Leo Tolstoy’s diary, 1857

Slept badly all night. Have listened to too much music these last four days. Woke about eleven and received a dry but nice letter from Turgenev. Wrote a short and…

Got up late, went to gymnastics, then to dit.. at Bdtkin’s. From there to Annenkov’s and Druzhmin’s, and at his house wrote a project for the Fund.* In the morning…

Got up very late, read a delightful article about Pdshkin, and went to see Bludova and Sh^vich. Did not find the former in, and the latter has practically refused…

Got up after one. The article on Piishkin is wonderful. Only now have I understood 'Pushkin. Gymnastics. Dined at Botkin’s with only Panaev ; he read Piishkin to…

Rose after twelve. Went to F. Tolstoy’s where I made Ulyb^shev’s acquaintance and stupidly refused to make Bosio’s. Dined at Tolstoy’s. I feel at ease with them.…

Got up towards twelve with a headache. Bakiinin was here. I played with him and with Kolbasin. Went to Bdtkin’s. News about the emancipation of the serfs. Went to…

Got up at seven, I don’t know why, and wrote nothing till two though I meant to ; only read and played.* At the gymnasium Milov’s triumph, which had cost me five…

My words will be remembered — that in two years’ time the peasants will rise, unless they are wisely emancipated before then. Woke up, beautiful weather, and the…

Gymnastics in the morning. Before that I began writing with pleasure. F. Tolstoy came. . . . Dined at Bdtkin’s. Galakhov stinks of tobacco and the ferule. Evening…

Gymnastics. Have received my passport and decided to go. I took money from Panaev. Bremer, Trdson, and Stotypin, dined with me — nice. Kiesewetter came terribly…

Missed the train and woke Kolbasin. Chernishevski came : clever and ardent. Did gymnastics ; dined at home alone. Slept. Was roused by Kov&in, at whose house I had…

I started at nine. . . . Three poets: (1) Zhemchuzhmkov has power of expression, few sparks, and draws on others. (2) Kiesewetter has fire but no force. (3) An…

Slept till two. Went to see Masha. She is ~nd lonely. Paulina is a vain, sixty-year-old little girl. Went to the Club, disputed about Grandvski 4 * with Cherkisski…

Kdstinka seems fresher. Did not find the Perfflevs in. They were very glad to see me at Aksakov’s. It was intolerably dull at Yakovleva’s till M£sha came. Went…

Can’t remember what happened each day. Oppressed by loneliness, idleness, and the absence of women. Serezha arrived. We talked much, easily, and pleasantly. B.’s…

Woke at ten, chatted : Kostinka, Serezha, and Kel. The music is still not arranged. \Vent t6 Bulgakov. His father is a disgusting aristocrat. Dined at Chevalier’s…

A reading of Childhood at S. T. Aksakov’s, delightful ! Ball at the Narishkins’ ; I danced two quadrilles — dull. Ball at the Voyekovs’. Muromtzeva consumptively…

Grigordvich has arrived. A wonderful evening at Oboldnski’s. I feel awkward with Mengden by herself. Not quite. Opus 70 wonderful ! Dinner at Cherkisski’s ; he is a…

Gymnastics. Dinner at Masha’s ; Valerian is angry. I did not go. Almost fell asleep at Sukhotm’s.

Morning at home. Called on the Aksakovs and on Auntie. Dinner at Chevalier’s. Started on the journey : got a back seat, fellow-passengers Frencumen and a Pole. I…

Travelling.

The same.

Indigestion, cold, dull, morally fatigued. I think The Lost One is quite ready. Remembered my shameful indecision in the matter of the papers for G. which in accord…

Have arrived and the sun has just risen ai.J flours the wall of the house. En. gets up, dresses. Quelle heure Jait-il ? No, that is really too much.

(21 new style). Have been travelling all these days. A muddle in my head and in my notes. Reached Paris to-day. Am alone, doing everything without a servant. A new…

Got up at eight, wrote a sheet, lunched, got into touch a little with my neignbours. Orl6v for some reason called on me. “ Not it,” as Annenkov says. A teacher of…

Got up late, noise still in my ears, cold in the rooms. Wrote however three letters, though short ones, and then went for a stroll. Turgenev and Nekrisov have gone…

Rose late, rummaged at home for a long time tidying up; went to the Bank and drew 800 francs; made some purchases, and moved. Called on the Lvovs. She is nice and a…

Got up at ten. All morning (till two o’clock) Italian lesson. Wrote one page, walked to Turgenev’s and to Pletnev. Dined at the Trubetskoys’. . . . Evening at…

Got up at ten. Am sleeping better. The English master arrived punctually. My work with him goes badly. Shall get rid of him. Then Orl6v came ; read Honorine . An…

At home till two. Received a letter from Vaterya. To Garmier : a philosopher — dis- ciple of Descartes. Gadded about till five. Dined at home. A disgusting…

Had scarcely prepared my lesson when the Italian master came. Then Orlov, who considers de Lamennais and Malesherbes to be awful ! At Klyustina’s it is cold. Walked…

The Italian master. Late at Rigauld’s. H6tel de Cluny is interesting. Have come to believe in chivalry. Dined with Turgenev upstairs at Durand’s. Went to the…

Turgenev called in the morn- ing and I drove out with him. He is kind and terribly weak. Le Chateau de Fontainebleau. The forest. In the evening wrote too boldly.…

Slept splendidly. In the morning wrote Chapter X capitally. Went to see churches with Turgenev. Dined. Played chess at a cafe. Tur- genev’s vanity, as the habit of…

Slept well. In the morning wrote badly. Turgenev read the draft of his Hamlettand Don Quixote : good material, not without its use, and very clever. Dined…

Got up late, cold and out of spirits. I had misunderstood Turgenev ; he is what I supposed, but not bad. Finished the draft of The Lost One , what will come of it I…

Got up late. Turgenev is dull. I want to go to Paris, but he can't remain alone. Alas ! he has never loved anyone. Read The Lost One to him ; it left him cold :…

Went to Paris. The misfortune of railways. Dined. Mrs. Fitz James’s calves ! Turgenev, “ nothing, silence ”.a A stupid disgusting ball.

Got up at one. Went to the Louvre with de M. — Rembrandt’s portrait and Murillo. Dined at home, then La Fille du rigiment , dances, and champagne alone.

Got up late. Went to V Hotel des In - valides. This deification of a malefactor is awful. Soldiers — animals trained to bite everybody They ought to die of hunger.…

Got up at twelve and more or less arranged my portfolio. Went to the Louvre with Orl6v. I like it better an<^ better. Orlov is an awfully dull creature. He will…

Got up at one. Having dressed I went to the Bourse and did some shopping. The Bourse is awful. Dined at home, am disgusted with my fellow- countryman. Went to the…

Last night I was suddenly tormented by doubts of everything , which arose in me. And now, though they do not torment me, they are still in me. “ Why ? And what am I…

Got up late, wrote a little, Orlov came, went for a walk with him. Colonne Vendome, Chapelle St. Louis. The Lvovs. Dined at home. Les Plaideurs, rubbish. Rudkin is…

Got up pretty early. Italian lesson. Tribuneaux. Kind calm face of a girl. The advocates for milk. The public library crammed full of people. Behind the scenes.…

My brother and Obolenski have arrived. The Conservatoire. The Trubetskdys and Mansurov. Dinner at Thffipe’s. Agreeable cranks ; at the theatre Figaro delightful.…

Got up late, went to the Louvre and to the cour d'assiscs. Dined with Lvova and disputeu impudently. From there to the Cafe des Aveugles, Rigoletto} and home.

Called on the Trubetskdys ; a little esprit fort. Dinner at Fferes Prown. Thd&tre des Folies- Dramatiques. Cafe chantant. Obolenski went to sleep. The Lvovs.…

Went to ride with Serezha, dined at the Trubetskdys’. It was pleasant for me, hard for him. To Turgenev’s, then to a ball. Home with Marguerite.

Reception for Falloux. With Trubet- sk6y to a picture sale. Dined with Turgenev. Varfefes. Home.

Have omitted a day.

Disorderly life ; tried to work — impos- sible. Set to vs^ork all the same. Dined with Turgenev and Marmier at Miss Pancock’s with some Academicians. Paltry, mean,…

We started for Versailles, were late ; dined at rue Laffitte. A popular paper The poet Schiller. A democrat. Cafe des Mousquetaires. Drove a girl home.

In the morning came Ryumin, then Bricon. He brought some verses. Turgenev looked me up. Dined with the Trubetskoys. Hartmann is a very nice fellow. Oppenheim is…

Serezha stopped at Marguerite’s. Went to Laboulaye’s last lecture. Beautiful, touching. At Rigoles — insipid. Alsufyeva is awfully nice, she resembles her sister.…

Obofenski has decided to leave by himself. Marguerite came to Serezha and they were at Demaison’s. I went for a walk. Have found a small lodging. Dined with Serezha…

My side aches. Since morning have had no Edouard Laboulaye, professor of Comparative Jurisprudence in the College de France. One of his best stories is Le Prince…

My side is better ; have a regular cold. Turgenev woke me. . . . Koloshin turned up with some- one else and a specialist, who bothered me till dinner-time.…

Got up at twelve. Began writing rather lazily. Read Balzac. Bricon was admitted ; I went out to get rid of him and returned at five. Read Mirra in Italian. Dinner…

Got up at ten. Wrote a little of The Demented and a letter to Botkin. Turgbnev dropped in. Went to the races with Demaison. Depression of which I cannot rid myself.…

Got up ill at seven, and went to see an execution. A stout white neck and chest ; he kissed the Gospels and then — death. How senseless ! The im- pression it made…

Got up late, unwell. Read, and suddenly a simple and sensible idea occurred to me — to leave Paris. Turgenev and Orlov came, I went with them to the latter’s,…

Got up at eight and called on Turgenev. Both times on taking leave of him and leaving him I have cried, I don’t know why. I am very fond of him. He has made and is…

Eft route in the diligence. Am tired and have reached Geneva. To-morrow I want to start again on three things at once.

Woke up early, feel well and almost bright if it were not for the bad weather. Went to church, but service was over and it was too late for my demotion?. Did some…

Yesterday again read Cousine Bette . Was orderly, wrote four disjointed letters, but did nothing. Went to look for a country house and found nothing. Strogonov…

Read the Gospels, went to the baths, caught cold. The Tolstoys have carried me off to their house. I abused Totleben — bad ! Read Balzac. Alexandrine’s smile is…

Took a bath, feel weak. Read till mid-day, then worked all day except for two hours which were taken up by Lvov.

Continued reading the Gospels and con- densing my prayers. Bath. Health pretty good. Horrible weather. Wrote and meditated all day. Shall be obliged to alter…

Got up late — the baths. There read the preface to the Comidie Humaine : shallow and self- satisfied. Read a little of the History of the Revolution , and LiberM by…

Wrote a short note to Turgenev in reply to a nice one received from him. Went twice to church service. Read Liberti by Girardin. Good, but leads to nothing. Wrote a…

Woke at nine, took communion. At home read Liberti ’, at the baths Balzac and a newspaper. Walked, dined. Absurd company controlled by table- turning. Read the…

Slept badly and kept feeling afraid of being late somewhere. At nine went to the baths, at home read the History of France. Went to hear Martin preach. Clever but…

Got up early, baths. Read La Dame aux Perles. Talented, but the ground on which the author works is horrible — depravity. Balzac is only the flower of which he is…

jGot up at five, baths, arranged my affairs and caught the steamboat. Bad weather. Did not notice how the time passed with dear Tolst&ya. Muddle. Dinner at…

Got up at eight. Wrote a little of The Cossack . There was a general bustle, everybody started for the Rigi. Very pleasant, carelessly gay. I returned at eight and…

Got up at ten, went to Vevey to the Buk- harins’, they are most piteous. We dined at home, had some music ; dear old Pushchina brimmed over. Went to Chillon, drank…

Tolstdya has gone away in spite of the horrid weather. Though I felt ashamed of it, I did not go to see her off. Dined badly at Vevey. L. Karamzina is good, but a…

Got up at ten. Did nothing. Went to the baths. Did not feel well : a rash over my whole body. Fell asleep. In the evening went to Karamzina’s. Wrote a page, am…

Not well. Wrote a little of The Cossack . Received letters from Nekrasov, Turgenev, and A. Tolst&ya. Read the history of the Revolution. Pride. “ In the beginning…

At seven I drove to the steamer. A pimple, I am not well. Did some shopping, called in at the Tolstoys’. Migraine, vomited. Read Komyakdv’s proud, adroit pamphlets.…

Drove out early. Made Lenoir’s acquaint* ance. Slept, dined with the Meshchdrskis — uncomfortable. Not my sort 1 Sat with Pdshchin. Did nothing.

Got up early. Wrote a tiny bit of The Cossack in prose. Went for a walk and got to Tubli. Dined with the Prishchins, and went with them in a boat «to Villeneuve.…

Got up early, walked a little, read of the disgusting behaviour of England to China and disputed about it with an elderly Englishman. Wrote a little of The Cossack…

Got up at eight. My eye inconveniences me very much ; the doctor came. Read Toqueville’s history of the Revolution all day. Pushchin wanted to irritate Astafiev…

Eye still aches. Read Larrut’s History and the Idles N apolioniennes all day ; did not touch a pen. Reb. called a couple of times. There is something wrong about…

A bright day, feel cheerful in spite of eye. Went for a walk with the Pushchins. I think the English- woman is tired of coquetting with me in vain. Dined at home.…

Got up at nine, wrote a little note to Annenkov, gadded about, and didn’t even read. The Englishwoman, Dora . . . “ nothing, nothing, silence ! ” Neck, arm,…

Got up late. Did literally nothing all day. In the morning to Montreux and the baths. A charming blue-eyed Swiss girl. Wrote a reply to a letter I received from…

Rose late, read Kiesewetter. It is good. Had scarcely time to go to the baths. Had dinner at the Pdshchins’ and went with them into Savoy. Enchanting. Meillerie.…

Wrote a little of The Deranged from the beginning again. At the baths the Galdkhov girls have tired me out. It is so dirty that soap has no effect. The General gave…

Got up at eight, not well. Wrote a little of The Demented . Baths. After dinner read L'Histoire de France . Received a letter from Bdtkin and Druzhfnin, a…

Woke up at eight feeling well. Wrote three letters : to Mdsha, to Kolbasin, and to Vdsenka. Went to the baths. Wrote a very little. The German woman and Piishchina…

Went early to the baths. Preparations. Made Baumgarten’s acquaintance, a cautiously embittered German. Went to Geneva with Ryabov and Piishchin. felt rather du'l…

To the doctor. A trivial raisonneur. To the Tolst6ys\ cheerful, with them to Sal&ve, very pleasant. I am so ready to fall in love that it’s dreadful. If only…

Got up at eight, went to a magnetiser, a doctor who firmly believes in it. To Calame, a dull man, but a man of great talent. On my way to the Bocage met Rydbov and…

We started at six and reached Meillerie on foot by nine. On a boat till twelve. Dinner with an Ukrainian, Kab&ski. He can’t understand mountains or a handkerchief.…

Got up at 5.30 and walked till 8.30. Wrote about three sheets of The Deranged. Kostya is charming. In the evening Karamzina came with he** niece. A fine girl, kind…

Got up at 7.30 and walked till breakfast. Wrote very little. Took K6stya back. After dinner read a silly novel by About. We went to meet Michael Ivanovich. Lit…

Got up at 3 and walked to Bonet. Wrote a little. After dinner read Las Cases. The Tolstoys have arrived, and I went to them and was silly enough to tell them…

Upset a salt-cellar. Got up late. Headaches a little and a terrible gloom has come over me. However I wrote a little. After dinner felt quite unwell ; slept till…

Bad night. . . . After breakfast went to the Tolstdys' with Michael Ivdnovich and had tea with the whole company. They are happy — how can they help being kind ? To…

Got up late, depressed. Had a good walk, wrote in notebook. Dined alone. Fell asleep. Wrote to Auntie, went to Baumgarten’s — deadly dull. Afterwards relieved my…

Got up early, walked till io, took an aperient, played duets, then for the rest of the day read Larrut. Polivdnova called with her children. I am sorry for her. in…

Got up early, went to Hauteville ; feel first rate. At home read ; can’t set to work. Went to a fete, stayed there till six. Dress-clothes, dances, polkas. The…

Clarens. Got up at 8, walked for a while. Read1 Larrut. Wrote nothing except two letters. Was with the Meshcherskis in the evening, read them Chi- ch&in’s letter.…

Woke up at 10. Sat upstairs and wrote. A letter from General K. M. ; cheerful. After dinner played with the goitreuse , walked, then the Galakhovs also came for…

Got up at 8, read Larrut all day. A quantity of artistically happy thoughts. Went to a funeral in the evening. The prayers touched me. Love is suffocating me — both…

Departure of the General for Torneo and Cairo. L. N.’s ecstasy. A soiree at the Meshch^rrkis’. Very jolly, tail up.

Bitter taste in mouth. The Galakhovs. Hurry. Soiree at the Meshcherskis’, pleasantly flattering.

Rose at 8. Packing. Galakhov came with his Mother. The Karamzins and K. Saw th*.. dear Pdshchins off. I love them spiritually. M. Ya. is infinitely ready for all…

Got up at 4. Went through the Col de Jaman, a pleasant walk, but the little one bores me. We reached Allieres, cosily nice. A wild chalet. Mont- beauvent. The “…

A horrid bed. Rowdy officers. The office- keeper calmed down. Travelled in a char de c6ti. We walked to Wissburg. The waters gloomily beautiful. Sdsha says the…

Not well. Woke up at seven. Walked to Bonigen. Handsome people, especially the women. They beg. Rain. Wrote a little of The Cossack . Read the Sevastopol campaign.…

Health better, disgusting weather. Sdsha brings the wood with friihstuck% chops sugar with Thurm, knd rows in an anchored boat. It is Trinity Sunday new style.…

Went to the glacier with B6ren, sent him for my things, wrote a description of the journey, went to a second glacier. A boy Liiprer — and another, the twenty- fifth…

Woke at four and went up the Scheidne. Sent Sasha in advance. Walked to Gamsberg — terrible ! Saw the sunset but was too tired to enjoy it. Had sun- stroke and it…

Left at seven. A stone-carter gave us a lift in his cart. A little cabaret — they charge terribly. More beautiful girls. From Spiez to Thun on foot. Heimaths -…

Left Berne at eight. Till Fribourg, flat country with fields of rye and woods. A thirty-year-old American who has been in Russia. Mormons in Utah : Joseph Smith…

Got up at eight, have a sore lip. In the morn- ing wrote notes of my voyage capitally. After dinner a little of The Cossack , bathed, walked to charming Basset,…

Got up at eight, am not well. Wrote one sheet of The Demented \ and letters to Nekrasov and to Karam- zina. I bathe twice a day and go rowing. Had letters…

I have somehow gone a day wrong in my dates. It looks like a fog because rain has been falling all day. Have written the first chapter of Youth capitally and should…

Slent very heavily, am not well. Got up at seven, bathed, took my letters to the post. Wrote little of The Outlying Field , but it seems to be going pretty well. My…

Woke at six, it is fine. Went to Vevey about bill of exchange. Could do nothing Was at the Zubins. Madame Steier. It was very nice. Returned with Poli- vdnova ; she…

Broke mirror. Only that omen was lacking ! Was weak to try my fortune by the use of a dictionary. The words I hit on were re-sole , water , catarrh , grave. Read…

In the morning went to Blonet. Lovely. A quite modern oval fountain and majestic ancient terraces, rent chestnut trees and rotting seats. Went to Geneva. Z^bin…

In the morning went with the Russian priest to the Tolstdys’. Dined with Gher ; good fellows those artists. At six started for Chambery with a Savoyard, a playful,…

Slept till twelve. In the train and beyond Lanslebourg with a tipsy Piedmontese and a red-haired conductor with large eyes and a mocking smile. Because of…

Slept till five. Crossed Mont Cenis. The lake is transparent. At nine took the diligence. An amiable Turinian. Arrived at twelve ; at one o’clock found Bdtkin. He…

Overslept and missed Genoa. Visited two museums — weapons and statues — and to the Chamber of Deputies. We all dined well together. Went for a walk. ... To a…

Woke early, bathed, ran to the Athenaeum. Feel envious of this young, strong, free life. Went to a cM. One can live, and live well, everywhere. Went with Valdfmir…

Did not sleep till midnight. Terribly agi- tated. Rain prevented our starting. . . . Wrote a couple of sheets of The Cossack. Read enchanting Goethe. The…

Left at six. Ascent to the chapel. Meeting with haftdsome singer. View of Aosta valley and the mountain range. Depression of spirits. Meeting with a godfather and a…

The diligence was full. Sunday, shops, the church. Christenings. In a cart to Aosta. Bathing. A hot country. Roman antiquities. Coachman in the restaurant, a rogue.…

Got up at six and went into the hall. The English had already gone ; only women remained. A talkative monk was showing the dogs. We breakfasted, saw the church.…

Got up at 7. Coffee made of boot-clacking. The waitress began to cry because I complained of the coffee. Went by diligence as far as Villeneuve with a sociable,…

Got up at six. Bathed. Read The Demented to Botkin ; it is really poor. He liked The Cossack. Chatted, went to Vevey and gadded about there. At home chatted.…

Got up late, head aches badly. Went for a walk to Chatelard ; hot, slept again, went to Vevey and Blone\ Am better. Did nothing, received a practical letter from…

Got up at nine, still unwell. Haemorrhoids. Must n.ot drink wine and must keep to a cooling regime all the time. Made cigarettes, had a pleasant chat with…

Woke late, gadded about the town, returned at one.* Wrote a little after dinner. Walked with Druzhfnin to Montreux, chatted pleasantly. He is awfully short, but fat…

Left for Geneva. My head aches worse and worse. On the steamer were two Frenchmen, a notary, and his brother-in-law a socialist. Shenshfn, a Russian landlord, said…

Spent it in Geneva, not well, in town fashion — distractedly. In that hurried frame of mind, expecting something, when you don’t watch yourself at all, let wrong…

Woke at nine, hurried to the steamboat. Such a crowd as I never saw before. A young curly- headed Swiss lad who speaks French correctly, lies, muddles, but does it…

Woke at eight — slept badly, had a nightmare of consumption. Went to a fete ; mean, and unredeemed by the grandiloquence of the inscription : “ Diplomatie Jiihrt…

Woke at nine. Again a nightmare of con- sumption. Packed, left for Lucerne. Fellow-traveller — a young American, later a Swede with a charming wife. Arrived at…

Woke at nine, walked to a pension and to the Lion monument. At home opened notebook but could not write. Have abandoned The Outlying Field. Dinner doltishly dull.…

Health bad, rheumatism in my leg. Walked a very little. Wrote to Auntie. Reconsidered The Outlying Field and began it differently. It does not get on. Dinner…

Got up early and am feeling well. Bathed. Am still delighted with my small apartment. Wrote Lucerne and a letter to Botkin before dinner. Got Freytag’s Soli und…

Am well. Bathed at eight. Wrote Lucerne pretty well, till dinner. Finished Freytag : poor. There can be no poetry of accuracy. My Leipzig neighbour is a stupid,…

Got up at seven and bathed. Finished writing Lucerne before dinner. Good ! One must be bold or else one can’t say anything except what is graceful, and I have much…

Woke at nine. Germans from Berne. Talk about shooting in the Vaterland. Bathed. Good-natured roughness of the Germans. Went away on foot ; cretins. Kindly people,…

Missed the steamboat at eight, walked along the lake to Ried and bathed. Romantic solitude. Yester- day a white-haired woman cretin asked me if I had ever seen*such…

Got up at three. Dirty bed with bugs. The same stupid view of nature and of people. Englishmen wrapped in blankets with maps and Murrays. “ Ah 1 ” when the sun…

Woke at six. A splendid walk. I feel weak. Wrote in the morning. Writing is hard work. Was not lazy but have only revised five sheets the whole day, and they must…

Got up at seven, a dog woke me, I let it out. Wrote a little and went to Sasha. What are we to do ? It is dull. Exhausting heat. After dinner wrote as much as I…

I scarcely managed to finish by writing from seven till half-past ten. Ran off to them. Drove with them. Pleasant. Ereli hurrying and perspiring, and Capernaum with…

Got up at 10.30, bathed, ran to the Tolstdys’. Found them just going away. Without reflection I prepared to go myself. Went by boat to Kussnacht, read Bronte.*…

Got up at 3.30. Went for a walk. A wonder- ful sun slowly rising between clouds. The Lake of Zurich is dull. Went there tired, and back to Rapersch- ville, to…

Got up at six. Have rested, but seem still to have a pain in the groin. That is why I am sad all day, besides which this Zurich hotel is not gemiitlich. Wrote about…

Schaffhausen. Got up at six and bathed. The dog has still not turned up and I was cross. Wrote just a little of The Cossack and went to the waterfall. Not a normal…

Got up at seven, bathed. Went to the Summer Palace. A charming poverty, and disgusting affectation and sycophancy. Frau von Stael . Started for Stuttgart. An old…

Got up at four and started for the railway. My fellow-passengers were, first an Englishman, probably a waiter and commercial traveller. Next a Frenchman, Ogier — a…

Roulette from morning till night. Lost, but won ,at night. Went to Smirnova and the Alsufyevs (Vasili Dmitrievich). She chattered a lot ; I never saw worse manners.…

Ill since morning. Roulette till six. Lost everything. Dined at home, quite ill. In the evening looked on at all this depraved confusion pretty calmly, but am ill…

Borrowed 200 rubles from the Frenchman* and lost them. Wrote letters. Shall not play any more. Am calmer. The Frenchman has gone. Polonski has no money. Awkward…

Woke up fresh. Kusk. brought me some money. Went to the baths and then played and lost. Pig! Stricken and ashamed I gadded about. Went to a doctor. Decided to take…

Got up late. Missed drinking my whey. Dined at Smirnova’s. Nothing remained in mind or memory. Went to the Eberstein Schloss. Listened to Poldnski — poor. Did not…

The treatment seems to be — an idle life. Evening with young ladies, again to the Eberstein Schloss. Felt awkward. Good-for-nothing people, and worst of all I am…

Got up early. Health bad. A grey, dewy Russian morning, with birch trees — delight- ful ! With Nekrdsov it was awkward. We drove to Ratiev’s. He made us drink. On…

In the morning the same thing. Turgdnev has arrived. It is fine to be with him. Evening at Smirndva’s : ridiculous and nasty. Went to bed late — am ill.

Same kind of warm day. Borrowed money from Turgdnev and lost it. It is long since anything tormented me so. Had letters from Serezha. Masha and Valeri&n have…

Health bad. Read Lucerne to them, it pro- duced an effect. Went to Petersburg with Korzhandvski, chatted on the steamer. He says that the worst thing is a German…

Woke early ; my treatment. Remained with* the young people. Scolded Durasov. Vanichka has left. He made me feel too much ashamed. Evening With itublftski.

At home. Read. Saltykov : a serious talent. My health is bad.

In the morning my treatment and prepara- tions for leaving. Smirnov is kind. Vdrinka . Left at eleven. Heat. Reached Frankfurt. The Court. De- manded a lodging in…

The same. A. P. called.

Left at five. Heat and dust. The future smiles at me. Only must not force things, not boast, nor talk about oneself. Again the “ chimney ” at Eisenach. The Prefect.…

Nekrasov came ; stayed with them. My weakness vexes me.

Returned here. Nekrasov called. . . .

Arrived at nine, unwell. An agreeable town. Went to the baths, walked back. Pushchin. Away from Switzerland he has lost much of his charm. Wenf to the…

Health still worse. Visited the book and music shops : they make one’s mouth water. Chose some music and books, back to the gallery ; remained cold to all except…

Decided to leave. Finished the affair well or ill with V. Left at nine. Russia is horrid, I positively dislike it. My health is better.

Still travelling. Sokblnikova. It’s begin- ning to smell of Tula.* Von Vizin, having heard of my authorship, fawns on me. He is no good. Read much. Arranged affairs…

Overslept and missed the train — to some extent intentionally — to go to the Lvovs’, which I am sorry I failed to do ; so went round the shops, packed, and dined.…

Early to the Railway Station. In Stettin confusion — running about. Had not enough money. A thaler. Thought of remaining, met Pushchin. Russians : Levitski, Kozldv,…

Got up at 4. The horses did not come till five. Started. Met Vasili half-way. Reached Yasnaya at eleven. u I greet thee my . . .” delightful Yasnaya! Pleasant and…

Slept splendidly. Am ill. All are liberals Did nothing for education. All day nothing. A French- woman ; the fat Boulanger ; misbehaviour.

Got up at nine, health bad. The Elder holds me in great contempt and it is hard for me to do anything with him. S4sha stole some butter. I called him up. “ I don’t…

Feel well, easy. Don’t remember any- thing. Played cards. Mordvmova is a disgusting, hypocritical liberal. Sat up late chatting with the Annen- kovs, Mordvlnovs,…

Chatter all day, and had a feeling of dis- appointment in the happiness I expected. At dinner an acrimonious dispute between Serezha and Masha.

Health better. The monk, the governess, and even Auntie, upset our little circle. Masha told us about Turgenev. I am afraid of them both. Serezha is touching in his…

Cards again. Arrived at two o’clock. I borrowed money awkwardly from Ptfshchin. Found no one but the Kolb^sins in Petersburg. Have no money. Went to Nekrasov.…

Got up at nine ; throat better. Did some business not badly, looked over the books, read a little of Bronte. Wrote to Ogier, Kolbdsin, and Nekrasov. The piano takes…

Morning with the contractor ; sent the Elder off. Am awfully lazy and am falling into the old rut. Rode out with the dogs ; my health is better. Read a little of…

Got up at nine. Health is better Rain- ing all day. Sent money to Ttfla for Nekrisov, and sent to Pirogovo to get money. Wrote a very little, played, and read…

^Nothing all day. Read the Iliad. That’s the thing ! A marvel ! Wrote to Ryabfnin. Must alter the whole of the Cossack tale. Few of the serfs wish to be relea^d on…

In the morning Vasili Dav^dkin. Gave him 3 rubles. The Iliad. Good, but not more. Went for a walk round the mills, thought about work on the estate. Prince…

Only read the Iliad and intermittently attended to estate business. Went hunting and to the Engatychevs’. It is sad and gloomy in that house — no memories of any…

Rose late, health quite good ; but in the morning I lost my temper and called someone a fool. Awful ! Before one notices it one is again lost. Read the Iliad.…

The Elder came at nine. He also asked for his freedom. I promised it. Have brought fifty desyatfnas into one field. Wrote a tender lett~j. to Tolstdya yesterday. At…

Chattered with Serezha. Gadding about all day ; the Pros&kovs here for some reason. Masha is difficult. My plans have flown to pieces. Again alas !

Again quite ill. In the morning I saw Masha off, read a little of the Iliads and began to write my Notes from the Bottom. Went for a walk with the children. On the…

Received the proofs, revised them some- how. Very giddily. Sent them off. Dined. Went for a walk. Having worked in the morning felt fresh and contented.

Am going to bed early, feeling fresh. Am doing nothing. The medicine has been brought. I shan’t buy the dogs. Luke came, and said that we are all being passed…

Tried to write a little but it did not suc- ceed. Read Homer — delightful ! Went hunting, killed one. Wrote a cold letter to Mashenka. Health good.

Rose late, had overeaten yesterday. Health bad. Read the enchanting Iliad. Hephaistos and his works. Serezha was ill-tempered and offended Auntie. I am glad that I…

Health so-so. From early morning estate- business. Bad in every way, but chiefly in that I am again being drawn into the rut of serfdom. I dislike the torture of…

Am 29. Got up at seven. Mashenka has gone to Spaskoe. This riled me, as she has gone alone. She and I met rather coldly. Auntie is right that Masha is not to blame…

Started at six. Hunted one down capitally, close to a herd of cattle. Was cross at not finding the tarantas1 2 Finished reading the incredibly delightful conclusion…

Started at six. Rode all day and found nothing. At Ozerkf the owner treats the peasants to drink. Reached Gorchakdv’s at six. Poverty. Vasili Gorchakov is a dull…

Decided to go to Pirogdvo with V. Gorchakdv, but for a lark went hunting, and hunted down two foxes and two hares, but by falling off my horse let one big fox…

Got up at 9 feeling broken and with throat aching. Read Kozldv ; Thoughts are good. The audacity is forced — that is his great defect Gadded about with the children…

Got up early, tried to write. Can’t get on with The Cossack. Read a stupid French novel. Rode out after dinner. Am quite well. Mashenka’s nature is egotistic,…

Wrote to Valerian and to Geneva. . . . Ro^ijipto Yasnaya but found nothing. The sale of the forests is beginning. Have no money. My youth is past ! I mention this…

Got up early, digestion not quite right, but feel extremely fresh. Horrors in the law-court, at the police-master’s, and at the sale of the forests. Rode to the…

From early morning attended to business on the estate. It was even pleasant at the barn. That shows how I am hardening. Looked at A. Rode to the police- station.…

Again estate business which preoccupies #me€nuch. B-ode out with the dogs but found nothing — and it was dull. Dined alone. Tried to read Hacklander, * horrid, mal…

Rose at six. Went to the thrashing* floor. Wrote a little of The Demented. A’fter dinner rode out with the dogs and let a hare escape shamefully. Gave orders about…

(Sunday.) Called* the peasants to- gether. Ufan is 55.* They all looked at me with fear, yet they are good-natured. Makarychev told about his brother’s stealing and…

Had scarcely time to give a few orders before going to Tula. Called in on Gfmbut. . . . Things are not as monstrous in the law-court as I imagined. I. I. considers…

It has not passed. Estate business. Wr«te The Demented easily. The purchase does not come off. Gfmbut came. Unbearable.

At nine dragged the children out for a walk. Wrote my Diary and a letter to Serezha. Mashenka came out and I was cross with her, but she is kinder and better tjian…

Found no foxes at Lopukhovka but hunted down three hares. Came to Efremov in the evening. Ten rubles for a room. Did nothing.

Hastened to buy a lot of hacks, and with the help of a middleman bought them. Polik^y and Z. turned up. Bought draught horses.

Bought at higher prices. Am well ; much that is interesting. Jews in the evening ! Hastened to write and wrote four sheets, hot ones. Left, and drove the horses…

Rode out with the dogs ; my horse broke down. Drove the remaining half - way in the tarantds. Reached Pirogovo at nine. Mashenka is nice.

Romped with the children. Thrashing was begun. Wrote nothing. Received a most charming letter from A. Tolstaya. The land has not been bought. I could not free…

Wrote a good deal but the whole thing is bad. Want to get rid of it as quickly as possible.

Returned to Yasnaya. Affairs are going well. Wrote nothing. . . .

Worked well. Did nothing else. Stopped at a difficult place. Arranged about the store- room.

Expectations. Did nothing. Got up early. Maksim fussed about.

Wrote enough, but decidedly badly.

Went hunting in Sudakdvo. They all consider me arrogant.

Got up late. Irritable. Scolded Yakov. Abominable ! Wonderfully fine weather. Wrote a little. Have let myself go dreadfully in all respects. So many unsettled…

Did not conduct farm-affairs very carefully ; wrote a little a day, also badly. Went to Pirogdvo. My relations with Mashenka are still cool. The children are…

Idle at Pirogovo. Mile. Vergani has come. I am beginning to disgust her and she seems to have given me up as a bad job.

Went early to Mayer’s. On horseback as far as Sergievski. Found nothing : dull. To Chern.

Went to Mokhovoe. Met people from the fair* Mayer is dreadfully, proudly, calm, but at the same time not quite straight with himself.

Mayer is cruel, but not by his own fault, he is embittered? He is a poet, and read David’s Psalms vftth tears. A clear, roomy head. I left ; spent the night at4h£…

At four left Sergievski across the fields. Found the young • Princesses Gorchakdv at Pirogovo. Helen is a fine girl. Am dreadfully tired.

Slept till ten. Vergani is venomous. Mishenka is obstinate : one can’t pull together with her. Went to Yasnaya. A horse has been stolen. Fedor and Sasha were drunk.…

Estate- management. No labourers. End- less expenses. I am becoming despondent. Rode, wrote a little in the evening. . .

From morning planted trees all day. In the evening corrected a little here and there. Have thoijght out a final arrangement for The Lost One. . . .

From morning till night was busy planting. Wrote nothing. Walked a little. . . . Going to bed early.

Have been to Yasnaya3 and did estate- business pretty successfully ; wrote occasionally. . . . Was in Tiila, borrowed 1500 rubles from Kap^lov. Thought- lessly…

Began felling the forest. Went to Pirogovo ; hunted down two. Arrived in a bad temper but have learnt to get on with Mashenka. She is more yielding. Am not feeling…

Did not leave the house all day, chatted. Kl. came. Pretty good. ,

Reached Arstmev’s white hunting. They had invited me for some reason, but it had not come e«7. With them returned to Yasnaya. Dull ! ;

Woke late. Worked on estate — it will get on in time. Left at four.

We drove and chatted; I w&s touched. We arrived at 8.

Went to the Osfpovskis’. While return- ing I grew emotional. Looked for lodgings ; a Gehnan woman; dined at Yakovlev’s. Auntie said about herself, “ J'ai voulu me…

In the morning busied myself. Dined at the Club — dull, and I am not well. Evening at* the Aksakovs’. A disgusting literary atmosphere.

Fet came — good-natured. He assumes pretension as a literary man. Sukhotln, Ryabfnin, Aksakov, Makarov. Dined with Makarov alone. In the morning was at the…

In the morning decided about the lodging, went out, dined with Fet. He, too, is ambitious and poor. With him to the Aksakovs’. To the theatre and to the Ars&ievs’.…

Took the train for Petersburg — almost missed it. The Arsenevs and Talyzin are there. I don’t rnuch like him. In the morning went to the Minister, saw Zelenoy, and…

Zelenby again. Things move with diffi- culty. In the morning at Alexandrine’s. Dined at Nekrdsov’s — gloomy. The evening, I think, at the Arsenevs’ and Druzhfnin’s.

Was too late to go to Minaev’s. The morning at Shevich’s and Nekrasov’s. Dined at the Arsenevs’ and with them to the theatre — enjoyed the Miserere in II Trovatore…

At Bliidova’s in the morning. Dined at the Tolstdys’ and spent the evening at Saltykdv’s.

Did not find Minaev in. Dined at the Nekrasovs’. Well enough. Evening at Sh6vich’s with Kozldva. They are dull-witted. A. P. at night.

Have forgotten this day.

Forget.

Found the Minister. Did not manage to talk the business well over. Dined with Shostak. Per6v- ski’s story. Alexandrine is delightful ! Evening with them.

Had a talk with Kolbdsin, then started. The Death of Pazukhin — an incredible abomination. Yiishkov is a despot and a fool. Dolgorukov an ageing society man ; and…

A nightmare of battles all night long. Began writing. It does not get on. Went to walk, read Le Nord. Dined well at home. Again tried to write The Cossack and wrote…

Morning — all right. Dined at home. Evening at the Sdshkovs’ pleasantly. Prince Vydzemski — schwach ! To the Club. My people have arrived.

In the morning shopping. M. has left me. Dinner with Rdsova. Evening at the Pinins*. When shall I stop disputing with wise people ?

Shopping. The children. To the Club.

Went into the town with Mashenka. Serezha has come. Nicholas has sprained his foot. Evening at the Club. Bored.

Got up at II. Chatted with Serezha. At half-past twelve went for a walk : to S. Gorchakov’s (did not find him in), to Dyakova with whom I was awkward, and to…

Could write nothing because of Serezha. Went to the Council. Read Le Nord. To the Arsdnevs’ — did not find them in. Dined at home with Auntie Paulina. In the…

Wrote a very little. Went to walk : theatre. The Shipovs. Cheese. Dined without Serezha. To the theatre. Alexandrine was splendid, but I have become colder. To the…

Went to Fet ; Safdnova dined there. Because of her a sad conversation about Mashenka’s consumption. Regrets about honesty !

Went to the Council. To Ostrdvski ; he is cold. Gymnastics. Fet came to dinner. He read Antony and Cleopatra and by his conversation warmed me up towards art. Must…

Got up late; went for a walk, and to see about a fur-coat ; dull. Arrived late at the Shipps’ ; Mme. Ment was there. It was pleasant. At home a muddle. To the…

Wrote a little in the morning. Gym- nastics. Dined at home. A very pleasant evening at Fet’s.

Eureka ! for the Cossacks — killed them both. Went for my fur-coat and to Bobrinski’s. Dined at home. Lay in bed at Nikolenka’s. He gave me dainties. In the evening…

In the morning gymnastics — bad. At home, and in the evening at Sushkov’s. Not gay Abused Rdsen. Awful with T. Rastopchina and Ment.

Wrote a little. The theatre. A. D. no longer produced an impression on me. Mdshenk^ reproached me.

Drove out with Serezha ; dined at home. Evening at Aksakov’s : terrible pride. I argued unwisely about Gogol.

Wrote. Gymnastics. Serezha has left : a pity ! Went to the Club and lost ten rubles.

Wrote. Evening at Dydkov’s. L. is very pretty. Eyes. Gymnastics.

Am writing, correcting. Gymnastics. At home all day. Missed the Lvovs.

At eight to the railway station. Alex- andrine Tolstaya did not move me much. With her at the krotkovs’. Headache. Alexandrine Tolstaya is at pur house. Mashenka…

Wrote in the morning. Pleasant talk with Auntie at my jodgings. In the evening wrote and went to the Aksakovs’. I think the old man liked it.

Wrote The Lost One. Was at Tyuchev’s. Felt dreadfully awkward I don’t know why. Capital dinner at home. Finished writing The Dream , not badfy. At the Panins’…

Got up early. Looked over The Lost One. Gymnastics improving a bit. After dinner agaie revised and finished. The whole second half is weafc.

Read M. O., trash ! Fet called. Gym- nastics— cheerful. Dined with Fet and had a heated dispute with Mashenka about a matter we should not have discussed. To Fet’s…

Don’t remember the morning. At Kireeva’s. Dined at home. Evening in the study at SiSshkov’s — pleasant. Raevski is interesting. Tydcftev’s verses are poor. News of…

Gymnastics. Masha is better. Eve\- ing at the Sukhotfns’. Awfully pleasant. I have gr^wn bigger and she is delightfully shy. Sukhotina is truthful, sweet, and…

Sent off The Telegraph. N. S. Tolstoy is a dull chatterbox. Walked with Aksakov. Evening at home. Wrote letters to Ogier, Kolbasin, the vHlage Elder, V. Perfflev,…

At one went with Masha to a concert. The impression was weak. Kireeva, C. Obolenskaya ; Shcher- batova is pretty. N. S. Tolstdy came to dine and all was well at…

Wrote a little. Gymnastics. Dined at home. A. Sukhotin. Evening at the Shakhovskdys’. Stupid and dull, ugly. I danced happily — Liven.

Wrote a little. Dined at Fet’s. There’s still something not right. Antony and Cleopatra — the translation is bad. In the theatre all the time with A. To tea with…

To the menagerie with the children. Gymnastics — the first time satisfactorily. Dinner at the SiJkhotfns’. She was anxiously sounding mfe. All the same Ptyove and…

Woke up at one. Walked. Visited the Behrs. Dined at home, am out of sorts, my head aches. To the Aksakovs’ wjth Masha ; they graciously admonish me. ... At home…

Gymnastics — badly. Wrote a little. Theatre — the play was an abomination. To the Sushkovs’; Tyii«hev gave me a reprimand for my dialectics. To the Ryihnins’ — not…

Vasfli arrived. Visits to the Ryumins and to Shipov. To the Potulovs’ ; Nddya is sweet yet repulsively trivial. Found Michael Sukhotfn at home. Pavlova is very…

Travelling. At 7 to Kazarinov, and then to .OTsdnev. Khomyakov is dry. To Semyakin. Ars^nev is no fooi and takes pains.

In the morning Ars^nev. To Ydsnaya. Affairs are going badly. The peasants’ assembly was good .

Returned to Moscow.

Several uninteresting balls. Several pleasant evenings at Nadya’s, but equivocal, and latterly dull. Corrected The Musician. Will publish it. Twice to the Gipsies.

Got up at twelve, wanted to work, when Ostrovski came and afterwards Sergey with the gipsies : “ pcpansive-natured ”,1 nonsense ! Then to the Aksd- kovs’. Talked…

In the morning visit to Gud6$ich, V61kov, etc. Dined at home. Serezha suddenly attacked me viciously. Unpleasant, but I am cairn. Evening at the Peikers’. Terribly…

Kryukov and Bakhmetyev. Paying visits. Sukhotina is very sweet. The Alsdfyevs had spoken much about me. Vexatious. At the end of the dinner trivial speeches, all…

Ball at the Bdbrinskis’. Tyucheva is beginning quietly to attract me. Wrote Nikolenka’s Dream. No one agrees but I know it is good.