Books › The Violin: A concise exposition of the general principles of construction.., 1871 › scan 21
Scan 21
The Violin: A concise exposition of the general principles of construction.., 1871
6 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1quarian Society, states that he heard the instrument played upon by John Morgan in Anglesea, about 1770, and even at that period, he observes, the instrument was almost extinct; but we learn from another authority, who had frequently heard the instrument, that it was in use at a period thirty years later amongst some of the old Welsh peasantry.* The Crwth is stated by some authors to be of British origin, whilst others fancy it belongs originally to France, and from thence passed to Britain; but in all likelihood the real origin of this rudimentary instrument, as well as that of the true violin, will for ever remain in obscurity.
3The next instrument claiming attention is the Viol, which was also known at a very early date, and was in common use throughout Britain during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Its origin is attributed to one Alcuin or Albinus, who lived in the eighth century. The earliest viols appear to have had three strings, but the number was changed at later periods to four, five, and six. Viols were made of all sizes and shapes, from the diminutive three stringed favourite, to the voluminous violone, and were a highly esteemed class of instruments, inasmuch as in every household of the wealthier classes a chest of viols formed an indispensable requisite. The accompanying illustration of the viol, as used in Scotland in the fifteenth century, will convey to the mind of the reader a better idea of
5* W. Bingley.
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