Viotti, the Connecting Link between the Early and Modern Violin Schools.--His Immense Superiority over his Contemporaries and Predecessors.--Other Violinists of his Time, Giornowick and Boccherini.--Viotti's Early Years.--His Arrival in Paris, and the Sensation he made.--His Reception by the Court.--Viotti's Personal Pride and Dignity.--His Rebuke to Princely Impertinence.--The Musical Circles of Paris.--Viotti's Last Public Concert in Paris.--He suddenly departs for London.--Becomes Director of the King's Theatre.--Is compelled to leave the Country as a Suspected Revolutionist.--His Return to England, and Metamorphosis into a Vintner.--The French Singer, Garat, finds him out in his London Obscurity.--Anecdote of Viotti's Dinner Party.--He quits the Wine Trade for his own Profession.--Is made Director of the Paris Grand Opera.--Letter from Rossini.--Viotti's Account of the "Ranz des Vaches."--Anecdotes of the Great Violinist.--Dies in London in 1824.--Viotti's Place as a Violinist, and Style of Playing.--The Tourte Bow first invented during his Time.--An Indispensable Factor in Great Playing on the Violin.--Viotti's Pupils, and his Influence on the Musical Art. LUDWIG SPOHR. Birth and Early Life of the Violinist Spohr.--He is presented with his First Violin at six.--The French _Emigre_ Dufour uses his Influence with Dr. Spohr, Sr., to have the Boy devoted to a Musical Career.--Goes to Brunswick for fuller Musical Instruction.--Spohr is appointed _Kammer-musicus_ at the Ducal Court.--He enters under the Tuition of and makes a Tour with the Violin Virtuoso Eck.--Incidents of the Russian Journey and his Return.--Concert Tour in Germany.--Loses his Fine Guarnerius Violin.--Is appointed Director of the Orchestra at Gotha.--He marries Dorette Schiedler, the Brilliant Harpist.--Spohr's Stratagem to be present at the Erfurt Musical Celebration given by Napoleon in Honor of the Allied Sovereigns.--Becomes Director of Opera in Vienna.--Incidents of his Life and Production of Various Works.--First Visit to England.--He is made Director of the Cassel Court Oratorios.--He is retired with a Pension.--Closing Years of his Life.--His Place as Composer and Executant. NICOLO PAGANINI.