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that this is, sooner or later, the case with
most of the prostitutes, in their several de-
grees, from those pampered in private
stews, to the common dregs infesting our
streets: and that far the greatest part of
those, who having taken to this dreadful
life, are thus seeking disease, death, and
eternal destruction, not through choice,
but necessity. The seeds of virtue would
frequently have exerted themselves; but
alas! before this foundation was formed,
the possibility was removed; and the same
necessity obliging them to prey on the un-
wary, to diffuse contagion, to propagate
profligacy, and to spread ruin, disease, and
death, through a great part of the human
species.
This godlike proposal of giving an op-
portunity of repentance to guilt and shame
met with a suitable encouragement, and
many were willing to afford them the
means of recovering themselves from their
otherwise lost state; and instead of being
pests, becoming useful members of society.
Influenced by such noble motives, a set
of gentlemen, distinguished by their hu-
manity and generosity, entered into a pri-
vate subscription, making themselves at
the same time accountable for such bene-
factions as should flow in from the public.
Numbers liberally contributed, and in
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about three or four months time, the sums
advanced by the subscribers amounted to
3593l. 19s. while a great number of these
unhappy guilty objects of commiseration
solicited for admission.
At a general meeting of the subscribers,
a committee was appointed, and it was
determined to take the house in Prescot
street which had been lately the London
infirmary; which being done, it was fitted
up in the manner above mentioned; and
at another general meeting on the 28th
of June 1758, the several officers of the
house were chosen, and the rules, of which
the following are an abstract, were order-
ed to be published.
Rules and regulations of the Governors and
Officers.
I. That a President, four Vice-Presi-
dents, a Treasurer, and committee of
twenty-one, be annually chosen the last
Wednesday in June, and that seven of the
committee go out yearly.
II. The general courts shall consist of
at least ten Governors, the President,
or Vice-President, and the Treasurer.
These general courts shall be held quar-
terly, viz. on the last Wednesday in
March, June, September, and December.
The annual general court, in which is to
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