Harris's List

Harris's List of Covent-Garden Ladies: or Man of Pleasure's Kalendar was published annually during the second half of the eighteenth century. It was, not to mince words, a catalogue of whores, with descriptions. Here are two ladies who appeared in the 1773 edition:

• Miss M__tague is a well-shaped girl, about twenty-three, good-natured and said to be thoroughly experienced in the whole art and mysterie of Venus's tactics and as soon reduce a perpendicular to less than the curve of a parabola. She is rather generous and you may sometimes find your way in there free of expence.
• This accomplished nymph has just attained her eighteenth year, and fraught with every perfection, enters a volunteer in the field of Venus. She plays on the pianofort, sings, dances, and is mistress of every Maneuver in the amorous contest that can enhance the coming pleasure; is of the middle stature, fine auburn hair, dark eyes and very inviting countenance, which ever seems to beam delight and love. In bed she is all the heart can wish, or eyes admires every limb is symmetry, every action under cover truly amorous; her price two pounds.

Comments

[miriam]

What a gem! How did you ever find it?

[gail]

I found a reference to it in a book I'm reading -- The Knife Man by Wendy Moore. It's about the "father of modern surgery," John Hunter, and has a lot of fascinating stuff about eighteenth century England.

[mad grad mom]

Gail, that's incredible! I've never heard of that "catalogue," but it might make for some interesting research . . . Yeah, like I have the time.

[gail]

Here's a book about it. Just what you need to keep you busy over the summer.

[mad grad mom]

Schweet! Thanks, Gail.

I wonder if it's too late to change my dissertation . . .

[gail]

Surely you can fit it in somewhere. Sex always sells...

[CraigC]

...and as soon reduce a perpendicular to less than the curve of a parabola.

Nice.

[salenko]

Sorry, but I am buy pure watch for frend here - Europe Relica Watches
Rolex... replica :)