On the contrary, the feeling has been
rather one of elation in the consciousness of a capacity of
affection which appears to be finer and more spiritual than that
which commonly subsists between persons of different sexes. These
men are all of intellectual capacity above the average; and one
is actively engaged in the world, where he is both respected for
his capacity and admired for his character. I mention this
particularly, because it appears to be the habit, in books upon
this subject, to regard the relation in question as pathological,
and to select cases where those who are concerned in it are
tormented with shame and remorse. In the cases to which I am
referring nothing of the kind subsists.
"In all these cases a physical sexual attraction is recognized as
the basis of the relation, but as a matter of feeling, and partly
also of theory, the ascetic ideal is adopted.
"These are the only cases with which I am personally and
intimately acquainted. But no one can have passed through a
public-school and college life without constantly observing
indications of the phenomenon in question.
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