Scan 56
A Review Of Ancient And Modern Violin Making, 1899
4 lines. Read by computer on 18 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1student of facts could be expected to accept this as an evidence of the use of oil varnish? Let us examine this same letter and see how far the facts justified his conclusions. In the first place, no new violin has large cracks to be filled; and secondly, if the cracks were of such a character that the sun might open them, varnish would be no hindrance. Besides this, violins are never exposed to the rays of the sun. It is more likely that the violin referred to was a broken one that had been sent for repairs, and after having glued the cracks Stradivarius gave it varnish that dampness might not soften the glue and thus open them. It could not have been the sun he feared, as this would have glued the cracks more firmly.
3But granting this to be correct. The length of time required for the varnish to dry was not stated. It might have been only one day, while even a month would have been no proof that it was an oil varnish. I sometimes use a spirit varnish that will not dry under three months sufficiently to finish properly. This might have been taken for an oil varnish with much greater appearance of truth. It is remarkable what a small degree of evidence will satisfy one when it points toward what he wishes to believe.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.