the work was accomplished,
render his observations, read at this distance of time, peculiarly
pleasing. The possessor of the models, tools, labels, and drawings
used by Stradivari is the Marquis Dalla Valle, of Casale, to whom they
passed by inheritance from his great-uncle, Count Cozio, who purchased
them in 1775.

[Footnote 18: These instruments were probably sent to England in 1685,
or later.]

[Illustration: THE HOUSE OF STRADIVARI, WEST SIDE, PIAZZA ROMA,
CREMONA.]

Vincenzo Lancetti, referring to the collection, after mention of
Stradivari having been buried in the Church of S. Domenico, continues,
"As appears from the correspondence held in 1775, by the said Count
Cozio with Antonio's son Paolo Stradivari, cloth merchant, when the
former bought of the latter all the remaining Violins, the forms, the
patterns, moulds, and drawings of the said celebrated Antonio, as well
as those of the Amati, with which he enriched his collection." In an
article published in the "Gazzetta Piedmontese," October, 1881, upon
the occasion of the exhibition, at Milan, of the relics of the shop of
Stradivari, the writer gives the following account of the
negotiations: "Count Cozio, a great patron, intimate with the greatest
artists of the period, especially with Rolla, purchased, through the
instrumentality of the firm of merchants, Anselmi di Briata, from
Paolo and Antonio junior, respectively son and nephew of Antonio
Stradivari, in 1776, all the tools, drawings, labels, &c., which had
been used by the celebrated Violin-maker, and his heirs, who were
desirous that nothing belonging to him should remain in his native
town, as it is inferred, from a curious document, hastened to conclude
the sale."[19] It is certain, however, that Lancetti received his
information from the Count himself, and negotiations were certainly
carried on between Paolo and the Count, either directly or through his
agents, Anselmi di Briata.

[Footnote 19: Upon reference to the copy of this document (the
correspondence is given in the fourth edition of this work), I find
the words used by Paolo Stradivari to his correspondents Anselmi di
Briata run, after commenting upon the price offered, "However, to show
my desire to please you, and in order that not a single thing
belonging to my father be left in Cremona, &c.," having reference,
possibly, to some supposed feeling of indifference on the part of the
municipal authorities towards the memory of Antonio Str