspirations at the start were for the tragic, and it is known that late in life he still at times entertained the fancy that nature had intended him to be a tragedian. ”

“ His last performance on any stage occurred on 16 Dec., 1859, at Mechanics' Hall, Hamilton, Canada, where he acted Aminidab Sleek and Goodluck in “The Serious Family” and “John Jones.” The former part was acted by Burton 600 times, and Mr. Toodles was acted by him 640 times, in the course of his professional career. His affectionate and reverent biographer, William L. Keese, whose “Life of Burton” was published in New York in 1885, enumerates 184 characters with which the great comedian's name was prominently associated. ”

“ The Chambers street theatre was closed on 6 Sept., 1856, and the comedian then opened the Metropolitan, which afterward became Winter Garden; but he did not luxuriantly prosper in the new house, and in 1858 he gave it up and reverted to “starring.” His last appearance in New York was made, on 15 Oct., 1859, at Niblo's Garden, where, for his benefit, afternoon and night, he played Mr. ”

“ He went to London in 1830, and, after a brief experience of poverty, suddenly determined to become an actor. He was destitute of everything except fine apparel, and he had actually taken the extreme step of offering himself as a cadet in the service of the East India company; but, being dissuaded by the enrolling officer, who lent him a guinea and advised him to seek for other employment, and happening to meet with a festive acquaintance, he sought recreation at the Tottenham theatre (afterward the Prince of Wales's) where Mme. ”

“ He was prepared for college at an academy at Trim, in the county Meath, twenty miles from Dublin, and subsequently was sent to Dublin university. There he acquired classical learning, and formed interesting and useful associations and acquaintances ”