Scan 480
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1875
4 lines. Read by computer on 1 October 2026. Printed page 326. See the scan on archive.org.
1THE ETTRICK SHEPHERD AND THE VIOLIN.
3"But the pleasantest part of our fellowship is yet to describe. At a certain period of the night, our entertainer (the renowned Timothy Tickler) knew by the longing looks which I cast to a beloved corner of the dining-room, what was wanting. Then with 'O, I beg your pardon, Hogg, I was forgetting,' he would take out a small gold key that hung by a chain of the same precious metal to a particular button-hole, and stalk away as tall as the life, open two splendid Fiddle-cases, and produce their contents, first the one, and then the other; but always keeping the best to himself. I'll never forget with what elated dignity, there was a twist of the lip, and an upward beam of the eye, that were truly sublime. Then down we sat, side by side, and began—at first gently, and with easy motion, like skilful grooms, keeping ourselves up for the final heat, which was slowly but surely approaching. At the end of every tune we took a glass, and still our enthusiastic admiration of the Scottish tunes increased—our energies of execution redoubled till, unltimately, it became not only a complete and well-contested race, but a trial of strength, to determine which should drown the other. The only feeling short of ecstacy, that came across us in these enraptured moments, were caused by hearing the laugh and joke going on with our friends, as if no such thrilling strains had been flowing. But if Tym's eye chanced to fall on them, it instantly retreated upwards again in mild
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