I hired a harpsichord, and, for half a crown, I had at my apartment four or five symphonists, with whom I practised once a week in executing such airs, etc., as had given me most pleasure at the opera.

I also had some symphonies performed from my 'Muses Galantes'.
Whether these pleased the performers, or the ballet-master of St.John Chrysostom wished to flatter me, he desired to have two of them; and I had afterwards the pleasure of hearing these executed by that admirable orchestra.

They were danced to by a little Bettina, pretty and amiable, and kept by a Spaniard, M.Fagoaga, a friend of ours with whom we often went to spend the evening.

But apropos of girls of easy virtue: it is not in Venice that a man abstains from them.

Have you nothing to confess, somebody will ask me, upon this subject?
Yes: I have something to say upon it, and I will proceed to the confession with the same ingenuousness with which I have made my former ones.
I always had a disinclination to girls of pleasure, but at Venice those were all I had within my reach; most of the houses being shut against me on account of my place.