ABSTRACT
On 14 January 1808 16-year-old George Chinnery departed for Christ Church College, Oxford, where his education would be completed. Viotti was to be like a second father to George during his Oxford years. He acted as confidant, adviser, consoler, and supporter and loving mentor. Viotti visited Oxford four times during this period: twice in 1808, once in 1809 and once in 1810. During these visits to Oxford Viotti was to make the acquaintance of several university dons, most of whom were Spencer family friends. When the visit was finally fixed for the weekend, Viotti wrote to say he would bring his violin and entertain George's friends. William Spencer was employed during these years by the Chinnerys as classics and prosody tutor to Caroline – undoubtedly to help mitigate his financial difficulties. Spencer became close to Viotti during the years. Nine of his letters to Viotti survive, all written in a bantering tone, and full of witticisms, puns and poems.
