My wife too was persuaded to join in the diversion, and it gave me pleasure to think she was not yet too old.

In the mean time, my neighbour and I looked on, laughed at every feat, and praised our own dexterity when we were young.

Hot cockles succeeded next, questions and commands followed that, and last of all, they sate down to hunt the slipper.

As every person may not be acquainted with this primaeval pastime, it may be necessary to observe, that the company at this play themselves in a ring upon the ground, all, except one who stands in the middle, whose business it is to catch a shoe, which the company shove about under their hams from one to another, something like a weaver's shuttle.

As it is impossible, in this case, for the lady who is up to face all the company at once, the great beauty of the play lies in hitting her a thump with the heel of the shoe on that side least capable of making a defence.