« Not so in a hurry, good gentleman! », Sex advice from the world’s first column, London 1690

From orgasm to onanism – in London in the 1690s, The ATHENIAN Mercury answered questions that no one else dared to touch

The idea that would lead to the first column of personal advice in the world came to John Dunton while walking in a London park, one spring day of 1691. Dunton, a 29-year-old printing person who liked to spend time in the capital’s cafes discussing a long-time friends of the time- gaps in knowledge. His solution, when he came, was simple.

He would publish a leaflet twice a week – free to be produced and widely distributed by the street sellers of the capital – with anonymous readers’ questions, and with the answers to be given by Dunton himself and his two sister -in -law: Richard Sault, a mathematician, and Samuel Wesley, a clergyman.

Anonymity was essential. Imagine a crowd in cafes (mostly young and only male) discussing astronomy. What if one of them did not know if the Earth revolved around the Sun or the opposite, but was afraid to display its ignorance? He could send the question confidentially to the Dunton leaflet, and read the answer in a later number. The Athenian Mercury, as the newspaper became known, would function as a kind of « search engine » of modern early times.

The first number was printed on March 17, 1691; Today we would say that Dunton’s idea became viral. Within a few weeks, so many letters were arriving that the « Athenians » (as Dunton and his companions) began to pray in vain to stop people from sending questions so that they could afford the flood of demands.

Then, in number 13, one reader posed a completely different set of questions. Among other things, he asked if people often got married for money instead of love, and if couples marry many young people. Then came an even more startling question, from a « lady from the province », asking if women could send questions. Now, the Athenians had to review the identity of their readers, as they would already answer questions not only from outside the city, but – more surprising – from the « wise of both sexes ».

‘The only legitimate charm to secure love is love’: detail from the young man writing a letter (about 1664) by Gabriel Metsu Credit: Stefano Bianitti

And so The Athenian Mercury evolved to the first column of personal advice in the world: not because Dunton had planned it, but because readers asked for it. Some of the questions (a selection of which is reproduced below, along with the answers to the newspaper), were general: « Is there any real power in spells, charms, love powers, elixirs, etc., to win love? » asked a reader in September 1691. « The only legal tool to gain love is love, » Athens replied, « accompanied by dedication, diligence and prudence, and illuminated by fair and virtuous acts. »

The first scandalous questions were not too late. Using an ordinary trick (which Athenians knew well), a man claimed to be writing for a friend: « A friend of mine has a risk of remaining a baby at the door, » he wrote. « The mother admits that he has not slept with her only once, and then she was a virgin. The question: Is it possible to lose virginity and get pregnant at the same time? »

The Athenians responded according to the belief widespread in the 1690s, that a woman could not get pregnant without reaching orgasm.

« A virgin, the first time, experiences a lot of pain and efforts to be able to participate in the act properly, » they replied. « Moreover, the acceleration of a young man pushes him to do what comes naturally before the crucial moment. No doctor would be relentless enough to deny the possibility of such an act, but most would decide on things that are almost impossible. »

Love, 17th Century Style: Details from Nymphs near a fountain (about 1650) by Peter Lely Credit: Alamy

Women’s readers also sought advice on misconduct. « A gentleman ruined by money on whom nature has poured its graces to make an irresistible tool to melt the hearts of the gentle gender, deceived me by taking me what belongs only to a man, and now wants to marry me, » one woman wrote in July 1693. With a good wealth, as a man I like, if I had not seen my graceful deceiver before.

The Athenians responded – as they usually did in such cases – with moral rebukes: « First, repent; then, either stay unmarried, or marry what you know so well, because you cannot marry any other. We have published this so that others can learn from your example. »

Although the letters were anonymous, they give us an extraordinary overview of people’s personal lives in the past. For readers, the pleasure of learning about the sins of others was irresistible.

The Athenian Mercury was published for six years; By the last issue on June 17, 1697, the content had passed more towards essays and poetry. Dunton’s diseases and the pain of his wife’s death in May 1697 appeared to have influenced his decision to interrupt the publication.

Then he took an act that the Athens themselves had advised against – married quickly for money. When his wealthy mother -in -law, already widowed, realized the reason for the marriage, refused to help him further financially, and he was quickly separated from the young woman. Which proves perhaps that when it comes to heart issues, no matter how expert we are in the problems of others, solving yours is never a walk in the park.

Taken us « The Telegraph »

Prepare: Albert Vataj / KJ