Hard to reconcile those 'nights of pleasure' Nelson referred to with the image of the pair of them wearing nightcaps - they are faintly ridiculous garments, aren't they? Particularly the wee-Willie-Winkie sort for gentlemen.
But looking at my copy of Vic Gatrell's book on sex and satire in eighteenth century London, I find there are lots of ladies wearing nightcaps, be-ribboned frilly bonnets, even splendidly towering confections with feathers, and not much else, as they engage in lively romps.
Vic Gatrell's book, by the way, is excellent - a serious, scholarly but highly entertaining survey of the eighteenth century love of satire, scurrility and bawdy humour. Just don't leave it around when Aunt Agatha comes to stay. The illustrations are eye-popping.
Vic Gatrell: City of Laughter: sex and satire in eighteenth century London
Atlantic Books (2006) ISBN 13 978 1 84354 322 0
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