WOMEN UNDER POLYGAMY
number of young and charming women, is naturally exposed to very palpable temptation. In a word, he was not considered a safe chaperon and overseer. The risks of his defection from his responsible duties must be reduced as much as possible. He must be deprived of his masculinity.
Boys are dedicated to this profession from birth, and many of them aspire to enter this service. It is said that even to-day young boys of colour are sometimes abducted when the demand for more eunuchs arises. In other cases they are purchased by the Chief Eunuch and handed over to the surgeon.
The effect of emasculation must be noted, for it is of importance in a study of harem life. That the operation fails to achieve its chief purpose is fairly well known. Women of the seraglios have been known to elope with eunuchs and to marry them.
The result upon the secondary sexual characters are several, and very marked. There is a change in structure and appearance. The legs tend to lengthen; and in Cairo eunuchs are often recognised in crowds by their height. It is not true that the emasculated man is always dwarfed in stature. The voice becomes high-pitched and penetrating. From the musical point of view the Italian professional castrati, among singers, possess exceptionally beautiful voices.
Generally speaking, the male characteristics are
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