Greetings, loyal minions. Your Maximum Leader sees that Robbo has linked to another site and a positively salacious posting concerning the Harris guide to Covent Garden Ladies or Man of Pleasure’s Kalender. On Gail’s site (Scribal Terror) she provides some excerpts from the 1773 edition of the Harris guide.

Waaaaay back in 2003 your Maximum Leader saved an article (the thinks from The Times of London) that he planned on making into a blog post. He never did - until now that is. In late 2003 a copy of the Harris guide from 1790 was sold at auction for £5,170. At the time your Maximum Leader was able to save some published excerpts from the Harris guide of 1790. He now provides them for your reading pleasure (as it were).

MISS BROWN. No 14 Old Compton Street, Soho.

This pretty little bit of luscious stuff is not above 19. She is remarkably full-breasted for her age.

A certain gentleman was so enamoured with her pouting orbs, which before they attained their present extent he compared to two poached eggs, that he desired to cover them with two banknotes of twenty pounds each whenever he regaled himself with such a luxuriant banquet.

MISS NUNN. No 15 Compton Street.

If carroty locks create lewdness (as if believed by some) we need not wonder at this lass’s fire, she is so amply stored with it both above and below.

During your engagement you should be particularly cautious, just at the coming of the heat, not to suffer her teeth to come in contact with any tender part.

We have known a case where a gentleman lost part of his tongue upon the occasion.

MISS LIVEBON. No 32 George Street.

This lady is a daughter of fortune, having a pretty good income left her by an old flagellant whom she literally flogged out of this world.

She is happily constructed for this bizarrerie, as the French call it, being of middle size and well set together.

She never leaves off till her patient (for patient he must be in our opinion) is completely gratified.

MISS BROWN. No 9 John Street.

You have an excellent nymph to while away an hour with.

Here are youth, spirit, figure and blood to the back-bone; a good face and a fine eye!

Her mouth is rather wide; but those who have experience say this is no index, for her abilities in spermatic hydraulics are improved by an able and extensive practice.

MISS CARTFEN. No 31 York Street.

So violent is she in her passions and of so amorous a constitution, that in the arms of an equally lewd partner, she never wishes to fall in the arms of sleep.

We should therefore advise none but the most experienced, none but the truly amorous, none but those furnished with the best parts, to engage in the contest.

Come ye then metallic Hibernians, ye brawny Scots, and ye genuine beef-eating Britons, replete with health, vigour, youth and money.

MISS BETSEY HARTON. No 38 Upper Grosvenor Street.

As amorous as you could wish, five guineas.

This pleasing charmer is a native of Newcastle, and as amorous as the warmest devotee would wish.

Betsey is of a very fair complexion, beautifully formed, very chatty and an agreeable companion; she is elegant in her dress and is very active either in bed or up, and not the least tinge of vulgarity.

MISS POLLY REBFEN. No 35 Union Street, Middlesex Hospital.

Pretty, panting bubbies, one guinea.

If a stranger to Polly wishes to see her in her most engaging capacity he must take her to bed and she will soon convince him that the face is not always a proper index to the state of her parts below.

She will twine and twist, sigh and murmur, pant and glow with unfeigned emotions, and never be tired of love’s game.

MISS HANNAH BUTCHER. No 30 Queen Anne Street.

Captain R fell in the way of this sprightly Amazonian girl and soon learnt her to perform all her manoeuvres in a masterly manner, particularly bush-fighting under cover, which she will do in any position the musket can be placed in.

Her advances and retreats are performed in a very engaging manner.

She possesses in her manner a certain je ne sais quoi that makes her a very desirable piece.

MISS BROMLEY. No 1 Poland Street, Soho.

She is very good natured and is said to be thoroughly experienced in the whole art and mystery of Venus’s tactics.

In plain English she is a delightful bedfellow of about 18 years of age and well worth a couple of guineas.

MISS DIGAM. No 31, Goodge Street.

Miss Digam is rather short and inclined to be lusty.

Her complexion is dark, as are also her eyes and hair, which, added to a good set of teeth, render her an agreeable piece for the winter season to those who are not over-nice about delicacy.

It must be acknowledged that she has a little piece of the vixen in her and when she gives way to passion she can be a dangerous associate.

However, this lady can curb her temper occasionally and become very good company, especially in bed, where George S calls her the feather bed of bliss furnished with two pillows of delight.

According to the original article, Harris’ guide could be purchased at any London bookseller’s for two shillings and sixpence.

One wonders if Deborah Jeane Palfrey provided such a list to her clients….

Carry on.