The times., 1901-04-09
Count ToIstoy.

XVe have been hearing various stories
OF late in regard to the recent treatment
of Count Leo Tolstoy by his Govern
rnent and the Orthodox Russian Church.
lie has been reported as practically a
prisoner in his own house, and as an
exile escorted to the frontier by troop
OF Cossacks-and he certainly has been
accommodated, which is not, perhaps.
surprising in the case of 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 watchfuI eyes of the authorities. II
would not be strange if the Gar. VINO
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 a 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 arc familiar with
his works, sayings. and actions in late
years. The upshot Of the matter is like
ly 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
MsgaZine' the Hon. Andrew ID. White.
al present our Ambassador TO Germany.
gives an interesting account Of a visit
he 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. II is not all splendid. how
ever. Tolstoy, always arrayed in the
coarse blouse and jack boots of a
mouJik, occupies an apartment in which
he receives callers, carefully arranged
70 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 10 the com
fort and luxury naturally found in the
homes Of wealthy and cultured people
throughout civilization, and find their
hostess and her relatives conventionalry
and handsomely attired. The counts
ideas Of the blessing and duty Of pov-
eriy 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 10 recognize the para
doxical nature Of his life
He told Mr. White that in his view
he had no right 20 receive money from
publisher FOR permission to print and
sell a book lie would scorn such an
action. but as country estates and CITY
residences, especially when occupied by
q couple of position with large fam
iiy of sturdy children, require some
thing more substantial than philosophy
and scorHful attitude toward wealth
ana the comforts Of life 10 keep them
going, it Is edifying TO note that the
Countess Tolstoy is allowed 10 own the
copyrights Of all of her husbands pro-
ductions, and therefrom no doubt re-
eeiYes considerable revenue The
count is supposed 10 be In complete
ignorance OF this arrangement, which
20 much opposed 10 his notions Of
'ropriety and justice. Nevertheless he