Birth and parentage—surmises and false rumours—his early education—his public début at Genoa—begins to travel on his own account—his father’s rapacity—youthful excesses—a bidding for his violin—renounces gaming—his favorite Guarnerius—enters the service of the Princess of Parma—origin of his performances on one and two strings—follows the Princess to Florence—his intense application—his “Studies”—revisits Leghorn—anecdote—visits Turin and Ferrara—attacked with disease—the story of his uniform—his friendship with Rossini—contends with Lafont—remarks of M. Fétis and others—Paganini’s tribute to the excellence of Louis Spohr—gives two concerts at Pavia—remarkable announcement—invited to Vienna in 1828, by Prince Metternich—the Pope confers on him the order of the Golden Fleece—Mayseder’s despair—absurd and injurious rumours—Paganini’s manifesto—his great popularity at Vienna—concert for the benefit of the poor—anecdotes—visits Prague, Dresden, Berlin, and Warsaw—opinions of the Berlin journalists—declines to compete with Praun—epigram—visits Frankfort—mimicked on the stage—goes to Paris—description of Paganini’s performance from _La Globe, (with cuts)_—attempts to explain his method—M. Guhr’s Treatise—manner of tuning the instrument—management of the bow—use of the left hand—harmonics—double effects—Paganini’s wonderful gains—his letter to the _Révue Musicale_—what occurred at Padua—the devil seen at his elbow—foundation of the rumours—comes to England—quotation from the “Athenæum”—stringing a gridiron—raising the prices of admission—the Claqueurs—his first English concert—Mr. Gardner’s description—quotations—Mori’s joke and Cramer’s thankfulness—harmonic notes and staccato runs—farewell concert—revisits Italy—purchases the Villa Gajona—proposes to publish—decorated by Maria Louisa—want of health—gambling speculation—serious illness—his last moments at Nice—his son Achilles—his burial refused—superstitious rumours—his will—bequeaths his favorite violin to the city of Genoa—his personal habits and peculiarities—his mode of travelling—his habits at home—his desire of repose—anecdote of an amateur—Paganini’s slender general knowledge—his projects—mistrust of friends—his visitors—invitations—habits in company—aversion to light—recollection of names—preparation for a concert—rehearsal—his physical conformation—his influence on the art—a “farewell”—his compositions—critical remarks of M. Fétis—conclusion.—_pp. 110, et seq._ CHAPTER IV. THE FRENCH SCHOOL.