Scan 448
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1875
4 lines. Read by computer on 1 October 2026. Printed page 296. See the scan on archive.org.
1LIVING STRADIUARIUSES.
3The following amusing incident occurred not long since. A passionate lover of Fiddles being in Milan, made the acquaintance of an Italian who, like himself, was a lover of the bow. They had not long met before the theme of their mutual delight was broached; the beautiful features in the works of the great masters were dwelt upon, their respective points of genius discriminated, until the freemasonry of Fiddle-connoisseurship was exhausted. Enquiries were exchanged as to the whereabouts of remarkable specimens, when suddenly the Italian's face brightened, and gave indication that a happy thought had crossed his mind, as he remarked: "By the way, I can introduce you to a friend who has in his possession some singularly choice specimens of Stradiuarius, of various dates, all in splendid condition, and having heads of a very marked character. There can be no mistake about their originality, it asserts itself to the merest tyro; indeed, I am not aware that it has even been called in question." His companion was on his feet before he finished speaking, eagerly demanding where these choice "Strads" were to be seen. The distance being but a few streets off, it was agreed that they should start at once. On arriving at a house in the Via Meravigli, the Italian enquired of the servant if his master was at home. Being assured of this, the Fiddle connoisseurs were shown into an apartment, where they anxiously
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