27 April–3 May 1857

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. Got back late.

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. ^Am always cold and my eye aches. In the evening also called on Karamzina. There I met a healthy, sentimental lady, Galakhova, and her plain ill- tempered little sister. At home a lively Englishwoman, a brunette.

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 in verse, which seemed better to me ; I don’t know which to choose. Read the history of the Revolution all day.

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 with pin-pricks. Pushchina was with me in the evening. Hope to write much.

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 him.

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. Again went to walk with the Pdshchins. Read nothing and wrote nothing. At eight found L. N. Karam- zina with the Meshch^rskis’ boy. Saw them home pleasantly.