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