A general system of dependence and patronage makes the plebeian kneel before the man of the middle class, who again kneels before the prince, who in his turn kneels more humbly than all the others before the sovereign clergy.
At twenty leagues' distance from Rome there is very little kneeling; beyond the Apennines none at all.

When you reach Bologna you find an almost French equality in the manners: for the simple reason that Napoleon has left his mark there.
The absolute value of the men in each category increases according to the square of the distance.

You may feel almost certain that a Roman noble will be less educated, less capable, and less free than a gentleman of the Marches or of the Romagna.

The middle class, with some exceptions which I shall presently mention, is infinitely more numerous, more enlightened, and wealthier, to the east of the Apennines, than in and about the capital.

The plebeians themselves have more honesty and morality when they live at a respectful distance from the Vatican.
The plebeians of the Eternal City are overgrown children badly brought up, and perverted in various ways by their education.