The New York herald., 1876-02-28

herself" Constabes recollectons ofMrs Anna Seward
are very amusing He tells OF her high flown and
pedantc style that is highly entertaining
This the way she expressed herself upon hearing that
friend was to be married for the second tme:-"I
hear with that Hymen is lighting his torch
with the sprays OF cypress wreath" This volume
is illustrated with fresh from the Maclise gallery
The VIOLIN: It's Famous Makers and their Imitators
By George Hart London: Dulan & Co. New York:
j. W. Bouton.
There very few persons who know much about
vlons, their history and construction, as Mr. George
Hart As he says in his preface he has lived in an at
mosphere OF nddlcs all his life You would know It
upon reading his book which shows his knowledge OF
and love for the king Of instruments" on every page
The book Is filed with wood engravngs, from
photographs OF the works OF Stradvarus Guarcerius
Amaii and other famous makers, selected so as TO
represent the character of each artists work. The
frontspiece represents Paganin's "Joscph Guar
cerius," which bequcathed TO Genoa, his native
city, by the famous violnist Mr.. Hart had great
trouble to get permission to have this instrument
photographed it is kept in glass in the muni-
cipal palace, Genoa and guarded with the Corporation
seal The last time this violin taken from its case
the occasion OF concert given in behalf of the
charities OF Genoa, when signor Svori allowed
the great honor of playing upon the sacred strings At
that time the seal stuck upon the back of the in
strument and part OF the varnish adhered to II when
1t removed. II is more properly attached to
tho scroll from which 1t hangs by ribbon.
Mr.. Gladstone has truly said ITO perfect that
wonder OF travel-the locomotive-has perhaps, not
required the expenditure of mental strength and
application than perfect that wonder OF music-the
violin" Mr. Hart does attempt to trace the origin
OF the violin, but devotes himself especially TO
the definition of the characteristics forming the perfec
ton of that instrument The violin is of the few
instruments that have undergone little change
since its earliest days 1t seems have reached the
perfect Of simplicity at once In looking at violin
struck with admiration at sight of consummate
order and grace but is the grace OF nature rather
than OF mechanical art The connoisseur gazes with
as much pleasure upon fine specimen of the Cremon
masters painter does upon the works of Michael
Angelo Few Objects" says Mr.. Hart "possess
so charming a display of curved lines as the mem
bers OF the violin family. Here have Hogarth's
famous line of beauty worked to perfection in the
upper bouts IA technical term for the sides in tho
lower bouts, in the outer line OF the scroll, in the
sound hole. Everywhere perfection of the graceful
is to be 1t has been asserted by Hogarths
enemies that he borrowed the famous line from Italian
writer named Lomazzo, who introduced in treatise
the Fine Arts. We will be more charitable and say
that he obtained 1t from the contemplation of the
beauties OF q Cremoneso violin" Tho violin,
of art has always been the admiration Of those
who possess for kindred 1t is unqueston
ably the most marvellous of instruments. When we
listen the degrees of sound that from
that little body we are lost in wonder. An inferior
violinist will always get applause from an
audience than superior pianist the that it
seems almost like witchcraft to the unintated when
n performer makes httle thing that he hold in his
hand. sing and dance and sob and wall with his
passionate playing. How eagerly every stroke of the
bow is followed and how gladly every tone falls upon
the ear
And now white small note to heaven doth stray,
R, And In ss M % PGn Ss 'ss ,tSnt sSase s'nd
Their loud applause and far oh far, and weak,
Far from the soul Of music that doth speak
From this dear thing press against my cheek
The chapter strings is exceedingly valuable to the
amateur Mr.. Hart ranks tho Italian string first the
German second and the French third. Those manufac
turcd in England of very inferior quality. Strings,
although called 'catgut," not manufactured from
the intestines OF that domestic animal is the
mon belief So tho Danbury Neos man, who, after
hearing Thomas orchestra could pass cat without
raising his hat, may hereafter keep his head covered
until he walks through pasture. The best qualities of
string made from the ntestnes OF lamb; but the
largest number made from sheep and goats. The
Italian vioRs undoubtedly the best, and
OF these there five schools The Amau
violns are second only to those OF his great
pupil Antonus Stradivarius. ''The OF this
inarkable maker" says Mr. Hart s beyond that of all
others His praise has sung alike by poet artist
and musician. HIS magic name is rising to the
lips in the presence OF the king OF instrumens;' its
sound is as familiar to the humblest player as the
finished artist"
In the chapter the violin and its votaries Mr. Hart
exceedingly interesting He tells about the famous
collector Tarsio, found dead in his bed in hung
| with instruments worth fortunes; OF the late Mr..
James Goding's collection, and many others Tho
remarkable collection that OF the late Mr.. Joseph
elliott the pen manufacturer 1t at one time the
largest In tho world Mr. Charles Rcade is spoken Of
a OF intelligence and who has
done great deal toward opening up the intercourse
between England and the Continent for the interchange
of vions Altogether Mr. Harts book is enjoyable
only the professional but the amateur 1t is
we'll written and cnlvened by numerous anecdotes,
some OF them published here for the first time and IL
Is most exhaustive account of an extensive subject
II fail attract the attention and admiration OF
the general reader as well as the connosseur
MARRYING BENEATH Your STATION BY Mrs. Henry
Wood Philadelphia: 7. b. Peterson Bros
1t renamed for Mrs. Henry Wood TO toll that IL
was marrying beneath her station for titled lady
become the wifo of clergyman OF the Church or
England, and dean at that Lady Grace Avon fell in
love with the Rev. Ryle Baumgarten, who had small
living Little whitton. The Rev. Ryle thought
his eyes Lady Grace all the counting that
was done came from her side of the house; but he
suspected anything. He was in love with Edith
Dane, young lady Of the village; but Lady Grace did
not know this II came In her power to appoint the
Rev Ryle to good fat living that her brother had the
disposition Of and she Immediately communicated tho
glad tidings him. She knew that nc wanted TO get
married, aud supposed, of course that she was tho
favored one She tells him, 'You will bc publicly APP
pointed in day two, and will Of course, hear from
my brother What do you say to your marrying prof.
/ ect nowf" His answer surprised her.
/ al shall marry instanty have only waited for