r than it could have done for some time
back. You see its complaint has been coming on for some time, beginning
with a slight opening at the lower part, and continuous playing with
the strain of tuning up now and then extended it, until the time when
it became of such magnitude that you could not help observing it. Being
gradual in its progress, the tone getting worse by gentle degrees, was
also unobserved by you."

On this, the violin being handed to its owner, a close examination is
made all over the outside, and through the sound-holes.

"Well, really," the owner at last breaks out with, "it is most
beautifully done! I should not have thought it possible, and however
did you manage to get all those little squares of wood ranged in a line
inside, and you said you would do it without breaking open the violin,
and--tell me how it was done!"

"Then I will keep my promise if you have patience. It is not a very
difficult matter to those used to such things; you see the first thing
was to get the outer part clear of any impurities that would prevent
the glue from getting a tight hold of the surfaces that are to be held
in contact; the next, to work some strong glue along the course of the
joint, this by gentle and regular pressure alternately each side of
the line, is gradually drawn in, the whole length is then wiped with
a cloth and pressure applied to keep the joint closed, and the whole
allowed to dry. When so, the interior is attended to, a clean damp brush,
small enough to pass down either of the sound-holes, is worked
backwards for a short time along the joint, just enough to remove the
slight accumulation of dust and prepare the wood for the reception of
glue. Then the little squares of sycamore being ready, are pricked in
the centre with this pointed iron wire, and taken up one by one; on
each occasion a globule of strong glue is dropped on the under surface.

"The wire with its attachment of stud and globule is carefully passed
down through the sound-hole, which one must depend much on
circumstances and light available, being cautiously lowered until the
little square of wood is exactly over the joint and gently pressed down
on to it.

"Care is taken, of course, to place it on the exact spot; if not
accurately in position, a slight push with the same wire or another
or greater strength is given, and then a little more pressure on the
top.

"When this is done, others are inserted in the same way, and as far