The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-11-21
Why ToIstoy Became
Peasant, Although Wealthy

|
dreadful twenty years. the period oil
coarse dissoluteness OF service, OF am
hilton. and vanity, and above all OF
sensuousness: next the eighteen
years during which I lived regular
honest, family life, yet a period, all
the interests OF which were limited
to egotistical family cares, TO concern
for the increase OF wealth, the attain
ment OF literary success. and the en-
| joyment of every kind or pleasure
and the fourth period in which | now
live and hope to die, from whose
standpoint | see all the significance
OF my past life"
The Tolstoy family dates from 1852
! One OF their ancestors came from
Germany with 5000 men, and became
the founder OF several noble Russian
| families. When Peter l. was on the
throne Peter Tolstoy occupied high
positions In the military and dlplo
matte services. He was made q
count. When Catherine was succeed
ed by Peter H., Peter Tolstoy fell
from power, and in 1929 died in exile
The title OF count was not restored 10
the family until 1860. when 1t was re
ceived by the great-grandfather oil
the present count.
Count Tolstoy's mother was the
only daughter of Prince Nieslay Ser
geyvich Volkonsky. Leo was two
years of age when she died. She was
cultured, sweet, and gentle. The
counts father was landowner and
was kind TO his dependents.
Radical Views Startled Friends.
Although born of an arlstocratic
family the count in early manhood
began TO startle his friends by his
radical views. His writings later got
him into serious trouble with the OF.
ficials of the Car, but he was never
punished Considering the violence
OF his u.terances, the Russian govern
ment has dealt leniently with him.
He used to wonder every morning
when he woke up why he was not on
the road TO Siberia. Alexander Ill,
declared that while Tolstoy lived he
should never lose his liberty, and the
present Car. IL is believed, had given
him the same assurance.
Tolstoy, years ago, assumed the
garb OF q peasant and toiled In the
fields-many times going barefoot.
Tall, gaunt, and shaggy though he
was, his peasants dress could not hide
the aristocrat. His eyes were kindly
his chin broad, and covered with a
mighty beard. His eyebrows were
bushy. His appearance was rugged
and uncouth, yet when he spoke you
1T once recognized the kindly, cultured
gentleman.
Fifty-four years have passed since
Tolstoy fought in the Crimean war as
a young officer Here he learned hard
ship, and here IL was that he deter
mined to devote his life to the wei
fare of the people. lie practiced
what he preached and since lived q
life of toll and deprivation. He
stripped his room of furniture and
luxuries were banished from his
table. At his town house, in Mos.
COW or at his country estate he toll.
ed early and late. He received his
guests in n big, square room almost
devoid OF furniture. But his wife, the
countess. received the same guests in
drawing room furnished with refine.
ment and liberality. She did not share
her husbands creed. She is a sweet
woman, and no woman ever had a
more loyal and loving husband She
does as she likes. The count never
interfered with personal liberty
he farmhouse u the late count is
situated in the village of Yasanaya
Polyana. When his health permitted
the count used TO pay frequent visits
10 the huts OF the peasants and ask
them questions about everything. iIe
would examine what they were eat
ing. ask how they worked. and was in
the habit OF attending weddings and
christenings. The peasants loved him
Count Tolstoy was hard worker
in his studio. He had a prolific pen
and his writings are in demand all
over the world. being translated into
all tongues. Among his works may
be mentioned the following: "War
and Peace" novel: Anna Karen
ina," novel; Childhood, Boyhood
and Youth" an autobiography; The
Cossacks," "Sevastapol." THE Invad
ers," "A Russian Proprietor" Fam
lily Happiness" romance; "A Prs
Uner in the Caucasus" THE Death OF
Ivan Ilyitch; and Other Stories" ~
Long Exile" Stories for Children.
Walk in the Light" Master and
Han" The Kreutzer Sonata" and Sc
quel THE Dekabrists." my Comics
zion" my Religion" 1.-THE Gospel in
I'rief," What Is to BE Done?" Life.
1.-THE Kingdom OF God Is Within
You" What Is Art?" Resurrection. .
Besides, he wrote many essays. lot
;ers. and miscellanies.
In November, 1906. the count star:
led the literary world by an at
tack upon the works and teachings
of Shakespeare, at once remarkable
:or It's bitterness and astounding
charges against the greatest OF al
dramatists. He declared with pro
found conviction that Shakespeare
had hynotized the reading public
since Goethe. toward the end Of the
eighteenth century, pronounced him
the master poet. The count called
upon all thinking people to- reject
the trivial and immoral works oi
Shakespeare" as unworthy of serious
study and reflection. He was as
sailed from all quarters for his at
tack ON the immortal bard.
In February, 1906. Tolstoy caused 4
great sensation by an open letter e.
the car, in which he addressed the
emperor as Dear brother" The let
ter was written just previous 20 the
TeetiGs of the national assembly. II
was a personal appeal TO the car
urging still further concessions In
behalf oi the great proletariat oi
Russia. The letter was personal and
very bold i'm its language. In con
Guiding the count said:
loo e,e.l.r