Scan 191
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1884
4 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 131. See the scan on archive.org.
1hole loses the pointed form so much associated with Guarneri; the purfling is embedded, the edges heavy, the corners somewhat grotesque, the scroll has a mixture of vigour, comicality, and majesty, which may force a smile and then a frown from the connoisseur. The comparison may seem a little forced, but the head of a thoroughbred English mastiff, if carved, might give some idea of the appearance sought to be described. Mr. Reade says of these instruments, with much truth, "Such is the force of genius, that I believe in our secret hearts we love these impudent fiddles best, they are so full of chic." Among the Violins of this period may be mentioned Paganini's and M. Alard's, both rare specimens.
3These splendid chefs-d'œuvre are strangely mixed with those commonly known as the "prison fiddles"—a sorry title. The name arose from the story current in Italy that Guarneri made some Fiddles whilst undergoing imprisonment, and that the gaoler's daughter procured him the necessary materials, which were of the coarsest kind. M. Fétis refers to the story, and mentions that Benedetto Bergonzi, who died in 1840, used to relate it. Allusion is also made to it by Vincenzo Lancetti, to whom it was doubtless communicated by Count Cozio di Salabue. These references lead to the belief that the tradition has some foundation in fact, though not to the extent that he ended his days in durance vile. Lancetti refers to the offence
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