Part 1

The Project Gutenberg EBook of _Harris's List of Covent-Garden Ladies for the Year 1788_ by Anonymous.

This eBook was produced by Lewis Jones.

HARRIS's LIST

OF

COVENT-GARDEN LADIES:

OR,

MAN OF PLEASURE's

KALENDER,

For the YEAR, 1788.

CONTAINING

The Histories and some Curious Anec- dotes of the most celebrated Ladies now on the Town, or in keeping, and also many of their Keepers.

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LONDON:

Printed for H. RANGER, (formerly at No. 23. _Fleet-Street_,) at No. 9, _Little Bridge-Street_, near _Drury-Lane Play-House_

Where may be had,

The separate LISTS of many preceding Years

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Transcriber's Note.

Words in italics in the book are enclosed between underscores in this ebook. The original capitalisation, italics, spellings, line breaks, hyphenation and (as far as possible) page layout, are retained; the aim thereby is to convey more accurately the flavour of the original. Most errors (for example inconsistent use of round and square brackets, and the misnumbering of page 17 as page 71) have also been kept. However, a small number of corrections have been made for the convenience of the reader (where, for example, there are no spaces between words).

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CONTENTS.

A

Antr*b*s, Mrs--Page 126

B

B*nd, Miss--49 B*lt*n, Miss--36 Br*wn, Miss--46 Bl*ke, Miss--54 Betsy--78 Br*wn, Miss--94 B*r*n, Miss Phoebe--113 B*rn, Miss--22

C

Cr*sb*y, Mrs.--25 C*rt*n*y

( vi )

C*rtn**, Miss Fanny--33 Cl*nt*n, Miss--42 Cl*rk, Miss Betsy--43 Ch*sh*line, Mrs.--62 C*p*r, Miss--70 Ch*ld, Miss--96 C*sd*l, Miss Charlotte--103 C*p, Miss--104 C*tt*n, Miss Charlotte--115 Cl*rk, Miss--117 C*rb*t, Miss--122

D

D*d, Mrs.--52 D*v*p*rt, Miss--38 D*g*ss, Miss--44 D*f*ld Mrs.--47 D*v*nsh*re, Miss--91 D*v*s, Miss Nancy--106 D*rl*z, Madam--129

E

Emmey--111 Ell*t, Miss Emma--131

F

Fr*s*r, Mrs.--99 F*n*, Mrs. Charlotte--139 Gr*n,

( vii )

G

Gr*n, Miss--51 G**g*, Miss--41 Gr*c*r, Miss--86 G*rdn*r, Miss--123 Gr*ff*n, Mrs.--141

H

H*ds*n, Miss Betse--45 H*rv*y, Mrs.--60 H*ll*ngb*rg, Mrs.--73 H**d, Mrs.--72 H*st**ng, Miss Betsy--89 H*ll*n, Miss--128 H*nl*y, Miss Fann--137 H*ll*nd, Miss--17 H*rd*y, Miss--21

J

J*n*s, Miss Harriet--27 J*hn*t*n, Miss--68 J*n*s, Miss--101 J*ns*n, Miss--19

K

K*n, Miss--58 K*lp*n, Miss--107 K*bb*rd, Miss Jenny--138

L

L*nds*y, Miss--75 L*ws, Mrs.--77 Ll*d Miss Harriet--82 L*st*r,

( viii )

L*st*r, Miss--15 L*ns*y, Miss--20 L*c*s, Miss--24

M

M*rt*n, Miss Sophia--31 M*nt*n, Miss--57 M*rr*s, Miss--63 M*lt*n, Miss--85 M*lsw*rth, Miss--88 M*ns*n, Miss Louisa--124

N

N*ble, Miss--31 N*t*n, Mrs.--92

P

P*mbr*k*, Miss--80 Du Par Mademoiselle--143

R

R*ss, Miss--34 R*b*ns*n, Mrs.--74 R*l*ns, Miss Betsy--66 R*ch*rds*n, Miss--23

S*ms

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S

S*ms, Miss--35 S*tt*n, Mrs.--69 S*dd*ns, Miss Sarah--83 Sp*ns*r, Mrs.--35

T

T*wnsd*n, Miss--97 T*s*n, Miss--133 T*rb*t, Mrs--22

W

W*lkins*n, Miss--29 W*d, Miss--32 W*tk*ns, Miss Elizabeth--64 W*rd, Mrs.--100 W*d, Mrs.--67 W*ls*n, Miss--113 W*bst*r, Mrs.--119 W*ll*ms, Miss--135 W*rp*l, Mrs.--140 W*rn*r, Miss--144

ERRATA,

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ERRATA.

In page 42, Miss Cl--nt--n, at No. 17, _read_ -------- Street. Page 72 _read_ No. 4, _instead_ of No. 14. Page 77, _read_ Mrs L--w--s, at No. 68.

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INTRODUCTION.

Again the coral berry'd holly glads the eye, The ivy green again each window decks, And mistletoe, kind friend to _Bassia_'s cause, Under each merry roof invites the kiss; Come then, my friends, ye friends to _Harris_ come, And more than kisses share, drink love supreme From his ambrosial cup, tho' oft replete Satiety ne'er gives, but leaves the ravish'd sense Supremely blest, and ever craving more. Come ye gay sons of pleasure, come and feast Your _every_ sense, and lave your souls in love, Fearless advance, nor think of ills to come; Here taste variety, of love's sweet gifts, Pure and unstain'd as at kind nature's birth.

THE parterre of Venus was never more elegantly filled, never did the loves and graces shine, with more splendor than at present; Marylebone, the now grand paradise of love, and Covent Garden, her elder born, beam with uncommon ardor; nor is our antient Drury unfrequented; no sooner do the stars above shed their benign in- fluence, but our more attracting ones below

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below bespangle every walk, and make a heaven on earth; Bagnigge, St. George's Spa, with all their sister shops, deal out each night their choiceft gifts of love; nor with the sons of pleasure be dis- appointed should they extend their travels still farther east, and visit the purlieus of White Chapel. The Royalty is over full, and Wapping, Shadwell, and the neighbouring _fields_ lend all their lovely train to glad each night; these then shall be our walks; from these gay spots of pleasure shall we call love's purest sweets,

And without thorn the rose.

By thus extending our researches we shall be able to suit every constitution, and every pocket, every whim and fancy that the most extravagant sensua- list can desire. Here may they learn to shun the dreadful quicksands of pain and mortification, and land safe on the terra firma of delight and love.

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HARRIS's LIST

OF

COVENT-GARDEN LADIES

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Miss L--st--r, No. 6, _Union-Street, Oxford-Road_.

Oh, pleasing talk, to paint the ripen'd charms Of youth untutor'd in the female arts; To see instinctively desire blaze out, And warm the mind with all its burning joys. The _tell-tale eyes_ in liquid pools sustain'd, The throbbing breast now rising, now suppress't; The _thrilling bliss_ quick darting thro' the frame, The _short fetch'd sighs_, the snow white twining limbs, The sudden gush, and the extatic oh.

SUCH our all pleasing L--st--r leads the train, and, smiling like the morn, unfolds her heaven of beauties. Oh, for a _Guido's touch_, or _Thomson's thought_,

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thought_, to paint the richness of her unequall'd charms; every perfection that can possibly adorn the face and mind of Woman seem centered in this be- witching girl; hither resort then, ye genuine lovers of beauty and good sense; here, whilst _Plutus_ reigns, may you revel nor know satiety; here feast the longing appetite, and return with fresh _vigor_ to every _attack_. Now arrived at the tempting age of nineteen, her ima- gination is filled with every luscious idea, _refined_ sensibiiity, and _fierce desire_ can unite, her form is majestic, tall, and elegant; her make truly genteel, her complexion

As April's lily fair, And blooming as June's brightest rose.

Painted by the masterly hand of nature, shaded by tresses of the darkest brown, and enlivened by two stars that swim in all the essence of unsatiated love.

Her pouting lips distil nectarious balm, And thro' the frame its thrilling transports dart;

which, when parted, display a casket of snow white pearls, ranged in the nicest regularity, the _neighbouring hills_ below full

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full ripe for manual pressure, firm, and elastic, and heave at every touch. The _Elysian font_, in the centre of a _black be- witching grove_, supported by two pyra- mids white as alabaster, very delicate, and soft as turtle's down. At the _approach_ of their _favourite lord_ unfold, and for three guineas he is conducted to this _harbour_ of never failing delight. Add to all this, she sings well, is a very chearful companion, and has only been, in _life_ nine months.

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Miss H--ll--nd, No. 2, _York-Street, Queen-Ann-Street_.

No time shall pass without that dear delight, I'll talk of love all day, and aca it all the night; Pleasure and I as to one goal design'd, Will run with equal pace, while sorrow lays behind.

Those who choose to sail the island of love in a _first rate_ ship, or to enclose an armful of delight, must be pleased with this lady; who, tho' only seventeen and short, is very fat and corpulent; yet, notwithstanding, she is a fine piece of frailty; her face is handsome and her

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her _nut brown locks_, which are placed _above_ and below, promise a luscious treat to the voluptuary. Her temper is agreeable and pleasing, and she is so far from being mercenary, that a single guinea is the boundage of her wish.

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Miss B--rn, No. 18, _Old Compton Street, Soho_.

Close in the arms she languishingly lies, With dying looks, short breath, and wishing eyes.

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 piano forte, sings, dances, and is mistress of every _Manoeuvre_ 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 eye admire, every limb is symmetry, every action under cover truly amorous; her price is two pounds two.

Miss

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Miss J--ns--n, No 17, _Goodge Steet, Charlotte Street_.

And all these joys insatiably to prove, With which rich beauty feasts the glutton love.

The raven coloured tresses of Miss J--ns--n are pleasing, and are charac- teristics of strength and ability in the wars of Venus. Indeed this fair one is not afraid of work, but will undergo a great deal of labour in the action; she sings, dances, will drink a chearful glass, and is a good companion. She has such a noble elasticity in her loins, that she can cast her lover to a pleasing height, and receive him again with the utmost dex- terity. Her price is one pound one, and for her person and amorous qualifications she is well worth the money.

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Miss L--v--r, No. 17, _Ogle Street, Queen Ann-Street East_.

She darted from her eyes a side long glance Just as she spoke, and, like her words, it flew, Seem'd not to beg, what yet she bid to do.

This young nymph of fifteen is short, of a dark complexion, and inclin- able

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able to be lusty; she does not rely on _chamber practice_ only, for she takes her evening excursions to seek for _clients_, who may put their case to her either in a ta- vern or her own apartments; her fee is from a crown to half a guinea, and she strives to earn her money by seeming to be agreeable; however, she may please some, and as we have only known her about four months she cannot have lost her _appetite_, but seems particularly fond of the sport.

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Miss L--ns--y, No. 13, _Bentick Street, Berwick Street_.

Close in the arms she languishingly lies, With dying looks, short breath, and swimming eyes.

To all lovers of carrots we would re- commend this fair complex, and blue ey'd nymph; she is now steering into the nineteenth year, and has very little of the vulgarity too often found in the sister- hood, but would be rather silent than speak nonsense: the mere sensualist will not find her quite to his fancy, but she will please the delicate and sensible, who can

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can spend the dull pause of joy with her agreeably, till call'd by nature to repeti- tion; in which, as well as in conservation, we are informed she is equally charming.

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Miss H--rd--y, No. 45, _Newman Street_.

Her look serene does purest softness wear, Her face exclaims her fairest of the fair.

This lady borrows her name from her late keeper, who is now gone to the In- dia's, and left her to seek support on the wide common of independence; she is now just arrived at the zenith of perfec- tion, devoid of art and manners, as yet untutor'd by fashion, her charms have for their zest every addition youth and sim- plicity can add. She has beauty with- out pride, elegance without affectation, and innocence without dissimulation; and not knowing how long this train of perfections will last, we would advise our reader to make hay whilst the sun shines.

Miss

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Miss Br--wn, No. 8, _Castle-Street, Newman-Street_.

Her every glance, like Jove's vindictive flame, Shoot thro' the veins, and kindle all the frame.

A peculiar elegance in make and taste in dressing distinguishes this daughter of love; her shape is remarkably genteel, and her figure good; she sings a good song and is a chearful _bon_ companion; her complexion is fair, her eyes, though grey, exceedingly melting, and seem to speak the disposition of the parts below very forcibly, and if you would wish to find a good bed-fellow, tho' not blest with every other perfection, this lady will perhaps suit her price, which is two pounds two.

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Mrs. T--rb--t, No 25, _Titchfield-Street_.

The glow of youth, the fire of wanton love, Sport in her eye, and rouse the sensual heart To strong desires unmanageable pitch.

So universally known, and so great a fav'rite with the bucks is this lady, that her desription is almost needless; her eyes And hair are of the most inviting darkness,

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darkness, her temper and disposition good, and her mind replete with the choicest gifts of _Minerva_; her figure is elegant, she is very tall, sings and dances to perfection, and has only been in a _public_ way of life twelve months; for a single skirmish she does not refuse the King's smallest picture, but for a whole night's siege expects three of the largest.

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Miss R--ch--rds--n, No. 2 _Bennett- Street, Rathbone-Place_.

If women were as little as they are good, A peas cod would make them a gown and a hood.

A pretty, little, lively, fair complex- ioned girl, with a dainty leg and foot, and as pretty a pair of pouting bubbies as ever went against a man's stomach, and one who well deserves the attention that is paid her by every man capable of knowing her value. She is pleasing, though fond, and can make wantonness delightful; every part assists to bring on the momomentary delirium, and then each part combines to raise up the fallen mem- ber, to contribute again to repeated rapture; her price is commonly two gui- neas,

[ 24 ]

but if a man is clever, she is very ready to make some abatement.

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Miss L--c--s, No. 1 _York-Street, Queen-Ann-Street East_. -----------Lilting o'er the lea, Ye're welcomer to take me, than to let me be.

She is tall and fair, of a striking figure, and amiable in conversation, perfectly complying with the desires of her ena- morato's: she is said, like the river Nile, frequently to overflow, but some- how or another her inundations differ from those of that river, as they do not produce foecundity, some skilful gar- deners are of opinion that she drowns the _seed_, which is the reason that it does not take root. This, is a disagreeable circumstance to those who may wish not to till in vain; but to others who would prefer the pleasure without the expensive consequences, she is the more desirable, as they are sure that all who bathe in her _Castalian spring_, will be overwhelmed with a flood of delight.

Mrs.

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Mrs. Cr--sby, No, 24, _George Street, over Black Fryars Bridge_.

Fast lock'd in her arms, And enjoying her charms, Every frown of old care I'll defy; Give desire such a loose, That the all potent _Juice_, Shall pervade ev'ry sense, and swim in each Eye.

Birmingham lays claim to the birth of this daughter of love, and, under the care and protection of an indulgent father and mother, she reached her fifteenth year " pure and unsullied;" at this period nature began to be very bay with Nancy, and a strong propen- sity for seeing _Life_, compelled her to leave her parents and enter into servitude, and being particularly attached to the sons of Neptune, she chose for her master a sea captain, whose name she still prefers to any other. A twelve month had not elapsed in the captain's service before our charmer's feelings had reached their highest pitch, and the captain, blest with a keen appetite, after a six months voyage, with little persua- sion, opened her _port hole_, cleared her _gangway_, and threw her virtue _overboard_. He

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He grew strongly attached to her, and, being a man rather advanced in years, became contented and happy, nor wished for any other but his dear Nancy. She was his own, and he was all she at that time wished or desired for; one or two little prattlers were pledges of their mutual regard, and till the day of the captain's death they lived " the happy pair." It is near two years since she lost her friend, by whose death she receives a little annuity, that will ever keep her from the necessity of parading the streets _merely_ for support, and you are certain to meet with her at home at almost any hour of the day; in the evening the generally visits one of the Theatres, and always sits in the side boxes, in which place she contrives to chuse her spark, and if possible to take him home with her (for she never sleeps out,) where he will meet with snug com- fortable apartments, civility, good hu- mour, and a very engaging partner, whilst she continues good humoured; if he uses any language or behaviour to ruffle her temper, she can act the Virago as well as most of her sex. She is rather below mediocrity in size, with dark hair, flowing in ringlets down her back, languishing

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languishing grey eyes, and a very toler- able complexion, and a pair of pretty little firm _bubbies_. Her leg and foot is particularly graceful, always ornamented with a white silk stocking, and a neat shoe; she is a loving bed-fellow, and sincerely _attaches_ herself to the enjoyment, feels the thrilling sensation with poig- nancy, and for one guinea will _enjoy_ you as many times as you please.

N. B. She keeps the house, and you must not mention to her a syllable con- cerning her pretty lodger _above_, if you wish to be calm _below_.

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Miss Harriet J--n--s, _St. George's Hotel, opposite Virginia Street, Wapping_.

For lips to lips, and Tongue to Tongue, Will make a man of sixty young.

Yes, 'tis Harriet, the fair, still blooming Harriet, whose eyes are molded for the tender union of souls (let them but borrow a little fire from Bacchus) "by Heaven's, shoot Suns" whose nectar-distilling lips pour sweetest balm; whilst the soft silent lingual inter- course shoots powerfully through all the frame,

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frame, and awakes each dormant sense. When naked she is certainly Thomson's Lavinia.

For loveliness, Needs not the foreign aid of ornament, But is, when unadorned, adorned the most.

A beautiful black fringe borders the _Venetian Mount_, and whether she pursues the _Grahamatic_ method from a practical knowledge of its increase of pleasure, from motives of cleanliness, or as a cer- tain preventative we will not pretend to say; but we well know it makes her the more desirable bed-fellow, and after every _stroke_ gives fresh _tone and vigour_ to the lately _distended parts_; her legs and feet claim her peculiar attention, nor do their _coverings_ ever disgrace their owner, nor their actions under _cover_ ever do injustice to that dear delightful spot they are doomed to support, protect, and pay just obedience to; _the eager twine_, the almost unbearable press at the _dye away moment_, with all _love's_ lesser _Artillery_, she plays off with uncommon activity and ardor, and drinks _repetition_ with thirst insatiable. Half a guinea, and a new pink ribband to encircle her bewitching brows, is the least she expects for a night's entertainment.

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entertainment. There are three or four more ladies of _our_ order in the house, if this lady should not exactly suit.

But being blest with beauty's potent spell, Must from her other sisters bear the bell.

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Miss W--lk--ns--n, No. 10, _Bull-and- Mouth Street_.

Forbidding me to follow she invites me, This is the mould of which I made the sex, I gave them but one tongue to say us nay, And two kind eyes to grant.

Here we present our readers with as pretty a man's woman as ever the bountiful hand of nature formed; a pair of black eyes that dart resistless fire, that speak a language frozen hearts might thaw, and stand as the sweet index to the soul; a pair of sweet pouting lips that demand the burning kiss, and never receives it without paying with interest; a complexion that would charm the eye of an anchorite; a skin smooth' as monument alabaster, and white as Alpian snow; and hair that so beauti- fully contrasts the skin, that nought but nature can equal. Descend a little lower and behold the semi-snow-balls. "Studded

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"Studded with role buds, and streaked with celestial blue,"

that want not the support of stays; whose truly elastic state never suffers the pressure, however severe, to remain, but boldly recovers its tempting smoothness. Next take a view of nature centrally; no _folding lapel_, no _gaping orifice_, no _horrid gulph_ is here, but the _loving lips_ tenderly kiss each other, and shelter from the cold a small but easily stretched passage, whose _depth_ none but the _blind boy_ has liberty to _fathom_; between the _tempting lips_ the _coral headed tip_ stands centinal, sheltered by a _raven coloured- bush_, and for one half guinea conduct the _well erected friend_ safe into _port_. She is a native of Oxfordshire, and has been a visitor on the town about one year, is generally to be met with at home at every hour excepting ten at night, at which time she visits a favourite gentle- man of the Temple.

Miss

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Mis N--ble, No. 10, _Plough Court, Fetter Lane_.

She darted a sweet kiss, The wanton prelude to a farther bliss; Such as might kindle frozen appetite, And fire e'en wasted nature with delight.

She is really a fine girl, with a lovely fair complexion, a most engaging be- haviour and affable disposition. She has a most consummate skill in reviving the dead; for as she loves nothing but active life, she is happy when she can restore it: and her tongue has a double charm, both when speaking and when silent; for the tip of it, _properly applied_, can talk eloquently to the heart, whilst no sound pervades the ear and send such feelings to the central spot, that imme- diately demands the more noble weapon to _close_ the _melting scene_.

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Miss Sophia M--rt--n, No. 11, _Ste- _phen Street, Rathbone Place_.

Oh! the transporting joy!

Impetuous flood of long-expected rap- ture, she is a charming black beauty; her vivid eyes, speak the liveliness of her disposition,

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