A History of Pornography  

"What is pornography to one man is the laughter of genius to another." "Pornography and Obscenity", D. H. Lawrence

"With a rational system of sex hygiene and education ... the worthless and unaesthetic pornographic product, which can only be productive of a sense of nausea and disgust, must disappear through lack of public demand, leaving only what is well-written and aesthetically satisfying. For, as this book has attempted to show, there is bad pornography, and also good or at least well-written pornography, which with changing social attitudes is gradually winning common acceptance."--A History of Pornography (1964) by Harford Montgomery Hyde

"We owe to Restif de la Bretonne what is perhaps the earliest precise description of a woman masturbating. In 1755 he knew a dark young woman, plain but well-made, and of warm temperament, educated in a convent. She was observed one day, when gazing from her window at a young man in whom she was tenderly interested, to become much excited. "Her movements became agitated; I approached her, and really believe that she was uttering affectionate expressions; she had become red. Then she sighed deeply, and became motionless, stretching out her legs, which she stiffened, as if she felt pain." It is further hinted that her hands took part in this manoeuvre (Monsieur Nicolas, vol. vi, p. 143)."--Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 1 (1897) by Havelock Ellis

"I ONCE knew a Prince and a great man who did even better, for he had of a goldsmith a very fair cup made of silver gilt, by way of a masterpiece and very especial curiosity, the most high-wrought, well engraven and cunningly chiseled piece of work could anywhere be seen. And thereon were cut most featly and subtly with the graver sundry of the postures from Aretino, of men and women with one another.

"Now feel ye not a something that doth touch you, ladies, at the sight?" [the Prince would ask]

"Nay ! never a one of all these droll images hath had power enough to stir me!" [would the women answer]

--Lives of Fair and Gallant Ladies (1665-66) by Brantôme, see women and pornography