15–21 December 1856

. . . 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. Had B6tkin, Annenkov, Stol^pin, Braleur, and Pfsemski here. The latter was horrid — justified himself. Annenkov is charming.

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 proofs and chatted pleasantly. To Druzhfnin. From there to A. Tolstaya. Her mother is a kind-hearted, high-spirited lady.

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 good spirits. Had a fall. Dined at B<Wkin*s. Did not praise his article : he was angry. Then to Olga Turgeneva. Lear is delightful. No, with Olga I am always uncomfortable. It is Vanichka’s fault. To- morrow go to Johann and write to Nikolenka, Auntie, and Valeryan.

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 raptures about Youth. Stotypin, Polonski, Druzhfnin, Annenkov, Botkin, Panaev, Zhem- chuzhnikov, and Tolstoy came here. Went to Bludov’s with Vyazemski. Was ill at ease. Kovatevski avoids me. Oh, yes, dined with Zhemchuznikov, Tolstoy, and Stoltfpijv - Am spending much money. To-morrow to Vyazemski.

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. A fit of laughter during a comedy. Supped with Annenkov and Druzhfnin.

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 and a couple of words to Nikolenka, Aurftie, and Masha. Went to Mme. Stakhovich — lady-in- waiting de la maison militaire. Came home after eleven and vfent to beii.