by the autograph letter of Count Cozio di
Salabue, of Casale Monferato, Piedmont.

[Illustration: 1. Church of S. Domenico. 2. Chapel of the Rosary. 3.
Tomb of Stradivari. 4. Church of St. Matthew (since 1820 the Post
Office, the church having been profaned in 1808 by the French). 5.
Convent of the Dominican Friars. 6. House of Stradivari. 7. House of
Bergonzi. 8. House of Guarneri. 9. Tower of the Church of S. Domenico.
10. The Sacristy. 11. Shop of Ruggeri (Via dei Coltellai). 12-13. Shop
of Amati. 14. Shop of Storioni, and afterwards that of Ceruti.]

The Church of San Domenico was, in consequence of its decayed
condition, demolished about the year 1870. Becoming aware of what was
taking place, I gave instructions that a photograph should be taken of
the chapel in which the body of Stradivari was interred. This was
accomplished whilst the workmen were in the act of levelling the
structure, and it has been engraved on wood for the purpose of
insertion in this volume. The stone with the inscription "Sepolcro di
Antonio Stradivari E Svoi Eredi Anno 1729," which served to denote the
spot where the body was buried, is now preserved in the Town Hall of
Cremona. Signor Sacchi remembered it having been placed in the corner,
close to the steps and iron railing inside the third chapel on the
right, in the Church of San Domenico.

M. Fetis says of Stradivari, "We know but little respecting that
uneventful existence. Polledro, late first Violin at the Chapel Royal
of Turin, who died a few years ago, at a very advanced age, declared
that his master had known Stradivari, and that he was fond of talking
about him. He was, he said, tall and thin, habitually wore, in winter,
a cap of white wool, and one of cotton in summer. He wore over his
clothes an apron of white leather when he worked, and as he was always
working, his costume scarcely ever varied. He had acquired more than
competency by labour and economy, for the inhabitants of Cremona were
accustomed to say, 'As rich as Stradivari!'"[29] The house he occupied
stands in the Piazza Roma, formerly called the Square of San Domenico,
in the centre of which was the church of the same name. The house is
still in good condition, and is the principal place of interest in the
old city of Cremona to the many admirers of Stradivari who visit the
seat of Violin-making in olden times. After the death of Stradivari it
was occupied by his sons Omobono and Francesco; and afterwards by the
m