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Ellis, Havelock, 1859-1939

"Sexual Inversion"

Yet we are nervous rather than
phlegmatic. All that is on the father's side. My maternal
ancestors have been concerned with farming and the sea and have
also had a similar lack of business capacity, but with less
mental adaptiveness and alertness, with more steadiness of
purpose, however, always doers rather than dreamers. Among them I
remember one cousin who was probably abnormal, although he died
when I was too young to notice much. Again, they were all rather
reserved people, but more genial with strangers, more socially
inclined, and with less self-control.
"I was an only child and a spoilt one. I was always quick at
school, fond of learning, and finding my lessons no trouble.
Serious study I disliked. But for school purposes I did not find
it necessary, and had no difficulty in carrying all before me. I
was never fond of games, although very fond of being out of doors
and of walking. Few of my relatives have been at all keen on
sport. I made no close friendships at school and was never very
popular with my schoolfellows, who, however, tolerated my odd
ways better than might have been expected.


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