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Friday, February 10, 2023

Harlots of the Barbary Coast

There was such a dearth of females in the San Francisco of gold-rush days that a woman was almost as rare a sight as an elephant, while a child was an even more unusual spectacle. It is doubtful if the so-called fair sex ever before or since received such adulation and homage anywhere in the United States; even prostitutes, ordinarily scorned and ostracized by their honest and respectable customers, were treated with exaggerated deference. Men stood for hours watching the few children at play; and whenever a woman appeared on the street, business was practically suspended. She was followed through the town by an adoring crowd, while self-appointed committees marched ahead to clear the way and to protect her from the too boisterous salutations of the emotional miners.

7 comments:

  1. Interesting subject, but the writing is so bad I had to give up reading it.

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    1. I've featured these authors many times. There's nothing wrong with the writing, matter of fact it's downright educational.

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    2. Don't find it bad at all. The phraseology does appear to be "of a certain time." Maybe that is what throws you off. YMMV.

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  2. IIRC, "Paint Your Wagon" had a scene where the miners were paying to hold a baby.

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  3. 'Harlot' is such an uncouth term. I prefer 'Soiled Dove'. It's so much more dignified.

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  4. females are still rare in SF

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