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.

    148/292 (page 128)
    justice and morality broken and despised—and, if such is the case, may the faults of the children not be looked upon as being as much a misfortune as a crime ? There is sometimes more than a bad example set before chil- dren by their parents; they are literally compelled to become partakers with them in all their guilt. While yet in the tender years of childhood, and just beginning to lisp the first accents of speech, they are made to repeat oaths and obscene words after their fathers. They are taught to prevaricate with the one parent to conceal the faults of the other, until the habit of lying becomes fully established. And so soon as they are enabled to run about, they are trained to assist in acts of theft, or goaded on to steal for themselves. There are many dissipated and indolent heads of families in town, who turn their children out in the morning to beg or steal, as opportunities may present themselves, for the sup- port of the whole ; and if they come back without having accom- plished the object of their mission, they are beaten, and returned for the same purpose. Helpless wretches of this description are often seen late in the evenings, half naked, even in the rigour of winter, sitting on the sides of the streets imploring charity from all who pass them. On the Saturday evenings, or other occasions when the streets are much crowded, these small thieves ply their vocation with great industry, and rob gentlemen of their pocket- handkerchiefs or other articles carried in their coat pockets. When these children grow up to the years of maturity, the female portion of them become prostitutes, and the males follow their calling as thieves and vagabonds. In these sinful acts thej' still continue to receive the countenance and encouragement of their fi iends. If either of the parents dies, the other soon lives in open adultery. Fathers spend the night in the bosom of their families in the company of abandoned women ; and mothers make their houses common brothels, and force their daughters to join them in their licentiousness. This is no exaggerated or imaginary picture, drawn to excite astonishment, but a plain representation of facts which have come to the author's knowledge. He is aware of instances where mo- thers have sold the virtue of their daughters repeatedly for the