s and spurious
original by this test. All Fiddles purfled with whalebone are dubbed
"Jacobs," and no other maker is credited with using such purfling.

The back of a Violin is another very important item with these
individuals. Particular makers are supposed to have only made whole
backs, others double backs; others again are thought to be known only
by the markings of the wood. There is another crotchet to be
mentioned: some will tell you they will inform you who made your
Violin by taking the belly off, and examining the shape of the blocks
and linings. Rest assured if the maker cannot be seen outside, he will
never reveal himself in the _inner consciousness_ of a Fiddle.
Measurement is another certain guiding point with these dabblers; the
measuring tape is produced and the instrument condemned if it does not
tally with their erroneous theory.

"GUARNERI" AT A DISCOUNT.

With what tenacity do persons often cling to the fond belief that
undoubted Raffaeles, Cinque Cento bronzes, dainty bits of Josiah
Wedgwood's ware, and old Cremonas, are exposed for sale in the windows
of dealers in unredeemed pledges, brokers' shops, and divers other
emporiums! It is the firm conviction of these amiable persons that
scores of gems unknown are awaiting in such cosy lurking-places the
recognition of the educated eye for their immediate deliverance to the
light of day.

The quasi bric-a-brac portion of the general dealer's stock is
dexterously arrayed in his window, and not allowed to take up a
prominent position among the wares displayed. To expose treasures
would be a glaring act of indiscretion, inasmuch as it would tend to
the belief that the proprietor was perfectly cognisant of the value of
his goods, whereas he is imagined by the hypothesis to be profoundly
ignorant on the subject. Pictures, bronzes, china, and Fiddles, with
their extremely modest prices attached, lie half hidden behind a
mountain of goods of a diametrically opposite nature. There they may
rest for days, nay, weeks, before the individual with the educated
eye, for the good of all men, detects them. Sooner or later, however,
he makes his appearance, and peers into every nook of the window,
shading his eyes with his hands. Something within arrests his
attention; his nose gets flattened against the glass in his eagerness
to get near the object. He enters the establishment, and asks to be
allowed to look at an article quite different from the one he has been