ly, we are not deceived. Obviously Miss Tracy is a woman who can take care of herself; and she should not take this review as a challenge to a duel or even as a throwing down of suede gloves, a call to catty conflict. I acknowledge now that I could never win such a bout. Although A Number of Things is full of the cheaper tricks of caricature such as a man who lisps; although after an hour away from the book one cannot separate the characters individually from Miss Tracy's joke on the whole set even decisively enough to form a necessary Who's Who of its pages; and although the characters who receive her affectionate mockery seem rewarded over those who are more cruelly treated only by some arbitrary game that is as much literary and unreal as it pretends to be humane; Miss Tracy's book is a starry romp, full of wonderfully silly jokes, mick irreverence, and even-yes, the forepiece was right-a love of flowers.

Viewing the London scene with fresh eyes and viewing it "with an unencumbered (sic) brain," young Henry writes up the fruit of his observations, and beating Kinsey and The Sixth Man both, calls the result Gentlemen Prefer Gentlemen. Henry means the book as a satire, but it is taken up by the literary set, and those who believe professionally in Progress, as the real thing, as solemn as themselves; and suddenly Henry finds himself an uppercase, upper-class Success. The eminent critic, Dorian Marx-I did say Miss Tracy is wicked-offers Henry "a quiet evening a deux in his flat," and other prospects fly in. Henry accepts an assignment with a radical journal to report on the Caribbean, and from this point on, the dignified beards of all are scattered all over the place.

I do not know how much any of us enjoy having even those and that which we love most sometimes kidded, and even roughly handled, but I suspect it is a great deal, and I hope that Miss Tracy's book will have as large an audience among any who will open it only secretly at night, like some treasure of pornography, as well as those whose more shallow prejudices it may easily conjoin. I do not mean that those gentlemen who prefer gentlemen need be mettled; there is not enough of us for my own tastes, and I can think of nothing that would do this REVIEW more good than having Miss Tracy, along with Miss Iris Murdock, report (happy thought!) on a Mattachine Conference in San Francisco. Meanwhile, reader, you must be satisfied with this reporter, here; and while I uneasily sense that my comments can only add to Miss Tracy's joke, I take refuge in the pen-name I have adopted, knowing that under it I can get away with pretty much anything, and remain sorry only that I cannot do for Miss Tracy's book what Dorian Marx did for her hero Henry's. Then the joke would have been on tough Miss Tracy. To outplay her, one must outcamp her. Meanwhile, I leave her among her flowers, my readers with her book, and retire into my own garden. Hot-house variety, Miss Tracy, of course. I am a gentleman too.

mattachine REVIEW

READERS write

Letters from readers are solicited for publication in this regular monthly department. They should be short and all must be signed by the writer. Only initials of the writer and the state or country of residence will be published. Opinion expressed in pub. lished letters need not necessarily reflect that of the REVIEW or the Mattachine Society. No names of individuals will be exchanged for correspondence purposes.

KUDOS FOR “THE REJECTED"

REVIEW EDITOR: Just a note to tell you how much I appreciated "'The Rejected" -a more Intelligent, objective and taste ful production I have yet to see. It should bereshown at least every six months. Enclosed is a donation which I hope can be of some assistance in your work. Would you please use 5.00 of it for a year's sub scription to the REVIEW? I shall apply for membership soon. Miss A., Calif. REVIEW EDITOR: I am having a snack across the street from 693 Mission, about as close as I seem allowed to get to your offices and your library. Managed to get up here last night to see KQED telecast and think it very fine. Please announce in next issue for benefit of those across the country and elsewhere who could not see it that the transcript is available by sending a dollar to KQED. How unfortunate for those with the script only not to be able to see the fine faces of those who spoke. The three from your organization have gained valuable poise since having your pictures taken for one of the issues of the REVIEW a few years ago, and appeared last night as credits indeed to the human race. As to ideas that Impressed me most last night (for in reading I've gone over and over a majority of the other Ideas) is that of Bishop Pike that in com pulsion, "without freedom, there cannot be counted a sin," Blessed are the merciful—is it all right for me to quote like that? Mr. B. F., Califomla.

REVIEW EDITOR: After viewing "The Rejected," I feel free to contact your group. First let me thank you sincerely for having the courage to attempt such a showing. Two years ago I met a fine and wonderful man...we enjoyed an intermittent friendship, and last time I saw him, he advised me to read The Sixth Man, Nat-

urally I recognized a paṭtem in our friendship, but he hesitated to tell me... -Miss S. B., Califomia.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Dozens of phone calls, personal visits to the office, etc., have resulted from the TV program, with com ment that is unanimously praiseful of John W. Reavis, Jr., the writer, the parti cipants, and KQED for this project. "Ask the station to show it again," many have urged. From KQED, we learn the response has been "fantastic," ranking this show among the topmost for viewer response. However we do not know the statistics on letters KQED received, nor the per centage which condemned the subject material.

REVIEW EDITOR: In the literature you sent me you state the purpose behind the Mattachine organization is to make soclety aware sympathetically, to convince them that we too must take our place and do our part. You appeal to it so that we must be accepted. If I am correct in assuming this is the main purpose behind your group, I believe you are trying to water the desert with a pall.-Mr. J.M., Mexico City.

EDITOR'S NOTE: In a nutshell, the Mattachine aim is to use avenues of education, research and social service to erase centuries-old "anti-sexual" attitudes and replace them with sexual freedom within responsible limits. It calls for a change of law so that only three things would be forbidden by statute in the sex sphere: (1) public activity or display; (2) seductlon of minors, and (3) use of force, vio lence or fraud in sexual matters. By all meansthis DOES call for self-understandIngand self-acceptance as an initial step. INQUIRIES FROM ABROAD

REVIEW EDITOR: Please tell us of the 29