rn,
Doctors'-Commons, in London, on September 23d of that year, and being
highly successful, a second was given on October 12th, and a third on
the 26th, each proving more attractive than its predecessor. These
concerts lasted for two seasons, when a new quartet was formed, with
H.G. Blagrove and Henry Gattie as first and second violins, Mr. Dando,
viola, and Mr. Lucas, 'cello, for the more perfect study and
presentation of quartets and other chamber music. These concerts were
given at the Hanover Square rooms, and on account of the care bestowed
upon the rehearsals (of which they held seven or eight for each
concert), they threw all previous performances into the shade.

The tide of public favour had now set in, and other quartets were
formed, but none reached such excellence as that headed by Blagrove,
which was invited to play at the Philharmonic concerts, where it
produced a great sensation.

About the end of the seventh season Blagrove withdrew, but the quartet
continued in existence for many years, Mr. Dando playing first violin,
and Mr. Loder, the viola, and the concerts were given at Crosby Hall in
the city, instead of the Hanover Square rooms.

At St. Petersburg a quartet was formed by Leopold Auer, an excellent
violinist, who at the death of Wieniawski was appointed professor of
violin at the Conservatoire. Auer was born in Hungary, and became a
pupil of Dont at Vienna, after which he had a brilliant career as a
virtuoso in Europe. His St. Petersburg quartet was founded in 1868, and
became one of the leading musical organisations of the Russian capital,
until the death of Davidoff, the violoncellist, who was one of its
members, in 1890.

Auer has been very active in the musical life of St. Petersburg, and is
very highly esteemed both as a man and as a musician, teacher, and
performer.

A quartet which has gained a great reputation in Europe during recent
years is the Bohemian Quartet, consisting of Carl Hoffmann, first
violin, Joseph Suk, second violin, Oscar Nedbal, viola, and Hanus Wihom,
violoncello. They play with a great deal of vim and abandon, and the
ensemble is remarkable.

At Hanover Richard Sahla has established a quartet, with Meneke, Kugler,
and Loeleberg, and Arnold Rose's quartet, of Vienna, has travelled in
Hungary, Italy, and other countries, gaining a good reputation.

In the United States there have been well meant efforts to found good
quartets, and these have all had a beneficial