In Today, a popular British weekly magazine, an article appeared early in 1962, by a woman, accusing the contemporary man of having lost his virility. She spoke of ‘sexually moribund men,’ of man’s failure, in consequence, as a marriage partner, and of his amatory deficiencies.
A response to these challenges appeared in a later issue. It was written by a factory worker who, from his own experience and that of his acquaintances and fellow-workers, refuted the first attack. He denied physical exhaustion. He asserted that the typical worker, by virtue of his constant application to his job, is kept continuously physically fit and capable. His knowledge, too, of the range of amatory procedures and practices has been widened by war contacts, by interchange of views and attitudes with many groups, foreigners, visitors, refugees. He added that the freedom of expression on such matters was an additional encouragement toward enlightenment. If anything, this typical worker concluded, it was the woman who was hesitant, indifferent, and un-cooperative.
In Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Sorcerer, a farcical treatment of the Black Arts, there is a scene involving love philtres and their effects:
Mr. Wells: Love-philtre—we’ve quantities of it ...
Alexis: I have sent for you to consult you on a very important matter. I believe you advertise a Patent Oxy-Hydrogen Love-at-first-sight Philtre?
Mr. Wells: Sir, it is our leading article. (Producing a phial).
Alexis: Now I want to know if you can confidently guarantee it as possessing all the qualities you claim for it in your advertisement?
Mr. Wells: Sir, we are not in the habit of puffing our goods. Ours is an old-established house with a large family connection, and every assurance held out in the advertisement is fully realized. (Hurt).