The London-Bawd: With Her Character and Life eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 143 pages of information about The London-Bawd.

The London-Bawd: With Her Character and Life eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 143 pages of information about The London-Bawd.

Know therefore, Madam, That the House which I now keep, is a House of Convenience for Gentlemen and Ladies:  And goes under several Denominations:  Some call it The School of Venus, others a Vaulting School; other the Assignation-House:  And some that are my Enemies, bestow upon it the Title of a Bawdy-House; but this Title I neither lay claim to, nor take Pleasure in.  Tho’ I confess, my Business is to help a Gentleman that is in distress, to the Enjoyment of a Gentlewoman; and a Gentlewoman that has the like occasion, to a Gallant.  In which I always take care to help either Sex to that which may be for their Purpose; and always Warrant those I help ’em to, to be Safe and Sound; for I Value my Reputation more, than to put a bad Commodity into any Man’s hand.  I am not unsensible that this is decried as a very unlawful Calling; but for my part, to be plain with you, Madam, I am of another Opinion:  For Nature that has given us Appetites, has also given us an Inclination to satisfie ’em; and ’tis no more than the Satisfying the Natural Desires and Inclinations of Men and Women; that I concern my self about.  I know it will be Objected that Marriage is appointed as a Remedy in that Case.  And to those that are equally Match’d, without any Impediment on either side, I grant it:  And whether there be any such Impediment, or not, they can best tell, that have such Wives or Husbands.  It is not my Business to ask ’em and if they do’t without occasion, ’tis their own fault, and not mine.  I know (and know it by Experience too) there’s many a Man that looks as likely as your Husband does, and yet cann’t give a Woman that which Nature calls for.  Some Men (and so some Women too) have greater Stomachs, and some less, as Nature orders it; and if their Diet be’nt proportion’d according to their Stomachs, some may be Surfeited, and others Starv’d.  For that which one can live on very well, wou’d starve another; And the Concupiscential Appetites of Men and Women, do differ as much as do their Stomachs.  And therefore Married People are not so much to blame in making use of others besides their Wives or Husbands; provided that they take that Prudent Care and Circumspection which is so requisite in such affairs.  And because Madam, you are yet but a Beginner, and may perhaps be startled at this Doctrine, I’ll let you see ’tis not my single Notion, but is the Judgment of a Learned Author, who long ago has written on this Subject, a Choice Copy of Verses, which I’ll here repeat to you.  He Entitles it,

  Upon Love fondly Refused for Conscience sake.

  Nature, Creations law, is judg’d by Sense,
    Not by the Tyrant Conscience;
  Then our Commission gives us leave to do
    What Youth and Pleasure Prompt us to: 
  For we must question else Heav’ns great Decree,
    And tax it with a Treachery;
  If things made sweet to attempt our Appetite,
    Should with a guilt Stain

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The London-Bawd: With Her Character and Life from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.