  A compact formula for the stress tensor inside a self-gravitating, triaxial
ellipsoid in an arbitrary rotation state is given. It contains no singularity
in the incompressible medium limit. The stress tensor and the quality factor
model are used to derive a solution for the energy dissipation resulting in the
damping (short axis mode) or excitation (long axis) of wobbling. In the limit
of an ellipsoid of revolution, we compare our solution with earlier ones and
show that, with appropriate corrections, the differences in damping times
estimates are much smaller than it has been claimed.
  This version implements corrections of misprints found in the MNRAS published
text.
