Old Jane always held Drury Lane bawds and whores in the utmost contempt, though she was herself the most notorious bawd in the precincts of Covent Garden. She was above the mean practice of sending out her daughters and children (for so the bawds style their whores) at night, in order to pick up gallants, and bring them home. She made them sit at the parlour window, and by that means they brought her in more customers than they could have done by patrolling about the streets.

            We have already spoken of the chemical secrets which she made use of, in order to solder shattered m––s. These she at last brought to such perfection, by some hints communicated to her by her good friend Madam P––s, that she has often made her girls' maidenheads last them the year round: and has sometimes sold them, at ten guineas a time.

            Madam P––s was likewise of great service to her in another respect. She constantly recommended Jane's house to the foreign gentlemen who frequented there: and Jane, who always took care to cultivate a useful friendship, never failed to return the good office, by addressing the noblemen and gentlemen who honoured her with their custom to Madam P––s, when they took a trip to France.

            She likewise kept up a constant correspondence with most of the noted bawds in the three kingdoms, which proved highly serviceable to her, both in procuring new faces, and new customers.

            During the course of her life, however she was exposed to various troublesome adventures; once in particular, having found means to decoy a young lady, who had quitted her relations, to her house, she had recourse to all her arts to make her see company. But the young lady found means to evade them, and escape from her house.

            The affair, coming to the knowledge of some of her relations, they resolved to be amply revenged on Jane, who would certainly have been put to great trouble, had not she had better interest than any of her profession. Indeed Jane's interest was so good, that she was seldom without a friend at court, which gave her such confidence, that she proceeded with great resolution in her business and her success was in great measure owing to her boldness, according to the Latin proverb, Audaces fortuna juvat.<139>

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