The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-16
TNLSIOI REPORTED DEAD
NIUs TELEPHONED FROM MOS
COVV TO ST. PETERSBURG.
no ,aid 90 Have Come on ifis ESTATE at
JssnsSa PonRns-Most Famous Of
Russian Living writer's Held some
orange Theories OF Social Reform.
special cable Despatch to The SUN

special cable Despatch TO The SUN.
IcyDoN. July Ie.-The st. Petersburg
correspondent OF the Telegraph says that
4 , ossag &c telephoned from Moscow states
III, Count Tolstoi has died at his country
sea, at Jasnays Poliana, in the Government
81 lula. The report is not confirmed
,aunt Leo Tolstoi was born on August
s. rs. At a place near Tula. about $50
miles south Of Moscow. His mother died
when he was 3 years old and his father six
years afterward. His early schooling was
under the influence OF the general feeling
among wealthy Russians, that religion was
A superstition and one quite unnecessary
for the best development of really cultured
people. Tolstoi attended the University of
kalan, but did not pass the final examina-
tons. In 1851 he went TO visit with an
elder brother in the Caucasus. The rugged
Witness of the country influenced him
profoundly. He entered the army and
sought an assignment to an artillery post
near his brother.
In 1854 the Crimean war influenced the
Young man to apply for active service.
Pu in the interval he wrote many short
stories which attracted the attention OF the
literary set in Moscow and in st. Peters
burg. In the Crimean campaign. as the
commander of a mountain battery. Tolstoi
distinguished himself by brave and effec-
tive service. He ted a frst hand experience
with war which was most valuable TO him in
H. Ia oa xynxE Ioayinn thu arfpv af tho
close Of the war, Count Tolstoi found a most
Aapering reception in st. Petersburg. He
WIS sought as a nobleman. as a returning
zero and as a litterateur.
He soon became utterly ~disgusted with
he surroundings at ST. Petersburg and
With his own life there. He described
himself afterward rs having been a muir
derrr. adulterer, robhsr and liar in this
pcriod, although his crimes we're not OF a
sort usually described by these terms.
He retired to Jasnaya Poliana, near his
birthplace, and remained there most OF the
months OF every year during the remainder
Of his life.
Count Tolstoi was married in Septem-
Der. 1852, to the daughter of a Moscow
university professor. She had obtained
a diploma from the university when she
was II years old. In her society he found
the utmost comfort and happiness. They
had nine children. but the cares OF mother
hoSd did mot prevent the Countess from
serving a. his amanuensis all through his
Abors as IN author.
One OF Tolstoi's first acts on retiring
TO his country estate was TO free his serfs,
in advance Of the decree OF the Csar. He
is said TO have been the first nobleman to
free his serfs. He devoted himself to
plans for the education and bettcrment
Of the ~pessantry. After a while he became
wrought up over what seemed 70 him the
purposelessness Of life. He contemplated
suicide but gave IL up. He went into all
varieties Of philosophic Investigation.
Among soms Of his own peasants Tolstoi
reached the conclusion that q literal follow
ing Of the gospels brought about the living
Of a truly useful and happy lie. He settled
down 10 a life Of manual labor and ex-
trcme simplicity Of diet IN conduct. This
was about 1850. In the last twenty years
the principal writings of Tolstoi have been
My Confession, Il Criticism of Dogmatic
Theology" never translated; Tho four
Gospels H~armonized and Translated
What | Believe" sometimes called My
Religion; The Gospel in Brief" What
Must We Do Them" o Life,' also called
"Iife"; The kreutzer Sonata treating
of the rex question; The Kingdom OF God
II Within You" Tho Christian Teaching,
What Is Art?' and Resurrection.
In these books re- set forth progressively
ard !rdrlessls his vic W. of true living. They
were much at variance with the views Of the
iu,sian Government. Tolstoi expected ia
to uersecuted directly for writing them
ihc Government, however. went no fur
tor than to suppress some OF the BOOKS
10 mutilata others and to hanisf
some Of his friends. The Government has
inspired the publication of books COM
ia'ing the ideas OF Tolstoi. Recently the
author went even further than preaching
through novels and addressed himself
d.recrly to the Car in a letter in which he
PREDICTED a renewal Of the terrors OF Mill
i'm and the horrors OF the prevention OF
Nihilism by massacre N the Gar qua not
manifest a change OF heart.
: frequent visitor at Tolstoi's home
.hus described tho distinguished author
A. work: HE AAs always been a hard but
s,asmodic worker. There are times when
for months he will hardly put pen to paper,
iur when he has a task In hand that IN
forests NM he Will WoTk WIN reiohticS7
rlruose and absorbing real. When he IL
actually working no one dares interrupt
Uneven his wife makes 1t a rule not tC
CIsiurb him.
For many years ToIstoi refused to ac'
cert payment for his writings: he gave
Away much Of his property These things
as well a, his love for associating with th'
poorest peasantry. were not altogether
pleasing TO his wife.
Tos,oi's chief literary work in the Las
years If his life was an exhaustive auto
biography, on which he spent hours OF
steady work nearly every day. He was a
strict vegetarian and almost a total alb
stainer. drinking only a sip Of wine at the
grser, advice of his physician. who had
ben practically a member OF the house,
hoil a,d always within call for more than
''t v"rrs.
w. .l a year of his death Tolstoi rode
. EuIarly on horseback. ard when
ir H'l'her was not too cold he batheS
..... ne river near his home, He was
'",. o. ( 20 both anarchism and socialism