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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    Hospital^tlie}^orrow shawljiand ^ler article^of dress from some of their unhappy comrades, which the)(rarely return^ but continue to(^wear,\pawn, or disposeNof them. A female who had been at one'time under a medical'gentleman's charge in sickness, appeared very sorry for her past conduct, and anxious about being restored to her friends and society. Believing the girl to be a sincere penitent, he communicated with her relatives on the subject. While he was interceding for and nlaking arrangements to rescue her from a life of so much wretchedness and degradation, she borrowed an umbrella when she called on him to inquire whether he had heard from her friends, and went the same evening to the pawn-shop and pledged it. Another apparent convert, for whom he endeavoured to procure employment, received from a respect- able shop a quantity of linen for the purpose of making gentle- men's shirts, and on inquiry whether she had finished them, it was learned that the piece of linen was in the pawnbroker's. A third girl was twice received home by her mother on the promise of better behaviour, and each time she cleared the house of every thing that was valuable, such as blankets, sheets, &c. The girls steal from one another in the same lodgings, and also from their mistresses. ^ lady at the head of the professioi^a^^vo gold watches stolen m the summer of 183^; and,^fter')aboui^ week's searching^ they were(^found|concealed)between^he latlilind the walljiof one ofj^ier bed-rooms^ These facts tend to show ho^^little confidence j can te place.d.iii..t]iose who hav^elivered themselves up to a life of licentiousness.When they woulc^deceive their most intimate companions and nearest re]atives,jand those who count no trouble or exertion too gi'eat to restore them to a happier and better con- dition, what may not be expected of them ? They are not, indeed, all of this deceitful and dishonest disposition, else the present inquiry into their wretched condition, and attempt to secure for them some share of public compassion, would not have been undertaken.