The Mystery of Alexina

From the newspaper “L'Echo Rochelais,” July 18, 1860: “People in our city are talking about a strange and extraordinary metamorphosis. A woman of 21, a remarkable teacher, has lived unaware of her true nature until now — meaning that she believed she was what everyone thought she was: a pious, modest young woman. But a chance occurence recently sowed doubt in her mind. The love she felt for another young teacher named Sara sparked a genuine explosion of her senses. Because of the scandal that stirred everyone in the small village where she exercised her profession, she decided to call on science for help. It was found that an error had been made in regard to her sex. The young woman was, in fact, a young man . . .”