John Bull

John Bull, by George Colman, et
al

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Title: John Bull The Englishman's Fireside: A Comedy, in Five Acts
Author: George Colman

Release Date: December 23, 2006 [eBook #20177]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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JOHN BULL;
Or,
The Englishman's Fireside: A Comedy, in Five Acts;
by
GEORGE COLMAN, THE YOUNGER.
As Performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden.
Printed Under the Authority of the Managers from the Prompt Book.
With Remarks by Mrs. Inchbald.

[Illustration: JOHN BULL
JOB THORNBERRY.--THERE--'TIS FIT IT SHOULD BE FILLED
BY SOMEBODY.
ACT V, SCENE II.
PAINTED BY SINGLETON PUBLISHED BY LONGMAN & CO.
ENGRAVED BY FITTLER]

London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, Paternoster
Row.
William Savage, Printer, London.

REMARKS.
"Yet be not blindly guided by the throng; "The multitude is always in
the wrong."
Roscommon surely meets with a bold contradiction in this comedy--for
it was not only admired by the multitude, 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 amusement.
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, passions, 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 personæ 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