[Letter IX] My chapter of amusements ought to include likewise a brief notice of the Neapolitan conversazioni. […] After a bow to the masters of the house, you are under no restraint; you look for your own friends, chat, play, or do as you please. And once introduced, you are, without further invitation, welcome to frequent the conversazioni of the house as often as you find it convenient. The hours, however, are intolerably late.

Private musical parties are very frequent, and at them you often meet with amateurs, particularly vocal, of the first rate abilities. But public concerts, where you pay for admission, are very scarce. The Neapolitans have so much good music in their theatres and churches, that they would be loth to be at any expence to procure more. Of public balls and masquerades, likewise, I have hitherto seen or heard nothing. How it may be in winter, I do not know.