Leo Tolstoy’s diary, 1856

I am in Orel. My brother Dmftri is dying. How the evil thoughts I used to have about him crumble into dust. Masha 1 * * * * * * and Tatiana Alexandrovna are nursing…

Am in Petersburg. Brother Dmitri is dead, I heard of it to-day. From to-morrow I want to spend my days so that it should be pleasant to remember them. To-morrow…

Wrote a little in the morning, Bulgakov disturbed me. Fell asleep, and then Kutler came. Dined at the Chess Club. Fet is very pleasant. The story of the assistant :…

Quarrelled with Turgenev. . . .

The Volkonskis had a party. To-morrow go to service. Was at l' Iztoile du Nord in the bomb- factory all day. Timm, Bulgakov, and Eremdev, spent the evening with me.

Wrote little yesterday. Gymnastics take a lot of time. Was silly enough to agree about the theatre. Went to Kra^vski.

Finished The Snow-Storm and am very pleased with it.

Did nothing. Went out and enjoyed the sight of the crowds round the booths, and studied the character qf a Russian crowd listening to a speaker. Dined with…

Have long not noted anything down and have been in a kind of mist for three weeks. Besides I am unwell. The plan of the comedy wearies me. Peace has been concluded.…

The day before yesterday I accidentally read Longfnov’s letter, and have sent him a challenge. God knows what will come of it, but I shall be firm and resolute. The…

One of the chief evils that grows with the ages and shows itself in all possible guises is trust in the past. Geological and historical changes are inevitable. Why…

Have just awaked. It is one o’clock. “ Christ is risen ! ” all you who love me. And I love everyone. I am well in spirit and in body. Finished Father and Son…

Finished even the correction of Father and Son , which on Nekrasov’s advice I am calling The Two Hussars . That is better. Have put my papers in order and mean to…

Visited the Bludovs and Turgenev, and chattered very merrily with him.

Behaved disgustingly after dinner at Nekrasov’s. Gadded about the N6vski. . . . Set myself a rule never to drink more than half a glass of vodka, one glass of…

Am not writing anything. My relation to my serfs is beginning to trouble me much. I feel the need of learning, learning, and learning.

Was at Medem’s in the morning. Dined with Blddov. In the evening at Kov&in's. A delightful mind and nature. The serf-question is becoming clearer. I returned from…

Have jotted down a summary of the pro- jects. Heard Kovelin’s charming proposals. Went to Kutler and saw a fine little girl there, his sister-in-law.

Gorbunov came in the morning. It flatters my self-love to note his improvement. Afterwards we went to Milutin, who explained much to me and showed me the project…

% Arkadi Stotypin came in the morning. He is heavy. Corrected proofs. Had very amusing gym- nastics. Dined at Dusseau’s with Arkadi Stotypin. A splendid and…

Dinner for Turgenev at which, foolishly offended by a verse of Nekrasov’s, I said unpleasant things to everybody. Turgenev left. I am sad, especially as I am…

Learnt yesterday that my resignation will not be accepted for a long time yet. Dinner at Bludov’s. Dull. Went to the Islands with Shevich. Pleasant. Spent the…

Am writing after one A.M. Having got up at about noon, after a nasty night, I wanted to work. Michael Islavin (he is difficult because of his shyness), young…

Yesterday morning wrote a letter to Tatidna Alexandrovna, and the report. At two, called at the Ministry of the Interior Levshin received me drily. Whatever one…

Michael Islavin came in the morning, then Sokovnfn and Timm. Timm asked me to write the text for a sheet. Am very pleased. Dined with Nekrasov. Fet i*s a darling,…

Got up at nine. Went to gymnastics. It’s dull without friends. Read the Naval Miscellany .* I should like to slap Pagodin’s face. Contemptible flattery flavoured…

Got up at about ten. Wrote to Vasenka Perfilev. Davydov came. Finished with him. Timm has promised him, but I doubt whether I sl^all be able to. At one, the…

Got up late, put my papers in order, wrote to Turgenev. Anna Nikolaevna called. Went to see Fet, with him to the Bourse, and from there to dine at Dusseau’s with…

Rose late. Fet and Truson came. The latter said delightfully, that the second Hussar is described without love. Went to Konstantinov, dined at Nekrasov’s : they…

Gorbunov, Dolgorukov, Pratz, and Kolbasin junior, came in the morning. I let the latter have the publication of Childhood and Boyhood for a ten per cent royalty.…

Arrived at ten and went straight to the Perfilevs’. Two fat lumps ! All the same Vasenka is good-looking and highly so. Went to dine with the old Perfilevs. Varenka…

At eight o’clock B6tkin gave me a lift as far as his office, and then I travelled to Troitsa with an old man blind in one eye, a lean young man, and a laughing,…

Woke late, read a little of some Life of the Saints, wrote one or two things, and went to church. Was again seized by that playful mood. Went into the vestry. They…

Kaldshin and Zagdskin came in the morning. Dined at Aksakov’s. Made Komyakdv’s acquaintance. An acute man. Disputed with Constantine Aksakov about village readings,…

Dined at Diakov’s. Did not recognise Madame A. Obolenski she has so changed. I did not expect to see her and so the feeling she aroused in me was terribly acute.…

Got up late, chatted with Kdstinka and Perfflev. Read the criminal scenes which are very good, especially when M. M. Sukhotfn reads them. Went with Obolenski to…

In the morning finished writing diary and notebook, and felt cruelly bored, foreseeing the impossibility of meeting A, to-day. Have no reason to remain but feel…

Without going to bed went to the Sparrow Hills with Kostinka. Bathed, drank milk, and slept there in the garden. The monks were drinking with girls, drinking milk,…

From 8 till A.M. wrote diary and notebook, then idled with P. and Vasenka. Went to the Kaldshins. Did not find them at home, saw no one but the mother who finally…

Yesterday wrote a letter to Kamenskaya, in which I again offer her my services. Got up at one. Went with Vasenka to Bakhmdtyev’s, but did not find him in. Then we…

When travelling Mademoiselle Vergani is the most palpable despot I ever saw — foreigners are like that. Went round by Sudakovo ; life there is splendid. At Yasnaya…

Tried to get up at six, but fell asleep again and slept till twelve. Sat till half-past one with Aunt, then went across the fields to church. Very pleasant. Then to…

Have arrived at Pokrdvsk towards ten o’clock. Felt uncomfortable with Valerian. I still don’t understand him. Masha’s children are awfully sweet. Her breath smells…

At*five in the morning rode to Turgenev’s. Arrived at seven. He was not at home. Chatted with Perfflev and made notes in my notebook. By his house I saw the roots…

Got up at ten, gadded about, now with the children, now with Valerian, and now with Turgenev (with whom I had a bathe), and then with Masha. Then we floated on a…

Got up after ten, went to Mdsha and the children. Had a very nice chat with Turgenev, played Don Juan } After lunch went for a row on the river, then dined and…

Trinity Sunday. Arrived towards five, and after passing through the house, the whole of which was full of a nasty smell, found great pleasure at the window opening…

Got up at five, went for a walk with, I confess, very erotic feelings. Read Pushkin’s first poems. Then sorted my old notebooks ; incomprehensible but sweet…

Rose at six, went with 6sip to bathe, then to the fields. Returned, read through and made a few corrections in The Cossacks , and sauntered about in the garden. . .…

Got up at seven, went to bathe, and to A little river at Ydsnaya Polydna. Grumont. Terrible lust amounting to a physical illness. Returned at ten and did nothing…

Slept till eleven and woke up refreshed. Again gadded about the garden and vegetable plot, and to Grumont. . . . Read the second and third parts of Pushkin. The…

Got up after nine, gadded about in the garden. A very pretty peasant woman, whose beauty is extremely pleasing ! I am insufferably disgusting in my weakness and…

Got up at nine. My back aches worse. Am reading Pushkin’s biography with pleasure. Am always considering A Landlord's Morning. Cannot be cheerful. Auntie badgers…

Got up at nine. The pain in my back gets worse and worse. Read Pushkin’s biography which I have finished. Walked about the Zakdz, and thought out one or two things…

Rose at nine. Read Youth through. Terribly lazy. Gadded about, played patience, and read Piishkin. After dinner went to Ziseka, but the keeper did not turn up.…

Got up at nine. Gadded about as before, and at noon went to Tdla. Felt awfully depressed at the hotel and had leeches applied. Seem rather better. Went to bee?…

Got up at five. Went fishing, gadded about. . . . Read a charming story by N. There is a tremendous epic talent. Yesterday a soldier was found hanged in Zaseka.…

Got up at nine. Gadded about, went with Natalya Petrovna to Gimbut’s and to Arsenev’s. During lunch at Gfmbut’s the inquest-commission arrived. We were told that…

Rose at nine. Gadded about. Went to the greenhouse. Played the piano carelessly. The Ars^nevs came. Vaterya is sweet. Dined, and drove to Grumont.

Got up at eight, did gymnastics, read The Newcomes. Dined, went to see Lazarevich, and thence with the Ars^nevs to their place. She played. Very charming.

Diakov came and I persuaded him to go to the Ars£nevs with me. Vaterya chattered ♦about clothes' and the coronation. She is rather frivolous. It seems to be not a…

Stayed all day at home alone. . . . Diakov did not wish to go to the Arsenevs’ so I did not go either. •Besides I was fti a kind of helplessly flabby state of mind.

Was wakened by the arrival of Friede and Soymonov. I felt depressed even with Friede who is intelligent and professes noble ideas. In the evening the Arsenevs came.…

All day alone with my Aunt in idleness, by fits and starts playing and reading The Newcomes. In the evening sould not fall asleep for a long time ; was in a…

Am quite ill, the palpitations of the heart prevent *my walking, and my teeth ache. In the morning finished writing diary and notes. Spent the whole day at home,…

Went to the Arsenevs’ with my Aunts. Valerya was very bad, and I have quite calmed down.

Was awakened with the news that a peasant has been drowned in the middle pond. Two hours have gone by and I have taken no steps. Read The Newcomes. Made notes.

Rose after eight, read The Newcomes , copied my notes, read Youth over, meant to write, but left it at that. The peasant has been taken away. Did gymnastics. Had a…

Got up at noon, read Youth over, made corrections here and there, read, dined. Meant to go to Marshoshnikov who had sent to invite me, and to the Arsdnevs’, but…

Got up at ten. Finished off the first chapter of Youth with great pleasure. Toothache worse. After dinner went to the Arsenevs’. Valerya is extremely badly…

Slept heavily till noon. Teeth ached all night and all day. Read The New comes recumbent and silent.

Got up at ten. Finished The Newcomes. Wrote a page of Youth , played the Fifth Symphony. The Arsenevs arrived. Valerya is a splendid girl but she certainly does not…

Woke up towards twelve, played a great deal, wrote about two pages of Youth, remembered about Shdlin and then about Fedfirkin, and fell into a sorrowful mood. It is…

Wrote to Nekrasov about the Contemporary and anger, and to Rosen and Korsakdv. Dined and went to the Arsdnevs. Vaterya was writing in a dark room, and again wore a…

Played, worked a little at Youth , and started after dinner at two. Rather tactlessly told Aunt Paulina, to whom I had given some money, that I had none. The drive…

Thoroughly rainy day, the drive to Mts&isk has been postponed. Sent to Turgenev. Spent the day with the children and had some music.

Woke early, bathed. A girl came there, but I was in a good frame of mind and sent her away. Played with the children, dined, had music. Turgenev arrived. He is…

Woke up at noon and got ready to go to Mts&isk to see Ser£zha from whom I had received a note. I found him At Volkov’s with some officers. We walked to Turgenev’s…

From there we marched. The regiment is like any other. Arbtfsov is an honest maVi. Lauriz is a' learned, stupid, and rich German. We dined with him, tried our…

Got up late. Serezha arrived. Masha and Valerian have behaved badly. It is uncomfortable for Serezha, and for me still more so. Spent the day absurdly. Turgenev has…

Got up late. Stayed to dinner. Kdrpov, Shenshfn, and Beer were here. Told a shameful lie in a letter to Rzhevskaya. Went with Serezha to Chern, and then we nearly…

Went to bed, woke at twelve. Played, dined, went to the Ars^nevs’. They had visitors there. Vaterya is very sweet and our relations are easy and pleasant. If they…

Meant to go to 6lga Lazarevich’s, whose name-day it is, but I have caught cold — rheumatism and a sore throat. Played and dreamt all day at home and was happy. How…

Got up late with a sore throat. Did nothing. The family from Sudakovo arrived. Vaterya was nicer than ever, but her frivolity and absence of care for any- thing…

Got up early. Throat better but back still achea Rode* to the oat - fields through Babiirino to Myasoy&iovo. The property there has lapsed and the peasants are…

Sat at home. Did nothing.

Again I don’t remember anything.

It’s raining. Have been to Brant’s. In- vented a fantastic tale.

The Chasseur officers came. I was foolish enough to give them champagne.

Wrote a little of the fantastic tale and was at home all day.

Wrote a little of the fantastic tale. It is one o’clock now and I am going to the Arsinevs’. Misha has come.

The Ars^nevs and Serezha came here. Did nothing.

Was at the Arsenevs’. Lazarevich and K. were there. • I was very merry.

They were at the Gfmbuts* where I was too. Was bored. Have done nothing.

Masha’s name-day. Serezha was here also. Talked about Valerya. Serezha has poured much cold water over me.

Serezha has gone. Sat at home.* Did nothing. Had a little music.

Got up at twelve. Read Dead Souls with pleasure. Many thoughts of my own. Wrote nothing. The weather is fine. By means of a dispute at dinner I managed to rouse…

Again woke at twelve. Decided to have a thrashing-machine made. Read Gogol. Played. At dinner disputed with Masha about meanness. Then went for a ride. . . . Heard…

Got up late. Idled with the aid of the piano. Wrote a little of Youth with great pleasure. Certainly with my habit of reconsidering things I must get into the way…

Wrote to Kolbasin first thing in the morning, and a report to Konstantinov and Mikhalski. Then went to the Arsine vs’ who had invited me. It is strange that I am…

At home all day. Rain. In the morning wrote Youth , finished the chapter Confession . Mile. Vergani came, and N. N — a. I felt cheerful. Might have worked* more.…

Woke late. Wrote the chapter The Examina- tion, did some two sheets. Dined. Rain. Gave up the idea of going to the Ars^nevs’, but Brant came. He drove me away by…

Got up late. Aunt Tatiana Alexindrovna came. She is a wonder of goodness. Wrote the Examina- tion chapter. The Arsenevs sent a message that Olga had arrived. I was…

Got up late. Digestion dreadfully upset. Woke early and on awaking tried to think out my char- acters. Imagination awfully vivid. Managed to imagine the father…

9 Got up at nine. Saw Masha off. Wrote all day except for the time I gave to cards. Rode to Grumont and stayed for two hours in the little house.

Wrote much.

Did not go out. Wrote with pleasure*.

Was at the Arsenevs*.

Don’t remember! Knt>w only ‘that ! wrote for two hours each day and visited the Arsdnevs, and that Valerya always aroused the same feeling in me, inquisitiveness…

In the morning I wrote and in the evening went to them. They were preparing to go to the bath. Valerya and I talked about marriage. She is not stupid and is…

Went shooting in the Zasqka with the Afrosfmovs. He is kind, but a dull chatterer. Returned early. A storm hindered my going to the Arsenevs’ where I much wanted to…

Went to the Arsenevs’ at ten to take leave. She was unusually simple and nice. I should like to know, am I in love or not ? Came home and wrote a bit.

Wrote till two. Visitors from the Zaseka came and bored me till eight. Wrote a letter to Kolbasin with correction of Childhood and Boyhood.

Got up early. Have a headache. Went riding. Am starting on the seventh chapter. Wrote about two sheets, but it is too little for a day on which I have been quite…

At home all day. Wrote rather much. Rode out in the evening, stumbled upon a pretty peasant woman and became confused. Have received the dogs and *an unpleasant…

Went out early with the dogs. Did not see a single har£. Returned at four with a headache. Had a letter from Kolbasin and Nikolenka. Wrote nothing. Have been…

At home in the morning. Wrote little. Have stuck over the Father’s marriage. Rode out with the dogs after dinner. Again nothing. Wrote and played in the evening.…

Still raining. Wrote, scribbled in the morning. Went to the bath in the evening and did nothing, though from to-day I wished to work not less than six hours a day…

Wrote little. Rode out with the dogs.

The same.

The same.

Finished the rough draft of the first half of Youih and thought out The Distant Field , the thought of which enchants me. Valdrya’s silence grieves me. Hunted down…

Gfmbut came this morning. I had an explanation with him. Meant to revise but did not start on it. Began The Distant Field}

Went coursing first thing in the morning. Got three before coming to Melenfnov. Meeting with a peasant.

Idleness, laziness, self-dissatisfaction. The Gfmbut family. The only thing I did was tidying up my notes and reading Little Dorrit.

Did nothing from the first. Durova sat here : piteous. Rode out in the evening with the dogs. Found nothing. The copyist has come.

In the morning worked with the cojpyist and it goes slowly. He wrote five chapters during the day. Dined at Gimbut’s. He is happy. Wrote^in the evening.'

My birthday. Sad. Rode all evening with the dogs, corrected four chapters, rewrote half.

In the morning finished the 'fchapter Understanding. Went coursing. Hunted down two. In the evening did nothing. Read Berg. Despicable as the comme il faut is, a…

Made a clean copy of one chapter. Dictated a little. Went coursing. Am depressed. Am dull. I seem to have grown old since the 28th.

Made a clean copy of one chapter. Dictated. Same as yesterday.

The weather is horrid — snowing. Dic- tated and wrote Youth , pleased to tears. At home all day.

Dictated from early in the morning, but was in bad spirits all day. Rode out. I want to go to N. I. to-morrow. No work.

After a nasty dream in the morning, kept dreaming of Youth. Went coursing and hunted down four and lost one. Went home and lay down to sleep. On waking up dictated…

Dictated three chapters and the last one is very good. Went coursing but found nothing. Health bad, everything aches. Nasty dreams. Have very pleasant thoughts of…

In the night a nightmare of incapacity. Dictated three chapters and revised three. Had a very pleasant chat with Auntie. Health still bad.

Got up with a pain in my side, but went to hunt and to Sudakovo. Found nothing. At Sudakdvo thought with the greatest pleasure of Val6rya. On re- turning home was…

Was very ill. Let blood from arm and applied ten leeches. Had consultation. Did not do anything all the time and grumbled.

Am improving. Dictated yesterday. Afrosfmov came to-day and I finished dictating the whole lot ; but there will be many alterations. Afrosfmov is a most agreeable…

Corrected Youth . Am again much worse. It seems as if I shall die.

A little better. Yesterday I corrected the whole of Youth superficially. To-day began to get it finally into shape.

Spent two days at Afrosfmov’s. Health very bad, am morally weak. Worked unwillingly to-day. Think it is consumption.

Health still bad. Corrected Youth pretty well I think. Had a letter from Druzhfnin and replied sending him Youth.

Health better. Troitski came. Cor- rected Youth . The last half is very bad.

Health getting better and better. Mile. Vergani came. From what she says Val&ya disgusts me. Finished Youth badly. Sent it off.

In the morning thought about the estate. Did nothing. Went to see the Ars^nevs. Valdrya is sweet but alas simply stupid, that’s where the shoe pinched.

Vaterya called. Sweet, but limited and incredibly futile.

Went hunting early in the morning over horrible frozen mud. Hunted down one hare, got into some water and caught cold. Came home. Auntie seeing that I am ill left…

Better. Did nothing. Two notes from Val^rya. Troitski came and we went ter the An*&ievs’ together. Vaterya pleased me in the evening. Spent the night there. Throat…

Woke up at nine in a temper. V al£rya is incompetent both in practical and in spiritual life. I told her only the disagreeable part of what I wished to say and…

Got up early. Am well. Laughed at Vaterya and left. At home felt much dispirited. Found N. I. here but could do nothing. Thought much about Val&rya. Should like to…

Woke up still out of spirits. After midnight my side again began to ache without any evident cause. Did nothing, but God be thanked thought less about Vaterya. I am…

Health better but still doubtful. Received a sad note from Mile. Vergani in the morning. Answered it, suggesting that Valerya should go to Moscow. Did nothing.

§Went hunting and killed three hares. When I got home I found a note from Olga Ars^neva and went to them. Was angry and morose.

Went hunting, killed three. Did nothing.

Went to hunt and to join Afrosfmov, but did not find him ; on my way back from Salova hunted down four hares. Answered Nekrisov and Pandev. Valerian arrived…

At home. Idle and depressed.

Rode. Hunted down seven hares.

Still with the Arsdnevs. Leaving to-day. In the morning my anger passed, and now, having returned home ill and having slept, I have come to the conclusion that I…

Woke up towards nine. Went hunting at Masha’s. Arrived at Lupatkovi at five, having killed a hare. Read Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme ,x and thought much about a comedy…

A hare. Rode about from nine to six, did not kill a single hare. Turned to the right and called at Krasnoe. Experienced a very strong and painful recol- lection.…

Left Krasnoe homesteads at eleven. Frosty. Let one escape and killed another close to Pokrovsk. Runich came to see me. He had bought my book — it can be got in…

Got up early. Porfiri abused Nikolay Nikolaevich Turgenev to me with great satisfaction for two hours. Turgenev is entirely to blame. No kind of artistic tendency…

Got up at eight. Wrote a little. Wrote the beginning of the comedy and a reply to Turgenev. Received a letter from Druzhfnin. He praises Youth but not too much. It…

Snowing. Went hunting. Snow-storm, saw nothing. Did nothing all day.

Did nothing. Left for home at two, at first on horseback. Missed one hare. Was at Seleznev- Kolodets for the night. The burgomaster was drunk. The handsome fellow…

Left early. There is a frost and the ground is frozen. Did not hunt. Returned to Yasnaya Polyana at three. Am cheerful. My resignation has been returned. Did not do…

Went to Tiiia. Called on the Ars&ievs for a moment. Had letters from Serezha, Pandev, and receipts from the majors. Went to Zeleny. A dull, honest man ; to Daragan,…

Went with them in a sledge back to Yasnaya. It was not dull. But I am cross with myself for not having been resolute enough to explain everything to her. A dispute…

Did not sleep after five, waiting for a fall of snow, then rode out. Killed six. Rode with Bibikov. Got into water up to my waist. Dried myself in Kuvshfn- nikov’s…

Spent the morning at home reading. Auntie still sulks. I could not stand it, and rode to the Ars^nevs’, first over my own field, found nothing. Pavlov was with them…

Before Vaterya was up the Gfmbuts arrived and I was again prevented from telling the story. It was very amusing after dinner. At supper, after the Gimbuts had gone,…

Valdrya appeared, abashed but contertted. I felt glad and ashamed. Left. At home made peace with Auntie. . . . Went to a ball. Vaterya ^vas chaining. I am almost in…

Was at their house, spoke to her. Very good. I even felt tearful.

Went hunting. Killed two, saw quanti- ties. Slept. My head aches.

Was ill in the morning. Walked, can’t write anything. Vaterya came. Did not please me very much, but she is a dear, dear, girl, honest and frank. She told me that…

Rode to Gfmbut’s with the dogs and dined with him. In the morning wrote letters to Dor. Ars. and went to Valerya’s. She had had her hair done up in a terrible…

Talked with Serezha all morning. Went with him to the Ars^nevs’. She was quite simple and nice. We chatted in a corner.

Went hunting. Caught two in their covert and shot one. Found Mile. Vergani and went to the Ars^nevs’ with her. Useless to speak to her. Her narrowness frightens me…

Spent the night at their house. She is not pretty. The constraint of my position angers me more and more. Went to a ball and she was again very charm- ing. * A…

Thought only of Valerya on the way. Not quite well. Reached Moscow in the night. Stopped at Chevalier’s.

Wrote to Valerya. Went to Masha’s. She is nice, and is well. Told her about Valerya. She takes her side. Spent the evening at Botkin’s very pleasantly, and at…

In the morning a letter from Auntie. Skated with the children at Masha’s. Dined at Botkin’s. Grigoryev ayd Ostrovski. I tried to shock their convic- tions. Why ? I…

Finished reading The Pickwick Papers. Very good ! Wrote this Diary. Tishk^vich came and interrupted me. Went out with him. Kostinka made me feel depressed about…

Wrote a little in the morning, again dined at Masha’s. At the theatre, The Mischief of Being Clever, splendid. Saw the Sukhotins : felt uncomfortable with them,…

Travelled with Tishk^vich and Volkonski. Read Little Dorrit on the way. Slept splendidly.

Arrived. Called on Konstantinov, he is a good sort. The Grand Duke knows about the song. Went to have an explanation with Ekfmakh — boldly. Gymnastics. Dined at…

In the morning wrote an irritable letter to Valdrya. Did not send the first but sent another. Called on Druzhfnin and Panaev. The editorial staff of the…

In the morning Tishkdvich and Makarov interrupted me. Gymnastics. Dined at the Chess Club. They did not wish to let me in. Always senselessness. The Polovtsovs. At…

Got up after ten. Had no time to write anything before Balyuzek came. Went to Kolbasin to look at the house, and to the Gymnasium. Managed also to write to Serezha,…

Began moving first thing in the morning. Read* rubbish, wished to enter the service but refrained. Went to Davydov. Read a criticism of Youth in the A. and*M.…

Have not been to Konstantinov, nor to the Law Council. In the morning wrote a little of the scenario. Called at the Staff. Retirement not before a month. Wa$ stupid…

Got up after ten. Wrote two scenes of the comedy. To the Gymnasium. An aristocratic boy was there. To Druzhinin’s after three. Gonchardv, Annenkov — all disgust me,…

Got up early. Wrote a little of The Degraded Officer in the morning. Went to Panaev’s — was bored. Am awfully sensitive to praise and blame. Gymnastics — cheerful.…

Did none of the things decided on.*' Got up in the morning and corrected The Degraded Officer. Read Henry IV, and was furious with tht Contemporary. Gymnastics.…

Got up late, did nothing all day. Went unsuccessfully to Kovalevski and I. D., to see a fire, and to gymnastics. Finished Henry IV. No ! .Dined, slept. Annenkov,…

First thing, revised A Landlord' s Story. It is horribly diffuse. Gymnastics. Dined at home. Worked at the same thing till nine. Went to Botkin’s and on coming home…

Revised The Degraded Officer. Went to dine at Botkin’s. Read A Landlord's Story. He gave me good advice, he speaks rather well. Chatted pleasantly. Saw the doctor…

In the morning was too lazy to begin. Wrote a little of A Landlord's Story. Received a letter from Valerya, not bad, but it is strange that under the influence of…

Got up at ten. Wrote a little. Gym- nastics. Dinner at Druzhinin’s. Pisemski was there who evidently does not like me, which hurts me. Druzhinin refused to listen…

Got up at one. Maykov came. Gymnastics. Dined at Stotypin’s, was impolite to his wife. At Botkin’s all evening. Read A Landlord's Story. It is decide'dly bad, but I…

Got up at eleven. Wished to write but couldn’t. Gymnastics. Dined at the Panaevs*. Then stayed at Kra^vski’s till evening. The literary atmosphere disgusts me as…

Got up at one. Tishk6vich interrupted me. Corrected a little. Dined at home. Corrected. Had a nice letter from Valerya. Answered her : thought about Anna Nikolaevna…

Got up at ten. Corrected a good deal. Went early to the Gymnasium. Went to Lovich, met Korsakov and was brusque with him, of which I am very glad. Gymnastics. Dined…

Rose at nine having again slept badly. Went to the menagerie. Early to Kovatevski. Hf was nice. At the University they played rubbish. The Emperor has read…

Got up at ten. Wrote. Gymnastics. Dined at home. Dictated A Landlord1 s Morning , good. Balyuzek came and then Druzhfnin. Cheerful and pleasant. Had a stupidly meek…

Got up at ten. Had a stupid letter from Valerya. She humbugs herself and I see through it, and that is trying. If men could but know one another in such a way as…

Got up late. Played. Gymnastics. Legs ache. Have received my discharge. Dined. Went to Annenkov, Botkin, and Maykov. She has a wonder- ful voice. Wanderer. At…

Omitted this day, and don’t remember what I did. Corrected a few proofs. Yes, finished A Landlord's Morning and took it myself to Kra^vski. Was in good spirits…

Got up at eleven. Noted events of the day and played till gymnasium time. My arm hurts badly. Dined at home. Finished reading Carmen ,l Weak, French. Had a letter…

The Discharged Officer has not been passed by the Censor. Went to the University. The Symphony was delightful. To Stolypin. He is dull. To Bdtkin. To Dusseau’s to…

Am not writing anything. Read M&rimee — good. Think about the comedy. Gymnastics good, no pain. Dined at home Fell asleep. Went to Sh£- vich. Dull. Played. To…

Wrote nothing. Dined at Botkin’s. Went to hear Dal — bad. Strolled about the Meshcljanski street — bad. At home read the delightful Common Story. Don’t feel well.

In the morning read A Common Story and sent it to Valerya. Wrote to Serezha and to Auntie. Corrected The Degraded Officer. Gymnastics. «Listened to a bad story at…

Left cards at Bludov’s and Ustiknov’s. Dined at Dusseau’s with Polovtsov. Left. Was at Anna Nikolaevna’s. Thank Heaven it was all right. Had two amiable but sad…

Got up late. Wrote to Valerya. Gym- nastics. Dined at home. Read The Poor Bride } If is simply weak. His mistress is good. Went to the circus. Supped, I don’t know…

Got up at eleven. Drove out to make purchases, and to the Staff. Gymnastics. Dined at home. Read the delightful Solpoten. Drove to Comte Ori ; excellent. Annenkov,…

Got up late — always sleeplessness. The tiresome Tishk£vich called. Went to Konstantinov’s. Met Nechaev. Then loafed about till dinner, which I had at Dusseau’s.…

From two to eight in the morning read ’Auerbach’s dejjghtful Befehle. Was awakened by Olkhin — a terrible fool with sweet eyes. Revised Youth over again.…

Read Lear. It moved me but little. Gymnastics. Dined at home. To Botkin’s. Found Annenkov and Druzhfnin there. Supped. Feel very sad.

In the morning corrected the first booklet of Youth. Wrote a last letter to Valery a. Gym- nastics. Dmed alone at Dusseau’s. To Bdtkin’s. Medi- tated at home ; to…

Got up late. Hardly had time to revise a section of Youth and to let Maykov go before it was time for gymnastics. Dined at Stolypin’s ; treated Koval£vski…

Sleepless till six. Zubkov came. Corrected a booklet. Went to Gymnastics. Dined at Botkin’s. Chatted pleasantly at Maykov’s in the evening.

. . . Very late at the Gymnasium, having been at work on the third booklet of Youth. Head aches. Dined at Dusseau’s with Tishk^vich. Don Juan . A very poetic piece.…

Got up at half-past two, refreshed. Went to Kovatevski. Collected historical material. Arranged Mme. B.’s affair. At half-past three to Botkin’s. There corrected…

Woke up at eleven. Began revisii-g the third booklet. They brought me the proofs blotted and mangled by the ecclesiastical censor. Went to Gymnastics, was in very…

Was called at eleven. Drove to Father Johann. ... To Panaev, Chernyshevski was there — nice. At Gymnastics I was bad. Botkin came to dinner at Panaev’s and was in…

Got up late, hardly had time to ^correct one section. Gymnastics. Dined at Stol^pin’s — it was dull. A stupid vaudeville. Evening with Druzhfnin and Stakhdvich.

Sleeplessness. Unwell. Received an amiable letter from Turgenev. Went to Vyazemski. All was well. Gymnastics. Dined alone with Botkin. The evening with Bezobrazov.…

Got up at half-past seven, busy with proof corrections and music till two. Gymnastics. Dined at Botkin’s. Our company. Annenkov is awfully nice. Wrote to Turgenev…

Got up at ten. Busy correcting proofs. Gymnastics. Got a dinner from an acquaintance. Cor- rected 'Youth. Went to Italina del A Igieri — bad . Returned home at…

Went to Kovatevski at the University. (A wonderful symphony of Haydn’s.) To the printers. Dined at Botkin’s. In the evening meant to go to Shcherbatov, but he had…

To Bakunin’s, Annenkov’s, and Kol- basin’s. Gymnastics. Dined at Botkin’s. Drove to Vydzemski , on the censorship affair. Was going to Zhemchuznikov’s, but Stolypin…

Got up late. Did nothing sensible all morning. Went walking, entered the Kazan Cathedral. at Botkin’s. To Olga A. She is very nice. Supped at Dusseau’s with…

Walked. Dined at Stol^pin’s. The evening at Turgenev’s.

Got up late. Kept thinking about the comedy. Nonsense. Gymnastics. Have received the certificate. Dined with Shevich. Bludova is carrion. Vyazemski has forbidden…

Got up late. Had a long letter from Val6rya. This was unpleasant. Gymnastics. Was angry at home. Dined at Botkin’s. The stupidity and ignorance of the censor are…

The University concert was first rate ! Meeresstille excellent ! At Kovalevski’s. He is a diplo- matist, a liar. Dined at Botkin’s. Spent the evening with him here.…

Bakunin. Gymnastics. Dinner at Stolypin’s. Music. Enough !