CHAPTER VIII.

A saviour of society--Joseph Addison--A tradesman of the last century--A clerical apologist--Swearing in earnest and at play--An explanation offered--Blue laws of Connecticut-- Bobadil--'The Rivals'--'Covent Garden weeded'--Brantome's oaths--Eccentricities of swearing--"Old Harry"--"The dickens"--"The deuce"--"Le diable de Biterne" 139