II. OF THE CONSTRUCTION.
For the space of thirty years I have worked upon the plan of Stradivarius solely, for I consider that his instruments and their proportions are the most perfect that can be found. Why, therefore, should I have taken any other as my model? I have repaired at least three hundred undoubtedly genuine violins constructed by this great master, besides having seen and handled many others, and consequently have had frequent opportunities of thoroughly studying his work, and of gauging and copying his most beautiful instruments. As the creations of this incomparable maker seem perfect in every detail, I have never attempted to make any additions of my own, but have strictly adhered to specimens produced by him in his prime (1700 to 1720) as my models, and have found that they differ but very slightly from one another. In Fig. 1., I have given the outlines of a violin of this period (1713) with the blocks.