ings of poverty and service, be in practice four hundred years hence? These stories will be regarded both seriously and as curiosities, for it is impossible not to read between the lines. The only wonder is that the censor who forbade "My Religion" should have allowed the skazka entitled "Ivan the Fool." The implication of criticism on the whole military system of Russia is not even covert. The question of regicide is plainly discussed in “A Candle." Though regicide itself is condemned, it is not dubious who is meant by the "overseer" of the story. Count Tolstor's whole system of philosophy is concretely revealed in these allegories; it is not necessary here to discuss the strength or weakness of his logic. But there are few who will not be touched by the moral which Count Tolstoï conveys by means of these quaint and curious tales. And there can be no doubt that such a story as "Where Love is there God is also" is a masterpiece of exquisite beauty, certain to achieve immortality. The style of the original Russian is staccato, abrupt, even crabbed. Connective conjunctions are frequently omitted, and there seems to be a deliberate mixture of tenses, past and present. No attempt has been made to reproduce these peculiarities in English; though the simplicity, which is one of the charms of the folk-tale and of these, is legitimately preserved. THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYITCH (1884-1886) CASTLE CHAPTER I N the great building of the law-courts, while the proceedings in the Mielvinsky suit were at a standstill, Te members of the board and the prokuror met in Ivan. egorovitch Shebek's private room, and the conversation. "rned on the famous Krasovsky suit. Feodor Vasilyetch talked himself into a passion in pointing out the en's innocence; Ivan Yegorovitch maintained his side; at Piotr Ivanovitch, who had not entered into the iscussion at first, took no part in it even now, and was ncing over the Vyedomosti, which had just been nded to him. STORY "Gentlemen!" said he, "Ivan Ilyitch is dead!” la. Here! read for yourself," said he to Feodor Vasilye- Heavy black lines inclosed these printed words:— "Praskovia Feodorovna Golovina, with heartfelt sore, announces to relatives and friends the death of her loved husband, Ivan Ilyitch Golovin, memb of the Jourt of Appeal, who departed this life on 1 February, 1882. The funeral will take place aiskers, and at one o'clock in the afternoon." always, an Ivan Ilyitch had been the colleague of thaich was forthere assembled, and all liked him. He lure, here had 1 Sudyebnaya Palata. ought. |