16–22 February 1857

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 immense talent. Drove to the Sorbonne. Superficial. Witticisms about Pliny. Walked. Dined at home. Fitz James I find so-so, but the Spanish Countess is delightful. Colongues with his brother and Polish women ; absence of musical sense. I even danced. They promised to introduce me to Mile. Brohan.

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 Englishman. With Turgenev to a concert : a delightful trio and Viardot. Del Sarte. Picked up in the street. . . It is sad at Turgenev’s.

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 with Turgenev; he is difficult and tiresome. Was late at the Trubetskdys’, chatted at dinner, then Ulbach 2 * * * * * came, talked for *K~ee hours on end and went away. At Turgenev’s read a charming letter of Chicherin’s and sat pleasantly with Turgenev for three hours.