The morning call., 1894-05-08
AN OLD VIOLIN.
A Salem Man Who Thinks He Is
Possessed of a Treasure.


There is in Salem violin reputed to be 2O4
years old
1t is alleged. also, that the instrument is a
specimen of the haudicraft of Stradivarius the
almost immortal YiolIn-maker OF Cremona, than
whom no maa on earth had ever a truer or
greater fame In his line.
The present owner Of the antique, H. A Sails
bury, is well able to yOuch for al least 1O4 Of
tie years allotted to the relic, and does so
cheerfully, and OF itself, this avOuchal must
create lively interest in an Instrument which
for more han a century has done us mission of
mirth aud good cheer among all sorts of people,
in all sorts of places ana under all sorts of con-
ditiOns. For the violin Is OF all its cOmpeers,
the most general OF merry makers and is found
oitenest where il Is most needed
Appended IS copy OF tbr his Tory OF this
venerable muSic-Geaer, which accompanies 1t
at all times, having lis placr in the old case as
Wei as the violin II attempts TO describe:
This violin was made by StradlYariUs. about
the year 1890, and was owned and used by a
noted musician and chOristsr at the cathedral in
London, ald also at The royal balls of the realm
for about sixty years. lie was an inebriate and
contracted debTs. so that he secreted the violin
(Which he call Sally Come UpD in a lot of old
clothes 10 avoid an attachment upon it. There
IT remained Tor over forty years, being discov-
cred after his death by one of his sons.
In about 1880 it came to the hands of an
instructor, who presented it to one of his pu-
pills, George Hood. VINO brought it from Eng
lduU 10 III" ODil6u oIai65 IN ABOUT lS4O, ana
who transferred 1t to one James Nee in 1850,
who in turn presented II 10 its present owner.
SO that. at this date for over 200 years, this
instrument has prolonged the notes of The
may waltz for Dukes, Earls and Princesses,
and even for the humble frontiersmen up on
the puneheon floor How many renowned
masters lave performed upon il we can but con-
jecture, but certainly they were not few. OF
lRie years its care has not been good having
been broken a time or two, but II still retains
some OF It's excellent qualities"
The violin Itself bears manifest testimony of
extreme age. not only in its worn condition but
in palpabe unlike ness to any OF its latter day
fellows. Ii differs radically in shape finish
and proportion 10 the instrument OF to-day but
in sweetness Of tone and cnunciatlOn il per
haps rivals many of The finer up-tO-date violIns
aud, while the writer cannot speak III techni-
cal sense ID brhalf Of Ihe reverend relic, it can
be truly said that admitting its extraordinary
age, il is as capable OF rendering responsive
tones TO the touch Of master to-day as il ever
was in all Its long and perhaps cneckered
career.
Mr.. Salisbury places a high estimate on the
treasure and rejects even the suggestion OF "A
sale, it being his highest ambition 10 meet ar
expert, Versed In The lore OF ancient music
craft who shall say. ana say truly, whether
the instrument is or not a s. adVatius, and If
not. then TO say what Ii is, and give a safe ap-
proximation both as TO its maker and making,
by name and date.