Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-05-12
ViolinS and Riddles.

1t is not as we'll known as it should
be that we have an artist in violin
construction i'll our midst, in the per.
son OF j. l.. Coates, OF Chicago, who
for the nonce is resident OF our city,
and has his workshop in the rear
room of the second story in Talcott's
block. That we may not have him as
a permanent resident, from other than
a business cause, i'll health Of his wife,
Is a matter OF regret and dread of the
day, soon at hand, which will mark
his departure for his former home, in
his native State, Illinois.
Aside from the interest all feel in
best results, Mr.. Coates is a fine enter
taintr, and takes evident delight in
imparting information to those inter-
ested in his handiwork. 1t may be
stated, at the outset, that he does not
make cheap violins, or fiddles." His
work is OF the higher grade OF ins'ru-
ment, the class always used by true
musicians, and the tone of which can
be detected by the trained ear at a
mere touch OF the bow. These violins
range in price from 800 to $500, and
rank with the best instruments, an
cient and modern. The former, classed
as Cremonas, and bearing the sigma.
ture OF Stradivarious, who lived nearly
300 years ago, have commanded fabu.
lous prices-up in the thousands-but
modern violins are now built with the
intelligent care which study and ex-
perience indicate to be the best com.
bination of good qualities for producing
a thoroughly harmonious organization
in this king of instruments. So now
We read of violin famine, but it is
only demand for the finer work due
to removal OF the delusion that violin
must be old and OF approved parent
age, to be of the best quality. Mr..
Coates, some years ago. sold one OF his
$50 violins to the leader of an or.
chestra in Chicago, who sold tito a
brother leader to be delivered when
another Of the same make was received.
He then sent an order for a $3.50 in.
strument, to be made to order. That
shows the confidence entertained by
one OF those whose vocation entities
their opinions to absolute respect.
Mr.. Coates displayed many samples
of the wood he uses in his work.
There is spruce, for the front, cut at
st. Sault Marie in 1893, and the same
timber from the framework OF an old
water mill, in Nebraska, the first in
the State, in 1926. There is maple for
the back, from Wisconsin that is IL
years old and seasoned for most OF
that time in the open air. Alaska,
California and Oregon are represented
in fine woods, as well as many farther
districts in contributions OF their best
timber.
All really good violins are made by
hand. No factory can rival work Of
the delft hand guided by intelligent
study. Some fiddles can be made over
into tolerably fair if not good instru.
ments; at least many OF their faults
may be eliminated, and it is TO this
branch OF the business Mr.. Coates
directs so much OF his time as is not
required in the manufacture OF his
own product.
There is an undesirable difference
between . handmade violin and fac.
tory fiddle; il is seen at a glance by
the eye. but the exact divergence is
difficult to express by tongue aud
brain. 1t is discovered by the same
faculty that enables the expert to
detect spurious bank note. He will
at once detect the false bill, and tel
you it is counterfeit because il does not
"look honest" The same applies to
individuals. The plain, honest man is
never mistaken for the rogue, despite
OF careful toilet and faultless cloth.
ing.
In reply to the question as to wheth-
er age improves the quality oil tone 10
violins. the answer was "to some ex.
tent" II the violin is we'll made and
of proper wood. it seems to improve
in tone, but whether it be due to famil.
iarity with the Instrument, "getting
acquainted" 80 it we're, or to a subtle
influence of the artistic blend of form
with material and finish, nobody can
determine. 1t is probably well to let
the general opinion prevail that the
wood seasons by time into q more
rotund sorority if not perfect har.
mony.
IT is announced that Capt. Rich
mond P. Hobson, the man command.
ing the commission who sank the
steamer Merimsc in Santiago harbor
to block the Spanish fleet, will be
married on the 25th inst. to Miss
Guselds w. Hull, OF Tuxedo Park, N.
Y. The bride is . grand.niece OF ex-
Governor Houston of Alabama, who,
it is noted as an interesting coinci-
dence, appointed Captain Hobson's
father when a young lawyer. to fill .
vacancy on tho bench OF Alabama.
A QUEER case of legal tumble is re.
ported from Omaha. 1t seems that by
q clerical error Mrs. Clara L. Russell
has obtained . decree OF divorce from
her son Henry Jenkins Russell and
been accorded guardianship Of George