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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    in appearance that no person is able to recognise them. It lias just been observed, that the(lowest class of prostitute^are almost (all thieves'); and no man who speaks to them, and ventures to ac- company tlii^to their wretched hovels, is sure of escaping with money in hia^ckets. ^aturday evening is considered by these miserable creatures as^bTessinp^ for they generally(make as much on that eveningj^s they do all the other days of the'week^ ^f a poor man is observed to^tagger from the elFect of liguor,^one or more of these women have their eyes at once upon him\ and'3off him from pTaceToplace\ till they get him induced to go along with them to a tavern- or their lodgings, j They soon learn whe- ther or not lie is in possession of money f and the search is gene- rally made without any regard to justice or shame. It is^o very unusual^thing^ for (individuals'^^ius entrapped^ to be^stripped of every article of clothes^ and'@eir stockings even searched for mone^ and,i if none be foundyJto beUunied out to the stree^i ^a state of perfect nudityj or, if they^e fortunate enough to escape with their clothes, their bodies have to suffer for their empty pockets. (They are sometimes tossed over .a window\)r down a stair,i without a moment's warning or ceremony. Accustomed to almost constant wranglings and fightings amongst themselves,Q^iese low a\d debased women give way to the most violent gusts of passion^ and, during the paroxysm, set no bounds to the danger or extravagance of their actions. (Ke- duced to a state of desperation)by„ their(misfortunes)and^miscon- duct)(cleserted by relations )yjid acquaintancespand>ithout hope of bettering themselves,^they fear no punishment,'^^and are there- fore prepared to commit murder 6^ be murdered as chance may determine^^ ^he terrorof the law|^as no inflilence over their con- duct]^£Gt)nfineinOTtTn~jail^^ is looked upon by many asTtemporary reliefJfrom their sufferings ; and some feel a pride in relating the numlier of policemen they have baffled in taking them to the office. (Acts of dishonestyin prostitutes are not confined to strangers alone, but ('extend) to their most ^ntimate friends) and (acquaint- ances:; (when they are discharged^ for example, from the ^ock