[A Survey of Russian Literature, with Selections by Isabel Florence Hapgood]@TWC D-Link bookA Survey of Russian Literature, with Selections CHAPTER XII 72/90
I agreed with Tolstoy, as to the effect. [35] Although she was very ill and weak, she was good enough to ask me to visit her, a few months before she died, in 1889. [36] Count L.N.Tolstoy told me that Uspensky had never been sufficiently appreciated.
He also praised Zlatovratsky highly. [37] Former crown serfs repeatedly told me how free they had been--how much better off than those of private persons. [38] Naturally, it is this feature of his writings which made Count Tolstoy laud him so highly to me. [39] Or, "The Golovleffs," the above being the more formal translation. Saltykoff was too ill to receive strangers when I was in Russia.
But I attended a requiem service over his body, at his home; another at the Kazan Cathedral, where all the literary lights assembled; and went to his funeral in the outlying cemetery, thereby having the good fortune to behold one of the famous "demonstrations" in which the Russian public indulges on such occasions. [40] This refers to the Table of Ranks, established by Peter the Great. The fourth class of officials from the top of the ladder, have attained a very respectable amount of embroidery, dignity, and social position. [41] About two cents and a half. [42] I have seen the number variously stated at from eleven to thirteen; but Countess Sophia Andreevna, his wife, told me there had been fifteen, and I regard her as the final authority on this point, a very interesting one, in view of some of his latter-day theories and exhortations.
Countess Tolstoy was the daughter of Dr.Behrs, of Moscow. [43] Turgeneff, who afterwards called Tolstoy "The Great Writer of the Russian Land," pronounced emphatically against him at this time; and so did many others, who became his enthusiastic admirers. [44] At this period, also, the peasant costume became the fashion in the higher circles.
Count Tolstoy is generally (out of Russia) assumed to be the first and only wearer of such garments. [45] This is a particularly interesting example to the people of America and to me.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|