“At an early age I was left much alone in the nursery and there contracted the habit of masturbation long before the age of puberty.  I use the word ‘masturbation’ for want of a better, though it may not quite describe my case.  I have never used my hand to the penis.  As far back as I can remember I have had what a Frenchman has described as ‘le fetichisme de la chaussure,’ and in those early days, before I was 6 years old, I would put on my father’s boots, taken from a cupboard at hand, and then tying or strapping my legs together would produce an erection, and all the pleasurable feelings experienced, I suppose, by means of masturbation.  I always did this secretly, but couldn’t tell why.  I continued this practice on and off all my boyhood and youth.  When I discovered the first emission I was much surprised.  I always did this thing without loosening my trousers.  As to how these feelings arose I am totally unable to say.  I can’t remember being without such feelings, and they seem to me perfectly normal.  The sight, or even thought, of high boots, or leggings, especially if well polished or in patent leather, would set all my sexual passions aflame, and does yet.  As a boy my great desire was to wear these things.  A soldier in boots and spurs, a groom in tops, or even an errand-boy in patent leather leggings, fascinated me, and to this day, despite reason and everything else.  The sight of such things produced an erection.  An emission I could always produce by tightly tying my legs together, but only when wearing boots, and preferably leggings, which when I had pocket money I bought for this purpose. (At the present moment I have five pairs in the house and two pairs of high boots, quite unjustified by ordinary use.) This habit I lapse into yet at times.  The smell of leather affects me, but I never know how far this may be due to association with boots; the smell suggests the image.  Restraint by a leather strap is more exciting than by cords.  Erotic dreams always take the form of restraint on the limbs when booted.

“Uniforms and liveries have a great temptation for me, but only when of a tight-fitting nature and smart, as soldiers’, grooms’, etc., but not sailors’; most powerfully when the person is in boots or leggings and breeches.

“I was a quiet, sensitive boy, taking no part in games or sports.  Have always been indifferent to them.  I made few friends, but didn’t want them.  The craving for friendship came much later, after I was 21.  I was a day boy at a private school, and never had any conversation with any boy on sexual matters, though I was dimly aware of much ‘nastiness’ about the school.  I knew nothing of sodomy.  But all these things were repulsive to me, notwithstanding my secret practices.  I was a ‘good boy.’

“Up to the age of 21 I was perfectly satisfied with my own society, something of a prig, fond of books and reading, etc.  I