him an honorable distinction even among
those musicians marked by affluence of ideas. These compositions are
likely to be among the violin classics, though some of the violinists
of the Spohr school have criticised them for want of depth. He produced
seven concertos, eleven _airs varies_, several books of studies,
four trios for piano, violin, and 'cello, and, together with Osborne,
Thalberg, and other pianists, a number of brilliant duos for piano and
violin. His book of instruction for the violin is among the best ever
written, though somewhat diffuse in detail. He may be considered the
founder of the Franco-Belgian school of violinists, as distinguished
from the classical French school founded by Viotti, and illustrated by
Rode and Baillot. His early playing was molded entirely in this style,
but the dazzling example of Paganini, in course of time, had its
effect on him, as he soon adopted the captivating effects of harmonics,
arpeggios, pizzicatos, etc., which the Genoese had introduced, though
he stopped short of sacrificing his breadth and richness of tone. He
combined the Paganini school with that of Viotti, and gave status to
a peculiar _genre_ of players, in which may be numbered such great
virtuosos as Vieuxtemps and Wieniawski, who successively occupied the
same professional place formerly illustrated by De Beriot, and the
latter of whom recently died. De Beriot's playing was noted for accuracy
of intonation, remarkable deftness and facility in bowing, grace,
elegance, and piquancy, though he never succeeded in creating the
unbounded enthusiasm which everywhere greeted Paganini.

OLE BULL.

The Birth and Early Life of Ole Bull at Bergen, Norway.--His Family and
Connections.--Surroundings of his Boyhood.--Early Display of his Musical
Passion.--Learns the Violin without Aid.--Takes Lessons from an Old
Musical Professor, and soon surpasses his Master.--Anecdotes of his
Boyhood.--His Father's Opposition to Music as a Profession.--Competes
for Admittance to the University at Christiania.--Is consoled
for Failure by a Learned Professor.--"Better be a Fiddler than
a Preacher."--Becomes Conductor of the Philharmonic Society at
Bergen.--His first Musical Journey.--Sees Spohr.--Fights a Duel.--Visit
to Paris.--He is reduced to Great Pecuniary Straits.--Strange Adventure
with Vidocq, the Great Detective.--First Appearance in Concert in
Paris.--Romantic Adventure leading to Acquaintance.--First Appearance
in It