St. James's, a legion of Violin votaries. So unusual was the
excitement that the _Graphic_ had one of its pages occupied by an
excellent representation of "Viewing the Violins." In Paris, in the
year 1878, the sale of a Stradivari Violin, at the Hotel Drouot, gave
rise to an unusual display of interest. The first bid was for ten
thousand francs, and the Stradivari, dated 1709, was knocked down for
the large sum of twenty-two thousand one hundred francs. When the
biddings at the Hotel des Ventes had reached eighteen thousand francs,
a casualty, which might have led to unpleasant results, lent
additional zest to the proceedings. There was a great pressure among
the crowd to obtain a sight of the Stradivari. Two or three of the
more adventurous spirits clambered on to a table to gain a clear
prospect of the precious Fiddle, causing the legs of the table to give
way and the enthusiasts to be precipitated to the ground. A cry of
terror--less for the fallen than for the Fiddle--arose from the
throng; but soon the voice of the auctioneer was heard proclaiming, in
reassuring accents, "Do not be alarmed, gentlemen; the Stradivari is
safe!"

AN INDEFATIGABLE VIOLINIST.

"Puppo, the Violinist, being in Paris in 1793, was summoned before the
Committee of Public Safety on suspicion, when the following
interrogatories were put to him: 'Your name?' 'Puppo.' 'What were you
doing during the time of the tyrant?' 'I played the Violin.' 'What do
you do now?' 'I play the Violin.' 'And what will you do for the
nation?' 'I will play the Violin.'"

A WISH.

"Busts, cameos, gems--such things as these
Which others often show for pride,
I value for their power to please
And selfish churls deride;
_One_ Stradivari, I confess.
_Two_ meerschaums, I would fain possess."
--_Extract from Oliver Wendell Holmes' Lines on Contentment_.

LIVING STRADIVARIS.

A passionate lover of Fiddles, being in Milan, made the acquaintance
of an Italian who, like himself, was a lover of the bow. They had not
long met before the theme of their mutual delight was broached; the
beautiful features in the works of the great masters were dwelt upon,
their respective points of genius discriminated, until the freemasonry
of Fiddle-connoisseurship was exhausted. Inquiries were exchanged as
to the whereabouts of remarkable specimens, when suddenly the
Italian's face brightened, and gave indication that a happy thought
had crossed his mind