The Covent Garden Ladies: The Extraordinary Story of Harris's List

by Rubenhold, Hallie

  Simply because the Lists’ authors filled their biographical sketches with details of young women’s deceptions and rapes in order to arouse their readers does not preclude the occurrence of such horrors. They might not have been as commonplace as hacks and novelists would have the literate believe, but such schemes were not unknown. In 1768, Sarah Woodcock, a milliner, was held captive and raped by Lord Baltimore. Just over thirty years earlier the infamous Colonel Francis Charteris was tried and hanged for ‘carnally knowing’ a servant, Ann Bond, against her will. In both instances the men had plotted with procuresses who were closely involved in the deception of their victims. While these were quite high-profile cases owing to the social standing of their defendants, similar crimes in which bawds were involved, such as the rape of Ann Cooly in 1758, were allowed to occur quietly in the background. Of course, in a system so stacked against them, few women of the lower and middling orders would have had the resolve to bring these crimes to the notice of the authorities. Without influential family or friends behind them, no one was likely to have believed their accusations. As suggested by publications like the Harris’s List, it was easier simply to accept the tragedy and assume their new role. A life of prostitution, as the users of the List would have seen it, held many virtues.

  To the modern reader, Sam Derrick and the subsequent authors of the Lists appear to approach the condition of prostitution in quite a glib manner. The harsh realities of a ‘working woman’s’ existence, the threats of syphilis and venereal disease, the fear of pregnancy and induced abortions, the implications of alcoholism, violence, imprisonment and starvation, are rarely mentioned more than in passing. Readers didn’t want to be reminded of these things. The Harris’s List provided men with the means of gratifying their lusts and enjoying themselves. When they set out to locate a wanton woman, their intentions were to bury their troubles and their consciences. In a good whore’s arms, the miseries of the world were immaterial. When he rapped on her door or requested her company at the tavern he was only in the mood for pleasure. What mood she was in was of no consequence.

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  THE LIST

  COVENT GARDEN CHARACTERS AND REIGNING CELEBRITIES

  Cherry Poll, Covent Garden

  Any one who has been at Bob Derry’s, that house of remarkable civil reputation, must be too well acquainted with the celebrated Cherry Poll, to need a particular description. How she came by the name is variously reported; but her red cheeks, her red lips, and her red something else, have all helped to the dubbing of her. She is an agreeable girl, but so frolicksome and noisy, that she often forces the worthy Bob to cry out, What a blasted house is here! (1761)

  Lucy Cooper, Parliament Street

  No body, in the least acquainted with the world of amusement can be a stranger to the accomplishments of the sprightly Lucy. No woman can be a more jovial companion, or say better things. She has often true wit about her; but lards it rather a little too much with blasphemy. She was, to the astonishment of the world, kept for three years by Sir Penurious Trifle1, who never had before shewn the slightest tendency to extravagance, but once; and that was in giving a guinea instead of a shilling, by mistake to a coachman; which, is he never demanded, it was because he knew not where to seek for jolt. She is said to have squandered for him 14,000l. without realising 1400l. She is closely connected with an actor at the Old House; and some people say, they have tucked themselves up in the matrimonial noose; but the theatrical legends range this article under the head of apocrypha. Lucy’s features are regular, her hair brown, her air easy, and her shape genteel: though she is very thin, her bones are not so sharp as a razor, as a certain noted Templar, lately deceased used to affirm. (1761)

  Miss Kitty Fisher

  In our list of public beauties for last year, we inserted the name of this agreeable girl, with a promise to our readers of a farther and more circumstantial account of her, and it was actually ready for press, when the following letter was brought to us, which we shall give verbatim as an excuse for our failing in the contract above mentioned.

  To Mr. Harris.

  Sir,

  As I see you have advertised your List for this year, and I remember you promised the public some account of me in it, I beg for God’s sake, you will suffer old acquaintance to sway so far with you, as to prevent your doing a thing which will be so grievous to me. Besides you know, Mr. Harris, though brought to misfortunes I never yet was on the common: you may, perhaps, be at some loss in complying with this request, the servant therefore will give you five guineas*. Pray consider me, and believe me to be,

  Sir, your most humble servant,

  K-th-r-ne F—r

  P.S. Mr. — desires you will send in six dozen of your best burgundy.

  *the above sum has been faithfully applied in discharging Polly Hawkins from the Marshalsea; – we scorn to pocket a bribe. (1761)

  Bet Davis, alias Little Infamy, Russel Street

  Of all the ladies we have inserted in our List, Bet is the most eminent, among those of her own class, who have given her the name, Little Infamy, from her abandoned and libidinous disposition. It is reported, she has transplanted an antique gonorrhoea by many drunken vicious husbands, to their innocent wives, and to the blood of posterity; and that many a sessions paper has owed part of its historical existence to heroes of her creating. Let this be as it may, we advise her enamoratos to be careful. – A word to the wise is enough. (1761)

  Mrs Cuyler, Craven Street, Strand

  To trace this lady through all her mazes and wanderings, from her first setting out in life to the time of her appearance on the stage in the character of Miranda, would far exceed the boundary of our limits; we must therefore content ourselves with giving a brief outline of her character which we have had opportunities of being well acquainted with.

  She was brought up under the Wing of the celebrated Bird of Paradise2, who taught her the rudiments of knowledge from which she soon, by the strength of her own natural genius, became a complete mistress of the science, in which she has cut a conspicuous figure. She is about twenty-eight, is slim and tall; has a fair complexion; brown hair; good teeth; and is upon the whole a very pretty woman. She lately behaves with a great deal of reserve in public, but in private, when she likes her company; there is not a more agreeable, good-natured convivial soul in the universe. At such times she is very fond of singing ‘King David on a certain day, &c.’ which she performs with a good deal of humour. She does not give her company now, but to two or three particular friends, except she chances to meet with a young fellow whose arguments are too powerful for her to resist, or an old one, who will assail her like an other Danae, with a shower of gold. We cannot conclude without assuring our readers that she is a woman of the strictest honour and secrecy, and expects prudent conduct and behaviour from those in whom she places any confidence. (1779)

  Miss Wilkinson, Coldbath-fields

  ‘Avoid the cup, there’s poison in the draught’

  To pretend to give a description of this lady would be dictating to our readers, all of whom must have noticed her, if not at Drury-Lane theatre, where she danced for some seasons, at least at Sadler’s Wells, where her whole family have entertained the town for a long time. She now and then performs the character of Columbine, but is chiefly a dancer, in which we have seen many who have not excelled her: ‘tis true, her bulk is rather a hindrance to her agility, which may in some measure excuse her not being able to get off the ground (as the dancers term it) but, however, she is very decent in what she performs.

  We are sorry to find she still continues to tipple too much; we thought the connexion she was engaged in (a Harlequin of Drury Lane) would have reclaimed her; but alas! Habits become second nature, and we might almost as soon wash a negro white, as conquer them when of very long standing. (1773)

  Mrs. Abbington, Southhampton Street, Covent Garden

  ‘Do not venture where such danger lyes,

  But shun the sight of her victorious eyes.’r />
  Of all vices we detest ingratitude, and we are afraid this lady would accuse us on that head, if we did not acknowledge the favours we have received from her in her single state. About 13 years ago, Miss Barton did not keep her coach, but has often been glad to take her place even behind that of the celebrated Lucy Cooper, when coming from the hop3 at Mrs. Park’s in Aldersgate Street, where she was famous for singing a song, and beating time with her elbow, like Mr. Shuter in Love for Love; this expedient has got her many a shilling, which the company have club’d to reward her in some ingenuity.

  Some time after she appeared at Drury-lane, in the character of Miss Lucy, in The Virgin Unmasked. After this she married a trumpeter, whose name she now bears; went to Ireland, where she staid some time, and improved herself in the theatrical way; and coming over with her favourite swain (a perfomer at Drury-lane), engaged again at Drury-lane; where, by her excellence in her cast of parts, (Mrs. Clive having left the stage) she stands unrivalled.

  Mr. Abbington, her husband, sold her to Mr.—for 500l. and entered into articles never to molest him in the possession of her. The gentleman’s death (by which she expected great things) freed him from the bargain, but they do not live together. She keeps an elegant house, and Mr. Jefferson is constantly with her. Her salary, though genteel, is not sufficient to maintain her table and manner of living; but her amour with Mr.—sufficiently makes up the deficiency. She is remarked in the company for her compassion and good-nature. Can any of our readers suppose, from so humane a disposition, that she would suffer any gentleman to die with despair for her? No: we can assure them to the contrary; but then the approaches must be made the proper way; sighs and oaths and such stuff alone will not do; a little of them may be proper, and also to convince her you really are a gentleman.

  N.B. She measures gentility by the weight of the purse. (1773)

  EXOTICS

  Miss Love, No. 14, George Street, Tottenham Court Road

  ‘The Gods on her have well bestowed,

  Indeed she’s finely fur belowed’

  Eliza is of a dark complexion, being a downright mulatto, and intimates by the thickness of her hair and her eyebrows, that she is well furred-below. Though she is somewhat addicted to swearing, the men all swear in turn, that she is a d—d fine hairy piece; and not withstanding the jolly god now and then gets the better of her, she generally gets the better of all her bush fighting antagonists in the long run, as she has her hours of relaxation from the feats of Bacchus as well as Venus; she tells a good story, and can produce an excellent tale, which she charges little more for than it is well worth, considering the scarcity of its complexion in this country, being but very lately imported from the West Indies. She is tall and genteel, about eighteen years of age, and is said to be in keeping by an American. (1789)

  Miss Lorraine, No.30, Goodge Street, Tottenham Court Road

  ‘Now by my Hood, a Gentile, and no Jew!’

  This Lady is commonly called the agreeable Jewess, for what reason those who have seen the lady can only determine; for she has not the covetousness or artifice which attends all the followers of the law of Moses; nor like them is distinguished among her neighbours for ‘spoiling them of their jewels of silver, and their jewels of gold’. It may perhaps be accounted for upon other principles, for though she is genteely made, and has a very good face, yet a fine black eye, and black hair, make her look not unlike to one of the daughters of Abraham. Her mouth is small, and looks like Suckling’s girl in the song of the wedding, whose nether lip, ‘look’s as if some bee had stung it newly’. Her conversation is pleasing, she drinks little and swears seldom; so that, as times go, she is a very desirable companion. (1790)

  Miss Robinson, At the Jelly Shops

  ‘Avoid the danger which you ought to fear’

  This lady is a Jew but has no objection to a bit of Christian flesh—but not in Shylock’s way: she chuses her lover, and less than a pound will satisfy her. She was a long time confin’d in the Marshalsea, and during the whole winter charitably supplied the prison with firring: she is not long at liberty, and I suppose will confer the same favour on many a poor gentleman the approaching cold season: ‘tis said that the Jews have no regard for the gentiles; is not this a convincing proof to the contrary? She was so very good natured to Mr. Pilstow, a young Quaker, a fellow prisoner with her, that they say she gave him sufficient to keep him warm for two or three years. She is rather tall, dark brown or rather black hair, large dark eyes and eyebrows, a slim and genteel made girl—but rather too flat. (1773)

  Mrs. M—c—ntee, No.2, York Street, Middlesex Hospital

  ‘—The wife experienced dame,

  Cracks and rejoices in the flame.’

  This lady who has some experience of the town, has profitted much of that experience, and is an excellent bedfellow. She is called ‘The Armenian’, but has none of their religious prejudices; for she prefers natural opinions in the daily exercise of which she is zealous and vigorous; she looks upon these opinions as the whole duty of man, and makes it her complete practice of piety.

  She is of a middling size, has black hair and eyes, with a good face, though much pitted with the small pox, and as her practice has had long continuance and has been extensive, yet she is still nevertheless, a very agreeable companion, and not much exceeding two and twenty years of age; price one pound one. (1790)

  Miss Cross, Bridges Street

  A smart little black gypsy, with a very endearing symmetry of parts; has an odd way of wriggling herself about, and can communicate the most exquisite sensations when she is well paid. (1764)

  CRIMINALS

  Lucy P-t-rson, St. Martin’s Lane

  Her father was originally a publican in Clare Market, but being detected in some fraudulent practices with regard to his liquors, was brought in a debtor to the crown, for which he died a prisoner in Newgate. His daughter was debauched probably by some crew of that place, and to that may perhaps be attributed her exact probation of the manner of so excellent an academy. She is not pretty, neither ugly; but is as lewd as goats and monkies; and she generally has a design upon her friend’s watch, purse, or handkerchief. She frequently visits Bridewell, and is in a homely phrase, a vile bitch. (1761)

  Mrs. Cumming, Bow Street, Covent Garden

  This female heroine was a long time bar-keeper to the notorious Terry Masionery of the Green Rails, Oyster Street, Portsmouth, where she soon became, under his tuition, a perfect adept in all his villainous undertakings, of which so sensible was he of her use, that he bequeath’d her his whole property when he died, and truly she was justly intitled to it; soon after his decease she engaged herself with a sprightly young fellow well known in the purlieus of Covent Garden, as a pickpocket, where between them it is said they have acquired a considerable sum; she is sure to be met with at Stirlings, and if disengaged sure to be introduced to you, as she is a great favourite of the younger S—g, and has the title of being his hack; she is pretty tall woman, about thirty years of age, pitted a little with the small pox, and a remarkable good piece; a single guinea will be both acceptable and satisfactory. (1789)

  Miss West, No. 14, Wild Street

  ‘O! Think not that she came to town last week,

  The waggon straw’s yet hanging to her tail’

  This lady is half sister to the celebrated Miss West, whose abilities in the arts and sciences are so well known at every academy in town, and we can assure the public that she is no changeling, for though she is not highly renowned as Betsy, she has equal merit, though she appears and behaves like an ignorant country girl, yet those who take her for such, will, in all probability, soon find the contrary to their cost; for she is as light finger’d and as expert as a jugler. She is rather short, her eyes and hair are jet black, and her complexion is very dark, she dresses very plain, but exceeding neet, and can pick her gallant’s pocket very coolly be he ever so agreeable; for like Jenny Diver4, she has other kinds of men to employ her leisure hours with in private. (1779)
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  VETERANS IN THE FIELD OF VENUS

  Kitty B—ckley, Poland Street

  This lady has been at the service of every man that has a mind to her, from her thirteenth year. Her mamma was a midwife in Ireland, from which country Miss B-ckley came. No woman was ever more hackney’d from the lord to the porter; Turks, Jews, Papists; every sect, and every country have tasted her sweet body. She is really an elegant figure, and has a charming sweetness in her countenance; but she is as wicked as a devil, and as extravagant as Cleopatra. She is generally three times a year in the bailiff’s hands, but still makes a figure. She is now descending into the vale of years, being at least five and thirty; and is reported to have ruined twenty keepers. (1761)

  Mrs. Hamblin, No. 1, Naked-Boy Court, near the New Church, Strand

  ‘The plaister’d nymph returns the kiss,

  Like Thisby, through a wall’

  The young lady in question, is not above fifty-six, and according to her own confession has been a votary to pleasure these thirty years, she wears a substantial mask upon her face, and is rather short. We should not have introduced her here, but that on account of her long experience and extensive practice, we know that she must be particularly useful to elderly gentlemen, who are very nice in having their linen got up. (1779)

  Nancy V-ne alias Basket, Charles Street, Westminster

  A woman somewhat turned of forty, motherly and careful, and very fit for grown gentlemen to amuse themselves with; I mean gentlemen who have been old, are grown young again, and come under the birch rod. She flays, they say with an amazing grace. This is all we know of her, she seldom coming abroad till the batt and night birds appear. She thinks she is like a certain right honourable courtezan, and therefore assumes her name. – She is called Basket from a former keeper. (1761)