Courtesans (Text Only) by Katie Hickman

Author:Katie Hickman [Hickman, Katie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780007401642
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2003-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

Not much is known about the last years of Harriette’s life. Between 1821 and 1823, after her affair with Meyler, she fell into the clutches of a man named William Henry Rochfort. Rochfort – who called himself ‘Colonel’, although he had no claim to this rank, despite having seen some form of military service in India – was a flashy, bullying swindler about whom no one has ever had a kind word to say. Nor has anyone ever been able to explain what his hold on Harriette really was. Obviously the flashy, swindling type was attractive to her; and it has also been plausibly suggested that the ‘Colonel’ bore a certain physical resemblance to her adored Ponsonby. Either way, Harriette, who was now in her forties, fell for him sufficiently to go through a form of marriage – probably a so-called ‘Fleet’ marriage, by then of doubtful legality – after which she paid all his debts and helped to extract him from debtors’ prison. From prison the ‘Colonel’ moved to Paris with a now impoverished Harriette, and it was from here, in a desperate attempt to support them both, that her Memoirs were written.

The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson were published in twelve paper-covered parts between January and April 1825. They caused an immediate sensation. The clubs of Pall Mall were alternately scandalised and electrified by their contents; jokes were made in the House; and barricades were erected outside the publisher Stockdale’s shop in the Haymarket to hold back the besieging mobs.

At the end of each instalment was an advertisement giving the names of the people to be mentioned in the next number, thus giving them the chance to buy themselves out – if they had not already done so on receipt of one of Harriette’s special blackmailing letters. A wealthy merchant and politician, Edward ‘Bear’ Ellice, who received one such missive, with some courage immediately communicated it to all the daily and Sunday newspapers of standing. It was published in full (complete with grammar and spelling mistakes).

March 8th No 111 Rue du Faubourg St Honoré, à Paris.

Sir,

People are buying themselves so fast out of my book, Memoirs of Harriette Wilson, that I have no time to attend to them should be sorry not to give each a chance, if they chuse to be out. Two noble Dukes have lately taken my word, and I have never named them, I am sure – would say you might trust me never to publish, or cause to be published, aught about you, if you like to forward £200 [£10,000] directly to me, else it will be too late, as the last volume in which you shine, will be the property of the Edetor, and in his hands … Do just as you like – consult only yourself. I get as much by a small book as you will give me for taking you out, or more. I attack no poor men because they cannot help themselves.

Adieu. Mind I have no time to write

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