3-065-965 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Messrs. Phelps, Mathews, and Toole in "John Bull," at the Gaiety Theatre, 1874. London stage production. 'Mr. Phelps as Job Thornbury. "Job. (throwing the waistcoat on the floor violently) I'd as lieve go into my coffin! - she'll have me there soon, Psha! rot it - I'm going to snivel!". Mr. Charles Mathews as the Hon. Tom "Shuffleton" - "But the fact is, Baronet, we improve - We have voted many qualities to be virtues now, that they never thought of calling virtues formerly, the rising generation wants a new dictionary". Mr. Toole as Dennis Brulgruddery. "Dennis (abstractedly) "Six thousand pounds upon a counter!"...The national sentiment of the principal work of the younger Colman, the famous comedy of "John Bull," has secured it a continued existence on the English boards...Job Thornbury, as our readers know, was sustained by Mr. Phelps, the Hon. Tom Shuffleton by Mr. Charles Mathews, and Dennis Brulgruddery by Mr. Toole. Our Artist has presented three full-length portraits of these gentlemen, which all will readily recognise. Opinions will differ on the question whether these three representatives of old comic character are equal or inferior to their predecessors in the same parts'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.