The title-page of this publication so fully sets forth its contents, that it is unnecessary to add a word on that subject. The precepts are few and clearly expressed, but the examples are many and very judiciously selected.
We learn from the present work, that in Germany this instrument is mounted with four strings, which are tuned by fourths descending, beginning with C, the second space in the base; or more frequently with G, the first base line. In Italy, England, and France, only three strings are used, which in the two former countries are tuned to G, D, and G; in the latter, to G, D, and A. The double-base plays from the violoncello part, but generally an octave below that instrument.
It appears that the fault we complained of in our last, page 149, in mentioning a Fantasia by M. Chaulieu, is imputable to the London engraver, who mistook a new mark endeavoured to be brought into use by the composer, for the contratenor clef. See Acknowledgments to Correspondents.
EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF A DILETTANTE.
[Resumed from [page 135].]
June 8th. The following facts, which appear in the Court Journal of this day, are so correct, as far as they relate to Sig. Paganini’s recently advertised concerts, and the remarks are so just, that I shall beg leave to transfer them to my Diary:—
‘An extraordinary change seems to have taken place in the public mind with respect to Paganini: his concerts, on his first visit to this country, were so well attended that frequently his receipts exceeded 1000l., and on one occasion 1400l. were received, of which he had two thirds, leaving M. Laporte to pay the whole expenses out of the remaining third. On his arriving here, about two months ago, he was advised to defer giving any concert until the anger, caused by his refusal to play for the distressed English actors in Paris, should have blown over. It being supposed, however, last week, that this affair had been forgotten, and that there was every prospect of obtaining full houses, Paganini announced a concert for yesterday (Friday, the 7th June) evening. On Thursday, so few boxes and stalls had been taken, that Paganini, despairing of an attendance that would compensate him for his trouble, and dreading, perhaps, that there would be some disturbance arising out of the Paris affair, yesterday advertised that there would be no performance! M. Laporte cannot, we imagine, regret the disappointment, for if his agreement with Paganini be similar to the former one, he would have had all the expenses to pay out of a third, which would hardly have covered the charge of the musicians.’
21st. This evening Sig. Paganini had his first concert this season in the King’s Theatre, when he performed nearly the same pieces that he has so often repeated in London. The pit was not half full, the gallery not one-third, and the boxes almost empty. He advertises two concerts as the number he has determined to give. These will both be too many, if his second is no better attended than his first.