There are in Venice four of these Female Hospitals [where musical education was common] […] Every Sunday and Holiday there is a Performance of Musick in the Chapels of these Hospitals, Vocal and Instrumental, perform'd by the young Women of the Place; who are set in a Gallery above, and (tho' not profess'd) are hid from any distinct View of those below, by a Lattice of Iron-work. The Organ-parts, as well as those of the other Instruments, are all perform'd by the young Women. They have an Eunuch for their Master, and he composes their Musick. Their Performance is surprisingly good; and many excellent Voices there are among them: and there is somewhat still more amusing, in that their Persons are conceal'd from view.