ty has
no clear effect either in diminishing or increasing its prevalence. This
must necessarily be so as regards the kernel of the homosexual group, if
we are to regard a considerable proportion of cases as congenital. In
France homosexuality _per se_ has been untouched by the law for a century;
yet it abounds, chiefly, it seems, among the lowest in the community;
although the law is silent, social feeling is strong, and when--as has
been the case in one instance--a man of undoubted genius has his name
associated with this perversion it becomes difficult or impossible for the
admirers of his work to associate with him personally; very few cases of
homosexuality have been recorded in France among the more intelligent
classes; the literature of homosexuality is there little more than the
literature of male prostitution, as described by police-officials, and as
carried on largely for the benefit of foreigners. In Germany and Austria,
where the law against homosexuality is severe, it abounds also, perhaps
to a much greater extent than in France;[272] it certainly asserts itself
more vigorously; a far greater number of cases have been recorded than in
any other country, and the German literature of homosexuality is very
extensive, often issued in popular form, and sometimes enthusiastically
eulogistic. In England the law is exceptionally severe; yet, according to
the evidence of those who have an international acquaintance with these
matters, homosexuality is fully as prevalent as on the Continent; some
would say that it is more so. Much the same is true of the United States,
though there is less to be seen on the surface. It cannot, therefore, be
said that legislative enactments have very much influence on the
prevalence of homosexuality. The chief effect seems to be that the attempt
at suppression arouses the finer minds among sexual inverts to undertake
the enthusiastic defense of homosexuality, while coarser minds are
stimulated to cynical bravado.[273]

As regards the prevalence of homosexuality in the United States,
I may quote from a well-informed American correspondent:--

"The great prevalence of sexual inversion in American cities is
shown by the wide knowledge of its existence. Ninety-nine normal
men out of a hundred have been accosted on the streets by
inverts, or have among their acquaintances men whom they know to
be sexually inverted. Everyone has seen inverts and knows what
t