Books › Notice of Anthony Stradivari, 1864 › scan 70
Scan 70
Notice of Anthony Stradivari, 1864
4 lines. Read by computer on 16 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1The labours of Gaspard di Salo, John Paul Magini, and the Amati established the present form of the violin, invented in the sixteenth century, and suddenly carried to a state of perfection that is not one of the least astonishing facts in this century so teeming with wonders. If we compare this instrument with one of those viols whose use was retained in France to the time of Rameau (1750)—and which are commonly known by the name of quintons—we shall find it difficult to conceive that, from a thing so imperfect, there arose, from the first attempt, an instrument whose form we have in vain endeavoured to modify in latter times; and from which we have neither been able to take, nor to it to add, anything, without causing deterioration.
3In short, there is nothing more admirable than the acoustical relations of the violin: in proof of which, it will suffice to give a simple account of its construction. Its body, the length of which is from 35 to 36 centimètres [13.779 to 14.173 in.], has a breadth of 21 centimètres [8.268 in.] in its widest, and of 11 centimètres [4.331 in.] in its narrowest, part. Its greatest thickness does not exceed 6 centimètres [2.362 in.]. Its sides are so thin that the weight of the body of the instrument is not more than about 240 grammes [about 8½ oz. avoirdupois]; yet, this machine, so frail in appearance, presents a surprisingly energetic resistance to the causes of destruction which continually act upon it; for the violin has supported during centuries a tension of from 40 to 42 kilogrammes [from about 88 to 92 lbs.], and a pressure of 12 kilogrammes [about 26½ lbs] on its weakest part. Its symmetrical figure—its graceful
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