se I cannot
quite trace, I certainly had it in a degree when a youth, and it became
stronger owing to the remarks of some French women. The men I saw
fucking at Camille's had very large pricks, and no doubt they were
selected on that account for exhibition; but I did not know that then,
and used mentally to compare mine with theirs, and also with those of
some of my former schoolfellows, and to my disadvantage.

With many harlots of both high and low class I had talked about size;
each told me of men who had big pricks, rarely of those who had small
ones. Experience has since taught me that harlots like talking about big
pricks, for size affects their imagination agreeably. Of ridiculously
small ones they make mention for a laugh, the average sizes pass without
their notice. I used to ask them how mine compared with the big ones
they spoke of, and got at last into my head the erroneous opinion about
my own machine. At times I would produce it with an apologetic remark.
"My prick's not a very big one, is it?"--and was much pleased when the
woman's reply was complimentary. I know now from the inspection of many
men's, that mine compares very favorably with the average, and is larger
than most; but for many years I was of a very different opinion, and at
times was almost ashamed of my prick, so much so that when a woman said
it was as large as most, and many said that. I did not believe them,
still less did I believe them when they said it was a handsome prick;
then I thought they were hum-bugging me.

Now as I add these few words written years after the foregoing, and
after having seen some dozens of pricks, both languid and erect, I know
what they said was true, and I know that there is a size, a form, a
curve, and a colour in pricks which makes some handsomer than others,
just as undoubtedly there are ugly and handsome cunts.

CHAPTER XVII.

Irish Kate.--Drink, heat, fleas, and French letters.--The
bricklayer afterwards.--I give luck.--The lost breast-pin.--
The cholera's victim.

One hot night in summer I slouched along one of the streets, and stopped
in front of a woman who stood lolling against the door-post. I recollect
her and my first sensations perfectly well, her white face, and dark
hair hanging behind her in a net, her low dress, low in front,--showing
a luscious neck and bust as white as her face. Her dress was of a very
light colour, so her neck and face must have been white indeed