In the anxiety to get on the swing, some of them will perhaps get out of temper, especially those who are not disciplined; but when this is detected they are not allowed to swing that day, which soon makes them good-natured to each other, and very cautious not to get into a passion.

Thus, in some degree, their bad tempers are corrected, which is very desirable.

It is a current remark, that bad workmen find fault with the tools; and lazy teachers find fault with the swings, because they must perpetually watch the children.

We are so tinctured with the old plan of _rivetting_ the children to _seats_, that I despair of ever seeing the opposite plan become general in my time.

As soon as two children are seated on each swing, to preserve order, the others retire (generally speaking) in the greatest good humour to their seats.
Some will, I know, be apt to exclaim, surely this is encouraging and fostering bad feelings--creating enmity and ill-will amongst the children; but I say, No, it is teaching them to feel a spirit of generous emulation, as distinguishable from that of ill-nature or envy.
Beside the swings, in many schools they have a very useful addition to the play-ground.