Memoirs of Fanny Hill: A New and Genuine Edition from the Original Text (London, 1749)Cleland, John
General
Memoirs of Fanny Hill: A New and Genuine Edition from the Original Text (London, 1749)
Cleland, John
England -- Fiction; Erotic fiction; Prostitutes -- Fiction
The sameness of our sex, age, profession, and views, soon creased as
unreserved a freedom and intimacy as if we had been for years
acquainted. They took and shewed me the house, their respective
apartments, which were furnished with every article of convenience and
luxury; and above all, a spacious drawing-room, where a select
revelling band usually met, in general parties of pleasure; the girls
supping with their sparks, and acting their wanton pranks with
unbounded licentiousness; whilst a defiance of awe, modesty or jealousy
were their standing rules, by which, according to the principles of
their society, whatever pleasure was lost on the side of sentiment, was
abundantly made up to the senses in the poignancy of variety, and the
charms of ease and luxury. The authors and supporters of this secret
institution would, in the height of their humour, style themselves the
restorers of the golden age and its simplicity of pleasures, before
their innocence became so unjustly branded with the names of guilt and
shame.
As soon then as the evening began, and the shew of a shop was shut, the
academy opened; the mask of mock-modesty was completely taken off, and
all the girls delivered over to their respective calls of pleasure or
interest with their men: and none of that sex was promiscuously
admitted, but only such as Mrs. Cole was previously satisfied with
their character and discretion. In short, this was the safest,
politest, and, at the same time, the most thorough house of
accommodation in town: every thing being conducted so, that decency
made no intrenchment upon the most libertine pleasures; in the practice
of which, too, the choice familiars of the house had found the secret
so rare and difficult, of reconciling even all the refinements of taste
and delicacy, with the most gross and determinate gratifications of
sensuality.
After having consumed the morning in the dear endearments and
instructions of my new acquaintance, we went to dinner, when Mrs. Cole,
presiding at the head of her club, gave me the first idea of her
management and address, in inspiring these girls with so sensible a
love and respect for her. There was no stiffness, no reserve, no airs
of pique, or little jealousies, but all was unaffectedly gay, cheerful
and easy.
After dinner, Mrs. Cole, seconded by the young ladies, acquainted me
that there was a chapter to be held that night in form, for the
ceremony of my reception into the sisterhood; and in which, with all
due reserve to my maidenhead, that was to be occasionally cooked up for
the first proper chapman. I was to undergo a ceremonial of initiation
they were sure I should not be displeased with.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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