Prostitution in the XVIII century: priestesses of love who got into the "Harris list"
It is not for nothing that they say that prostitution is the oldest profession, because it dates back to the times of Sumer and Babylon. But we will not touch the depths of history, but rather tell you about the priestesses of love of the XVIII century.
The Irish author Samuel Derrick described them most vividly in his annual almanac. Read and enjoy!
In 1757, Samuel Derrick was on the verge of ruin. Realizing that nothing was going to happen to him in Dublin, he moved to London to become a great actor and playwright, and this desperate Irishman also wanted to become a great poet. However, he became famous only posthumously, and this fame was with a clear smell. It was Derrick who for thirty years published the "Harris List of Covent Garden Ladies", and simply put, an annual almanac of prostitutes with pictures and a detailed description of what these ladies could do and how much it all cost the average gentleman who was looking for entertainment in their arms.
The list was called "Harris's", because it was Harris who was the name of the main pimp of Covent Garden, who first began to distribute such lists. However, Derrick's lively pen gave vivacity to Harris ' dull-physiological lists, diluted the descriptions with poems and jokes, and as a result, at least 8-10 thousand copies of the list were sold every year.
Enjoy the exquisite style of Samuel Derrick and you.
Betsy Miles, by the cabinetmaker in Old Street, Clerkenwell
Throughout the district, she is famous primarily for her incredible size breasts, with which she manages as deftly as with her other limbs — to the delight of lovers of a certain kind of pleasure. We can say that it accepts in any form — both from the front and from the back — and does it with equal willingness. Moreover, she does not interfere with entering from behind, but, on the contrary, according to her own words, she considers it one of the most pleasant entertainments.
Miss Lawr-s, number six Church Street, near St. Anne's Church, Soho
As you know, the religion of the Jews does not allow them to eat pork or share pleasures with Christians. We cannot say how strict this lady is in the exercise of her faith, but we know for certain that she has nothing against relations with Christians and is even ready to open the doors of her love synagogue to a Jew, a Turk or an infidel, if they deign to look at the above address, even on Shabbat.
This most charming Jewish woman rejected her Levite friends for the sake of a Christian who provided her with profound proofs of her faith, which had such an effect on her that she has not ceased to bow to the new religion since then. This girl is extremely frisky by nature, dark-haired, black-eyed, has good teeth, a hooked nose and a fresh blush. She is not tall, and she has the most perverse look.
Sally Robinson, Maiden Lane
The origin of this girl is rather obscure, but we know for certain that she sold sausages on the streets until the illustrious Mrs. Cole bargained for her maiden name for thirty guineas, of which she generously allocated Sally as much as five shillings to cure a bad disease that the buyer of innocence awarded her. She is a tall and stout girl, but she is quite pleasant in person and knows her manners, but her devilish greed overshadows all her attractive sides.
Miss Godfrey, number 22 Upper Newman Street
This lady has the manners of a real boatswain, she is loud-voiced and has a thunderous voice. She is a pleasant girl and of a lively disposition, twenty-two years old, loves to dance very much. Her hair and eyes are dark, she is perfectly formed and surprisingly accommodating in bed.
Mrs Be-d, No. 17 Salisbury Street, Strand
A gentleman who decides to take a lady for maintenance is often not so much seduced by her charms, as he pays tribute to fashion. However, in this case, the lady's charms have absolutely nothing to do with it, since she has nothing to boast about, and we are even ready to sign our own blindness, because we did not see anything attractive in her. She is of grenadier height, has a false eye, her nose is too flat, but her smile is good, and she laughs very often; her petticoats are very short. We do not know whether she exchanges her favor for money or whether she is driven only by love, but we know for sure that K. H. is not the only one who has the happiness to share voluptuous pleasures with her, in which she is a great master.
Sisters, Miss B-yong and Miss S-yt, number 7 Windmill Street, Rathbone Place
Miss B. she is tall, slender and dark-skinned. Her sister, Miss S., is plump, fair, and keeps a certain musician with her, who from time to time visits her for a couple of songs. These ladies are already well over thirty, but on cold winter evenings they can well entertain those who are not particularly scrupulous in their craving for beauty. Both sisters are illiterate and prone to excessive profanity, but, according to rumors, they have no equal in the use of rods. The services of these dissolute girls do not have a certain price. However, half a guinea will be enough here.
Jenny Nelson, St. Martin's Lane
Excellent, intelligent girl, good in table conversation, but especially cheerful and playful in bed. There are few whores as generous as she is: she often returns money to a man who is particularly fond of her. However, she drinks like a shoemaker, and this makes her skill noticeably lost.
Mrs. Br-ks, Newman Street, near the pawnbroker's office
A well-bred person, about twenty-three years old, and also very resourceful, as evidenced by her eyes, which look in both directions at once. However, she herself is not badly built, and her outstanding and perfectly rounded breasts do not crumple at hand. All of it is burning and breathing with genuine desire, and therefore the delight of all your feelings will not take long to wait. She keeps a whole house, and any gentleman who has a bank card with him will get a pass to her holy of holies.
Mrs. X-Ringtone, Newman Street
The person is very sophisticated, occupies the second floor, several noble gentlemen are in favor with her. Knock twice, and this lady will not be slow to appear, and if her favorable glance is an answer to you, she will not be slow to guide you in the most gracious way to an excellent couch, from where she will allow you to view her garden of pleasures, where the Cupid's font is hidden behind the charming curls.
Mrs. Johnson, number seventeen Willow Walk, just behind the Dog and Duck
This is a lovely girl of medium height, and she is about twenty years old, she comes from Norfolk. Her face is pretty, her eyes are especially good, black and attractive, all her teeth are intact and her skin is smooth. At the same time, her nature is so loving that in the arms of an equally voluptuous companion, she is ready to reject even the embrace of Morpheus. Her milky hills of pleasure are firm and elastic and rise charmingly on her body. As for the sable grotto, the entrance to which is guarded by a guard with coral mouths, it is best adapted to the needs of the sons of Venus.
It is a pity, however, that this girl did not receive any education. She has her own audience, even though all her outfits are laid several times. She is always in a bad mood, behaves like a peasant and treats her benefactors without due respect. She is quarrelsome, has a bad tongue and leads a bad company.
This girl will be reduced to the rank of the cheapest of whores in the shortest possible time, but for now she is young and still deserves the attention of some amateur who will save her from having to sell herself. Its price is from five shillings to half a guinea.
Keywords: 19th century | Brothel | Courtesan | Prostitutes | Prostitution