25–31 May 1857

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 that is good. Went to dine with the Galakhovs, it was constrained and dull ; took little Sasha with me and went as far as Les Avants. Fine places. Wrote a sheet of The Demented.

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 “ Genevestka ” confused me. Roman Catholic poetry ! Arranged my books, did not write. My chest aches. Walked to Chateau d’CEx, a chaste miller gave me a lift. A waterfall with many stones : one can’t tell what is water and what stones. Drove to Jesnay. An angry black gentleman. An excessively rude office-keeper.

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 landscape lacks balance and the chateau is not pretty. Walked from Veinis to Spiez ; poor fishermen. Sdsha was touched by Karl. In a boat to Neuhaus, beautiful waterfalls, grottos, and castles. On foot to Interlaken. Rye, milk, sweets. Health is better. I am drinking no wine.

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. The maid troubles me. My shamefacedness saves me. Sasha bothers. Had my hair cut. In the evening wrote a little of The Demented ; went to the doctor. Yesterday wrote to Auntie.