art to his son William, who was the best maker of the
family.

FORSTER, William, London, born 1739, died 1807.

William Forster,
Violin Maker,
in St. Martin's Lane, London,
17--

Son of William Forster mentioned above. Worked with his father at
Brampton in Cumberland, making spinning-wheels and Violins--two
singularly diverse occupations. It was, however, to the latter
industry he gave the most attention, and he soon became the great
maker of the neighbourhood. He afterwards added another string to his
bow, viz., that of playing country-dances at the village festivities.
Thus armed with three occupations, he must have been well employed. He
seems to have early discovered that his abilities required a larger
field in which to show themselves to advantage, and accordingly took
the usual course in such circumstances--came to the Metropolis, in
which he settled about the year 1759. He soon obtained employment at a
musical instrument seller's on Tower Hill, and gave up, then and for
ever, the making of spinning-wheels, while by throwing all his soul
into the manufacture of Violins he soon gave his master's patrons the
highest satisfaction. He ultimately commenced business on his own
behalf in the neighbourhood of Duke's Court, St. Martin's Lane, where
his abilities attracted considerable attention, and secured him the
patronage of the _dilettanti_ in the musical world. For several years
he followed the path trodden by the makers of the period, and copied
Stainer. His instruments of this date are very excellent both in
workmanship and material, but are not equal to those of the Amati
pattern, which he commenced to make about the year 1770. These are
beautiful works, and have a great charm from their being so varied.
Some are copies of Antonio and Girolamo Amati, variously modelled;
others are copies of Niccolo Amati. The wood and varnish also vary
very much, but the high standard of goodness is well maintained
throughout. His varnish was, during the last twenty years of his life,
very fine in quality, and in the manufacture of it he is said to have
been assisted by a friend who was an excellent chemist. He made only
four Double-Basses, three of which were executed for the private band
of George III. Forster's instruments were the favourite equipment of
Robert Lindley, and their value in his day was relatively far higher
than at the present moment. When Lindley died attention was turned to
Italian Violon