Swearing in the drawing-room and in the “best society” was no uncommon
thing ninety years ago. Even the ladies themselves not rarely indulged
in it. Dean Ramsey tells an anecdote that well illustrates how it was
regarded. A sister was speaking of her brother as much addicted to the
habit, and she said, “Our John swears awfu’, and we try to correct
him for it; but,” she added, apologetically, “nae doubt it is a great
set-off to conversation.”--MINOT J. SAVAGE, _The Arena_.
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