1–4 January 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 stiff letter to Val6rya and one to Nekrasov which I was advised not to send. Translated a fairy tale by Andersen. * * * * * * Read it at dinner at Botkin’s but it was not liked. Nekrasov gave me a letter of Botkin’s who refers to me flatteringly. We had a pleasant chat. Went to see Olga Turgeneva and stayed with her till past eleven. I liked her better than ever before. Hardly restrained myself from going to a masquerade.

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 read Belfnski and begin to like him. Awful headache.

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 to take part in the theatricals. Gymnastics. Dined at Bdtkin’s, from there to Tolstdy’s. His is a sweet childlike nature, and poetic in a small way. From there after nine to Kra^vski, and towards midnight to the masquerade. At first it was very dull, then at supper with Stotypin and Stakhovich a “ sweet mouth ” approached me. I solicited it for a long time, it came with me, and at home was very reluctant to unmask. Asplike A. x> as peas, but older and coarser featured. . . .

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 me, I went into Botkin’s room and there wrote to Turgenev, then sat down on the sofa and shed spontaneous but blissful, poetic, tears. I am decidedly happy all these days. I am intoxicated by the rapidity of the moral movement — forward and forward. Went to Druzhmin’s and Pfsemski’s in the evening, and contrary to my expectation spent it pleasantly. His, wife must be an excellent woman.