The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1856-01-19
THE PATRIOT.
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF The PARISH OF SAINT LAHnay.
Julnen's violin.

In 1889 Paganini, who was astonishing all
Europe with his success and by his discoveries
accomplished a radical changein the art of the
violin, arrived in Marseilles ~incognito, withou,
any intention Of playing there. The evening
he arrived in that city, Paganini was walking
toward the Rue Beauyeau, and entered the
Cafe du Commerce to take q glass of beer, and
read the newspapers. He was hardly seated al
the marble table when the squealing sounds Of
a violin drew his attention suddenly from his
reading. Paganini looked in the direction
whence proceeded these sounds, and beheld a
man with pale face and pinched features,
caused by suffering his dress was ragged but
clean, denoting that his misfortunes were acct
dental, rather than the consequence Of vice.
When the itinerant artist had finished the Dir
he was playing, he cast a melancholy look
around the tables of the cafe, took his hat
commenced q vtete. A few miserable pennies,
thrown disdainfally into the violinist's hat,
formed the meager receipts, and the artist
gathered them up with a sigh.
He was preparing to leave the cafe to try
his fortune elsewhere, and already was the box
that was to receive the violin opened, when q
person Of strange appearance arose suddenly
from his seat, and without saying o word, took
the violin from the hands Of the poor musician,
and played on the fourth string Of the instru-
ment the grand and soul-stirring prayer Of
Moses, Zone of the most beautiful inspirations
Of Rossini) The persons present are aston
ished, they question each other, the games
cease, the enthusiasm is at its height, hardly do
they breathe, some one has pronounced the
name of Paganini! The generous action Of
the illustrious, y~iolinist was understood, and
this time franc pieces fell plentifully into the
poor artists hat, who was at a loss to express
his gratitude. This is not all an amateur Of
music, a great admirer Of Paganini, M.
Gurchard, determined to possess the violin up
on which the first v%iolinisth had just played, and
he purchased it. Ten years afterwards, in
l949, Paul Julien, who was then only eight
years Of age, played at q soiree where NJ.
Gurchard was present.
This gentleman, full Of admiration for the
precocious talent of Paul, made him a present
of this precious violin, at the same time saying
to him: "My friend, take this violin, from
which the bow Of Paganini has drawn sweet
music, and caused the tears to flow from those
who listened keep it as q remembrance Of
me-" Paul Julien accepted the instrument
with Joy, and with that love of the art which
already filled his soul, he replied: "This VIC
lin, sir, | will respect all my life, and the day
when | shall play upon it, after Paganini, l
shall have taken my place among artists
worthy Of that name." This violin, carefully
preserved since that time, and strung with a
single string, is the one on which Paul Julien
has chosen to execute variations Of Meyseyder,
of which we have spoken above. Paganini
will, from his tomb, silently applaud the
bold undertaking of the young artist, and will
thank him for the homage thus rendered to his