Harris' List of Covent Garden Ladies
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coventgardenladies.bsky.social
Harris' List of Covent Garden Ladies
@coventgardenladies.bsky.social
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A Public History MA project of @rachelthehistorian providing an insight into the ladies found in the lists of Covent Garden Ladies in the 18th Century.

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[1794 Edition] Miss Cr-md-n, 15 St. Alban’s Street, Piccadilly. With thee I’d break through laws divine and human. And think them cobwebs spread for little man, Which all the bulky herd of nature breaks. #18thcentury #georgianera #18thcenturylondon #pallmall
[1794 Edition] Miss Cr-md-n, 15 St. Alban’s Street, Piccadilly. ----- With thee I’d break through laws divine and human. And think them cobwebs spread for little man, Which all the bulky herd of nature breaks. The vig’rous young world was ignorant Of all restrictions. ’Tis deceit now. Not more devout, but more decay’d and old. Restrains of reason, ties of blood, marriage vows, and prudential maxims, are all weak barriers when Miss C------appears, opens her arms, and excites to pleasure. Her teeth invite the burning kiss, her feature tall but quite genteel. Her complexion pleases the eye, and her soft plump body rebounds from the close embrace, and demands repeated pressures. Her yielding limbs, though beautiful when together, are still more ravished when separated; and, when properly placed between them, we may cry out with the poet Addison, I’m lost in ecstasy. How shall I speak the transports of my soul? I’m so bless’d, I fear ’tis all a dream. Other beauties, indeed, may give equal joys, but few like Miss C -can continue them; others may forge chains, and put them on their lovers, but few, like her, can rivet them. Her great prudence, uncommon with the sisterhood, keeps her admirers attached to her, and none can quit her but with regret. From strangers (who must be gentlemen) she expects a genteel compliment but, when once acquainted, she abates in her demands, in proportion as she increases in her attachment. She has light brown hair, fine eyes, sings and dances to perfection, and not more than sixteen years of age; has not been in trade more than a twelvemonth, in which short time she has had the good fortune to procure for herself a very good keeper in the person of Major C, whose name she assumes. ----- Images: Le printemps – Alexandre Marie Colin (1820-1830), Four Times of the Day: Morning – William Hogarth (1738), Carlton House the Prince Regent's Palace - Richard Holmes Laurie (1818)
February 25, 2025 at 1:21 PM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1793 Edition] Mrs G-frey, 6 Newman Street. Here may the brisk, and able pour, An ocean of their liquid store. #18thcentury #georgianera #18thcenturylondon #widows
[1793 Edition] Mrs G-frey, 6 Newman Street. ----- Here may the brisk, and able pour, An ocean of their liquid store. This lady may be about thirty, rather plump, she has however, every requisite to make an agreeable bed-fellow, every nerve during the preludes to enjoyment, seem trembling alive to all the refined sensations, and every part about the frame is blessed with that corresponding aptness that cannot fail of producing the most desirable effects, neither has the too frequent use of the most bewitching spot rendered it the least callous to the joys of love; she still feels all that torrent of rapture, the mutual dissolution of two souls in liquid bliss can possibly afford; meets the coming moment with uncommon ecstasy, and asks the speedy return. She is very fond of black, as she pretends to be a widow; her price is one pound one tho' ten shillings and six-pence will do. ----- Images: A young widow – Charles Antoine Coypel (1724), A Harlot’s Progress [Plate 3] – William Hogarth (1731), The Widow's Tale – John Raphael Smith (1789)
February 23, 2025 at 12:09 PM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1790 Edition] Miss Wh-tt, 18 Berwick Street. Observe the rapture-giving squeeze, The glowing cheek, the sparkling eye, The fault'ring voice, the trembling knees, That speak in silent words—I die. #18thcentury #georgianera #18thcenturylondon #costofliving
[1790 Edition] Miss Wh-tt, 18 Berwick Street. ----- Observe the rapture-giving squeeze, The glowing cheek, the sparkling eye, The fault'ring voice, the trembling knees, That speak in silent words—I die. This beautiful daughter of Venus by Apollo, is supposed to be the natural daughter of a noble lord, late in administration, who has had too many offerings of this kind to shew any kindness or affection to any. During her state of childhood, she received a very good education, and her voice, from being improved, is become exceedingly melodious and pleasing; she is genteely formed, fine blue eyes, with dark brown hair, pretty pouting lips, a good set of teeth, and a breath, Sweet as Arabian gales that ope the infant day. She is about eighteen, speaks the French language, which induces most of those foreigners of distinction to pay their court to this lady; she takes a singular pleasure in endeavouring to oblige her visiters by singing, and in general succeeds; she visits the side boxes very frequently, which puts it in her power to oblige the admirers of her voice which most of the modern songs. She is good-natured, affable, and kind, and in bed a very comfortable partner; in this situation she employs her tongue and voice in another manner, full as satisfactory as when it emits the shrillest note; in this pleasing duet she performs her part with admirable skill and dexterity, and in such cases chooses the lowest part; she makes no scruple of getting as much as she possibly can from her foreign visiters, but will not refuse five guineas from a British hand, and that only in the absence of her keeper, from whom she has a very genteel support. ----- Images: Mlle Heinefetter – Pierre Louis Grevedon (1830), Gin Lane - William Hogarth (1751), John Bull's incubus – Charles Jameson Grant (1835)
February 21, 2025 at 11:44 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1789 Edition] Miss T-wns-nd, 15 Stevens Street, Rathbone Place. Beauty like mine would warm a hermit’s heart, Remove his calmness, and disturb his rest; Expel religion from his sacred grove, And all his passions soften into love. #18thcentury #georgianera #18thcenturylondon #boston
[1789 Edition] Miss T-wns-nd, 15 Stevens Street, Rathbone Place. ----- Beauty like mine would warm a hermit’s heart, Remove his calmness, and disturb his rest; Expel religion from his sacred grove, And all his passions soften into love. The use of the needle first sired this Lady’s imagination with the use of a certain pin. She passed two years before her public entrance into life at a millener’s, in the town of Boston in America. The discourse between the experienced matrons in that dear initiating school, so warmed her naturally wanton heart, that she fell an easy snare to the first male trap, that fell in her way. Her good fortune soon threw her into the arms of an indulgent keeper, with whom she lived for some time, both before and since they have arrived in this country, the cause of her leaving him we are not acquainted with; suffice it to say, we are certain she refuses no visitors, that will afford a couple of guineas and a bottle. She is tall, and genteel made, now bordering on nineteen, dark complexion, dark hair, black eyes, and very amiable temper and disposition. She is a good dancer, and can sing a chearful song. ----- Images: Personification of Africa – Rosalba Carriera (1720), A Harlot’s Progress [Plate 4]– William Hogarth (1731), State Street, Boston – William Henry Bartlett (1840s)
February 19, 2025 at 11:15 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1788 Edition] Mrs H-w-rd, 14 Moor’s Place, Lambeth. Her brows are arch'd, and rather full and thin, To shade the dazzling light that dwells therein. #18thcentury #georgianera #18thcenturylondon #brighton
[1788 Edition] Mrs H-w-rd, 14 Moor’s Place, Lambeth ----- Her brows are arch'd, and rather full and thin, To shade the dazzling light that dwells therein. Although Mrs. H--w--rd cannot be more than twenty-six, she has been a true sportswoman, at the cyprian games, for at least twelve years, and has within these late ones contracted such a habit of intimacy with the gin bottle, that unless a person is particularly partial to it, it is almost intolerable, to approach her. At Brighton, this last season, she was the favourite girl at Mrs. John--n's, and had she not, through a foolish fondness, gave the preference to her dear Mr. Sn--m, it is in general believed Mr. W----, the capital Brewer, would have taken her under his own protection; she is rather too short, and too fat, fine dark hair; and eyes and eye-brows that answer very well to her motto; the grove below is well thatched, and ample enough in size to take in any guest; but still she has learnt the knack of contracting it, and a small made gentleman may feel the tender friction. When she elopes from her dear fellow, she is to be met with at Mrs. J--ns--n's, in German-street, and does not turn away any money offered her. ----- Images: Miss Macauley – Rose Emma Drummond (1818), A Harlot’s Progress [Plate 2]– William Hogarth (1731), Near Regents Square, Brighton – William Daniell (1823)
February 17, 2025 at 9:57 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1787 Edition] Mrs Nancy W—dg-r, at a Perfumer’s in Rathbone Place. Is an unexperienced dame, having just left her friends in Hampshire; she appears to be a well meaning girl, has natural sense, but by no means cunning enough for her present profession. #18thcentury #georgianera #perfumers #london
[1787 Edition] Mrs Nancy W—dg-r, at a Perfumer’s in Rathbone Place ----- Is an unexperienced dame, having just left her friends in Hampshire; she appears to be a well meaning girl, has natural sense, but by no means cunning enough for her present profession, for we have always sound it as true as any axiom in Geometry, that the Swains will take as mean advantages of the Nymphs as the latter can of them, which in our opinion, is very much to their disgrace, and needs no argument to prove the truth of the assertion. Poor Nancy is a mere Je vous remercie Monsieur. But however, she must of course, and by fate and necessity, soon learn better; she has very fine red hair, remarkably long, and good teeth; her complexion is particularly fair, and as far as we can judge entirely unassisted by Cosmetics; she dresses neat, but not at all in the stile of a fille de joye, but there is no doubt she will soon mend, unless she should soon fall into the hands of some rational keeper (which we own is a scarce animal) who has sense enough to improve her natural good nature and gratitude, to the improvement of her understanding and his own felicity. She has however, been given to understand that her favours are of the full value of two pounds two. ----- Images: Miss Craigie – Allan Ramsay (1741), Strolling Actresses Dressing in a Barn - William Hogarth (1738), Mr Ross's Room, Bishopsgate Street – Ackermann (1816)
February 13, 2025 at 12:45 PM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1786 Edition] Miss L-c-s, 18 Queen Ann Street East. How strangely checquer’d is the scene of life, Thro’ which the ruin’d girl is forc’d to stray; Now buoy’d by hope, now sinking in despair, And blindly seeking the precarious way. #18thcentury #georgianera #18thcenturylondon #eastindiacompany
[1786 Edition] Miss L-c-s, 18 Queen Ann Street East ----- How strangely checquer’d is the scene of life, Thro’ which the ruin’d girl is forc’d to stray; Now buoy’d by hope, now sinking in despair, And blindly seeking the precarious way. Was this lady’s soliloquy from the time she left the East Indies, till she ventur’d herself into life in our metropolis; a near relation of a noble Duke gain’d her heart in the East Indies: in that climate he behav’d to her with the kindness of a married man, but being oblig’d to return to England, she eagerly swallow’d the proposal, thinking she had full and close possession of hid heart, and about a year and a half ago made her appearance in town; in this region of beauty her keeper could not be confin’d, he lov’d variety, and soon left her, untutor’d in the ways of life, unhackney’d in the wiles of intrigue, a deserted forlorn girl, who liv’d upon the effects she brought from the East, ‘till it became absolutely necessary to seek some means for support; ‘tis but very lately she put our means in execution, and is at present so exceedingly timid, she cannot reconcile herself to the company of a stranger, unless introduc’d to her by a friend; her conversation is agreeable, and never disfigur’d by the least tint of vulgarity, she has receiv’d a good education, and is of a good family; in her person she is agreeable without being handsome, with dark hair and eyes, and a very pretty set of teeth, a natural good disposition, which, by misfortune, seem’d a little sour’d; but would some good natur’d cit take her under his care, and reserve her solely for his own use, we may dare venture to affirm she will be true and just to him, and her sweetness of disposition would again return; at present she is quite satisfy’d with one guinea per visit. ----- Images: Beauty about to bathe – Unknown Artist (Chinese) (18th century), A Harlot’s Progress [Plate 1]– William Hogarth (1731), Album of export paintings – Unknown Artist (Guangzhou) (late 18C)
February 11, 2025 at 12:19 PM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1783 Edition] Miss Th-mp--n, at Brown’s Hotel, Goodman’s Fields. Reclin’d upon a couch the maiden lay, And all her Virgin Charms expos’d to view; I saw them all, unseen, and in her eyes, Read the mad language of untaught desire. #18thcentury #georgianera #18thcenturylondon #goodmansfields
[1783 Edition] Miss Th-mp--n, at Brown’s Hotel, Goodman’s Fields ----- Reclin’d upon a couch the maiden lay, And all her Virgin Charms expos’d to view; I saw them all, unseen, and in her eyes, Read the mad language of untaught desire. She has a Brown Hotel of her own, situated in the middle of Good-Woman’s Fields: it was formerly at the bottom of Maiden Lane, you now pass down Snow Hill, through Hare Court, immediately into Exchange Alley, then it is impossible to mistake the road. You are no sooner entered the premisses, but the reckoning is call’d for, and so pretty a method has she of demanding it, that what you do spend must be done with pleasure, and altho’ she gives full change always, unless you take particular care, you will find your purse quite empty when you depart. Just arrived at the tempting ripe age of twenty-two, with little sparkling blue eyes; her breasts rather full, but not less firm; very fair, and contrasted beautifully by the blue branching veins which surround every part: apparently light brown hair, but so covered with powder, that the colour is doubtful; good teeth, rather short, of a very sprightly and amorous disposition, and a very warm temper, especially when tempered by Bacchus. I forgot to inform you, although she in general gives full charge, she never gives any out of a guinea. ----- Images: L'agreable neglige – Jean-François Janinet (1779), The Four Times of Day: Noon - William Hogarth (1738), Theatre in Great Alie Street Goodman's Fields - William Capon (1801) About Her: Miss Thompson: ‘Thompson’ is Anglo-Scottish surname meaning son of ‘Thom’, or ‘Tom’ as is more commonly used nowadays. The ‘p’ in Thompson possibly originated from the sound made when moving the mouth from a closed ‘m’ to a slightly open ‘s’. 22 Years Old: Born in 1761, not much is said about Miss Thompson’s past prior to her entry to the list. She is likely to have been on the scene for at least a few years but exactly how long is unknown. She’s described as having sparkling blue eyes, fair complexion and heavily powdered hair. Price: 1 Guinea. Approx: £221 Her Surroundings: Brown’s Hotel, Goodman’s Fields: Like many hotels of the day, Brown’s Hotel around Goodman’s Fields is difficult to locate. In the eighteenth century, Goodman’s Fields was a small pasture fields surround by houses on all sides. To the north was Great Aile Street (see below) also known as Great Ayliff Street, to the east Lemon Street, south was Great Prescott Street, and to the west was Mansel Street. Outside of purely residential buildings, Goodman’s Fields was home to sugar refineries, gun workshops, and several German schools and proto hospitals serving the areas predominantly German and Jewish (Ashkenazi) population. When it comes to hotels and inns there are a few possible areas that could pass as Brown’s Hotel but there are no records that I have found that can definitively say where its exact location was. On Alie Street there is the White Swan pub which has been open since 1825, it is suggested that there was a pub located there before but its name is unknown. There is a ‘Brown Bear’ pub mentioned in an Old Bailey court document from 1764, which is the strongest contender for Brown’s and it is remarkably still in place at 139 Leman (Lemon) Street.
February 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1765 Edition] Miss B-rgess, Charing Cross. She looks extremely well in boys cloaths; and having once assumed that disguise, passed upon a large company of gentlemen for one of their own sex, till she cave them convincing proofs of the contrary. #18thcentury #georgianera #transhistory
[1765 Edition] Miss B-rgess, Charing Cross ----- Tall and well made. Her eyes are black. She is generally allowed to be handsome, though she cannot be called a fine woman. She looks extremely well in boys cloaths; and having once assumed that disguise, passed upon a large company of gentlemen for one of their own sex, till she cave them convincing proofs of the contrary. ----- Images: Sidney Beauclerk – Rosalba Carriera (1723), Beer Street - William Hogarth (1751), Mademoiselle La Chevaliere D'Eon de Beaumont - Richard Cosway (1787), Hannah Snell - Richard Phelps (1750), The Female Husband! - I.S. Thomas (1829) ----- AMAB: Assigned Male at Birth; AFAB: Assigned Female at Birth; GNC: Gender Non-Conforming; FTM: Female-to-Male; MTF: Male-to-Female ----- About Her: Miss Burgess: Given that there are not many gaps to fill in, it is obvious that her surname is ‘Burgess’, an Anglo-Norman surname from the French ‘burgeis’ meaning citizen or freeman. Miss Burgess’s description talks of her androgynous appearance and indicates a proclivity for dressing up in men’s clothing and entering into predominantly male spaces. Whether her choice to dress in men’s clothing was anything beyond a kind of drag king persona is unknown. Given the prejudices towards transgender individuals, it is unlikely we could ever know Burgess’s true identity or feelings on the matter. She is described as tall and well-made with black eyes and is more handsome than pretty. Her Surroundings: Transgender or doing drag? Without the words and understanding we have in the modern day, the lines between gender identity, gender expression and public personas were historically blurred at best. The appearance of FTM, MTF, and GNC individuals in the historical record is rare, but not absent or missing. The most recognisable or famous transgender individual in the 18th century was the Chevalier d’Eon a MTF French noble, spy, and diplomat for the Kingdom of France. The Chevalier utilised her androgynous appearance to spy on the court of Empress Elizabeth of Russia, giving her plenty of blackmail both against Russia and against Louis XV who could not publicly admit to the presence of spies in foreign courts. When d’Eon was sent to London to assist with the peace treaty following the seven years war, she ingratiated herself with the English nobility, and following an alleged attempted murder by the French ambassador to England she became a darling of the English public who delighted in the spectacle of the infighting amongst the French diplomats. d’Eon was unable to return to France for most of her life, given the blackmail against the king, and could only return after the death of Louis XV. In a rather genius ploy, d’Eon asserted that she was AFAB and was forced into wearing male clothing, to which Louis XVI made her agree to the terms that she could return to France, but was required to wear female clothing as was the standard of polite society. Her Surroundings: Transgender or doing drag? In England there were six famous AFAB individuals who presented as male during the 18th century. Five of whom had the same presentation as ‘Female Husbands’; John Sarah Ketson, Charles Mary Hamilton, Samuel Sarah Paul Bundy, James Mary East How and James Allen. ‘Female Husband’ was a term coined after the trial of Charles M. Hamilton for an AFAB person married to a woman whilst ‘disguised’ as a man. The divide between whether each situation was a case of transgender identity versus lesbian relationships where one person appearing as male diverted suspicion is dependent on case and how can be gathered from the reporting of the time. Bundy and Allen’s respective partners were purportedly aware of their husband’s sex and were coerced into testifying against their partners for fear of harassment. Hamilton, How, and Ketson however are much harder to categorise. How, in particular, was only forced back into a female identity when they exposed their blackmailer for extortion over knowledge of their birth gender. The sixth AFAB individual presenting as a man was Hannah Snell, who adopted her brother-in-law’s identity to enlist in the army hoping to find her husband who had abandoned her upon finding out she was pregnant. She enjoyed military life but upon finding out that her husband was executed, she removed the disguise and began living as Hannah Snell once again.
February 6, 2025 at 12:47 PM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1691] Mrs Mary H----n, Smithfield. A tall, graceful, comely Woman, indebted for two thirds of her beauty to Washes and the Patch-box. #stuartera #17thcentury #williamandmary #17thcenturylondon
[1691] Mrs Mary H----n, Smithfield ----- A tall, graceful, comely Woman, indebted for two thirds of her beauty to Washes and the Patch-box; she mightily frequents the Raffling-shops, very shy of allowing her Favours; but the present of Silver Furniture for her Chamber may mollifie her, which will cost you but 20l. ----- Images: A young woman – Martin Schongauer (1646), Femme de qualité déshabillée pour le bain – Jean Dieu de Saint-Jean (1685) Her: Mary H---n: Unlike in Harris’s lists there is no suggestion towards any particular surname. Potentially one of the more common ones that contain ‘H’ and ‘N’ - Horton could be her surname but it is conjecture at best. Horton: She has no age given, but there is a record for a Mary Horton living in Shoreditch, about 10 minutes’ walk from the Cloisters in Smithfield paying around £2.6s (£500-600) a year for her property in Christopher’s Alley. A gambler at heart; Rather than money she expects silver furniture. She is said to be a great user of ‘washes’ and the ‘patch-box’. Washes is a reference to face-paint aka. “giving the face a wash of paint”. The patch box was a tin that contained little pieces of fabric to stick to the face in order to hide spots or scars. Price: 20 Pounds: Approx: £4226.
February 4, 2025 at 10:36 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1794 Edition] Miss God-ry, 55 Charlotte Street, Portland Place. Reclined upon a couch the maiden lay, And all her virgin charms exposed to view; I saw them all, unseen, and in her eyes, Read the mad language of untaught desire. #georgianera #18thcentury #soho #18thcenturypregnancy
[1794 Edition] Miss God-ry, 55 Charlotte Street, Portland Place ----- Reclined upon a couch the maiden lay, And all her virgin charms exposed to view; I saw them all, unseen, and in her eyes, Read the mad language of untaught desire. Here now is a blooming piece, and only seventeen, of a middling stature, very pretty face, fair complexion, and has hot kept a warehouse, for the reception of goods, properly entered, above twelve months. She is certainly a fine handsome girl of a delicate make, with beautiful blue eyes, which beam languishingly the sweetness and willingness of her disposition, and in their wanton glances indicate the sensibility of the parts into which you introduce, or are introduced. This lady had a child about two months ago, by whom we do not know. Any gentleman wanting to cast anchor in this lady’s port, will find as secure a harbour as ever plummet fathomed. One pound one will not be refused for entrance money. ----- Images: Portrait of a young woman – John Hoppner (1758-1810), Four Times of the Day: Morning – William Hogarth (1738), Oh! Dear! What can the matter be! Johnny has been at the fair. – Thomas Prattent (1793) About Her: Miss Godfrey: Reversing Harris’ anonymisation technique gives us the name ‘Godfrey’, from the Germanic ‘God’ (God) and ‘fred’ (Peace). 17 Years Old: Born in 1777, she has been out for the last twelve months. She recently had a child, about two months previously, whose parentage is unknown. Price: 1 Pound 1 Shilling. Approx: £210. Many references are made in her description to shipping and harbours, which is odd as she’s located in the middle of Fitzrovia with no connections to the Docklands. She is described as being very pretty with a fair complexion and beautiful blue eyes. Her Surroundings: Pregnancy and Prostitution: There is very little else that is worse for a prostitute’s career, other than the more obvious venereal diseases, than pregnancy. The latter stages of pregnancy and childbirth could take a woman out of commission for several weeks, and for those relying on prostitution to survive, the loss of income combined with another mouth to feed led many to make harrowing decisions for their own survival. It wasn’t always a given that a prostitute would end up pregnant from her encounters; wealthier clients could purchase condoms made from linen, animal bladders or intestines from Mrs Phillip’s of Half Moon Street who monopolised the condom trade in the 1750s. Those women who were less fortunate would often utilise various douches made from lemon juice in the hope to prevent both the transmission of venereal disease and pregnancy. If these methods were unsuccessful, the woman could legally (in a way) attempt an abortion so long as it was prior to ‘the quickening’ (the first movement of the foetus), otherwise the punishment was transportation or death. Methods to induce an abortion would include ingesting various herbs (mainly savin or pennyroyal, two very toxic herbs), being struck in the stomach, or falling down stairs. If these options failed (or were never used), many women committed infanticide quickly after birth. Infanticide, while illegal, was difficult to prosecute as between 1/2 to 1/3 of infants died within their first year.
February 1, 2025 at 9:46 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1793 Edition] Mrs Harris-n, Next door to the Shoe-makers Shop, Cleveland Street, New Moulton Street. Let the present hour be mine. #georgianera #18thcentury #soho #clevelandstreet #clevelandstreetworkhouse
[1793 Edition] Mrs Harris-n, Next door to the Shoe-makers Shop, Cleveland Street, New Moulton Street. ----- Let the present hour be mine. A pompous heroic girl, without either wit or humour, but fancies herself clever without any person acquiescing with her whomsoever. She is of the red-haired kind and very vicious, too fond of the male kind for her business, which is the cause of her not succeeding as she should do. Her person is extremely well made, good eyes, fair skin, and incomparable fine hair; never so happy as when in bed with a pretty fellow, altho' the gets nothing by him—like the giddy girl, thinks of nothing but the present, leaving all future events to chance. She left an elderly man, who would have given her five guineas, to bed with a young fellow who had not a single sixpence, and having herself just one guinea thought it sufficient to defray the expense of the night and the following day, leaving herself without a farthing for the sake of a few hours indulgence with this favourite. Whatever money she receives from her indifferent customers she holds in a kind of contempt, and longs for an opportunity to throw away upon her favourite man—generally one who is penniless and glad of even a dinner. This lady lives in the first floor, was lately in keeping with a young banker, but since with another gentleman. ----- Images: Lady Hamilton as a Bacchante – George Romney (1785), A Harlot’s Progress [Plate 3] – William Hogarth (1731), Cleveland Street Workhouse – Unknown (1930s) courtesy of knowyourlondon wordpress About Her: Mrs Harrison: ‘Mrs’ seems at odds with her behaviour and status, it is unknown whether she is married but it is unlikely that ‘Mrs’ is used as a sign of respect or age in Mrs Harrison’s case. Broke: Her type is penniless, and her finances reflect that. Harris notes that she once rejected an elderly man who offered her five guineas (£970) for a young man with less than a sixpence. Her age and background are unknown, although frequent references to her being a girl indicates she is likely quite young possibly between 19 and 23 years old. She believes she is clever but is described by Harris as ‘without wit or humour’ and doesn’t seem to think beyond the moment or the night. She is redheaded with a vicious temper. Her Surroundings: Shoemakers Shop, Cleveland Street: Finding this particular shoemaker has proved extremely difficult. Mrs Harrison’s entry states her as living next door the shoemaker’s shop at the junction of Cleveland Street and ‘New Moulton Street’, but as any map will show, these two streets are nowhere near one another. Even when looking for variations of these two street names there is no particular road, mews, court or street that fits the aforementioned junction. Even within Cleveland Street, there is no recorded shoemakers, although there is a shoemaker on Tottenham Court Road who owned property on Cleveland Street at number 11 Cambridge Place in 1810. The most notable structure in Cleveland Street was the workhouse built in 1778 which underwent many changes over time moving from workhouse to infirmary to the outpatients department of Middlesex Hospital which eventually closed in 2005.
January 30, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Reposted by Harris' List of Covent Garden Ladies
jenniebatchelor.bsky.social
I am SO happy to share that Women’s Periodicals and Print Culture in Britain, 1690-1820s which I worked on with co-editor and human being extraordinaire @nushpowell.bsky.social is our in PAPERBACK with @edinburghup.bsky.social #C18 1/
A yellow and brown book cover featuring the book title and an engraving of a woman reaching for book by candlelight
January 27, 2025 at 4:15 PM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1790 Edition] Miss Charlotte B-lm-r, 31 Wardour Street, Soho. She wants no art to give her greater charms, And sure ‘tis heaven to die in her arms. #georgianera #18thcentury #soho #lordchesterfield
[1790 Edition] Miss Charlotte B-lm-r, 31 Wardour Street, Soho. ----- She wants no art to give her greater charms, And sure ‘tis heaven to die in her arms. This lady is tall and rather lusty, she is remarkably fair, which we take to be the gift of nature, as we believe she is an utter stranger to pearl powder. Her eyes are a fine blue, and her lovely tresses of a sandy cast; in a word, she is a bewitching girl when she does not laugh, and by pursuing Lord Chesterfield's rule, of never going beyond a smile or a simper, she may always be sure of conquest; but when she unguardedly gives loose to a hearty laugh, she destroys all the force of her charms, by too visibly displaying she has not in time applied to Ruspini for his professional aid. She is about twenty three, and has been training for amorous delights about three years. It is said she was brought up a clear starcher, and it must be owned she seems still to retain a proper knowledge of that vocation, as few ladies of that profession are better qualified to stiffen and get up small things to the highest perfection. One pound one is the usual fee of this female chamber counsel; but two pieces will afford her much greater satisfaction, and give her such a flow of spirits, as induce her to make uncommon exertions, which have produced incredible effects. Lord V--- often visits her, and though his reputation has long since been established in the annals of amorous gratification, Miss B—r by dint of extraordinary abilities, often makes him believe he affords her the highest gratification. This lady was lately in keeping by a gentleman of the name she now assumes, who left her merely from being so immoderately inclined to extravagance. ----- Images: Miss Mangeon of Drury Lane Theatre – Rose Emma Drummond (1817), Gin Lane - William Hogarth (1751), Chesterfield's Principles of Politeness – Samuel Collings (1791)
January 28, 2025 at 9:10 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1788 Edition] Madame Dev-ll-r, 20 Leicester Street, Golden Square. Here come, no freedoms I deny, Indulge the tempting dear delight, Drink transports from my liquid eye, And spend in bliss the peaceful night. #georgianera #18thcentury #frenchrevolution
[1788 Edition] Madame Dev-ll-r, 20 Leicester Street, Golden Square. ----- Here come, no freedoms I deny, Indulge the tempting dear delight, Drink transports from my liquid eye, And spend in bliss the peaceful night. If fame speaks true, this lady has been the once happy mistress of a French nobleman, in her own country, from whence she has but lately arrived; however, her reign in that exalted sphere was only three months, a sufficient time to stain her young mind with that kind of pride, a once exalted state generally creates in a female breast; nevertheless she is a desirable girl, and whilst her paramour continues the gentleman, he will find in her presence every enjoyment a true sensualist can desire; her affable temper, and natural good disposition, has secured her a genteel circle of male acquaintance, and if a smart elegant figure, fair complexion, blue eyes, and a good set of teeth, are, in the eye of our reader, worth two or three guineas, we would recommend him to visit the amorous Madame Dev-ll-r. ----- Images: Mrs Robinson – Sir Joshua Reynolds (1785), A Harlot’s Progress [Plate 4]– William Hogarth (1731), A faut esperer q'eu se jeu la finira bentot – Anonymous (1789), La chute du despotisme. The downfall of despotism - Frederick George Byron (1789) About Her: Mme Devillier: ‘Mme’ the shortened version of Madame, is a sign of respect more than a statement of marriage. ‘Devillier’ or De Villiers, meaning (roughly) of the village, comes from Vulgar Latin and Roman toponymy. French: It is unknown how old she is but she is said to be young and has recently arrived in London from France. Allegedly, up until fairly recently, she was the mistress of a French nobleman. She has an elegant figure with a fair complexion and blue eyes. Price: 2-3 Guineas: Approx: £394-591. Her Surroundings: France in 1789: If the rumour is true, her connections to the French nobility may have influenced her flight from France to London. France in 1789 was a very tumultuous place to call home; poor harvests in 1787 and 1788 led to widespread food shortages, and with rising unemployment and high unregulated taxes, the common person could no longer afford to eat. Resentment was building in the working classes (also known as the ‘Third Estate’), particularly as French law only required the agreement of two estates. The First Estate (the clergy) and the Second Estate (the nobility), who comprised about 5% of the population, often banded together to further their interests at the expense of the Third Estate, largely aided by the fact that the clergy and nobility were exempt from paying taxes, meaning that any deficit or debt incurred by those above was to be paid for by those below. This would come to a head in the Estates-General in May and June of 1789, as a stalemate rendered the assembly ineffective while the Third Estate requested proportional representation; essentially, that their vote should carry twice the weight of the traditional sole collective vote per estate. Frustrated with the lack of consensus from the other estates, the Third Estate convened in a nearby tennis court, renamed themselves ‘the National Assembly’ and refused to submit to the King’s demands that they rejoin the traditional Estates-General. Her Surroundings: The Storming of the Bastille: On the 14th of July 1789, revolutionaries stormed the Bastille prison and armoury over fears that a conservative nobility coup was imminent after the dismissal of finance minister Jacques Necker and the restructuring of the financial branch of government. Protests against Necker’s dismissal began on the 12th of July, with crowds marching through Paris’s theatre district until they were met by army soldiers who charged into the crowds, forcing their disbursement. Unwilling to sit defenceless in the face of possible royal army soldiers forcibly dissolving the new National Assembly, and due to the lack of food, crowds in Paris started breaking into any possible location that held supplies of weapons or food. All this culminated in the attack on the Bastille, which held a number of weapons and a cannon that the people viewed as a threat to their safety. Bastille fell after four hours of onslaught by the revolutionaries and led to the capture and subsequent murder of the Governor de Launey, the man who commanded the Bastille’s garrison of soldiers. Following this, the nobility began to flee France as they saw no chance of a peaceful agreement between the King and the National Assembly.
January 25, 2025 at 11:48 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1788 Edition] Miss Br-wn, 8 Castle Street, Oxford Market. Give me plenty of bub, From the large brandy tub, And I'll spend the whole night in your arms, I'll expose every part Of my brown apple cart, And stifle, quite stifle the boy in its charms. #georgianera #18thcentury #historicalmentalhealth
[1788 Edition] Miss Br-wn, 8 Castle Street, Oxford Market ----- Give me plenty of bub, From the large brandy tub, And I'll spend the whole night in your arms, I'll expose every part Of my brown apple cart, And stifle, quite stifle the boy in its charms. I hope none of our readers will proves a Mr. L-d-tt, who, about six months ago, from a mere silly quarrel with this his favourite fair, thought it convenient to finish his existence in the leaden way; she does not possess either youth or novelty sufficient to tempt many, to act in that way, having been at least seven years a trading nymph to our knowledge; she is tall, and genteelly made, with a fine skin, and beautiful flaxen hair, but is too fond of the brandy bottle to give that sincere delight, that mutual interchange of souls so necessary to stamp the extatic rapture; she may, however, prove to those that will drink a glass with her, and has no objection to become as merry as herself, a desireable piece, as she is neither extravagant in her demands, or nice in the choice of her admirers. ----- Images: Lady St Aubyn – Joshua Reynolds (1788), A Harlot’s Progress [Plate 2]– William Hogarth (1731), Marriage A-la-Mode, Plate VI - William Hogarth (1745) About Her: Miss Brown: ‘Brown’ is the most common potential surname in Harris’s Lists, across editions 1765 and 1786-1794 there are 20 Miss Brown’s and one ‘Mrs’. She’s described as Tall and genteel with flaxen hair. Her age is unknown, but she has been trading for at least seven years. She’s extremely fond of brandy which Harris marks to her detriment. Mr. L-d-tt: A previous client of Miss Brown, Mr Ledett, took his life six months previously after a supposed argument between himself and Miss Brown. Her Surroundings: Suicide in the 18th Century: The long eighteenth century saw dramatic changes in how suicide or ‘self-murder’ was perceived in both the law and in public perception. Prior to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries suicide was a criminal offence known as ‘felo de se’ meaning felon to oneself. For obvious reasons the person who committed the act could not then be tried but under this law their personal estates and assets would become property of the state, and they were given ‘shameful’ burials by roadsides and crossroads without mourners or religious figures present. However, as the enlightenment brought new ideas of precarious mental states and linked suicide to mental illness, aka ‘brain illness’ or ‘brain fever’. Attributing suicide to mental illness, particularly by coroners courts in death inquests, meant that the person could avoid being criminally convicted of felo de se. Suicide was less of a reflection of a person’s ‘sinful’ nature, and more of a physical manifest of a person’s inner suffering. Even so, this was more to do with preserving the family’s reputation and assets, rather than to cause any great change in how those who could become victims to suicide were treated, both medically and societally.
January 23, 2025 at 11:40 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1787 Edition] Miss M-nst-n, 80 Queen Ann Street, East. O what a rapture did my frame surround, When first I clasp’d her body close to mine! ‘Twas more than rapture all, ‘twas all divine! #georgianera #18thcentury #queenannstreet #18thcenturymarriage #scottishmarriage
[1787 Edition] Miss M-nst-n, 80 Queen Ann Street, East ----- O what a rapture did my frame surround, When first I clasp’d her body close to mine! ‘Twas more than rapture all, ‘twas all divine! Such joys I knew, as words want power to tell; Joys, which the feeble reach of thought excel. My soul surpris’d at that excess of joy, (Still ever pleasing, and could never cloy) Unable to sustain it, wing’d away, Whilst all intrac’d and extacy’d I lay. This lovely fountain of transport is tall and fair, melting and generous, with light hair, and light and sparkling eyes. She indeed knows her value, and expects no less than three guineas and a supper; for she is averse to short skirmishes, and nothing but a whole night’s engagement will please her. She was born in Edinburgh, and was daughter to a bookseller, who married her at sixteen to a young printer; as he perceived, though very young, she was ready for the press, and wanted some one to open the leaves of her duodecimo. Her mother also was of opinion, that she had better smart than itch. But whether her husband did not make a proper impression; or whether she though him too religious, and whilst he constantly said a long grace before meat, and as long a thanksgiving after every delicious meal ‘till his food grew cold; she left him about twelve months since, and came up to London with a young officer. But he was soon appointed to another regiment, through national interest, and left Moggy to shift for herself. She knew she was quite lovely; and felt she was loving; and tho’ she had quitted the printer’s balls and frisket, she had no doubt but she should find as good, She had saved some money, had good cloaths, and made a respectable appearance. She assumed the name she now bears, was noticed by some men of consequence, and has now sufficient employment. ----- Images: Nelly O'Brien – Joshua Reynolds (1762), Strolling Actresses Dressing in a Barn - William Hogarth (1738), L'accordée de village - Jean Baptiste Greuze (1770) About Her: Miss Munston: ‘Munston’ is the name she assumed upon arrival in London. She is also called ‘Moggy’ in her description, but this is just slang for ‘girl’ or ‘young woman’. 17 Years old: Born in 1770, she came to London from Edinburgh with a soldier whom she left her husband for. She is tall and fair with light hair and eyes. Her parents married her off at sixteen to a printer, who was either the same age or not much older than she was. He was a devout man - likely Presbyterian - who wasn’t much interested in her. She knows her value as a young, pretty girl on the market, and insists on having a meal with her clients, the three guinea fee is for ‘the whole night’s entertainment’. Price: 3 Guineas: Approx: £612. Her Surroundings: Marriage - Scottish Law: Unlike what many may suggest, Miss Munston’s marriage at sixteen was as uncommon then as is it is now, particularly for a girl of her class and status. In Scottish law, marriage was less of the legal civil union that you would see today, and more of a mutual commitment made by the two individuals getting married. There were three ways (alongside a more traditional marriage if one wished) to be considered ‘married’ in Scotland: By declaring your marriage in front of witnesses; A written document or sworn oath pledging marriage; By presenting yourselves as married in public (aka. married by assumption). Up until 1929, the legal age for marriage was 12 years old for girls, and 14 years old for boys but most would be in their twenties before any marriage took place, as married women would lose their employment effective immediately due to the assumption that they would soon become pregnant and would prioritise their children over permanent employment.
January 21, 2025 at 10:10 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1786 Edition] Miss Chr-stm-s, 5 New Street, Fetter Lane. Would I leave of the thrilling sport, But never, never, be a wife. #georgianera #18thcentury #wickedstepmother
When fishes leave their element And swim upon the wind, When birds the watry ocean seek And leave the air behind, When tides forget their ebb and flow And not till (could I have life); Would I leave of the thrilling sport, But never, never, be a wife. The first cause for sin in this daughter of love was, (what is in general believ’d a very common one) the ill usage and abuse of a wicked step-mother, and the careless unheeding disposition of a foolish mistaken father, who grown blind to the tender throbs of paternal affection, and ridiculously enamour’d with this second wife, suffers the quarrels, which pass between her and his own children, to go unregarded, or rather taking his wife’s part; this was the cause of her quitting Birmingham (the place of her nativity); this was likewise the cause of her visiting this metropolis, and this is also the cause of out being able to present to the world a very desirable handsome girl, who no longer ago than last Christmas made her first entrée into the sportive field of love; she is tall and genteel. And every limb in exact proportion to the more attracting parts, a light blue eye, captivatingly swimming in the soft fire of love, Around her neck of make divinely fair, Does glossy ringlets play of dark brown hair, which in a lovely manner tenderly and loosely overshade two panting promontories, and grand dairy of love and pleasure, and add fresh grace to every welcome rise. Her temper is unexceptionable, and cannot avoid pleasing, and should her visitor seem shy, she tenderly embraces him, enfolds him in her wanton arms, and print the balmy kiss with all th’ ecstatic raptures of a lover; press forward the pleasing business, throw open her floodgates of delight, and drain to the last drop the spouting enginge, at the very convenient price of ten shillings and six-pence. Images: Portrait of an unknown young woman – Leonard Charles Wyon (1845), A Harlot’s Progress, The Cruel Stepmother - James Catnach (1835) About Her: Miss Christmas: Reversing Harris’ anonymisation technique gives us the name ‘Christmas’, historical it has been suggested that it was given to those born near Christmas, but opinions are divided. Brummie: Her age is not given. She came to London from Birmingham and she has been ‘out’ since the previous Christmas - which could indicate the source of her surname. Price: 10 shillings 6 pence. Approx. £114. She is tall, genteel, with dark glossy ringlets and light blue eyes. She left Birmingham due to her ‘foolish’, in Harris’s words, stepmother would not stop fighting with her and her siblings. Her Surroundings: Stepmothers: The stereotype of the ‘wicked stepmother’ is alluded to by Harris in Miss Christmas’s description as a common trope of blended family dynamics, but how true is that? In the eighteenth century, divorce was only lawful if one could pay for an Act of Parliament. This could cost thousands and was dependent on the husband initiating divorce (the wife could not), and was only granted in particular circumstances. Churches could grant the couple a seperation agreement where the financial responsibilities of the husband towards the wife were revoked but they would still be considered ‘married’ in the eyes of God. In Miss Christmas’ case, it is likely that her own mother died in childbirth (between 1% and 1.5% chance in the 1700s), and her father remarrying soon after. Like with many aspects of female existance in the past, cultural conceptions of motherhood were riddled with anxiety over the ‘wrong’ kind of mothers. The stepmother was often viewed as a usurper of the ‘natural’ family and as envious of the spector of the first wife. She is often portrayed as being cruel towards her husband’s children and manipulative towards him. Yet, the existance of this trope outside of fiction in the 1700s is hard to pin down.
January 18, 2025 at 11:33 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
Remind me to never choose questions related to historiography ever again
a man speaking into a microphone with the words " what the hell this guy talking about " below him
ALT: a man speaking into a microphone with the words " what the hell this guy talking about " below him
media.tenor.com
January 16, 2025 at 10:55 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1765 Edition] Miss D-y, Spring Gardens. This celebrated heroine, though little in stature, but great in fame, deserves, by birth as well as merit, to appear one of the foremost in our List. #georgianera #18thcentury #historyofdwarfism #dwarfism #achondroplasia #ghd #littleperson
[1765 Edition] Miss D-y, Spring Gardens ----- This celebrated heroine, though little in stature, but great in fame, deserves, by birth as well as merit, to appear one of the foremost in our List, being the supposed daughter of a gentle of first fashion in Ireland, (famous for his illicit amours) by his lady’s waiting-woman; who, ‘tis said, by her violent raptures in the action of love, used to so shake, disturb, and drive about the helpless foetus in her womb, as, by repeated shocks, to lessen the tender compages in its first efforts of expanding itself into the dimensions allotted it by nature; and that her epitomised and curtailed form hath been even since the unhappy consequence. Miss D-y’s, lowness of stature hath been however productive of extraordinary vivacity, and uncommon quickness of invention, when disposed to allure and please her gallants. By what fatality she came on the public, is as yet a secret; but she seems to be entirely devoted to the pleasures and private amusements of the genteel and gay of the other sex, and may be seen often in the Park, in company with two or three officers of the Foot-guards. She seems to be a lover of gaming; and even when engaged in a party at play, she still has an eye to business. If she is at any time unfortunate, she repays her debts of honour, by yielding up her person. ----- Images: Catharina Helena Stöberin – Johann Esaias Nilson (1775), Beer Street - William Hogarth (1751), Owen Farrel the Irish Dwarf - Hubert François Gravelot (1742) About Her: Miss Day: Reversing Harris’ anonymisation technique gives us the name ‘Day’, with its origins in either the biblical name David or the Middle English ‘Dey’ meaning dairy maid. She is described as being vivacious, quick-witted, and a lover of gambling. While her description does not say in plain words that Miss Day is an individual with dwarfism, the mention of her being ‘little in stature’ and her limbs having been ‘compressed in the womb’ by Harris’s terms, makes it as clear as... well... day. Her age is not given but she is noted as being the daughter of an illicit affair between an Irish gentleman of high fashion and his wife’s lady’s maid. Her Surroundings: Dwarfism in the 18th Century: Attitudes towards individuals with dwarfism in the 18th century changed from the beginning of the century to the end. For most of the 18th century, individuals with dwarfism were, when able, to be found in the court. That is the royal, rather than the penal. These individuals were hardly even seen as people in their own rights, rather ‘part of the royal collection’ of monarchies, kept sometimes in servitude or slavery for the amusement of the royals. This practice had begun in Ancient Egypt and continued up until the decline of the court as a social space in the latter half of the 18th century. Even in such situations people with dwarfism historically sometimes exercised status through artistic measures; like Richard Gibson, the court painter to Charles I of England, or Velasquez, a satirist of the court under Charles V, HRE. But most were reduced to demeaning ‘entertainer’ roles. As can be seen from Harris’ description, the common theory behind dwarfism was linked to the foetus’s ability to move in the womb. The reality of achondroplasia (genetic) wouldn’t be uncovered until 1995, while growth hormone deficiency first saw treatment in 1958.
January 14, 2025 at 9:48 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[Individual Highlight] Jane Douglas, The Empress of the Bawds 1698-1761. Audire est operæ pretium, procedere recte - Qui mœchis non vultis. Or “To listen is the price of the work, to proceed rightly - You who do not want adulterers.” #georgianera #18thcentury #janedouglas #motherdouglas
[Individual Highlight] Jane Douglas, The Empress of the Bawds 1698-1761 ----- For the first time in Covent Garden Ladies history, I can finally have the images actually be of the woman I am talking about! How exciting! I was looking through various brothel madams and English courtesans when Jane caught my eye. Particularly how she was styled as the ‘Empress of the Bawds’ and how she had her own memoirs. Those memoirs which held a subtitle of, “Audire est operæ pretium, procedere recte - Qui mœchis non vultis.” Or “To listen is the price of the work, to proceed rightly - You who do not want adulterers.” A warning that her life’s story, as written by the anonymous author, should be listened to and learned from. Her memoirs can be found online and they’re a short and easy read. There’s so much detail that I omitted for the sake of brevity here but is fully fleshed out in the text. How much of it is true? Who knows, but its rare to have a document that someone of her standing likely had a say in writing and how she wished to be remembered after her death. The second image of Jane found in William Hogarth’s Enthusiasm Delineated is an interesting one as it exists as a proto-drawing to his more well known work Credulity, Superstition and Fanaticism, where Jane is replaced by Mary Toft, the subject of a hoax wherein she ‘gave birth’ to rabbits after a miscarriage. I’ll likely do a post on Toft in the future, even though she has nothing to do with prostitution. Her situation, agency and memory are still a matter of contention, and she is a very interesting person to remember. ----- Images: Detail from The March of the Guards to Finchley – William Hogarth (1750), Enthusiasm Delineated – William Hogarth (1760-1762) About Her: Jane Douglas’ Early Life: According to her memoirs, the ’Genuine Memoirs of the late celebrated Jane D-s’, Jane was born to John Douglas and Susanna A-n in Aberdeen around the turn of the 18th century (1698 to 1704). Her father was a drummer for the army and was noted for his dark complexion which stuck out against his Scottish heritage. Partial to beer, gin, smoking, swearing and abusing his family, John was an abysmal father by modern standards but typical of the ‘fallen woman’ narrative that gave way to the term ‘fatherless behaviour’. Upon her father’s death, she and her mother, moved to London where Susanna allegedly found work smuggling stolen goods. She was, allegedly, caught and tried at the Old Bailey and sentenced to transportation. Three Susanna’s were sentenced to transportation between 1700 and 1725, Jane was noted as being 19 years old when her mother was transported, placing her age concurrent with the trial and transportation of a Susanna Moor for grand larceny (theft) of tea, chocolate and candles. Jane, now nineteen with no family fortune to inherit, back in Aberdeen, started to engage in prostitution to make ends meet. But it was often not enough and she, like many others, supplemented her income through theft. Jane seen in Hogarth’s Enthusiasm Delineated. Her Surroundings: Mother Douglas: Being caught one too many times, Jane moved swiftly to Edinburgh. Finding a keeper in a Captain Hunter for a while, she was eventually kicked out when he discovered she had ‘a certain disease’ (likely Syphilis). Jane streetwalked for a time, and then fell under the tutelage of Mother R, a procuress, where she learned the management that went on inside of a brothel. She continued to steal from Mother R throughout her time there and when caught she was turned out onto the streets. After being caught for theft once again, she was placed in front of a magistrate who sentenced her to whipping and banishment from Edinburgh. With that she fled to London, hoping it would bring greater fortune. After floating from brothel to streets, mixing with gentlemen and nobles, she eventually saved enough money to purchase a house in Covent Garden and quickly turned it into a brothel where she was now the all-commanding Mother. Her business thrived for a while, and she eventually bought out the former King’s Head pub and ran a strict company hand-picking her girls and offering ‘only the best’. But eventually her brothel fell out of fashion, in 1746 she became pregnant, and her health took a nosedive and by 1759 her brothel closed. She died in 1761 after years of heavy drinking. Jane’s brothel - she is in the bottom right window.
January 11, 2025 at 9:26 PM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1793 Edition] Miss S-wyn, Chelsea and Ranelagh. Hail beauty, such is thine electric touch, It fill the veins and animates the pulse, Of all who but beheld thee! #georgianera #18thcentury #chelsea #ranelaghgardens
Hail beauty, such is thine electric touch, It fill the veins and animates the pulse, Of all who but beheld thee! This lovely female is rather tall, but elegantly made with a most enchanting bosom, a fair complexion and excellent features, her mouth is small, but looks when closed like a rose when it begins to bud, fine expressive blue eyes and beautiful teeth; dresses most elegantly, and is just turned of sixteen; she is the natural daughter of an Officer, who died about twelve years ago in the East-India, and is now kept by a friend of her father's, who had her educated at a boarding school, and who took her from it about two years ago; this gentleman took for her a lodging on the King's Road, just by a lazy nursery, and like the celebrated R—s, is very fond of hair combing preparatory to the amorous conflict; and as soon as the hair-dresser is gone, he generally begins his operation, and combs with a tortoiseshell comb her beautiful tresses, which are always highly perfumed with the most odoriferous scent; [cut] white seems the most voluptuous dress; her hair elegantly dressed and highly perfumed; the head-dress adorned with large feathers, but an indispensable article in the dress of a young woman, is, a very large nosegay of natural flowers, or artificial ones well scented, and which she should wear on the left side of her bosom, as high as the ear; [cut] but to return to our charmer, a ten pound bank note will have its due influence if properly presented, and considering the inexpressible pleasure received in the arms of this young and delicate female, we think she deserves it. She is frequently to be noticed in the green boxes of the Theatres, and in the season at Ranelagh; generally dressed in white with a profusion of feathers, and seldom without a most enormous bouquet in her bosom; she keeps a chariot, and a negro servant always attends her. About Her: Miss Sewyn: ‘Sewyn’, and it’s more popular form ‘Selwyn’ most likely come from the Middle English name ‘Selewyne’ and Old English ‘Selethine’ meaning ‘hall friend’ or ‘sea friend’. 16 Years Old: Born in 1777, she is said to be the daughter of a naval officer who died while in the East Indies in 1781. She is, rather worryingly, now kept by a friend of her fathers. This ‘friend of her father’s’ took her from boarding school at age 14, keeping her in a lodging on the King’s Road. He gains a particular enjoyment from brushing her hair. Other than at Raneleigh Gardens, she is frequently found in the green boxes of theatres wearing all white with a profusion of feathers and a bouquet of flowers. She is tall, fair, and has beautiful blue eyes. Price: 10 Guineas: Approx: £1940. Her Surroundings: Ranelagh Gardens: Ranelagh Gardens, also spelt Ranelegh or Raneigh or more closely to the original Irish, Raghnallach, was a public park area in Chelsea to the East of central London. Originally it was part of the estate owned by the 1st Earl of Ranelagh, Richard Jones, an Irish politician in the restoration of the monarchy in England in the late 17th century. The gardens are adjacent to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a retirement and nursing home for the veterans of the British Army. It was opened in 1742 as a rival to the popular Vauxhall Gardens, south of the river. It is most famous for its rotunda, seen below, which housed an arcade and a gallery where live music and social breakfasts were often hosted. By the latter end of the eighteenth century, Ranelagh began to lose its appeal, being described as boring and too far from the centre of town to be worth visiting.
January 9, 2025 at 1:30 PM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1790 Edition] Miss N-nn, 15 Compton Street. The golden locks that shade those killing eyes, In wanton folds embrace her snowy neck; The yellow mantle fixt between the thighs With envious ringlets Venus's altar deck. #georgianera #18thcentury #grosvenorsquare
[1790 Edition] Miss N-nn, 15 Compton Street ----- The golden locks that shade those killing eyes, In wanton folds embrace her snowy neck; The yellow mantle fixt between the thighs With envious ringlets Venus's altar deck. This lewd piece of gigantic love, (being full six feet high) has figured away in a very prosperous line these last nine months, nor does her amorous appetite seem in the least abated, she looks to be only about nineteen. If carrot locks create lewdness (as is believed by some) we need not wonder at this lasses fire, she is so amply stored with it both above and below; below its great use is immediately pointed out; for did not this impervious armour shade the font of life, the battered premises would often want repairing, now it stands unshocked at the fierce attacks. During your engagement with this piece of wanton fire, you should be particularly cautious just at the coming in of the heat, not to suffer her teeth to come in contact with any very tender part, we have known a case where a gentleman lost part of his tongue upon the occasion. As she is in good keeping by a nobleman of Grosvenor Square, you cannot value her favours at less than three guineas. ----- Images: A lady with light coloured hair – Charles Beale (1632-1726), Gin Lane - William Hogarth (1751), Grosvenor Square - Thomas Malton (1800) ----- #georgianera #18thcentury #grosvenorsquare About Her: Miss Nunn: Reversing Harris’ anonymisation technique gives us the name ‘Nunn’, with the origins in the profession of the same name. 19 Years old: Born in 1771, she is said to have been ‘out’ as a prostitute for the past nine months. She is described as having a very ‘prosperous’ entry into prostitution. She’s a biter, as Harris warns any gentleman to not ‘suffer her teeth to come into contact with any tender part’. She is six foot tall with red hair like wanton fire. Her Surroundings: Grosvenor Square Nobles: As she is in good keeping by a nobleman of Grosvenor Square, you cannot value her favours at less than three guineas. Looking at the records of who lived at Grosvenor Square around the year 1790, there are so many options for the ‘nobleman’ that Harris speaks of: No. 2. occupied by Francis Osborne, 5th Duke of Leeds. No. 3. occupied by Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney. No. 4. occupied by William Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam. No. 5. occupied by Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort. No. 10. occupied by Robert Petre, 10th Baron Petre. No. 15. occupied by John Egerton, 7th Earl of Bridgewater. No. 18. occupied by Lewis Watson, 2nd Baron Sondes. No. 19. occupied by Sackville Tufton, 9th Earl of Thanet. No. 20. occupied by Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch. No. 25. occupied by John Hamilton, 1st Marquess of Abercorn. Her Surroundings: Grosvenor Square Nobles - cont.: No. 26. occupied by Edward Smith-Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby. No. 28. occupied by James Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrose. No. 29. occupied by Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 4th Baronet. No. 33. occupied by Sir William Smijth, 7th Baronet. No. 34. occupied by Sir George Beaumont, 7th Baronet. No. 36. occupied by George Villiers, 4th Earl of Jersey. No. 41. occupied by John Leicester, 1st Baron de Tabley. No. 45. occupied by Richard Grosvenor, 1st Earl Grosvenor. No. 47. occupied by James Grimston, 3rd Viscount Grimston.
January 7, 2025 at 12:59 PM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1789 Edition] Miss Betsy Con-s, 82 Charlotte Street. ‘If poor weak women chance to go astray; Their stars are more in fault than they.’ #georgianera #18thcentury #seraglio
[1789 Edition] Miss Betsy Con-s, 82 Charlotte Street ----- Sure in forming thee heaven took unusual care; Like its own beauty it design’d thee fair; And form’d thee by the best lov’d angel there. This lady is tall and elegant in person; her face remarkable pretty; her conversation pleasant and vivacious. Betsy is about twenty, with light hair, and fine blue eyes, had very good teeth, and a fine leg and foot. She might be stiled a real beauty, would probably often pick up the handkerchief in the Seraglio, were she there properly introduced. She is the daughter of a clergyman, who was obliged to support himself and family upon a scanty living, and at his demise, poor Betsy had a wide world to range in, having nothing but her person and mental accomplishments, which were well cultivated, to recommend her; and she might justly urge, ‘If poor weak women chance to go astray; Their stars are more in fault than they.’ This lady has an eye to the main chance, and no one Thais upon the town knows the value of a guinea better than herself, a sum, however, she seldom accepts, being more accustomed to yield her embraces for double and treble that amount. ----- Images: The Choice – William Ward (1786), A Harlot’s Progress [Plate 4]– William Hogarth (1731), A peep into lady W!!!!!Y's seraglio - James Gillray (1782) About Her: Betsy Cones: Depending on how accurate her surname is there are various Elizabeth’s born in 1769: Coomes, Kaines. Otherwise, there is an Elizabeth Cone born in 1773 but that would make her closer to 16 than 20. 20 Years Old: Born in 1769, Betsy is the daughter of a clergyman who struggled to support her, and upon his death Betsy had no other option but to get money where she could - saying the below quote from the poem Hans Carvel (1700): If poor weak women chance to go astray; Their stars are more in fault than they. - Matthew Prior. Price: 2-3 Guineas. Approx: £394-591. Her Surroundings: Seraglio’s Handkerchief: She might be stiled a real beauty, would probably often pick up the handkerchief in the Seraglio, were she there properly introduced. The use of ‘Seraglio’ by Harris is an interesting reference to multiple things. The easiest interpretation would be to link it to the rooms of the harem in Topkapi Palace in the Ottoman Empire, of which the handkerchief, supposedly, would be a signal from the Sultan to a member of the harem to join him for a night. A clear play upon the Ottoman craze of the 1700s. Yet, there is a hidden reference within this comment. Seven years before this publication a scandal had rocked the British aristocracy: the trial of Lady Worsley by her husband in 1782 for engaging in ‘criminal conversation’ (adultery). During the trial, Lady Worsley managed to get the upper hand over her husband by revealing scandalous details of his potential proclivities in exhibition by enabling others to spy on her in the bath house. One of the many satirical pieces created in the wake of the scandal is the one on the left entitled ‘A peep into Lady W!!!!!y's seraglio’ which would have been known to the readers of the list.
January 5, 2025 at 11:44 AM
coventgardenladies.bsky.social
[1788 Edition] Miss K-lp-n, Ludgate Hill. Those formal lovers be for ever curst, Who fetter'd freeborn love with honour first; Who through fantastic laws, are virtue's fools, And against nature, will be slaves to rules. #georgianera #18thcentury #hackneycoaches #hackneycarriage
[1788 Edition] Miss K-lp-n, Ludgate Hill. ----- We cannot pretend to say where this curious oddity lives, that being a circumstance she carefully conceals; and what is more extraordinary, she never can be prevailed on to go into taverns or other houses with a gentleman. If you walk on the right hand side of the way, from the corner of Cheapside along St. Paul's Church Yard, and thence to the bottom of Ludgate Hill, just after sun set, and meet with a beautiful woman about twenty, tall and finely shaped, with fine black eyes, and hair of the same hue, that floats in curls down her back, and worn without powder, and a be witching dimple in each cheek, you may give a shrewd guess you have found Miss K-lp-n. We have not said she will deny entering one of them with you; that is if she likes your person and conversation. And here let us add, no frothy coxcomb, no male adonis, conceited of his own dear person, no shoe stringed effeminate puppy, no insipid empty chatterer, can hope to succeed with her. We have rather enlarged on this lady, on account of the singularity of her disposition; and what will add to your wonder is, that she never will receive any money, but take the offer as an affront. These circumstances make us conclude that K-lp-n, the name she has assumed sometimes, is not her real name, and that she is not a woman of the town, but some married city lady, who takes this method of getting home deficiencies supplied abroad, and, as she is cautious of her character, uses these precautions. We have been told that the undulating motion of the coach, with the pretty little occasional jolts, contribute greatly to enhance the pleasure of the critical moment, if all matters are rightly placed. ----- Images: Miss Smithson – Rose Emma Drummond (1819), A Harlot’s Progress [Plate 2]– William Hogarth (1731), Trade card of T Bryan - William Newman (c. 1800), Interior of a stage coach - William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) About Her: Miss Kelpin: ‘Miss Kelpin’ is a pseudonym used by her to hide the fact that she is a married woman soliciting clients behind her husband’s back. She often refuses payment, doing this for the sake of an affair. 20 Years Old: Born in 1768, Miss Kelpin uses Hackney Coaches for her affairs, both for privacy and for pleasure and she remarks how the turbulence of the carriage improves the ‘pleasure of the critical moment’. She’s described as Tall with black eyes and hair. She dresses incredibly well: wearing a pale blue or black silk dress with a large satin cloak trimmed with brown fur. She wears a blue hat made from beaver pelt and adorns it with white feathers. Her Surroundings: Hackney Coaches: The precursor to the modern black taxis of London, Hackney coaches or carriages first appeared in the late 16th and early 17th centuries with parliament regulating the number on the streets in 1654. Even so the number of coaches grew over the 18th century with around 1000 legally registered in operation in 1770. Hackney coaches were the preferred method of getting around London before the building of the Tube in the 19th century, especially since the pavements were often lined with mixtures of mud and horse droppings. “But you may say, when found, of what service is it, when she will neither take you home with her, nor go into any house With you? A little more patience, sir, if you please, though she refuses to go into any house with you, are there not hackney coaches on every stand?”
January 3, 2025 at 10:44 AM