Re: Castrating Boys And Adolescents
Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 8:54 pm
From history:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_de ... %89vremond
The letter of Charles de Saint-Evremond (c.1685) encouraging a young page called Dery to be castrated:
"Clumsy and coarse people have been talking to you bluntly about having yourself castrated: an expression so ugly and so detestable that it would have revolted anyone less sensitive than you. ["Don't call it 'mutilation.'"] As for me, ... I shall try to obtain what is best for you in a less unpleasant way, and shall indicate as gently as possible that you must have yourself "rounded off" by means of a minor operation which will ensure the delicacy of your complexion for a long time and the beauty of your voice for ever ... The advantages that follow the operation are widely recognised today, and if Monsieur Dery in his natural state could have one mistress, Monsieur Dery when rounded off could have a hundred. [Castrati were popular among noblewomen, partly because of their sterility, and they were able to have sex to some extent.] ... You will have no wife, so you will be exempt from something very bad, You will be happy at at having no wife, happier still at having no children. Monsieur Dery's daughter would get herself pregnant, his son would get himself hanged and, what is most certain, his wife would make him a cuckold. Protect yourself from all these calamities by one swift operation; you will remain devoted entirely to yourself, proud of such a small advantage that will make your fortune and
cause everyone to be your friend.
How would you react if you received a such a letter? At these times, age and context?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_de ... %89vremond
The letter of Charles de Saint-Evremond (c.1685) encouraging a young page called Dery to be castrated:
"Clumsy and coarse people have been talking to you bluntly about having yourself castrated: an expression so ugly and so detestable that it would have revolted anyone less sensitive than you. ["Don't call it 'mutilation.'"] As for me, ... I shall try to obtain what is best for you in a less unpleasant way, and shall indicate as gently as possible that you must have yourself "rounded off" by means of a minor operation which will ensure the delicacy of your complexion for a long time and the beauty of your voice for ever ... The advantages that follow the operation are widely recognised today, and if Monsieur Dery in his natural state could have one mistress, Monsieur Dery when rounded off could have a hundred. [Castrati were popular among noblewomen, partly because of their sterility, and they were able to have sex to some extent.] ... You will have no wife, so you will be exempt from something very bad, You will be happy at at having no wife, happier still at having no children. Monsieur Dery's daughter would get herself pregnant, his son would get himself hanged and, what is most certain, his wife would make him a cuckold. Protect yourself from all these calamities by one swift operation; you will remain devoted entirely to yourself, proud of such a small advantage that will make your fortune and
cause everyone to be your friend.
How would you react if you received a such a letter? At these times, age and context?