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'De Fidiculis' (1907-8) by W. Meredith Morris (above), a manuscript mainly concerned with violin making and makers and 'Famous Fiddlers'. 'Preface - The following pages are not intended for publication: They are written solely and simply for my own amusement and pleasure. I love oddities above all things, and odd men above all oddities. Perhaps that explains why I am so fond of the fiddle and of fiddlers. If I had the daring to publish this little work, most people would think I had wontonly wasted precious moments of my life. But what care for the opinion of the crowd? The moments I have spent in giving shape to the delicate form which enshrouds the fiddle-soul, and in listening to the strains of some old-world strolling fiddler, have been the happiest moments of my life. This private confession I tenderly commit to the preface: 'let what follows give me absolution'.