Books › the history of the violin, 1864 › scan 364
Scan 364
the history of the violin, 1864
4 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 342. See the scan on archive.org.
1from home, and Thomas Kennedy undertook the task, and by humouring his foibles, gained more control over him than perhaps any other person, except his mother. He returned home again, but soon left it and joined the theatrical company of the late — Trotter, Esq. of Worthing, who had the Kent and Sussex circuit; sometimes acting on the stage, and at others playing the violoncello in the orchestra. At Worthing, he indulged with other persons in athletic pastimes; and in one of these trials of strength received some internal injury, from which, perhaps, he never thoroughly recovered. He made very few instruments on his own account, probably twelve or fifteen. Two or three of these were violins, and one violoncello of the best class; the latter instrument was made for the late Mr. James Brooks, a professor on the violoncello, the remainder being of inferior workmanship for wholesale orders. He, however, would occasionally repair instruments; but having, generally, an engagement as a violoncello player either at the Sans Pareil, Sadlers' Wells, or the Surrey Theatre, then called the Circus, he little sought for that kind of employment. During this period of his life fishing was the absorbing desire, and he would take every opportunity to walk to some favoured spot at Woodford in Essex, or to places on the river Wandle celebrated for the sport.
3It is said that he performed clown at the Sans Pareil Theatre during the whole of one Christmas holiday-time, under the name of Signor Paulo, who was too ill and unable to fulfill his engagement. His wild career weakened his constitution; and being recommended to go out of town for change, he accepted an engagement as violoncellist at Cheltenham. On a leisure evening, whilst playing a game of chess or drafts, a fit of apoplexy
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.