ustom.--This made the Gentlewoman ask her what Trade
she follow'd (for she was Ignorant she was a Bawd)--Madam, reply'd the old
Crone, You have so far engag'd me by your Generosity, I can deny you
nothing; and therefore if you please, I'll give you the History of my Life:
In which you may perhaps find something that may be diverting: For I have
in my time run through varieties of Changes, and met with very odd
Rencounters: Which if I may not too much Trespass on your patience, I'll
relate to you with all the Brevity I can.--To which, with an obliging Bow,
the Gentlewoman told her, she shou'd esteem herself indebted to her for so
great an Obligation.--And then the Bawd began as followeth.

Madam,

_Before I give you that Account of my Life which I design, I think my self
obliged first of all, to answer the Question you were pleas'd to put to me,
_viz. What Trade or Calling 'tis I follow_, the knowledge of which, will
make that I shall afterwards relate, the more Intelligible to you._

Know therefore, _Madam_, That the House which I now keep, is a House of
Convenience for Gentlemen and Ladies: And goes under several Denominations:
Some call it _The School of Venus_, others a _Vaulting School_; other the
_Assignation-House_: And some that are my Enemies, bestow upon it the Title
of a _Bawdy-House_; but this Title I neither lay claim to, nor take
Pleasure in. Tho' I confess, my Business is to help a Gentleman that is in
distress, to the Enjoyment of a Gentlewoman; and a Gentlewoman that has the
like occasion, to a Gallant. In which I always take care to help either Sex
to that which may be for their Purpose; and always Warrant those I help 'em
to, to be Safe and Sound; for I Value my Reputation more, than to put a bad
Commodity into any Man's hand. I am not unsensible that this is decried as
a very unlawful Calling; but for my part, to be plain with you, _Madam_, I
am of another Opinion: For Nature that has given us Appetites, has also
given us an Inclination to satisfie 'em; and 'tis no more than the
Satisfying the Natural Desires and Inclinations of Men and Women; that I
concern my self about. I know it will be Objected that Marriage is
appointed as a Remedy in that Case. And to those that are equally Match'd,
without any Impediment on either side, I grant it: And whether there be any
such Impediment, or not, they can best tell, that have such Wives or
Husbands. It is not my Business to ask 'em and if they do't without
o