a woman who proflutes herself for hire, especially to people of superior rank. Lais, the famous Theban courtefian, stands on record for requiring no less than 10,000 crowns for a single night. Of all places in the world, Venice is that where courtefans abound the most. It is now 300 years since the senate, which had expelled them, was obliged to recall them; in order to provide for the security of women of honour, and to keep the nobles employed lest they should turn their heads to make innovations in the state.