We observe in all countries a constant relation also between the prevalence of licentiousness and degradation of female labour; the action and reaction of these two evil facts is invariable. In Paris we see the complete result of these tendencies of modern civilization in relation to the condition of working women--tendencies which are seen in London and Berlin, in Liverpool, Glasgow--_i.e._, in all large towns. The revelations made by writers and speakers in relation to the condition of the working women of Paris, are of very serious import to England. Such terrible facts as the following, brought to light by those who have carefully investigated the state of this portion of the population, must arrest attention. In relation to vast numbers of women it is stated[30]: ‘In Paris a woman can no longer live by the work of her own hands; the returns of her labour are so small that prostitution is the only resource against slow starvation. The population is bastardized to such an extent that thousands of poor girls know not of any relation that they ever possessed. Orphans and outcasts, their life, if virtuous, is one terrible struggle from the cradle to the grave; but by far the greater number of them are drilled, whilst yet children, in the public service of debauchery.’ The great mass of working women are placed by the present state of society in a position in which there are the strongest temptations to vice, when to lead a virtuous life often requires the possession of moral heroism. Of the multitude of those who fall into vice, many ultimately marry, and, with injured moral qualities and corrupted tastes, become the creators of poor men’s homes. The rest drift into a permanent life of vice. The injurious effects of unchastity upon womanly character already noted, can be studied step by step, to their complete development in that great class of the population--the recognised prostitutes. Their marked characteristics are recklessness, sloth, and drunkenness. This recklessness and utter disregard of consequences and appearances, a quarrelsome, violent disposition, the dislike to all labour and all regular occupation and life, the necessity for stimulants and drink, with a bold address to the lower passions of men--such are the effects of this life upon the character of women. Unchaste women become a most dangerous class of the community. To these bad qualities is added another, wherever, as in France, this evil life is accepted as a part of society, provided for, organized, or legalized; this last result of confirmed licentiousness is a hardness of character so complete, so resistant of all improving influences, that the wisest and gentlest efforts to restore are often utterly hopeless before the confirmed and hardened prostitute.[31]