Chapter VII: Section XIII: The Violin and Its Votaries

Sterne on Hobby-horses--Tender relationships between the Violin and its Votaries--Wendell Holmes on the Violin--Thomas Mace on early prices of instruments--Early makers, continental and English--Advent of the Stainer model, and its temporary preference over those of the Italian masters; its depressing influence on prices of Amatis and Stradivaris--Guarneri del Gesu brought to the front by Paganini, and Maggini by De Beriot--Recognition of the merits of Bergonzi, Guadagnini, and Montagnana--Luigi Tarisio, and his pilgrimages in search of hidden treasures; his progress as amateur, connoisseur, devotee; his singular enthusiasm, and Charles Reade's anecdote thereon; the Spanish Bass in the Bay of Biscay; Tarisio's visit to England, and the Goding collection; his hermit life; purchase of his collection by M. Vuillaume--Principal buyers of Italian instruments at this period, continental and English--Charles Reade as a connoisseur--Count Cozio di Salabue, an ardent votary of the Cremonese Violin; his purchase of Stradivari's instruments, patterns, tools, &c.; his correspondence with Paolo Stradivari relating thereto--William Corbett, and his "Gallery of Cremonys and Stainers"--The collections of Andrew Fountaine and James Goding--The Gillott Collection; its curious origin, its unique character and interesting circumstances attending its sale . . . . . . . . . 331-374