A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Mell, Davis

by William Smyth Rockstro

MELL, Davis; familiarly called Davie Mell. An eminent Violinist and Clockmaker, resident in London, about the middle of the 17th century, and honourably mentioned by Aubrey and Anthony á Wood. In the year 1657, he visited Oxford, where, as we learn from Wood's Diary, 'Peter Pett, Will. Bull, Ken. Digby, and others of Allsoules, as also A. W. did give him a very handsome entertainment in the Taverne cal'd "The Salutation" in S. Marie's Parish … The Company did look upon Mr. Mell to have a prodigious hand on the Violin, & they thought that no person, as all in London did, could goe beyond him. But, when Tho. Baltzar, an Outlander, came to Oxon. in the next yeare, they had other thoughts of Mr. Mell, who, tho he play'd farr sweeter than Baltzar, yet Baltzar's hand was more quick, & could run it insensibly to the end of the Fingerboard.' [See Baltzar, Thomas.]

Aubrey^[1] tells a curious story of a child of Mell's, who was cured of a crooked back by the touch of a dead hand.

[ W. S. R. ]

1. 'Miscellanies,' under the article 'Miranda.'