Akind of epidemical disorder has hastened our departure from Rome, and I shall pass the months of August and September here. – You desire me to send you some account of the women. I am surprised you have not already received a letter I wrote to you from Rome, wherein I mentioned the Roman Ladies. – It is said that their manners are still more corrupt at Naples; however, I was at a ball yesterday, and I returned even edified by the constancy of the Neapolitan Ladies. – They chose a partner for the whole year, and during that time never dance with any other; yet they are said to shew their fidelity in no other kind of engagement. – There is a woman here, of whom they tell you adventures that appear incredible, if they were not confirmed by people of probity: she was at the ball yesterday, and spoke several times to my son. – I observed that Theodore did not answer her with great politeness – to-day I reproached him for it; he replied, Madame de D. is so despicable! – and, because she is despicable, would you appear to have received an imperfect education? besides, in shewing disrespect to Madame D. you fail in that politeness you owe to more deserving women. – How? – Certainly – since Madame D. is admitted into company, you cannot be uncivil to her without being uncivil to all the Ladies of the party. – Always remember, that a man of sense and delicacy should appear to behave with respect to all women; and that he can never have the air of a man of distinction, if he takes any liberty even with the least amiable: – he should never seek the company of those he believes unworthy, but in public he should ever treat them with deference – this conduct will gain him the esteem of those whose interest and acquaintance he ought to cultivate; – in short, believe me, it never becomes a man to appear to despise the other sex.