But there is no easy road to proficiency and eminence in the musical art; nor is there one in any other. Art is a right royal and exacting mistress; and he who would be numbered among the favored attendants at her court must fairly win the distinction by that devoted, undivided loyalty which is ever accompanied by the severest study, the most self-denying application. It cannot be denied, of course, that the possessor of genius or of talent may succeed far more easily than he who is without such powerful aid; but it is also true, that those who by their works present examples of great achievement in the science of music, and who cause us often to pause in utter amazement when reflecting upon the exceeding beauty, the magnitude and grandeur, of their creations, owed their brilliant success as much to indefatigable labor as to their great gifts of mind. Indeed, as has often been said, "_there is no excellence without great labor_." So our young artist--of course I speak of him in this connection in a comparative sense--owes his present high success not more to his possession of rich natural talents than to the tireless zeal with which he has cultivated the same. Possessing naturally a loftiness of spirit, and with a just conception of his powers; having full faith in and trusting himself; not unmindful of, nor unduly elated by, the many commendations he has received from critical judges touching his musical abilities; wearing easily all the attentions and honors he so constantly wins, and quickly noting and acting upon any suggestions of errors in his performances; at all times a conscientious, a zealous student, impelled by a deep and enthusiastic love for the art of music, and never satisfied unless working amidst its higher forms,--possessing, as Mr. Jamieson does, these rare and valuable characteristics, and being withal still quite young, it is but reasonable to believe that he will ere long attain to the highest distinction, and be ranked with the very first pianists of the time in either the New or the Old World. XVI. THE VIOLIN.[13] [Footnote 13: The writer considers it proper to precede the sketch of the virtuoso, Joseph White, by a brief account of that wonderful instrument to which the latter has given his chief study, and in the playing of which he has become in at least four countries so deservedly famous.] "Thou mystic thing, all-beautiful! What mind Conceived thee, what intelligence began, And out of chaos thy rare shape designed, Thou delicate and perfect work of man?" _"The Violin:" Harper's Magazine._