tion,- found him fraudulent or difficult to deal with. I could wish that men in our northern capitol behaved towards women with the regard and true politeness which they here always meet with. I have never once witnessed here any instance of incivility or rude behavior from a man to a woman—not even amongst the very poorest people. On my little promenades on the banks of the Tiber, La Ripetta, I have more than once seen, in the evening, young girls—sometimes barefooted—dancing together the Soldarella, or a gallopade; the men walked past, or occupied themselves with their various callings in the neighborhood, but on no occasion have I seen any of them disturb, or even talk to the dancing girls. And here, upon the Tarpeian rock, where occasionally on holiday evenings, the people dance to the mandolin or violin; the men dance with the women, all are well-dressed, and their propriety of manner and behavior are remarkable. One would say that in this people there is a natural refinement—at least outwardly—in the relationship between the sexes. How amiable and estimable would not this people be, if only—you know.
The month of May in Rome is a month of enchanting beauty. The light, the air, the verdure, the flowers,—what luxury of beauty and delight! The affluence of the country overflows even in the city; there is a luxurious abundance of vegetables and spring fruits. One sees the people, young and old, eating salad, peas, or fennel. It is said that for five bajocci, an Italian can be/ tolerably well supplied for the day. Bread and ricotta,—a kind of savory new-
