Books › the history of the violin, 1864 › scan 249
Scan 249
the history of the violin, 1864
2 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 227. See the scan on archive.org.
1much veined, with reddish varnish approaching to yellow. A violoncello is also mentioned of middling size, with the back in two parts, the wood fine, and the varnish red, verging on brown; the violoncello of Count Wieliehorsky is said to be known to all the musical world. Mons. Servais, the celebrated performer at Brussels, had a violoncello of large pattern of extraordinary power, with a silvery mellowness of tone. We may here observe, that in stating certain celebrated instruments to be in the possession of particular persons, changes may occasionally have taken place since our notes respecting the ownership were originally made, so that our remarks may be considered to apply to the present or comparatively recent ownership. Mons. Franchomme, the skilful violoncellist, had an instrument of the smaller pattern that formerly belonged to Duport, and of the greatest value, 500l., it is said, having been asked for it. A very fine violoncello was brought over by the Earl of Pembroke in the last century, and by him given to Sperati, then one of the principal performers of the day; it became afterwards the property of Mr. Morse, and at the sale of his musical property, in June 1816, was purchased by the third William Forster for Mr. Cervetto, jun., at the price of 105l. After his death it was purchased by the distinguished musician, Mr. Lucas for 200l. and ultimately became the property of Mr. Charles Finch of Staines. A curious circumstance may here be mentioned, which was related by the younger Cervetto himself to one of the writers of this work. The elder Cervetto, before he entered the musical profession, had been an Italian merchant, and had dealt with Stradiuarius himself in musical instruments, and brought some of his make over to England; but as he could not obtain as much as five pounds for a violoncello,
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