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

THE VIOLIN IN FRANCE. 309
Double ' Bass. Onslow positively refused to listen '
to the proposal, remarking that the effect would be
dreadful ; evidently proving that Onslow had either
not heard the extraordinary Contrabassist play the
Violoncello part of Corelli's Sonatas; or that if he
had done so he completely failed to appreciate the
grand effect of the performance. However, Onslow
at length consented, and his Quintett was played as
proposed, and delighted the composer, causing him
to arrange all former Quintetts with Violoncello and
Double Bass.
The following estimate of Onslow's works, is
from the pen of Henry F. Chorley, written in 185 3,
the year of Onslow's death. "The large mass of
chamber music furnished by Onslow well merits the
epithet of remarkable. I t is thoroughly original
without being extraordinarily striking-delicate and
interesting, without sickliness, or the absence of
occasional vigour-suave in phrases, ingenious ini
structure-not always, it may be, sufficiently varied
by happy strokes of episode, but always thoroughly
well reasoned out, and interesting to the players,
from the closeness of attention, and readiness in
dialogue, reply, and imitation which it demands. '
During later year-as frequently happens with those
whose first thoughts are more pleasing than powerful
-Onslow, in straining after novelty and contrast,
became only affected and fragmentary. This may
have done its part in abating the zeal and sympathy
of his admirers ; but enough remains from his pen,