During the life of the Empress Anna, the chamber music once introduced into the Russian Court was retained there, and in the absence of national artists was strengthened by drawing into it foreign talent. King August II. of Poland also contributed to this by giving up “some Italian virtuosi from his superfluity.” Amongst these was the Violoncellist, GASPARO. Later on GIUSEPPE DALL’OGLIO, from Padua, was attracted to the Russian Court. In the place of this artist--who, in 1763, after a twenty years’ service took his leave in order to return home--came the Italian, CICIO POLLIARI. To this period belongs the first Russian Violoncellist, named CHORSCHEVSKY, who received a place in the Imperial band. Up to the present, however, in regard to the Violoncello, and especially with respect to orchestral instruments, Russia has remained mainly dependent for supply from abroad. Nevertheless, since the middle of last century, the Cello has been cultivated with success by some Russian amateurs. Their names are--Prince TRUBETZKOI, Baron STROGANOW, and more recently Count MATTHEW WIELHORSKI. The latter, a pupil of Bernhard Romberg, specially distinguished himself by his performances. One of his nephews also, Count JOSEPH WIELHORSKI, who, with his talented brother MICHAEL, a pupil of Kieseweter and Romberg, lived in Moscow, played uncommonly well both the Violoncello and the Piano. Robert Schumann, who in 1844, during his residence in the Kremlin, had intercourse with both Counts, expressed himself most enthusiastically in a letter to Fr. Wieck concerning Michael Wielhorski, declaring he was the most highly gifted dilettante he had ever met with.[137] MICHAEL WIELHORSKI was born in Volhynia in 1787, and died in 1856. The Wielhorski family was of Polish descent, and took up their residence in Russia after the third division of Poland. At the present time amongst Russian amateurs who play the Violoncello, Prince TENISCHEFF and the Senator MARKEWITSCH are distinguished; the Grand Duke CONSTANTINE NIKOLAJEWITSCH also, a pupil of J. Seifert already mentioned, is a zealous Violoncello player. The first really remarkable cellist whom Russia can call her own is