Page:The London Guide and Stranger's Safeguard.djvu/140

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124
CIVILITY TO LADIES IN

they would throw out their allurements to the men as they passed,—beckoning them in. This has, however, been put down by order of the magistrates, on which account we should not have noticed it—our plan being rather to notice the evils that be, than those that have been—but as it may revive, and is very likely still to exist in u, small degree, we think it part of our duty to warm incautious persons how they accept such invitations. Women so stationed are, for the most part, diseased, or under a course of medicine, which disables them from sallying forth;—the consequences of entering would be obvious and painful; and he who suffered death by such a step, deserves burying at a cross road, with the old English law inscription "Felo-de-se," placed over him.

It would be endless, and almost useless, but not at all entertaining, to enumerate all the means made use of to claim your attention by day:—by night, the address is more lascivious, but meant to be equally fascinating, being addressed to your grosser animal faculties and functions.

To call a coach for a lady, whoever or whatsoever she may be, is no great piece of service to perform by one of our sex for the other; neither to hand her over the gutter, or across a street;