The Recent Revolution in Organ Building: Being an Account of Modern Developments
John Stuart Mill · en
"Barker's connection with Cavaille was not of long duration, and we
next find him in the Daublaine & Callinet organ-building company. At
this time the company was rebuilding the magnificent organ at St.
Sulpice, the acknowledged masterpiece of Cliquot, the French 'Father
Schmidt.' * * *
"During the time this restoration of the organ was in hand, Louis
Callinet experienced acute financial difficulties, and, failing to
induce Daublaine, his partner, to advance him a relatively small sum, *
* * Callinet became so bitterly incensed that one day, going to the
organ on some trifling pretext, he entirely wrecked it with axe and
handsaw.
"This act of vengeance or criminal folly involved Daublaine in the same
financial ruin as himself, and through this tragic occurrence the firm
in which Barker was beginning to be securely established came to an
end. Callinet, being absolutely penniless, was not prosecuted, but
ended his days in the employ of Cavaille as voicer and tuner.
"Nor was this the only disaster which occurred during the time Barker
was with Daublaine & Callinet. In 1844 (December 16th), it was
Barker's ill-fortune to kick over a lighted candle while trying to
remove a cipher in the organ his firm had recently erected in St.
Eustache, which occasioned the total destruction of the organ. * * *
"The outlook seemed unpromising for Barker when the firm of Daublaine &
Callinet came to an end. The good will of that concern was, however,
purchased by M. Ducroquet (a capitalist), who entrusted him with its
management.
"J. B. Stoltz, Daublaine & Callinet's foreman, a very able man and a
splendid workman, feeling aggrieved at Barker's promotion, seceded and
set up for himself, his place in the new firm being filled by M.
Verschneider, in whom Barker found efficient support in matters of
technical knowledge and skill.
"During the time Barker was with M. Ducroquet the present organ at St.
Eustache was built, to replace that so unfortunately destroyed by fire;
also an organ which was exhibited at the great exhibition of London in
1851. * * *
"In the Paris exhibition of 1855 Barker was admitted as an exhibitor,
independently of M. Ducroquet (who was in bad health and on the eve of
retiring from business), obtaining a first-class medal and nomination
as Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
"At the death of M. Ducroquet, which occurred shortly afterwards,
Merklin took over the business carried on by Ducroquet, and Barker
remained with him until 1860, when he set up on his own account in
partnership with M. Verschneider, before named, and it was during the
decade 1860-70 that the electric organ came into being."