27 MARCH 1920, Page 22

British Violin Makers. By the Rev. W. Meredith Morris. (R.

Scott. 25s. net.)—This is a new edition of a book long out of print. The author has revised it and brought his annotated list of makers up to date. He is an enthusiast for his subject, and declares that, though British violin makers of the old school worked on the wrong lines, the modern school is producing first- rate instruments. He devotes a chapter to the secret of the "Italian tone," and confesses at the end that he does not believe In any of the theories which purport to explain the supreme excellence of a Stradivari or an .Amati. The book is well illustrated.