The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-09

We have been hearing various stories
of late in regard to the recent treatment
of Count Leo Tolstoy by his Govern
ment and the Orthodox Russian Church
He has been reported as practically
prisoner in his own house. and as an
exile escorted to the frontier by troop
OF Cossacks-and he certainly has been
communicated, which is not, perhaps.
surprising in the case of a man Who
among other theological peculiarities.
classes the doctrine Of the Holy Trinity
as one of the old absurdities." But
the Imprisonment and the exile have
lacked confederation, and the eccentric
old noble appears to be pursuing the
even tenor Of his way, doubtless under
the watchful eyes of the authorities. IL
would not be strange if the Car. who
sees dangerous conspiracies against his
throne and plots against his life on
every side, should feel some resentment
for one whose teachings are well calcu-
lated to fan the fires of Russian dis
content and turbulence, without the sug-
gestion of practicable or even sane
way to remedy the evils of which he
and his disciples and admirers com
plain.
The probabilities are that If the St.
Petersburg Government had not long
ago reached the charitable conclusion
that Count Tolstoy was lunatic. he
would have found his way to Siberia
before now. If the Car considers him
crazy, his Majesty only takes the view
which we think is that of all disin-
terested people who are familiar with
his works, sayings, and actions in late
years. The upshot of the matter is like
~ to be that Count Tolstoy will fetch
UP shortly in an asylum for the in
sane. where he ought to be already.
In the April number of ''McCiure's
Magazine" the Hon. Andrew d. White,
at present our Ambassador to Germany.
gives an interesting account of a visit
ne paid to the count in MOSCOW, in a
paper entitled Walks and Talks With
Tolstoy." The great author and re-
former has a fine town residence in the
ancient capital as BELTS his rank in
the nobility. 1t is not all splendid. how
ever. Tolstoy, always arrayed in the
coarse blouse and jack boots of a
rnoujik, occupies an apartment in which
he receives callers, carefully arranged
to resemble the hut Of a peasant as
much as possible. But very different
conditions obtain in the wing of the
palace occupied by the countess Here
her guests are introduced to the com
fort and luxury naturally found in the
homes OF wealthy and cultured people
IhTnlIp rfz
hostess and her relatives conventionalry
and handsomely attired. The counts
ideas of the blessing and duty OF pov-
erty are not carried out on this side Of
the house In fact, in a domestic sense.
they do not appear to affect anyone
but himself. and that only in a very
academic way. He seems to be well
enough contented with the assumption
of the garb and personal surroundings
of the under world of Russia, and per-
haps is unable TO recognize the para
doxical nature of his life.
He told Mr. White that in his view
he had no right TO receive money from
publisher FOR permission to print and
sell a book. He would scorn such an |
action, but as country estates and city |
residences. especially when occupied by |
q couple of position with a large fam
lily Of sturdy children. require some |
thing more substantial than philosophy |
and scornful attitude toward wealth
and the comforts Of life TO keep them |
going. it is edifying TO note that the |
Countess Tolstoy is allowed TO own the |
copyrights Of all of her husbands pro-
ductions. and therefrom no doubt re- |
2eives considerable revenue. The |
;ount is supposed to be in complete |
ignorance Of this arrangement, which |
20 much opposed to his notions of |
'ropriety and justice. Nevertheless he