A N

ACCOUNT

OF THE

RISE, PROGRESS, and PRESENTSTATE

OF THE

MAGDALEN CHARITY.

T

HAT in the prefent difordered ftate of things, there will always be brothels

and prostitutes, is a fact but too indifputable, however unpleafing. Any attempt to prevent this evil, would be no less impoffible than impolitic, in the opinion of many; abfurd in itself, and productive of the worst confequences. Now, though we fhould fubfcribe to this reafoning, and allow this neceffity; yet furely there is no neceffity, that the wretched inftruments of paffion, the unhappy women affigned to this base service, should endure all the extremities of mifery, and perish in troops, unpitied, and unregarded, as if they were not fellow-creatures, and fellow-heirs of eternity. This hath long

been the voice of humanity. And as the exquifite diftreffes of deluded young women, have not, could not escape obfervation; many benevolent wishes have been vented both from the lips and from the pens of different perfons *, that fome' method might be thought of, fome humane fcheme devised, for the relief of these pitiable fufferers; for their refcue from calamities, of all others moft fevere, because, then, without remedy.

But, from whatever caufe, the good defign rested only in wishes and no man had either magnanimity, virtue, influence or addrefs enough to carry it into execution: till Mr. DINGLEY rofe fuperior to mean and popular prejudices; and depending on the goodness of his caufe, and the integrity of his intentions, offered to the public in the year MDCCLVIII, an excellent plan, peculiarly his own; to which the following Introduction was prefixed, which does great honour to that gentleman, and well deferves the reader's attention.

1

66 Noble and extenfive are the charities already established in this Metropolis; unfortunate Females feem the only objects who have not yet catched the attention of public benevolence but we doubt not, it will appear on re

*Among the reft, fee the Gentleman's Magazine for April 1751; and the Rambler, No 107.

flection,

flection, a task of as great compaffion and confequence, neceffity and advantage, to provide a place of reception for them, as for any under the protection of the public.

"Humanity, with its utmost efforts, pleads their caufe more powerfully than any thing which can be offered on the subject; and it is obvious. to every mind, from its own experience, that there cannot be greater objects of compaffion, than poor, young, thoughtless Females, plunged into ruin by thofe temptations, to which their very youth and perfonal advantages expofe. them, no less than thofe paffions implanted in our nature for wife and good ends. Surround. ed by fnares, the moft artfully and induftriously laid; fnares, laid by thofe endowed with fuperior faculties, and all the advantages of education and fortune; what virtue can be proof against fuch formidable feducers, who offer too commonly, and too profufely promife, to transport the thoughtless girls from want, confinement, and restraint of paffions, to luxury, liberty, gaiety, and joy? And when once feduced, how foon their golden dreams vanish! abandoned by the feducer, deferted by their friends, contemned by the world, they are left to ftruggle with want, defpair, and fcorn; and even in their own defence to plunge deeper and deeper in fin, till difeafe and death conclude a miferable being.

"It is too well known, that this is the cafe with most of the Prostitutes in their feveral degrees, fooner or later, from thofe pampered in private stews, to the common dregs infefting our streets: and that far the greatest part of those who have taken to this dreadful life, are thus feeking difeafe, death, and eternal destruction, not through choice, but neceffity. The feeds of virtue would exert themselves; but, alas! the poffibility is removed. The fame neceffity obliging them to prey on the unwary, diffufes the contagion; propagating profligacy, and fpreading ruin, disease, and death, almoft through the whole human species.

"What act of benevolence, then, can be greater than to give these real objects of compaffion, an opportunity to reclaim and recover themselves from their otherwife loft ftate; an opportunity to become, of pefts, useful members of fociety, as it is not doubted many of them may and will?

"Numbers, it is hoped, amongst our countrymen, famed through every nation for their humanity, will readily and gladly bear a part in fo benevolent a defign, and rejoice to promote an undertaking, which will at once be a bleffing to the community, and an honour to human nature,"

Happy

Happy in the approbation of the public, Mr. DINGLEY, with the concurrence of feven worthy friends *, (whofe names deserve to be had in remembrance, and whofe characters would do honour to any undertaking) began the generous fubfcription. Thefe gentlemen made themselves accountable for whatever money fhould be fubfcribed; which very foon amounted to three thousand pounds and upwards :-fufficient proof of the good difpofitions of mankind to fo humane an undertaking, and a fuccefs, we believe, unparallelled by any charitable propofal. A commodious place in Prefcott-Street was immediately engaged for the charity; and, after feveral previous meetings of the Subfcribers, to confider the plan, to choose proper officers, and to settle all requifite preliminaries, THE HOUSE was opened on the 10th of August 1758, when eight unhappy objects were admitted .