PART II. BIOGRAPHICAL. Violin Makers of the Old Schools. I.—Italian, with Labels 45-71 II.—German and Tyrolese, with Labels 72-82 III.—French, with Labels 83-89 IV.—British, with Label 90-103 PART III. On the Development of Classical Music for the Violin and other Stringed Instruments 105-117 PART I. HISTORICAL. I.—INTRODUCTORY AND EARLY ENGLISH. The origin of the violin is always a very interesting subject for study. It is one upon which many great writers have devoted much time and thought, but as they arrive at varying conclusions, and in some cases opposite opinions, the result is to leave the mind of the student in a state of conjecture and speculation. In tracing the development of certain species of stringed instruments the arguments of some authorities often appear pretty conclusive, but generally we are confronted with such a mass of contradictory assertions, that we can only treat the theories put forward as approximate. The professor, teacher and matured student approaching this subject, of course do so with great profit, as they are better able to accept or reject whatever may be said concerning the ancestry of the violin family, than is the young beginner. For those who desire a more extended knowledge of the rise and progress of the violin family a large field of literature is open. As a preparatory the author recommends Otto’s “Treatise on the Structure and Preservation of the Violin” (W. Reeves, London), which contains much valuable and interesting information on the subject.