The _double-bass_ (Italian, _contrebasso_, _violone_; French, _contrebasse_; German, _grosse Bassgeige_, _Kontrabass_) is either four-stringed or three-stringed. A three-stringed example known as “The Giant” presented by Dragonetti to the Duke of Leinster, and given by the latter to the Museum, is illustrated in Fig. 58. Dragonetti, the celebrated _virtuoso_ on the double-bass, came to England in the year 1794. His favourite instrument, upon which he played in public concerts, was a “Gaspar di Salo,” which he obtained from the Convent of St. Pietro at Vicenza, and which he never could be induced to part with, although £800, it is said, was offered him for it by one of his rich and enthusiastic pupils in England. After the death of Dragonetti this bass, and another valuable one by Stradivarius, were sent back to Italy, he having bequeathed them in his will to the town of Venice. Dragonetti died in the year 1846 at his house in Leicester Square, at the age of eighty-three. A year before his death he was still able to assist in the public performances at the Beethoven Festival in Bonn. His friend H. Philipps mentions in his “Musical Recollections” that the ends of Dragonetti’s fingers had gradually become quite flat and deformed from playing. Some double-basses of extraordinarily large size are known to have been made in England. William Gardiner (“Music and Friends,” London, 1838, p. 70) mentions such an instrument, made by Martin in Leicester, which he saw in the year 1786, and which, if his statement may be relied upon, “was of such height that Mr. Martin was obliged to cut a hole in the ceiling to let the head through; so that it was tuned by going upstairs into the room above.” A _sordino_ (French, _pochette_; German, _Taschengeige_) is illustrated in Fig. 59. About 300 years ago the _sordino_ was kept by gentlemen in a case resembling a pen case, which they put in the pocket when they went to a singing party; and they used the instrument for insuring correct intonation while singing madrigals and catches. Kircher, in his “Musurgia Universalis,” Romæ, 1650, calls it _linterculus_, no doubt from its resemblance to a small boat. Fig. 60 represents a _bûche_ (German, _Scheitholz_) made by Fleurot, of the Val d’Ajol, in the Vosges Mountains, early in the last century. [Illustration: FIG. 59.――SORDINO, OR POCHETTE. Probably German. Late 17th or early 18th century. L. 17½ in. No. 457-’83.] [Illustration: FIG. 60.――BÛCHE, OR SCHEITHOLZ. Made by Fleurot, of the Val d’Ajol in the Vosges Mountains. Early 19th century. L. 27½ in. No. 210-’82. Victoria and Albert Museum.] [Illustration: FIG. 61.――VIRGINAL. Formerly belonging to Queen Elizabeth. Italian. Second half of 16th century. H. 8½ in., L. 65 in., D. 23 in. No. 19-’87. Victoria and Albert Museum.]