Page:Magdalen, or, The history of a reform'd prostitute.pdf/16

 It would be superfluous, Sir, to tell you the horrid situation I was now in, since this is an evil but too commonly known: I was again a ruined wretch; and besides this a beggared prisoner, destined to every misery that human nature is capable of. My very soul abhored my manner of living; but alas, I knew not, I could not apprehend any method of redress! Some months I was compelled to the drudgery of this detestable life; and as ours was a much frequented house, mine was the more deplorable a fate: With some difficulty I again found means to apply to my uncle and my sister, but they were as obdurate as the flint. Good God, that neither wretchedness, relationship, prayers, nor intreaties should avail! If thou wast as severe as our fellow creatures, what must become of sinful mortals!

But that I may not be tedious: at length, Sir, myself and the rest of our unhappy sisterhood, were delivered from our prison, and dispersed by the disgrace of our mistress, who for some misdemeanor fell into the hands of justice. But alas! I was then as much to seek as ever. Sally***, with whom I had contracted a friendship, advised me to go with her to some public office, and there to enquire for a place: but at these offices we were again and again rejected, unable, as we were, to refer any where for a character: and too plainly as our improper dress discovered our manner of life. We