[1786 Edition] Miss T-rn-r, 11 Little Titchfield Street.
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From durance vile I late am freed, And now again can pad the hoof; No locks can now my trade impede, No Turnkey now beneath my roof. I’ve learn’t the different ways to please, Am up to all their tricks and fun, And for one crown will lie at ease, Or tickle till the sport is done.
This Lady, we must acquaint our Readers, is up to a thing or two; the jail birds, in that delectable school for infamy (Newgate) has made her, as she thinks, better acquainted with the world; if any of our good friends therefore should fancy so amiable a lady, we only recommend him to be on his guard, and remember two ancient lines. “He that a watch would wear this must do, &c.”
She has been a public teacher in the School of Love two years, is tall, and well stored with flesh; her complexion was once fair, and her hair is now a light brown; her eyes are a heavenly grey, and perfectly conversant in the leer, the lure, the wink, the approve, the disgust, &c. and, in short, she is mistress of every mode of insinuation, and as her price is what she can get, depend on it she’ll get all she can.
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Images: Mrs Hughes – George Perfect Harding (1802-1853) after Margaret Hughes - Sir Peter Lely (1680-1704), A Harlot’s Progress [Plate 1]– William Hogarth (1731), Newgate - Thomas Malton (1799), Newgate - N Thomas (1782-1800)
About Her: Miss Turner: Reversing Harris’ anonymisation technique gives us the name ‘Turner’, an occupational name related to the turning of the lathe used to make objects out of wood, metal or glass. Troubled: Her age is not given, but she was released from prison recently, or possibly in the last two years, depending on what came first; The conviction or the prostitution. Her price is what she can get, depend on it she’ll get all she can. She has a tanned complexion, but according to Harris, she used to be fair and pale. She has light brown hair and expressive grey eyes.
Her Surroundings: Newgate Prison: Newgate was one of London’s oldest prisons, first opening its gates in 1188CE under jurisdiction of King Henry II and the Sheriffs of London, and it was used as a holding space for criminals between their arrest and their trial and punishment. It underwent many developments and extensions over the years, including the addition of dungeons in 1236CE, and a segregated area for women in 1406CE. The conditions in Newgate had always been abysmal with overcrowding, poor sanitation, and collapsing walls resulting in ‘gaol fever’ (Typhus). The original medieval prison was destroyed during the Great Fire in 1666 and was rebuilt by Christopher Wren with other additions such as a windmill for ventilation and large courtyards of exercise and open air. Newgate remained open until 1902CE, finally closing after almost a century of campaigning by Elizabeth Fry and other reformers.
[1786 Edition] Miss T-rn-r, 11 Little Titchfield Street. #georgianera #18thcentury #newgate #newgateprison