Magdalenism : an inquiry into the extent, causes, and consequences of prostitution in Edinburgh / by William Tait.

  • Tait, William.
Date:
1840
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Magdalenism : an inquiry into the extent, causes, and consequences of prostitution in Edinburgh / by William Tait. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    CAUSES OF PROSTITUTION. classes, and from liaving been convener for the last two years of a City Missionary committee—tlic monthly journals of whose agent contains a faithful account of all that he has seen and done daily ; and from all this, he is inclined to think that there is yet nothing like a serious religious impression produced amongst them. While the adult portion of these classes are not brought under the influence of religion, it is but natural to conclude that their children will care little about acquiring a knowledge of its principles. Instruction is with children so far compulsory; and unless parents are sensible of its importance, and urge their off- spring to attend to it, very few, if any, will seek after it of their own accord; and hence ignorance is continued from generation to generation. Sabbath schools and other places of instruction have been opened in the most destitute parts of the town, with the view of giving a different bent to the minds of the young; but, owing to the carelessness of the parents, the attendance has always been so uncertain and irregular, that comparatively few children have derived any benefit from them. Without the counteracting influence of religious instruction, young people follow the bias of their natural inclination, and are prone to indulge their animal propensities. Ignorant of the fear- ful consequences of sensual indulgence, they throw aside the fet- ters of restraint, and readily embrace every course of wickedness —the young men live openly with harlots in the houses of their fathers, and the young women pursue a life of prostitution with the knowledge and consent of their parents. The effects of igno- rance and irreligion are manifested in every part of the conduct of such individuals. They lie, steal, swear, and commit every sort of iniquity in the presence of those who gave them existence, without feeling in the least ashamed, or ever receiving an angry look or a word of rebuke. Instead of improving by time, they become more and more hardened in wickedness, till they are cut off by an untimely death, or banished by the laws of their country. It is diiKcult to say what may be the number of prostitutes in Edinburgh, the commencement of whose licentious life can be traced to ignorance and defective education alone. The remarks