Indelicacy in words has by this time become very much reduced, although here and there we find some cant expressions of the day which shock our sensibilities. Much refinement in this respect could not be expected at a period where a young lady of fortune could be represented as calling her maid, and afterwards herself, a "damned jade," and a lady from the country as saying she had not yet had "her bellyful of sights" in London.
"The Plain Dealer" is a naval captain in the time of the Dutch war. Olivia says,
"If he be returned, then shall I be pestered again with his boisterous sea-love; have my alcove smell like a cabin, my chamber perfumed with his tarpaulin Brandenburgh, and hear volleys of brandy-sighs, enough to make a fog in one's room. Foh! I hate a lover that smells like Thames Street."
The Plain Dealer, i.e., the sea-captain Manly, meets with a lawyer, and they converse in this way,
Manly. Here's a lawyer I know threatening us with another greeting.
Lawyer. Sir! Sir! your very servant; I was afraid you had forgotten me.
Man. I was not afraid you had forgotten me.
Law. No, Sir; we lawyers have pretty good memories.
Man. You ought to have by your wits.
Law. O, you are a merry gentleman, Sir; I remember you were merry when I was last in your company.