John Bull Part 1

John Bull.

by George Colman, et al.

REMARKS.

"Yet be not blindly guided by the throng; "The mult.i.tude is always in the wrong."

Roscommon surely meets with a bold contradiction in this comedy--for it was not only admired by the mult.i.tude, but the discerning few approved of that admiration.

The irresistible broad humour, which is the predominant quality of this drama, is so exquisitely interspersed with touches of nature more refined, with occasional flashes of wit, and with events so interesting, that, if the production is not of that perfect kind which the most rigid critic demands, he must still acknowledge it as a bond, given under the author's own hand, that he can, if he pleases, produce, in all its various branches, a complete comedy.

The introduction of farces into the entertainments of the theatre has been one cause of destroying that legitimate comedy, which such critics require. The eye, which has been accustomed to delight in paintings of caricature, regards a picture from real life as an insipid work. The extravagance of farce has given to the Town a taste for the pleasant convulsion of hearty laughter, and smiles are contemned, as the tokens of insipid amus.e.m.e.nt.

To know the temper of the times with accuracy, is one of the first talents requisite to a dramatic author. The works of other authors may be reconsidered a week, a month, or a year after a first perusal, and regain their credit by an increase of judgment bestowed upon their reader; but the dramatist, once brought before the public, must please at first sight, or never be seen more. There is no reconsideration in _his_ case--no judgment to expect beyond the decree of the moment: and he must direct his force against the weakness, as well as the strength, of his jury. He must address their habits, pa.s.sions, and prejudices, as the only means to gain this sudden conquest of their minds and hearts. Such was the author's success on the representation of "John Bull." The hearts and minds of his auditors were captivated, and proved, to demonstration, his skilful insight into human kind.

Were other witnesses necessary to confirm this truth, the whole dramatis personae might be summoned as evidence, in whose characters human nature is powerfully described; and if, at times, too boldly for a reader's sober fancy, most judiciously adapted to that spirit which guides an audience.

It would be tedious to enumerate the beauties of this play, for it abounds with them. Its faults, in a moment, are numbered.

The prudence and good sense of Job Thornberry are so palpably deficient, in his having given to a little run-away, story-telling boy (as it is proved, and he might have suspected) ten guineas, the first earnings of his industry--that no one can wonder he becomes a bankrupt, or pity him when he does. In the common course of occurrences, ten guineas would redeem many a father of a family from bitter misery, and plunge many a youth into utter ruin. Yet nothing pleases an audience so much as a gift, let who will be the receiver.

They should be broken of this vague propensity to give; and be taught, that charity without discrimination is a sensual enjoyment, and, like all sensuality, ought to be restrained: but that charity with discretion, is foremost amongst the virtues, and must not be contaminated with heedless profusion.--Still the author has shown such ingenuity in the event which arises from this incident, that those persons, who despise the silly generosity of Thornberry, are yet highly affected by the grat.i.tude of Peregrine.

This comedy would read much better, but not act half so well, if it were all written in good English. It seems unreasonable to forbid an author to take advantage of any actor's peculiar abilities that may suit his convenience; and both Johnstone and Emery displayed abilities of the very first rate in the two characters they represented in "John Bull."--But to the author of "John Bull," whose genius may be animated to still higher exertions in the pursuit of fame, it may be said--Leave the distortion of language to men who cannot embellish it like yourself--and to women.

DRAMATIS PERSONae.

PEREGRINE _Mr. Cooke._ SIR SIMON ROCHDALE] _Mr. Blanchard._ FRANK ROCHDALE _Mr. H. Johnston._ WILLIAMS _Mr. Klanert._ LORD FITZ-BALAAM _Mr. Waddy._ HON. TOM SHUFFLETON _Mr. Lewis_ JOB THORNBERRY _Mr. Fawcett._ JOHN BUR _Mr. Atkins._ DENNIS BRULGRUDDERY _Mr. Johnstone._ DAN _Mr. Emery._ MR. PENNYMAN _Mr. Davenport._ JOHN _Mr. Abbot._ ROBERT _Mr. Truman._ SIMON _Mr. Beverly._

LADY CAROLINE BRAYMORE _Mrs. H. Johnston._ MRS. BRULGRUDDERY _Mrs. Davenport._ MARY THORNBERRY _Mrs. Gibbs._

_SCENE,--Cornwall._

JOHN BULL.

ACT THE FIRST.

SCENE I.

_A Public House on a Heath: over the Door the Sign of the Red Cow;----and the Name of "DENNIS BRULGRUDDERY."_

_Enter DENNIS BRULGRUDDERY and DAN, from the House. DAN opening the outward Shutters of the House._

_Dennis._ A pretty bl.u.s.tratious night we have had! and the sun peeps through the fog this morning, like the copper pot in my kitchen.--Devil a traveller do I see coming to the Red Cow.

_Dan._ Na, measter!--nowt do pa.s.s by here, I do think, but the carrion crows.

_Dennis._ Dan;--think you, will I be ruin'd?

_Dan._ Ees; past all condemption. We be the undonestest family in all Cornwall. Your ale be as dead as my grandmother; mistress do set by the fire, and sputter like an apple a-roasting; the pigs ha'

gotten the measles; I be grown thinner nor an old sixpence; and thee hast drank up all the spirity liquors.

_Dennis._ By my soul, I believe my setting up the Red Cow, a week ago, was a bit of a Bull!--but that's no odds. Haven't I been married these three months?--and who did I marry?

_Dan._ Why, a waddling woman, wi' a mulberry feace.

_Dennis._ Have done with your blarney, Mr. Dan. Think of the high blood in her veins, you bog trotter.

_Dan._ Ees; I always do, when I do look at her nose.

_Dennis._ Never you mind Mrs. Brulgruddery's nose. Was'nt she fat widow to Mr. Skinnygauge, the lean exciseman of Lestweithel? and did'nt her uncle, who is fifteenth cousin to a Cornish Baronet, say he'd leave her no money, if he ever happen'd to have any, because she had disgraced her parentage, by marrying herself to a taxman?

Bathershan, man, and don't you think he'll help us out of the mud, now her second husband is an Irish jontleman, bred and born?

_Dan._ He, he! Thee be'st a rum gentleman.

_Dennis._ Troth, and myself, Mr. Dennis Brulgruddery, was brought up to the church.

_Dan._ Why, zure!

_Dennis._ You may say that, I open'd the pew doors, in Belfast.

_Dan._ And what made 'em to turn thee out o'the treade?

_Dennis._ I snored in sermon time. Dr. Snufflebags, the preacher, said I woke the rest of the congregation. Arrah, Dan, don't I see a tall customer stretching out his arms in the fog?

_Dan._ Na; that be the road-post.

_Dennis._ 'Faith, and so it is. Och! when I was turn'd out of my snug birth at Belfast, the tears ran down my eighteen year old cheeks, like b.u.t.termilk.

_Dan._ Pshaw, man! nonsense! Thee'dst never get another livelihood by crying.

_Dennis._ Yes, I did; I cried oysters. Then I pluck'd up----what's that? a customer!

_Dan._ [_Looking out._] Na, a donkey.

_Dennis._ Well, then I pluck'd up a parcel of my courage, and I carried arms.

_Dan._ Waunds! what, a musket?

_Dennis._ No; a reaping hook. I cut my way half through England: till a German learn'd me physic, at a fair in Devonshire.