cannot fail to remember the name of honest
Gobbi, who carried the chest wherein were the tools with which the
Raffaele of Violin-making wrought the instruments which have served to
render his memory immortal.

Soon after the date of Paolo's last letter, he became seriously ill,
dying on the 9th of October, 1776. The correspondence was then taken
up by his son Antonio. He says in his letter dated November 21, 1776:
"I shall send you the case with the patterns and tools of my late
grandfather Antonio, which was packed and closed before my father was
bedridden. You will find it well-arranged, with mark on it, and with
red tape and seal as on the Violins already sent to you." He next
refers to other patterns which he found locked up in a chest and which
he believes were unknown or forgotten by his father, and offers to
dispose of them, with a Viola, and concludes by promising to send the
receipts, the copies of which show that the remnants of the tools and
patterns were bought for three giliati.

It is unnecessary in this place to make further reference to Count
Cozio as a collector, the chief information concerning him being
spread over the section of Italian makers. The facsimile of one of the
Count's letters here given will serve both as an interesting
remembrance of him and as evidence of his keen interest in all
relating to the art of which he was so distinguished a votary.

[Illustration: Letter of Count Cozio.]

Probably the earliest collector of Italian Violins in England was
William Corbett. He was a member of the King's orchestra, and having
obtained permission to go abroad, went to Italy in 1710, and resided
at Rome many years, where he is said to have made a rare collection of
music and musical instruments. How he managed to gratify his desire in
this direction seems not to have been understood by his friends, his
means, in their estimation, not being equal to such an expenditure.
Hence arose a report that he was employed by the Government to watch
the Pretender. Corbett died at an advanced age in 1748, and bequeathed
his "Gallery of Cremonys and Stainers" to the authorities of Gresham
College, with a view that they should remain for inspection under
certain conditions, leaving ten pounds per annum to an attendant to
show the instruments. Whether the wishes of the testator were carried
out in any way there is no information, but the instruments are said
to have been disposed of by auction a short time after