Having frequently heard that St. James's Park was a noted place for assignations, I resolved upon a ramble thither, where I saw abundance of women, who by their immodest carriage did readily minister cause of suspicion that their design of coming thither was not good, and perceiving one who was more fine than ordinary walking by herself, I addressed myself to her, saying, "Madam by your choice of a solitary walk in these pleasant shades, I am apt to think you are in love, and do very much wonder at the rudeness and indifferency of your lover, who should expose you to the inconveniency of walking here alone: I cannot think," says I, "madam, that any man who may have the happiness of such a beautiful companion can be so cruel to himself as to neglect keeping his appointment, and therefore am apt to conclude that something extraordinary hath befallen your sweetheart, else he would never have been so rude as to have suffered you to come hither first." She replies, "Sir, I perceive you are a very complaisant gentleman and fit to be a courtier, but you may be pleased to know that nowadays, when so many men are destroyed by the wars, and that in the course of nature it happens so, that there are as many if not more females born than males, it is impossible there should be a man for every woman, and therefore of necessity some of our unhappy sex must be exposed to languish for want of such conversation as nature hath fitted them for, and for aught you know, sir, I may be one of the unfortunate number." "It's impossible," says I, "madam, that so much beauty should languish upon any such account, if you please to accept a glass of wine from me, I should take your company as a very great compliment." "Sir," says she, "you seem to be so generous and civil, that though it be not my custom to do so, yet I shall not refuse you," and so we went to her own lodgings in –– Street, which I found very neat and handsomely furnished, and having sent one whom she called her maid for a bottle of sack, I began to discourse her thus; "Madam you hinted as if you were one who languished for the conversation, and therefore I hope you will be the more kind to one who offers you his company so freely." She replied, "Sir, I must live by my favours, and no man shall enjoy my company for less than a guinea per night." "Madam," says I, "I am afraid that it's the greatness of your price, more than the scarcity of men that makes you languish." "Why truly, sir," says she, "I always keep company with the best, for I know that those who have money won't debase themselves to meddle with common prostitutes, that's only for carmen, porters and such-like fellows, who follow cheap jilts, and are commonly poxed for their pains; whereas gentlemen and those of better condition will be more careful of their health, and seek out paramours who afford them more delight than what they can expect from such trulls." "Madam," answered I, "I pity your misfortunes, that you should follow such course of life as will certainly ruin both soul and body, you cannot but know that your sparks expose you and are not ashamed to make their brags to one another of their infamous converse with you, which does eternally blast your reputation; and whereas you fancy that they don't pollute themselves with common strumpets you are mistaken, you know their common saying, that foul water will quench fire, and if you have not been already envenomed with the foul disease, you cannot promise yourself long freedom from it; and that which is more dangerous than all, you not only expose your body and reputation but likewise your soul, for God hath denounced eternal wrath against whoredom and adultery, whereas had you lived virtuously you might in all probability have got a good husband, or if you break off this ungodly way of living, you need not yet despair of getting one, for the God of nature hath been very liberal in endowing you with a very handsome person and a comely face, so that I wonder very much how you came first to be engaged in this abominable course." "Why truly," sir, "says she with a sigh, I am a gentlewoman by birth, but my father dying intestate, a covetous miserable brother would not allow me any portion, though I had several suitors, who according to the custom nowadays court the money but not the person, which did so enrage me, that I left my brother's house in a fret, thinking myself disgraced, that where my parentage and education was known, I should not find one gentleman who could find his heart to make me his wife without a portion; and coming to London one of those beasts called procurers or bands quickly found me out, and taking advantage of my necessities, did easily draw me aside, and delude me into this vile practice, which I must confess I abhor when I have any calm or sedate thoughts, but when I think of abandoning this way of living, then my former straits stare me in the face and weakens my resolve." Upon this I advised her to break off in good earnest from that vile course of life and trust providence; and for her encouragement told her the story of a young gentlewoman much in the same circumstances, who being betrayed into a body-house, and sent to offer her company to a gentleman who came in thither by chance, he perceiving her aim, desired that she would carry him to a private room, but after she had showed him all the house, he told her there was never a room private enough to hide them from the eyes of God, and read her such a severe lecture against her loose way of living, that she protested if she could but subsist any otherwise, she would abandon that impious trade, upon which concealing her circumstances he recommended her as a friend of his to rich citizen, to look after his children, where she behaved herself so well that she gained the love of the whole family; and her mistress dying, her master thought he could not make choice of a fitter person for his wife, and he dying in a year or two after left her a young and wealthy widow, which as is usual brought her abundance of suitors. It happened in the meantime that the gentleman who had reclaimed her from her debauched life, and was the instrument of all her after happiness, suffered great losses by sea, so that his debtors running upon him, he was kept a long time in prison, and became very poor, insomuch that when he had liberty to go abroad he was ashamed to be seen of any of his acquaintance; but this widow happening to see him one day in the street, in a ragged suit, she was generously moved with compassion towards him, that she sent him an hundred pound by a friend of hers to put himself in a better condition, and inviting him afterwards to her house, made choice of him for her husband, which was very acceptable to the honest gentleman in those circumstances, and so they lived very comfortably together for many years. When I had done with my story the gentlewoman was extremely pleased with it, and wished she might have the like fate, I told her my good wishes and endeavours should not be wanting, if she could give me any assurance of a reformation, and could submit either to work at her needle for a livelihood, or to go a servant into an honest family; but that I could not for my credit's sake speak for her till I had some grounds to think she did seriously repent, and therefore I desired her to write to me after she had seriously considered the matter, which she promised, and paying for my wine bid her good night.

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