Scan 351
The violin, its famous makers and their imitators, 1887
17 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1small-coal man," gave concerts in this country, and a long series it was, extending over a period of forty-six years. The shape the movement took was that of a musical club, which was maintained at Britton's expense.
3The concert-room of Tom Britton was over his coal-shop in Aylesbury Street, leading from Clerkenwell Green to St. John Street. From the year 1678 to the time of his death, in 1714, the concerts of Britton were attended by persons of all ranks.
5"Tho' mean thy rank, yet in thy humble cell,
6Did gentle peace and arts unpurchased dwell.
7Well pleased, Apollo thither led his train,
8And Music warbled in her sweetest strain.
9Cyllenius too, so fables tell, and Jove
10Came willing guests to poor Philemon's grove.
11Let useless pomp behold, and blush to find
12So low a station, such a liberal mind."1
14Thus the first germ of the great musical societies gave a marked impulse to the culture of stringed music in England. Attention was turned to the subject; its humanizing effects were recognized, and parties met in several places for the practice of chamber music. Our progress in Violin-playing at this date was clearly satisfactory. We had a Violinist named John Henry Eccles, belonging to a clever family of musicians. He became a member of the band of Louis XIV., and was regarded as an excellent player and musician. He published in Paris some solos for the Violin in 1720. His brother Thomas was also a good Violinist. Fortune, however, did not smile upon him. He is described as being one of those itinerant musicians—perhaps the last of them—
161 These verses were written by Mr. John Hughes, who was a frequent performer on the Violin at Britton's concerts. (Hawkins.)
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