ACTON'S WISDOM
229
abundant evidence on this subject," and goes on to epitomize his
findings for the reader.
I should say that the majority of women (happily for them)
are not very much troubled with seXual feeling of any kind.
What men are habitually, women are only exceptionally. It
is too true, I admit, as the divorce courts show, that there
are some few women who have sexual desires so strong that
they surpass those of men. ... I admit, of course, the existence
of sexual excitement terminating even in nymphomania, a
form of insanity which those accustomed to visit lunatic asylums
must be fully conversant with ; but, with these sad exceptions,
there can be no doubt that sexual feeling in the female is in
the majority of cases in abeyance . .. and even if roused (which
in many instances it never can be) is very moderate compared
with that of the male. Many men, and particularly young men,
form their ideas of women's feelings from what they notice
early in life among loose or, at least, low and vulgar women.
. . . Any susceptible boy is easily led to believe, whether he is
altogether overcome by the syren or not, that she, and there–
fore all women, must have at least as strong passions as himself.
Such women however give a very false idea of the condition
of female sexual feeling in general. Association with the loose
women of London streets, in casinos, and other immoral haunts
(who, if they have not sexual feeling, counterfeit it so well that
the novice does not suspect but that it is genuine), all seem
to corroborate such an impression, and . . . it is from these
erroneous notions that so many young men think that the
marital duties they will have to undertake are beyond their
exhausted strength, and from this reason dread and avoid
marriage. . . . The best mothers, wives, and managers of house–
holds, know little or nothing of sexual indulgences. Love of
home, children, and domestic duties, are the only passions
they feel.
As a general rule, a modest woman seldom desires any
sexual gratification for herself. She submits to her husband,
but only to please him; and, but for the desire of maternity,
would far rather be relieved from his attentions. No nervous
or feeble young man need, therefore, be deterred from marriage
by any exaggerated notion of the duties required from him.
The married woman has no wish to be treated on the footing
of a mistress.
