The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-07-06
.TOLSTO| IN POOR HEALTH
EXCONIMUNICATION AND INFLU.
ENZA COMBINE.
He is Fond of Walking and Other
outdoor Notwithstanding of His
Habits of Writing

Considerable anxiety is felt over the
health of Count Leo TolStOi, the most
talked-of man in Russia. Excommuni-
cation by the holy synod, family trou-
bles and his recent attack of influenza
have completely undermined the old
mans health, and it is only the skillfulI
nursing and devotion of his eldest
daughter which have enabled him to
pull through at all. For more than
four months the interchangeable writer
has not touched a pen 1t was only his
feeble condition and desire to be with
in easy reach of medical skill that de-
clded the count to winter in Moscow.
He has not a spark of affection for
Tolstowa, as his city residence is called
Both building and life here are for too
worldly to suit the reformers simple
tastes. This is strictly the countess
home. Possessing not a grain of SYM
pathy with her husbands views, rich.
brilliant, fine-loOking and passionate
ly fond of society. her life is one CON
slant whrl of excitement and her en-
tertainments, both at St Petersburg and
MOSCOW, are among the most ostenta-
tious. The counts happiest days are
spent on his ances trail estate at Yass-
naia Poliana, which he inherited from
his mother, Princess Wolkonski. The
grounds are naturally beautiful. About
the only attempt at cultivation is
large orchard laid out by the count
The house, which is two-story
white-washed building, presents most
curious appearance. with its formidable
towers guarding the entrance. In front
of the side door is an elm tree known
as The Poor Tree" it being on a seat
beneath it's branches that peasants who
wish an interview with the count take
their places The interior of the house
is in perfect keeping with unpretentious
exterior. There is little either homelike
or even comfortable about the authors
apartments. From the windows hang
skinny wash curtains, the furniture is
old and clumsy, while carpets are al
most an unknown quantity. The walls
devoid of mirrors and paper, boast as
sole OranmentatiOn a few blackened
family portraits and Indifferent antIers,
Most of Count TolstOis time is passed
in the library, the largest room in the
house. Here the only approach to ease
and comfort is a huge sofa. Formerly
1t was covered With crimson brOcade,
but the count regarded this as a luxury
which his new ideas would not allow
him to possess so he had it reuphol-
stored in leather. Placed in a conspi-
cuOus position opposite the sofa are
pictures of his faVorite authOrs-Scho-
penhauer Dickens, Turgenieff. An i'm
mense oak table, several Quakerlike
chairs and two busts-one of his bro
Their Nicolas, the other of Jean Jacques
ROuBseau-Complete the furnishings
The walls are simply covered with
mahogany book cases. for though the
count is never known to purchase a
book that does not prevent his owning
a large library. Hundreds of volumes
are sent to him from all parts of the
world. When studying any special sub
ject and in need of a work he bOrrows
it from the imperial library.
Though TOlstO himself has neither
money nor property, the family is very
well off. Shortly after his marriage the
count made over to his wife the sole
rights of numerous books. After his
| conversion he refused to receive pay
| ment for his works and requested the
| countess to relinquish her claim on
those he had previously given her. This
| she refused to do and today receives
| an important income from these same
| publications. She also derives a large
| income from her own and the Tolstoi
| family estates. Each of his children
| has an allowance of $1,000 except one
daughter. She has espoused her father S
views, and of course, could not accept
any unnecessary property Though
| when in Moscow Count TolstOi lives In
| large house, surrounded by luxury
and servants, he nevertheless leads the
| life of a peasant. Dressed in a loose
grayish- brown blouse, frightened at the
/
and a brown wooden shawl when it is
cold. he wears thick boots of his own
| manufacture. Nor does he cOnfine him
self to making his own footgear, More
| than one peasant in the vicinity of Vas.
! snaia-Poliana carefully treasures up a
| pair of shoes which the generous court
! has made and oiven him. Count Toll
stoi will not allow his wife's servants
to raise their hand for him. He digs
! his own vegetables, lays his own fires
| cooks his own food and chops his owl
wood. The only time he ever carries
money is when he obtains a few coppers
! from his wife to give to a passing beg
| gar
! Writing and outdoor exercise occup!
| the greater part of Count Tolstors time
Extremely fond of walking, he rarely
ever drives. When he does hail an lis
vochik" he invariably chats familiarl!
with the coachman. asking him cues
| tions about hi, home life and showerinl
down good advice upon him. He Is