ARTICLE

OUT OF THE PAST

Ransvestia

(Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from Havelock Ellis' Etonism. Although published many years ago it seemed a worthwhile contribution to TVia since it shows that even 80 years ago there were men with the courage to live life as they wanted to—but also that there were local people who could be tolerant of such out of the ordinary behavior. The article was called to my attention by Carole MA-5-A.)

It may be worth while to quote a typical case thus reported in the press. In the Alienist and Neurologist for July, 1895, is found the following quotation from the Journal of Lewiston, Maine: "Commander James Robbins, of Cooper's Mills, in this State, is one of the prominent men of his community, a citizen generally esteemed as a man of integrity and intelligence. Mr. Robbins has a brilliant war record. He has lived in the village since 1883 and is a jeweler. His house is a neat cottage house on the brow of the hill as one drives into the Mills. In the narrow front hallway is Mr. Robbins' bench, lathe, and tools, and here you will find him placidly working away at the tiny wheels and springs.

"If you are on sufficiently intimate terms with Mr. Robbins you will find him indulging in his hobby. He has one, like most of us. In his case the hobby is startlingly picturesque, and it may be safely said that he is the most original man in the State of Maine, so far as his curious fancy is concerned. He wears petticoats. Not when he goes down the street for the mail and to do his marketing. At these times he slips on the masculine pantaloons. Yet he does ot wear his trousers even like the ordinary masculinity. No suspenders for him. He wears a

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