But while the history of the rise and development of prostitution shows us how indestructible and essential an element prostitution is of the marriage system which has long prevailed in Europe—­under very varied racial, political, social, and religious conditions—­it yet fails to supply us in every respect with the data necessary to reach a definite attitude towards prostitution to-day.  In order to understand the place of prostitution in our existing system, it is necessary that we should analyze the chief factors of prostitution.  We may most conveniently learn to understand these if we consider prostitution, in order, under four aspects.  These are:  (1) economic necessity; (2) biological predisposition; (3) moral advantages; and (4) what may be called its civilizational value.

While these four factors of prostitution seem to me those that here chiefly concern us, it is scarcely necessary to point 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