The special attention which had been devoted to the Viola da Gamba
in England during the seventeenth century[134] was not paid, in
similar measure, to the Violoncello. This instrument, like the Gamba,
was introduced into musical circles in London by Italians. Ariosti,
Bononcini, Cervetto, and Caporale--all contributed to make it familiar
in the English capital and other places. But it does not appear that
Violoncello playing was taken up by English artists at first with the
same alacrity as it was abroad--at all events, as a profession--and
this left the field open chiefly to foreign Violoncellists, who came to
England with the hope of a rich harvest, in which, says M. Wasielewski,
they were too often disappointed. The number of professional English
cellists is small as compared with those of other countries, though
there are a few to be mentioned who, in talent and proficiency, will
bear comparison with any of the great players of their time.