,illu/ration3 ,geo4 ,gemu5d]            
,,george ,g,e,m,ue,n,d,e,r',s           
,,progress ,,9     ,,viol9 ,,mak+1      
,,)     ,,int]e/+ ,,facts     ,,conc]n+ 
,,! ,,art     ,,& ,,its ,,critics ,,9   
,,g5]al4      ,,by ,,george             
,g,e,m,ue,n,d,e,r4      ,,publi%$ ,,by  
,,! ,,au?or3     ,,a/oria1 ,n4 ,y41     
#ahha4     ,ent]$ ,accord+ to ,act (    
,congress1 9 ! ,ye> #ahha4   ,,george   
,g,e,m,ue,n,d,e,r1   ,9 ! ,(fice ( !    
,libr>ian ( ,congress4     ,,biography  
,,( ,,george ,g,e,m,ue,n,d,e,r4         
,george ,gemu5d] 0 born at ,+elf+51 9 ! 
k+dom ( ,wurtemburg1 on ! #ac? ( ,april1
 #ahaf4  ,8 fa!r 0 a mak] ( b[          
in/rum5ts1 & x 01 !re=e1 f ,gemu5d]'s   
e>lie/ y\? t he devot$ himself to ! same
 art & ! /udies connect$ ) x4  ,:5 he   
left s*ool1 x 0 sugge/$ to 8 fa!r t     
,george %\ld become a s*ool-ma/]1 z he  
at ! "t wrote ! f9e/ h& & execut$ ! be/ 
designs ( any among 8 classmates4 ,8    
fa!r 0 n av]se to ?is proposal & decid$ 
to c>ry x out4 ,george 01 accord+ly1    

direct$ to prep>e = ! sem9>y4 ,! plan 0 
n1 h[ev]1 9 accordance ) 8 own ta/es or 
incl9ations1 & he foll[$ x = a p]iod ( b
 ?ree weeks1 only to ab&on x f9ally &   
=ev]1 to take up t employm5t :i* accord$
 ) 8 natural gift & gave scope = !      
developm5t ( 8 g5ius4  ,aft] 8 fa!r's   
dea?1 :i* occurr$ :5 ,george 0 9 8      
n9ete5? ye>1 he w5t abroad1 & work$     
v>i\sly at ,pe/h1 ,presburg1 ,vi5na &   
,muni*4 ,=tune smil$ ^u him1 & m ?an    
once an opportunity 0 pres5t$ ( e/abli%+
 a bus9ess2 b no?+ t promis$ simply     
commonplace results & a commonplace life
 c\ld attract 8 eye1 s9ce 8 m9d1 aspir+ 
to improvem5t 9 8 art1 0 con/antly      
impell+ him t[>d t celebrat$ manufactur]
 ( viol9s1 ,vuillaume1 at ,p>is4 ,he    
pla9ly saw t 9 ,g]many he c\ld n rea* 9 
! art t degree ( accompli%m5t = :i* he  
/rove1 &1 !re=e1 he resolv$ to f9d1 if  
possible1 at ,/rasburg1 su* a position z
 he _h _h at ,muni*4 ,?r\gh ! m$iation (
 a fri5d he obta9$ a call to g to a     
manufactur] ( musical in/rum5ts at      

,/rasburg2 b ^u 8 arrival he 0 a/oni%$  
to le>n t ! man 0 a mak] ( brass        
in/rum5ts6 ,"h 0 a dilemma4 ,disappo9t$ 
9 8 ef=t to f9d employm5t1 w9t] at !    
door & f> away f home1 :at c\ld he d8 ,!
 manufactur]1 ^: "n 0 ,ro?1 p]ceiv+ 8   
p]turbation1 0 k9d en\gh to ask ,gemu5d]
 to rema9 9 8 h\se until he %\ld h      
succe$$ 9 f9d+ su* a position z he      
desir$4 ,gemu5d] accept$ ! pr(]$        
k9dness1 & aft] ! lapse ( six weeks he  
=m$ ! acqua9tance ( a g5tleman ) :om he 
aft]w>d became intimate1 & :o promis$ to
 write = ,gemu5d] a lett] (             
recomm5dation & s5d x to ,vuillaume at  
,p>is4 ,mean:ile ,gemu5d] rema9$ 9      
,/rasburg4 ,"o day1 :ile tak+ a walk 9 !
 p>k call$ ,die ,engli%5 ,anlag51 he    
seat$ himself on a b5* & %ortly fell    
asleep4 ,9 8 sleep he he>d a voice :i*  
seem$ to say3 ,don't give way2 )9 ?ree  
days y\r situation w *ange6 ,! voice    
prov$ prophetic1 = on ! ?ird day aft] ! 
dream 8 fri5d came to him ) a lett] f   
,vuillaume1 :i* conta9$ ! agreeable     

intellig5ce t ,gemu5d] %\ld g to ,p>is4 
,! invitation 0 promptly accept$ &      
,gemu5d] imm$iately />t$ on 8 j\rney4   
,:5 he arriv$ at ,vuillaume's ano!r     
difficulty 0 enc\nt]$1 = ,vuillaume _h  
mi/ak5ly suppos$ t ,gemu5d] spoke ,fr5*4
 ,by m]e good =tune x happ5$ at ! "t (  
,gemu5d]'s arrival t a ,g]man pr(essor 0
 giv+ music lessons to ,vuillaume's tw9 
daught]s1 :o 9 ! capacity ( int]pret]   
in=m$ ,gemu5d] t ,m4 ,vuillaume 0 sorry 
to h induc$ him to come to ,p>is1       
because x w\ld be impossible to get     
along 9 8 h\se )\t ,fr5*4 ,vuillaume    
k9dly (f]$ to pay ,gemu5d]'s travel+    
exp5ses f ,p>is back to ,/rasburg1 b    
said1 h[ev]1 t %\ld ! latt] be satisfi$ 
) nom9al wages at fir/1 he w\ld give him
 ?irty s\s a day until he %\ld h le>n$  
en\gh ( ! language to be able to get    
along4 ,gemu5d] accept$ ! proposition1  
:i* greatly a/oni%$ ,vuillaume because  
he _h n suppos$ t ,gemu5d] w\ld be      
cont5t$ ) su* small wages6 ,!n he %[$   
him a viol9 & violoncello z models ( 8  

manufacture1 & ask$ him if he c\ld make 
in/rum5ts l ^?4 ,! answ] be+ 9 !        
affirmative1 ,vuillaume smil$1 = he 0   
sure x c\ld n be done4 ,on ! foll[+ day 
he provid$ ,gemu5d] ) mat]ials = mak+ a 
new viol91 9 ord] to see :at he c\ld d4 
,he soon p]ceiv$ t ,gemu5d] possess$ m  
!oretical ?an practical k4 ,:5 ! viol9 0
 f9i%$1 he made him und]/& t _! way (   
work+ 0 diff]5t1 & he desir$ to h 8 own 
me?ods adopt$4 ,gemu5d] did 8 be/1 & be+
 a good design]1 he soon acquir$ a k ( !
 diff]5t *>act]s ( ! propagat$ ,italian 
s*ool 9 reg>d to ! con/ruction ( viol9s4
  ,aft] ! lapse ( ?ree mon?s ,gemu5d]'s 
wages 7 increas$ t5 s\s a day1 & al?\gh 
he n[ saw 8 mo/ he>tfelt desire         
fulfill$1 namely1 to "w 9 ,vuillaume's  
manufactory1 yet he did n f9d x possible
 to /ay !re p]man5tly1 because 8        
fell[-workm51 :o _h obs]v$ ! k9dness )  
:i* _! employ] _h treat$ 8 new workman1 
became fill$ ) feel+s ( jeal\sy1 &      
resolv$ to h>rass him & compel him if   
possible to leave4 ,s ?or\ghly did !y   

succe$ 9 embitt]+ 8 life1 t ,gemu5d]    
f9ally resolv$ to leave ,vuillaume & g  
to ,am]ica1 & ) ?is firmly fix$ 9 8 m9d 
he began 8 prep>ations secretly to c>ry 
out 8 plan4  ,:5 ev]y?+ 0 ready1 he w5t 
to ,vuillaume to make kn[n 8 int5tion & 
to expla9 to him ! cause ( 8 leav+4 ,!  
latt]1 a/oni%$ at ?is intellig5ce1      
decl>$ t ,gemu5d] %\ld n leave 8 h\se at
 all1 & assur$ him t he w\ld n meet )   
fur!r unk9dness f 8 fell[-workm51 ev5 if
 all %\ld be dismiss$1 al?\gh "s ( !m _h
 already be5 9 8 manufactory = _m ye>s4 
,he fur!r assur$ ,gemu5d] t %\ld he n   
desire to rema9 9 ,p>is1 he w\ld e/abli%
 him 9 a bus9ess simil> to 8 own1 ei!r 9
 ,g]many or else:]e1 b he dissuad$ him f
 go+ to ,am]ica1 = ! reason t ! art (   
viol9 mak+ 0 n suffici5tly und]/ood !re 
at t "t4 ,?is k9dness & b5evol5ce ^u !  
"p ( 8 employ] s t\*$ 8 he>t t he 0     
con/ra9$ to rema91 & he began to        
con/ruct new viol9s1 9 "s ( :i* he      
imitat$ ! ,italian "* ?or\ghly1 & also  
to repair injur$ viol9s4  ,"o day       

,vuillaume h&$ ,gemu5d] a viol91 ) !    
rem>k t he wi%$ him to d 8 be/ "w 9     
repair+ x1 = a g5tleman f ,russia _h s5t
 x4 ,vuillaume especially call$         
,gemu5d]'s att5tion to a c]ta9 place 9 !
 back :i* 0 to be repair$1 :i* 0 almo/  
invisible1 & he gave ,gemu5d] a magnify+
 glass = 8 assi/ance1 b ,gemu5d] return$
 x1 say+ t he c\ld d bett] ) 8 nak$     
eyes1 & :5 f9i%$ ,vuillaume might exam9e
 x ) ! glass4 ,:5 complet$1 ! "w prov$  
to be all t ,vuillaume _h wi%$1 &       
satisfi$ ! own] ( ! in/rum5t s ?or\ghly 
t 9 8 ec/asy ( delight he pres5t$       
,vuillaume1 9 addition to ! paym5t = 8  
"w1 ) a co/ly ,russian morn+ g[n4  ,on !
 return ( ,ole ,bull f ,am]ica1 9 #ahde1
 t di/+ui%$ p]=m] br\ght 8 wond]ful     
,casp> da ,salo viol9 to ,vuillaume to  
be repair$1 & reque/$ ! latt] to d ! "w 
himself1 z x 0 some?+ ab\t :i* he 0 v   
p>ticul>2 b ,vuillaume answ]$ t he _h a 
,g]man 9 8 work%op :o c\ld d x bett] ?an
 he4 ,impell$ by curiosity to become    
acqua9t$ ) ?is ,g]man1 he ask$ to be %[n

 to ! place4 ,aft] "s conv]sation1      
,gemu5d] und]took ! repair+ ( ! viol9 & 
complet$ x 9 z ma/]ly a mann] z he did 9
 ! case ( ! ,russian g5tleman4  ,aft] an
 int]val ( ?ree ye>s1 :ile ,gemu5d] 0   
/ill work+ at ,vuillaume's1 ! latt] %[$ 
him a viol9 & ask$ 8 op9ion ab\t x4     
,gemu5d]1 hav+ exam9$ x1 repli$ t x 0   
made by "s "o :o _h no s*ool6 ,i expect$
 to he> ?is1 return$ ,vuillaume1 & n[   
let me tell y1 t ?is viol9 is ! v same t
 ,i engag$ y to make :5 y came to me4 ,i
 %[ x only t y may recognize :at y are  
n[ & :at y 7 !n6 ,gemu5d] 0 n only      
surpris$1 b amaz$1 & w\ld h>dly h       
believ$ x possible4 ,?is incid5t is only
 m5tion$ to %[ t z long z ! eye has n   
be5 fully cultivat$1 ^? :o fancy        
!mselves to be arti/s are n su*1 & 9    
reality !y _c di/+ui% "r f wrong4       
,gemu5d] has (t5 exp]i5c$ ?is 9 ,am]ica4
 ,he kn[s no o!r viol9 mak] :o des]ves  
to be comp>$ ) ,vuillaume 9 ?is respect1
 = he correctly und]/ood ! "* ( ! outl9e
 & =m z well z ! int]ior /ructure ( !   

diff]5t ,italian in/rum5ts4  ,t[>ds !   
end ( #ahdg1 :5 ,gemu5d] _h be5 f\r ye>s
 at ,vuillaume's1 8 two bro!rs1 :o 7 9  
,am]ica1 invit$ him to g !re1 z ! int]e/
 9 & ta/e = music 0 improv+ & !y int5d$ 
to give conc]ts4 ,gemu5d] !re=e det]m9$ 
to accept ?is invitation & left ,p>is4  
,he arriv$ 9 ,novemb]1 at ,spr+field1   
,mass41 &1 meet+ 8 bro!rs1 arrangem5ts =
 conc]ts 7 made ) an ag5t1 :o engag$    
sev]al o!r arti/s to make up ! company4 
,! in/rum5tal qu>tet consi/$ ( a cl>9et1
 viol91 flute & bass guit>4 ,?is music  
made q a s5sation1 & ! h\ses 7 always   
cr[d$1 yet ! ,gemu5d] bro!rs did n      
receive any?+ f ! proce$s4 ,!y soon     
compreh5d$ t !y _h _h too mu* confid5ce 
9 _! ag5t1 & aft] ! lapse ( a week !y   
gave up ! speculation4  ,= ,george      
,gemu5d]1 :o _h !n v little k ( !       
,engli% language1 :i* fact increas$ !   
difficulty ( 8 position1 !re rema9$ no  
o!r *oice b to settle z a viol9 mak]4   
,he borr[$ f a fri5d tw5ty-five doll>s1 
& ) ?is money he set out = ,bo/on1      

,mass41 & e/abli%$ himself !re4 ,!      
viol9s :i* he made he sold at fifty     
doll>s ea*1 & made repairs at l[ prices4
  ,9 #ahea1 :5 ! fir/ exhibition (      
,london took place1 ,gemu5d] s5t a      
qu>tet ( b[ in/rum5ts1 9 imitation (    
,/radiv>ius1 & "o viol9 accord+ to      
,joseph ,gu>n]ius1 & ano!r accord+ to   
,ni*olas ,amati4  ,z 8 bus9ess 9 ,bo/on 
did n prove suffici5tly lucrative1      
,gemu5d] left ! city aft] eighte5 mon?s1
 )\t wait+ = news ( ! result ( !        
exhibition1 & e/abli%$ bus9ess 9 ,new   
,york4 ,lat] he le>n$ t 8 in/rum5ts _h  
receiv$ ! fir/ premium at ! exhibition4 
,:51 9 ! foll[+ ye>1 #aheb1 ,gemu5d]    
receiv$ 8 in/rum5ts back f ! exhibition1
 he le>n$ t ,ole ,bull 0 9 ,new ,york   
aga91 &1 z he _h =m$ 8 acqua9tance 9    
,p>is1 he paid him a visit & gave       
in=mation t he _h e/abli%$ himself 9    
,new ,york1 & also t he _h obta9$ ! fir/
 premium at ! ,london exhibition4 ,ole  
,bull 0 highly a/oni%$ at ?is news1 z he
 said ,vuillaume is ! be/ viol9 mak]1 & 

,i h on "o ( my viol9s ! be/ specim5 ( 8
 workman%ip z a repair]4 ,he !reupon %[$
 ,gemu5d] 8 ,casp> da ,salo4 ,"h1 he    
said1 look at x1 f9d ! place :]e !      
repair 0 made4 ,b ,gemu5d] repli$3 ,sir1
 h y entirely =gott5 t :5 y w5t ) y\r   
viol9 to ,vuillaume1 he made y acqua9t$ 
) a ,g]man 9 8 /udio1 :om he direct$ to 
repair ?is ',casp> da ,salo' viol91 & t 
?is ,g]man 0 myself8 ,^u he>+ ?is a     
light seem$ to break ^u 8 m9d1 & he     
exclaim$1 ,yes1 yes1 ,i d rememb]4 ,n[ y
 %all become 9 ,am]ica :at ,vuillaume is
 9 ,europe4  ,mean:ile ! advantages :i* 
might h be5 d]iv$ f ! ,london exhibition
 7 lo/1 9 consequ5ce ( ,gemu5d]'s       
removal f ,bo/on & e/abli%+ bus9ess at  
,new ,york4 ,spohr1 ,?alb]g1 ,vieuxtemps
 & _m m ( su* au?orities1 exam9$ 8      
viol9s 9 ! exhibition & 7 mu* surpris$  
at ! excell5t qualities ( ! in/rum5ts4  
,spohr obs]v$3 ,^! are ! fir/ new viol9s
 t ,i ev] saw1 tri$ & lik$6 ,:5 !y 7    
play$ ^u by him & o!rs1 !y attract$     
hundr$s ( admir]s & w\ld h be5 sold at  

high prices _h ,gemu5d] n fail$ to make 
arrangem5ts to dispose ( !m4  ,! results
 obta9$ at ,p>is & ,vi5na 7 simil>1 8   
in/rum5ts attract+ mu* att5tion 9 ea*   
exhibition4 ,9 ! ,vi5na ,exposition1    
held 9 #ahgc1 ,gemu5d] ga9$ ! greate/   
triumph t 0 ev] obta9$ by any viol9     
mak]4 ,! ,kais] viol9 s5t by ,gemu5d] 9 
response to an (f] ( a prize = ! be/    
imitation1 0 decl>$ by ! pr(essional    
judges to be a r5ew$ orig9al2 a g5u9e   
,gu>n]ius n only 9 reg>d to its out]    
appe>ance & "*1 b also z to its wond]ful
 quality ( tone & ease ) :i* ! tones    
come4 ,to f9d ^! qualities 9 a new viol9
 0 beyond all expectation1 s9ce x _h    
hi!rto be5 tak5 = grant$ t su* a result 
c\ld n be obta9$1 because t object _h   
be5 ! unsuccessful /udy ( diff]5t mak]s 
= hundr$s ( ye>s4 ,?is proves1 !re=e1 to
 ! musical _w1 t ,gemu5d] has solv$ t   
problem :i* has g5]ally be5 consid]$    
impossible4 ,9 spite ( all ?is1 h[ev]1  
,gemu5d] _h le>n$ by pa9ful exp]i5ce t !
 prejudice exi/+ among mo/ ( ! viol9i/s 

0 n to be wip$ out4 ,^! p are incapable 
( judg+ reasonably1 & x is easi] = !m to
 say t ,gemu5d] makes 8 new viol9s (    
wood prep>$ by a *emical process1 or t x
 has n yet be5 prov5 t 8 viol9s h kept  
_! good quality = an ext5d$ p]iod ( "t1 
not)/&+ t ,gemu5d] has be5 con/ruct+    
viol9s 9 ,am]ica s9ce #ahdg1 & t nobody 
c prove t any viol9 ( 8 mak+ has lo/ its
 quality ( tone4 ,on ! contr>y1 !y h    
inv>iably prov$ good4 ,gemu5d]1 h[ev]1  
confesses t a few ( 8 fir/ made viol9s 9
 ,am]ica d n equal ^? ( 8 pres5t        
con/ruction 9 reg>d to tone & v>ni%4 ,! 
cause ( x 0 t ,gemu5d] be+ unacqua9t$ ) 
! woods ( ! new c\ntry1 0 n s successful
 at fir/ 9 ! *oice ( wood = 8 viol9s1 & 
naturally w\ld n be until 8 exp]i5ce _h 
improv$4 ,! prejudice above ref]r$ to   
w\ld1 h[ev]1 be likely to exi/ = ano!r  
c5tury1 c\ld ,gemu5d] live = t l5g? ( "t
 among ^? p1 ! mo/ ( :om w\ld p]sev]e 9 
_! op9ions4  ,! impracticability ( !    
!ory ( us+ *emically prep>$ wood =      
viol9s is suffici5tly und]/ood at !     

pres5t "t to r5d] x useless to pursue ! 
discussion 9 ^! pages4 ,gemu5d] has     
in=m$ himself z to ! degree ( success   
atta9$ 9 ! use ( ! diff]5t *emical      
prep>ations ( wood1 z well z ^? prep>$ )
 borax1 by :i*1 ! inv5tor ass]ts1 ! wood
 becomes ri*] 9 tone & la/s long] ?an t 
:i* is left 9 its natural /ate4 ,yet1   
)\t oppos+ ! inv5tor1 ,gemu5d] foll[s ! 
pr9ciple ( ! old ,italian viol9 mak]s1  
because _! productions h be5 9 use to   
?is day2 !re=e ! mat]ial left 9 its     
natural /ate has prov$ good & has       
satisfi$ ! musical _w = ^! ?ree hundr$  
ye>s4 ,he has inde$ succe$$ 9 con/ruct+ 
new viol9s ( mat]ial 9 its natural /ate1
 :i* produce n only an extraord9>y p[] (
 tone1 b also a /rik+ly equal quality ( 
tone1 & ! quality ( easy speak+1 & !    
outw>d appe>ance ( ! old viol9s has be5 
s fai?fully imitat$ t he :o has n be5   
told ! fact1 w take !m = g5u9e in/rum5ts
 made by ,/radiv>ius1 ,gu>n]ius1        
,magg9i1 ,amati1 & o!rs4  ,x is !re=e   
assum+ n too mu* to say t ,george       

,gemu5d] has surpass$ 9 ?is art all !   
viol9 mak]s ( ! pres5t & pa/ times2 =   
:]e ! ,italian ma/]s end$ ) _! k1       
,george ,gemu5d] comm5c$ & improv$1 :i* 
fact c be prov$ to ! satisfaction ( e   
critic2 = ,george ,gemu5d] has n only   
ga9$ ! same results z ^? a*iev$ by      
,/radiv>ius & o!rs1 b he has sket*$ a   
bett] ac\/ic pr9ciple = produc+ tone4 ,x
 is = ?is reason t ,augu/ ,wilhelmj1 !  
great viol9i/1 calls ,george ,gemu5d] ! 
greate/ viol9 mak] ( all times1 =       
,wilhelmj _h le>n$ by ample trial ( !   
in/rum5ts made by ,george ,gemu5d] t !y 
7 inconte/ably all t ! latt] claim$ =   
!m4 ,wilhelmj admir$ ,gemu5d]'s ,kais]  
viol9 at ! ,vi5na ,exhibition1 z x 0 !  
only viol9 ( importance :i* attract$ 8  
att5tion1 & ?is ar\s$ )9 him ! desire to
 become p]sonally acqua9t$ ) its mak]4  
,by means ( 8 r5[n z ! great viol9      
virtuoso1 an engagem5t 0 (f]$ him to g  
to ,am]ica1 :i* he accept$1 & ?us 8 wi% 
0 fulfill$4 ,on ! day aft] 8 arrival 9  
,new ,york1 ,wilhelmj w5t to see        

,gemu5d] at ,a/oria1 & f t "t has be5   
,gemu5d]'s fri5d & admir]4  ,wilhelmj & 
o!r arti/s h express$ a/oni%m5t t a man 
( ,george ,gemu5d]'s capabilities 9 ?is 
art 0 to be f\nd 9 ,am]ica4 ,al?\gh he  
enjoys ! highe/ r5[n 9 8 art1 yet he    
lives 9 a c\ntry 9 :i* ! appreciation ( 
t art is /ill 9 its developm5t2 = !     
numb] ( amateurs su* z are f\nd 9       
,europe1 :o sp5d enorm\s sums 9         
in/rum5ts1 is v small "h4 ,! fact is t  
,george ,gemu5d] lives "h at too e>ly a 
p]iod1 = 8 productions are a cont9uation
 ( ^? :i* ! great ,italian ma/]s br\ght 
=?4 ,tak+ into consid]ation all ! =ego+ 
circum/ances x is fair to suppose t     
,george ,gemu5d] has _h to cont5d )     
extraord9>y difficulties dur+ ?is long  
"t4 ,= ignorance & arrogance c d mu*    
damage1 9 ?is respect1 n only to !      
arti/1 b also to ! amateur1 z ^! (t5    
times place _! confid5ce 9 ^? musicians 
:o h no k ( viol9s1 & :o c only mislead 
!m4     ,,app5dix4       ,,george       
,,gemund]',s ,,obs]vations ,,9 ,,reg>d  

,,to ,,views ,,:i* ,,! ,,mo/ ,,(        
,,viol9i/s ,,& ,,amateurs ,,_h ,,( ,,!  
,,tone ,,( ,,old ,,& ,,new              
,,viol9s--,,h[      ,,!y ,,ignor$ ,,!   
,,new ,,in/rum5ts1 ,,& ,,h[ ,,!y ,,7    
,,deceiv$ ,,&      ,,surpris$ ,,9 ,,_!  
,,prejudice ,,conc]n+ ,,!m4   ,gemu5d]  
_h le>n$ t ! k ( arrogant viol9i/s &    
amateurs 9 reg>d to tone did n re/ on   
any correct basis1 & t _! prejudice re/$
 on a tradition aris+ f ! decl9e ( !    
manufacture ( viol9s s9ce ! dea? ( !    
celebrat$ ,italian mak]s4 ,all attempts 
( late ye>s to make good viol9s hav+    
fail$1 an av]sion to new viol9s has be5 
gradually spread+1 s t ! mo/ ( p at !   
pres5t "t d n believe x possible =      
viol9s to be bo? new & good4 ,fir/ly1   
because x has be5 f\nd t new viol9s h n 
be5 con/ruct$ s z to possess ! tone (   
old ,italian in/rum5ts2 & secondly1 t ^?
 made ( *emically prep>$ wood did n /&  
pro( = a great l5g? ( "t4 ,_m musicians 
& amateurs h 9 consequ5ce ( ?is prevail+
 prejudice gone to an extreme &         

disreg>d$ new viol9s1 no matt] :at tone 
!y might h4 ,to ?is class ( p belong$   
especially ! viol9i/ ,wi5iawski1 :o _h  
an opportunity to play on "o ( ! be/    
viol9s made by ,gemu5d]1 :i* opportunity
 he ignor$1 because ! viol9 look$ new4  
,in/rum5ts imitat$ by ,gemu5d] 7 plac$  
be=e him z g5u9e viol9s1 & he admir$ !m4
 ,ole ,bull 0 equally surpris$ :5 an    
imitation accord+ to ,/radiv>ius 0 h&$  
to him 9 ,columbus1 ,ohio1 & he decl>$ x
 to be a g5u9e orig9al4  ,:5 ,vieuxtemps
 gave conc]ts 9 ,am]ica = ! fir/ "t1 &  
w5t to see 8 fri5d ,vieweg1 ,pr(essor ( 
music 9 ,savannah1 ,ga41 ! ,pr(essor %[$
 him 8 ,/radiv>ius viol94 ,vieuxtemps1  
cat*+ sight ( x1 said3 ,if he _h n be5 q
 sure t 8 viol9 0 at home1 he w\ld ?9k x
 0 8 own4 ,b :5 8 fri5d told him x 0 a  
,gemu5d] viol91 he 0 a/oni%$ & obs]v$3  
,! d999999l kn[s h[ ,gemu5d] c br+ su* a
 tone 9 new viol9s6  ,at ab\t ! same "t 
a viol9i/ came f ,g]many & visit$       
,gemu5d] to he> 8 viol9s1 because ,spohr
 _h prais$ him s mu*2 b at ! same "t he 

d\bt$ t new viol9s c\ld s\nd l ^? ( !   
old ,italian ma/]s4 ,gemu5d] fir/ %[$   
him "s hav+ ! appe>ance ( be+ new2 !    
viol9i/ play$ ^u !m & !n utt]$3 ,!y are 
z ,i ?\ght2 !y h n t sweet1 melt+ tone (
 ! ,italian in/rum5ts4 ,h]eupon he ask$ 
,gemu5d] if he _h no ,italian viol9s1 9 
ord] to %[ ! diff]5ce4 ,gemu5d] !n op5$ 
ano!r box1 & %[$ him an imitation (     
,amati = a g5u9e "o4 ,no soon] did !    
in/rum5t /rike 8 sight ?an 8 face       
bright5$ up & he said3 ,ev]ybody c see  
at once t !re mu/ be tone 9 ?is1 & aft] 
play+ ^u x he 0 s pleas$ t he said to   
,gemu5d]3 ,yes1 !re are none ( ! pres5t 
viol9 mak]s :o h br\ght x s f>6 ,h]eupon
 ,gemu5d] in=m$ him t ?is 0 also a new  
viol9 ( 8 mak+4 ,sc>cely _h ! visitor   
he>d ?is1 :51 a%am$ ( 8 prejudice1 he   
took 8 hat & w5t away4  ,simil> incid5ts
 (t5 occur4 ,9 #ahei ,gemu5d] s5t viol9s
 to ! ,exhibition ( ,baltimore1 aft]    
:i*1 on "o occasion1 he 0 invit$ to a   
soiree at :i* 8 viol9s 7 play$4 ,he also
 _h a g5u9e ,gu>n]ius among 8 own       

in/rum5ts4 ,an amateur1 ,mr4 ,gibson1 a 
v good play]1 0 pres5t & anxi\s to he> !
 ,italian viol94 ,dur+ ! p]=mance ( a   
qu>tet on ! viol9s made by ,gemu5d]1 ?is
 amateur1 :o 0 possess$ ( ! popul>      
prejudice aga9/ new in/rum5ts1 & :o     
fanci$ he he>d ! ,italian viol91 0 s    
exce$+ly delight$ ) x t he obs]v$1 ,to  
he> su* viol9s is suffici5t to keep any 
"o f ev] t\*+ new ones4 ,b :5 ,gemu5d]  
told him !y 7 new ones made by him1 !   
amateur />$ at him z mu* z to say1 ,d y 
make fun ( me8 ,^! viol9s d n look new  
at all6 ,gemu5d]1 h[ev]1 conv9c$ him ( !
 tru? ( 8 ass]tion4 ,?is fact surpris$ !
 amateur to su* a degree t he 0 at loss 
:at to say1 & lat]1 ^u le>n+ ! price (  
"o ( ! in/rum5ts1 b\ght x4 ,sometime    
aft] ?is he valu$ x at two ?\s& doll>s 9
 gold4 ,s9ce !n ! viol9 has be5 s5t     
sev]al times to ,gemu5d]1 ei!r = a new  
bridge or o!r slight repairs1 & ea* "t  
new anecdotes h be5 relat$ ( x4 ,(      
especial int]e/ is t "o ( ,fa!r ,urso1  
:o 0 look+ = a g5u9e ,gu>n]ius to give  

to 8 daught] ,camilla1 ! celebrat$      
viol9i/4 ,he took ,pr(essor ,simon ) him
 to see ! in/rum5t4 ,bo? 7 v mu*        
surpris$ at x1 n only on acc\nt ( its   
und\bt$ g5u95ess1 b also t x 0 kept s   
well4 ,gemu5d] !n let !m "k t he _h     
p]petrat$ a joke1 & t ! in/rum5t 0 made 
by himself4  ,"o day ,mr4 ,poznanski1 f 
,*>le/on1 ,s4 ,c41 9 company ) 8 son1 :o
 0 already an arti/ on ! viol91 visit$  
,gemu5d]4 ,al?\gh /ill "y1 8 fa!r int5d$
 to s5d him to ,vieuxtemps = 8 fur!r    
arti/ic accompli%m5t1 & ) ?is purpose 9 
view he 0 will+ to buy an ,italian      
viol94 ,z ,gemu5d] _h none on h&1 he %[$
 him a new viol91 b ,poznanski decl>$ t 
he w\ld n buy a new "o4 ,gemu5d] !n %[$ 
him an imitation1 z if x 7 a g5u9e      
orig9al4 ,! son play$ on x1 & bo? fa!r &
 son 7 highly satisfi$ ) x2 !y express$ 
_! wi% to buy x & ask$ ! price1 :i* 0   
giv5 z five hundr$ doll>s4 ,:5          
,poznanski 0 ab\t to pay d[n ! money1   
,gemu5d] told him t ?is in/rum5t 0 also 
new4 ,:]eupon ,poznanski repli$ 9 an    

excit$ tone1 ,h y n he>d t we d n want a
 new viol98 & !y left ! ,ateli]6  ,:5   
,vieuxtemps left ,am]ica1 9 #aheh1      
,poznanski's son w5t ) him to f9i% 8    
/udies "u 8 direction4 ,aft] ! lapse (  
eight ye>s he return$ an accompli%$     
arti/1 & visit$ ,gemu5d] aga94 ,he !n   
rem>k$ t he wi%$ to f9d an ,italian     
viol9 ( fir/ class1 & ask$ ,gemu5d] if  
he _h some?+ ( t k9d 9 8 possession8 ,"h
 he took ! opportunity to rem9d ,gemu5d]
 ( ! "t :5 he _h deceiv$ bo? him & 8    
fa!r1 obs]v+ at ! same "t v naively3 ,b 
n[1 ,gemu5d]1 y _c deceive me4 ,i obta9$
 ?or\gh k ( imitations at ,p>is1 & also 
a k ( ! g5u9e ,italian viol9s1 = ,i _h  
an opportunity to see _m ( ^? made by ! 
ma/]s4 ,gemu5d] told him t he _h two    
,joseph ,gu>n]ius viol9s ( fir/ class 9 
8 possession1 & laid !m be=e him4       
,poznanski express$ 8 a/oni%m5t to f9d  
su* r>ities4 ,aft] a ?or\gh exam9ation  
,poznanski decl>$ !re 0 no d\bt 9 reg>d 
to _! g5u95ess6 ,he tri$ bo? viol9s1 &  
soon ev9c$ 8 pr$ilection = "o ( !m1 :i* 

he wi%$ to buy1 & inquir$ ! price4      
,gemu5d] (f]$ ea* ( !m at "o ?\s&       
doll>s1 b at ! same "t told him t he _h 
deceiv$ him = a second "t1 = ! in/rum5t 
:i* he _h pick$ out 0 new & made by     
himself1 :il/ ! o!r 0 g5u9e4 ,poznanski1
 h[ev]1 told ,gemu5d] t he c\ld n       
deceive him1 t x 0 n possible to produce
 an in/rum5t l t4 ,at ?is mom5t two     
fri5ds ( ,gemu5d]1 :o 7 acqua9t$ ) 8    
in/rum5ts1 ent]$ ! %op1 & ,gemu5d] ask$ 
!m 9 ! pres5ce ( ! "y arti/1 at ! same  
"t po9t+ to ! in/rum5t select$ by       
,poznanski1 :o made ?is viol98 ,!y      
repli$ t ! mak] ( x 0 ,gemu5d]4 ,?is    
appe>$ to him impossible1 b1 aft]       
delib]at+ on ! subject1 he said1 ,i mu/ 
believe x n[1 & yet ,i don't believe x6 
,a few days lat]1 becom+ fully assur$ t 
! in/rum5t to :i* he _h tak5 a fancy 0 n
 an ,italian viol91 he b\ght ! g5u9e "o1
 :i*1 h[ev]1 0 an excell5t in/rum5t1 ?us
 giv+ up ! "o to :i* he _h fir/ giv5    
pref]5ce4 ,?is is ano!r /rik+ pro( (    
prejudice4  ,aft] a "t1 h[ev]1 :5       

,poznanski felt m at home at ,gemu5d]'s1
 he f\nd out t ! in/rum5ts made by      
,gemu5d] 7 ! only true conc]t viol9s1 & 
dispos+ ( 8 ,gu>n]ius1 he b\ght a       
,magg9i made by ,gemu5d]2 he n[ saw !   
full ext5t ( 8 prejudice1 & 0 mo/ sev]e 
9 8 d5unciation ( all :o ?\ght t !re 7  
no o!r viol9s b ! ,italian to be play$  
^u4  ,if ,wi5iawski _h n be5 seiz$ ) su*
 a /range fancy1 & _h _h m confid5ce 9  
o!r arti/s1 he w\ld n h be5 compell$ to 
*ange viol9s e n[ & !n1 = he 0 con/antly
 buy+ "o ,italian viol9 aft] ano!r &    
f9d+ none to suit him1 m]ely because    
none w\ld d b an ,italian in/rum5t4 ,?us
 he came to ,am]ica & play$ on 8        
,/radiv>ius viol91 :i* _h a spl5did tone
 9 a room1 b :5 play$ ^u 9 a conc]t hall
 prov$ a great deal too weak1 especially
 on ! ,g /r+1 :5 x 0 ov]/ra9$4 ,he !n   
b\ght "o ( ! f9e/ ,gu>n]ius viol9s 9    
,brooklyn1 b z x did n prove any bett]  
?an ! o!r1 he return$ x4  ,to f9d       
,italian viol9s fit to produce a        
suffici5t effect 9 l>ge conc]t halls is 

a great r>ity1 s9ce !y h be5 mo/ly      
spoil$ by fiddle-pat*]s1 or _h n f ! v  
beg9n+ ! prop] con/ruction = ! giv+ out 
( tone suffici5t to fill su* halls4 ,on 
j su* p[]less viol9s ,vieuxtemps p]=m$  
at 8 conc]ts on 8 la/ t\r ?r\gh ,am]ica4
  ,"o day ,gemu5d] made ! acqua9tance ( 
,m>io1 ! greate/ ,italian connoisseur ( 
viol9s1 :o 0 decorat$ = ?is k :5 he 0 at
 ,new ,york4 ,gemu5d] ask$ him to come  
to 8 %op1 z he _h sev]al viol9s :i* he  
w\ld l to %[ him1 9 ord] to h him judge 
if !y 7 really g5u9e in/rum5ts4 ,m>io   
came & view$ ! viol9s %[n to him by     
,gemu5d] m9utely1 nay1 ev5 took a       
magnify+ glass to exam9e ! v>ni%1       
:]eupon he decl>$ to ,gemu5d] t !y 7    
g5u9e in/rum5ts4 ,b ! fact is !y 7      
viol9s made by ,gemu5d]6  ,9 ! beg9n+ ( 
#ahfj ,gemu5d] 0 (t5 visit$ by an       
amateur nam$ ,mess+1 :o wi%$ to f9d a   
good ,italian viol91 = he manife/$ an   
av]sion t[>d ,gemu5d]'s productions1 ow+
 to 8 prejudice aga9/ new viol9s4 ,at ! 
same "t ,gemu5d] _h z an appr5tice a    

nephew1 :o1 :5 he _h n yet be5 fully    
?ree ye>s ) him1 0 engag$ to make 8 fir/
 viol91 accord+ to =m ( ,/radiv>ius4 ,:5
 x 0 f9i%$ ,gemu5d] made him a pres5t ( 
x1 & said he w\ld v>ni% x s z to look   
old4 ,aft]w>d 8 appr5tice gave x to a   
fri5d 9 ,new ,york to sell x = him4 ,?is
 fri5d publi%$ 9 ! newspap]s t he _h a  
,/radiv>ius to sell4 ,mr4 ,mess+ 0 !    
fir/ to make inquiries ab\t x1 & b\ght  
x1 highly rejoic$ at hav+ a ,/radiv>ius 
at la/4 ,he !n _h x exam9$ by ! viol9   
mak] ,m]ci]1 9 ,new ,york1 :o confirm$ !
 claim ( orig9ality4 ,mr4 ,mess+ !n w5t 
to ,europe1 & at ,p>is he wi%$ to he>   
:at ! viol9 mak] ,g& w\ld say1 & ! latt]
 also decl>$ x 0 an old in/rum5t1 add+1 
h[ev]1 t 9 ord] to be q sure :e!r x 0 a 
g5u9e in/rum5t or n x w\ld require m "t 
?an he c\ld apply to x j !n4 ,:5 he w5t 
to ,b]l91 he %[$ 8 in/rum5t to ! viol9  
mak] ,grimm1 t he might he> f him 8     
op9ion z to its g5u95ess4 ,grimm refra9$
 f utt]+ 8 op9ion1 yet he (f]$ him a    
high price = ! in/rum5t1 :i* ! own]     

consid]$ to be suffici5t evid5ce t he   
possess$ some?+ extraord9>y1 & to w>rant
 him 9 keep+ 8 viol94 ,aft] ! lapse (   
f\r ye>s1 :5 ,mess+ _h return$ to ,new  
,york1 he came to see ,gemu5d]1 full (  
joy\s anxiety to %[ him 8 viol91 say+1  
,"h1 ,mr4 ,gemu5d]1 ,i h some?+ to %[ y2
 ,i h f\nd :at ,i h be5 s long look+ =6 
,mr4 ,mess+ !n op5$ 8 box1 & ,gemu5d]1  
cat*+ a glimpse ( ! viol91 exclaim$1 ,t 
is my appr5tice's fir/ production2 h[   
did y come by x8 ,at ^! words ,mr4      
,mess+ /ood z if ?und]/ruck1 & 9 8      
bewild]m5t he tri$ 9 e way to conv9ce   
,gemu5d] t he 0 mi/ak51 b fail+ 9 ?is   
attempt1 8 discomfiture 0 complete4 ,:5 
he _h some:at recov]$ f 8 dismay1 he    
felt he>tily a%am$1 because he _h       
disreg>d$ ! "w ( ! ma/] only to take up 
) ! appr5tice's fir/ production1 & ?is1 
too1 "u ! delusion t t "w 0 a g5u9e     
,/radiv>ius viol94 ,mr4 ,mess+ is n[    
cur$ ( 8 prejudice1 & is no long] look+ 
= a ,/radiv>ius viol94  ,at ! "t :5     
,gemu5d] _h 8 viol9 9 ! ,exhibition (   

,vi5na1 ,b>on ,leon>d1 f ,hung>y1 :o 0 a
 great viol9i/1 br\ght him 8 ,italian   
viol9 to h x repair$4 ,dur+ _! disc\rse 
ab\t viol9s ! ,b>on convey$ to ,gemu5d] 
! impression t he _h already se5 _m     
,italian viol9s1 & he seem$ to h a great
 k ( !m4 ,!reupon ,gemu5d] %[$ him a    
viol9 t seem$ to be a g5u9e ,gu>n]ius1  
:i* he _h det]m9$ to s5d to ! exhibition
 ( ,vi5na4 ,! ,b>on 0 q a/oni%$ at see+ 
su* a wond]ful & spl5did in/rum5t1 & did
 n "k :i* to admire m1 :e!r ! v>ni% ( ! 
viol9 or its tone2 9 %ort1 he look$ at x
 ) rev]5ce1 z if x 7 a %r9e4 ,gemu5d] !n
 %[$ him a ,/radiv>ius1 & :5 ! ,b>on's  
gaze fell ^u ?is in/rum5t1 he seem$ to  
be enraptur$1 & he exclaim$1 9 a tone ( 
"q3 ,mr4 ,gemu5d]1 h[ d y come by su*   
treasures8 ,9 tru? y h a treasure ( !   
greate/ r>ity1 = ,i nev] saw a viol9 s  
beautiful & ( su* tone6 ,:51 h[ev]1     
,gemu5d] decl>$ to him t ^! 7 ! si/]s ( 
! ,kais] viol91 :i* 0 9 ! ,vi5na        
,exhibition1 & 7 made by him1 ! ,b>on   
conduct$ himself z if he _h awak5$ f a  

sweet dream1 & f\nd x difficult to      
realize 8 true condition4     ,,preface4
   ,x is n my int5tion to unfold 9 ?is  
"w my k ( ! /ructure ( viol9s2 = !      
pres5t g5]ation w\ld n ?ank me = do+ s4 
,9 ! treatise itself w be f\nd ! reasons
 :y ,i h n set =? t k4 ,s9ce ! dea? ( ! 
celebrat$ old ,italian viol9 mak]s1 _m  
works h be5 put =?1 9 :i* we f9d n only 
9 :at mann] ^? fam\s ma/]s v>ni%$ _!    
viol9s1 b also prescriptions ev51 (     
!ori/s :o usually "k no?+ ab\t !        
practice1 or ma!matical pr9ciples !re(4 
,abundant !ories are to be f\nd 9 all   
su* works1 b !y are good only = ^? :o h 
little or no k ( viol9 mak+4 ,if !      
sci5ce ( ! celebrat$ ,italian ma/]s c\ld
 really h be5 f\nd 9 ^! works1 !        
exp]im5ts made by ,european inve/igators
 w\ld n h be5 entirely unsuccessful4  ,9
 ,george ,h>t's int]e/+ book1 ,! ,viol91
 a comp>ative illu/ration may be f\nd ( 
! workman%ip ( all viol9 mak]s ) :om he 
became acqua9t$1 ei!r p]sonally or by   
hi/ory1 & by ^: productions he obta9$ 8 

practical k1 :i* comp>isons are g5]ally 
good1 b n entirely free f error4 ,?is   
compilation ( exp]i5ces is highly       
int]e/+ = all ^? :o take an int]e/ 9    
viol9s4 ,! treatises :i* w be f\nd bel[ 
h ref]5ce simply to ! art ( mak+ viol9s1
 to viol9 play]s & _! critics1 !        
in=mation conta9$ 9 :i* has = ! mo/ "p  
nev] hi!rto be5 made public4  ,?r\gh ^! 
sci5tific explanations a bett] judgm5t w
 be awak5$1 :i* w t5d to %[ h[1 9       
consequ5ce ( mi/akes & ignorance 9 reg>d
 to viol9s & viol9 mak]s1 false ideas   
arise4     ,,progress ,,( ,,! ,,/ructure
 ,,( ,,viol9s--,,_! ,,critics4   ,9     
#ahde ,i became p]sonally acqua9t$ )    
,ole ,bull1 at ,vuillaume's1 9 ,p>is1   
:]e ,i !n _h my fir/ opportunity ( he>+ 
& admir+ an arti/ on ! viol94 ,i le>n$  
!n to appreciate ! beauty ( bo? arts1 & 
! sublimity ( atta9m5t 9 ei!r to be a   
viol9 virtuoso or a p]fect viol9 mak]4  
,! latt] art engag$ my :ole att5tion1 & 
x 0 my greate/ aim to rea* to ! highe/  
po9t ( p]fection !re94  ,i also f\nd t  

,ole ,bull took special int]e/ 9 !      
diff]5t =ms ( viol9s1 & ,i rememb] t z  
e>ly z #ahda1 at :i* "t ,i work$ at     
,pe/h1 my employ] made ! s-call$ ,ole   
,bull's bass-b>s 9 viol9s1 ! ideas (    
,ole ,bull conc]n+ viol9s !n be+ accept$
 z au?ority4 ,ole ,bull subsequ5tly made
 _m exp]im5ts reg>d+ tone1 especially ^u
 new viol9s1 9 ord] to reproduce ! same 
"* ( tone1 !n consid]$ lo/1 peculi> to !
 ,italian in/rum5ts4 ,kn[+ t all        
exp]im5ts made s9ce ! dea? ( ! celebrat$
 ,italian ma/]s _h prov5 unsuccessful1  
he und]took to con/ruct a viol9 ( v old 
wood1 b 0 soon conv9c$ t he _h n obta9$ 
bett] results ?an o!rs2 he !re=e decid$ 
! project to be an impossibility1 & hav+
 arriv$ at ?is decision1 8 op9ion 0     
g5]ally conc$$ to4 ,s9ce !n1 d\btless1  
he f\nd out t to make a viol9 0 a m     
difficult task1 = him1 ?an to play on   
"o4 ,z a virtuoso1 h[ev]1 he obta9$ a   
celebrity :i* w make 8 "n immortal1 & z 
he 0 an arti/ 9 8 own peculi> way1 8 "n 
w live =ev] 9 ! memory ( m54 ,nature has

 end[$ _m m5 ) r>e gifts1 ea* "o        
possess+ a tal5t peculi> to himself3 b  
we "k h[ long x requires to p]fect "o's 
self 9 any giv5 art1 & x !re=e _c be    
expect$ t a great viol9 virtuoso %\ld at
 ! same "t be pr(ici5t 9 ! art ( viol9  
mak+1 ! two arts be+ totally diff]5t4 ,x
 is1 h[ev]1 g5]ally believ$ t ! ass]tion
 ( ,ole ,bull _h m weight ) _m viol9    
play]s & amateurs ?an ! mo/ adequate k (
 a viol9 mak]4 ,i admit t ,ole ,bull _h 
"s exp]i5ce ) viol9s1 b _h he obta9$    
suffici5t k he w\ld h easily und]/ood t 
_m ( 8 ideas 7 n bas$ ^u pr9ciples :i*  
he ?\ght _h rema9$ secret to all        
inve/igators on ! subject1 z ! greate/  
au?orities h ackn[l$g$ ! tone 9 ,george 
,gemu5d]'s viol9s to be ( ! same quality
 z t *>act]i/ic ( ! be/ ,italian        
in/rum5ts4  ,?is proves t viol9s are    
judg$ ! be/ :5 !y are mi/ak5 = ,italian 
in/rum5ts & prejudice only is ! actuat+ 
motive :5 ! decl>ation foll[s t !       
in/rum5t is a new viol94 ,if1 !re=e1 ! k
 ( tone c\ld h prov$ m reliable1        

prejudice w\ld n1 9 _m cases1 h appe>$ s
 sev]e1 & embodi$ itself s z to deg5]ate
 into fanaticism4  ,viol9s made ( heal?y
 wood & accord+ to ! rule c nev] lose _!
 tone4 ,x is1 h[ev]1 some?+ diff]5t if  
!y are c>elessly treat$4  ,:5 an        
,italian viol91 :i* lay unt\*$ 9        
concealm5t = fifty ye>s1 0 %[n to       
,wi5iawski at ! ,russian c\rt1 & he 0   
ask$ :at he ?\ght ( x1 he said1 aft]    
try+ x3 ,! viol9 has a bad tone4 ,well1 
said ! ,emp]or1 let u put x back 9 its  
old place4 ,if x _h be5 good ,i %\ld h  
pres5t$ y ) x4 ,wi5iawski1 greatly      
surpris$1 repli$3 ,oh1 :5 ,i play ^u x x
 w rega9 its tone4 ,"h vanity &         
ignorance are %[n at once2 = if t arti/ 
_h _h any k ( viol9s1 he mu/ h kn[n t ! 
viol9 0 n 9 good ord]1 & t x 0 fir/     
necess>y to h x put 9 a good condition  
by a pr(essional repair]2 b in/ead (    
mak+ su* a proposal1 he ?\ght to make an
 impression by 8 r5[n1 & t he w\ld      
improve x by play+ ^u x4  ,i m5tion ?is 
because x conta9s two po9ts3 fir/ly1    

because1 especially "h 9 ,am]ica1 great 
/ress is laid ^u ! op9ions ( su* arti/s1
 b x proves t arti/s d n always h a k   
suffici5t to enable !m to give a correct
 judgm5t ( viol9s2 secondly1 if ?is     
viol9 _h be5 new1 _m w\ld h ?\ght t x 0 
made ( *emically prep>$ wood4 ,a viol91 
h[ev]1 ( su* defective wood1 c nev] give
 a good tone2 because ! life is tak5 out
 ( x :5 x is made4 ,if su* arti/s w\ld  
make !mselves acqua9t$ ) a pr(essional  
viol9 mak]1 _m ( !m w\ld get m light on 
?is matt]1 b s9ce !y consid] !mselves to
 be au?orities on ! subject1 !re is v   
little prospect ( visible progress4 ,x  
is1 !re=e1 a r>ity :5 an arti/ is f\nd  
:o is able to judge ( ! quality ( tone1 
:e!r ! wood is *emically prep>$ or n1 & 
al?\gh ?is is easily to be di/+ui%$ by !
 practic$ e>1 a peculi> exp]i5ce is     
requir$ = x nev]!less4 ,_m1 h[ev]1      
believe t he :o plays ! viol9 to        
p]fection1 & especially ! play] ( r5[n1 
mu/ be ackn[l$g$ z a judge ( tone4 ,i   
admit t _m viol9 play]s are judges (    

tone1 b n beyond a c]ta9 degree1 z !    
great] numb] ( !m he> _! own in/rum5ts  
only & are tak5 ) !m2 b he :o possesses 
a feel+ ( tone1 & into ^: h&s viol9s (  
all %apes & qualities are fall+1 :]eby  
he le>ns to di/+ui% ! diff]5t *>act]s ( 
tone1 is to be consid]$ a connoisseur ( 
tone2 he mu/1 h[ev]1 possess "s k (     
play+1 al?\gh x is n necess>y = him to  
be a solo play]1 = ) h[ _m solo play]s h
 ,i become acqua9t$ :o h no m judgm5t ( 
tone ?an *ildr54  ,= musicians & solo   
play]s x is v difficult to f9d out h[ f>
 ! tone ( a viol9 rea*es4 ,_m a play]1  
hav+ no exp]i5ce 9 ?is reg>d1 plays 9   
conc]ts on a viol9 :i* s\nds l an e*o1 b
 if ! in/rum5t is call$ ,/radiv>ius or  
,gu>n]ius & #c1jjj has be5 paid = x1 &  
besides x has a hi/ory atta*$ to x1 !n1 
v]ily1 x mu/ s\nd4 ,! critic1 h[ev]1    
does n blame ! viol91 b ! play]1 =      
weakness ( tone1 & 9 t respect he is "r4
  ,= solo play]s :o /ill use su* e*o+   
viol9s 9 conc]ts1 x w\ld be ( ! greate/ 
importance to make !mselves acqua9t$ ) !

 quality ( tone :i* is fit = conc]ts1 = 
mo/ ,italian viol9s :i* are us$ 9       
conc]ts prove ei!r too old or ( too ?9  
wood2 b mo/ play]s are accu/om$ to !    
f9e1 t5d]1 e*o+ tone to a degree t !    
true conc]t tone appe>s q /range to !m4 
,?us1 viol9s ( *emically prep>$ wood w  
nev] d = conc]ts1 & x is a great mi/ake 
to believe t su* viol9s h ev] produc$ z 
good a tone z good ,italian viol9s d4   
,ignorance & self int]e/ h laun*$ ?is   
untru? into ! _w4 ,= viol9s made ( su*  
wood produce %ort vibrations--a muffl$  
color ( tone simil> to t ( impair$      
,italian in/rum5ts4 ,vuillaume put all !
 _w 9 commotion ) 8 viol9s ( *emically  
prep>$ wood1 & all ! _w sang hosannas4  
,b :5 x 0 f\nd t su* in/rum5ts kept ?is 
tone only a %ort "t1 !re arose a g5]al  
prejudice aga9/ new viol9s & no "o w\ld 
play on !m4  ,9 ord] to remove all su*  
ideas & prejudices ,i c safely ass]t t  
viol9s ( a free1 high1 cle> & p[]ful "* 
( tone1 ) a quality :i* ?rills !        
he>t--su* tone z my in/rum5ts produce1 &

 :i* qualities are n[ seldom f\nd 9 !   
be/ ,italian viol9s--c nev] be obta9$ by
 any artificial prep>ation ( ! wood1 b  
only by way ( sci5ce accord+ to ac\/ic  
pr9ciples4  ,( c\rse x is ! wood m ?an  
any?+ else :i* is to be tak5 into       
consid]ation2 = )\t ! "r sort ( wood all
 sci5ce w be unavail+1 & vice v]sa4 ,_m 
viol9 mak]s c get ! be/ wood1 b :]e !re 
is no tal5t appli$ 9 ! con/ruction1 no?+
 v good c come =?4  ,( all productions (
 art1 ! viol9 is ! mo/ difficult to     
judge1 & ,i h ne>] illu/rat$ ! diff]5t  
*>act]s ( tone :i* viol9s produce1 &    
tri$ to make ^! ?+s m compreh5sible1 9  
ord] t ?is m$ley ( op9ions & judgm5ts   
:i* h be5 giv5 may be put 9 a cle>]     
light4  ,i 0 highly a/oni%$ at ! mann] 9
 :i* my ,emp]or viol9 7,kais] viol97 0  
judg$1 :i* 0 s5t to ! ,exhibition (     
,vi5na ?ree weeks aft] x _h be5 f9i%$4  
,! viol9 _h attract$ n only _m admir]s1 
b also a great numb] ( gaz]s :o h no    
idea ( a viol91 & :o />$ at x only on   
acc\nt ( its price4  ,?us1 ! ,new ,york 

,/aats ,zeitung _h a correspond5t 9     
,vi5na1 :o also />$ at ! viol9 f ! same 
reason4 ,8 ignorance1 :i* he expos$ 9 8 
correspond5ce to ! newspap] :i* he      
repres5t$1 l$ him to make ! foll[+      
rem>k1 :i* 0 publi%$ on ! #bg? ( ,june1 
#ahgc1 & runs z foll[s3 ,f ,salzburg    
sev]al viol9s1 mo/ly ! =m] prop]ty (    
,moz>t & ,bee?ov51 7 s5t1 & ! "o :i*    
,bee?ov5 own$ 0 made by ,hellm]1 at     
,prague1 9 #agcg1 z 0 not$ on ! label1  
7saleable = #bjj ,flor9s17 :ile = a     
,gemu5d] viol9 9 ! ,am]ican division ( !
 ,indu/rial ,palace1 #aj1jjj 767 are    
ask$4 ,( c\rse1 ev]ybody laughs at !    
simpleton :o believes ?is is ! only     
curiosity ( ! k9d1 & ?9ks he c obta9 su*
 a fabul\s price = x4 ,! ,commission t =
 ?is "t has made u v ridicul\s ) our ',g
 ahead1' %\ld remove t label z soon z   
possible1 t "o ( ! exhibitors may n     
become a public laugh+ /ock4 ,b t writ] 
soon f\nd h[ mu* ?is viol9 0 admir$2 he 
le>n$ to see t x 0 ! only curiosity ( ! 
k9d1 9 fact1 = soon aft]w>d ,i read aga9

 9 ! ,sontag's ,/aats ,zeitung t ! viol9
 0 admir$ v mu*4  ,?is viol9 0 exhibit$ 
by me = ! purpose ( prov+ to ! _w t ,i c
 make viol9s t h ! tone :i* has be5     
s\ght = a long "t s9ce ! dea? ( !       
celebrat$ ,italian ma/]s1 s9ce :i* all  
attempts h misc>ri$1 & ,i confirm$ ?is  
fact 9 a circul> add$ to x4  ,b :at 0 ! 
result8 ,x 0 n believ$4 ,9 ! ,exhibition
 ( ,vi5na my viol9 0 mi/ak5 = a g5u9e   
,cremonese viol91 n only = its tone1 b =
 its out] appe>ance1 :i* 0 s /rik+ an   
imitation accord+ to ,joseph ,gu>n]ius1 
t a newspap] ( ,vi5na made ! obs]vation3
 ,george ,gemu5d] _c make u ,g]mans     
believe t ! viol9 s5t by him is new2 a  
bold ,yankee only c put 8 "n 9 a g5u9e  
in/rum5t1 9 ord] to make himself r5[n$6 
,al?\gh ?is 0 ! highe/ prize :i* a viol9
 mak] _h ev] obta9$1 x 0 no advantage   
ei!r = me or ! public2 = ! art ( viol9  
mak+ 0 n fur!r$ by x1 b r /ill m impair$
 by ! correspond5ce ( ! ,/aats ,zeitung 
& ! ,new ,york ,belle/ri/ic ,j\rnal4 ,! 
latt] writes z foll[s3 ,s4 ,f41         

,pittsburg4--,g4 is a pupil (           
,vuilliaume2 8 viol9s are mu* dem&$1 b  
_! prices are s high t pur*as]s are     
fright5$6  ,?irty ye>s ago ,i sold      
viol9s at f #ej to #ge2 t5 ye>s ago ,i  
sold viol9s at f #ajj to #cjj2 n[ ,i    
sell !m at #ajj & upw>ds2 & viol9 mak]s 
"h & 9 ,europe ask ! same prices4 ,nay1 
amateurs :o d be/ 9 _! ignorance1 ask   
/ill high] prices4 ,:]e91 !re=e1 d we   
f9d t :i* fright5s ! pur*as]s8 ,!       
effront]y ( writ]s :o make su* /atem5ts 
z ! above w br+ !m no honor4  ,_m may   
/ill rememb] t ,i _h det]m9$ to s5d six 
viol9s ( diff]5t =ms1 copies ( ! be/ old
 ma/]-viol9s1 to ! ,vi5na ,exhibition1 &
 int5d$ myself to take ! matt] 9 h&1 b1 
ow+ to an accid5t1 ,i 0 compell$ to give
 up ?is int5tion4 ,9 consequ5ce1 ,i     
resolv$ to s5d only "o viol94 ,to select
 "o ( !m1 arti/s su* z ,woll5haupt1 ,dr4
 ,damros*1 ,c>l ,fe9n+] & o!rs 7        
consult$1 b !y diff]$ 9 _! op9ions1 :i* 
may be tak5 z a pro( t ! in/rum5ts 7 v  
mu* alike 9 "*2 !y are also witnesses ( 

! fact t ,i made !m4 ,9 ord] to call    
att5tion to ! "o select$1 ,i not$ !     
price t5 ?\s& doll>s6 ,nobody1 h[ev]1 0 
*>g$ to dispose ( x1 al?\gh ?ree ?\s&   
doll>s 7 (f]$4  ,! circum/ances connect$
 ) ! con/ruction ( ?is viol9 gives x m  
?an an ord9>y int]e/4 ,ridicule & praise
 9 ! highe/ degree are int]wov5 ) its   
hi/ory2 !re=e1 x has be5 hi!rto ! mo/   
int]e/+ new viol9 9 ?is c5tury4 ,:y ,i  
c\ld n be its repres5tative & _h to     
leave x to fate c be le>n$ f :at ,i h   
already writt5 ab\t x1 & h[ ,i h judg$ e
 ?+ connect$ ) x4 ,i 01 h[ev]1 sure ( "o
 fact1 namely1 t x w\ld be ackn[l$g$ z a
 production ( art4 ,! admission mu/ !n  
be made1 & ! claim is amply ju/ifi$ by  
facts1 t1 z new viol9s are frequ5tly    
mi/ak5 = g5u9e ,italian in/rum5ts1 ev5  
:5 mo/ p>ticul> att5tion is giv5 to !   
v>ni%1 ! art ( viol9 mak+ mu/ no long]  
be consid]$ z a lo/ "o4  ,may ! =ego+   
satisfy all d\bt]s & ^? :o h lately1    
especially 9 ,am]ica1 writt5 ab\t ! lo/ 
art ( v>ni% & tone1 & may x cause !m 9  

future to refra9 f inve/igat+ into ! s  
call$ lo/ arts4 ,he :o w\ld give a      
sci5tific explanation ( ?is art & be a  
critic1 mu/ be ?or\ghly acqua9t$ ) x4   
,a ,,treatise ,,^u ,,! ,,mann] ,,9 ,,:i*
 ,,ma/]-,,viol9s ,,are ,,ru9$4   ,!     
mann] 9 :i* viol9s are s (t5 ru9$ seems 
almo/ beyond compreh5sion1 or r ! way !y
 are g5]ally treat$ mu/ necess>ily      
involve _! ru94 ,! cause ( ?is c n be   
entirely ascrib$ to ^? de/roy]s ( viol9s
 :o pret5d to be repair]s1 b x g5]ally  
re/s ) ! own]s ( viol9s !mselves1       
because !y are usually ignorant z to :o 
is ma/] ( ! art ( viol9 mak+ & to :om a 
ma/] viol9 may be entru/$4 ,!y !re=e    
make inquiries = su* exp]ts1 & apply = t
 purpose1 g5]ally1 to r5[n$ viol9       
play]s1 n realiz+ t ev5 ^! are n always 
end[$ ) discrim9ation1 frequ5tly n m s  
?an ! "o ask+ advice1 & ?us ! latt] is  
l$ a/ray4  ,to f9d an adept repair] is z
 difficult z to f9d a ?or\gh ma/] ( !   
art ( mak+ viol9s2 = ! repair] mu/      
possess ! same k ( ! production ( tone z

 ! be/ viol9 mak]4 ,! man :o _c make    
excell5t viol9s _c be an excell5t       
repair]4 ,to obviate all d\bts on !     
subject1 ,i w /ate t ! f\ndation ( !    
:ole secret is simply ?is ,e viol9 mak] 
w make repairs 9 accordance ) 8 k1 z he 
w\ld make viol9s1 & viol9s z he w\ld    
make repairs6 ,?is pr9ciple is s        
sci5tifically correct z to be conc$$ ev5
 by ! mo/ sev]e critics4  ,_m a man     
a*ieves a reputation by c]ta9 m]itori\s 
accompli%m5ts 9 :i* he has di/+ui%$     
himself1 & 9 consequ5ce !re( ev]yone    
believes him an arti/ 9 ! fulle/ mean+ (
 ! ^w4 ,= in/ance1 ,ludwig ,baus*1 (    
,leipsig1 ga9$ a des]v$ & _w wide       
celebrity z an arti/ 9 mak+ b[s4 ,i also
 e/eem$ him z an excell5t & v accurate  
work]4 ,b to my a/oni%m5t ,i f\nd1 z ,i 
regret to say1 t 8 f9e repairs 7 mo/ly  
devoid ( value1 z also 7 8 new viol9s1 s
 f> z ! production ( tone 0 conc]n$4 ,b 
arti/s & amateurs1 f> & ne>1 ador$ 8    
useless repairs & new viol9s1 :i* latt] 
usually sold = high prices4  ,?us !     

public are unable to =m a prop] judgm5t 
9 reg>d to ! art4 ,x w\ld pa9 _m a "o1  
if !y c\ld realize ! mann] 9 :i*        
valuable viol9s are treat$ by su* viol9 
mak]s & repair]s4 ,repair+ viol9s1      
!re=e1 is z little und]/ood z viol9s    
!mselves1 9 consequ5ce ( :i* n only !   
int]ior ( _m an ,italian in/rum5t is    
ru9$1 b also ! ext]ior is (t5 depriv$ ( 
its classical appe>ance by an alcoholic 
v>ni%1 :i* is sme>$ ov] x & :i* impairs 
its value2 & yet _m own]s ( su*         
in/rum5ts1 :o d n "k any bett]1 rejoice 
to see _! viol9s ) su* a glossy surface4
  ,to rehabilitate a valuable in/rum5t1 
& repair ! ext]ior if necess>y1 requires
 a skill z arti/ic z ! rehabilitation ( 
a pa9t+ by a celebrat$ pa9t]4 ,su*      
in/rum5ts are also (t5 peculi>ly tortur$
 by unskill$ h&s1 & _m a valuable top   
has be5 damag$ by ! op]ation ( putt+1 or
 r =c+1 9 ! s\nd+ po/4  ,own]s ( viol9s 
%\ld take p>ticul> precaution nev] to   
p]mit ! cutt+ away ( wood out ( ! bottom
 or top ( a viol91 )\t be+ fully        

satisfi$ t ! repair] is an adept 9 !    
art4 ,9 ,italian viol9s made by ! old   
celebrat$ ma/]s !re is no necessity at  
all = do+ ?is1 z !y h n z a rule any too
 mu* wood1 & mo/ ( !m are poor en\gh 9  
?is respect2 9 case ^? arti/s made no   
mi/akes o!rs h br\ght !m 9 by _!        
repairs4     ,,( ,,! ,,causes ,,:y ,,!  
,,judg+ ,,( ,,viol9s ,,& ,,! ,,repair+  
,,( ,,!m ,,is ,,less ,,und]/ood ,,?an   
,,o!r ,,art ,,productions4   ,beautiful 
& int]e/+ z is ?is art ( mak+ & repair+ 
viol9s1 & h[ev] great has be5 my        
en?usia/ic devotion to x1 ,i %\ld nev] h
 engag$ 9 x _h ,i 9 />t+ possess$ my    
pres5t exp]i5ce1 = ! ignorance :i* !    
public has %[n by ! confusion ( op9ions 
9 ?is bran* might almo/ make "o believe 
^! judgm5ts emanat$ f a mad-h\se4  ,:y  
is x we he> no su* conflict+ op9ions    
ab\t ! productions ( any o!r bran* (    
indu/ry or art8 ,because 9 no o!r       
bus9ess d we f9d s _m pret5d]s4 ,& :y is
 x !y infe/ ?is p>ticul> bran* ( bus9ess
 m ?an any o!r8 ,simply because ! art ( 

viol9 mak+ is n f\nd$ on a correct      
sy/em1 & ?is may acc\nt = ! m$ley (     
ideas :i* h be5 spread broadca/ ?r\gh\t 
! musical c\ntries1 except ,france1 :]e 
a regul> sy/em is recogniz$4  ,yet 9    
spite ( ! lack ( correct sy/em ( mak+   
viol9s1 ,i h become acqua9t$ ) a few    
,g]man musicians :o h acquir$ an        
excell5t s*ool+ 9 ! art4 ,9 ?is respect 
,i _c refra9 f m5tion+ my admiration = a
 ?or\ghly skill$ musician1 ,mr4 ,h]man  
,eckh>dt1 ( ,columbus1 ,ohio1 a man (   
r>e g5ius 9 ! k ( music1 :o 0 able to   
def9e cle>ly & accurately ! diff]5t     
p]iods ( ! progress ,i made 9 viol9     
mak+4  ,su* a man ,i mu/ respect ! m1   
because he is end[$ ) s\nd judgm5t1 :i* 
o!r musicians1 (t5 ( v high /&+1 c\ld   
only acquire by in/ruction1 a me?od :i* 
to "s ( !m w\ld seem to be impossible1 z
 !y are devoid ( judgm5t1 hav+ _!       
ability w>p$ by false ideas ab\t viol9s1
 & r5d]+ !m incapable ( correctly       
und]/&+ & appreciat+ ! late/ & be/      
productions2 ?is may acc\nt = _!        

fanatical admiration ( ,italian viol9s1 
ev5 if !y possess only imitation1 b1 z  
ignorance is bliss1 !y are happy4  ,on !
 o!r h&1 !re are amateurs :o take su* a 
practical view ( ! matt] t !y are j     
opposite 9 _! beliefs to ?is class (    
fanatics4 ,!y d n see :y a new          
production1 :i* answ]s ! purpose z well 
& :i* 9 m ways ?an "o is pref]able to an
 old production ( ! same k9d1 %\ld be   
reg>d$ z ( less value4 ,!y d n und]/& :y
 a desirable article %\ld comm& an      
enorm\s price :5 ano!r article          
accompli%+ ! same effect c be b\ght mu* 
*eap]4 ,& 9 ?is !y %[ a common s5se :i* 
might well be emulat$ by _m o!rs4 ,:ile 
x is true t an en?usia/ ought nev] to be
 blam$ = 8 en?usiasm1 if x has a        
reasonable base1 x is no less true t    
lack+ 9 ?is respect he is no?+ m or less
 ?an a fanatic4 ,?is class ( p is by no 
means exclusively conf9$ to amateurs1 b 
ev5 includes 9 its ranks _m true arti/s 
9 music4     ,,on ,,! ,,pres]vation ,,( 
,,viol9s4   ,!re is no d\bt t a c]ta9   

class ( viol9 play]s pay v little       
att5tion to ! c>e ( _! in/rum5ts1 z !y  
use !m daily1 & few h "t to be/[ !      
necess>y att5tion ^u !m4 ,if a viol9 is 
out ( ord]1 a musician or amateur :o    
kn[s no?+ ab\t x cont9ues to play ^u x4 
,at l5g? he p]ceives t ! tone is n !    
same z x 0 be=e4 ,_m1 !re=e1 (t5 lay !  
blame on ! repair]1 or on ! viol9 mak]1 
if x is a new in/rum5t4 ,x is !re=e     
desirable t play]s %\ld always pay      
att5tion to _! in/rum5ts & exam9e !m    
:5ev] !y int5d to use !m1 to see :e!r   
ev]y?+ is 9 ord]2 t ! neck has n sunk a 
little to ! front1 caus+ ! f+] bo>d to  
lie deep] on ! top & ! /r+s to lie      
some:at too high4 ,su* deviations w     
occur1 p>ticul>ly :5 ! top is v mu*     
vault$1 z well z by *ange ( wea!r or    
climate4  ,z soon z ! wea!r becomes moi/
 x is advisable to keep a viol9 9 a box2
 :5 ! wea!r is f9e x %\ld be tak5 out ( 
! box = a "t e day2 & ev5 if x is a v   
old viol9 x is n good to keep x always  
lock$ up4 ,a viol9 %\ld nev] lie on a   

floor1 :e!r 9 a box or n1 b %\ld always 
be kept on an elevat$ place & 9 a       
mod]ately w>m temp]ature4  ,be=e us+ !  
viol9 x is advisable to rub x ) a s(t   
clo? or *amois1 s t nei!r du/ nor       
p]spiration may rema9 on x2 x %\ld also 
be clean$ ea* "t aft] be+ play$ ^u4 ,!  
s\nd+ po/ %\ld also be exam9$1 to be    
sure t x /ill /&s p]p5dicul>4 ,! bridge1
 too1 mu/ be look$ at1 & if x /&s       
obliquely x mu/ be br\ght into its      
normal position aga9 be=e tak+ ! b[4 ,x 
usually incl9es some:at =w>d on ! ,e /r+
 aft] tun+ x4 ,if ?is is ! case1 p9* !  
,e /r+ betwe5 ! ?umb & index f+]1 :ile !
 correspond+ "p ( ! bridge is mov$      
backw>d by ! po9ts ( ! f+]s4  ,on good &
 excell5t viol9s p>ticul> att5tion mu/  
be giv5 to ! bridge1 especially :5 x    
fits ! in/rum5t1 = x is n always easy to
 replace x ) "o equally good4 ,a bridge 
:i* is qualifi$ to affect ! viol9 &     
contribute to ! *>m ( tone ( ! in/rum5t 
is m valuable ?an "o w\ld (t5 ?9k4 ,_m  
consid] a bridge ( z little consequ5ce z

 a /r+1 :5 x breaks on ! viol91 & ?9k !y
 c re/ore ! loss by a bridge :i* co/s   
?ree c5ts2 = ! correct model ( a bridge 
is consid]$ only z an ornam5t by su* p4 
,( c\rse !y d n "k t ?is is "o ( ! mo/  
important p>ts ( good viol9s1 & t !re   
are b few viol9 mak]s :o are able to    
make a bridge z x %\ld be4 ,b x is !    
same ) ! bridge z ) ! viol94  ,x is n   
only ! correct con/ruction ( ! viol9 &  
bridge :i* produces a good tone1 b ! "r 
sort ( wood mu/ be f\nd = ! purpose4    
,?us ! bad =m ( a bridge made ( f9e wood
 is j ! same z a common fiddle made (   
f9e mat]ials4 ,x !re=e foll[s t we %\ld 
take z mu* c>e ( a ma/] bridge z ( !    
viol9 itself4  ,x "s times occurs t !   
s\nd+ po/ ( ! viol9 becomes %ort] by    
itself2 9 ?is case x may be advisable to
 relax ! /r+s entirely 9 ord] to see    
:e!r ! s\nd+ po/ does n fall4 ,if ?is is
 ! case1 a new "o mu/ be made ( old wood
 by a skill$ workman4 ,! cause ( ?is is 
t ! wood contracts m or less1 especially
 9 dry wea!r2 ?is may also be caus$ by a

 *ange ( air1 :i* sometimes ev5 produces
 a di/ortion ( ! swell ( ! top4  ,:5 su*
 c>e is habitually tak51 a viol9 w      
always be 9 good ord]4 ,too l[ a s\nd+  
po/ causes a l[] position ( ! top on t  
side1 :i*1 :5 n rem$i$1 w rema9 & w     
produce a defect 9 ! swell & tone4 ,?is 
is also ! case :5 ! s\nd+ po/ is too    
high1 & _m viol9s are se5 :]e ! swell is
 high] or l[] ?an x ought to be on !    
side :]e ! s\nd+ po/ /&s4 ,?is is also !
 case ) ! bass-b> or s-call$ s\l ( a    
viol91 :i* is j z my/]i\s a "p ( ! viol9
 z any "o c imag9e2 & its quality %[s ! 
skill or ignorance ( its mak]4     ,,to 
,,illu/rate ,,h[ ,,viol9s ,,( ,,my      
,,con/ruction ,,may ,,be ,,comp>$ ,,)   
,,! ,,old ,,italian ,,ma/]-,,viol9s4    
,f ! =ego+ treatises x w be se5 ) :at   
en]gy ,i devot$ myself to ! art ( mak+  
viol9s1 & ,i c decl>e to ! _w ) a good  
consci5ce t ,i h rea*$ ! /&po9t 9 ?is   
art :i* has be5 /riv5 = 9 va9 dur+ a    
c5tury4  ,i h /udi$ all ! *>act]i/ics 9 
! con/ruction ( ! ,italian ma/] viol9s1 

& h _h ext5sive practice 9 imitat+      
viol9s1 z ma/]s h made !m1 & h obta9$ an
 und]/&+ :i* enables me to unite all    
good qualities ( tone 9 ! con/ruction4  
,z ,i am able to judge f exp]i5ce1      
nobody c confute me4 ,all ^? :o d\bt x  
or w dispute x c nei!r confute me       
sci5tifically1 nor prove :at !y say4 ,i 
h _h a great _m opportunities to he> &  
repair ! be/ ,italian viol9s myself1    
includ+ ,pagan9i's wondr\s viol9 at     
,vuilliaume's1 9 ,p>is1 & ,i c affirm t 
my ,kais] viol9 c be consid]$ z wondr\s 
a viol9 9 reg>d to tone & "* z--nay1 x  
is ev5 to be pref]r$ to--t ( ,pagan9i's 
9 _m respects6  ,i also make a peculi>  
k9d ( ,magg9i viol94 ,= ?is purpose ,i h
 select$ an old] =m ?an t :i* is g5]ally
 kn[n4 ,i con/ruct ^! viol9s 9 a mann]  
to include all good qualities ( tone1 & 
!y are1 !re=e1 f> pref]able1 because !y 
surpass ^? ( ,/radiv>ius 9 greatness (  
tone4 ,su* di/9ctions prove t ,i h made 
great progress 9 ?is art4  ,mo/ ,italian
 viol9s are n[ ( int]e/ only to admir]s 

( art1 & may be recomm5d$ to            
antiqu>ians1 = !re are only a v few /ill
 exi/+ :i* c be us$ = conc]ts1 & al?\gh 
if ev5 _! voice disappe>s m & m out ( _!
 body1 !y w always be valu$1 kept z     
relics & admir$ by fri5ds ( art4 ,b x is
 only fancy :i* makes mo/ ( !m adore :at
 !y d n und]/&1 & !y trample d[n !      
blossom ( ! new productions :i* ! _w    
br+s =?4  ,!re=e1 x w be ( "s int]e/ to 
_m to he> m m9ute p>ticul>s ab\t ! me?od
 ( con/ruction ( viol9s ( ! old ,italian
 ma/]s1 z _m p]sons are /ill 9 d>kness z
 to :i* viol9s ! be/ tone is to be      
ascrib$4 ,?is want ( k comes simply f ! 
fact t a comb9ation ( un9jur$ in/rum5ts 
( ! be/ ma/]s is a task v difficult to  
be effect$1 & ^! in/rum5ts w\ld by all  
means h to be put 9 prop] condition by  
an exp]t4  ,?is has1 p]haps1 nev] be5   
done yet1 & a g5]al comp>ison c\ld only 
be made z ! opportunity pres5t$ itself4 
,z ,i acquir$ k ( ! sy/em1 ! =ms &      
swells ( viol9s ( ! great ma/]s1 ,i also
 became s ?or\ghly famili> ) !          

*>act]i/ics ( tone t ,i h f\nd out :at !
 pres5t ne$s require4  ,i w n[ consid] 9
 detail ! diff]5t *>act]i/ics ( tone ( !
 productions ( ! great ma/]s1 & /ate 9  
:at mann] ?is diff]5ce 0 obta9$4  ,jacob
 ,/a9]1 at ,absam1 9 ,tyrol1 0 a pupil (
 ,ni*olas ,amati1 at ,cremona4 ,/a9] &  
,amati made viol9s :i* 7 mo/ly dem&$ by 
amateurs on acc\nt ( _! r\nd1 sweet1    
silv] tone4 ,?is "* ( tone !y produc$ by
 a small1 r\nd & "s :at oblong swell1 z 
well z by a neat & some:at small] size  
?an t ( ,/radiv>ius1 :o endeavor$ to ga9
 a great] sonority ( tone4 ,/radiv>ius1 
!re=e1 made ! swell less high ?an ,/a9] 
or ,amati1 b ( a broad] circumf]5ce1    
drawn oblong1 by :i* he obta9$ a sublime
 tone 9 an ari/ocratic & maje/ic =m4    
,joseph ,gu>n]ius del ,jesu4--,z long z 
he made viol9s accord+ to ! s*ool ( 8   
great ma/]1 ,/radiv>ius1 8 productions 7
 ( a simil> nature4 ,lat]1 he made      
some:at small] models1 sometimes ) a    
circumf]5tial swell1 by :i* he ga9$ a   
some:at small] tone1 b ) a /rik+1 quick 

t\* ( a peculi> brilliancy4 ,x is /range
 t he gave a diff]5t =m to ea* ( 8      
viol9s1 ! f1 ! swells & ! scrolls v>y+ 9
 almo/ e in/rum5t4 ,x is told t he 0    
imprison$ = a long "t1 &1 "u great      
deprivations1 he made viol9s secretly4  
,9 all 8 productions 8 great g5ius is   
recogniz$4  ,duffu ,prug>1 at ,bonn9i51 
liv$ 9 ! sixte5? c5tury4 ,8 viol9s h a  
l>ge & wide =m1 ) int]e/+ ornam5ts (    
c>v+ "w & inlay2 _! swells are          
beautiful1 & z high z ^? ( ,/radiv>ius1 
& !y produce a great & full tone4 ,b z  
!re are only few /ill exi/+1 _m viol9s  
are imitat$ 9 ,france accord+ to ?is    
model1 & !y are spread f> & wide4       
,magg9i's viol9s are mo/ly ( a l>ge size
 & ( a high] swell & full] t[>d !       
extreme p>ts ?an all ! o!r viol9s ( !   
,italian ma/]s1 !re9 produc+ a great    
fulness ( tone2 on ! ,g & ,d /r+s _!    
color ( tone is p>ticul>ly deep4        
,gasp>d da ,salo made v int]e/+ viol9s (
 small & l>ge size2 ! =m] h a peculi> "*
 ( tone1 n v /rong b ( a v cle> color4  

,^! viol9s h a beautiful1 high & r\nd   
swell1 simil> to ^? ( ,jacobus ,/a9]1 b 
^? ( a great] size are flatt]1 produc+ m
 p[] ( tone1 & are !re=e bett] adapt$ = 
solo p]=mances4  ,^! celebrat$ ma/]s    
left u a great *oice ( diff]5t =ms &    
swells1 z well z _! me?od ( workman%ip 9
 reg>d to ! top & bottom ( _! viol9s1   
:]e ! pro( is to be se5 t !y always made
 inve/igations 9 ord] to ga9 a great]   
p]fection4 ,/radiv>ius & ,joseph        
,gu>n]ius h especially obta9$ a         
beautiful quality ( tone 9 _! viol9s1   
yet 9 ord] to ga9 an easy t\* ( tone1 !y
 work$ ! top pretty t5d]1 & 9 _m        
in/ances !y made ! middle "p ( ! top mo/
 ?91 probably to fur!r ! eas9ess ( s\nd 
/ill m4 ,su* viol9s d n answ] = conc]ts4
  ,x seems t at t "t less att5tion 0    
paid to su* a p[] ( tone z is requir$   
n[1 because only few ( !m h be5 f\nd )  
an acceptable ?ickness ( wood 9 ! top & 
bottom4 ,?is is1 !re=e1 ! reason t s _m 
,italian viol9s produce too weak a tone 
9 conc]ts4  ,al?\gh ,magg9i left ! top &

 bottom ?ick] 9 ! middle "p1 /ill1 mo/ (
 8 viol9s h n1 on acc\nt ( con/ruction &
 deep color ( tone1 be5 receiv$ ) favor 
l ^? ( ,/radiv>ius & ,joseph ,gu>n]ius4 
,z only a few su* ,gu>n]ius &           
,/radiv>ius viol9s 7 f\nd :i* by reason 
( _! ?ickness ( wood answ]$ ! purpose ( 
solo viol9s1 e "o believ$ all _!        
productions ( a l "*4  ,!re=e1 s _m solo
 play]s (t5 expose _! ignorance by play+
 on su* viol9s 9 conc]ts4  ,/radiv>ius  
in/ruct$ o!r pupils besides ,joseph     
,gu>n]ius1 :o made excell5t viol9s1 & _m
 ( ^! viol9s /ill exi/4 ,z ! mo/ ( !m 7 
made ) ! full ?ickness ( wood1 !y       
produce a spl5did tone1 (t5 bett] ?an "s
 ( ^? made by _! great ma/]4 ,?is tea*es
 u t he :o wi%es to possess an ,italian 
viol9 on acc\nt ( its tone _c dep5d ^u  
f9d+ x by ! "n alone1 b he has to pay   
all 8 att5tion to ! discov]y ( ^? 9 :i* 
! necess>y ?ickness ( wood is f\nd4  ,a 
solo play]1 !re=e1 %\ld nev] play a     
viol9 on acc\nt ( its "n alone1 = if !  
viol9 produces a weak tone1 ! blame w be

 laid on him1 & s mu* ! m because x is  
g5]ally suppos$ t su* in/rum5ts mu/ be  
ma/] viol9s4     ,,art                  
,,exhibitions4--,,h[ ,,viol9s ,,are     
,,exam9$ ,,& ,,judg$4   ,fir/ ( all ,i w
 take ,am]ica into consid]ation1 :]e !  
art ( mak+ viol9s is too little und]/ood
 to be judg$4 ,commission]s (           
exhibitions l ^?1 = in/ance1 ( ! late   
,c5t5nial1 h no idea ( viol9s1 &1 !re=e1
 are unable to appo9t judges compet5t to
 aw>d ! premiums4 ,x w\ld be too mu* to 
ask t !y %\ld !mselves be su*           
connoisseurs1 = ! viol9 is /ill consid]$
 z a fiddle 9 ?is c\ntry1 & x may /ill  
take a long "t be=e ! p "h rea* ! /&>d (
 k & appreciation :i* ,europe occupies4 
,!re=e1 only v few real viol9 mak]s are 
f\nd "h1 = mo/ ( !m are only amateurs   
do+ bus9ess 9 ?is bran*4 ,9 ! ,c5t5nial 
exhibition 9 ,philadelphia1 9 ! ,unit$  
,/ates ,dep>tm5t1 7 f\nd mo/ly su*      
amateur viol9s4 ,i h he>d t all ^? :o   
call$ !mselves viol9 mak]s receiv$ a    
premium4 ,! judges 7 ei!r unequal to !  

requirem5ts ( _! (fice or !y desir$ to  
(f5d nobody4 ,if ! latt] be ! case !y   
c]ta9ly act$ g5]\sly if n ju/ly4 ,b     
exhibitions ( art 7 e/abli%$ = ! purpose
 ( f9d+ out 9 :i* way ! diff]5t articles
 ( indu/ry & art comp>e ) ea* o!r4      
,prop] exam9ations c be made only by    
pr(essional m51 o!rwise only t fiddle t 
cries ! mo/ w attract ! greate/         
att5tion4  ,ju/ice w nev] prevail 9 su* 
exhibitions1 ow+ ei!r to want ( k 9 ord]
 to be able to judge :o has des]v$ a    
premium1 or to favoritism1 = m]it c hope
 lea/1 especially 9 ,europe4 ,arti/s !re
 c only receive ackn[l$gm5t if !y h !   
means to sp5d4 ,! ,c5t5nial exhibition1 
h[ev]1 0 n guilty ( su* a wrong2 "h x 0 
! desire to be z j z possible to all1   
al?\gh n e "o c\ld be satisfi$4 ,to act 
9 ! capacity ( an aw>d] is always a     
?ankless task2 :e!r ! judge has or has n
 ! necess>y k1 discont5t is sure to     
foll[1 because ! conceit$ man :o has be5
 unrew>d$ does n see ! diff]5ce betwe5 8
 production & ! bett] "o ( 8            

co-exhibitor1 b an inju/ice is done to  
an arti/1 if ?r\gh favoritism a premium 
is aw>d$ to an inf]ior production4      
,exhibitions1 h[ev] e/imable !y may be1 
are /ill v imp]fect 9 reg>d to _!       
organization2 9 ,europe !y h be5 = ye>s 
entirely corrupt1 & are n[ call$ into   
exi/5ce mo/ly by speculators4 ,! true   
pr9ciple has be5 lo/ sight ( & tak5 a   
corrupt =m4 ,x is sc>cely to be expect$ 
t ! "t w come :5 ! _m defects :i* h     
crept 9 w be remov$ aga91 = all ^!      
fail+s :i* h manife/$ !mselves ?r[ a    
%ade ov] su* exhibitions1 & ! "t is n f>
 di/ant :5 !y w be entirely disreg>d$1  
if n reorganiz$ on a diff]5t basis4 ,b  
,i believe t !y w nev] atta9 great      
p]fection1 ev5 if tak5 9 h& by !        
,gov]nm5t1 = s long z a sy/em ( aw>ds is
 connect$ !re)1 mi/akes & discont5t _c  
be avoid$4 ,manag]s ( exhibitions are n 
always compet5t to appo9t ! prop]       
pr(essional m5 & exp]ts z judges2 & z ^?
 appo9t$ lack ! necess>y qualifications1
 dissatisfaction ensues4 ,b suppose !   

aw>ds 7 made ) prop] k & /ricte/        
imp>tiality1 :at !n8 ,:at h ! rema9+    
competitors ga9$ :o are less gift$ by   
nature1 & !re=e c\ld n receive any aw>d8
 ,no?+ b mortification & an impair$     
bus9ess4 ,is ?is fair on ! "p ( human   
society8 ,n e "o c be an arti/4 ,! (f]+ 
( premiums has = its object ! promotion 
( indu/ry2 b ! majority ( exhibitors c  
nev] a*ieve di/9ction by reason ( lack (
 tal5t1 & mu/ consequ5tly be consid]$ z 
exclud$ f _! l9e ( bus9ess4 ,are we n   
b\nd to consid] !m z our fell[ bre?r5 & 
to c>e = !m z well z = ^? receiv+       
premiums8 ,b ! pres5t g5]ation does n   
seem to h any ?\ghts ab\t ?is1 = !re are
 b v few m5 :o are /ill animat$ ) noble 
impulses2 :ile ! majority are /riv+ to  
ru9 _! fell[ m5 by gre$9ess4  ,9 my     
op9ion su* exhibitions _c cont9ue any   
long]1 because ju/ice c nev] be expect$1
 & ! *ase = ! highe/ premium 9 ord] to  
outdo o!rs1 has n only become ridicul\s1
 b also immoral4  ,if ,i 7 ! ri*e/ man1 
x %\ld nev] come into my m9d to /rive = 

a premium :i* ,i mu/ pur*ase ?r\gh      
s-call$ lee*es4 ,!re are1 h[ev]1        
connoisseurs :o "k h[ to di/+ui% t :i*  
is bett] f t :i* is less good4  ,z long 
z su* exhibitions are bas$ on su* rott5 
pr9ciples1 ,i f9d no long] any int]e/ z 
an exhibitor 9 /riv+ = a premium1 & z ,i
 ga9$ ! highe/ moral premium 9 !        
exhibition at ,vi5na 9 #ahgc1 on ?is    
acc\nt ,i did n compete = any premium z 
an exhibitor 9 ! ,c5t5nial exhibition at
 ,philadelphia6     ,,note ,,ab\t       
,,dilettanti ,,viol9 ,,mak]s4   ,:oev]  
takes an int]e/ 9 viol9 mak+ w und\bt$ly
 be pleas$ to he> m p>ticul>s 9 reg>d to
 dilettanti viol9 mak]s & _! patrons4   
,!re are "s dilettanti viol9 mak]s 9    
,am]ica :o consid] viol9 mak+ _!        
bus9ess1 & !re are o!rs :o d n make x _!
 *ief bus9ess4 ,!y h _! own p>ticul>    
patrons1 :o 9 ! k ( viol9s are on ! same
 level ) !mselves2 b x _c be d5i$ t 9 ! 
productions ( "s ( ^! viol9 mak]s !re is
 tal5t disc]nable2 if ^! p]sons c\ld h  
_h prop] in/ruction1 m good viol9 mak]s 

w\ld be f\nd ?an are n[ 9 exi/5ce4 ,b z 
long z dilettanti viol9 mak]s rema9 z   
su*1 only dilettanti viol9s w be        
produc$2 = )\t prop] in/ruction x is    
impossible to obta9 ei!r a correct k ( !
 ext]ior =mation or a correct k ( !     
production ( tone4  ,x is true1 t e     
piece ( wood ov] :i* /r+s h be5 /ret*$ w
 s\nd1 & e su* in/rum5t w h its admir]s4
 ,!re are1 h[ev]1 dilettanti viol9 mak]s
 ^: self-conceit & boldness is simply   
a/oni%+4 ,! pr(essional w und]/& ?is1 = 
if a self-conceit$ man c\ld see cle>ly &
 look into ! matt]1 he w\ld be a/oni%$  
at 8 workman%ip1 z ,i 0 once myself4  ,z
 dilettanti usually lack t practice :i* 
is peculi> to ! regul> viol9 mak]s1 !y v
 (t5 exp]im5t 9 all k9ds ( ma*9es by :i*
 !y expect to light5 manual labor2 _!   
object1 h[ev]1 is mo/ly rea*$ 9 a v     
r\ndab\t mann]1 al?\gh !y believe to h  
made an improvem5t1 & ?is improvem5t !y 
ann\nce to ! public z a great success4  
,z mo/ ( _! patrons h no k ( ! matt]1   
su* a dilettante appe>s to !m z an      

extraord9>y g5ius4 ,?is supposition w\ld
 p]haps n be disput$ if x did n take    
consid]ably m "t to execute ) _! ma*9es 
a c]ta9 am\nt ( "w ?an ! practical      
workman requires simply by ! dext]ity ( 
8 h&4  ,a dilettante viol9 mak] c nev]  
be a ?or\gh workman1 & is entitl$ to be 
consid]$ only z a jack-(-all-trades2 he 
has a great _m k9ds ( tools :i* ! regul>
 viol9 mak] nev] uses4  ,_m dilettanti  
are presumptu\s en\gh to believe        
!mselves fur!r advanc$ 9 !oretical k    
conc]n+ tone ?an ! mo/ exp]i5c$ viol9   
mak] ( ! pres5t day4 ,"s ( !m ask1 9    
consequ5ce1 a great deal high] price = a
 viol9 ( _! own make ?an does any regul>
 viol9 mak] = 84 ,b x seems to me t su* 
p]sons are (t5 only ! tools ( ,ole      
,bull1 a once celebrat$ viol9i/ )       
extravagant ideas1 :o misl$ !m4 ,!y1    
h[ev]1 believe to h le>n$ f him ! true  
secret ( ! art ( viol9 mak+4 ,he also   
tri$ to p]suade !m into ! belief t :5   
new viol9s s\nd well & are s]viceable = 
conc]ts !y are made ( *emically prep>$  

wood4 ,if su* pret5d$ wise man w\ld h "s
 k ( wood1 he ought to be able to       
di/+ui% wood :i* is *emically prep>$ & t
 :i* is n6 ,ab\t ?is po9t ,i h already  
suffici5tly expla9$ my op9ion4  ,to give
 ! wood ! old natural color :i* is      
peculi> to ! ,italian viol9s1 9 a great 
measure dep5ds on ! mat]ial us$1 = n e  
wood int5d$ = viol9 mak+ has ! necess>y 
qualifications4 ,viol9s made f su*      
select$ wood are !re=e especially       
valuable4  ,x _c n[ appe> /range t !    
g5]al public has s little k 9 ! judg+ ( 
viol9s1 :5 a _w r5[n$ viol9i/ l ,ole    
,bull %[s su* ignorance4 ,"h 9 ,am]ica !
 latt] pref]r$ ! company ( dilettanti   
viol9 mak]s1 = ! reason t !y 7 g5]ally  
will+ to li/5 to 8 ideas1 & "s ( !m h   
/udi$ n[ s mu* t !y _c see any cle>] nor
 he> any bett]4  ,dilettanti viol9 mak]s
 =m a peculi> class ( viol9 mak]s 9     
,am]ica2 & !y seem to be born = ! sph]e 
( su* k z is "h %9+ =?4 ,_! patrons     
write articles = !m 9 :i* !y try to     
in/ruct ! public by _! ignorance1 z we  

f9d1 = in/ance1 9 ! ,philadelphia       
,times1 ( ,augu/ #cj?1 #ahgi3 ,gemu5d]  
refuses to /ate ! s\rce ( supply = 8    
wood1 & x is a well-kn[n fact t he &    
o!rs use at times *emical prep>ations = 
! purpose ( *ang+ ! "* & ! appe>ance (  
_! wood4  ,! writ] ( ?is notice made a  
/atem5t )\t any f\ndation4 ,_h he & 8   
tra9 a prop] k ( ! matt]1 !y w\ld be    
able to p]ceive t ! mat]ial ( my viol9s 
is n *emically prep>$ & ! "* ( ! wood   
has n und]gone any *ange :atev]4 ,x is  
presumptu\s 9 ignorant p]sons to make   
su* /atem5ts aga9/ a man ( long         
exp]i5ce1 = ! purpose ( br++ 8          
productions into discr$it2 productions  
:i* are pro(s 9 !mselves t n a s+le     
viol9 c come into ! condition ( ^?      
manufactur$ ( *emically prep>$ wood1 z  
^? ( ,vuilliaume 9 ,p>is4 ,b su*        
individuals manife/ n only a prejudice  
aga9/ a bett] und]/&+1 b also are       
imp]t95t1 f :i* /upidity & meanness     
emanate2 & ?us !y unmask !mselves z     
false exp]ts4  ,! cause = ?is ass]tion w

 h to be f\nd1 & = ! disbeliev] !re is  
no o!r gr\nd 9 ! advantages ,i h ga9$ by
 my /udies1 :i* to !m seem impossible2 &
 z ! ,italian viol9s are g5]ally        
ackn[l$g$ ! only good in/rum5ts1 !y try 
almo/ any?+ to oppose :at has prov5     
itself s glori\sly1 r ?an ackn[l$ge x z 
a fact4  ,tru?1 h[ev]1 c nev] be        
ov]rul$1 & ! "t w come :i* w impose     
sil5ce on su* individuals6 ,s9ce mank9d 
inhabits ! e>? _! *>act]s are z diff]5t 
z we f9d diff]5t plants4 ,_m a fl[] is n
 fragrant1 & h[ _m /ately & celebrat$ m5
 are he>tless6 ,^?1 !re=e1 :o are void (
 g5]osity are able to d evil4 ,^?       
classes :o are z x 7 idle we$s1 = ! k9ds
 are bo? useful & hurtful to m52 all t  
nature produces has a mean+4 ,if we c\ld
 fa?om all ! secrets ( nature we w\ld   
also be able to und]/& ! mean+ ( !m1 &  
idle we$s c\ld be less hurtful4 ,b 9    
nature !re lies a wisdom :i* rema9s a   
secret to mortal man4     ,,good ,,luck 
,,& ,,art1 ,,& ,,rem>ks ,,ab\t ,,viol9s4
   ,x is an inconte/able fact t !       

success ( ! endeavors ( m5 to ga9 a     
livelihood dep5ds ^u luck1 al?\gh _m are
 ( diff]5t op9ion1 especially ^? :o are 
always favor$ by good luck1 z !y ascribe
 _! success to _! ent]prise & skill4 ,!y
 d n consid] t good luck only has (f]$  
!m a *ance4 ,_m become weal?y )\t be+   
gift$ ) peculi> k1 :ile _m o!rs1 9 spite
 ( all _! k & g5ius1 endeav\r 9 va9 & d 
n see _! ef=ts rew>d$4 ,x is1 !re=e1 a  
matt] ( fact1 t nei!r art nor sci5ce    
produce weal?1 unless !y are favor$ by  
good luck1 & ! cases are innum]able :i* 
prove ?is4 ,f ! _m exp]i5ces 9 my life1 
especially 9 my pr(ession1 ,i w only    
m5tion ! foll[+3 ,vuilliaume1 ( ,p>is1 0
 favor$ by nature 9 a v high degree 9 e 
?+2 he 0 n only ! greate/ arti/ 9 8     
pr(ession 9 ,europe dur+ ! pres5t       
c5tury1 b also an excell5t bus9ess man1 
& good luck smil$ on him 9 all 8        
ent]prises4 ,lupot1 8 p>tn]1 laid !     
f\ndation ( ,vuilliaume's indep5d5ce by 
effect+ a m>riage betwe5 him & a v ri*  
lady ( nobility4 ,?us he became n only a

 celebrat$ man1 b also ! ri*e/ viol9    
mak] ( our "t4 ,al?\gh "s ( 8 viol9s (  
prep>$ wood incurr$ discr$it1 nev]!less 
!re 7 admir]s :o b\ght 8 viol9s1 ev5 9  
,am]ica1 :]e ! prejudice aga9/ new      
viol9s is s preval5t1 on acc\nt ( !     
supposition t ! wood ( !m 0 *emically   
prep>$1 a practice ( :i* !y s /upidly & 
unju/ly accus$ me1 & !reby caus$ a great
 deal ( h>m to my bus9ess4 ,on ! o!r h&1
 ,vuilliaume1 :o really prep>$ 8 wood 9 
a *emical mann]1 0 lucky & prosp]\s4    
,:at is ! reason ( ?is & :]e is x to be 
f\nd1 & :y does good luck g5]ally lie 9 
! opposite extreme8 ,! solution ( ?is   
secret w probably rema9 undisclos$ to   
mortals4 ,^u :omsoev] =tune smiles1 &   
:om %e all[s to bl[ ! gold5 horn1 he    
p5etrates ! _w1 8 "n becomes great1 & he
 produces ^u mank9d t effect :i*        
p]suades !m into ! belief t ! be/ c be  
f\nd only 9 him4 ,if ,vuilliaume _h be5 
a poor man he w\ld h c]ta9ly rema9$     
poor1 especially 9 ,am]ica1 :]e ! art ( 
viol9 mak+ is /ill less und]/ood ?an 9  

,europe1 & unju/ reports w be m readily 
li/5$ to ?an any:]e else4  ,9 ,europe   
!re 0 a g5]al supposition t a pretty    
good dem& = old ,italian viol9s exi/$ 9 
,am]ica1 9 consequ5ce ( :i* deal]s 9 old
 & new viol9s f\nd _! way hi!r4 ,9      
dispos+ ( ^! in/rum5ts !y 7 n v         
scrupul\s 9 reg>d to ! in=mation1 &     
sometimes gave !m names accord+ _! own  
fancy4 ,a great _m s-call$ ,italian     
viol9s & violoncellos came 9 ?is way to 
,am]ica1 & ! own]s are happy 9 ! imag9>y
 possession ( an ,italian in/rum5t4 ,o!r
 p]sons aga9 ent]ta9 ! idea t !y are    
sur] ( a g5u9e article if x comes f     
,europe1 z !re is _! home2 b if x is    
believ$ t ?is is always ! sur] way1 x is
 a mi/ake4 ,x requires an extraord9>y   
/udy to recognize ! mak] ( an in/rum5t1 
& und]/& ! dead language ( ! viol94 ,?us
 x mu/ n be believ$ t ! in/rum5ts claim$
 to be ,italian are always g5u9e2 !     
sell] himself may sometimes be mi/ak54  
,_m own]s ( su* baptiz$ viol9s d n      
always l to be in=m$ ( ! real orig9 ( ! 

in/rum5t by a p]son ( ?or\gh k4         
,sometimes ,i feel con/ra9$ to give an  
op9ion by virtue ( my k1 b x mu/ n be   
expect$ ( me to admire a ?+ t is n      
g5u9e1 z ^? own]s d 9 _! ignorance4     
,if1 h[ev]1 a g5u9e & valuable ,italian 
viol9 has lo/ any "p1 & if a viol9 mak] 
possesses ! art to re/ore ! miss+ "p1   
ei!r 9 imitat+ ! v>ni% or 9 adapt+ ! lo/
 "p to ! "* ( ! viol91 s t ! in/rum5t   
reappe>s 9 its orig9ality s completely t
 ! connoisseur is deceiv$1 ! value ( !  
viol9 is 9 t case n impair$4 ,?is also  
occurs 9 reg>d to v valuable old        
pictures1 & ! arti/ :o is f\nd to be    
able to execute su* "w is well paid4    
,su* arti/s are1 p]haps1 m to be e/eem$ 
?an ! mak] ( ! orig9al1 z !y are r>e1   
especially ^? :o are able to re/ore !   
orig9ality ( valuable old viol9s4 ,!    
in/rum5ts lose _! value 9 case ! repairs
 _c be c>ri$ out prop]ly1 ow+ to a want 
( g5ius ^u ! "p ( ! repair]4  ,i h (t5  
%[n ?is art 9 exceptional repairs2 b :at
 c be ga9$ by x8 ,! great] numb] ( ^? :o

 own viol9s d n "k h[ to appreciate su* 
skilful "w1 &1 9 _! ignorance1 !y       
attempt to d h>m 9 ! b>ga91 :5 !y he> t 
!y mu/ = su* repairs1 p]haps1 pay       
some:at m ?an usual--an additional pro( 
( h[ great ! d>kness /ill is 9 judg+ ?is
 art4 ,! "t :5 a bett] und]/&+ 9 ?is    
reg>d w come to daylight is /ill f> (f6 
,& :y8 ,because all o!r arts & bran*es (
 indu/ry are bas$ ^u solid gr\nd1 z !   
,/ate gov]nm5ts protect !m1 &1 !re=e1 !y
 c come to a prop] degree ( p]fection4  
,! art ( mak+ viol9s does n enjoy ?is   
privilege 7except 9 ,france7 & x hov]s  
mo/ly 9 ! fog s9ce ! dea? ( ! celebrat$ 
,italian ma/]s4  ,!re=e1 x c yet be     
call$ only a fancy art4 ,! opportunity  
:i* has be5 giv5 to mank9d 9 ?is c5tury 
to make ?is sci5ce g5]al has n be5      
reg>d$1 because ! confid5ce & belief 9 x
 has be5 want+1 & x w disappe> l a dr[n+
 p]son1 :o sev]al times comes up out ( !
 wat]1 b :o1 at la/1 is ov]:elm$4       
,in/ead ( endeavor+ to save ?is art 9   
its details1 x is ignor$ by self-int]e/4

 ,b su* an av]sion to ! be/ mod]n       
productions is sometimes puni%$ v       
sev]ely1 z want ( k (t5 br+s common     
productions into ! possession (         
individuals4  ,s9ce ! dea? ( ,t>iso1 !  
great collection ( viol9s1 etc41 :i* he 
ga!r$ f all ! regions ( ,europe1 has be5
 scatt]$ aga9 ov] all c\ntries4         
,vuilliaume1 :o b\ght _m ( !m1 aft]w>d  
resold "s to viol9 mak]s & deal]s2 ^?   
in/rum5ts :i* 7 put 9 ord] by !m are    
easily recogniz$4  ,?is collection      
consi/$ mo/ly ( all *>act]s ( ,italian  
in/rum5ts1 f ! mo/ commonplace to !     
celebrat$ ,/radiv>ius4 ,9 _m an admir]  
an int]e/ may h be5 awak5$ !reby to     
possess "o ( ^! in/rum5ts4 ,b x mu/ n be
 expect$ t all ( ^? viol9s /ill possess 
_! orig9al p>ts4 ,_h n su* amateurs z   
,t>iso--& !y are n r>e 9 ,europe--b\ght 
^? in/rum5ts ( t "t & kept !m safely1   
:i* contribut$ to _! long] pres]vation1 
!y w\ld1 especially if !y _h be5 always 
us$1 be 9 a mu* worse condition4        
,george ,h>t1 ( ,london1 is also su* a  

ga!r] ( & deal] 9 in/rum5ts4 ,john ,h>t1
 ! fa!r ( ,george ,h>t1 ^: p]sonal      
acqua9tance ,i made at ,vuilliaume's1 9 
,p>is--:5 ,i 0 engag$ to make = him a   
set ( ,/radiv>ius heads1 f t ( viol9 up 
to t ( contra-basso1 :i* %\ld s]ve z    
models--und]took to ga!r su* old        
,italian viol9s = ! purpose ( sell+ !m  
aga9 to o!r p]sons4 ,f t firm !re came1 
9 fact1 "s specim5s ( ! celebrat$       
,italian ma/]s to ,am]ica1 & !y are     
int]e/+ & v well pres]v$4 ,i h se5 &    
admir$ !m2 !y are 9 possession ( an     
amateur at ,h>t=d1 ,conn4 ,"h !y are    
pres]v$ aga9 = ! com+ g5]ation4  ,viol9 
play]s look ) envy ^u su* viol9s 9 ! h&s
 ( amateurs1 b x is =tunate t mo/ ( !m h
 come into su* h&s1 = viol9s ( ?is k9d  
are v delicate1 & al?\gh ^? :i* are well
 kept produce a beautiful tone1 mo/ ( !m
 h n t p[] ( tone :i* is necess>y =     
conc]ts4  ,! solo play]1 h[ev]1 believes
 he mu/ produce ! /rong tone ( a viol9  
by =ce1 :i* breaks ! tone1 & is n he>d  
di/9ctly4 ,9 ?is mann] su* viol9s are   

tortur$ & ru9$4 ,:5 su* well kept viol9s
 cont9ue to be well pres]v$1 !y may be !
 same aft] a hundr$ ye>s4 ,su* relics w 
!n1 no d\bt br+ /ill high] prices f ^?  
:o wi% to possess a viol9 ( t k9d4  ,b x
 is /range t "s amateurs put a p>ticul> 
value ^u a viol9 :i* has be5 9 !        
possession ( a ri* nobleman1 z if x is m
 likely to be g5u9e 9 t case8 ,:at a    
fooli% idea6 ,su* :ims are n ent]ta9$ by
 connoisseurs4 ,!re are en\gh ari/ocrats
 :o possess only a fiddle1 especially 9 
,am]ica1 & :o "k no?+ ab\t ! value ( a  
viol92 x is r>ely t !y h at home a viol9
 :i* is wor? ov] five or t5 doll>s4 ,:5 
_m ( !m he> t ?\s&s ( doll>s are paid = 
viol9s1 !y ?9k t p]sons :o pay ^! prices
 mu/ be crazy4 ,! reason ( ?is is t mo/ 
( !m "k no diff]5ce betwe5 a t5 doll>   
fiddle & a viol9 :i* co/s z _m hundr$s (
 doll>s6  ,amateurs :o pay ?\s&s (      
doll>s = a viol9 are "h 9 ,am]ica j z   
isolat$ z t en?usia/ :o paid six hundr$ 
doll>s = ! fir/ ticket ( ! fir/ conc]t  
giv5 by ,j5ny ,l9d 9 ,new ,york1 & ! o!r

 :o paid t5 doll>s = 8 admittance 9 ord]
 to be able to see ! six hundr$ doll>   
man4  ,?us ,i believe to h unroll$ a    
panorama :i* w assi/ 9 ! dissem9ation ( 
k & tru?ful views1 :i* h only be5 obta9$
 by a long exp]i5ce4     ,,( ,,! ,,mann]
 ,,( ,,play+--,,treatm5t ,,( ,,bridges  
,,etc4   ,x has (t5 occurr$ to me t     
viol9 play]s ( all k9ds f9d fault :5 !  
/r+s are n arrang$ 9 ! mann] to :i* !y  
are accu/om$1 & almo/ e "o believes 8   
me?od to be correct4 ,?is subject %all  
be discuss$ "h1 s t a cle>] insight may 
be obta9$ & ! correct me?od asc]ta9$4   
,!re are viol9 play]s :o h a greatly    
ar*$ bridge1 & o!rs a v flat "o1 on _!  
in/rum5ts4 ,! latt]1 !re=e1 m ?an ! =m]1
 h ! advantage ( be+ able to play on all
 viol9s1 because !y are accu/om$ to a   
bridge :i* is flatt]4 ,^! diff]5t me?ods
 mo/ly arise f ! diff]5t arrangem5ts ( !
 viol9s ^u :i* pupils le>n to play4     
,ole ,bull 0 an exception to ?is rule2 )
 him x 0 n *ance2 ( all viol9 play]s he 
us$ ! flatte/ bridge on 8 viol92 b x 0 8

 pr9ciple4 ,8 music pieces requir$ x1 & 
9 8 me?od he became a ma/]4  ,i4 ,b4    
,poznanski play$ at "o "t on a viol9 )  
almo/ z flat a bridge z t on ,ole       
,bull's in/rum5t1 & ,i believe x w n h  
be5 =gott5 t he produc$1 z if by *>m1 a 
great tone f 8 in/rum5t4 ,?is proves t a
 great tone c be ga9$ on a flat bridge4 
,!re=e x dep5ds only on ! skill ) :i* ! 
b[ is h&l$4 ,_m viol9 play]s1 h[ev]1 are
 ( op9ion t !y mu/ press ! b[ on ! /r+s 
v mu*1 9 ord] to br+ =? a /rong tone on 
! viol92 b ! pressure ( ! b[ is limit$2 
= :5 x is too /rong1 ! e> becomes       
disgu/$ ) ! tone1 nay1 a scrap+ & j>r+  
tone is produc$ by too /rong a pressure1
 because ! ,g /r+ t\*es ! f+]-bo>d 9 ?is
 case1 9 consequ5ce ( :i* _m viol9      
play]s wi% to h ! f+]-bo>d v holl[4 ,b x
 mu/ n be believ$ t 9 su* a mann] ! "r  
tone is produc$2 on ! contr>y1 ! full   
tone1 :i* lies ready 9 ! viol91 is v    
easy to be ga9$ by ! k & skill ( h&l+ ! 
b[4  ,! rule is1 t ! tone mu/ be drawn  
=? by ! b[1 & x mu/ n be =c$ =? by      

pressure4 ,! b[ mu/ n be l$ oblique1 b  
/raight ov] ! /r+s1 s t ! hair lies flat
 on !m2 x also dep5ds on ! flexibility (
 ! arm1 t ! b[ may n t\* ! /r+s /iffly1 
b 9 an ela/ic mann]4 ,^? :o attract     
att5tion to _! elb[s _c expect t ! b[ & 
! viol9 alone w d _! s]vice4  ,! mo/    
p]fect condition ( a viol9 requires !   
in/rum5t to be s arrang$ t x c be play$ 
easily2 !re=e1 ,i det]m9e t ! height ( !
 /r+s mu/ be ?ree-sixte5?s ( an in* at !
 end ( ! f+]-bo>d1 & t ! ar* ( ! bridge 
mu/ h ! same measure1 ?ree-sixte5?s ( an
 in*1 betwe5 its two extremes1 = bridges
 m ar*$ ?an ?is cause difficulties to ! 
play]1 because ! movem5t ( ! b[ is too  
mu* ab/ract$ :5 pass+ f ! ,e /r+ to ! ,g
 /r+4 ,9 su* a mann]1 ,david 9 ,leipsic 
_h ! viol9s arrang$ = 8 pupils4  ,on su*
 ar*$ bridges ! two middle /r+s lie too 
high f ! top t[>ds ! ,g /r+ & ,e /r+1 & 
x is an ac\/ical mi/ake1 because x      
produces an inequality ( ! "* ( tone4   
,su* k %\ld be taught to ! pupils 9     
cons]vatories ( music2 b x is g5]ally   

believ$ t :5 a viol9 play] has be5 made 
a pr(essor he is able to satisfy !      
requirem5ts ( 8 position 9 ?is reg>d4   
,= ! b5efit ( ! le>n]1 h[ev]1 ,i w ent] 
m ne>ly ^u ! k :i* is requir$1          
especially 9 a cons]vatory1 & to !      
imp>t+ ( :i* ! tea*] %\ld att5d4 ,fir/  
,i w m5tion z an example ! cons]vatory  
at ,leipsic :5 x 0 "u ! managem5t (     
,director ,david4 ,mo/ ( 8 s*ol>s 7 !n  
compell$ to play on new viol9s made by  
,baus*1 :i* = _! /iff & t\gh tone are = 
! great] "p unfit = ^? :o w\ld become   
arti/s4 ,?is quality ( tone1 toge!r ) ! 
fact t /ud5ts 7 =c$ into a c]ta9        
position & fatigu$1 caus$ !m to become  
n]v\s2 b _m p>5ts :o _h no k ( x1 s5t _!
 sons to t in/itute1 ev5 f ,am]ica1 & !y
 _h no idea t _m ( !m br\ght back a     
n]v\s disease & 7 ?us ru9$4 ,i he>d ?is 
( no o!r cons]vatory 9 ,europe4 ,?us x  
w\ld appe> t ,david pursu$ 8 own int]e/ 
r ?an t he c>$ = ! good ( 8 pupils4  ,"h
 9 ,am]ica we h viol9 tea*]s ^: me?ods  
are pref]able by f> to su*4  ,! foll[+  

is a me?od accord+ to :i* /ud5ts %\ld be
 in/ruct$3 ,! /ud5t mu/ n be =c$ into a 
position ( hold+ ! viol9 s z to cause ! 
ru9 ( heal?1 b on ! contr>y1 by means ( 
a free position & natural hold+ ( !     
viol9 ! *e/ w be enl>g$4 ,?is does n    
only b5efit ! heal?1 b also facilitates 
! le>n+ & progress4  ,x is ( ! greate/  
importance t /ud5ts le>n on viol9s :i* h
 good tone1 = in/rum5ts :i* h a bad     
quality ( tone usually disc\rage !      
beg9n]1 s t he becomes n]v\s & soon     
consid]s play+ an unpleasant "w1 & gives
 x up )\t kn[+ ! reason :y4 ,tea*]s1    
!re=e1 %\ld h ! necess>y k ( ! qualities
 :i* a viol9 mu/ possess4 ,a k          
indisp5sable = !m & a great b5efit = !  
le>n]4 ,= only a good tone has a *>m+   
influ5ce ^u ! m9d1 & ow+ to ?is _m      
beg9n]s advance e>ly to a high degree ( 
p]fection2 !re=e x mu/ also be 9 !      
int]e/ ( ! /ud5ts to get famili> ) !    
good tone ( a viol91 t _! e> may n be   
accu/om$ to a sickly tone4 ,alas6 ,?is  
po9t is mo/ly disreg>d$ by _! p>5ts1 :o 

h little or no k ( a viol91 & x provokes
 "s indignation 9 sci5tifically in/ruct$
 tea*]s to tea* _! pupils on mis]able   
fiddles4  ,if a tea*] kn[s h[ a viol9   
%\ld be arrang$1 x is above all 8 duty  
to exam9e ! in/rum5t1 & asc]ta9 :e!r x c
 be us$ = ! in/ruction ( a le>n]2 = z ! 
viol9 is fir/ arrang$ = him s he w ev]  
be accu/om$ to h x aft]w>d4 ,= in/ance1 
on ! viol9 ( ! solo play] ,ed4          
,moll5hau]1 ! /r+s lie on ! f+]-bo>d l[]
 ?an on any o!r t ,i ev] saw4 ,no d\bt  
he has le>n$ on su* an in/rum5t4 ,x is  
true t ! virtuoso%ip is facilitat$1 b ! 
/r5g? ( tone is impair$ by su* an       
arrangem5t4  ,! +5i\s arti/ ,brume1     
h[ev]1 0 s great a ma/] t he play$ ev5  
on viol9s ! /r+s ( :i* lay v high1      
al?\gh he did n "k ?is4 ,_m1 aga91 are  
accu/om$ to bridges t are v mu* curv$   
t[>ds ! ,e /r+1 because !y did n "k1 :5 
le>n+1 h[ badly _! viol9s 7 arrang$4  ,a
 correct sy/em mu/ be ! f\ndation (     
ev]y?+1 b z ! !ories 9 ?is art are /ill 
dead lett]s = mo/ viol9 play]s1 !re h   

aris5 fanta/ical ideas1 especially among
 ! greate/ ( !m4 ,ole ,bull did 8 be/ to
 imp>t su* ideas to o!rs1 yet _m ( !m 71
 no d\bt1 excell5t4 ,ole ,bull always _h
 a vehem5t desire to f9d some?+ bett]   
beyond all possibility4 ,_m ( 8 ideas 7 
contradictory to all ! rules1 & al?\gh  
he put "s 9 practice he did n p]sev]e 9 
any ( !m = a long "t1 = a new idea      
occurr+ to him all o!rs 7 supplant$ by  
x4  ,x happ5$ once t ,ole ,bull 0 visit$
 9 ,new ,york by ano!r arti/1 :o 0 call$
 ! ,am]ican ,sivori4 ,he1 z well z _m   
o!rs ?\ght t ,ole ,bull _h a p]fect k ( 
! /ructure ( viol9s4 ,sivori1 see+ t    
,ole ,bull _h a bridge on 8 viol9 :i*   
/ood q oblique--= ! upp] "p ( ! bridge 0
 b5t backw>ds by a qu>t] ( an           
in*1--adopt$ ?is idea4 ,:5 8 viol9 _h   
be5 provid$ ) su* a bridge he came to   
me1 & ) great satisfaction he %[$ me ?is
 que] position ( ! bridge on 8 viol94 ,i
 0 highly a/oni%$ at him t he c\ld      
approve ( an idea :i* is aga9/ all      
correct !ory & is no?+ b a f>ce4 ,i !n  

expla9$ to him n only ! consequ5ces :i* 
mu/ arise f x1 b also ! impossibility1  
by su* an arrangem5t1 ( br++ to be> an  
ev5 horizontal pressure on ! bridge4 ,b 
he ?\ght t :i* came f ,ole ,bull 0 bett]
 ?an t :i* came f my k4 ,let u see :at  
happ5$ lat]4 ,9 a conc]t ( 81 :ile he 0 
play+ ) en?usiasm1 ! bridge fell &      
broke6  ,ano!r day an ,italian arti/    
came ) 8 ,magg9i viol9 to %[ me :]e !   
s\nd+ po/ mu/ /& 9 8 viol91 hav+ obta9$ 
8 in=mation ab\t x f ,ole ,bull4 ,i c\ld
 n help smil+ :5 ,i saw t ! s\nd+ po/ 0 
plac$ q ne> ! f hole4 ,^u express+ my   
surprise1 he repli$ ) ! foll[+ insult3  
,:at d y "k ab\t ! position ( ! s\nd+   
po/8 ,y are no viol9 play] l ,ole ,bull1
 !re=e y _c "k ab\t x4 ,my answ] simply 
03 ,only a fool c talk to me 9 t way1 & 
v soon y w f9d out t y w h to give up   
su* an insane idea6  ,x 0 on ! ?ird day 
aft] t he came back begg+ me to place ! 
s\nd+ po/ 9 8 viol9 accord+ to my       
judgm5t4 ,:5 he _h apologiz$ = 8        
indiscretion1 ,i fulfill$ 8 wi%4  ,?us  

,i h become acqua9t$ ) sev]al arti/s :o 
con/antly tortur$ _! viol9s by gett+ !  
s\nd+ po/ & bass-b> displac$4 ,?is      
proves a want ( correct !oretical k1 &  
?r\gh ?is ignorance !y make ! s\nd+ po/ 
w&] ab\t ! :ole viol94  ,! place ( !    
s\nd+ po/ c only be asc]ta9$ ?r\gh !    
!oretical k ( ! con/ruction ( ! bottom &
 top ( ! viol94 ,_m play]s ?9k !y c     
obta9 ! "r tone by ! position ( ! s\nd+ 
po/ alone1 b no s\nd+ po/ c make good a 
fault 9 ! con/ruction ( ! bottom & top4 
,,circul> ,,:i* ,,accompani$ ,,my       
,,emp]or ,,viol9 ,,9 ,,! ,,vi5na        
,,exhibition ,,( #ahgc--;,,an ,,int]e/+ 
,,explanation ,,ab\t ,,viol9s ,,& ,,(   
,,! ,,sci5ce ,,( ,,tone4   ,x is an     
indisputable fact1 t ( all productions (
 art 9 ! _w1 ! viol9 has be5 lea/       
und]/ood4  ,?is wond]ful in/rum5t has   
rema9$ an enigma to ! musical _w until  
n[4 ,h[ =tunate x is t ?is in/rum5t does
 n und]/& human language1 by :i*        
circum/ance x escapes t m$ley ( critical
 rem>ks :i* are made 9 its reg>d4  ,x   

is1 !re=e1 9 ! int]e/ ( art & its       
vot>ies t ,i h det]m9$ to pres5t h]e) to
 ! public ! results ( my long exp]i5ce  
obta9$ 9 mak+ viol9s1 & 9 exam9+ ^?     
sci5ces connect$ ) x4  ,x is g5]ally    
kn[n t up to ! e>li] "p ( ! eighte5?    
c5tury ! ,italian ma/]s made ! be/      
viol9s1 & ) ! dea? ( ^? arti/s a decl9e 
( t art1 too1 took place4 ,^? s-call$   
classical in/rum5ts h be51 especially ( 
late ye>s1 eag]ly s\ght at high prices1 
by all arti/s & amateurs1 because a     
settl$ op9ion has tak5 hold ( _! m9ds t 
nobody is able to con/ruct a viol9 :i*  
is fit = solo p]=mances2 t ! secret :i* 
! old ,italian ma/]s possess$ is n yet  
f\nd1 & t new viol9s1 al?\gh con/ruct$  
accord+ to ! rules ( ac\/ics1 _c ga9 !  
desir$ p]fection until aft] ! use ( a   
hundr$ ye>s4 ,?is1 !re=e1 animat$ _m    
viol9 mak]s ) an endeavor to ov]come t  
difficulty1 b 9 va92 at la/ ,vuillaume1 
( ,p>is1 0 impress$ ) ! ?\ght ( mak+    
wood look old by a *emical process1 & he
 succe$$ 9 creat+ a furor ) 8 in/rum5ts 

made ( su* wood1 s t p began to believe 
! "r c\rse 0 be+ pursu$4 ,x turn$ out1  
h[ev]1 t aft] a few ye>s ^? in/rum5ts   
det]iorat$1 & f9ally became useless &   
prov$ a failure4  ,?is especially       
prejudices ! m9ds ( ! virtuosi s f> t !y
 d n believe x to be possible to make   
viol9s :i* answ] ! g5]al requirem5ts (  
conc]t play+ until !y h atta9$ a great  
age4  ,vuillaume has1 !re=e1 by 8       
*emical prep>ation ( wood1 injur$ ?is   
art s]i\sly1 because ! previ\s prejudice
 0 corroborat$ !reby4 ,su* prejudices /&
 9 ! way ( progress 9 mak+ good viol9s4 
,b z ev]y?+ 9 ! _w is go+ on1 s ! art ( 
! con/ruction ( viol9s has n rema9$     
beh9dh&1 & ,i c prove ?is to ! musical  
_w by my own exp]i5ce4  ,to ! k ( mak+  
su* viol9s z arti/s & amateurs dem&1 !re
 belong besides +5uity 9 c>ry+ out !    
me*anical "w a k ( ! foll[+ ?ree        
sci5ces1 namely3 ma!matics1 ac\/ics & ! 
*oice ( wood4  ,a k ( ac\/ics1 :i* is   
mo/ indisp5sable to ! viol9 mak]1 _c    
always be acquir$1 s9ce x emanates f an 

innate g5ius1 :i* makes itself manife/ 9
 ! v *oice ( ! wood4  ,:5 by ! aid ( ^! 
sci5ces ,i _h arriv$ by a natural       
proce$+ at :at ,i aspir$1 ,i made viol9s
 9 imitation ( ! old ,italian in/rum5ts 
& pres5t$ !m to great arti/s &          
connoisseurs1 & ! highe/ au?orities (   
,europe & ,am]ica4 ,!y pron\nc$ !m to be
 g5u9e old ,italian viol9s1 n only on   
acc\nt ( tone1 b also 9 reg>d to =m &   
appe>ance4 ,9 ?is mann] ,i broke t      
prejudice4 ,i prov$ to ! s-call$        
connoisseurs t ^? viol9s laid be=e &    
ackn[l$g$ by !m to be good1 7 ( my mak+1
 h5ce !y 7 new4 ,if ,i _h pres5t$ ^?    
viol9s z new productions ( my own to ^? 
g5tlem51 !y w\ld h condemn$ !m =?) &    
said t !y w\ld n prove good till !y _h  
rea*$ a great age1 & t !y w\ld p]haps 9 
a hundr$ ye>s equal ! old ,italian      
in/rum5ts4  ,9 g5]al1 h[ev]1 x is n tak5
 into consid]ation t if a viol9 is n    
sci5tifically con/ruct$ ! good quality (
 tone w nev] be obta9$1 ei!r by mu*     
play+ or by age4 ,9 apply+ ! ?ree above 

m5tion sci5ces ,i h ga9$ n only ! f9e   
quality ( tone1 b also t ease ) :i* !   
tones are made to come =?4  ,b we mu/ be
 ?ankful to ! great ma/]s2 !y h laid = u
 ! f\ndation ( ! manufacture ( viol9s1  
by :i* !y became immortaliz$4  ,_!      
sy/em1 h[ev]1 is b little und]/ood by ! 
pres5t viol9 mak]s1 because v few       
intellig5t p devote !mselves to ?is art1
 & ! mo/ ( ^? :o are le>n+ x1 practice x
 n 9 ! way ( art1 b ( bus9ess4 ,:at     
wond]1 :5 ev5 ! greate/ arti/ 9 ,europe1
 ,vuillaume1 imitat$ ! v mi/akes :i* !  
great ,italian ma/]s made 9 reg>d to    
ma!matical division4 ,he did n consid] t
 !y1 9 improv+ ! art1 made exp]im5ts 9  
reg>d to =m1 swell & diff]5t ?icknesses 
9 work+ out ! bottom & top4 ,b !re are a
 great _m pr(essional m5 :o1 f exagg]at$
 v5]ation1 consid] all productions ( ^? 
ma/]s z law & beyond correction4  ,i h  
discov]$ t ! old ma/]s did n arrive at  
p]fection1 b made mi/akes 9 _!          
ma!matical division & 9 ! workman%ip ( !
 diff]5t ?icknesses ( ! bottom & top4   

,^? faults ,i h endeavor$ to avoid 9 !  
manufacture ( my viol9s1 & ,i ?9k ,i h  
solv$ ?is problem4  ,j s x is ) ! k (   
tone4 ,x is a great mi/ake to believe t 
x is only ! play] :o has ?is k4         
,exp]i5ce has taught t play+ & k ( tone 
are two diff]5t prov9ces1 because !     
arti/ v seldom has an opportunity to    
make close /udy ( ! diff]5t qualities ( 
tone1 & is usually prepossess$ ) 8 own  
in/rum5t4  ,if _m solo p]=m]s _h m k (  
tone !y w\ld n s (t5 play 9 conc]ts on  
feeble in/rum5ts1 :i* are too old1 too  
defective 9 con/ruction1 or h be5 spoil$
 by bungl+ workm5 :o 7 employ$ to repair
 !m4 ,su* in/rum5ts (t5 injure ! solo   
p]=m] exce$+ly1 & ! critic is "r 9 *>g+ 
! fault to feebl5ess ( tone4 ,b ! arti/ 
is g5]ally satisfi$ if he only possesses
 an ,italian viol94  ,also 9 ! sci5ce ( 
tone ,i h f\nd ! way to ga9 t exp]i5ce  
by :i* ,i h be5 enabl$ to make a viol9  
:i* w satisfy an unprejudic$ solo p]=m] 
( ! pres5t & future4  ,i h conf9$ myself
 to ! natural process :i* ! ,italian    

viol9s und]w5t1 & ,i h put ! problem to 
myself t x mu/ lie )9 ! b\nds (         
possibility to con/ruct viol9s :i* w br+
 =? good tones at once & n dep5d on a   
promis+ future = all _! good qualities1 
& ,i h n be5 mi/ak51 b h secur$ :at ,i  
s\ght4  ,_m are /ill ( op9ion t ! art ( 
mak+ viol9s & pr$et]m9+ ! qualities (   
tone1 is a m]e accid5t4 ,?is is1 if tak5
 9 a g5]al s5se1 true1 because mo/ ( ^? 
:o make viol9s sc>cely "k any m ( x ?an 
a jo9]1 b ! ability to con/ruct viol9s  
accord+ to ! rules ( art1 requires a man
 :o has enjoy$ a te*nical education1 &  
:oev] has acquir$ ! necess>y            
capabilities kn[s ! me?od by :i* !      
diff]5t qualities ( tone may be produc$ 
& obta9$4  ,above all1 he :o occupies   
himself ) repairs c lea/ disp5se ) ^!   
capabilities1 s9ce he is (t5 intru/$ ) !
 mo/ valuable in/rum5ts2 b alas6 ) :at  
inconsid]ation d ^? :o possess su*      
in/rum5ts (t5 give !m1 = repair1 to     
bot*]s & fiddle mak]s4  ,?is proves h[  
great 9 ?is reg>d is ! lack ( correct   

judgm5t4 ,?r\gh su* spoil]s ( viol9s mo/
 ,italian viol9s h come to naught1      
because _m :o own su* in/rum5ts ?9k t   
:5ev] any "o makes a neat piece ( "w &  
kn[s h[ to use 8 *isel1 file & s&pap]1  
he is ! man to be intru/$ ) su*         
in/rum5ts4 ,b :]e !re is a lack (       
sci5ce1 ! repair]'s "w1 be x ev] s neat1
 may cause damage 9 half an h\r :i* w be
 great] ?an c ev] be made good aga94    
,if a viol9 mak] con/ructs bad in/rum5ts
 x is 8 own damage1 b to make bad       
repairs is to ru9 ! in/rum5ts ( o!rs1 ! 
creations ( ma/]s4  ,nei!r is a viol9   
mak] :o does n "k h[ to con/ruct        
excell5t in/rum5ts a good repair]4 ,yet 
!re are _m :o ?9k t good repair]s ne$ n 
possess ! k ( mak+ good viol9s4 ,b :at a
 mi/ake6 ,x seems1 h[ev]1 wisely orda9$ 
by nature t ev5 he :o is less gift$ &   
less le>n$ may enjoy life1 & ?us gladly 
be> sacrifices 9 consequ5ce ( 8 error4  
,?is is ! pla9 & simple explanation (   
matt]s 9 reg>d to ! manufacture ( viol9s
 & ! k ( tone1 & ^? to :om ?is does n   

seem compreh5sible may submit to a m    
?or\gh exp]i5ce ?an !y h ga9$ until n[2 
9 ?is case !y w1 aft] !y h fully conv9c$
 !mselves ( x1 sometimes rememb] ,g4 ,g4
     ,a ,,reply ,,to ,,mr4 ,e4          
,,s*elle',s ,,critique ,,conc]n+ ,,!    
,,viol9s ,,9 ,,! ,,exhibition ,,(       
,,vi5na ,,9 ,,! ,,leipsig ,,neue        
,,zeits*rift ,,fur ,,musick1 ,no4 #eb1  
#ahgc4   ,9 ! =ego+ circul>1 treat+ ^u  
viol9s1 ,i said3 ,x is indisputable t no
 production ( art 9 ! _w has be5 less   
und]/ood ?an ! viol94 ,?is tru? has     
prov$ good aga9 9 ,mr4 ,s*elle's        
critique conc]n+ viol9s1 & x %[s h[     
little he is able to judge ab\t !m6 ,9 8
 v introduction x is pla9ly %[n t he has
 made no /udies 9 reg>d to tone :5 he   
says3 ,?us an idea came to ,vuillaume to
 make1 by a *emical prep>ation1 wood to 
look l t ( ! old viol9s4 ,in/rum5ts made
 ( ?is mat]ial excel 9 reg>d to _!      
spl5did & real ,italian tone4  ,aga9/   
?is ,i ass]t j ! contr>y & c prove x to 
be nons5se by ! fact t wood1 :5 submitt$

 to a *emical process1 w produce a dry1 
cov]$ tone1 & ! noble quality ( tone--t 
:i* affects ! he>t--is lo/4  ,mr4       
,s*elle !n says3 ,we may also discov] a 
simil> exp]im5t 9 ! in/rum5t :i* ,mr4   
,george ,gemu5d]1 ( ,new ,york1 has 9 ! 
exhibition1 "u ! o/5tati\s "n ( ,kais]  
,viol9 7,emp]or ,viol974 ,( c\rse its   
manufactur] w\ld prote/ aga9/ ?is       
ins9uation1 = 9 a little pamphlet he    
decl>es t by ! assi/ance ( ?ree sci5ces1
 ! ma!matics1 ac\/ics & k ( ! wood to be
 *os51 he _h n only compreh5d$ ! sy/em (
 ,italian s*ool1 b _h ev5 discov]$      
errors 9 x1 etc4  ,mr4 ,s*elle fur!r    
says3 ,!re h be5 _m celebrat$ viol9     
mak]s :o 7 gift$ ) ! same tal5ts & le>n$
 9 ! same sci5ces1 yet !y c\ld n rea*   
:at !y aim$ at1 9 spite ( _! mo/ /r5u\s 
ef=ts4 ,we confess q op5ly t 9 spite ( 8
 assurance we h>bor ! suspicion t ,mr4  
,gemu5d] has tak5 refuge 9 a *emical    
prep>ation ( ! wood4 ,! viol9 9 "q1 a   
fai?ful imitation accord+ to ,guiseppe  
,gu>n]ius1 is inde$ beautiful 9 its     

appe>ance & has a v excell5t tone4 ,b ! 
extravagant1 really ,am]ican1 price ( t5
 ?\s& doll>s c\ld only be excus$ :5 its 
excell5ce %\ld h be5 prov5 good 9       
future1 etc4  ,f ?is 7,mr4 ,s*elle's7   
critique x is evid5t t he has tri$ to   
?r[ into ! %ade ! int]e/+ production (  
art :i* ,i _h 9 ! exhibition1 9 ord] to 
be enabl$ to put ! productions ( !      
,vi5na viol9 mak]s 9 a m favorable      
light4 ,b ?is proves t only su* p]sons z
 are de/itute ( suffici5t k to judge (  
viol9s may be transport$ to su* "o-sid$ 
critiques1 dictat$ ei!r by p>tiality or 
o!r int]e/s2 = if t 7 n ! case ,mr4     
,s*elle ought to h blu%$ ) %ame 9 reg>d 
to t inju/ice & disrespect ) :i* he     
illu/rat$ ! exp]i5ce ( an arti/ & spoke 
( 8 tal5ts & sci5ces1 to :i* ,mr4       
,s*elle is z mu* a /rang] z he is to !  
arti/'s p]son6  ,z ,mr4 ,s*elle takes   
into consid]ation t ! viol9 at t5 ?\s&  
doll>s exhibit$ by myself mu/ fir/      
und]go a pro( ( "t1 x may be r advisable
 = ,mr4 ,s*elle to take a lesson (      

,gemu5d]1 t he may le>n ^? *>act]s (    
tones :i* w prove good 9 future & :i* w 
n2 s t he may be able h]eaft] to %[     
bett] k 9 8 critique ^u viol9s6  ,f my  
*ildhood ,i h gr[n up 9 ?is art 9       
,g]many & h devot$ myself to all ^?     
/udies :i* are connect$ ) x4 ,! la/ f\r 
ye>s 9 ,europe ,i pass$ at ,vuillaume's 
9 ,p>is1 consequ5tly ,i am acqua9t$ ) ! 
entire ,european k ( ! con/ruction (    
viol9s4  ,s9ce #ahdg ,i h made viol9s 9 
,am]ica1 !re=e my in/rum5ts d n require 
to be subject$ to a pro( ( "t1 = x is   
)\t su* a "o t ,i h solv$ ! problem &   
secur$ at once ! f9e tone :i* all !     
prec$+ viol9 mak]s /rove 9 va9 to f9d4  
,i obta9$ my purpose 9 q a natural way4 
,?is k1 h[ev]1 does n lie 9 an object ^:
 secret is only to be secur$ by a pat5t2
 x lies purely 9 ! gifts ( man4 ,ano!r  
c5tury may pass by be=e ?is problem w be
 solv$ aga94 ,! clos+ page 9 ,mr4       
,s*elle's critique s\nds l a lawy]'s    
plead+ 9 favor ( a crim9al4 ,9 ?is reg>d
 8 writ+ is q cr$itable1 = he has well  

plead$ ! cause ( ! viol9 mak]s ( ,vi5na6
  ,b !n ^? words 9 my circul> ab\t viol9
 mak]s prov$ true aga93 ,?is wond]ful   
in/rum5t has /ill rema9$ an enigma to ! 
musical _w until n[4 ,h[ =tunate x is t 
x does n und]/& human language1 by :i*  
circum/ance x escapes ! m$ley ( op9ions 
:i* h be5 giv5 9 reg>d to x4  ,:51      
h[ev]1 its cle> tone 0 he>d1 & ! eas9ess
 ) :i* ! tones came 0 notic$1 !n x      
became an enigma to pr(essional m5 & !y 
decl>$ t ?is viol9 0 an orig9al fix$ up 
aga96  ,b lat]1 :5 x 0 object$ to & f\nd
 to be a new ,gemu5d] viol91 x 0 ignor$ 
ev5 9 ! newspap]s4 ,! ,neue ,wi5]       
,tageblatt1 ( ,vi5na1 call$ x aft]w>ds !
 false ,cremona viol96 ,h[ envy "h gl>$ 
=? aga92 = ?is viol9 0 n exhibit$ z a   
,cremona viol91 al?\gh x has be5        
demon/rat$ t x _h be5 previ\sly really  
tak5 = a g5u9e ,italian in/rum5t4  ,its 
introduction z ,emp]or ,viol9 _h a =ce &
 pung5cy :i* tickl$ ! pr(essionals1 &   
:at surpasses all belief is1 t !y       
!mselves cr[n$ ! "w4 ,x 01 inde$1 !     

greate/ premium t ,i c\ld ga91 9 spite (
 all ! pa9s :i* ^? m5 gave to !mselves  
to deprive me ( my m]it4 ,?us a moral   
prize values high] ?an a piece ( metal8 
,al?\gh _m mock$ at ! high price1 yet no
 su* viol9 c\ld be made by all ^?       
d]id]s1 %\ld millions ( doll>s be (f]$  
to !m4 ,!re=e an unrival$ arti/ has ! "r
 to fix any price on 8 productions4     
,al?\gh an (f] ( #c1jjj 0 made = x1 yet 
nobody 0 *>g$ to sell x1 ev5 if #aj1jjj 
_h be5 pres5t$4  ,! newspap] ( !        
exhibition ( ,vi5na1 publi%$ on ! #ag? (
 ,augu/1 #ahgc3 ,gemu5d] f\nd fault ) ! 
,italian con/ructions & ^? ( ,vuillaume4
  ,if ,gemu5d] _h n ext5d$ 8 /udies s f>
 he w\ld probably n h /irr$ up ^? matt]s
 :i* _h giv5 su* a heada*e to ^? p (    
,vi5na1 = ,george ,gemu5d] became       
?or\ghly acqua9t$ ) bo? ! faultless & ! 
faulty po9ts ( ! ,italians 9 !          
con/ruction ( viol9s4 ,if ^? p ( ,vi5na 
_h _h ! good luck to discov]            
imp]fections on ! above m5tion$         
con/ructions1 !n !y w\ld h made a great 

cry ab\t x4  ,! same newspap] says 9    
ano!r passage3 ,! tone ( ?is viol9 is   
inde$ /rong & beautiful & has an eas9ess
 t pleases1 also x has n t "y tone      
peculi> to ! v be/ new viol9s4 ,9 say+  
^! words ! writ] confesses ! tru? 9 8   
innoc5ce1 & ?is v]dict cr[ns ?is viol9  
aga91 because ?is "* ( tone is j t "o   
:i* all viol9 mak]s 9 ! n9ete5? c5tury h
 be5 try+ 9 va9 to f9d4  ,& fur!r3 ,=   
?is reason "s pr(essional m5 gave v5t to
 ! suspicion t ! wood 0 submitt$ to an  
artificial prep>ation1 probably by ! use
 ( borax4 ,su* 0 ! nons5se to :i* ?is   
pe]less viol9 0 subject$1 s9ce !re 0    
none to take up its def5ce4 ,! annex$   
description 9 :i* all *emical           
prep>ations 7 p]emptorily oppos$1 0     
entirely disreg>d$ by !m4 ,?us !re is no
 o!r way to advise ^? pseudo-pr(essional
 m5 to h su* borax viol9s made & pat5t$6
  ,to ^? g5tlem5 :o call !mselves       
pr(essional m51 ,i1 ,george ,gemu5d]1   
decl>e t ,i am ready at any "t to       
sacrifice my ,emp]or viol9 or any o!r   

:i* ,i h made1 & ,i propose to give x to
 ! be/ *emi/s 9 ! _w to be cut to       
pieces1 t !y may exam9e ! wood & asc]ta9
 if any *emical prep>ation has be5 us$4 
,if ?is is f\nd to be ! case !y may be  
all[$ to scold & blame me publicly z mu*
 z !y please2 b1 if no?+ ( t k9d is     
f\nd1 !y are to pay t5 ?\s& doll>s = !  
,emp]or viol94      ,address3 ,,george  
,,gemund]4              ,,a/oria1 ,,new 
,,york4     ,,erratum4   ,page #gj4     
,s5t5ce beg9n+ ,he also tri$ to p]suade 
!m into ! belief1 c41 %\ld read1 ,he    
also tri$ to p]suade !m into ! belief t 
:5 new viol9s s\nd well & are s]viceable
 = conc]ts !y are made ( *emically      
prep>$ wood4     ,transcrib]'s ,notes3  
,passages 9 italics are indicat$ by     
italics4  ,inconsi/5cies 9 spell+ &     
hyph5ation h be5 reta9$ f ! orig9al4  ,!
 foll[+ obvi\s errors h be5 correct$3   
,page  #h3 ! ^w 9 add$ aft] ! ^w rema9  
,page #ah3 ! extra ^w :o remov$   ,page 
#gg3 h[evev] *ang$ to h[ev]   ,page #hh3
 +5ius *ang$ to +5i\s   ,page #hi3      

?ories *ang$ to !ories   ,page #ih3     
preposess$ *ang$ to prepossess$         
to fault *ang$ to fault to  ,punctuation
 has be5 correct$ )\t note4  ,! error   
notat$ on page #gj 9 ! ,erratum 9 !     
orig9al has be5 correct$ 9 ?is e,text4