Pfeedels of pad models, vitch is made fery
pad, and pad Pfeedels of de fery pest models, and peautiful made as
you sall vish to see.'

"This is the sum total of the information to be got out of Schnapps on
that mysterious subject. On other matters he can pronounce with
greater exactness. He knows every Cremona in private or professional
hands in the whole kingdom; and where the owner bought it, if he did
buy it; and what he gave for it, or from whom he inherited it, if it
came to him as heir-loom. Of those of them which have passed through
his hands, he has got fac-similes taken in plaster, which serve as
exemplars for his own manufactures. Upon the death of the owner of one
of these rarities, Schnapps takes care to learn particulars; and if
the effects of the deceased come under the hammer, he starts off to
the sale, however distant, where, unless some of his metropolitan
rivals in trade have likewise caught the scent, he has the bidding all
his own way, and carries off the prize.

"The inundation of German Fiddles, which may be bought new for a few
shillings, has swamped English makers of cheap instruments, of which
there are by this time five times as many in the market as there is
any occasion for. Hence it is that Fiddles meet us everywhere; they
cumber the toy-shop; they house with the furniture dealer; they swarm
by thousands in the pawnbrokers' stores, and block out the light from
his windows; they hang on the tobacconists' walls; they are raffled at
public-houses; and they form an item in every auctioneer's catalogue.

"Meanwhile the multiplication of rubbish only enhances the value of
gold; and a Fiddle worthy of an applauding verdict from old Borax is
more difficult of acquisition than ever. So I shall keep my Cremona."

THE PRINCE AND THE FUGAL VORTEX.

A Royal amateur and British Admiral, a lover of the Violin and patron
of music, happened whilst at Malta to be leading Mozart's charming
Quartet in G major--

[Illustration: _Allegro vivace assai_.]

The opening movement, together with the Minuet, Trio, and Andante
having been rendered with pleasure and satisfaction, the Finale was
entered upon with due determination.

Its fugal subject--

[Illustration: _Molto Allegro_.]

was well under way, and speedily in full sail. Ere long an evident
indecision of purpose manifested itself, the motive or subject failing
to elicit other than dubious answers to its calls; it was emphasised
with loudness, no