Full citation:Peakman, Julie. 2004. Lascivious Bodies: A Sexual History of the Eighteenth Century. Atlantic Books, London. Chapter 8 “Tribadism: ‘A New Sort of Sin’”
This is a general survey of sexuality in the 18th century. This summary only covers chapter 8 “Tribadism: A New Sort of Sin.” It opens with a quatrain from the satirical poem “The Adulteress” which unambiguously uses “tommy” in reference to sex between women, then move on to a summary of the life of Catherine Vizzani. The Vizzani text represents a medical view still focused on the one-sex model and the interpretation of lesbianism as a form of hermaphroditism.
Other examples are quoted that demonstrate a belief in spontaneous sex-change from female to male. Other quotations reference the belief that masturbation or sex between women could result in clitoral enlargement, which could then be used for penetrative sex. But in contrast, medical opinions were appearing that recognized variation in female anatomy and denied the existence of “true hermaphrodites.”
The article surveys vocabulary used for women who loved women, including tribade, sapphist, and more rarely, lesbian. There is a survey of references to sex between women in literature, including Manley’s The New Atalantis and Fielding’s The Female Husband.
Moralistic literature criticized sex between women, though sometimes attributing it to foreign lands, as in Satan’s Harvest Home, or specifically linking the practice with Sappho. Esther thrills gossipy condemnations are mentioned. [Note: I believe there is an inaccurate implication in the author claiming that Anne Damer “adopted men’s garb,” as the description I’m aware of refers to her wearing a man’s hat, shoes, and jacket, whereas “men’s garb” implies complete cross-dressing.]
On the whole, however, although anxieties and criticisms of lesbianism are common in the documentary record, this didn’t veer into ostracization. It was transgressive, but more serious condemnation was reserved for passing women who lived as men. The distinction in treatment is seen in that the female partners of passing women were less condemned.
Several more detailed case studies are summarized: Benedetta Carlini, Catherine Linck, and Mary Hamilton (though the article is much too credulous of Fielding’s fictional biography). The norms and situation of intimate female friendships is discussed, followed by a summary about Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, and a discussion of Anne Lister.
The legal situation of lesbianism in England is discussed, noting that prosecutions were limited to “female husbands,” and those typically when some other complaint brought the matter to light. The more difficult legal situation in Holland and Germany is noted, where sex acts alone might be prosecuted. Variety of lesbian archetypes is noted, with differences in how they were viewed by society.
The next section discusses the treatment of sex between women in erotic literature, originating with French texts, but then appearing in English translations and editions. Erotica blurred the line between masturbation and lesbian sex, including the use of dildos.
The chapter ends with a summary of the main themes discussed above, emphasizing the variety of ideas, images, and practices associated with sex between women in the 18th century.