is extremely true and well observed. I am in complete agreement with a friend with whom I have often discussed your book; we young girls are very little attracted by the purely sexual side of marriage, and we should prefer to see children come into the world by some other way than that ordained by Nature. This will, perhaps, make you laugh. However, I think you will understand my feelings.
"When I had finished reading your book I became absolutely tranquil, and my ideas were enlightened. It goes without saying that is no longer possible for me to be ingenuous, but I should like to know what one gains by such naïvety. It is very easy to be innocent when one knows nothing, and this is of no account. I never thought for a moment to find your book immoral, and that is why I do not think you have done me any harm. Excuse me for having written at such length, but I could not abbreviate when dealing with such a serious question."
The author of this letter has, at my request, authorised me to publish it anonymously. I think that the candor, the loyalty and immaturity of judgment of the sentiments expressed by this young girl are of much more value and are much more healthy than all the prudishness and false shame of our conventional morality.
Dr. A. Forel.
- Chigny près Morges (Suisse).
