Books › the history of the violin, 1864 › scan 281
Scan 281
the history of the violin, 1864
2 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 259. See the scan on archive.org.
1It will be seen by the varnish that he adheres to early recollections of colour, similar to the lutes and viols of old, by using a dark brown with a blackish hue, as if produced by nitric acid and accelerated in drying by heat, which heightens the colour, after which a coat or two of oil varnish to enrich the whole and help to preserve the instrument. This tint or colour may be considered the one generally used by him. The monogram will be seen inlaid either in the centre of the back, or in the upper vibrating plate just under the wide part of the fingerboard of his violoncellos; however the same device was used in the similar instruments made by Cross when they were partners. The tone, both of the violas and violoncellos, is very good and deservedly held in esteem. A tenor by this maker has been associated with the principal performers on this instrument for sixty or seventy years. Frederick Ware, celebrated for the great quantity of tone he produced, possessed it either before or at the commencement of the present century; and some time after his decease, it became the property of another professor of eminence, who delighted the frequenters of the Royal Italian Opera House in the romance or recitativo "Quale Spettacol," and aria, "Ah! Piu Bianco," in Meyerbeer's opera, "Les Huguenots," which was exquisitely sung by Mario, and the viola obligato was played by Henry Hill, which drew forth merited applause. Soon after his death the instrument passed into the ownership of Mr. Doyle, another principal viola performer of the same opera establishment. The small-sized violoncello, previously named, was seen by William Shield, the composer, at a humble shop or general dealer in the Borough; it was suspended by the head outside the house, and blowing about in the wind; although very dirty, the appearance of the instrument
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.