Toeschi (who is a director, but has no authority when Cannabich is present) said to Danzi (N.  B., his son-in-law), “Rise, and give Mara your place.”  When Cannabich saw and heard this, he called out, “Danzi, stay where you are; the Elector prefers his own people playing the accompaniments.”  Then the air began, Mara standing behind his wife, looking very sheepish, and still holding his violoncello.  The instant they entered the concert-room, I took a dislike to both, for you could not well see two more insolent-looking people, and the sequel will convince you of this.  The aria had a second part, but Madame Mara did not think proper to inform the orchestra of the fact previously, but after the last ritournelle came down into the room with her usual air of effrontery to pay her respects to the nobility.  In the mean time her husband attacked Cannabich.  I cannot write every detail, for it would be too long; but, in a word, he insulted both the orchestra and Cannabich’s character, who, being naturally very much irritated, laid hold of his arm, saying, “This is not the place to answer you.”  Mara wished to reply, but Cannabich threatened that if he did not hold his tongue he would have him removed by force.  All were indignant at Mara’s impertinence.  A concerto by Ramm was then given, when this amiable couple proceeded to lay their complaint before Count Seeau; but from him, also, as well as from every one else, they heard that they were in the wrong.  At last Madame Mara was foolish enough to speak to the Elector himself on the subject, her husband in the mean time saying in an arrogant tone, “My wife is at this moment complaining to the Elector—­an unlucky business for Cannabich; I am sorry for him.”  But people only burst out laughing in his face.  The Elector, in reply to Madame Mara’s complaint, said, “Madame, you sang like an angel, although your husband did not accompany you;” and when she wished to press her grievance, he said, “That is Count Seeau’s affair, not mine.”  When they saw that nothing was to be done, they left the room, although she had still two airs to sing.  This was nothing short of an insult to the Elector, and I know for certain that, had not the Archduke and other strangers been present, they would have been very differently treated; but on this account Count Seeau was annoyed, so he sent after them immediately, and they came back.  She sang her two arias, but was not accompanied by her husband.  In the last one (and I shall always believe that Herr Mara did it on purpose) two bars were wanting—­N.  B., only in the copy from which Cannabich was playing.  When this occurred, Mara seized Cannabich’s arm, who quickly got right, but struck his bow on the desk, exclaiming audibly, “This copy is all wrong.”  When the aria was at an end, he said, “Herr Mara, I give you one piece of advice, and I hope you will profit by it:  never seize the arm of the director of an orchestra, or lay your account with getting at least half a dozen sound boxes