nt out that many other
causes contribute to produce and modify prostitution. Prostitutes
themselves often seek to lead other girls to adopt the same paths;
recruits must be found for brothels, whence we have the "white slave
trade," which is now being energetically combated in many parts of the
world; while all the forms of seduction towards this life are favored and
often predisposed to by alcoholism. It will generally be found that
several causes have combined to push a girl into the career of
prostitution.

The ways in which various factors of environment and suggestion
unite to lead a girl into the paths of prostitution are indicated
in the following statement in which a correspondent has set forth
his own conclusions on this matter as a man of the world: "I have
had a somewhat varied experience among loose women, and can say,
without hesitation, that not more than 1 per cent, of the women I
have known could be regarded as educated. This indicates that
almost invariably they are of humble origin, and the terrible
cases of overcrowding that are daily brought to light suggest
that at very early ages the sense of modesty becomes extinct, and
long before puberty a familiarity with things sexual takes place.
As soon as they are old enough these girls are seduced by their
sweethearts; the familiarity with which they regard sexual
matters removes the restraint which surrounds a girl whose early
life has been spent in decent surroundings. Later they go to work
in factories and shops; if pretty and attractive, they consort
with managers and foremen. Then the love of finery, which forms
so large a part of the feminine character, tempts the girl to
become the 'kept' woman of some man of means. A remarkable thing
in this connection is the fact that they rarely enjoy excitement
with their protectors, preferring rather the coarser embraces of
some man nearer their own station in life, very often a soldier.
I have not known many women who were seduced and deserted, though
this is a fiction much affected by prostitutes. Barmaids supply a
considerable number to the ranks of prostitution, largely on
account of their addiction to drink; drunkenness invariably leads
to laxness of moral restraint in women. Another potent factor in
the production of prostitutes lies in the flare of finery
flaunted by some friend who has ad