aside; and
Mrs. Cole giving me up, with special recommendation, to their caresses
and entertainment, went about her ordinary business of the house.

The sameness of our sex, age, profession, and views, soon creased
as unreserved a freedom and intimacy as if we had been for years
acquainted. They took and shewed me the house, their respective
apartments, which were furnished with every article of convenience and
luxury; and above all, a spacious drawing-room, where a select revelling
band usually met, in general parties of pleasure; the girls supping
with their sparks, and acting their wanton pranks with unbounded
licentiousness; whilst a defiance of awe, modesty or jealousy were their
standing rules, by which, according to the principles of their society,
whatever pleasure was lost on the side of sentiment, was abundantly made
up to the senses in the poignancy of variety, and the charms of ease and
luxury. The authors and supporters of this secret institution would, in
the height of their humour, style themselves the restorers of the golden
age and its simplicity of pleasures, before their innocence became so
unjustly branded with the names of guilt and shame.

As soon then as the evening began, and the shew of a shop was shut, the
academy opened; the mask of mock-modesty was completely taken off, and
all the girls delivered over to their respective calls of pleasure
or interest with their men: and none of that sex was promiscuously
admitted, but only such as Mrs. Cole was previously satisfied with their
character and discretion. In short, this was the safest, politest, and,
at the same time, the most thorough house of accommodation in town:
every thing being conducted so, that decency made no intrenchment upon
the most libertine pleasures; in the practice of which, too, the choice
familiars of the house had found the secret so rare and difficult, of
reconciling even all the refinements of taste and delicacy, with the
most gross and determinate gratifications of sensuality.

After having consumed the morning in the dear endearments and
instructions of my new acquaintance, we went to dinner, when Mrs.
Cole, presiding at the head of her club, gave me the first idea of her
management and address, in inspiring these girls with so sensible a
love and respect for her. There was no stiffness, no reserve, no airs of
pique, or little jealousies, but all was unaffectedly gay, cheerful and
easy.

After dinner, Mrs. Cole, seco