ANCIENT VIOLIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 681, 19 January 1866, Page 4

ANCIENT VIOLIN.

"We have noticed on a previous occasion, that Mr. Heine in most of the recent concerts in Auckland, used a violin, the property of Colonel Balneavis, liis own being entrusted to onr ingenious townsman, Mr. John Cox, for the pinpose of its sounding-board being remodelled iiccording to the principle discovered and applied by that gentleman— a principle which seems to be tantamount to that employed in the most valuable of the old Cremonas. TTc understand that Mr. Heine's instrument, thus repaired, was used by him publicly for the first time at Oneon Wednesday evening, and that the results were most satisfactory. . . : ; On the violin being opened by Mr. Cos, the following inscription was seen more plainly r " Galparde Gueffo, T'ragua, A 12121." Subjoined is a number which appears to be the date, viz.; " 1516." It will be seen from the letter of which a copy is annexed, that a certain defect in the instrument has been now removed. Mr. Heine has tried no less than five violins made or modelled by Mr. Cox, and in each case Mr. and Mrs. Heine have found to their great surprise and pleasure, that the instrument is what is technically called "perfect." Mrs. Heine has expressed her intention of communis eating on this subject with the principal violiil manufacturers of Paris, and appears to be anxioiii that Mr. Cox's method should he rendered available in Europe. It is very remarkable that the recovery of the ancient principle, ais really seems to be the case, should be reserved for discovery at the antipodes ; but, such things do occasionally happen. We are inclined to suspect that the circumstance may be' partly accounted for in this way. Mr. Cox's principle is not only based on very nice and accurate arithmetical proportions, but also requires a plodding perseverance in minute work of a very delicate' description; and this is not perhaps exactly the way in which things are managed commercially in these go-ahead times. But, however this may be, the facts speak for themselves. The following is a copy of the letter above referred to: — Auckland, January 17th, 1566. Dear Sir, —I have , much pleasure in informing you that you have b--on most Fueeessful in the repair in sx; of the old violin X gavo into j-our charge. Xlie note in the first string that was incorrect ia now perfect, aud the instrument alt gether much improved. Truly yours, J. Heine. Mr. John Cox.