Scan 82
Chats to violin students on how to study the violin, 1895
10 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 68. See the scan on archive.org.
1instruments in many ways resemble the Maggini violins. After this period there is a change in the style of instruments, and the name of Benjamin Banks is really the first of importance among English makers. He was born in Salisbury in 1727, being a worshipper of Amati's and copying him minutely and in the best examples most successfully, his varnish being remarkable for its richness in variety of tints, transparency and mellowness. Several other members of his family were also makers.
3Richard Duke, born 1768, is the best known English maker, and I have come across some remarkably fine specimens of his work, the great difficulty being to be sure of their genuineness; there are so many counterfeit instruments passed off as his. He also copied Amati closely.
5John Betts, born in Lincolnshire, 1755, and his son Edward studied with Duke, and have left some very admirable specimens behind them. Following the example of their master their instruments are naturally copies of the Amati.
7The Forster family, who divided their attention originally between spinning wheel and violin making, flourished about the middle of the last century, and their work as violin makers is excellent in every way. W. Forster, born in 1739, is the best workman, the material used and labour expended being remarkably fine. His varnish was excellent in its way.
9Richard Tobin, born about 1800, studied in Ireland and has left some very beautiful instruments.
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