ObscureMedia

I never thought I'd ever read a review of a prostitute. But here goes. First entry.

Miss D—vis, No. 22, Upper Newman-street.

Artful ways beguile the implicit rake.

THIS is a fine lively girl, about twenty-one, rather above the middle size, genteely made; has several good friends, but is much attached to young Br—om, the lottery-office-keeper, who is now in prison, where she often visits him; is ever obliging, and seldom out of humour, understands a great deal of her business, and never fails to please. She enjoys her favourite man with ecstasy; and pleases, with cold indifference, managed by art, the rest of her votaries; who are content with thinking they have fathomed the deepest part of a girl so replete with sensation; in short, she can so well counterfeit the passions of love and lust, that many of the most knowing rakes of the town would be easily deceived. This lady occupies the parlour.

So she became a prostitute because her groom is in prison? Because she needs money I guess? It seems like people at that time were very open with exploiting the unfortunate.