The Salabue Stradivari.
PREFATORY NOTE.
THIS monograph forms the secondnumber of a series which openedwith the pamphlet on the TuscanStradivari, published nearly two yearsago, when that remarkable violin was in ourpossession.
Our purpose in these publications is to furnishdescriptive notices of some of the masterpiecesof violin making, with critical analyses of theircharacteristic features and authentic particulars oftheir history. In pursuance of this object we havespared no pains in seeking original sources ofinformation, and in carefully sifting evidence; and,by these means, we hope to succeed in correctingmany of the loose ideas current with regard to theworks of Stradivari and the other great makers, andin establishing trustworthy data for the guidanceof the present and future generations of devotees ofthe violin.
4In the preparation of the materials for the presentmemoir, we have been greatly indebted to our friendSignor Federico Sacchi, of Cremona, for his indefatigableresearches at the fountain-head of informationon the subject of Stradivari and his native town; andwe desire to take this opportunity of acknowledging thegreat value of his assistance in throwing light uponmany points previously obscure.
Our observations upon the general characteristics ofthe instrument, and the