Its seclusion from the outer world, which the heavy accumulation of dust proved to have been for many years, did not seem to have damaged it in the least; and the fact of a chimney-flue passing through the wall at no great distance had no doubt conduced to maintain the air in the cupboard at an equable temperature.

So far as he was able to judge, the wood was as sound as when it left the maker's hands; but the strings were of course broken, and curled up in little tangled knots.

The body was of a light-red colour, with a varnish of peculiar lustre and softness.

The neck seemed rather longer than ordinary, and the scroll was remarkably bold and free.
The violin which my brother was in the habit of using was a fine _Pressenda_, given to him on his fifteenth birthday by Mr.Thoresby, his guardian.

It was of that maker's later and best period, and a copy of the Stradivarius model.