her case, where I believe that if it a sexual basis
this was not recognized by the parties concerned or their friends. Two
girls, over 20 years of age, passed in a corridor. A few words were
exchanged: the beginning of a very warm and fast friendship. They said it
was _not_ a 'rave.' They were absolutely devoted to one another, but from
what I know of them and what they have since told me, their feelings were
quite free from any sexual desires, though their love for one another was
great. When parted they exchanged letters daily, but were always
endeavoring to urge one another on in all the virtues, and as far as I can
gather they never gave way to any feeling they thought was not for the
good of their souls.

"Letters and presents are exchanged, vows of eternal love are made,
quarrels are engaged in for the mere pleasure of reconciliation, and
jealousy is easily manifested. Although 'raves' are chiefly found among
school-girls, they are by no means confined to them, but are common among
any community of women of any age, say, under 30, and are not unknown
among married women when there is no inversion. In these oases there is
usually, of course, no ignorance of sexual matters.

"Whether there is any direct harm in these friendships I have not been
able to make up my mind. In the case of school-girls, if there is not too
much emotion generated and if the sexual feelings are not indulged in, I
think they may do more good than harm. Later on in life, when all one's
desires and feelings are at their strongest, it is more doubtful."

III.

That the phenomena as found in the girls' colleges of America are exactly
similar to those in Italy and England is shown, among other evidence, by
some communications sent to Mr. E.G. Lancaster, of Clark University,
Worcester, Mass., a few years ago.

Mr. E.G. Lancaster sent out a _questionnaire_ to over 800 teachers and
older pupils dealing with various points connected with adolescence, and
received answers from 91 persons containing information which bore on the
present question.[279] Of this number, 28 male and 41 female had been in
love before the age of 25, while 11 of each sex had had no love
experiences, this indicating, since the women were in a majority, that the
absence of love experience is more common in men than in women. These
answers were from young people between 16 and 25 years of age. Two males
and 7 females have loved imaginary characters, while 3 males and not l