New-York tribune., 1884-02-02
THE FOREIGN MAIL.
PRINCE LAFROFF ~ PARIS
AVON. me pal Mau Gazfit,.


At the summit of the Ruc II jacques, some miles
away from the centre of gayety and FASHION ana I-
fheT even than the extreme limits nj the quarter
Latin lives the man of all others whom tne hnsohn
Government il most anxious capture Pierre Law
rOit Alone, and without even servant 10 protect
him. stands the man who exercises the greatest ID,
uence among the Nihiiists that exile has sclttfed
all over Europe. AZ once the memory ot feCoIt
suggests the possibility of kidnapping, but
then and in spite OF ms >, gray I EaH :;
iavron seems aSstrOnC Rradlau2b. ana II
the Russian secret police are not moro eApeul-
tiOus than Inspector Denning and his men, they
could scarcely hope TO remove ~ formidable an ad-
versary down so many stairs, across 81 broad 70
yard, into 80 busy street. without attracting attcn-
The chccry voice, the cordial reception CT the
mcnaced exile soon drives away these passing
thoughts, and We are at once admitted INTO thc
sanctum, small study, where the four wills are
hid By long of books that reach to the ceiling.
Here are collected the works of the best French,
English Russian, and other authors OF historical,
anthropological and scientific questions, not to
mention miscellaneous books, piles of newspapers
and the confused and confusing litter of documents,
reports pamphlets. manuscripts, and other dusty,
musty things that are 20 precious 10 the literary
man, though q good housekeeper would like to
sweep them all into the dustbin.
There is one comfortable chair for the visitor.
If the guests numerous, then bundles
have to be removed TO make room but TINS
inconvenience does not detract from the hearty wei
that bctokens the traditions of Northern hospi-
tality. Nor Is IL possible To mistake the Russian
origin OF the host A square face entramed by a
square heard and long hair, square broad shoui-
ders covered by long coat of an ddcscrbahle gray
brown that reaches 10 the feet, combine with the
military gait of the wearer to remind MS Of some
sketch taken during the siege of SebastOpOl. IT Is not
without considerable emotion that We look round TINS
modest and secluded centre Of intellectual activity,
where many revolutionary thoughts and Efforts
naturally gravltate, where advice and directions
are given that keep the Gar of All the Rnssas IN
a continual state Of suspense and terror Not that
any plots are Matched in this small study but here
the facts, the arguments are collected, Neriiape
arsenal OF weapons of persuasion, more powerful
than tons of dynamite.
Lavrofi has always held that to insure the sue
cess of n Socialist revolution the ground must be
prepared many many years III advance. Each lndl-
vidual Socialist must train himself for the struggle
by profound study, by mastering science, and de-
veloping within himself the highest moral attain
ments 1t was in this that he differed from the dis
cipies of BakOunn, who were anxious to hasten
events by violent means. Layroff consequently
always insisted on the importance of education. In
Russia he the first professor who after me ac-
ccssion of Alexander H., delivered lectures on phil
osOphy; and when IN exile. he organized classes at
Paris for young Russians history aud sociology.
The son OF nObleman, he was. as usual IN Russia,
placed in the army, but at the age of twenty-one he
had already attained the position of professor of
higher mathematics in the school of artl lcry. This
followed by the studies of physical sciences ana
the contribution Ofmany able papers 10 the Russian
reviews and press IL was not, however TN Layroh
became the principal editor and contributor TO an
encyclopedia which would give, III the Russian Ian
guage, information similar III character To Didtlot
and DAlcmbert's historic work, that he was mOies-
ted by the Government. Sentenced for some verses
written against Nicholas !. and Alexander H., he
Nologda: but after three yeas suffering he sue
cecded in eluding the vigilance of MS guardians,
and ultimately arrived in Paris in 1870. Being "a
wdOwCr, his mother alone followed him IN exile |;
but she is dead LayTott is absolutely alone.
During The last sixteen years he has not only been
separated ffom his children, but has not dared to
communicate with them, for fear Of compromising
them
Lavrofi lives by his literary work; it is his prn-
cpal occupation his principal joy, and bis princlc
pal source of income, Poor, he contents himself
with the modest repasts served in the little Iestau-
rants that abound in the Latin quarter; but he *
rarely 40 poor az t0 be unable to help q friend in
distress His sight being feeble, he does not care
to 90 ont alone at night. and be has consequently
been compelled to deprive himself of the pleasure
OF frequenting tho theatres opera though he has
not yet missed the yearly Salon He has also Tegu-
laTly paid his tribute Of admiration TO the exhlhi-
tioDs organized in Paris by Russian artists; but as
OH ono occasion Iurgenielf got into diiculhes with
the Russian Government for giving him tickets he
has ceased " visit these collections Of paintings.
Finally. when in 1850 he helped TO create the Rus
sian Red Cross Society, the Government of the Car
procured his banIsnnent from France. Lavroif is
stil under this decree of exile and might now be
imprisoned for having rcturnet TO Paris but he was
privately given TO understand that his presence
would be tolerated if hc did not resume his courses
of lectures TO the Russi residing in France. Now
LaYTufis principal occupation ~ the editing OF the
European edition Of The HW OF the People, recently
sssurtlin magI zine form at Geneva.