Career As A Brothel Keeper
The reason for Hodgson’s decision to turn to brothel keeping in 1874 is unknown, but Historian Leanne Robinson suggests women had relatively few options open to them as a means to survive the economic uncertainty of life alone in the colony. Domestic service was poorly paid, as were the few occupations open to women – such as dressmaking and teaching. Hodgson’s establishment of brothels in the Little Lon district, suggests she received financial backing from "friends in high places", a charge also made by Melbourne’s Truth newspaper during their long campaign against her. Justin McCarthy also suggests the elite sex industry offered an attractive financial and social independence for women.
Hodgson’s principal establishment, which was also her home, was located at 32-34 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, not far from Parliament House. The building was extravagantly furnished and catered to Victoria's commercial, political and judicial ruling class, acting much as a gentlemen's club.
Eventually, Madame Brussels was forced to close in 1907, following increased efforts by the government to curtail prostitution.
Read more about this topic: Caroline Hodgson
Famous quotes containing the words career, brothel and/or keeper:
““Never hug and kiss your children! Mother love may make your children’s infancy unhappy and prevent them from pursuing a career or getting married!” That’s total hogwash, of course. But it shows on extreme example of what state-of-the-art “scientific” parenting was supposed to be in early twentieth-century America. After all, that was the heyday of efficiency experts, time-and-motion studies, and the like.”
—Lawrence Kutner (20th century)
“If you can’t get a job as a pianist in a brothel you become a royal reporter.”
—Max Hastings (b. 1945)
“There was a weasel lived in the sun
With all his family,
Till a keeper shot him with his gun”
—Edward Thomas (1878–1917)