Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-10
TurgenicG-s Young Days.

" Mhllc the VIKINGS OF 1urgcnleH, the
greatest SalyOnic writer Of our time. ere
becoming every year better known IN this
country, little or nothing OF his younger
days has hitherto been published. \ Rus
sian periodical, however. has recently pub
lished some details. which Turgcueih is
said to We communicated 10 friend on
his last visit TO Russia, which are full OF
interest. He seems to have been a pre-
cocious child, and often embarrassed his
mother by his unealled-ior remarks. after
Tie customary fashion OF the infant terri
bic. Once. when he was boy OF six years,
he was introduced TO an old Princess. who
was held in great reverence by Turgenieii's
mother. Her appearance was quaint. so
qusin., indeed, that The child, instead
Ol making the orthodox bow, called out sc
the top Of his voice. Why, you look eX-
actly hike n monkey" On another occasion
the poet DmitrieG paid visit to Turge-
niefi's home, and on seeing him the boy
looked at him for while. and then, 10 the
horror Ci his mother, sad: "Thy flbles
are good, but krl0G's are better" This
was sound criticism, OF course, but the
youthful critic received a bodily punish
ment the memory OF which returned to
Turgenieii whenever the name OF Dmi-
mother, however. only punished his bad
manners, not his criticism. for Of Dmi.
trieh's fables she thought g. little ~ OF the
rest Of modern Russian literature. She
died in 1850. without ever having read any
Of her sons works. For her PuShkin was
the last Russian author, and after him there
existed, in her opinion, no Russian litera-
ture.
II Turgenieff derived little advantage
from his mother, he docs not appear u
have been particularly indebted to bis
many tutors, Of whom his "reminiscences
are mostly humorous. His German teacher
subsequently developed into saddlef
without occupation, who entered Turge-
riCG's home accompanied hya Gagged crow.
and whom the servants rightly called
"tramp.' The Russian teacher, red.nosed
snd well yersod IN the literature OF his
country, was accurate and steady, and
rarely missed q lesson. II such a thing
| happencd be usually had good excuse, "a,
| for instance: Gentlemen" he said one
! day when be appeared several hours toe
late, with Iedder nose than ever. "gen'
| tlemen, had 10 miss these lessons because
| have got married, and as marriage gene
rally occurs only once in life have held i
TO be my duty TO drink Is much as
! could"
Much las been said and written about
! Turgenlef-s deep study OF Iicgel, but frOT
his own account OF the matter his devO ior
! 10 Uegelian philosophy was varied b'
/ quite rs enthusiastic n devotion 10 rat
catching. This is what he himself say
about il: SIN spite 81 my tweniy-tirst ol
twenty-second years | was still hall boy
| .. ;,,.I D. t.f ".
read Ilegel and studied philosophy. au(
now nv mentor and found amusement II
| teaching dog, which | had acquired b,
chance. With this dog had much trou
! bic. as was teaching him 10 catch rats
As soon as got 10 know that rats were il
mace threw IIcgcl and his whole phi
losorhv aside and went rai-buning witt
! nv mevtcr"-a scri whose 4" extensive
| Russian stomach seems To- have been IN
most remarkable characteristic. When
studying philosophy at st. Petersburg
TuTeenief' intended TO become tea.her
"But soon after" Le says, - -
Acquainted with Belirski and PanayeH.
began first TO write verses and thcI
prose. ana philosophy as well rs education
Al studies were pu: aside. ! dedicated al
| nv Zine TO Russian literature or III
| laltT lttih 1 VI r'hA'h tfNN - 4''' " =
I'm 1850, on ny return 70 Russ'a ate
am absence Of three or four years. sooi
got imurisoned because Of an article oI
Gogo'S death. / was expelled from ~
Petersburg. The last twenty years ha1
spent abroad. Thus has fate willed it.
am fond Of family life. Family Of my o"1
/ had none; therefore l associated wit
that Of another. Chance willed that
,hould be n French one. For long year
before | had been acquainted with tbl
family Qhst OF Nine. Viardot-Garcia). i
il was not the author, hut the humn
being, and here l Felt content and At houl'
| rise early. During the morning r.
coive visitors. / dine with the family VII
whom live. After dinner We sit roun
the fireplace. | doZe a little, apparent
plunged In deep thoughts, and not rarel
sm l awakened ty the sounds Of duet
quartet. for the family in which live al
very musical. Thus / have often the OF
portunity Of e. ioying an evening OF beaut
full music. like music. have long bee
fond Of il. but must confess that hal
no sympathy with Wagncr's music. a
zsrtjs melodies 1atter my ear like beauI
iul, fresh spring. Wsgner's dissorsnc'
are painful 10 me from beginning TO cad.