Having treated of a life of pleasures in general, the learned Redemptorist examines some of the amusements now in vogue, and treats at considerable length of modern dances, proving that many of them ought not to be tolerated in Christian society. St. Francis de Sales, indeed, and St. Alphonsus, both remarkable for their charity and meekness, admit that dances may be allowed when conducted with Christian moderation and propriety; but where scandal is given, either by immodest dresses, or gestures, or movements, and where there is danger of sin, they prohibit such amusements altogether. Gury, in his valuable compendium of moral theology, having quoted the authority of those saints, adds: "It is clear that dances rendered immodest by the dresses or the nudity of the persons engaged in them, or by the character of their movements or gestures, are grievously unlawful. To this class of dances are to be referred the polka, the waltz, the galop, and other similar modern introductions". He adds: "In practice, as they are generally very dangerous, all dances in which persons of different sexes engage are to be prevented as much as possible. Hence, parish priests and confessors should endeavour to withdraw their subjects and penitents from them". Our author confirms the teaching of Gury by the authority of several French and Belgian bishops. The venerable Archbishop of Lyons, Cardinal de Bonald, writing on this matter, says: "If you assist at a modern ball, will you not be tempted to inquire whether it is not a pagan spectacle to which you have been invited? Looking round in search of modesty, decency, or even propriety, you will not know where to rest your eyes, in the midst of shameless nudities and of lewd and slippery dances. Such assemblies ought not to be called Christian: they are unworthy of that name.... We are not surprised that the dances referred to have been carried from the great cities even to the remotest villages, for it was to be expected that the powers of Hell would endeavour to propagate a fashion, the origin of many evils, and well calculated to excite passions that cause many bitter but useless tears". The Bishop of Gand says: "Many who take part in modern fashionable dances justify themselves by the necessity in which they are placed; they must do as others do; they must keep up to the fashion of the day. Let such persons enter into themselves for a moment before the crucifix: there they will learn that Christ has not said, I am the custom or the fashion, but I am the way, the truth, and the life; that He has declared that no one can serve two masters; and that on the last day He will judge us, not according to the laws of fashion, but by the precepts of the Gospel--not by the example of others, but by the promises of our baptism".