Books › Chats on violins, 1905 › scan 29
Scan 29
Chats on violins, 1905
13 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 15. See the scan on archive.org.
1issued an order which forbade any other instrument save the rebec to be played in taverns and low places. And thus when the star of the real violin was just preparing to rise, its humble relation, the rebec, was voted an outcast and hopelessly doomed for the rest of its life.
3Few, if any, authentic specimens of this instrument now exist, but numerous representations of its original form are to be found in the pictorial representations of thirteenth century painters. During a recent visit abroad, I came across many such pictures in the ancient cathedrals and churches, and, oh! irony of fate! the rebecks were all in the hands of sweet little angels who seemed not at all disconcerted by clasping such a disreputable little person as Monsieur Rebec.
5As a fitting end, I may say with Scott (The rebec went):
7"To the wild dust from whence he sprung,
8Unwept, unhonoured, and unsung."
10Description of the Rebec.
12In shape it somewhat resembled a mandoline. It was played with a bow,
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