THE V I O LIN AND ITS MUSIC, GEORGE HART, "HE VIOLIN: ITS ...

THE VIOLIN IN ITAL Y. 2 59
room, that he confessed he had nothing to teach
him.
Paganini, after suffering much from the harsh
and cruel treatment of his father, succeeded in
releasing himself from his bondage. At this time
he was about fifteen years of age, maintaining
himself by his public performances. Left to his
own resources, with no lack of money, but half
educated, with neither parent nor guardian to advise
him, he soon fell a prey to gamblers. It was at
Leghorn that he sacrificed his Violin to his passion
for gaming ; the loss, however, resulted in ultimate
gain, since a French merchant, M. Livron, presented
him with the Joseph Guarnerius made in 1743,
which he publicly used to the end of his career.
This world-renowned Violin is now in the Municipal
Palace at Genoa, in accordance with Paganini's
testamentary directions. In the year 1875, through
the kindness of my friend Signor Sacchi, I succeeded
in obtaining permission to photograph the instru­
ment, which enables me to place before my readers
the accompanying impression. Upon one occasion
s z