but also of pine. The bass or
sound-bar is of pine, placed under the left foot of the bridge in a
slightly oblique position, in order to facilitate the vibrating by
giving about the same position as the line of the strings. The
divergence is usually one-twelfth of an inch, throughout its entire
length of ten inches. It is curious to discover that this system of
placing the bar was adopted by Brensius of Bologna, a Viol-maker of
the fifteenth century, and by Gasparo da Salo. The later
Violin-makers, however, for the most part, do not appear to have
followed the example, they having placed it in a straight line, thus
leaving the system to be re-discovered. The bar of the Violin not only
serves the purpose of strengthening the instrument in that part where
the pressure of the bridge is greatest, but forms a portion of the
structure at once curious and deeply interesting; it may indeed be
called the nervous system of the Violin, so exquisitely sensitive is
it to external touch. The slightest alteration in its position will
effect such changes in the tone as often to make a good Violin
worthless. Those troublesome notes technically known as "wolf notes"
by its delicate adjustment are sometimes removed, or passed to
intervals where the disagreeable sound is felt with less intensity.
Numerous attempts have been made to reduce these features to a
philosophy, but the realisation of the coveted discovery appears as
distant as ever. The most minute variation in the construction of the
instrument necessitates a different treatment of this active agent as
regards its conjunction with the bridge; and when it is considered
that scarcely two Violins can be found of exactly identical structure,
it must be admitted that the difficulties in the way of laying down
any set of hard and fast rules for their regulation seem to be
insuperable.

The next important feature of the internal organism is the sound-post,
which serves many purposes. It is the medium by which the vibratory
powers of the instrument are set in motion; it gives support to the
right side of the belly, it transmits vibrations, and regulates both
the power and quality of tone. The terms used for this vital factor of
a Violin on the Continent at once prove its importance. The Italians
and French call it the "Soul," and the Germans the "Voice." If we
accept the bass-bar as the nervous system of a Violin, the sound-post
may be said to perform the functions of the heart with un