Books › the history of the violin, 1864 › scan 241
Scan 241
the history of the violin, 1864
9 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 219. See the scan on archive.org.
1A manufactory of spurious instruments seems to have been established in the Black Forest, where instruments of all the great masters were provided, just as choice pictures of the most renowned ancient painters can now, it is said, be provided to order; and, as it is whispered also, that instruments of any of the old makers may yet be found by the curious in these matters, who have sufficient confidence, and believe somewhat in the lines of Hudibras—
3 "Doubtless the pleasure is as great,
4 Of being cheated as to cheat."
6In the eighteenth century these imitations were numerous, and were generally called Midwalders. They were sometimes oddly shaped, and had a dark brown and ugly varnish, occasionally it was too red and bright to be taken for old varnish. The genuine violins of the great masters may be readily distinguished by any person of tolerable experience, by their superior workmanship and form, and by their mellow and sweet tones. Some instruments have been improved in consequence of an accidental fracture, when after the repair, if skilfully done, the tone of a dull or stiff instrument has been benefitted. Dr. Forster mentions one that was trod upon and crushed by Signora Columba, and was so improved after the accident that it bore the motto, "a vulnere pulchrior." We cannot, however, recommend the experiment, for in one instance certainly of decided fracture that has come before our notice, the improvement was very problematical.
8The celebrated Jacob Steiner was born at Absom, a village of the Tyrol near Inspruck, about 1620. He was intended for the church, but would not apply to the necessary studies, his mind being set on the manufacture of violins; and while yet almost a child he made some
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