James d'Egville Hams It Up

Costume of Mr d'Egville
Circa 1830 Signed C.H.
Folger Shakespeare Library

In 1827 the sons of two theatrical dynasties set off to tour Italy. Charles James Mathews (son of Charles Mathews) and James d'Egville (son of James Harvey d'Egville) had both been articled to Augustus Pugin who is now chiefly remembered as the architect of the interiors at the Palace of Westminster and its famous clock tower. Mathews later returned to the theatre as both actor and playwright.

Charles James Mathews
(1803-1878)

While in Florence, Mathews designed and built a small theatre for Lord Normanby. He and d'Egville both played in amateur productions during their stay and the costume designs have survived as a series of lithographs which are held by the Folger Shakespeare Library.

...In 1827 he again quitted England for Italy, but on a professional tour that time, accompanied by Mr. James D'Egville, with whom he had been associated in Mr. Pugin's office. They visited Milan, Rome, Venice, &c., examined the ancient monuments of those places, and exhibited their architectural drawings in each of those celebrated academies. At Milan, Venice, and Rome, Mathews was elected a member of the several academies. At the former place, some drawings of his, of the Duomo D'OssoIa, and other sketches, are still exhibited.

In 1829 they visited Florence, where Lord Normanby was then residing, and was entertaining the Florentines with private theatricals. Young Mathews (with his father's permission) appeared, at his lordship's request, in the following characters: Risk, in " Love Laughs at Locksmiths;" Dogberry, in "Much Ado about Nothing;" Tony Lumpkin, in " She Stoops to Conquer;" Adam, in " The Iron Chest;" Buskin, in " Killing no Murder;" Simpson, in "Simpson & Co.;" Falstaff, in "King Henry the Fourth," &c., &c., &c.

At the theatre San Clemente, the actors in the above plays, among others, were Lord and Lady Normanby (really admirable performers), Sir Hedworth and Lady Williamson, Lord Fitzharris, Lord Albert Conyngham, Messrs. Craven, Nightingale, Dundas, Aubry, Phipps, Bligh, Antrobus, Thelluson, Sitwell, St. John, E. Villiers; Mrs. Dalton, Miss Augusta Stephenson, Miss Geraldine de Courcy, Miss Sitwell, La Principessa Belgiojoso, La Marchesa di Pucci.*

He also performed Sir Benjamin Backbite in the " School for Scandal," on the single occasion of the comedy being performed at Lord Burghersh's, then ambassador at the court of Tuscany; on which occasion Lady Teazle was played by Lady Burghersh, Joseph Surface by the Marquis of Douro (the present Duke of Wellington), and Charles Surface by Lord Burghersh.

* Mathews, while at Florence, built Lord Normanby a small theatre, and painted a drop scene for it.

The literary life and correspondence of the Countess of Blessington, Volume 2
Richard Robert Madden, 1855

If the print is any sort of likeness James appears to be a chip off the old block. There is some similarity between the subject and this detail of Tatius from David's Intervention of the Sabine Women (1799) for whom James Harvey d'Egville modelled.

James Harvey d'Egville Shows His Playful Side

Charles Mathews (1776-1835)
by C. Turner (1825)

One morning at rehearsal, "His Innocence" (casually, of course) remarked, as Mr. Mathews left the room (who was, at this period of his life, the thinnest of human beings, and far from possessing even tolerable health), that "it was hardly to be credited, while looking at his slight form, what extraordinary muscular strength he possessed."

"What-what-what, Mathews!" cried Dowton— (for whom the snare was laid) startled by so transparent a fallacy, "why-why, he 's a poor weak creature !—what can you mean by strength ?—why, I 'd undertake to knock him down with my little finger." (Mr. Dowton piqued himself upon his really muscular frame.)

"Don't you be too sure of that" said Russell, coldly; "have you ever tried?"

"No," said Dowton ; " but I can venture to say that he has not the least muscular power—a poor, consumptive young man; poor fellow, without an atom of sinew or muscle in his whole composition."

"Well!" mildly, yet reprovingly, drawled Russell, "but you shouldn't speak, Dowton, without proof—now I have seen Mathews perform the most marvellous feats of strength, and therefore I know what he can do. Why, D'Egville (of course, D'Egville was promptly confederate in this trick), muscular and Herculean as is his frame, he would find Mathews more than his match, if they came to the test."

"Oh, nonsense and stuff!" said Dowton, impatient at the manifest folly of Russell's assertion; "don't make a fool of yourself;" and D'Egville, affecting also to laugh at the idea of his being overcome by Mathews in a trial of strength, Russell coolly expressed his convictions that "Mathews, in wrestling, would conquer D'Egville," and declared he would back his opinion with a five pound note; and just as he took it from his pocket, Mr. Mathews, (quite unconscious, of course, of what had been going on), returned. The sight of his spare figure seemed to stimulate Dowton's courage and opposition, and he hastily dived into his pocket, saying—" Well, for once, I-I-I-I will lay a wager, and get that-that-that eternal five pound note from you, for you deserve to be punished for your obstinacy; so, here, Barrymore, do you, do you hold the stakes." Hereupon, Russell calmly and confidently placed his note in Mr. Barrymore's hand, and Dowton began to count from his purse a similar sum; but as he was about to place the coin with the umpire, his metal was shaken at the tranquil and assured air of Russell, and he drew back his cash, declaring that he would not indulge Russell in the love of betting on every occasion—and recanted; at the same time repeating his conviction that "he should be robbing the foolish fellow of his money if he betted upon such an absurdity."

Mr. Mathews having however cheerfully consented to this proof of his superior strength, wrestled withD'Egville, who acted his part so well, that he frequently fell under his antagonist's extraordinary bodily power, and in fact, was so worsted in the struggle that he admitted with much apparent mortification, that he had no chance with him. At the same time, Dowton, pale with amazement, declared he would not have credited the fact had he not witnessed it, and ever after, while he could not withhold his wonder that a man of such apparently weak frame, could be capable of such vigorous energy, Mathews was ranked amongst the Athletes by his brother comedian.

Anecdotes of Actors: with other desultory recollections, Anne Mathews, 1844