Books › The reminiscences of a fiddle dealer, 1925 › scan 33
Scan 33
The reminiscences of a fiddle dealer, 1925
8 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 9. See the scan on archive.org.
1The Italian Tone
3but I got it completely and unexpectedly upset.
5Having made up my mind that I must have that tone I spared no trouble in hunting for it. Of all people on earth who have a fad for anything, none are endowed with the same tenacity in following it up, as amateur players on the violin. Their ordinary avocations may come or go, but at no time is their hobby neglected.
7Needless to say all my friends knew of my fiddle hobby, and one of the best of them—my employer—knowing my craze, determined to present me with one of the best fiddles that could be got. He applied to a maker and repairer to aid him in this, a Mr. John Eadie, who lived in a small village outside Glasgow, but he had nothing suitable on hand. Mr. Eadie, therefore, took me up one evening to the house of a gentleman in Glasgow, who was one of the most enthusiastic collectors of fiddles and pictures in Scotland, or indeed anywhere else. This was Mr. John King Clark of loving memory, a most kindly and lovable man to all who had the great privilege of his friendship or even acquaintance. It was my first introduction to this gentleman but the acquaintance soon ripened into a friendship which lasted till the end of his life. He was, at the time, regarded as the greatest expert on violins in Scotland and certainly if quantity of stock had anything to do with it, he had full claim to the title.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.