And as an encouragement to such Matrons, to use all diligence in promoting the object in view, they shall be entituled to a certain premium from the Police funds, (independent of what private Societies of benevolent Individuals may be induced to bestow,) for every unfortunate Female who shall be thus rescued from the walks of Prostitution: to be paid at the end of 12 months, in case such Female shall then be in society with her relations, or in some reputable employment, and shall not have relapsed into her former course of life.—That these Matrons shall be distinguished for talents and humanity, and shall be capable of exercising such powers as could, in other instances, be employed to promote reconciliation with relations and friends; and also to devise employments by which the unfortunate persons, ad interim, under their care should be able to subsist, by taking in Military Shirts, Slop-work, and other branches of Female labour; to procure which, it is not doubted, but Societies of benevolent Individuals would contribute their aid, so as to secure, at all times, the means of full employment for all the various applicants in succession.
In so noble a work of humanity, especially when it is understood that the labour of the Matrons would be remunerated by such a moderate Salary, as might be an object to many deserving well-educated women, little doubt can be entertained of there being many Candidates for such Situations, who, from having no family, would be perfectly competent to the execution of so benevolent a design.
4th. That with a view to the reformation of Prostitutes who have no relations or friends, or in cases where a reconciliation is hopeless, and who may be disposed to abandon their evil courses, Houses of Industry shall be provided in different parts of the Town, with large Kitchens for the purpose of preparing wholesome and nourishing food at a cheap rate, into which all who apply for an asylum will be received; on condition that a true and faithful account of the various circumstances of their lives shall be given, and that they agree not only to submit to the discipline of the Establishment, but also to perform such labour as shall be assigned them for their subsistence, lodging and apparel. That these Houses of Industry shall also be superintended by discreet Matrons, who shall receive a moderate Salary, and a certain portion of the profit, arising from the work done, and a premium for every Female restored to Society, or to their friends by their means; and in honest employment or living with relations, for the space of 12 months, in addition to such other premiums as benevolent Societies of Individuals may choose to bestow, in consequence of the impression made on their minds of the utility of such Establishments, and the success which may appear to attend them.
5th. That all the laws now in being against Prostitution, and against the Keepers of Brothels, shall remain in full force; with this alteration only, that instead of proceeding against Offenders in the latter case, by the difficult, expensive, and circuitous mode of Presentment and Indictment, which has heretofore proved so ineffectual, the proceedings shall be summary before two Magistrates, as in Lottery and other offences, and the Delinquents if convicted shall be subject to immediate punishment.
These are the regulations which the Author would humbly propose, as a mean of preventing the disasters and miseries which arise from Seduction, and of diminishing the number of Prostitutes in this great Metropolis.—Perhaps, after the experiment is tried of the House of Industry, it might be expedient to convert the whole into a large Penitentiary House, where only unfortunate women should be admitted.—The suggestions which are now offered, appear to be not only easy with respect to their execution, but likely to be compassed at a moderate expence.—They are, however, to be considered as mere outlines of a practicable design, which should certainly precede the removal of the unfortunate Females from the Streets, as humanity points out the necessity of offering them asylums: since by suddenly abridging their present resources, however iniquitous and reprehensible they may be, without such asylums, it would certainly be the means of many of them perishing for want.
The object to be attained is of vast importance; but it is too unwieldy for the efforts of private benevolence, and certainly cannot be accomplished through any other medium than that of Public Institutions, under the protection of a Superintending Police.
Menial Servants.
Among the various evils, which, in the present state of Society, tend to the corruption of Morals, the state and condition of Menial Servants, Male and Female, are none of the least; particularly those who are out of place, and who swarm in multitudes, idle and unemployed, at all times in this great Metropolis.—This is chiefly to be attributed to the want of those legal restraints and punishments for improper behaviour, which apply to other classes of labourers.
Such regulations, independent of infinite advantages which must, in other respects, arise to the Community, would be an act of great humanity to the Individuals who compose this class; since they would check, or in most instances prevent, those indiscretions which are the result of being under no controul, and by restraining the influence of ungovernable and ill-regulated passions, would produce that degree of steadiness which is the characteristic of a good Servant; and of course the constant disposition to shift about would not be felt, while they would be rescued from the vices which are generated at those intervals of idleness, when Servants, Male and Female, out of place, are exposed to every species of Seduction, till at length, by loss of character, they too frequently become Thieves and Prostitutes.[197]
It would certainly promote in an eminent degree the cause of Morality, if the whole Laws respecting Servants of every description were revised, and accommodated in a greater degree to the present state of Society. Some of them might perhaps be stript of their severity; while the penalties or breaches of moral duty, and a refusal to fulfil a civil contract, or Conspiracies and Associations for mischievious purposes, ought certainly to apply to menial Servants, in the same manner as to Servants in Husbandry, Handicrafts and Labourers. A general exclusive Register of Servants out of place, under the inspection of an appropriate branch of the general Police System, would also have an excellent effect in bringing to light the evil pursuits of bad Servants; while it operated favourably to those who were deserving of confidence. Much might be done through this medium, favourable both to the interest of the Master and Servants; and this with many other benefits are to be attained, by means of a Superintending System of Police. In no other way can it be effected.[198]