sentences:  Thornton started his career giving drawing-room entertainments in the London area, while working during the day at a merchant's office.Originally unpaid, as his entertainments gained popularity he was able to earn "a modest but useful guinea" and, as a manager, to recruit other entertainers, including George Grossmith and Richard Temple.Thornton first appeared on stage as the Foreman in a production of "Trial by Jury" in 1877.