Salomon because we are a little acquainted. He has twice asked
me to call upon him, and I certainly will do it when I come to town. I
want to hear more of his playing; and I seem, from the little I have
seen of him, to like the man. I know not how it is, but I really
receive more musical pleasure from such private _cameranious_
Fiddlings and singings, and keyed instrument playings, than from all
the _appret_ of public and crowded performances.

"I have lately had a sort of Fiddle mania upon me, brought on by
trying and comparing different Stainers and Cremonas, &c. I believe I
have got possession of a sweet Stradivari, which I play upon with much
more pleasure than my Stainer, partly because the tone is sweeter,
mellower, rounder, and partly because the stop is longer. My Stainer
is undersized, and on that account less valuable, though the tone is
as bright, piercing, and full, as of any Stainer I ever heard. Yet,
when I take it up after the Stradivari it sets my teeth on edge. The
tone comes out plump, all at once. There is a comfortable reserve of
tone in the Stradivari, and it bears pressure; and you may draw upon
it for almost as much tone as you please. I think I shall bring it to
town with me, and then you shall hear it. 'Tis a battered, shattered,
cracky, resinous old blackguard; but if every bow that ever crossed
its strings from its birth had been sugared instead of resined, more
sweetness could not come out of its belly. Addio, and ever pardon my
sins of infirmity.

"Yours truly,
"T. T."

GAINSBOROUGH AS A MUSICIAN.

William Jackson, organist of Exeter Cathedral, was intimate with
Gainsborough, and besides being a thorough musician, painted with
ability. He was also the author of many essays. In one of these he
makes us acquainted with the character of Gainsborough's musical
abilities. He says, "In the early part of my life I became acquainted
with Thomas Gainsborough, the painter, and as his character was
perhaps better known to me than to any other person, I will endeavour
to divest myself of every partiality, and speak of him as he really
was. Gainsborough's profession was painting, and music was his
amusement--yet, there were times when music seemed to be his
employment, and painting his diversion.

"When I first knew him he lived at Bath, where Giardini had been
exhibiting his then unrivalled powers on the Violin. His excellent
performance made Gainsborough enamoured of that instrument; and
conc