Story of the Flute
On the other hand, Clinton, a leading English flautist and Professor at the Royal Academy of Music, in the first English book of instructions for the Böhm flute—namely, A Theoretical and Practical Essay on the Böhm Flute, as manufactured by Messrs. Rudall & Rose—evidently considered Böhm entitled to the credit of the invention. In his enthusiastic dedication of this work to Böhm, Clinton says:—
"When in after ages the future historian of the Flute, in tracing its progress from infancy to maturity, shall enumerate those whose talents and exertions have successfully contributed to its perfect development, your name will stand conspicuously prominent in the list. He will point, with peculiar satisfaction, to your achievements, and this our day will be characterised by him as the commencement of a new era in the history of the instrument. And when he shall contrast the capabilities of the Flute, in his time, with the recorded imperfections of that of former generations, the name of Böhm will be transmitted in grateful remembrance to posterity, as the originator of the wondrous and triumphant change. To whom, then, can I, with equal propriety, dedicate a work, the object of which is, to introduce to English Flute-players, this monument of your genius, already so fully appreciated by the great body of Continental Professors and amateurs?—Wishing you many years of health and happiness, in the enjoyment of that fame which is so justly your due, I have the honour to subscribe myself, your very obedient and faithful servant, J. Clinton. London, May, 1843."
He throughout speaks of Böhm as the inventor. His later School for the Böhm Flute (1846) was also dedicated to Böhm. After such decided expressions on the subject, it is somewhat startling to find Clinton, in his Practical Hints to Flute-players upon the subject of Modern Flutes (1855)—a work describing his own
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