第10章

ThenexttransformationoftheNoblessewaseffectedbyPeterthe，Great。Peterwasbynatureandpositionanautocrat，andcould，brooknoopposition。Havingsetbeforehimselfagreataim，he，soughteverywhereobedient，intelligent，energeticinstrumentsto，carryouthisdesigns。HehimselfservedtheStatezealously——asa，commonartisan，whenheconsidereditnecessary——andheinsistedon，allhissubjectsdoinglikewise，underpainofmerciless，punishment。Tonoblebirthandlongpedigreeshehabituallyshowed，amostdemocratic，orratherautocratic，indifference。Intenton，obtainingtheserviceoflivingmen，hepaidnoattentiontothe，claimsofdeadancestors，andgavetohisservantsthepayand，honourwhichtheirservicesmerited，irrespectivelyofbirthor，socialposition。Hencemanyofhischiefcoadjutorshadno，connectionwiththeoldRussianfamilies。CountYaguzhinski，who，longheldoneofthemostimportantpostsintheState，wastheson，ofapoorsacristan;CountDevierwasaPortuguesebybirth，and，hadbeenacabin-boy;BaronShafirofwasaJew;Hannibal，whodied，withtherankofCommanderinChief，wasanegrowhohadbeen，boughtinConstantinople;andhisSereneHighnessPrinceMenshikof，hadbegunlife，itwassaid，asabaker’sapprentice！，Forthe，future，noblebirthwastocountfornothing。Theserviceofthe，Statewasthrownopentomenofallranks，andpersonalmeritwas，tobetheonlyclaimtopromotion。

ThismusthaveseemedtotheConservativesofthetimeamost，revolutionaryandreprehensibleproceeding，butitdidnotsatisfy，thereformingtendenciesofthegreatautocrat。Hewentastep，further，andentirelychangedthelegalstatusoftheNoblesse。

Downtohistimethenobleswerefreetoserveornotasthey，chose，andthosewhochosetoserveenjoyedlandonwhatweshould，callafeudaltenure。Someservedpermanentlyinthemilitaryor，civiladministration，butbyfarthegreaternumberlivedontheir，estates，andenteredtheactiveservicemerelywhenthemilitiawas，calledoutinviewofwar。Thissystemwascompletelychangedwhen，Petercreatedalargestandingarmyandagreatcentralised，bureaucracy。Byoneofthose“fellswoops“whichperiodically，occurinRussianhistory，hechangedthefeudalintofreehold，tenures，andlaiddowntheprinciplethatallnobles，whatever，theirlandedpossessionsmightbe，shouldservetheStateinthe，army，thefleet，ortheciviladministration，fromboyhoodtoold，age。Inaccordancewiththisprinciple，anynoblewhorefusedto，servewasnotonlydeprivedofhisestate，asintheoldtimes，but，wasdeclaredtobeatraitorandmightbecondemnedtocapital，punishment。

ThenobleswerethustransformedintoservantsoftheState，and，theStateinthetimeofPeterwasahardtaskmaster。They，complainedbitterly，andwithreason，thattheyhadbeendeprived，oftheirancientrights，andwerecompelledtoacceptquietlyand，uncomplaininglywhateverburdenstheirmasterchosetoplaceupon，them。”Thoughourcountry，“theysaid，“isinnodangerof，invasion，nosoonerispeaceconcludedthanplansarelaidfora，newwar，whichhasgenerallynootherfoundationthantheambition，oftheSovereign，orperhapsmerelytheambitionofoneofhis，Ministers。Topleasehimourpeasantsareutterlyexhausted，and，weourselvesareforcedtoleaveourhomesandfamilies，notas，formerlyforasinglecampaign，butforlongyears。Weare，compelledtocontractdebtsandtoentrustourestatestothieving，overseers，whocommonlyreducethemtosuchaconditionthatwhen，weareallowedtoretirefromtheservice，inconsequenceofold，ageorillness，wecannottotheendofourlivesretrieveour，prosperity。Inaword，wearesoexhaustedandruinedbythe，keepingupofastandingarmy，andbytheconsequencesflowing，therefrom，thatthemostcruelenemy，thoughheshoulddevastate，thewholeEmpire，couldnotcauseusone-halfoftheinjury。”*

*ThesecomplaintshavebeenpreservedbyVockerodt，aPrussian，diplomaticagentofthetime。

ThisSpartanregime，whichruthlesslysacrificedprivateinterests，toconsiderationsofStatepolicy，couldnotlongbemaintainedin，itspristineseverity。Itundermineditsownfoundationsby，demandingtoomuch。Draconianlawsthreateningconfiscationand，capitalpunishmentwereoflittleavail。Noblesbecamemonks，inscribedthemselvesasmerchants，orengagedthemselvesas，domesticservants，inordertoescapetheirobligations。”Some，“

saysacontemporary，“growoldindisobedienceandhaveneveronce，appearedinactiveservice……Thereis，forinstance，Theodore，Mokeyef……Inspiteofthestrictorderssentregardinghimno，onecouldevercatchhim。Someofthosesenttotakehimhe，belabouredwithblows，andwhenhecouldnotbeatthemessengers，hepretendedtobedangerouslyill，orfeignedidiocy，and，running，intothepond，stoodinthewateruptohisneck;butassoonas，themessengerswereoutofsighthereturnedhomeandroaredlikea，lion。”*

*Pososhkof，“Oskudostiibogatstve。”

AfterPeter’sdeaththesystemwasgraduallyrelaxed，butthe，Noblessecouldnotbesatisfiedbypartialconcessions。Russiahad，inthemeantimemoved，asitwere，outofAsiaintoEurope，andhad，becomeoneofthegreatEuropeanPowers。Theupperclasseshad，beengraduallylearningsomethingofthefashions，theliterature，theinstitutions，andthemoralconceptionsofWesternEurope，and，thenoblesnaturallycomparedtheclasstowhichtheybelongedwith，thearistocraciesofGermanyandFrance。Forthosewhowere，influencedbythenewforeignideasthecomparisonwashumiliating。

IntheWesttheNoblessewasafreeandprivilegedclass，proudof，itsliberty，itsrights，anditsculture;whereasinRussiathe，nobleswereservantsoftheState，withoutprivileges，without，dignity，subjecttocorporalpunishment，andburdenedwithonerous，dutiesfromwhichtherewasnoescape。Thusaroseinthatsection，oftheNoblessewhichhadsomeacquaintancewithWestern，civilisationafeelingofdiscontent，andadesiretogainasocial，positionsimilartothatofthenoblesinFranceandGermany。

TheseaspirationswereinpartrealisedbyPeterIII。whoin1762

abolishedtheprincipleofobligatoryservice。Hisconsort，CatherineII。wentmuchfartherinthesamedirection，and，inauguratedanewepochinthehistoryoftheDvoryanstvo，aperiod，inwhichitsdutiesandobligationsfellintothebackground，and，itsrightsandprivilegescametothefront。

CatherinehadgoodreasontofavourtheNoblesse。Asaforeigner，andausurper，raisedtothethronebyaCourtconspiracy，she，couldnotawakeninthemassesthatsemi-religiousvenerationwhich，thelegitimateTsarshavealwaysenjoyed，andconsequentlyshehad，toseeksupportintheupperclasses，whowerelessrigidand，uncompromisingintheirconceptionsoflegitimacy。Sheconfirmed，therefore，theukazwhichabolishedobligatoryserviceofthe，nobles，andsoughttogaintheirvoluntaryservicebyhonoursand，rewards。Inhermanifestoesshealwaysspokeoftheminthemost，flatteringterms;andtriedtoconvincethemthatthewelfareof，thecountrydependedontheirloyaltyanddevotion。Thoughshehad，nointentionofcedinganyofherpoliticalpower，sheformedthe，noblesofeachprovinceintoacorporation，withperiodical，assemblies，whichweresupposedtoresembletheFrenchProvincial，Parliaments，andentrustedtoeachofthesecorporationsalarge，partofthelocaladministration。Bytheseandsimilarmeans，aidedbyhermasculineenergyandfemininetact，shemadeherself，verypopular，andcompletelychangedtheoldconceptionsaboutthe，publicservice。Formerlyservicehadbeenlookedonasaburden;

nowitcametobelookedonasaprivilege。Thousandswhohad，retiredtotheirestatesafterthepublicationoftheliberation，edictnowflockedbackandsoughtappointments，andthistendency，wasgreatlyincreasedbythebrilliantcampaignsagainsttheTurks，whichexcitedthepatrioticfeelingsandgaveplentiful，opportunitiesofpromotion。”Notonlylandedproprietors，“itis，saidinacomedyofthetime，*“butallmen，evenshopkeepersand，cobblers，aimatbecomingofficers，andthemanwhohaspassedhis，wholelifewithoutofficialrankseemstobenotahumanbeing。”

*Knyazhnina，“Khvastun。”

AndCatherinedidmorethanthis。Shesharedtheidea——generally，acceptedthroughoutEuropesincethebrilliantreignofLouisXIV——

thatarefined，pomp-loving，pleasure-seekingCourtNoblessewas，notonlythebestbulwarkofMonarchy，butalsoanecessary，ornamentofeveryhighlycivilisedState;andassheardently，desiredthathercountryshouldhavethereputationofbeinghighly，civilised，shestrovetocreatethisnationalornament。Thelove，ofFrenchcivilisation，whichalreadyexistedamongtheupper，classesofhersubjects，herecametoheraid，andhereffortsin，thisdirectionweresingularlysuccessful。TheCourtofSt。

Petersburgbecamealmostasbrilliant，asgalant，andasfrivolous，astheCourtofVersailles。Allwhoaimedathighhonoursadopted，Frenchfashions，spoketheFrenchlanguage，andaffectedan，unqualifiedadmirationforFrenchclassicalliterature。The，Courtierstalkedofthepointd’honneur，discussedthequestionas，towhatwasconsistentwiththedignityofanoble，soughtto，display“thatchivalrousspiritwhichconstitutestheprideand，ornamentofFrance“;andlookedbackwithhorroronthehumiliating，positionoftheirfathersandgrandfathers。”PetertheGreat，“

writesoneofthem，“beatallwhosurroundedhim，without，distinctionoffamilyorrank;butnow，manyofuswouldcertainly，prefercapitalpunishmenttobeingbeatenorflogged，eventhough，thecastigationwereappliedbythesacredhandsoftheLord’s，Anointed。”

ThetonewhichreignedintheCourtcircleofSt。Petersburgspread，graduallytowardsthelowerranksoftheDvoryanstvo，anditseemed，tosuperficialobserversthataveryfairimitationoftheFrench，Noblessehadbeenproduced;butinrealitythecopywasveryunlike，themodel。TheRussianDvoryanineasilylearnedthelanguageand，assumedthemannersoftheFrenchgentilhomme，andsucceededin，changinghisphysicalandintellectualexterior;butallthose，deeperandmoredelicatepartsofhumannaturewhichareformedby，theaccumulatedexperienceofpastgenerationscouldnotbeso，easilyandrapidlychanged。TheFrenchgentilhommeofthe，eighteenthcenturywasthedirectdescendantofthefeudalbaron，withthefundamentalconceptionsofhisancestorsdeeplyembedded，inhisnature。Hehadnot，indeed，theoldhaughtybearingtowards，theSovereign，andhislanguagewastingedwiththefashionable，democraticphilosophyofthetime;buthepossessedalarge，intellectualandmoralinheritancethathadcomedowntohim，directlyfromthepalmydaysoffeudalism——aninheritancewhich，eventheGreatRevolution，whichwasthenpreparing，couldnot，annihilate。TheRussiannoble，onthecontrary，hadreceivedfrom，hisancestorsentirelydifferenttraditions。Hisfatherand，grandfatherhadbeenconsciousoftheburdensratherthanthe，privilegesoftheclasstowhichtheybelonged。Theyhad，considereditnodisgracetoreceivecorporalpunishment，andhad，beenjealousoftheirhonour，notasgentlemenordescendantsof，Boyars，butasBrigadiers，CollegeAssessors，orPrivyCounsellors。

TheirdignityhadrestednotonthegraceofGod，butonthewill，oftheTsar。Underthesecircumstanceseventheproudestmagnate，ofCatherine’sCourt，thoughhemightspeakFrenchasfluentlyas，hismothertongue，couldnotbeverydeeplypenetratedwiththe，conceptionofnobleblood，thesacredcharacterofnobility，and，thenumerousfeudalideasinterwovenwiththeseconceptions。And，inadoptingtheoutwardformsofaforeignculturethenoblesdid，not，itseems，gainmuchintruedignity。”Theoldprideofthe，nobleshasfallen！”exclaimsonewhohadmoregenuinearistocratic，feelingthanhisfellows。*，“Therearenolongeranyhonourable，families;butmerelyofficialrankandpersonalmerits。Allseek，officialrank，andasallcannotrenderdirectservices，distinctionsaresoughtbyeverypossiblemeans——byflatteringthe，Monarchandtoadyingtheimportantpersonages。”，Therewas，considerabletruthinthiscomplaint，butthevoiceofthis，solitaryaristocratwasasofonecryinginthewilderness。The，wholeoftheeducatedclasses——menofoldfamilyandparvenus，alike——were，withfewexceptions，toomuchengrossedwithplace-

huntingtoattendtosuchsentimentalwailing。

*PrinceShtcherbatof。

IftheRussianNoblessewasthusinitsnewformbutavery，imperfectimitationofitsFrenchmodel，itwasstillmoreunlike，theEnglisharistocracy。Notwithstandingtheliberalphrasesin，whichCatherinehabituallyindulged，sheneverhadtheleast，intentionofcedingonejotortittleofherautocraticpower，and，theNoblesseasaclassneverobtainedevenashadowofpolitical，influence。Therewasnorealindependenceunderthenewairsof，dignityandhauteur。Inalltheiractsandopenlyexpressed，opinionsthecourtierswereguidedbytherealorsupposedwishes，oftheSovereign，andmuchoftheirpoliticalsagacitywasemployed，inendeavouringtodiscoverwhatwouldpleaseher。”Peoplenever，talkpoliticsinthesalons，“saysacontemporarywitness，*not，eventopraisetheGovernment。Fearhasproducedhabitsof，prudence，andtheFrondeursoftheCapitalexpresstheiropinions，onlyintheconfidenceofintimatefriendshiporinarelationship，stillmoreconfidential。Thosewhocannotbearthisconstraint，retiretoMoscow，whichcannotbecalledthecentreofopposition，forthereisnosuchthingasoppositioninacountrywithan，autocraticGovernment，butwhichisthecapitalofthe，discontented。”，Andeventherethediscontentdidnotventureto，showitselfintheImperialpresence。”InMoscow，“saysanother，witness，accustomedtotheobsequiousnessofVersailles，“youmight，believeyourselftobeamongrepublicanswhohavejustthrownoff，theyokeofatyrant，butassoonastheCourtarrivesyousee，nothingbutabjectslaves。”**

*Segur，longAmbassadorofFranceattheCourtofCatherine。

**SabathierdeCabres，“CatherineII。etlaCourdeRussieen，1772。”

Thoughthusexcludedfromdirectinfluenceinpoliticalaffairsthe，Noblessemightstillhaveacquiredacertainpoliticalsignificance，intheState，bymeansoftheProvincialAssemblies，andbythe，parttheytookinlocaladministration;butinrealitytheyhad，neithertherequisitepoliticalexperiencenortherequisite，patience，noreventhedesiretopursuesuchapolicy。The，majorityoftheproprietorspreferredthechancesofpromotionin，theImperialservicetothetranquillifeofacountrygentleman;

andthosewhoresidedpermanentlyontheirestatesshowed，indifferenceorpositiveantipathytoeverythingconnectedwiththe，localadministration。Whatwasofficiallydescribedas“a，privilegeconferredonthenoblesfortheirfidelity，andforthe，generoussacrificeoftheirlivesintheircountry’scause，“was，regardedbythosewhoenjoyeditasanewkindofobligatory，service——anobligationtosupplyjudgesandofficersofrural，police。

Ifwerequireanyadditionalproofthatthenoblesamidstallthese，changeswerestillasdependentaseveronthearbitrarywillor，capriceoftheMonarch，wehaveonlytoglanceattheirpositionin，thetimeofPaulI。thecapricious，eccentric，violentsonand，successorofCatherine。Theautobiographicalmemoirsofthetime，depictinvividcoloursthehumiliatingpositionofeventhe，leadingmenintheState，inconstantfearofexcitingbyact，word，orlookthewrathoftheSovereign。Aswereadthese，contemporaryrecordsweseemtohavebeforeusapictureofancient，RomeunderthemostdespoticandcapriciousofherEmperors。

Irritatedandembitteredbeforehisaccessiontothethronebythe，haughtydemeanourofhismother’sfavourites，Paullostno，opportunityofshowinghiscontemptforaristocraticpretensions，andofhumiliatingthosewhoweresupposedtoharbourthem。

“Apprenez，Monsieur，“hesaidangrilyononeoccasiontoDumouriez，whohadaccidentallyreferredtooneofthe“considerable“

personagesoftheCourt，“Apprenezqu’iln’yapasdeconsiderable，ici，quelapersonnealaquellejeparleetpendantletempsqueje，luiparle！”*

*ThissayingisoftenfalselyattributedtoNicholas。The，anecdoteisrelatedbySegur。

FromthetimeofCatherinedowntotheaccessionofAlexanderII。

in1855noimportantchangewasmadeinthelegalstatusofthe，Noblesse，butagradualchangetookplaceinitssocialcharacter，bythecontinualinfluxofWesternideasandWesternculture。The，exclusivelyFrenchcultureinvogueattheCourtofCatherine，assumedamorecosmopolitancolouring，andpermeateddownwardstill，allwhohadanypretensionstobeingcivilisesspokeFrenchwith，tolerablefluencyandpossessedatleastasuperficialacquaintance，withtheliteratureofWesternEurope。Whatchieflydistinguished，themintheeyeofthelawfromtheotherclasseswastheprivilege，ofpossessing“inhabitedestates“——thatistosay，estateswith，serfs。Bytheemancipationoftheserfsin1861thisvaluable，privilegewasabolished，andaboutone-halfoftheirlanded，propertypassedintothehandsofthepeasantry。Bythe，administrativereformswhichhavesincetakenplace，anylittle，significancewhichtheprovincialcorporationsmayhavepossessed，hasbeenannihilated。Thusatthepresentdaythenoblesareona，levelwiththeotherclasseswithregardtotherightofpossessing，landedpropertyandtheadministrationoflocalaffairs。

Fromthisrapidsketchthereaderwilleasilyperceivethatthe，RussianNoblessehashadapeculiarhistoricaldevelopment。In，Germany，France，andEnglandthenobleswereearlyformedintoa，homogeneousorganisedbodybythepoliticalconditionsinwhich，theywereplaced。Theyhadtorepeltheencroachingtendenciesof，theMonarchyontheonehand，andofthebourgeoisieontheother;

andinthislongstrugglewithpowerfulrivalstheyinstinctively，heldtogetheranddevelopedavigorousespritdecorps。New，memberspenetratedintotheirranks，buttheseintruderswereso，fewinnumberthattheywererapidlyassimilatedwithoutmodifying，thegeneralcharacterorrecognisedidealsoftheclass，and，withoutrudelydisturbingthefictionofpurityofblood。The，classthusassumedmoreandmorethenatureofacastewitha，peculiarintellectualandmoralculture，andstoutlydefendedits，positionandprivilegestilltheever-increasingpowerofthe，middleclassesundermineditsinfluence。Itsfateindifferent，countrieshasbeendifferent。InGermanyitclungtoitsfeudal，traditions，andstillpreservesitssocialexclusiveness。In，FranceitwasdeprivedofitspoliticalinfluencebytheMonarchy，andcrushedbytheRevolution。InEnglanditmoderatedits，pretensions，allieditselfwiththemiddleclasses，createdunder，thedisguiseofconstitutionalmonarchyanaristocraticrepublic，andconcededinchbyinch，asnecessitydemanded，ashareofits，politicalinfluencetotheallythathadhelpedittocurbthe，Royalpower。ThustheGermanbaron，theFrenchgentilhomme，and，theEnglishnoblemanrepresentthreedistinct，well-markedtypes;

butamidstalltheirdiversitiestheyhavemuchincommon。They，haveallpreservedtoagreaterorlessextentahaughty，consciousnessofinnateinextinguishablesuperiorityoverthelower，orders，togetherwithamoreorlesscarefullydisguiseddislike，fortheclasswhichhasbeen，andstillis，anaggressiverival。

TheRussianNoblessehasnotthesecharacteristics。Itwasformed，outofmoreheterogeneousmaterials，andthesematerialsdidnot，spontaneouslycombinetoformanorganicwhole，butwerecrushed，intoaconglomeratemassbytheweightoftheautocraticpower。It，neverbecameasemi-independentfactorintheState。Whatrights，andprivilegesitpossessesitreceivedfromtheMonarchy，and，consequentlyithasnodeep-rootedjealousyorhatredofthe，Imperialprerogative。Ontheotherhand，ithasneverhadto，strugglewiththeothersocialclasses，andthereforeitharbours，towardsthemnofeelingsofrivalryorhostility。Ifweheara，Russiannoblespeakwithindignationofautocracyorwithacrimony，ofthebourgeoisie，wemaybesurethatthesefeelingshavetheir，source，notintraditionalconceptions，butinprincipleslearned，fromthemodernschoolsofsocialandpoliticalphilosophy。The，classtowhichhebelongshasundergonesomanytransformations，thatithasnohoarytraditionsordeep-rootedprejudices，and，alwayswillinglyadaptsitselftoexistingconditions。Indeed，it，maybesaidingeneralthatitlooksmoretothefuturethanthe，past，andiseverreadytoacceptanynewideasthatwearthebadge，ofprogress。Itsfreedomfromtraditionsandprejudicesmakesit，singularlysusceptibleofgenerousenthusiasmandcapableof，vigorousspasmodicaction，butcalmmoralcourageandtenacityof，purposearenotamongitsprominentattributes。Inaword，wefind，initneitherthepeculiarvirtuesnorthepeculiarviceswhichare，engenderedandfosteredbyanatmosphereofpoliticalliberty。

Howeverwemayexplainthefact，thereisnodoubtthattheRussian，Noblessehaslittleornothingofwhatwecallaristocratic，feeling——littleornothingofthathaughty，domineering，exclusive，spiritwhichweareaccustomedtoassociatewiththeword，aristocracy。WefindplentyofRussianswhoareproudoftheir，wealth，oftheirculture，oroftheirofficialposition，butwe，rarelyfindaRussianwhoisproudofhisbirthorimaginesthat，thefactofhishavingalongpedigreegiveshimanyrightto，politicalprivilegesorsocialconsideration。Hencethereisa，certainamountoftruthintheoft-repeatedsayingthatthereisin，realitynoaristocracyinRussia。

CertainlytheNoblesseasawholecannotbecalledanaristocracy。

Ifthetermistobeusedatall，itmustbeappliedtoagroupof，familieswhichclusteraroundtheCourtandformthehighestranks，oftheNoblesse。Thissocialaristocracycontainsmanyold，families，butitsrealbasisisofficialrankandgeneralculture，ratherthanpedigreeorblood。Thefeudalconceptionsofnoble，birth，goodfamily，andthelikehavebeenadoptedbysomeofits，members，butdonotformoneofitsconspicuousfeatures。Though，habituallypractisingacertainexclusiveness，ithasnoneofthose，characteristicsofacastewhichwefindintheGermanAdel，andis，utterlyunabletounderstandsuchinstitutionsasTafelf鋒igkeit，bywhichamanwhohasnotapedigreeofacertainlengthis，consideredunworthytositdownataroyaltable。Ittakesrather，theEnglisharistocracyasitsmodel，andharboursthesecrethope，ofonedayobtainingasocialandpoliticalpositionsimilarto，thatofthenobilityandgentryofEngland。Thoughithasno，peculiarlegalprivileges，itsactualpositioninthe，AdministrationandatCourtgivesitsmembersgreatfacilitiesfor，advancementinthepublicservice。Ontheotherhand，itssemi-

bureaucraticcharacter，togetherwiththelawandcustomof，dividinglandedpropertyamongthechildrenatthedeathoftheir，parents，deprivesitofstability。Newmenforcetheirwayintoit，byofficialdistinction，whilstmanyoftheoldfamiliesare，compelledbypovertytoretirefromitsranks。Thesonofasmall，proprietor，orevenofaparishpriest，mayrisetothehighest，officesofState，whilstthedescendantsofthehalf-mythicalRurik，maydescendtothepositionofpeasants。Itissaidthatnotvery，longagoacertainPrinceKrapotkingainedhislivingasacabman，inSt。Petersburg！

Itisevident，then，thatthissocialaristocracymustnotbe，confoundedwiththetitledfamilies。Titlesdonotpossessthe，samevalueinRussiaasinWesternEurope。Theyareverycommon——

becausethetitledfamiliesarenumerous，andallthechildrenbear，thetitlesoftheparentsevenwhiletheparentsarestillalive——

andtheyarebynomeansalwaysassociatedwithofficialrank，wealth，socialposition，ordistinctionofanykind。Thereare，hundredsofprincesandprincesseswhohavenottherighttoappear，atCourt，andwhowouldnotbeadmittedintowhatiscalledinSt。

Petersburglasociete，orindeedintorefinedsocietyinany，country。

TheonlygenuineRussiantitleisKnyaz，commonlytranslated，“Prince。”，ItisbornebythedescendantsofRurik，ofthe，LithuanianPrinceGhedimin，andoftheTartarKhansandMurzi，officiallyrecognisedbytheTsars。Besidesthese，thereare，fourteenfamilieswhohaveadopteditbyImperialcommandduring，thelasttwocenturies。Thetitlesofcountandbaronaremodern，importations，beginningwiththetimeofPetertheGreat。From，Peterandhissuccessorsaboutseventyfamilieshavereceivedthe，titleofcountandtenthatofbaron。Thelatterareall，withtwo，exceptions，offoreignextraction，andaremostlydescendedfrom，Courtbankers。*

*Besidesthese，thereareofcoursetheGermancountsandbarons，oftheBalticProvinces，whoareRussiansubjects。

ThereisaverycommonideathatRussiannoblesareasarule，enormouslyrich。Thisisamistake。Themajorityofthemare，poor。AtthetimeoftheEmancipation，in1861，therewere100，247

landedproprietors，andofthese，morethan41，000werepossessors，oflessthantwenty-onemaleserfs——thatistosay，wereina，conditionofpoverty。Aproprietorwhowasownerof500serfswas，notconsideredasbyanymeansveryrich，andyettherewereonly，3，803proprietorsbelonginginthatcategory。Therewereafew，indeed，whosepossessionswereenormous。CountSheremetief，for，instance，possessedmorethan150，000maleserfs，orinotherwords，morethan300，000souls;andthirtyyearsagoCountOrloff-Davydof，ownedconsiderablymorethanhalfamillionofacres。TheDemidof，familyderivecolossalrevenuesfromtheirmines，andthe，Strogonofshaveestateswhich，ifputtogether，wouldbesufficient，inextenttoformagood-sizedindependentStateinWesternEurope。

Theveryrichfamilies，however，arenotnumerous。Thelavish，expenditureinwhichRussiannoblesoftenindulgeindicatestoo，frequentlynotlargefortune，butsimplyfoolishostentationand，recklessimprovidence。

Perhaps，afterhavingspokensomuchaboutthepasthistoryofthe，Noblesse，Ioughttoendeavourtocastitshoroscope，oratleast，tosaysomethingofitsprobablefuture。Thoughpredictionsare，alwayshazardous，itissometimespossible，bytracingthegreat，linesofhistoryinthepast，tofollowthemforalittledistance，intothefuture。Ifitbeallowabletoapplythismethodof，predictioninthepresentmatter，IshouldsaythattheRussian，Dvoryanstvowillassimilatewiththeotherclasses，ratherthan，formitselfintoanexclusivecorporation。Hereditary，aristocraciesmaybepreserved——oratleasttheirdecompositionmay，beretarded——wheretheyhappentoexist，butitseemsthattheycan，nolongerbecreated。InWesternEuropethereisalargeamountof，aristocraticsentiment，bothinthenoblesandinthepeople;but，itexistsinspiteof，ratherthaninconsequenceof，actualsocial，conditions。Itisnotaproductofmodernsociety，butanheirloom，thathascomedowntousfromfeudaltimes，whenpower，wealth，and，culturewereinthehandsofaprivilegedfew。Ifthereeverwas，inRussiaaperiodcorrespondingtothefeudaltimesinWestern，Europe，ithaslongsincebeenforgotten。Thereisverylittle，aristocraticsentimenteitherinthepeopleorinthenobles，and，itisdifficulttoimagineanysourcefromwhichitcouldnowbe，derived。Morethanthis，thenoblesdonotdesiretomakesuchan，acquisition。Insofarastheyhaveanypoliticalaspirations，theyaimatsecuringthepoliticallibertyofthepeopleasa，whole，andnotatacquiringexclusiverightsandprivilegesfor，theirownclass。

InthatsectionwhichIhavecalledasocialaristocracythereare，afewindividualswhodesiretogainexclusivepoliticalinfluence，fortheclasstowhichtheybelong，butthereisverylittlechance，oftheirsucceeding。Iftheirdesireswereeverbychance，realised，weshouldprobablyhavearepetitionofthescenewhich，occurredin1730。Wheninthatyearsomeofthegreatfamilies，raisedtheDuchessofCourlandtothethroneonconditionofher，cedingpartofherpowertoasupremecouncil，thelowerranksof，theNoblessecompelledhertotearuptheconstitutionwhichshe，hadsigned！，Thosewhodisliketheautocraticpowerdislikethe，ideaofanaristocraticoligarchyinfinitelymore。Noblesand，peoplealikeseemtoholdinstinctivelythecreedoftheFrench，philosopher，whothoughtitbettertobegovernedbyalionofgood，familythanbyahundredratsofhisownspecies。

OfthepresentconditionoftheNoblesseIshallagainhave，occasiontospeakwhenIcometoconsidertheconsequencesofthe，Emancipation。

CHAPTERXXI

LANDEDPROPRIETORSOFTHEOLDSCHOOL

RussianHospitality——ACountry-House——ItsOwnerDescribed——His，Life，PastandPresent——WinterEvenings——Books——Connectionwith，theOuterWorld——TheCrimeanWarandtheEmancipation——ADrunken，DissoluteProprietor——AnOldGeneralandhisWife——“NameDays“——A

LegendaryMonster——ARetiredJudge——ACleverScribe——Social，Leniency——CauseofDemoralisation。

OfalltheforeigncountriesinwhichIhavetravelled，Russia，certainlybearsoffthepalminthematterofhospitality。Every，springIfoundmyselfinpossessionofalargenumberof，invitationsfromlandedproprietorsindifferentpartsofthe，country——farmorethanIcouldpossiblyaccept——andagreatpartof，thesummerwasgenerallyspentinwanderingaboutfromonecountry-

housetoanother。Ihavenointentionofaskingthereaderto，accompanymeinalltheseexpeditions——forthoughpleasantin，reality，theymightbetediousindescription——butIwishto，introducehimtosometypicalexamplesofthelandedproprietors。

Amongthemaretobefoundnearlyallranksandconditionsofmen，fromtherichmagnate，surroundedwiththerefinedluxuryofWest-

Europeancivilisation，tothepoor，ill-clad，ignorantownerofa，fewacreswhichbarelysupplyhimwiththenecessariesoflife。

Letustake，firstofall，afewspecimensfromthemiddleranks。

Inoneofthecentralprovinces，nearthebankofasluggish，meanderingstream，standsanirregulargroupofwooden，constructions——old，unpainted，blackenedbytime，andsurmountedby，high，slopingroofsofmoss-coveredplanks。Theprincipalbuilding，isalong，one-storieddwelling-house，constructedatrightangles，totheroad。Atthefrontofthehouseisaspacious，ill-kept，yard，andatthebackanequallyspaciousshady，garden，inwhich，artcarriesonafeebleconflictwithencroachingnature。Atthe，othersideoftheyard，andfacingthefrontdoor——orratherthe，frontdoors，fortherearetwo——standthestables，hay-shed，and，granary，andneartothatendofthehousewhichisfarthestfrom，theroadaretwosmallerhouses，oneofwhichisthekitchen，and，theothertheLyudskaya，orservants’apartments。Beyondthesewe，canperceive，throughasinglerowoflime-trees，anothergroupof，time-blackenedwoodenconstructionsinastillmoredilapidated，condition。Thatisthefarmyard。

Thereiscertainlynotmuchsymmetryinthedispositionofthese，buildings，butthereisneverthelessacertainorderandmeaningin，theapparentchaos。Allthebuildingswhichdonotrequirestoves，arebuiltataconsiderabledistancefromthedwelling-houseand，kitchen，whicharemoreliabletotakefire;andthekitchenstands，byitself，becausetheodourofcookerywhereoilisusedisbyno，meansagreeable，evenforthosewhoseolfactorynervesarenotvery，sensitive。Theplanofthehouseislikewisenotwithoutacertain，meaning。Therigorousseparationofthesexes，whichformeda，characteristictraitofoldRussiansociety，haslongsince，disappeared，butitsinfluencemaystillbetracedinhousesbuilt，ontheoldmodel。Thehouseinquestionisoneofthese，and，consequentlyitiscomposedofthreesections——attheoneendthe，maleapartments，attheotherthefemaleapartments，andinthe，middletheneutralterritory，comprisingthedining-roomandthe，salon。Thisarrangementhasitsconveniences，andexplainsthe，factthatthehousehastwofrontdoors。Atthebackisathird，door，whichopensfromtheneutralterritoryintoaspacious，verandahoverlookingthegarden。

Herelives，andhaslivedformanyyears，IvanIvanovitchK——，a，gentlemanoftheoldschool，andaveryworthymanofhiskind。If，welookathimashesitsinhiscomfortablearmchair，withhis，capaciousdressing-gownhanginglooselyabouthim，weshallbeable，toreadataglancesomethingofhischaracter。Natureendowedhim，withlargebonesandbroadshoulders，andevidentlyintendedhimto，beamanofgreatmuscularpower，buthehascontrivedtofrustrate，thisbenevolentintention，andhasnowmorefatthanmuscle。His，close-croppedheadisroundasabullet，andhisfeaturesare，massiveandheavy，buttheheavinessisrelievedbyanexpression，ofcalmcontentmentandimperturbablegood-nature，which，occasionallyblossomsintoabroadgrin。Hisfaceisoneofthose，onwhichnoamountofhistrionictalentcouldproducealookof，careandanxiety，andforthisitisnottoblame，forsuchan，expressionhasneverbeendemandedofit。Likeothermortals，he，sometimesexperienceslittleannoyances，andonsuchoccasionshis，smallgreyeyessparkleandhisfacebecomessuffusedwitha，crimsonglowthatsuggestsapoplexy;butill-fortunehasneverbeen，abletogetsufficientlyfirmholdofhimtomakehimunderstand，whatsuchwordsascareandanxietymean。Ofstruggle，disappointment，hope，andalltheotherfeelingswhichgiveto，humanlifeadramaticinterest，heknowslittlebyhearsayand，nothingbyexperience。Hehas，infact，alwayslivedoutsideof，thatstruggleforexistencewhichmodernphilosophersdeclaretobe，thelawofnature。

SomewhereaboutseventyyearsagoIvanIvan’itchwasborninthe，housewherehestilllives。Hisfirstlessonshereceivedfromthe，parishpriest，andafterwardshewastaughtbyadeacon’sson，who，hadstudiedintheecclesiasticalseminarytosolittlepurpose，thathewasunabletopassthefinalexamination。Bybothofthese，teachershewastreatedwithextremeleniency，andwasallowedto，learnaslittleashechose。Hisfatherwishedhimtostudyhard，buthismotherwasafraidthatstudymightinjurehishealth，and，accordinglygavehimseveralholidayseveryweek。Underthese，circumstanceshisprogresswasnaturallynotveryrapid，andhewas，stillveryslightlyacquaintedwiththeelementaryrulesof，arithmetic，whenhisfatheronedaydeclaredthathewasalready，eighteenyearsofage，andmustatonceentertheservice。

Butwhatkindofservice？，Ivanhadnonaturalinclinationforany，kindofactivity。TheprojectofenteringhimasaJunkerina，cavalryregiment，thecolonelofwhichwasanoldfriendofthe，family，didnotatallpleasehim。Hehadnoloveformilitary，service，andpositivelydislikedtheprospectofanexamination。

Whilstseeming，therefore，tobowimplicitlytothepaternal，authority，heinducedhismothertoopposethescheme。

ThedilemmainwhichIvanfoundhimselfwasthis：indeferenceto，hisfatherhewishedtobeintheserviceandgainthatofficial，rankwhicheveryRussiannobledesirestopossess，andatthesame，time，indeferencetohismotherandhisowntastes，hewishedto，remainathomeandcontinuehisindolentmodeoflife。TheMarshal，oftheNoblesse，whohappenedtocalloneday，helpedhimoutof，thedifficultybyofferingtoinscribehimassecretaryinthe，DvoryanskayaOpeka，abureauwhichactsascuratorfortheestates，ofminors。Allthedutiesofthisofficecouldbefulfilledbya，paidsecretary，andthenominaloccupantwouldbeperiodically，promotedasifhewereanactiveofficial。Thiswaspreciselywhat，Ivanrequired。Heacceptedeagerlytheproposal，andobtained，in，thecourseofsevenyears，withoutanyeffortonhispart，therank，of“collegiatesecretary，“correspondingtothe“capitaine-en-

second“ofthemilitaryhierarchy。Tomounthigherhewouldhave，hadtoseeksomeplacewherehecouldnothavefulfilledhisduty，byproxy，sohedeterminedtorestonhislaurels，andsentinhis，resignation。

Immediatelyaftertheterminationofhisofficiallifehismarried，lifebegan。Beforehisresignationhadbeenacceptedhesuddenly，foundhimselfonemorningonthehighroadtomatrimony。Here，againtherewasnoeffortonhispart。Thecourseoftruelove，whichissaidnevertorunsmoothforordinarymortals，ransmooth，forhim。Heneverhadeventhetroubleofproposing。Thewhole，affairwasarrangedbyhisparents，whochoseasbridefortheir，sontheonlydaughteroftheirnearestneighbour。Theyounglady，wasonlyaboutsixteenyearsofage，andwasnotremarkablefor，beauty，talent，oranyotherpeculiarity，butshehadonevery，importantqualification——shewasthedaughterofamanwhohadan，estatecontiguoustotheirown，andwhomightgiveasadowrya，certainbitoflandwhichtheyhadlongdesiredtoaddtotheirown，property。Thenegotiations，beingofadelicatenature，were，entrustedtoanoldladywhohadagreatreputationfordiplomatic，skillinsuchmatters，andsheaccomplishedhermissionwithsuch，successthatinthecourseofafewweeksthepreliminarieswere，arrangedandthedayfixedforthewedding。ThusIvanIvan’itch，wonhisbrideaseasilyashehadwonhistchinof“collegiate，secretary。”

Thoughthebridegroomhadreceivedratherthantakentohimselfa，wife，anddidnotimagineforamomentthathewasinlove，hehad，noreasontoregretthechoicethatwasmadeforhim。Maria，Petrovnawasexactlysuitedbycharacterandeducationtobethe，wifeofamanlikeIvanIvan’itch。Shehadgrownupathomeinthe，societyofnursesandservant-maids，andhadneverlearnedanything，morethancouldbeobtainedfromtheparishpriestandfrom，“Ma’mselle，“apersonageoccupyingapositionmidwaybetweena，servant-maidandagoverness。Thefirsteventsofherlifewere，theannouncementthatshewastobemarriedandthepreparations，forthewedding。Shestillremembersthedelightwhichthe，purchaseofhertrousseauaffordedher，andkeepsinhermemorya，fullcatalogueofthearticlesbought。Thefirstyearsofher，marriedlifewerenotveryhappy，forshewastreatedbyher，mother-in-lawasanaughtychildwhorequiredtobefrequently，snubbedandlectured;butsheborethedisciplinewithexemplary，patience，andinduetimebecameherownmistressandautocratic，rulerinalldomesticaffairs。Fromthattimeshehaslivedan，active，uneventfullife。Betweenherandherhusbandthereisas，muchmutualattachmentascanreasonablybeexpectedinphlegmatic，naturesafterhalfacenturyofmatrimony。Shehasalwaysdevoted，herenergiestosatisfyinghissimplematerialwants——of，intellectualwantshehasnone——andsecuringhiscomfortinevery，possibleway。Underthisfosteringcarehe“effeminatedhimself“

(obabilsya)，asheiswonttosay。Hisloveofshootingdiedout，hecaredlessandlesstovisithisneighbours，andeachsuccessive，yearhespentmoreandmoretimeinhiscomfortablearm-chair。

Thedailylifeofthisworthycoupleissingularlyregularand，monotonous，varyingonlywiththechangingseasons。InsummerIvan，Ivan’itchgetsupaboutseveno’clock，andputson，withthe，assistanceofhisvaletdechambre，asimplecostume，consisting，chieflyofafaded，plentifullystaineddressing-gown。Having，nothingparticulartodo，hesitsdownattheopenwindowandlooks，intotheyard。Astheservantspasshestopsandquestionsthem，andthengivesthemorders，orscoldsthem，ascircumstances，demand。Towardsnineo’clockteaisannounced，andhegoesinto，thedining-room——along，narrowapartmentwithbarewoodenfloor，andnofurniturebutatableandchairs，allinamoreorless，ricketycondition。Herehefindshiswifewiththetea-urnbefore，her。Inafewminutesthegrandchildrencomein，kisstheir，grandpapa’shand，andtaketheirplacesroundthetable。Asthis，morningmealconsistsmerelyofbreadandtea，itdoesnotlast，long;andalldispersetotheirseveraloccupations。Theheadof，thehousebeginsthelaboursofthedaybyresuminghisseatatthe，openwindow。Whenhehassmokedsomecigarettesandindulgedina，proportionateamountofsilentcontemplation，hegoesoutwiththe，intentionofvisitingthestablesandfarmyard，butgenerally，beforehehascrossedthecourthefindstheheatunbearable，and，returnstohisformerpositionbytheopenwindow。Herehesits，tranquillytillthesunhassofarmovedroundthattheverandahat，thebackofthehouseiscompletelyintheshade，whenhehashis，arm-chairremovedthither，andsitstheretilldinner-time。

MariaPetrovnaspendshermorninginamoreactiveway。Assoonas，thebreakfasttablehasbeenclearedshegoestothelarder，takes，stockoftheprovisions，arrangesthemenudujour，andgivesto，thecookthenecessarymaterials，withdetailedinstructionsasto，howtheyaretobeprepared。Therestofthemorningshedevotes，toherotherhouseholdduties。

Towardsoneo’clockdinnerisannounced，andIvanIvan’itch，prepareshisappetitebyswallowingatagulpawineglassfulof，home-madebitters。Dinneristhegreateventoftheday。Thefood，isabundantandofgoodquality，butmushrooms，onions，andfat，playarathertooimportantpartintherepast，andthewholeis，preparedwithverylittleattentiontotherecognisedprinciplesof，culinaryhygiene。Manyofthedishes，indeed，wouldmakeaBritish，valetudinarianstandaghast，buttheyseemtoproducenobadeffect，onthoseRussianorganismswhichhaveneverbeenweakenedbytown，life，nervousexcitement，orintellectualexertion。

Nosoonerhasthelastdishbeenremovedthanadeathlikestillness，fallsuponthehouse：itisthetimeoftheafter-dinnersiesta。

Theyoungfolksgointothegarden，andalltheothermembersof，thehouseholdgivewaytothedrowsinessnaturallyengenderedbya，heavymealonahotsummerday。IvanIvan’itchretirestohisown，room，fromwhichtheflieshavebeencarefullyexpelled。Maria，Petrovnadozesinanarm-chairinthesitting-room，withapocket-

handkerchiefspreadoverherface。Theservantssnoreinthe，corridors，thegarret，orthehay-shed;andeventheoldwatch-dog，inthecorneroftheyardstretcheshimselfoutatfulllengthon，theshadysideofhiskennel。

Inabouttwohoursthehousegraduallyre-awakens。Doorsbeginto，creak;thenamesofvariousservantsarebawledoutinalltones，frombasstofalsetto;andfootstepsareheardintheyard。Soona，man-servantissuesfromthekitchenbearinganenormoustea-urn，whichpuffslikealittlesteam-engine。Thefamilyassemblesfor，tea。InRussia，aselsewhere，sleepafteraheavymealproduces，thirst，sothattheteaandotherbeveragesareveryacceptable。

Thensomelittledelicaciesareserved——suchasfruitandwild，berries，orcucumberswithhoney，orsomethingelseofthekind，andthefamilyagaindisperses。IvanIvan’itchtakesaturninthe，fieldsonhisbegovuiyadroshki——anextremelylightvehicle，composedoftwopairsofwheelsjoinedtogetherbyasingleboard，onwhichthedriversitsstride-legged;andMariaPetrovnaprobably，receivesavisitfromthePopadya(thepriest’swife)，whoisthe，chiefgossipmongeroftheneighbourhood。Thereisnotmuchscandal，inthedistrict，butwhatlittlethereisthePopadyacarefully，collects，anddistributesamongheracquaintanceswith，undiscriminatinggenerosity。

Intheeveningitoftenhappensthatalittlegroupofpeasants，comeintothecourt，andasktoseethe“master。”，Themastergoes，tothedoor，andgenerallyfindsthattheyhavesomefavourto，request。Inreplytohisquestion，“Well，children，whatdoyou，want？”theytelltheirstoryinaconfused，ramblingway，several，ofthemspeakingatatime，andhehastoquestionandcross-

questionthembeforehecomestounderstandclearlywhatthey，desire。Ifhetellsthemhecannotgrantit，theyprobablydonot，acceptafirstrefusal，butendeavourbymeansofsupplicationto，makehimreconsiderhisdecision。Steppingforwardalittle，and，bowinglow，oneofthegroupbeginsinahalf-respectful，half-

familiar，caressingtone：“LittleFather，IvanIvan’itch，be，gracious;youareourfather，andweareyourchildren“——andsoon。

IvanIvan’itchgood-naturedlylistens，andagainexplainsthathe，cannotgrantwhattheyask;buttheyhavestillhopesofgaining，theirpointbyentreaty，andcontinuetheirsupplicationstillat，lasthispatienceisexhaustedandhesaystotheminapaternal，tone，“Now，enough！enough！youareblockheads——blockheadsall，round！，There’snousetalking;itcan’tbedone。”，Andwiththese，wordsheentersthehouse，soastopreventallfurtherdiscussion。

Aregularpartoftheevening’soccupationistheinterviewwith，thesteward。Theworkthathasjustbeendone，andtheprogramme，forthemorrow，arealwaysdiscussedatgreatlength;andmuchtime，isspentinspeculatingastotheweatherduringthenextfewdays。

Onthislatterpointthecalendarisalwayscarefullyconsulted，andgreatconfidenceisplacedinitspredictions，thoughpast，experiencehasoftenshownthattheyarenottobeimplicitly，trusted。Theconversationdragsontillsupperisannounced，and，immediatelyafterthatmeal，whichisanabridgedrepetitionof，dinner，allretireforthenight。

ThuspassthedaysandweeksandmonthsinthehouseofIvan，Ivan’itch，andrarelyisthereanydeviationfromtheordinary，programme。Theclimatenecessitates，ofcourse，someslight，modifications。Whenitiscold，thedoorsandwindowshavetobe，keptshut，andafterheavyrainsthosewhodonotliketowadein，mudhavetoremaininthehouseorgarden。Inthelongwinter，eveningsthefamilyassemblesinthesitting-room，andallkill，timeasbesttheycan。IvanIvan’itchsmokesandmeditatesor，listenstothebarrel-organplayedbyoneofthechildren。Maria，Petrovnaknitsastocking。Theoldaunt，whocommonlyspendsthe，winterwiththem，playsPatience，andsometimesdrawsfromthegame，conclusionsastothefuture。Herfavouritepredictionsarethata，strangerwillarrive，orthatamarriagewilltakeplace，andshe，candeterminethesexofthestrangerandthecolourofthe，bridegroom’shair;butbeyondthisherartdoesnotgo，andshe，cannotsatisfytheyoungladies’curiosityastofurtherdetails。

Booksandnewspapersarerarelyseeninthesitting-room，butfor，thosewhowishtoreadthereisabook-casefullofmiscellaneous，literature，whichgivessomeideaoftheliterarytastesofthe，familyduringseveralgenerations。Theoldestvolumeswerebought，byIvanIvan’itch’sgrandfather——amanwho，accordingtothefamily，traditions，enjoyedtheconfidenceofthegreatCatherine。Though，whollyoverlookedbyrecenthistorians，hewasevidentlyamanwho，hadsomepretensionstoculture。Hehadhisportraitpaintedbya，foreignartistofconsiderabletalent——itstillhangsinthe，sitting-room——andheboughtseveralpiecesofSevresware，thelast，ofwhichstandsonacommodeinthecornerandcontrastsstrangely，withtherudehome-madefurnitureandsqualidappearanceofthe，apartment。Amongthebookswhichbearhisnamearethetragedies，ofSumarokof，whoimaginedhimselftobe“theRussianVoltaire“;

theamusingcomediesofVon-Wisin，someofwhichstillkeepthe，stage;theloud-soundingodesofthecourtlyDerzhavin;twoor，threebookscontainingthemysticwisdomofFreemasonryas，interpretedbySchwarzandNovikoff;Russiantranslationsof，Richardson’s“Pamela，““SirCharlesGrandison，“and“Clarissa，Harlowe“;Rousseau’s“NouvelleHeloise，“inRussiangarb;andthree，orfourvolumesofVoltaireintheoriginal。Amongtheworks，collectedatasomewhatlaterperiodaretranslationsofAnn，Radcliffe，ofScott’searlynovels，andofDucrayDumenil，whose，stories，“LolotteetFanfan“and“Victor，“onceenjoyedagreat，reputation。Atthispointtheliterarytastesofthefamilyappear，tohavediedout，forthesucceedingliteratureisrepresented，exclusivelybyKryloff’sFables，afarmer’smanual，ahandbookof，familymedicine，andaseriesofcalendars。Thereare，however，somesignsofarevival，foronthelowestshelfstandrecent，editionsofPushkin，Lermontof，andGogol，andafewworksby，livingauthors。

Sometimesthemonotonyofthewinterisbrokenbyvisiting，neighboursandreceivingvisitorsinreturn，orinamoredecided，waybyavisitofafewdaystothecapitaloftheprovince。In，thelattercaseMariaPetrovnaspendsnearlyallhertimein，shopping，andbringshomealargecollectionofmiscellaneous，articles。Theinspectionofthesebytheassembledfamilyformsan，importantdomesticevent，whichcompletelythrowsintotheshade，theoccasionalvisitsofpeddlersandcolporteurs。Thenthereare，thefestivitiesatChristmasandEaster，andoccasionallylittle，incidentsoflessagreeablekind。Itmaybethatthereisaheavy，fallofsnow，sothatitisnecessarytocutroadstothekitchen，andstables;orwolvesenterthecourtyardatnightandhavea，fightwiththewatch-dogs;orthenewsisbroughtthatapeasant，whohadbeendrinkinginaneighbouringvillagehasbeenfound，frozentodeathontheroad。

Altogetherthefamilyliveaveryisolatedlife，buttheyhaveone，bondofconnectionwiththegreatouterworld。Twoofthesonsare，officersinthearmyandbothofthemwritehomeoccasionallyto，theirmotherandsisters。Tothesetwoyouthsisdevotedallthe，littlestockofsentimentalitywhichMariaPetrovnapossesses。She，cantalkofthembythehourtoanyonewhowilllistentoher，and，hasrelatedtothePopadyaahundredtimeseverytrivialincident，oftheirlives。Thoughtheyhavenevergivenhermuchcausefor，anxiety，andtheyarenowmenofmiddleage，shelivesinconstant，fearthatsomeevilmaybefallthem。Whatshemostfearsisthat，theymaybesentonacampaignormayfallinlovewithactresses。

Warandactressesare，infact，thetwobug-bearsofherexistence，andwhenevershehasadisquietingdreamsheasksthepriestto，offerupamolebenforthesafetyofherabsentones。Sometimes，sheventurestoexpressheranxietytoherhusband，andrecommends，himtowritetothem;butheconsiderswritingaletteravery，seriousbitofwork，andalwaysrepliesevasively，“Well，well，we，mustthinkaboutit。”

DuringtheCrimeanWarIvanIvan’itchhalfawokefromhishabitual，lethargy，andreadoccasionallythemeagreofficialreports，publishedbytheGovernment。Hewasalittlesurprisedthatno，greatvictorieswerereported，andthatthearmydidnotatonce，advanceonConstantinople。Astocausesheneverspeculated。Some，ofhisneighbourstoldhimthatthearmywasdisorganised，andthe，wholesystemofNicholashadbeenprovedtobeutterlyworthless。

Thatmightallbeverytrue，buthedidnotunderstandmilitaryand，politicalmatters。Nodoubtitwouldallcomerightintheend。

Alldidcomeright，afterafashion，andheagaingaveupreading，newspapers;buterelonghewasstartledbyreportsmuchmore，alarmingthananyrumoursofwar。Peoplebegantotalkaboutthe，peasantquestion，andtosayopenlythattheserfsmustsoonbe，emancipated。ForonceinhislifeIvanIvan’itchasked，explanations。Findingoneofhisneighbours，whohadalwaysbeena，respectable，sensibleman，andaseveredisciplinarian，talkingin，thisway，hetookhimasideandaskedwhatitallmeant。The，neighbourexplainedthattheoldorderofthingshadshownitself，bankruptandwasdoomed，thatanewepochwasopening，that，everythingwastobereformed，andthattheEmperor，inaccordance，withasecretclauseoftheTreatywiththeAllies，wasaboutto，grantaConstitution！，IvanIvan’itchlistenedforalittlein，silence，andthen，withagestureofimpatience，interruptedthe，speaker：“Polnoduratchitsya！enoughoffunandtomfoolery。

VassiliPetrovitch，tellmeseriouslywhatyoumean。”

WhenVassiliPetrovitchvowedthathespokeinallseriousness，his，friendgazedathimwithalookofintensecompassion，and，remarked，asheturnedaway，“Soyou，too，havegoneoutofyour，mind！”

TheutterancesofVassiliPetrovitch，whichhislethargic，sober-

mindedfriendregardedasindicatingtemporaryinsanityinthe，speaker，representedfairlythementalconditionofverymany，Russiannoblesatthattime，andwerenotwithoutacertain，foundation。TheideaaboutasecretclauseintheTreatyofParis，waspurelyimaginary，butitwasquitetruethatthecountrywas，enteringonanepochofgreatreforms，amongwhichtheEmancipation，questionoccupiedthechiefplace。OfthiseventhescepticalIvan，Ivan’itchwassoonconvinced。TheEmperorformallydeclaredtothe，NoblesseoftheprovinceofMoscowthattheactualstateofthings，couldnotcontinueforever，andcalledonthelandedproprietorsto，considerbywhatmeanstheconditionoftheirserfsmightbe，ameliorated。Provincialcommitteeswereformedforthepurposeof，preparingdefiniteprojects，andgraduallyitbecameapparentthat，theemancipationoftheserfswasreallyathand。

IvanIvan’itchwasalarmedattheprospectoflosinghisauthority，overhisserfs。Thoughhehadneverbeenacrueltaskmaster，he，hadnotsparedtherodwhenheconsidereditnecessary，andhe，believedbirchtwigstobeanecessaryinstrumentintheRussian，systemofagriculture。Forsometimehedrewconsolationfromthe，thoughtthatpeasantswerenotbirdsoftheair，thattheymust，underallcircumstancesrequirefoodandclothing，andthatthey，wouldbereadytoservehimasagriculturallabourers;butwhenhe，learnedthattheyweretoreceivealargepartoftheestatefor，theirownuse，hishopesfell，andhegreatlyfearedthathewould，beinevitablyruined。

Thesedarkforebodingshavenotbeenbyanymeansrealised。His，serfswereemancipatedandreceivedaboutahalfoftheestate，but，inreturnforthelandcededtheypaidhimannuallyaconsiderable，sum，andtheywerealwaysreadytocultivatehisfieldsforafair，remuneration。Theyearlyoutlaywasconsiderablygreater，butthe，priceofgrainrose，andthiscounterbalancedtheadditionalyearly，expenditure。Theadministrationoftheestatehasbecomemuchless，patriarchal;muchthatwasformerlylefttocustomandtacit，understandingisnowregulatedbyexpressagreementonpurely，commercialprinciples;agreatdealmoremoneyispaidoutanda，greatdealmorereceived;thereismuchlessauthorityinthehands，ofthemaster，andhisresponsibilitiesareproportionately，diminished;butinspiteofallthesechanges，IvanIvan’itchwould，havegreatdifficultyindecidingwhetherheisaricherora，poorerman。Hehasfewerhorsesandfewerservants，buthehas，stillmorethanherequires，andhismodeoflifehasundergoneno，perceptiblealteration。MariaPetrovnacomplainsthatsheisno，longersuppliedwitheggs，chickens，andhomespunlinenbythe，peasants，andthateverythingisthreetimesasdearasitusedto，be;butsomehowthelarderisstillfull，andabundancereignsin，thehouseasofold。

IvanIvan’itchcertainlydoesnotpossesstranscendentqualitiesof，anykind。Itwouldbeimpossibletomakeaherooutofhim，even，thoughhisownsonshouldbehisbiographer。MuscularChristians，mayreasonablydespisehim，anactive，energeticmanmayfairly，condemnhimforhisindolenceandapathy。But，ontheotherhand，hehasnoverybadqualities。Hisvicesareofthepassive，negativekind。Heisarespectableifnotadistinguishedmember，ofsociety，andappearsaveryworthymanwhencomparedwithmany，ofhisneighbourswhohavebeenbroughtupinsimilarconditions。

Take，forinstance，hisyoungerbrotherDimitri，wholivesashort，wayoff。

DimitriIvanovitch，likehisbrotherIvan，hadbeenendowedby，naturewithaverydecidedrepugnancetoprolongedintellectual，exertion，butashewasamanofgoodpartshedidnotfeara，Junker’sexamination——especiallywhenhecouldcountonthe，colonel’sprotection——andaccordinglyenteredthearmy。Inhis，regimentwereanumberofjovialyoungofficerslikehimself，alwaysreadytorelievethemonotonyofgarrisonlifebyboisterous，dissipation，andamongtheseheeasilyacquiredthereputationof，beingathoroughlygoodfellow。Indrinkingboutshecouldhold，hisownwiththebestofthem，andinallmadpranksinvariably，playedthechiefpart。Bythismeansheendearedhimselftohis，comrades，andforatimeallwentwell。Thecolonelhadhimself，sownwildoatsplentifullyinhisyouth，andwasquitedisposedto，overlook，asfaraspossible，thebacchanalianpeccadilloesofhis，subordinates。Butbeforemanyyearshadpassed，theregiment，suddenlychangeditscharacter。Certainrumourshadreached，headquarters，andtheEmperorNicholasappointedascolonelastern，disciplinarianofGermanorigin，whoaimedatmakingtheregimenta，kindofmachinethatshouldworkwiththeaccuracyofa，chronometer。

ThischangedidnotatallsuitthetastesofDimitriIvan’itch。

Hechafedunderthenewrestraints，andassoonashehadgained，therankoflieutenantretiredfromtheservicetoenjoythe，freedomofcountrylife。Shortlyafterwardshisfatherdied，and，hetherebybecameownerofanestate，withtwohundredserfs。He，didnot，likehiselderbrother，marry，and“effeminatehimself，“

buthedidworse。Inhislittleindependentkingdom——forsuchwas，practicallyaRussianestateinthegoodoldtimes——hewaslordof，allhesurveyed，andgavefullscopetohisboisteroushumour，his，passionforsport，andhisloveofdrinkinganddissipation。Many，ofthemadpranksinwhichheindulgedwilllongbepreservedby，populartradition，buttheycannotwellberelatedhere。

DimitriIvan’itchisnowamanlongpastmiddleage，andstill，continueshiswild，dissipatedlife。Hishouseresemblesanill-

kept，disreputabletavern。Thefloorisfilthy，thefurniture，chippedandbroken，theservantsindolent，slovenly，andinrags。

Dogsofallbreedsandsizesroamabouttheroomsandcorridors。

Themaster，whennotasleep，isalwaysinamoreorlesscomplete，stateofintoxication。Generallyhehasoneortwoguestsstaying，withhim——menofthesametypeashimself——anddaysandnightsare，spentindrinkingandcard-playing。Whenhecannothavehisusual，boon-companionshesendsforoneortwosmallproprietorswholive，near——menwhoarelegallynobles，butwhoaresopoorthatthey，differlittlefrompeasants。Formerly，whenordinaryresources，failed，heoccasionallyhadrecoursetotheviolentexpedientof，orderinghisservantstostopthefirstpassingtravellers，whoever，theymightbe，andbringtheminbypersuasionorforce，as，circumstancesmightdemand。Ifthetravellersrefusedtoaccept，suchrough，undesiredhospitality，awheelwouldbetakenofftheir，tarantass，orsomeindispensablepartoftheharnesswouldbe，secreted，andtheymightconsiderthemselvesfortunateifthey，succeededingettingawaynextmorning。*

*Thiscustomhasfortunatelygoneoutoffashioneveninoutlying，districts，butanincidentofthekindhappenedtoafriendofmine，aslateas1871。Hewasdetainedagainsthiswillfortwowhole，daysbyamanwhomhehadneverseenbefore，andatlasteffected，hisescapebybribingtheservantsofhistyrannicalhost。

Inthetimeofserfagethedomesticserfshadmuchtobearfrom，theircapricious，violentmaster。Theylivedinanatmosphereof，abusivelanguage，andweresubjectednotunfrequentlytocorporal，punishment。Worsethanthis，theirmasterwasconstantly，threateningto“shavetheirforehead“——thatistosay，togivethem，asrecruits——andoccasionallyheputhisthreatintoexecution，in，spiteofthewailingsandentreatiesoftheculpritandhis，relations。Andyet，strangetosay，nearlyallofthemremained，withhimasfreeservantsaftertheEmancipation。

InjusticetotheRussianlandedproprietors，Imustsaythatthe，classrepresentedbyDimitriIvan’itchhasnowalmostdisappeared。

Itwasthenaturalresultofserfageandsocialstagnation——ofa，stateofsocietyinwhichtherewerefewlegalandmoral，restraints，andfewinducementstohonourableactivity。

Amongtheotherlandedproprietorsofthedistrict，oneofthebest，knownisNicolaiPetrovitchB——，anoldmilitarymanwiththe，rankofgeneral。LikeIvanIvan’itch，hebelongstotheold，school;butthetwomenmustbecontrastedratherthancompared。

Thedifferenceintheirlivesandcharactersisreflectedintheir，outwardappearance。IvanIvan’itch，asweknow，isportlyinform，andheavyinallhismovements，andlovestolollinhisarm-chair，ortoloafaboutthehouseinacapaciousdressing-gown。The，General，onthecontrary，isthin，wiry，andmuscular，wears，habituallyaclose-buttonedmilitarytunic，andalwayshasastern，expression，theforceofwhichisconsiderablyaugmentedbya，bristlymoustacheresemblingashoe-brush。Ashepacesupanddown，theroom，knittinghisbrowsandgazingatthefloor，helooksas，ifhewereformingcombinationsofthefirstmagnitude;butthose，whoknowhimwellareawarethatthisisanopticaldelusion，of，whichheishimselftosomeextentavictim。Heisquiteinnocent，ofdeepthoughtandconcentratedintellectualeffort。Thoughhe，frownssofiercelyheisbynomeansofanaturallyferocious，temperament。Hadhepassedallhislifeinthecountryhewould，probablyhavebeenasgood-naturedandphlegmaticasIvanIvan’itch，himself，but，unlikethatworshipperoftranquillity，hehad，aspiredtoriseintheservice，andhadadoptedthestern，formal，bearingwhichtheEmperorNicholasconsideredindispensableinan，officer。Themannerwhichhehadatfirstputonaspartofhis，uniformbecamebytheforceofhabitalmostapartofhisnature，andattheageofthirtyhewasasterndisciplinarianand，uncompromisingformalist，whoconfinedhisattentionexclusivelyto，drillandothermilitaryduties。Thusherosesteadilybyhisown，merit，andreachedthegoalofhisearlyambition——therankof，general。

Assoonasthispointwasreachedhedeterminedtoleavethe，serviceandretiretohisproperty。Manyconsiderationsurgedhim，totakethisstep。HeenjoyedthetitleofExcellencywhichhehad，longcoveted，andwhenheputonhisfulluniformhisbreastwas，bespangledwithmedalsanddecorations。Sincethedeathofhis，fathertherevenuesofhisestatehadbeensteadilydecreasing，and，reportsaidthatthebestwoodinhisforestwasrapidly，disappearing。Hiswifehadnoloveforthecountry，andwouldhave，preferredtosettleinMoscoworSt。Petersburg，buttheyfound，thatwiththeirsmallincometheycouldnotliveinalargetownin，astylesuitabletotheirrank。

TheGeneraldeterminedtointroduceorderintohisestate，and，becomeapracticalfarmer;butalittleexperienceconvincedhim，thathisnewfunctionsweremuchmoredifficultthanthecommanding，ofaregiment。Hehaslongsincegivenoverthepractical，managementofthepropertytoasteward，andhecontentshimself，withexercisingwhatheimaginestobeanefficientcontrol。

Thoughhewishestodomuch，hefindssmallscopeforhisactivity，andspendshisdaysinprettymuchthesamewayasIvanIvan’itch，withthisdifference，thatheplayscardswheneverhegetsan，opportunity，andreadsregularlytheMoscowGazetteandRusski，Invalid，theofficialmilitarypaper。Whatspeciallyinterestshim，isthelistofpromotions，retirements，andImperialrewardsfor，meritandseniority。Whenheseestheannouncementthatsomeold，comradehasbeenmadeanofficerofhisMajesty’ssuiteorhas，receivedagrandcordon，hefrownsalittlemorethanusual，andis，temptedtoregretthatheretiredfromtheservice。Hadhewaited，patiently，perhapsabitofgoodfortunemighthavefallenlikewise，tohislot。Thisideatakespossessionofhim，andduringthe，remainderofthedayheistaciturnandmorose。Hiswifenotices，thechange，andknowsthereasonofit，buthastoomuchgoodsense，andtacttomakeanyallusiontothesubject。

AnnaAlexandrovna——asthegoodladyiscalled——isanelderlydame，whodoesnotatallresemblethewifeofIvanIvan’itch。Shewas，longaccustomedtoanumerousmilitarysociety，withdinner-

parties，dancing，promenades，card-playing，andalltheother，amusementsofgarrisonlife，andshenevercontractedatastefor，domesticconcerns。Herknowledgeofculinaryaffairsisextremely，vague，andshehasnoideaofhowtomakepreserves，nalivka，and，otherhome-madedelicacies，thoughMariaPetrovna，whois，universallyacknowledgedtobeagreatadeptinsuchmatters，has，proposedahundredtimestogivehersomechoicerecipes。In，short，domesticaffairsareaburdentoher，andsheentruststhem，asfaraspossibletothehousekeeper。Altogethershefinds，countrylifeverytiresome，but，possessingthatplacid，philosophicaltemperamentwhichseemstohavesomecasual，connectionwithcorpulence，shesubmitswithoutmurmuring，and，triestolightenalittletheunavoidablemonotonybypayingvisits，andreceivingvisitors。Theneighbourswithinaradiusoftwenty，milesare，withfewexceptions，moreorlessoftheIvanIvan’itch，andMariaPetrovnatype——decidedlyrusticintheirmannersand，conceptions;buttheircompanyisbetterthanabsolutesolitude，andtheyhaveatleastthegoodqualityofbeingalwaysableand，willingtoplaycardsforanynumberofhours。Besidesthis，Anna，Alexandrovnahasthesatisfactionoffeelingthatamongstthemshe，isalmostagreatpersonage，andunquestionablyanauthorityinall，mattersoftasteandfashion;andshefeelsspeciallywelldisposed，towardsthoseofthemwhofrequentlyaddressheras“Your，Excellency。”

Thechieffestivitiestakeplaceonthe“name-days“oftheGeneral，andhisspouse——thatistosay，thedayssacredtoSt。Nicholasand，St。Anna。Ontheseoccasionsalltheneighbourscometooffer，theircongratulations，andremaintodinnerasamatterofcourse。

Afterdinnertheoldervisitorssitdowntocards，andtheyoung，peopleextemporiseadance。Thefeteisspeciallysuccessfulwhen，theeldestsoncomeshometotakepartinit，andbringsabrother，officerwithhim。Heisnowagenerallikehisfather。*，Indays，gonebyoneofhiscomradeswasexpectedtoofferhishandtoOlga，Nekola’vna，theseconddaughter，adelicateyoungladywhohadbeen，educatedinoneofthegreatInstituts——giganticboarding-schools，foundedandkeptupbytheGovernment，forthedaughtersofthose，whoaresupposedtohavedeservedwelloftheircountry。

Unfortunatelytheexpectedofferwasnevermade，andsheandher，sisterliveathomeasoldmaids，bewailingtheabsenceof，“civilised“society，andkillingtimeinaharmless，elegantwayby，meansofmusic，needlework，andlightliterature。

*GeneralsaremuchmorecommoninRussiathaninothercountries。

AfewyearsagotherewasanoldladyinMoscowwhohadafamilyof，tensons，allofwhomweregenerals！，Therankmaybeobtainedin，thecivilaswellasthemilitaryservice。

Atthese“name-day“gatheringsoneusedtomeetstillmore，interestingspecimensoftheoldschool。OneofthemIremember，particularly。Hewasatall，corpulentoldman，inathreadbare，frock-coat，whichwrinkledupabouthiswaist。Hisshaggyeyebrows，almostcoveredhissmall，dulleyes，hisheavymoustachepartially，concealedalargemouthstronglyindicatingsensuoustendencies。

Hishairwascutsoshortthatitwasdifficulttosaywhatits，colourwouldbeifitwereallowedtogrow。Healwaysarrivedin，histarantassjustintimeforthezakuska——theappetising，collationthatisservedshortlybeforedinner——gruntedoutafew，congratulationstothehostandhostessandmonosyllabicgreetings，tohisacquaintances，ateacopiousmeal，andimmediately，afterwardsplacedhimselfatacard-table，wherehesatinsilence，aslongashecouldgetanyonetoplaywithhim。Peopledidnot，like，however，toplaywithAndreiVassil’itch，forhissocietywas，notagreeable，andhealwayscontrivedtogohomewithawell-

filledpurse。

AndreiVassil’itchwasanotedmanintheneighbourhood。Hewas，thecentreofawholecycleoflegends，andIhaveoftenheardthat，hisnamewasusedwitheffectbynursestofrightennaughty，children。Inevermissedanopportunityofmeetinghim，forIwas，curioustoseeandstudyalegendarymonsterintheflesh。Howfar，thenumerousstoriestoldabouthimweretrueIcannotpretendto，say，buttheywerecertainlynotwithoutfoundation。Inhisyouth，hehadservedforsometimeinthearmy，andwascelebrated，even，inanagewhenmartinetshadalwaysagoodchanceofpromotion，for，hisbrutalitytohissubordinates。Hiscareerwascutshort，however，whenhehadonlytherankofcaptain。Havingcompromised，himselfinsomeway，hefounditadvisabletosendinhis，resignationandretiretohisestate。Hereheorganisedhishouse，onMahometanratherthanChristianprinciples，andruledhis，servantsandpeasantsashehadbeenaccustomedtorulehis，soldiers——usingcorporalpunishmentinmercilessfashion。Hiswife，didnotventuretoprotestagainsttheMahometanarrangements，and，anypeasantwhostoodinthewayoftheirrealisationwasatonce，givenasarecruit，ortransportedtoSiberia，inaccordancewith，hismaster’sdemand。*，Atlasthistyrannyandextortiondrovehis，serfstorevolt。Onenighthishousewassurroundedandseton，fire，buthecontrivedtoescapethefatethatwaspreparedfor，him，andcausedallwhohadtakenpartintherevolttobe，mercilesslypunished。Thiswasaseverelesson，butithadno，effectuponhim。Takingprecautionsagainstasimilarsurprise，he，continuedtotyranniseandextortasbefore，untilin1861the，serfswereemancipated，andhisauthoritycametoanend。

*Whenaproprietorconsideredanyofhisserfsunrulyhecould，accordingtolaw，havethemtransportedtoSiberiawithouttrial，onconditionofpayingtheexpensesoftransport。Arrivedattheir，destination，theyreceivedland，andlivedasfreecolonists，with，thesinglerestrictionthattheywerenotallowedtoleavethe，localitywheretheysettled。

AverydifferentsortofmanwasPavelTrophim’itch，wholikewise，cameregularlytopayhisrespectsandpresenthiscongratulations，totheGeneraland“Gheneralsha。”*，Itwaspleasanttoturnfrom，thehard，wrinkled，morosefeaturesofthelegendarymonstertothe，soft，smooth，jovialfaceofthisman，whohadbeenaccustomedto，lookatthebrightsideofthings，tillhisfacehadcaught，somethingoftheirbrightness。”Agood，jovial，honestface！”a，strangermightexclaimashelookedathim。Knowingsomethingof，hischaracterandhistory，Icouldnotendorsesuchanopinion。

Jovialhecertainlywas，forfewmenweremorecapableofmaking，andenjoyingmirth。Goodhemighthealsocalled，ifthewordwere，takeninthesenseofgood-natured，forhenevertookoffence，and，wasalwaysreadytodoakindlyactionifitdidnotcosthimany，trouble。Butastohishonesty，thatrequiredsomequalification。

Whollyuntarnishedhisreputationcertainlycouldnotbe，forhe，hadbeenajudgeintheDistrictCourtbeforethetimeofthe，judicialreforms;and，notbeingaCato，hehadsuccumbedtothe，usualtemptations。Hehadneverstudiedlaw，andmadeno，pretensionstothepossessionofgreatlegalknowledge。Toallwho，wouldlistentohimhedeclaredopenlythatheknewmuchmoreabout，pointersandsettersthanaboutlegalformalities。Buthisestate，wasverysmall，andhecouldnotaffordtogiveuphisappointment。

*ThefemaleformofthewordGeneral。

OftheseunreformedCourts，whicharehappilyamongthethingsof，thepast，Ishallhaveoccasiontospeakinthesequel。Forthe，presentIwishmerelytosaythattheywerethoroughlycorrupt，and，IhastentoaddthatPavelTrophim’itchwasbynomeansajudgeof，theworstkind。Hehadbeenknowntoprotectwidowsandorphans，againstthosewhowishedtodespoilthem，andnoamountofmoney，wouldinducehimtogiveanunjustdecisionagainstafriendwho，hadprivatelyexplainedthecasetohim;butwhenheknewnothing，ofthecaseorofthepartieshereadilysignedthedecision，preparedbythesecretary，andquietlypocketedtheproceeds，withoutfeelinganyverydisagreeabletwingesofconscience。All，judges，heknew，didlikewise，andhehadnopretensiontobeing，betterthanhisfellows。

WhenPavelTrophim’itchplayedcardsattheGeneral’shouseor，elsewhere，asmall，awkward，clean-shavenman，withdarkeyesanda，Tartarcastofcountenance，mightgenerallybeseensittingatthe，sametable。HisnamewasAlexeiPetrovitchT。Whetherhe，reallyhadanyTartarbloodinhimitisimpossibletosay，but，certainlyhisancestorsforoneortwogenerationswereallgood，orthodoxChristians。Hisfatherhadbeenapoormilitarysurgeon，inamarchingregiment，andhehimselfhadbecomeatanearlyagea，scribeinoneofthebureauxofthedistricttown。Hewasthen，verypoor，andhadgreatdifficultyinsupportinglifeonthe，miserablepittancewhichhereceivedasasalary;buthewasa，sharp，cleveryouth，andsoondiscoveredthatevenascribehada，greatmanyopportunitiesofextortingmoneyfromtheignorant，public。

TheseopportunitiesAlexeiPetrovitchusedwithgreatability，and，becameknownasoneofthemostaccomplishedbribe-takers，(vzyatotchniki)inthedistrict。Hisposition，however，wasso，verysubordinatethathewouldneverhavebecomerichhadhenot，fallenuponaveryingeniousexpedientwhichcompletelysucceeded。

Hearingthatasmallproprietor，whohadanonlydaughter，hadcome，toliveinthetownforafewweeks，hetookaroomintheinn，wherethenewcomerslived，andwhenhehadmadetheiracquaintance，hefelldangerouslyill。Feelinghislasthoursapproaching，he，sentforapriest，confidedtohimthathehadamassedalarge，fortune，andrequestedthatawillshouldbedrawnup。Inthewill，hebequeathedlargesumstoallhisrelations，andaconsiderable，sumtotheparishchurch。Thewholeaffairwastobekeptasecret，tillafterhisdeath，buthisneighbour——theoldgentlemanwiththe，daughter——wascalledintoactasawitness。Whenallthishad，beendonehedidnotdie，butrapidlyrecovered，andnowinduced，theoldgentlemantowhomhehadconfidedhissecrettogranthim，hisdaughter’shand。Thedaughterhadnoobjectionstomarryaman，possessedofsuchwealth，andthemarriagewasdulycelebrated。

Shortlyafterthisthefatherdied——withoutdiscovering，itisto，behoped，thehoaxthathadbeenperpetrated——andAlexeiPetrovitch，becamevirtualpossessorofaverycomfortablelittleestate。With，thechangeinhisfortuneshecompletelychangedhisprinciples，or，atleasthispractice。Inallhisdealingshewasstrictlyhonest。

Helentmoney，itistrue，atfromtentofifteenpercent。but，thatwasconsideredinthesepartsnotaveryexorbitantrateof，interest，norwasheunnecessarilyharduponhisdebtors。

ItmayseemstrangethatanhonourablemanliketheGeneralshould，receiveinhishousesuchamotleycompany，comprisingmenof，decidedlytarnishedreputation;butinthisrespecthewasnotat，allpeculiar。OneconstantlymeetsinRussiansocietypersonswho，areknowntohavebeenguiltyofflagrantdishonesty，andwefind，thatmenwhoarethemselveshonourableenoughassociatewiththem，onfriendlyterms。Thissocialleniency，morallaxity，orwhatever，elseitmaybecalled，istheresultofvariouscauses。Several，concurrentinfluenceshavetendedtolowerthemoralstandardof，theNoblesse。Formerly，whenthenoblelivedonhisestate，he，couldplaywithimpunitythepettytyrant，andcouldfreelyindulge，hislegitimateandillegitimatecapriceswithoutanylegalormoral，restraint。Idonotatallmeantoassertthatallproprietors，abusedtheirauthority，butIventuretosaythatnoclassofmen，canlongpossesssuchenormousarbitrarypoweroverthosearound，themwithoutbeingtherebymoreorlessdemoralised。Whenthe，nobleenteredtheservicehehadnotthesameimmunityfrom，restraint——onthecontrary，hispositionresembledratherthatof，theserf——buthebreathedanatmosphereofpeculationandjobbery，littleconducivetomoralpurityanduprightness。Ifanofficial，hadrefusedtoassociatewiththosewhoweretaintedwiththe，prevailingvices，hewouldhavefoundhimselfcompletelyisolated，andwouldhavebeenridiculedasamodernDonQuixote。Addtothis，thatallclassesoftheRussianpeoplehaveacertainkindly，apatheticgood-naturewhichmakesthemverycharitabletowards，theirneighbours，andthattheydonotalwaysdistinguishbetween，forgivingprivateinjuryandexcusingpublicdelinquencies。Ifwe，bearallthisinmind，wemayreadilyunderstandthatinthetime，ofserfageandmaladministrationamancouldbeguiltyofvery，reprehensiblepractiseswithoutincurringsocialexcommunication。

Duringtheperiodofmoralawakening，aftertheCrimeanWarandthe，deathofNicholasI。societyrevelledinvirtuousindignation，againsttheprevailingabuses，andplacedonthepillorythemost，prominentdelinquents;buttheintensityofthemoralfeelinghas，declined，andsomethingoftheoldapathyhasreturned。Thismight，havebeenpredictedbyanyonewellacquaintedwiththecharacter，andpasthistoryoftheRussianpeople。Russiaadvancesonthe，roadofprogress，notinthatsmooth，gradual，prosaicwaytowhich，weareaccustomed，butbyaseriesofunconnected，franticefforts，eachofwhichisnaturallyfollowedbyaperiodoftemporary，exhaustion。

CHAPTERXXII

PROPRIETORSOFTHEMODERNSCHOOL

ARussianPetitMaitre——HisHouseandSurroundings——Abortive，AttemptstoImproveAgricultureandtheConditionoftheSerfs——A

Comparison——A“Liberal“Tchinovnik——HisIdeaofProgress——AJustice，ofthePeace——HisOpinionofRussianLiterature，Tchinovniks，and，PetitsMaitres——HisSupposedandRealCharacter——AnExtreme，Radical——DisordersintheUniversities——AdministrativeProcedure——

Russia’sCapacityforAccomplishingPoliticalandSocial，Evolutions——ACourtDignitaryinhisCountryHouse。

HithertoIhavepresentedtothereaderold-fashionedtypeswhich，werecommonenoughthirtyyearsago，whenIfirstresidedin，Russia，butwhicharerapidlydisappearing。Letmenowpresenta，fewofthemodernschool。

InthesamedistrictasIvanIvan’itchandtheGenerallivesVictor，Alexandr’itchL。Asweapproachhishousewecanatonce，perceivethathediffersfromthemajorityofhisneighbours。The，gateispaintedandmoveseasilyonitshinges，thefenceisin，goodrepair，theshortavenueleadinguptothefrontdooriswell，kept，andinthegardenwecanperceiveataglancethatmore，attentionispaidtoflowersthantovegetables。Thehouseisof，wood，andnotlarge，butithassomearchitecturalpretensionsin，theformofagreat，pseudo-Doricwoodenporticothatcoversthree-

fourthsofthefa鏰de。Intheinteriorweremarkeverywherethe，influenceofWesterncivilisation。VictorAlexandr’itchisbyno，meansricherthanIvanIvan’itch，buthisroomsaremuchmore，luxuriouslyfurnished。Thefurnitureisofalightermodel，more，comfortable，andinamuchbetterstateofpreservation。Instead，ofthebare，scantilyfurnishedsitting-room，withtheold-

fashionedbarrel-organwhichplayedonlysixairs，wefindan，elegantdrawing-room，withapianobyoneofthemostapproved，makers，andnumerousarticlesofforeignmanufacture，comprisinga，smallbuhltableandtwobitsofgenuineoldWedgwood。The，servantsareclean，anddressedinEuropeancostume。Themaster，too，isverydifferentinappearance。Hepaysgreatattentionto，histoilette，wearingadressing-gownonlyintheearlymorning，andafashionableloungingcoatduringtherestoftheday。The，Turkishpipeswhichhisgrandfatherlovedheholdsinabhorrence，andhabituallysmokescigarettes。Withhiswifeanddaughtershe，alwaysspeaksFrench，andcallsthembyFrenchorEnglishnames。

Butthepartofthehousewhichmoststrikinglyillustratesthe，differencebetweenoldandnewis“lecabinetdemonsieur。”，Inthe，cabinetofIvanIvan’itchthefurnitureconsistsofabroadsofa，whichservesasabed，afewdealchairs，andaclumsydealtable，onwhicharegenerallytobefoundabundleofgreasypapers，an，oldchippedink-bottle，apen，andacalendar。Thecabinetof，VictorAlexandr’itchhasanentirelydifferentappearance。Itis，small，butatoncecomfortableandelegant。Theprincipalobjects，whichitcontainsarealibrary-table，withink-stand，presse-

papier，paper-knives，andotherarticlesinkeeping，andinthe，oppositecorneralargebookcase。Thecollectionofbooksis，remarkable，notfromthenumberofvolumesorthepresenceofrare，editions，butfromthevarietyofthesubjects。History，art，fiction，thedrama，politicaleconomy，andagricultureare，representedinaboutequalproportions。Someoftheworksarein，Russian，othersinGerman，alargenumberinFrench，andafewin，Italian。Thecollectionillustratestheformerlifeandpresent，occupationsoftheowner。