his decease.

The principal early collectors in this country were the Duke of
Hamilton, the Duke of Cambridge, the Earl of Falmouth, the Duke of
Marlborough, Lord Macdonald, and a few others. Later, Mr. Andrew
Fountaine, of Narford Hall, Norfolk, became the owner of several fine
Italian instruments, and made himself better acquainted with the
subject, perhaps, than any amateur of his time. Among the Stradivari
Violins which Mr. Fountaine possessed was that which he purchased from
M. Habeneck, the famous professor at the Paris Conservatoire in the
early part of the nineteenth century. Another very fine specimen of
the late period, 1734, was also owned by him, a Violin of grand
proportions in a high state of preservation, and of the richest
varnish. The Guarneri Violins that he possessed were of a very high
class. Among these may be mentioned a very small Violin by Giuseppe
Guarneri, probably unique, which instrument was exhibited among the
Cremonese Violins at the South Kensington Museum in 1872, together
with another of the same size by Stradivari, and a third by the
brothers Amati.

The number of rarities brought together by the late Mr. James Goding
was in every respect remarkable. At one period he owned twelve
Stradivari Violins, and nearly the same number by Giuseppe Guarneri,
all high-class instruments. It would take up too much time and space
to name the particular instruments which were comprised in this
collection. The remnant of this group of Cremonese Fiddles was
dispersed by Messrs. Christie and Manson in 1857. Mr. Plowden's
collection was another remarkable one, consisting of eight instruments
of the highest class.

The late Joseph Gillott was a collector, who, in point of number,
exceeded all others. He did not confine himself solely to the works of
the greatest makers, but added specimens of every age and clime; and
at one time he must have had upwards of 500 instruments, the chief
part of which belonged to the Italian School. When it is remembered
that the vast multitude of stringed instruments disposed of by Messrs.
Christie and Manson in 1872 did not amount to one-half the number
originally owned by Mr. Gillott, some idea of the extent of his
collection may be gained. Among the many curious instances of the love
of collecting Violins, which sometimes possesses those unable to use
them, perhaps that of Mr. Gillott is the most singular.

Notable collections, be they of Fiddles, medals, pottery, or p