Walker-My_Musical_Ex.. - Walter Cosand

252 MY MUSICAL EXPERIENCES
Eubinstein had introduced into the Conservatoire, of
which he had been nominated director when Monsieur
Davidoff (an eminent 'cellist) resigned that post.
When Eubinstein accepted the position, Madame
Sophie Menter had been for two years occupying a
professorship in the Conservatoire, which had been
left vacant by the death of Louis Brassin. This post
had been in the first instance offered to and declined
by Lesschetizky of Vienna. When Madame Menter
accepted it, there was a clause inserted in her agree-
ment which gave her the privilege of remaining away
fully a month longer than the other professors. She
also, without being formally given such a privilege,
had assumed for herself the right of frequently having
the class to meet at her own house for their lesson,
instead of at the Conservatorium. Eubinstein's first
act of power was to signify to her that he should
cancel the clause which gave her the liberty of
absenting herself for a month after all the other
classes had begun. He at the same time informed
her that he could see no reason why the class should
attend at her house, it being her duty to meet them in
the Conservatoire.
Madame Menter, who has a large circle of friends
and admirers, and has been for years in the habit of
having much of her own way, found that it would
not suit her dignity to conform to Eubinstein's rules.
She accordingly at once sent in her resignation ; and
Eubinstein was supposed to have been very well
pleased at her withdrawal.