It is under the date 27th October 1572--but three days after the tragic St Bartholomew’s Eve--that the “Archives Curieuses de l’Histoire de France”[21] records a certain flautist, named Nicolas Delinet, receiving money wherewith to buy a “Cremona Violin”:--“A Nicolas Delinet joeur de Fluste et Violon dudict la somme de 50 livres tourn pour lui donner moyen d’achepter ung Violon de Cremonne pour le service dudict Sieur,” so runs the announcement. From this _purchase_ of a Cremona violin, it may be inferred that the exquisite Amati “set” to which this violoncello belonged had not yet arrived from Italy. Yet they were sent in the year 1572. The thought presents itself irresistibly that Pope Pius V. sent this handsome present to Charles IX. as a token of his approbation of the St Bartholomew Massacre. The completeness of the “set”: the novelty of shaping the bass instruments in the same form as the violin, and the appropriateness of such a gift to the music-loving Charles, all point to an intimate personal graciousness, which might well be taken for a secret approval of some deed or event. MADE OF COPPER “MIKE COUGLER, of Mush Island, Lexington County, owns a violoncello made of copper which can be heard two miles away.”--_South Carolina Gazette_, 1902. NEW MUSIC _This day are published_ SIX SOLOS for two violoncellos with a thorough bass for the harpsichord. Composed by Signor Pasqualiano. Printed by J. Walsh in Catherine Street in the Strand.--_London Evening Post_, 14th January 1748. FIDDLE STRINGS This day imported and sold wholesale or retale at Simpson’s Musick Shop in Sweeting’s Alley, opposite the East door of the Royal Exchange. ROMAN RING FIRSTS, Seconds, and Thirds; blue Firsts, and white Seconds and Thirds, in knots and all in great perfection. Merchants and shopkeepers may be served with any quantity at the lowest prices.--_General Advertiser_, 31st January 1750-51. CHAT THE FOURTH Andrea Amati--“The King” and its History--Gasparo da Salo--Woods employed by Ancient _Luthiers_--Paolo Maggini and the “Dumas” Bass--M. Savart’s Experiments--Freaks--Stradivarius Violoncellos--Signor Piatti’s Violoncellos--The Bass of Spain--Davidoff’s Violoncello--Herr Klengel’s Amati--A neat Swindle--Stradivarius’ Contemporaries--Owners of Rugger Violoncellos--George IV.’s pseudo Stradivarius--The earliest Treatise on the Violoncello as a Solo Instrument--Mr Andrew Forster’s Gamba--The Prince Consort’s “Ancient Instruments” Concert--Development of the Technique, of Violoncello playing