which surrounded the table; and after dinner, when wine and mirth
had set them free from the observation of a rigid ceremony, one of
them inquired of Sir Richard how such an expensive train of
domestics could be consistent with his fortune. Sir Richard very
frankly confessed that they were fellows of whom he would very
willingly be rid. And being then asked why he did not discharge
them, declared that they were bailiffs, who had introduced
themselves with an execution, and whom, since he could not send them
away, he had thought it convenient to embellish with liveries, that
they might do him credit while they stayed. His friends were
diverted with the expedient, and by paying the debt, discharged
their attendance, having obliged Sir Richard to promise that they
should never again find him graced with a retinue of the same kind.

Under such a tutor, Mr. Savage was not likely to learn prudence or
frugality; and perhaps many of the misfortunes which the want of
those virtues brought upon him in the following parts of his life,
might be justly imputed to so unimproving an example. Nor did the
kindness of Sir Richard end in common favours. He proposed to have
established him in some settled scheme of life, and to have
contracted a kind of alliance with him, by marrying him to a natural
daughter, on whom he intended to bestow a thousand pounds. But
though he was always lavish of future bounties, he conducted his
affairs in such a manner that he was very seldom able to keep his
promises, or execute his own intentions; and, as he was never able
to raise the sum which he had offered, the marriage was delayed. In
the meantime he was officiously informed that Mr. Savage had
ridiculed him; by which he was so much exasperated that he withdrew
the allowance which he had paid him, and never afterwards admitted
him to his house.