Thomas Thorne in character as a barber shaving a man. Process print, ca. 1886.

An episode in the play Sophia, by Robert Williams Buchanan, a dramatisation of Tom Jones by Henry Fielding, as performed at the Vaudeville Theatre, London in 1886. "Mr Thomas Thorne as Partridge.—This is 'dear old Partridge', as Tom Jones affectionately calls him. He is honest as the day and as faithful as a watchdog. Indeed, he is a watchdog, ever on the alert to serve our hero for whom he has so strong an affection. Mr Thorne treats the character with an amount of rugged simplicity and humour that is highly amusing, much laughter being the outcome of that barber's shop cry—'Next please', which he cannot get rid of even when away from his razors and his brushes, and placed in the most critical and serious positions. The Vaudeville visitors sympathise with Partridge as well as laugh at him, for now and again, in wonderful contrast with his fun, comes a bit of feeling that in its natural expression touches the heart, and makes tears start for the eyes." (The era, 12 June, 1886)