Resource/inspiration: Harris' List

[Bramblethorn]

Between 1757 and 1795, Jack Harris (probably a pseudonym?) published a book of reviews of "Covent Garden ladies", London's ladies of negotiable virtue. Several editions are available here:

https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/harris-list-of-covent-garden-ladies/

Might be of interest for authors writing period pieces, either for character inspiration or for language, though I doubt all men of Harris' age were as fond of poetic description and heavy-handed metaphors. ("She is the daughter of a jeweller in the city, and is a very good judge of precious stones"...)

 

[StillStunned]

Off on a complete tangent...

There used to be an excellent jeweller's in Covent Garden. When the wife and I were first married, I'd pop in every time I was in London and buy her something. They sold pieces by independent goldsmiths and silversmiths, and always included the name, a picture and a short bio.

Once I was completely freaked out to see a picture of someone who could have been my twin. It was like looking in a mirror. Then I looked at his bio, and saw he had the same surname as me.

Unfortunately I didn't like any of his stuff, so I didn't buy it.

 

[stickygirl]

Between 1757 and 1795, Jack Harris (probably a pseudonym?) published a book of reviews of "Covent Garden ladies", London's ladies of negotiable virtue. Several editions are available here:

Possibly Gentleman Jack?

 

[Bramblethorn]

Possibly Gentleman Jack?

She'd have been four years old when the last edition was published, so I really hope not!

Haven't seen the TV series yet but I read a published book of her diaries. Curious character - quite hung up on social conventions aside from the secretly-fucking-women part of it. I'm not sure she would have been pleasant to know, but interesting to study.

 

[stickygirl]

She'd have been four years old when the last edition was published, so I really hope not!

Haven't seen the TV series yet but I read a published book of her diaries. Curious character - quite hung up on social conventions aside from the secretly-fucking-women part of it. I'm not sure she would have been pleasant to know, but interesting to study.

Yeah, the dates don't match up but maybe Anne Lister had a copy? I must find time to start reading her diaries, though they are extensive to say the least!

 

[XerXesXu]

Back in the 70's, when I bought my flat in Fitzrovia, my upstairs joint freeholder owner was a very theatrical lady in her 80's. When I told her I was unmarried, she told me that the ladies at No X in the next street were receiving callers - 'they're all very nice gels'. I later found that address in The Swells Guide for 1849.

 

[Nynah]

Between 1757 and 1795, Jack Harris (probably a pseudonym?) published a book of reviews of "Covent Garden ladies", London's ladies of negotiable virtue. Several editions are available here:

https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/harris-list-of-covent-garden-ladies/

Might be of interest for authors writing period pieces, either for character inspiration or for language, though I doubt all men of Harris' age were as fond of poetic description and heavy-handed metaphors. ("She is the daughter of a jeweller in the city, and is a very good judge of precious stones"...)

Thanks for sharing this, I had no idea something like this existed. It's a fascinating look into what people read hundreds of years ago and I'm morbidly fascinated reading through the various editions.

My brain greatly dislikes the long 's' character, though. If I have to read "coyneſs" one more time...

 

[astuffedshirt_perv]

You may also enjoy The girl with the swansdown seat : Pearl, Cyril

 

[KittyOfSteele]

...I suddenly am interested in looking for copies of that to add to my personal collection...

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I preferred the documentary show The Secret Diary of Anne Lister to the Gentleman Jack series.

 

[StillStunned]

I've decided that Convent Garden would make an excellent name for a prostitute's district in a sword & sorcery city.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I've decided that Convent Garden would make an excellent name for a prostitute's district in a sword & sorcery city.

"Covent" is indeed an old Anglo-French spelling of "Convent"; the lands that are now "Covent Garden" used to be owned by Westminster Abbey until Henry VIII's big land grab.

 

[StillStunned]

And more opportunities for "coming together" jokes.

 

[THBGato]

It's been a while since I read it, but I'm fairly sure that book (or one very similar to it) plays a significant role in Michel Faber's book "The Crimson Petal and the White", which was a very good read. I haven't seen the adaptation.

 

[Bazzle]

Between 1757 and 1795, Jack Harris (probably a pseudonym?) published a book of reviews of "Covent Garden ladies", London's ladies of negotiable virtue. Several editions are available here:

https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/harris-list-of-covent-garden-ladies/

Might be of interest for authors writing period pieces, either for character inspiration or for language, though I doubt all men of Harris' age were as fond of poetic description and heavy-handed metaphors. ("She is the daughter of a jeweller in the city, and is a very good judge of precious stones"...)

There was an interesting documentary on Covent garden a while back...BBC or Channel 4... Hmmm

 

[Bazzle]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0d4s5dm/the-peoples-piazza-a-history-of-covent-garden

 

[ElectricBlue]

It's been a while since I read it, but I'm fairly sure that book (or one very similar to it) plays a significant role in Michel Faber's book "The Crimson Petal and the White", which was a very good read. I haven't seen the adaptation.

Both are good.

 

[onehitwanda]

Thanks for sharing this, I had no idea something like this existed. It's a fascinating look into what people read hundreds of years ago and I'm morbidly fascinated reading through the various editions.

My brain greatly dislikes the long 's' character, though. If I have to read "coyneſs" one more time...

At least it's not Chaucer.

Personally, Covent Garden is possibly my third-least-favourite place in London.

Second is Oxford Street, first is the Croydon IKEA.

 

[Bramblethorn]

At least it's not Chaucer.

Personally, Covent Garden is possibly my third-least-favourite place in London.

Second is Oxford Street, first is the Croydon IKEA.

Not a fan of flatpacks?

 

[onehitwanda]

Not a fan of flatpacks?

I hate people, and I hate being constrained in my ability to get away from people, and I get claustrophobic in crowds...

IKEA is basically my Gom Jabbar. Rumours that it makes my head spin and causes me to manifest Ectoplasm are unproven and hurtful.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I hate people, and I hate being constrained in my ability to get away from people, and I get claustrophobic in crowds...

IKEA is basically my Gom Jabbar. Rumours that it makes my head spin and causes me to manifest Ectoplasm are unproven and hurtful.

Ah, I hear that. Very few times where I've been able to feel comfortable in a crowd.