( 186 ) 
and others in their vocation; and that we 
have not yet produced one firft-rate player; 
is there not reafon to conclude, either, that 
it is infinitely the mod difficult of all arts, 
or that there is fome fecret, induftrioufly 
concealed from Englifhmen. Probably there 
is no fecret in the cafe; but there is a very 
unaccountable want of obfervation and re- 
flection, vifible in the execution of almoft all 
our violin-players. 
When a boy firft begins to fcrape his 
gamut on the fiddle, he naturally makes 
every note by the motion of his whole right 
arm from the fhoulder. After he has prac- 
tifed for fome time, he acquires, from ne- 
ceflity, a little motion in the elbow, and 
with this he refts perfectly fatisfied. The 
proper motion of his wrifl, if he underftood 
it ever fo well, would be incompetent to the 
execution of quick paflages, becaufe he plays 
with that part of his bow which lies be- 
tween the centre and the farther extremity; 
confequently when the notes are to be played 
on different firings, the arch defcribed by 
the right hand, extends beyond the power 
of the wrift; therefore the motion muft ne- 
ceflarily begin at the elbow, if not higher. 
A3 
