Page:Edward Prime-Stevenson - The Intersexes.djvu/528

lived long enough to explain the affair, and then succumbed to his injuries.

We have already, in Chapt. VIII, mentioned the suicide of Major-General Hector Macdonald, of the British Army, in Paris, in 1903.

Some years ago, the pastor of a large German parish, a man of conspicuous worth, piety, esteem and usefulness, on consulting the local physician for an ailment of importance, was obliged to confess that he was homosexual. He had never violated his physical chastity. His Uranian sentiment, though indomitable and terribly clear to him, was kept within psychic limits. But the medical man mentioned the confession. The pastor was ruined socially and professionally. He killed himself, in despair.

In London, in 1906-1907, were to be particularized two suicides; in New York City in 1908 one notable suicide; in St. Petersburg (about a year ago) another suicide—all clearly indicated by the dead men to be from similisexual causes.

A brilliant Continental capital has lately added to the record an aristocratic suicide at least open to suspicion under its veiled reference—though of this particular tragedy conflicting explanations have been current:

"Over the melancholy death of the Hon. H— G— of the … Legation here, which occurred through the young diplomat's suicide a few days ago, nothing further can be stated. The funeral took place at three o' clock yesterday afternoon at the M— Cemetery. Most of the diplomatic corps were represented or present … At the grave, was made a brief and suitable address and a prayer … In course of the pastor's remarks he said: "We do not come here this afternoon to sit in judgement on the act of our young brother; but as friends to show our grief for him. We all Stand or fall in life by the grace of God." As to the still unexplained cause of the sudden act … the only person who can throw any light on it,… is understood to decline to utter a word on the topic, and says that he

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