Ryan - Prostitution In London

Michael Ryan, from Prostitution in London, with a Comparative View of That of Paris and New York (1839) The rapid urbanization of Europe in the nineteenth century brought new concerns and fears over the rise of prostitution. Although prostitution long antedated the nineteenth century, many contemporaries believed that modern urban poverty increased it. Not surprisingly, the issue of prostitution consequently became a leading cause for middle-class reformers throughout the nineteenth century. IN 1839, Michael Ryan, a doctor and member of the Royal College of Physicians, published a work which compared prostitution in three major Western cities to underscore the need for legislative and moral reform. The following excerpt on Paris throws light on the approach and analytical categories of Victorian reformers. As you read, consider: according to Ryan, to what extent had prostitution increased in Paris and what were the reasons for this numerical rise? For Ryan, what is the relationship between civilization and prostitution? In what ways are women susceptible to prostitution? How does he characterize prostitutes and what attention does he give to men? What moral assumptions frame this social analysis? ___________________________________ Duchalet’s work is entitled to all the praise it has received, because it is highly calculated to effect great improvement in public morals; and being strongly impressed with this conviction, I quote it freely, and imitate the author in giving an account of prostitution in London and America, with the most sanguine hope of doing good to mankind. The laudable object of the author of Prostitution in Paris was to obtain information from the medical profession, the magistracy, and the police, so that the subject of his inquiry has been examined in all its bearings; and the legislator, the magistrate, the physician, the surgeon, and the philanthropist, now possess a store of knowledge to guide them in their amelioration of the social, intellectual, and pathological conditions of a deeply degraded by important class—important from the influence it may exert upon the rest of society. It is important to state that the author expended no less than eight years in collecting his materials, and not only describes the causes of prostitution, but what is the best policy to be adopted towards the wretched victims, for the preservation of their health, and for the diminution of the amount of evil, which they inflict on the whole community, without at the same time giving encouragement to a vice, which prevails to so great an extent at present. It appears that the happy results of the sanitary surveillance exercised by the police in Paris since 1800 have led the authorities of Rome, Naples, Milan, the chief towns in Germany, Holland, Belgium, the Brazils, and the United States to request information respecting the management and treatment of prostitutes in the French capital; but there was no source from the records of which satisfactory and conclusive replies could be given. M. Duchalet found, on a careful examination of all the records on the subject, that these were for the most part replete with errors and the falsest notions, with the exception of some few historical notices. He, therefore, examined for himself, and refuted or confirmed the received opinions.

I cannot however follow him through his minute details but shall only notice his leading conclusions, strongly recommending every legislator, judge, magistrate, and medical practitioner to carefully peruse the original production. Number of Prostitutes in Paris According to this author, the number of prostitutes in Paris in 1836 was about 18,000, one-half of whom were kept women. The number was about 30,000 during the republic after 1793. The number in London, according to the reports of the police superintendents is from 8,000 to 10,000. The variations of those in Paris from 1812 to 1832 are remarkable; in 1812 there were only 1,293; in 1832, 3,558; and the increase is to be attributed to the invasion of foreign armies and various other causes. Four hundred and fifty-one were Europeans not natives of France—of these, Belgium supplied 161, Switzerland 59; Prussia, 58; Holland, 23; England, 23; Savoy, 22; Austria, 15; Spain, 14; Piedmont, 11; Rome, 7; Poland, 6; Ireland 4; Naples, 3; Scotland,1. The regularity with which foreigners of this class arrive every year in Paris is very remarkable. The number of prostitutes, natives of France, were from 10th April 1816 to 30 April 1831 a period of fifteen years, 12,201, including 506 foreigners, in all 12,707. Nations Which Furnish These Women The prostitutes born in Paris are almost exclusively of the class of artisans, and only four belonging to respectable families. The families of the labourers and others, who cannot attend to the education of their daughters, no watch, nor provide for their wants when they attain a certain age, are those which supply servants, and women of the workshops. A third of the fathers were men who could not write their names; and those of the departments were still more illiterate. The prostitutes of Paris and the departments belong to the poorest and most miserable families. A great majority of the former were legitimate, and not illegitimate or foundling infants as many imagine. “The influence of the sedentary employments of the manufactory and workshop is very remarkable upon certain classes. The smallness of the remuneration of their labouring inmates is well known; and as the workpeople have frequently no resource but their labour, ti may well be asked, how is it possible for them, with such means, to obtain even the merest necessaries of life? It should be observed, too, that a number of causes continually occur to suspend the works of these establishments, and throw out of employment for two or three months at a time, work-women, who find it impossible to put by any part of their receipts, and who frequently, from the division of labour introduced into our manufactures, only know how to produce one particular thing. Destitute girls, under such circumstances— isolated, and without friends, without having received even the commonest education, a prey to many passions, surrounded with temptations and bad examples, frequently a prey to every privation, and having in perspective the cruelest of deaths, that of hunger—fly to resources the most repugnant to the wealthy and virtuous, in whose minds their condition is well calculated to arouse philanthropic reflection.” The reader will admit, that the author from whom I quote, has accurately described the actual condition of those numerous girls and women in this country, who are compelled to work or earn the means of their support. Education

The education of prostitutes is very defective. Of 4,470 born and brought up in Paris, 1,780 signed very badly, 110 signed well, 248 doubtful, 2,232 could not sign their names; and of 7,600 born in the departments, 4,352 were unable to sign. Ages Of 3,245, 2 were registered above 10 years; 3 at 11; 3 at 12; 6 at 13; 20 at 14; 51 at 15; 111 at 16; 149 at 17; 279 at 18; 322 at 19; 389 at 20; 303 at 21; 300 at 22; 215 at 23; 179 at 24; 136 at 25; 140 at 26; 122 at 27; 101 at 28; 57 at 29; 56 at 30; 52 at 31; 27 at 32; 32 at 33; 31 at 34; 26 at 35; 24 at 36; 15 at 37; 12 at 38; 11 at 39; 9 at 40; 5 at 41; so on, diminishing to 52; when there was at this age, not more than 1 in each year from 52 to 63 years. Causes of Prostitution The chief causes of prostitution deserve attentive reflection. IN the space of ten years, not more than three or four presented themselves at the dispensary in Paris for registration, who had not been previously seduced. Seduction is the most common cuase of prostitution in all nations. M. Duchatelet gives the following detail of the cuases, and as it applies to all countries, I shall condense it. Laziness may be placed in the first rank; it is the desire of procuring enjoyments without working, that cuases many young women to leave their places, or to refrain from seeking others when out of service. The laziness, carelessness, and cowardice of prostitutes have become almost proverbial. Misery, proceeding to a frightful extreme, is also one of the most active cuases of this evil. How many young women, abandoned by their families, without relations or friends, are obliged to have recourse to prostitution? One unhappy girl, alive to all the feelings of honour, struggled to the last extremity against this wretched alternative, and when she came to be registered, it was proved that she had not eaten for nearly three days! Vanity, and the desire of being finely dressed, is another active cause of prostitution, particularly in Paris, where simplicity in dress is actually a subject of reproach, and shabbiness is still more despised. It is hardly, then, surprising, that so many girls allow themselves to be seduced by the desire to possess a dress, which, while its display would gratify their vanity, would help to remove them from the station in which they were born, and allow them to mingle with a class by whom they consider themselves regarded with hauteur. Those who know the extent to which love of dress and finery exists in some women, will easily judge of the activity of such a cause of prostitution in Paris. There are, also, a great number of young women, who, being seduced in the departments by military officers, students, commercial travelers, and others, are induced to come to Paris by various deceptive promises, and being there afterwards abandoned, follow in the destitute condition which afflicts them the suggestions of the first person whom they encounter; and it is proved, that it is upon this description of girls, that those abominable women whose trade it is to corrupt youth, particularly fix their attention. These wretches seek them everywhere, exhibiting, in the pursuit of their infernal art, the most remarkable address. Other young women, being seduced in the country, voluntarily seek refuge in Paris, where they can conceal their disgrace from their friends. Domestic trouble, also, and illtreatment from their family and friends determine some to adopt this course of life. A long sojourn in a hospital, or in the low lodging-houses, where servants out of place are assembled, is likewise one of the causes of prostitution; and, finally, the misconduct of parents and relations, and bad examples of every kind, must be considered to exercise a very great influence in the promotion of this vice.

But of all the causes of prostitution there is none more active, particularly in Paris, and probably, in all the other great towns, than an insufficiency of wages. Let the profits of the cleverest of our seamstresses, our laundresses, and in general, of all those who live by the use of the needle, be compared with the profits of individuals who possess inferior skill, and it will be seen, that it is scarcely possible for the later to obtain the barest necessaries of life. More especially, let the reward of their labour be compared with the price of their dishonour, and surprise will no longer be felt that so great a number abandon themselves to this wretched state of life. It is difficult and painful to believe, that this career is occasionally embraced by certain women, as the only means of performing the duties imposed upon them by the title of “mother” or “daughter.” Nothing, however, is more true. It is not uncommon for married women, abandoned by, or deprived of their husbands, and consequently, of all support, to become prostitutes, with the sole intention of preserving a numerous family from starvation; and it is still more common to see girls, who are unable by their labour to support aged or infirm parents, add, by prostitution at night, to their limited means. I have too often obtained exact particulars of these two classes of prostitutes, not to be convinced that they are very numerous in Paris. There are , lastly some women who become prostitutes from a spirit of licentiousness, which can only be explained by ascribing it to the operation of a violent mental disease, but in general these Messalinas are rare. “Is prostitution,” inquires M. Duchatelet, “to be attributed to the extreme degree of civilization which we have reached? Were we only to regard the preceding details, this opinion might be maintained; but if we look back to the times of the ancients, and to the barbarous middle ages, we shall find that prostitution was then very common. If we consult modern travelers, who have penetrated to the most remote parts of America and Africa, where civilization is scarcely dawning, we find the same custom prevailing. In all those regions prostitutes have been observed to abound. No doubt our social state is the cause of the ruin of many young women; but on the other hand, it provides resources for a great number, which they would not possess under other circumstances and which allows them to lead a life of regularity. “The following details, which partly belong to this question will serve to throw some light upon it. Of the 5,183 individuals already alluded to, there have been found inscribed on the registers— Two sisters, 164 times Three “”, 4 “” Four “”, 3 “” “Besides which there have been found— Mother and daughter, 16 times Aunt and Niece, 4 “” Two cousins, 22 “” “It must not be supposed, that these 436 persons were all prostitutes at the same time; this number is to be distributed through a period of eight years. By this, the complete immorality of the families, from which these women issue, is exposed. Their degradation is most frequently owing to the pernicious examples which are placed before their eyes during infancy. “It may be asked on seeing these sad results, whether society has sufficiently inquired into the fate of these unhappy women, who so much need its care, and who exercise so great an influence upon the mechanism (if the term may be allowed) of a state? In this respect,

many reforms and improvements remain to be accomplished; and these important matters, though difficult to discuss, are as worthy of attention, on the part of the friends of humanity as of the meditations of the statesman.” Opinions Entertained of Themselves According to our author, prostitutes entertain the most abject opinion of themselves. The sight of a mother of a family, or of any woman of good character, is insupportable to them; and they often feel pleasure in insulting these, to revenge, in some degree, the contempt and disgust with which virtuous women regard them. They often become suddenly ill on seeing any of their former acquaintances; and one girl lost her senses, by the sight of one of her countrymen. They most acutely feel their abject state and are a subject of horror to themselves; their contempt for themselves often surpasses that in which they are held by persons of moral character; they bitterly regret their fall, and form plans and make exertions to quit their mode of life; but all efforts are useless; they are driven to despair by the tyranny of their keepers and of the world, which renders them the very dregs of society; while their heartless seducers, who are much more depraved and guilty, are approved by society. It is obvious that I have justly censured male seducers, and the inhuman law in their favour in my work on the Philosophy of Marriage, even against a popular Government, but all right-minded individuals are now of my opinion. No one can suffer, without dread and the greatest dejection, to be entirely forgotten by the world; and to be hated, despised, and universally disdained. “The thought alone of this state, often causes many prostitutes to become lunatics.” Religious Feelings of Prostitutes Most of this unhappy class are in a profound state of ignorance with respect to religion. A great number have scarcely an idea of the commonest sentiment of the Divinity; and they are not sparing of jests and sarcasms upon matters of religion. Many of them refrain from all religious duties, on account of their unworthiness; thought most of them are anxious for religious consolation when dangerous or fatal illness assails them. I have known many examples. Feeling of Shame M. Duchatelet attests, by many facts that there is a feeling of shame in prostitutes, notwithstanding their habits and their vices. He states, that at the examinations and demonstrations of their diseases, before a numerous audience, at the dispensary in Paris—a most indecent and reprehensible proceeding—“all, without exception, even the most shameless, became of the colour of crimson; they hid their faces, and considered this inspection a real punishment.” This equally applies to public examinations in our hospitals. A remarkable change for the better has taken place of late years. Before and during the Revolution, mention is frequently made of women dancing, and walking in the daylight, in a state of nature. “But by degrees,” says our author, “as we approach the present time, I found fewer details of scenes of disgusting indecency.” This improvement is to be attributed to the enforcement of the police regulations, and to the laudable perseverance with which it carries into effect its wise measures of correction and reform. Turn and Character of Mind

There are other traits in the conduct of the unfortunate class of beings now under consideration, which deserve to be notices. Their volatile and changeable turn of mind is so great, that nothing can fix their attention, which is distracted by the most trifling occurrence. This will, in some degree, account for their many errors and misconduct, and extenuate, in a great degree, their culpability in the eyes of all men of understand. Loquacity, noise, tumult, and agitation, appear to be indispensable to their existence, and in prisons, the hospitals, and penitentiaries; but even in this respect, many improvements have taken place of late years. Manner of Passing Their Leisure Hours The manner of passing their leisure hours is very remarkable. Nine-tenths of them do nothing at all, and pass their time in idleness. Those of the better class rise late, go to baths, live very well, or rather too freely, and amuse themselves with skipping, recline on a bed or couch, or walk in the open air. Those of the lower class frequent wine shops (Anglicè, “gin-palaces”) and converse with all the bad characters that visit such places. Those of this class often sell articles in the streets. M. Duchatelet has ascertained, that the first class read romances and tales of a tragical nature, which excite lively emotions; but they never chose those obscene and licentious works, which most young and depraved persons seek for with such ardour. Satiety renders that insipid and monotonous, which, under other circumstances, would be a powerful, and too often, a ruinous stimulant. Many informants, upon whose veracity I can rely, assure me to the contrary; and it is proved beyond all doubt, and I have seen the works which were seized in brothels, that this is not true as regards London, nor do I believe as regards Paris. The better class are fond of balls, theatres, and other amusements; as many of them only exercise their vocation from ten to four o’clock in the afternoon.