ysticism. It is usually
of a passive kind, but in this form so widespread as to constitute a kind
of epidemic. It was most manifest in institutions where the greatest
stress was placed on religious instruction.

The recreations of the school in question were quiet and enervating;
active or boisterous sports were prohibited to the end that good manners
might be cultivated. In the play-rooms, the girls observed the strictest
etiquette, and discipline was maintained independent of oversight by
teachers. Mercante could hardly believe, however, that the decorum was
more than external.

Later, when the girls broke up, they were found in pairs or small groups,
in corners, on benches, beside the pillars, arm in arm or holding hands.
What they were speaking of could be surmised. "Their conversation and
confidences came to me indirectly. They were sweethearts talking about
their affairs. In spite of the spiritual and feminine character of these
unions, one element was active, the other passive, thus confirming the
authorities on this matter, Gamier, Regis, Lombroso, Bonfigli."

Mercante found the points of view of the two members of each pair to be
quite different in moral aspect. "One takes the initiative, she commands,
she cares for, she offers, she gives, she makes decisions, she considers
the present, she imagines the future, she smoothes over difficulties,
gives encouragement and initiative, she commands, she cares for, she
offers, she gives, she docile, gives way in matters of dispute, and
expresses her affection with sweet words and promises of love and
submission. The atmosphere, silent and quiet, was, however, charged with
jealousy, squabble, desires, illusions, dreams, and lamentations."

Mercante's informant assured him that practically every girl had her
affinity, and that there were at least twenty well-defined love affairs.
The active party starts the conquest by making eyes, next she becomes more
intimate, and finally proposes. Women being highly adaptable, the
neophyte, unless she is rebellious, gets into the spirit of it all. If she
is not complaisant, she must prepare for conflict, because the prey
becomes more desirable the more the resistance encountered.

Opportunity was offered to Mercante to observe some of the correspondence
between the girls. Though of indifferent training and ability in other
respects, the girls speak and write regarding their affairs with most
admirable diction and style. No data ar