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.

    83/292 (page 63)
    II.-r-FEMMES GALANTEs/)^ The class of common women -which falls next to'^lse considered, is that to which Duchatelet has applied the tefm Femmes Galantes. Although there is not in',Edinburgh any correspond- ing precisely with that in Paris, to whicli he has given this expres- sive appellation, yet (there is a distinct class, t^^orabining many of the features of the Femmes Galantes,]the/ Femmes a-Par- ties,.-and th^ Femmes de Spectacle et de Theatre,|to^ which it is intended fo/apply,ithe term. This particulaV clt^ss of prostitutes[^ differs from all others in these respects ;—thatfthey are too proud and independent to sub- ject themselves to the tyrannical rule of a brothel-keeper,; anc^foo poor and unsettled to be able to put themselves at the head of one of these establishments^ As this is the class principally inquired after by the highest ranks of society, military officers, &c., the individuals composing it have become, like the brothel-keepers, very proud of the distino'uished position they occupy in the com- munity of prostitutes. (_They view brothel-keepers ^nd the girls underjhem with the_ut^^^ and disdain to_associate ^ with_ those whom they consider beneath Ihem.^ These girlsj for the most part, have (been trained as sewers or bonnet-makers,! and ,4ome 'have (received a' liberal education.) 'Many of them can play on the pianoforte or guitar, can sing and dance well, and are very polished a^d affable in their manners. Others, again,( are possessed of considerable information, and ^spend/'a?'good deal of their'^time in reading novels and other works of an,^airy description; Taking them as a class of young women, ^they are surpassed by none in any rank of society for a genteel and beautiful appearance. From the(^andsome mannei^in which they are paid by those who visit thcm,j\they are enabled, to dress remarkably well, which, \ together with \ tint of rouge,^ renders them very fascinating aud attractive. Whilst walking on the t ■street, many of them are exceedingly modest in their appearance^ and have (ho particular markjby which they can be distinjjuished from ladies in the higher walks of life. They are frequently to