When about twelve Emma went as nursery-maid to the family of a Mr. Thomas, a doctor of Hawarden, whose son afterwards became an eminent surgeon.
At sixteen she left and came to London, and became housemaid to a tradesman in St. James's Street; and then later on, probably in 1778, became nursemaid in the family of another doctor, one Dr. Budd, a physician in St. Bartholomew's Hospital.
From here she migrated out to the west end, taking a place as lady's-maid in the house of a lady of fashion whose dwelling was a favourite resort of the gayest persons of the day, and where she had ample opportunity of reading as many books as she desired, of dressing in a style which made her more attractive, and of receiving a great deal of praise for her beauty and the quality of her voice.
The first slip which she made in her career was occasioned by her going to plead with Admiral Payne for the release of a cousin who had been forcibly pressed into the navy, and whose family were, without his assistance, unprovided for. Emma undertook this mission out of good nature and gained her petition; but in return the admiral, who was much struck by the beauty of her face, became her suitor, and she entered his house as his mistress. This life lasted for a very short time, as a wealthy baronet, Sir Harry Featherston, who visited Admiral Payne, begged her to leave him and come to Up Park as its mistress.
The admiral, who was shortly going on board his ship, consented to part with the fair Emma, who was much attached to her latest lover, and she went off with Sir Harry to Up Park, where she resided in the midst of every luxury for some months. Here she learned to ride on horseback, and succeeded in attaining to great proficiency in this accomplishment.
The affection, however, shown her by Sir Harry Featherston, lasted but a short time, and soon he began to weary of his toy. He brought his mistress to London, but was ashamed to let her be seen with him in public, and so gradually neglected her; and at the end of 1781 they separated, as Emma was not one to put up tamely with neglect, and was ambitious of yet greater conquests. They always remained friends, and corresponded to the end of their days; but another field of opportunity was now opening, and Emma was ready to avail herself of it.
The notorious and unscrupulous quack Dr. Graham was at that time in the height of his fame, and he had opened in 1779 his so-called Temple of Health in the Adelphi.
He was on the point of removing to more important premises when Emma Lyon left Up Park, and when, therefore, the Temple of Hymen, as the new imposture was named, was opened at Schomberg House, Pall Mall, in the residence afterwards occupied by Richard Cosway, R.A., and by Gainsborough, it was Emma Lyon who, as Hebe and the model of perfect beauty, health and happiness, was one of the greatest attractions of the place.
This wonderful woman, who was so lovely in face and form, and was withal so graceful in attitude, exhibited herself at the command of the quack in the most becoming of costumes of light drapery, posing as a goddess and attracting numerous admirers. Her beauty drew to the exhibition many of the noted painters and sculptors of the day, who were anxious to perpetuate the features and form of the fair Emma, and to draw her in the attitudes and characters which she so cleverly assumed.
She had no compunctions as to what character she assumed, whether it was Venus or a Bacchante, provided that she was admired and received the praise which was the very breath of her existence.