reover, while it is true that the actual tendency to homosexual
attraction only appeared after he had read Krafft-Ebing and come
in contact with inverts, such influences would not suffice to
change the sexual nature of a normally constituted man.

It may be added that H.C. is not attracted to normal males. As
regards his moral attitude he remarks: "I have no scruples in the
indulgence of my passion. I perceive the moral objections
advanced, but how speculative they are, and constructive; while,
immediately, inversion is the source of so much good." He looks
upon the whole sexual question as largely a matter of taste.

I regard the foregoing case as of considerable interest. It presents what
is commonly supposed to be a very common type of inversion, Oscar Wilde
being the supreme exemplar, in which a heterosexual person apparently
becomes homosexual by the exercise of intellectual curiosity and esthetic
interest. In reality the type is far from common; indeed, an intellectual
curiosity and an esthetic interest, strong enough even apparently to
direct the sexual impulse in any new channel, are themselves far from
common. Moreover, a critical reading of this history suggests that the
apparent control over the sexual impulse by reason is merely a superficial
phenomenon. Here, as ever, reason is but a tool in the hands of the
passions. The apparent causes are really the results; we are witnessing
the gradual emergence of a retarded homosexual impulse.

HISTORY XXVIII.--English, aged 40, surgeon. Sexual experiences
began early, about the age of 10, when a companion induced him to
play at intercourse with their sisters. He experienced no
pleasure. A little later a servant-girl began to treat him
affectionately and at last called him into her bedroom when she
was partially undressed, fondled and kissed his member, and
taught him to masturbate her. On subsequent occasions she
attempted a simulation of intercourse, which gave her
satisfaction, but failed to induce emission in him. On returning
to school mutual masturbation was practised with schoolfellows,
and the first emission took place at the age of 14.

On leaving school he became a slave to the charms of women, and
had frequent coitus about the age of 17, but he preferred
masturbating girls and especially in persuading girls of good
position, to whom the experience was entir