PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
The text of the first edition has been revised and corrected, but, apart from some points of detail, the subject matter has not been changed. The examples at the end of Chapter V (First Edition) no longer form a special appendix; they have been included in the parts of the book which specially concern them; some of them have been omitted as being superfluous.
In that domain with which we are concerned the French public are too much afraid, I think, of crudities and of calling things by their proper name. By veiled words and by indirect locution one may say anything, but I have decided not to employ such subterfuges in treating of such a vital social question with the seriousness that it requires. It seems that there is a fear of young people hearing the sexual question spoken of freely and openly; but it is not taken into account that in hiding these things under half-understood words one only excites their curiosity, and, owing to their being blindfolded, they are delivered into the snares and surprises of debauchery.
I cannot better illustrate the error that I have just pointed out than by quoting, among several others of the same kind, a letter which I have received from a young girl, aged 21 years, intelligent, virtuous, educated, and well brought up, but without restraint.
Having read my book she put several questions to me to which I replied. On my part I requested her to tell me frankly:
(1). If, in her opinion, I had been mistaken in my judgement of the sexual psychology of the normal young girl; (2). If my book had done her the least harm, moral or otherwise.
I begged her to criticise me without pity, for I wished above all things to be clear on the effect produced by my book. This is her letter:
ix
