Another death in the musical world which ought not to go unnoticed is that of Mr. A. E Hill, last of the four brothers in the famous arm of violin-makers and dealers in New Bond Street. His family, by the way, have been carrying on the famous profession for over 200 years. As a youth, after being apprenticed to hhis father, Hill went to. France to study the making of violins at Mire-court. But he was more than a fine craftsman. He studied the history of violin-making and became the great-fest living authority on the subject. He wrote, several books on the subject, which rank among the best literature on stringed instruments. And it was through him that come of the most famous violins by Stradi varius and Guarnerius were acquired Jn'this country.
'Among them was Stradivarius's masterpiece "Lo "Mesie:" made. in Tio, 20 years before his death. Early inthe "loth century. this' violin waned for" over 30° years, during Which it was never. played on, but hay. hidden in' farmhouse." neat Hillan, whence it wat produced by. a usty old peddler named arise, who fad'a sort of trifle-dog instinct for ting out fine violins in forgotten comers. Though 0. long untovehed, the tone of "Lo Messie" when played fon again was as pure and strone vers "Now it les in the Ashmsies St Oxford cooped up ina glass care like "Paganini Guarnerius in the museum at Genoa. it" seems sad that the "greatness" of these', two Violins should actually condemn ther hover' to give out the voice, which mede thea so great
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.