PAGANINI.
Birth and parentage—surmises and false rumours—his early
education—his public début at Genoa—begins to travel on his own
account—his father’s rapacity—youthful excesses—a bidding for his
violin—renounces gaming—his favorite Guarnerius—enters the service
of the Princess of Parma—origin of his performances on one and two
strings—follows the Princess to Florence—his intense
application—his “Studies”—revisits Leghorn—anecdote—visits Turin
and Ferrara—attacked with disease—the story of his uniform—his
friendship with Rossini—contends with Lafont—remarks of M. Fétis
and others—Paganini’s tribute to the excellence of Louis
Spohr—gives two concerts at Pavia—remarkable announcement—invited
to Vienna in 1828, by Prince Metternich—the Pope confers on him
the order of the Golden Fleece—Mayseder’s despair—absurd and
injurious rumours—Paganini’s manifesto—his great popularity at
Vienna—concert for the benefit of the poor—anecdotes—visits
Prague, Dresden, Berlin, and Warsaw—opinions of the Berlin
journalists—declines to compete with Praun—epigram—visits
Frankfort—mimicked on the stage—goes to Paris—description of
Paganini’s performance from _La Globe, (with cuts)_—attempts to
explain his method—M. Guhr’s Treatise—manner of tuning the
instrument—management of the bow—use of the left
hand—harmonics—double effects—Paganini’s wonderful gains—his
letter to the _Révue Musicale_—what occurred at Padua—the devil
seen at his elbow—foundation of the rumours—comes to
England—quotation from the “Athenæum”—stringing a gridiron—raising
the prices of admission—the Claqueurs—his first English
concert—Mr. Gardner’s description—quotations—Mori’s joke and
Cramer’s thankfulness—harmonic notes and staccato runs—farewell
concert—revisits Italy—purchases the Villa Gajona—proposes to
publish—decorated by Maria Louisa—want of health—gambling
speculation—serious illness—his last moments at Nice—his son
Achilles—his burial refused—superstitious rumours—his
will—bequeaths his favorite violin to the city of Genoa—his
personal habits and peculiarities—his mode of travelling—his
habits at home—his desire of repose—anecdote of an
amateur—Paganini’s slender general knowledge—his projects—mistrust
of friends—his visitors—invitations—habits in company—aversion to
light—recollection of names—preparation for a
concert—rehearsal—his physical conformation—his influence on the
art—a “farewell”—his compositions—critical remarks of M.
Fétis—conclusion.—_pp. 110, et seq._