JOSEPH ARTOT, born at Brussels in 1815, had for his first music-master his father, a player of the first horn at the theatre of that city. At the age of five, he _solfa-ed_ with facility; and, with less than eighteen-months’ study on the violin, he was able to play at the theatre, in a Concerto of Viotti’s. Charmed with the felicitous aptitude of the child, M. Snel, at that time first violin-solo, undertook the task of developing it by his instructions, and not long afterwards sent him to Paris. There, Artot was admitted as a page at the Chapel-Royal; and when he had attained his ninth year, he passed under the direction of the elder Kreutzer, for the study of the violin. This distinguished artist conceived a regard for him, and often gave him lessons, out of class, at the Conservatory. On the retirement of Kreutzer, in 1826, his brother Augustus Kreutzer, who replaced him, evinced for Artot no less kindness than his predecessor. Artot had just completed his twelfth year, when the second violin-prize was awarded him, in the competition at the Conservatory. In the year following, he obtained the first prize. He then quitted Paris, to visit his own country—playing with success at Brussels, and making, some months after, a journey to London, where he was not less fortunate. Returning subsequently to Paris, Artot became attached to the orchestras of various theatres; but the desire of making himself known caused him to renounce these appointments, and travel in the south of France. The result was successful everywhere. He has written _quatuors_ for the violin, and a _quintett_ for piano, two violins, alto and bass, two airs with variations for the violin,—and other works. Shifting the ground, and giving a fresh stir to our attention, let us now pass “from _gay_ to _grave_, from lively to severe”—or, in other words, from _France_ to _Germany_; in which latter country, will be found ample matter for observation and comment, as relates to the theme we are pursuing. CHAPTER V. THE GERMAN SCHOOL. “Plain, without pomp—and rich, without a show.” DRYDEN.