The Societies of Informers, The Societies for the Gathering of Information,
The Society for Reformation of Manners, etc. to oppose prostitution,
Sodomists, lesbians, and moral guardians etc. with the object of prosecuting
offenders of vice laws. This created a large population of supporting
blackmailers, thieves, as well as supporting Constables, Justices of the
Peace, Magistrates. People could be arrested, brought to the "Old Bailey",
incarcerated, transported, suffer the pillory, get flogged, or even be
hung by "Jack Catch" (the hangman). What was viewed as sexual deviance
could be very dangerous, even to aristocrats and religious leaders.
Thus "cruising" areas to pickup strangers became increasingly dangerous, thus
private or semi-private clubs, in pubs for example, became popular, but drew
attention too.
The Devil to prove the Church was a farce
Went out to fish for a Bugger
He baited his hook with a Frenchman's arse
And pulled up the Bishop of Clogher.
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