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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    sewing. From tlie belief tliat they are not yet completely aban- doned, and from their polished manners and handsome appear- ance, (gentlemen are induced to choose them as mistresses. J In consequencejof (their extravagant habits^ very few find the sum allowed sufficient to maintain them, and they seldom, therefore, continue steadfast to one man. ; Many.)of them (are partially kept;} (^ey receive a certain sum per -weelcXand arefallowed to make as much more as they can'^) provided always they are to be found at their lodgings at an appointed tune. WThose who deal with them in this manner are generally poor) an^^re(connected with some > ^ of the public offices \x other places of business in towiK;.;^Noble- 7^''' men never affree witn them on such terms :llbut,\ nevertheless, \ 1 not one in the luindred will conduct herself properly as a kept- niistress. The man who is foolish enough to believe that any of them will remain faithfuli will generally find himself mistaken^.^ Nothing short of sincere and ardent affection, with a competency y to meet their unbounded desires, will ensure the fidelity of any' t, . ^ ■ ■ he following enrious caseiis clearly illustrative of \tlie perfid^f these wojtrifen -.y- ng gentleman residing irl Leith took a particular fancy for a pretty young female ahout a twelvemonth ago ;'^and, in order to allay all feeling of jealousy and secure her to himself, he took furnished lodgings for her in Edinburgh, and gave her ahout two , ^ > pounds per week^^ Every thing went on well for nearly ten months ; she appeared t^'^^^t^^'l be well satisfied wnth the kindness and attention the gentleman manifested towards her, ^ /7 and he had no reason to be dissatisfied with her apparent fidelity and affection for him. ^. \^He was so well pleased wth the aiTangements he had made, that he frequently boasted ,/ , of the pleasure and delight which he experienced in her company, and seriously advised all of his intimate companions who kept women to pay them well as the only method of allaying suspicion. \pne evening, having finished his business in the counting-room a / little earlier than usual,^ie went to enjoy the society and conversation of his paramoun * ^ ^laving a pass-key, he opened the door, and passed, without ceremony, into lier room, smiling at the'suqjrise he would_give his faithful mistress by calling so much earlier.^ f / *jAn^nulterablc 8urpr]sc_struclijijl j)ar^^^ mistress waa lying on a sofa in tlie arms of an elderly military gentlcmanA The latter instantly started to his feet, and demanded an explanation fi^in'{he~Tonncr of his con- duct in tlius entering so abruptly into an apartment where no stranger had any right to intrude himself An explanation and apology was claimed in return by tlie young gentleman, who had good reason to believe that he alone was the injured personX When (both parties liad come tojxixhigh^w^^ were Mi^ the point of cxclKUfflng cards, \a third gcnaeman stepped in andjwi^d~Uieir rcasOTirforth us appearing in theajKirt- meiU ofJi^iBjmistrcss.-^The ajitonishm^iU of^j]^ neither could I