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In the Eighteenth Century
of the male visitors. To all the usual tricks, which, indeed, were not peculiar to any one age or place, yet another was added, Miss Mohair complains, by " a set of familiar romps, who have broken through all common rules, and have thought of a very effectual way of shewing more charms than all of us." " These, Mr. Spectator, are the swingers," the indignant lady continues. " You are to know these careless pretty creatures are very innocents indeed; and it is to be no matter what they do for it is all harmless freedom. They get on ropes, as you must have seen the children, and are swung by their men visitants. The jest is that Mr. Such-a-one can name the colour of Mrs. Such-a-one's stockings; and she tells him he is a lying thief, so he is, and full of roguery; and she will lay a wager, and her sister shall tell the truth if he says right, and he cannot tell what colour her garters are of. In this diversion there are very many pretty shrieks, not so much for fear of falling, as that their petticoats should untie; for there is a great care had to avoid improprieties; and the lover who swings the lady is to tie her clothes very close with his hatband, before she admits him to throw up her heels." Such
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