was irresistible. He upon
one occasion experienced, in an extraordinary degree, the efficacy of
his powers of entertaining. Amongst the many and various modes which he
tried of getting money, he became a partner with a small-beer brewer,
and he was to have a share of the profits for procuring customers
amongst his numerous acquaintance. Fitzherbert was one who took his
small-beer; but it was so bad that the servants resolved not to drink
it. They were at some loss how to notify their resolution, being
afraid of offending their master, who they knew liked Foote much as a
companion. At last they fixed upon a little black boy, who was rather
a favourite, to be their deputy, and deliver their remonstrance; and
having invested him with the whole authority of the kitchen, he was to
inform Mr. Fitzherbert, in all their names, upon a certain day, that
they would drink Foote's small-beer no longer. On that day Foote
happened to dine at Fitzherbert's, and this boy served at table; he was
so delighted with Foote's stories, and merriment, and grimace, that when
he went down stairs, he told them, "This is the finest man I have ever
seen. I will not deliver your message. I will drink his small-beer."'

Somebody observed that Garrick could not have done this. WILKES.
'Garrick would have made the small-beer still smaller. He is now leaving
the stage; but he will play Scrub all his life.' I knew that Johnson
would let nobody attack Garrick but himself, as Garrick once said to
me, and I had heard him praise his liberality; so to bring out his
commendation of his celebrated pupil, I said, loudly, 'I have heard
Garrick is liberal.' JOHNSON. 'Yes, Sir, I know that Garrick has given
away more money than any man in England that I am acquainted with, and
that not from ostentatious views. Garrick was very poor when he began
life; so when he came to have money, he probably was very unskilful
in giving away, and saved when he should not. But Garrick began to be
liberal as soon as he could; and I am of opinion, the reputation of
avarice which he has had, has been very lucky for him, and prevented his
having many enemies. You despise a man for avarice, but do not hate
him. Garrick might have been much better attacked for living with more
splendour than is suitable to a player: if they had had the wit to have
assaulted him in that quarter, they might have galled him more. But they
have kept clamouring about his avarice, which has rescued him from muc