The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-05
Tofstoi and Turgenier.

a book that must certainly be well read and
digested. New Orleans Times Democrat.
Tofstoi and Turgenier.
The memoirs Of the Russian lyric poet A.
Fet-Shenshin. published about five weeks ago
in St. Petersburg. contain much interesting
matter concerning modern Russas great writ
ers Tolstoi AID Tufgenied, especially, and
their relations 20 Fet-Sbenshn. are described
at length Al the age of thirty, and Just
after the death of his beloved brother, Nick0-
lai. who is mentioneds so frequently and ten
DERBY in MY Life" I9lsto: wrote
as you live people say to each other. Hap
piness goodness and usefulness however.
consist Of the truth. AZ 1 have discovered in
the thirty years OF my experience, the truth Is
that our position IS a terrible one. lake HE
as il is; you have created your own position
Very well take life as II is As soon. then,
~ a man reaches the last stage of develop
mont he secs clearly that all is deceit and
foolIshness, and that the truth which he loves
is terrible. When the truth is unveiled he
turns away in fright and cries What Is III
What is III? OF course. however, just ~ long
as there is desire for the truth man seeks
to know it. That is all that remains TO me Of
the world Of ethics. That Is all that | shall
do, although net through the medium Of your
art. Art is q lie. and ! cannot love even
beautiful lie"
Soon after writing these words Tolstoi found
comfort in Schopenhnuer.
Il am possessed of an unwavering infataa-
ton for Schopcnhauer. He gives me spiritual
enjoyment such as have never before had.
do not know whether my opinion Is subject 10
change. but now find him the greatest genius
of mankind. 1t is the whole world in won
derfully small and beautiful mirror"
While TolstOi was writing Anna Kare-
NINA" Turgeneif said of him IN letter:
'1olstoi continues TO do the most amazing
things. Il seems to be his destiny. When
will he turn his last s0mersault and stand once
moro again on his feetg lie is the only man
whom | can never satisfy with my work.
give it up. That is my fate. The rumor -
abroad that he is at work and we all are glad
to hear 1t.
Our stars move in different heavens, and
it is best for US. as he himself disposes, to
remain apart. You may write to him and say
that, without cant or ambiguity. love him
at a distance very much and follow with in
terest his progress In proximity to hin.
however, | would feel quite different. We
must live as if our lots were cast In different
planets or in different centuries.
II am glad that TostOi does not hate me.
and that he is completing great novel
God grant only that it contain no philoso-
ply"
folstois opinion of Turgenief's Smoke"
as given in the volume of memoirs. illustrates
the attitude Of which Iurgenief speaks
As regards my opinion of Smoke" com.
ments Tolsto in letter TO Fet-Shenshin. Il
believe that tho strength Of poetry is in love.
Without the strength Of love there is no poe.
try. The direction Of this love is matter Of
individual character. Strength falsely guided
is unpleasant, and the weakness of the poet is
repulsve In Smoke there is no love for
anything. and consequently almost no poetry
at all All the love is merely an abuse among
frivolous persons. and therefore the poetry of
this narrative is repulsive. | cannot regard
with patience the author. do not like his
personality. and | believe my impression is
the general one"