uired if there
were not some in the collection. I was unable to make him understand
to what I referred for some little time, but when I called them big
Fiddles, he readily understood. He had some faint idea of having seen
something of the kind on the premises, and started off to make
inquiry. Upon his return, I was conducted to an under warehouse, the
contents of which were of a varied character. Here were stored unused
lathes, statuary, antique pianos, parts of machinery, pictures, and
picture-frames. At the end of this long room stood, in stately form,
the "big Fiddles," about fifty in number--five rows, consequently ten
deep. They looked in their cases like a detachment of infantry
awaiting the word of command. Years had passed by since they had been
called upon to take active service of a pacific and humanising nature
in the ranks of the orchestra. Had they the power of speech, what
tales of heroism might they have furnished of the part they played at
the "Fall of Babylon" and the "Siege of Corinth," aye! and
"Wellington's Victory" (Beethoven, Op. 91). A more curious mixture of
art and mechanism could not easily be found than that which the
contents of this room exhibited. With what delight did I proceed to
open these long-closed cases! The character of the Violins naturally
led me to anticipate much artistic worth in the Violoncellos, and I
had not judged erroneously. Bergonzi, Amati, Andrea Guarneri, Cappa,
Grancino, Testore, Landolfi, and men of less note, were all well
represented in this army of big Fiddles. Having glanced at the merits
and demerits of these instruments, I observed to my conductor that I
imagined I had seen all. "No," he answered; "I was about to mention
that there are a few Violins at Mr. Gillott's residence, and perhaps
we had better go there at once." I readily assented, and in due time
reached Edgbaston. There seemed no doubt as to the whereabouts of
these instruments, and I was at once ushered into the late Mr.
Gillott's _bedroom_. Pointing to a long mahogany glazed case occupying
one side of the chamber, the attendant gave me to understand I should
there find the Violins. At once I commenced operations. Pushing aside
the first sliding door, I saw a row of those cardboard cases made to
hold the Violin only, which many of my readers will doubtless remember
seeing at the time of the sale at Messrs. Christie's. By this time it
may readily be imagined that an idea had taken possession of my min