Nevertheless，likeawarycatwhichglanceshitherandthithertoseewhetheritsmistressbenotcomingbeforeitcanmakeoffwithwhatsoeverfirstfallstoitspaw(butter，fat，lard，aduck，oranythingelse)，soourfuturefounderofafamilycontinued，thoughweepingandbewailinghislot，toletnotasingledetailescapehiseye。Thatistosay，heretainedhiswitseverinastateofactivity，andkepthisbrainconstantlyworking。Allthatherequiredwasaplan。Oncemorehepulledhimselftogether，oncemoreheembarkeduponalifeoftoil，oncemorehestintedhimselfineverything，oncemoreheleftcleananddecentsurroundingsforadirty，meanexistence。Inotherwords，untilsomethingbettershouldturnup，heembracedthecallingofanordinaryattorney——acallingwhich，notthenpossessedofacivicstatus，wasjostledonveryside，enjoyedlittlerespectatthehandsoftheminorlegalfry(or，indeed，atitsown)，andperforcemetwithuniversalslightsandrudeness。ButsheernecessitycompelledChichikovtofacethesethings。AmongcommissionsentrustedtohimwasthatofplacinginthehandsofthePublicTrusteeseveralhundredpeasantswhobelongedtoaruinedestate。Theestatehadreacheditsparlousconditionthroughcattledisease，throughrascallybailiffs，throughfailuresoftheharvest，throughsuchepidemicdiseasesthathadkilledoffthebestworkmen，and，last，butnotleast，throughthesenselessconductoftheownerhimself，whohadfurnishedahouseinMoscowinthelateststyle，andthensquanderedhiseverykopeck，sothatnothingwasleftforhisfurthermaintenance，anditbecamenecessarytomortgagetheremains——includingthepeasants——oftheestate。InthosedaysmortgagetotheTreasurywasaninnovationlookeduponwithreserve，and，asattorneyinthematter，Chichikovhadfirstofallto“entertain“
everyofficialconcerned(weknowthat，unlessthatbepreviouslydone，unlessawholebottleofmadeirafirstbeemptieddowneachclericalthroat，notthesmallestlegalaffaircanbecarriedthrough)，andtoexplain，forthebarringoffutureattachments，thathalfofthepeasantsweredead。
“Andaretheyenteredontherevisionlists？”askedthesecretary。
“Yes，“repliedChichikov。“Thenwhatareyoubogglingat？”continuedtheSecretary。“Shouldonesouldie，anotherwillbeborn，andintimegrowuptotakethefirstone\'splace。“Uponthattheredawnedonourherooneofthemostinspiredideaswhicheverenteredthehumanbrain。“WhatasimpletonIam！”hethoughttohimself。“HereamI
lookingaboutformymittenswhenallthetimeIhavegotthemtuckedintomybelt。Why，wereImyselftobuyupafewsoulswhicharedead——tobuythembeforeanewrevisionlistshallhavebeenmade，theCouncilofPublicTrustmightpaymetwohundredroublesapieceforthem，andImightfindmyselfwith，say，acapitaloftwohundredthousandroubles！Thepresentmomentisparticularlypropitious，sinceinvariouspartsofthecountrytherehasbeenanepidemic，and，glorybetoGod，alargenumberofsoulshavediedofit。Nowadayslandownershavetakentocard-playingandjunkettingandwastingtheirmoney，ortojoiningtheCivilServiceinSt。Petersburg；consequentlytheirestatesaregoingtorackandruin，andbeingmanagedinanysortoffashion，andsucceedinginpayingtheirdueswithgreaterdifficultyeachyear。Thatbeingso，notamanofthelotbutwouldgladlysurrendertomehisdeadsoulsratherthancontinuepayingthepoll-tax；andinthisfashionImightmake——well，notafewkopecks。
Ofcoursetherearedifficulties，and，toavoidcreatingascandal，I
shouldneedtoemployplentyoffinesse；butmanwasgivenhisbraintoUSE，nottoneglect。Onegoodpointabouttheschemeisthatitwillseemsoimprobablethatincaseofanaccident，nooneintheworldwillbelieveinit。True，itisillegaltobuyormortgagepeasantswithoutland，butIcaneasilypretendtobebuyingthemonlyfortransfermentelsewhere。LandistobeacquiredintheprovincesofTauridaandKhersonalmostfornothing，providedthatoneundertakessubsequentlytocoloniseit；sotoKhersonIwill\'transfer\'them，andlongmaytheylivethere！Andtheremovalofmydeadsoulsshallbecarriedoutinthestrictestlegalform；andiftheauthoritiesshouldwantconfirmationbytestimony，IshallproducealettersignedbymyownsuperintendentoftheKhersonianruralpolice——thatistosay，bymyself。Lastly，thesupposedvillageinKhersonshallbecalledChichikovoe——betterstillPavlovskoe，accordingtomyChristianname。“
Inthisfashiontheregerminatedinourhero\'sbrainthatstrangeschemeforwhichthereadermayormaynotbegrateful，butforwhichtheauthorcertainlyisso，seeingthat，haditneveroccurredtoChichikov，thisstorywouldneverhaveseenthelight。
Aftercrossinghimself，accordingtotheRussiancustom，Chichikovsetaboutcarryingouthisenterprise。Onpretenceofselectingaplacewhereintosettle，hestartedforthtoinspectvariouscornersoftheRussianEmpire，butmoreespeciallythosewhichhadsufferedfromsuchunfortunateaccidentsasfailuresoftheharvest，ahighrateofmortality，orwhatsoeverelsemightenablehimtopurchasesoulsatthelowestpossiblerate。Buthedidnottacklehislandownershaphazard：heratherselectedsuchofthemasseemedmoreparticularlysuitedtohistaste，orwithwhomhemightwiththeleastpossibletroubleconcludeidenticalagreements；though，inthefirstinstance，healwaystried，bygettingontermsofacquaintanceship——betterstill，offriendship——withthem，toacquirethesoulsfornothing，andsotoavoidpurchaseatall。Inpassing，myreadersmustnotblamemeifthecharacterswhomtheyhaveencounteredinthesepageshavenotbeenaltogethertotheirliking。ThefaultisChichikov\'sratherthanmine，forheisthemaster，andwhereheleadswemustfollow。Also，shouldmyreadersgirdatmeforacertaindimnessandwantofclarityinmyprincipalcharactersandactors，thatwillbetantamounttosayingthatneverdothebroadtendencyandthegeneralscopeofaworkbecomeimmediatelyapparent。Similarlydoestheentrytoeverytown——theentryeventotheCapitalitself——conveytothetravellersuchanimpressionofvaguenessthatatfirsteverythinglooksgreyandmonotonous，andthelinesofsmokyfactoriesandworkshopsseemnevertobecomingtoanend；butintimetherewillbeginalsotostandouttheoutlinesofsix-storiedmansions，andofshopsandbalconies，andwideperspectivesofstreets，andamedleyofsteeples，columns，statues，andturrets——thewholeframedinrattleandroarandtheinfinitewonderswhichthehandandthebrainofmenhaveconceived。OfthemannerinwhichChichikov\'sfirstpurchasesweremadethereaderisaware。Subsequentlyhewillseealsohowtheaffairprogressed，andwithwhatsuccessorfailureourheromet，andhowChichikovwascalledupontodecideandtoovercomeevenmoredifficultproblemsthantheforegoing，andbywhatcolossalforcestheleversofhisfar-flungtalearemoved，andhoweventuallythehorizonwillbecomeextendeduntileverythingassumesagrandioseandalyricaltendency。Yes，manyaverstofroadremainstobetravelledbyapartymadeupofanelderlygentleman，abritchkaofthekindaffectedbybachelors，avaletnamedPetrushka，acoachmannamedSelifan，andthreehorseswhich，fromtheAssessortotheskewbald，areknowntousindividuallybyname。Again，althoughIhavegivenafulldescriptionofourhero\'sexterior(suchasitis)，Imayyetbeaskedforaninclusivedefinitionalsoofhismoralpersonality。Thatheisnoherocompoundedofvirtuesandperfectionsmustbealreadyclear。ThenWHATishe？Avillain？Whyshouldwecallhimavillain？
Whyshouldwebesoharduponafellowman？Inthesedaysourvillainshaveceasedtoexist。RatheritwouldbefairertocallhimanACQUIRER。Theloveofacquisition，theloveofgain，isafaultcommontomany，andgivesrisetomanyandmanyatransactionofthekindgenerallyknownas“notstrictlyhonourable。“True，suchacharactercontainsanelementofugliness，andthesamereaderwho，onhisjourneythroughlife，wouldsitattheboardofacharacterofthiskind，andspendamostagreeabletimewithhim，wouldbethefirsttolookathimaskanceifheshouldappearintheguiseoftheheroofanoveloraplay。Butwiseisthereaderwho，onmeetingsuchacharacter，scanshimcarefully，and，insteadofshrinkingfromhimwithdistaste，probeshimtothespringsofhisbeing。Thehumanpersonalitycontainsnothingwhichmaynot，inthetwinklingofaneye，becomealtogetherchanged——nothinginwhich，beforeyoucanlookround，theremaynotspringtobirthsomecankerouswormwhichisdestinedtosuckthencetheessentialjuice。Yes，itisacommonthingtoseenotonlyanovermasteringpassion，butalsoapassionofthemostpettyorder，ariseinamanwhowasborntobetterthings，andleadhimbothtoforgethisgreatestandmostsacredobligations，andtoseeonlyintheveriesttriflestheGreatandtheHoly。Forhumanpassionsareasnumberlessasisthesandoftheseashore，andgoontobecomehismostinsistentofmasters。Happy，therefore，themanwhomaychoosefromamongthegamutofhumanpassionsonewhichisnoble！
Hourbyhourwillthatinstinctgrowandmultiplyinitsmeasurelessbeneficence；hourbyhourwillitsinkdeeperanddeeperintotheinfiniteparadiseofhissoul。Buttherearepassionsofwhichamancannotridhimself，seeingthattheyarebornwithhimathisbirth，andhehasnopowertoabjurethem。Higherpowersgovernthosepassions，andinthemissomethingwhichwillcalltohim，andrefusetobesilenced，totheendofhislife。Yes，whetherinaguiseofdarkness，orwhetherinaguisewhichwillbecomeconvertedintoalighttolightentheworld，theywillandmustattaintheirconsummationonlife\'sfield：andineithercasetheyhavebeenevokedforman\'sgood。InthesamewaymaythepassionwhichdrewourChichikovonwardshavebeenonethatwasindependentofhimself；inthesamewaymaytherehavelurkedeveninhiscoldessencesomethingwhichwillonedaycausementohumblethemselvesinthedustbeforetheinfinitewisdomofGod。
Yetthatfolkshouldbedissatisfiedwithmyheromattersnothing。
Whatmattersisthefactthat，underdifferentcircumstances，theirapprovalcouldhavebeentakenasaforegoneconclusion。Thatistosay，hadnottheauthorpriedover-deeplyintoChichikov\'ssoul，norstirredupinitsdepthswhatshunnedandlayhiddenfromthelight，nordisclosedthoseofhishero\'sthoughtswhichthatherowouldhavenothavedisclosedeventohismostintimatefriend；hadtheauthor，indeed，exhibitedChichikovjustasheexhibitedhimselftothetownsmenofN。andManilovandtherest；well，thenwemayrestassuredthateveryreaderwouldhavebeendelightedwithhim，andhavevotedhimamostinterestingperson。ForitisnotnearlysonecessarythatChichikovshouldfigurebeforethereaderasthoughhisformandpersonwereactuallypresenttotheeyeasthat，onconcludingaperusalofthiswork，thereadershouldbeabletoreturn，unharrowedinsoul，tothatcultofthecard-tablewhichisthesolaceanddelightofallgoodRussians。Yes，readersofthisbook，noneofyoureallycaretoseehumanityrevealedinitsnakedness。“Whyshouldwedoso？”yousay。“Whatwouldbetheuseofit？Dowenotknowforourselvesthathumanlifecontainsmuchthatisgrossandcontemptible？Dowenotwithourowneyeshavetolookuponmuchthatisanythingbutcomforting？Farbetterwoulditbeifyouwouldputbeforeuswhatiscomelyandattractive，sothatwemightforgetourselvesalittle。“Inthesamefashiondoesalandownersaytohisbailiff：“Whydoyoucomeandtellmethattheaffairsofmyestateareinabadway？IknowthatwithoutYOURhelp。Haveyounothingelsetotellme？Kindlyallowmetoforgetthefact，orelsetoremaininignoranceofit，andIshallbemuchobligedtoyou。“Whereafterthesaidlandownerprobablyproceedstospendonhisdiversionthemoneywhichoughttohavegonetowardstherehabilitationofhisaffairs。
Possiblytheauthormayalsoincurcensureatthehandsofthoseso-called“patriots“whositquietlyincorners，andbecomecapitaliststhroughmakingfortunesattheexpenseofothers。Yes，letbutsomethingwhichtheyconceivetobederogatorytotheircountryoccur——forinstance，lettherebepublishedsomebookwhichvoicesthebittertruth——andouttheywillcomefromtheirhiding-placeslikeaspiderwhichperceivesaflytobecaughtinitsweb。“Isitwelltoproclaimthistotheworld，andtosetfolktalkingaboutit？”theywillcry。“WhatyouhavedescribedtouchesUS，isOURaffair。Isconductofthatkindright？Whatwillforeignerssay？Doesanyonecarecalmlytositbyandhearhimselftraduced？Whyshouldyouleadforeignerstosupposethatallisnotwellwithus，andthatwearenotpatriotic？”Well，tothesesageremarksnoanswercanreallybereturned，especiallytosuchoftheaboveasrefertoforeignopinion。
Butseehere。ThereoncelivedinaremotecornerofRussiatwonativesoftheregionindicated。OneofthosenativeswasagoodmannamedKifaMokievitch，andamanofkindlydisposition；amanwhowentthroughlifeinadressing-gown，andpaidnoheedtohishousehold，forthereasonthathiswholebeingwascentredupontheprovinceofspeculation，andthat，inparticular，hewaspreoccupiedwithaphilosophicalproblemusuallystatedbyhimthus：“Abeast，“hewouldsay，“isbornnaked。Now，whyshouldthatbe？Whyshouldnotabeastbebornasabirdisborn——thatistosay，throughtheprocessofbeinghatchedfromanegg？Natureisbeyondtheunderstanding，howevermuchonemayprobeher。“ThiswasthesubstanceofKifaMokievitch\'sreflections。Buthereinisnotthechiefpoint。TheotherofthepairwasafellownamedMofiKifovitch，andsontothefirstnamed。HewaswhatweRussianscalla“hero，“andwhilehisfatherwasponderingtheparturitionofbeasts，his，theson\'s，lusty，twenty-year-oldtemperamentwasviolentlystrugglingfordevelopment。Yetthatsoncouldtacklenothingwithoutsomeaccidentoccurring。Atonemomentwouldhecracksomeone\'sfingersinhalf，andatanotherwouldheraiseabumponsomebody\'snose；sothatbothathomeandabroadeveryoneandeverything——fromtheserving-maidtotheyard-dog——fledonhisapproach，andeventhebedinhisbedroombecameshatteredtosplinters。SuchwasMofiKifovitch；andwithitallhehadakindlysoul。Buthereinisnotthechiefpoint。“Goodsir，goodKifaMokievitch，“servantsandneighbourswouldcomeandsaytothefather，“whatareyougoingtodoaboutyourMokiKifovitch？Wegetnorestfromhim，heissoabovehimself。““Thatisonlyhisplay，thatisonlyhisplay，“thefatherwouldreply。“Whatelsecanyouexpect？Itistoolatenowtostartaquarrelwithhim，and，moreover，everyonewouldaccusemeofharshness。True，heisalittleconceited；but，wereItoreprovehiminpublic，thewholethingwouldbecomecommontalk，andfolkwouldbegingivinghimadog\'sname。Andiftheydidthat，wouldnottheiropiniontouchmealso，seeingthatIamhisfather？Also，Iambusywithphilosophy，andhavenotimeforsuchthings。Lastly，MokiKifovitchismyson，andverydeartomyheart。“
And，beatinghisbreast，KifaMokievitchagainassertedthat，eventhoughhissonshouldelecttocontinuehispranks，itwouldnotbeforHIM，forthefather，toproclaimthefact，ortofalloutwithhisoffspring。And，thisexpressionofpaternalfeelinguttered，KifaMokievitchleftMokiKifovitchtohisheroicexploits，andhimselfreturnedtohisbelovedsubjectofspeculation，whichnowincludedalsotheproblem，“Supposeelephantsweretotaketobeinghatchedfromeggs，wouldnottheshellofsucheggsbeofathicknessproofagainstcannonballs，andnecessitatetheinventionofsomenewtypeoffirearm？”ThusattheendofthislittlestorywehavethesetwodenizensofapeacefulcornerofRussialookingthence，asfromawindow，inlessterrorofdoingwhatwasscandalousthanofhavingitSAIDofthemthattheywereactingscandalously。Yes，thefeelinganimatingourso-called“patriots“isnottruepatriotismatall。
Somethingelseliesbeneathit。Who，ifnotanauthor，istospeakaloudthetruth？Menlikeyou，mypseudo-patriots，standindreadoftheeyewhichisabletodiscern，yetshrinkfromusingyourown，andprefer，rather，toglanceateverythingunheedingly。Yes，afterlaughingheartilyoverChichikov\'smisadventures，andperhapsevencommendingtheauthorforhisdexterityofobservationandprettyturnofwit，youwilllookatyourselveswithredoubledprideandaself-satisfiedsmile，andadd：“Well，weagreethatincertainpartsoftheprovincesthereexistsstrangeandridiculousindividuals，aswellasunconscionablerascals。“
Yetwhichofyou，whenquiet，andalone，andengagedinsolitaryself-communion，wouldnotdowelltoprobeYOUROWNsouls，andtoputtoYOURSELVESthesolemnquestion，“IstherenotinMEanelementofChichikov？”Forhowshouldtherenotbe？Whichofyouisnotliableatanymomenttobepassedinthestreetbyanacquaintancewho，nudginghisneighbour，maysayofyou，withabarelysuppressedsneer：“Look！theregoesChichikov！ThatisChichikovwhohasjustgoneby！”
Butherearewetalkingatthetopofourvoiceswhilstallthetimeourheroliesslumberinginhisbritchka！Indeed，hisnamehasbeenrepeatedsooftenduringtherecitalofhislife\'shistorythathemustalmosthaveheardus！Andatanytimeheisanirritable，irasciblefellowwhenspokenofwithdisrespect。True，tothereaderChichikov\'sdispleasurecannotmatterajot；butfortheauthoritwouldmeanruintoquarrelwithhishero，seeingthat，arminarm，Chichikovandhehaveyetfartogo。
“Tut，tut，tut！”cameinashoutfromChichikov。“Hi，Selifan！”
“Whatisit？”camethereply，utteredwithadrawl。
“Whatisit？Why，howdareyoudrivelikethat？Come！Bestiryourselfalittle！”
Andindeed，Selifanhadlongbeensittingwithhalf-closedeyes，andhandswhichbestowednoencouragementuponhissomnolentsteedssaveanoccasionalflickingofthereinsagainsttheirflanks；whilstPetrushkahadlosthiscap，andwasleaningbackwardsuntilhisheadhadcometorestagainstChichikov\'sknees——apositionwhichnecessitatedhisbeingawakenedwithacuff。Selifanalsorousedhimself，andapportionedtotheskewbaldafewcutsacrossthebackofakindwhichatleasthadtheeffectofincitingthatanimaltotrot；
andwhen，presently，theothertwohorsesfollowedtheircompanion\'sexample，thelightbritchkamovedforwardslikeapieceofthistledown。Selifanflourishedhiswhipandshouted，“Hi，hi！”astheinequalitiesoftheroadjerkedhimverticallyonhisseat；andmeanwhile，recliningagainsttheleathercushionsofthevehicle\'sinterior，Chichikovsmiledwithgratificationatthesensationofdrivingfast。ForwhatRussiandoesnotlovetodrivefast？Whichofusdoesnotattimesyearntogivehishorsestheirhead，andtoletthemgo，andtocry，“Tothedevilwiththeworld！”？Atsuchmomentsagreatforceseemstoupliftoneasonwings；andoneflies，andeverythingelseflies，butcontrariwise——boththeverststones，andtradersridingontheshaftsoftheirwaggons，andtheforestwithdarklinesofspruceandfiramidwhichmaybeheardtheaxeofthewoodcutterandthecroakingoftheraven。Yes，outofadim，remotedistancetheroadcomestowardsone，andwhilenothingsavetheskyandthelightcloudsthroughwhichthemooniscleavingherwayseemhalted，thebriefglimpseswhereinonecandiscernnothingclearlyhaveinthemapervadingtouchofmystery。Ah，troika，troika，swiftasabird，whowasitfirstinventedyou？Onlyamongahardyraceoffolkcanyouhavecometobirth——onlyinalandwhich，thoughpoorandrough，liesspreadoverhalftheworld，andspansverststhecountingwhereofwouldleaveonewithachingeyes。Norareyouamodishly-fashionedvehicleoftheroad——athingofclampsandiron。
Rather，youareavehiclebutshapenandfittedwiththeaxeorchiselofsomehandypeasantofYaroslav。NorareyoudrivenbyacoachmanclothedinGermanlivery，butbyamanbeardedandmittened。Seehimashemounts，andflourisheshiswhip，andbreaksintoalong-drawnsong！Awaylikethewindgothehorses，andthewheels，withtheirspokes，becometransparentcircles，andtheroadseemstoquiverbeneaththem，andapedestrian，withacryofastonishment，haltstowatchthevehicleasitflies，flies，fliesonitswayuntilitbecomeslostontheultimatehorizon——aspeckamidacloudofdust！
Andyou，Russiaofmine——arenotyoualsospeedinglikeatroikawhichnoughtcanovertake？Isnottheroadsmokingbeneathyourwheels，andthebridgesthunderingasyoucrossthem，andeverythingbeingleftintherear，andthespectators，struckwiththeportent，haltingtowonderwhetheryoubenotathunderboltlaunchedfromheaven？Whatdoesthatawe-inspiringprogressofyoursforetell？Whatistheunknownforcewhichlieswithinyourmysterioussteeds？Surelythewindsthemselvesmustabideintheirmanes，andeveryveinintheirbodiesbeanearstretchedtocatchthecelestialmessagewhichbidsthem，withiron-girdedbreasts，andhooveswhichbarelytouchtheearthastheygallop，flyforwardonamissionofGod？Whither，then，areyouspeeding，ORussiaofmine？Whither？Answerme！Butnoanswercomes——onlytheweirdsoundofyourcollar-bells。Rentintoathousandshreds，theairroarspastyou，foryouareovertakingthewholeworld，andshallonedayforceallnations，allempirestostandaside，togiveyouway！
1841。
PARTII
CHAPTERI
WhydoIsopersistentlypaintthepoverty，theimperfectionsofRussianlife，anddelveintotheremotestdepths，themostretiredholesandcorners，ofourEmpireformysubjects？Theansweristhatthereisnothingelsetobedonewhenanauthor\'sidiosyncrasyhappenstoinclinehimthatway。Soagainwefindourselvesinaretiredspot。
Butwhataspot！
Imagine，ifyoucan，amountainrangelikeagiganticfortress，withembrasuresandbastionswhichappeartosoarathousandverststowardstheheightsofheaven，and，toweringgrandlyoveraboundlessexpanseofplain，arebrokenupintoprecipitous，overhanginglimestonecliffs。Hereandtherethosecliffsareseamedwithwater-coursesandgullies，whileatotherpointstheyareroundedoffintospursofgreen——spursnowcoatedwithfleece-liketuftsofyoungundergrowth，nowstuddedwiththestumpsoffelledtrees，nowcoveredwithtimberwhichhas，bysomemiracle，escapedthewoodman\'saxe。Also，ariverwindsawhilebetweenitsbanks，thenleavesthemeadowland，dividesintorunlets(allflashinginthesunlikefire)，plunges，re-united，intothemidstofathicketofelder，birth，andpine，and，lastly，speedstriumphantlypastbridgesandmillsandweirswhichseemtobelyinginwaitforitateveryturn。
Atoneparticularspotthesteepflankofthemountainrangeiscoveredwithbillowyverdureofdensergrowththantherest；andheretheaidofskilfulplanting，addedtotheshelteraffordedbyaruggedravine，hasenabledthefloraofnorthandsouthsotobebroughttogetherthat，twinedaboutwithsinuoushop-tendrils，theoak，thesprucefir，thewildpear，themaple，thecherry，thethorn，andthemountainasheitherassistorcheckoneanother\'sgrowth，andeverywherecoverthedeclivitywiththeirstragglingprofusion。Also，attheedgeofthesummittherecanbeseenminglingwiththegreenofthetreestheredroofsofamanorialhomestead，whilebehindtheupperstoriesofthemansionproperanditscarvedbalconyandagreatsemi-circularwindowtheregleamthetilesandgablesofsomepeasants\'huts。Lastly，overthiscombinationoftreesandroofsthererises——overtoppingeverythingwithitsgilded，sparklingsteeple——anoldvillagechurch。Oneachofitspinnaclesacrossofcarvedgiltisstayedwithsupportsofsimilargildinganddesign；withtheresultthatfromadistancethegildedportionshavetheeffectofhangingwithoutvisibleagencyintheair。Andthewhole——thethreesuccessivetiersofwoodland，roofs，andcrosseswhole——liesexquisitelymirroredintheriverbelow，wherehollowwillows，grotesquelyshaped(someofthemrootedontheriver\'sbanks，andsomeinthewateritself，andalldroopingtheirbranchesuntiltheirleaveshaveformedatanglewiththewaterlilieswhichfloatonthesurface)，seemtobegazingatthemarvellousreflectionattheirfeet。
Thustheviewfrombelowisbeautifulindeed。Buttheviewfromaboveisevenbetter。Noguest，novisitor，couldstandonthebalconyofthemansionandremainindifferent。Soboundlessisthepanoramarevealedthatsurprisewouldcausehimtocatchathisbreath，andexclaim：“LordofHeaven，butwhataprospect！”Beyondmeadowsstuddedwithspinneysandwater-millslieforestsbeltedwithgreen；whilebeyond，again，therecanbeseenshowingthroughtheslightlymistyairstripsofyellowheath，and，again，wide-rollingforests(asblueastheseaoracloud)，andmoreheath，palerthanthefirst，butstillyellow。Finally，onthefarhorizonarangeofchalk-toppedhillsgleamswhite，evenindullweather，asthoughitwerelightenedwithperpetualsunshine；andhereandthereonthedazzlingwhitenessofitslowerslopessomeplaster-like，nebulouspatchesrepresentfar-offvillageswhichlietooremotefortheeyetodiscerntheirdetails。Indeed，onlywhenthesunlighttouchesasteepletogolddoesonerealisethateachsuchpatchisahumansettlement。Finally，alliswrappedinanimmensityofsilencewhicheventhefar，faintechoesofpersonssinginginthevoidoftheplaincannotshatter。
Evenaftergazingatthespectacleforacoupleofhoursorso，thevisitorwouldstillfindnothingtosay，save：“LordofHeaven，butwhataprospect！”Thenwhoisthedwellerin，theproprietorof，thismanor——amanortowhich，astoanimpregnablefortress，entrancecannotbegainedfromthesidewherewehavebeenstanding，butonlyfromtheotherapproach，whereafewscatteredoaksofferhospitablewelcometothevisitor，andthen，spreadingabovehimtheirspaciousbranches(asinfriendlyembrace)，accompanyhimtothefacadeofthemansionwhosetopwehavebeenregardingfromthereverseaspect，butwhichnowstandsfrontwiseontous，andhas，ononesideofit，arowofpeasants\'hutswithredtilesandcarvedgables，and，ontheother，thevillagechurch，withthoseglitteringgoldencrossesandgildedopen-workcharmswhichseemtohangsuspendedintheair？Yes，indeed！——towhatfortunateindividualdoesthiscorneroftheworldbelong？ItbelongstoAndreiIvanovitchTientietnikov，landownerofthecantonofTremalakhan，and，withal，abachelorofaboutthirty。
ShouldmyladyreadersaskofmewhatmannerofmanisTientietnikov，andwhatarehisattributesandpeculiarities，Ishouldreferthemtohisneighbours。Ofthese，amemberofthealmostextincttribeofintelligentstaffofficersontheretiredlistoncesummedupTientietnikovinthephrase，“Heisanabsoluteblockhead；“whileaGeneralwhoresidedtenverstsawaywasheardtoremarkthat“heisayoungmanwho，thoughnotexactlyafool，hasatleasttoomuchcrowdedintohishead。Imyselfmighthavebeenofusetohim，fornotonlydoImaintaincertainconnectionswithSt。Petersburg，butalso——“AndtheGenerallefthissentenceunfinished。Thirdly，acaptain-superintendentofruralpolicehappenedtoremarkinthecourseofconversation：“To-morrowImustgoandseeTientietnikovabouthisarrears。“Lastly，apeasantofTientietnikov\'sownvillage，whenaskedwhathisbarinwaslike，returnednoansweratall。AllofwhichwouldappeartoshowthatTientietnikovwasnotexactlylookeduponwithfavour。
Tospeakdispassionately，however，hewasnotabadsortoffellow——merelyastar-gazer；andsincetheworldcontainsmanywatchersoftheskies，whyshouldTientietnikovnothavebeenoneofthem？However，letmedescribeindetailaspecimendayofhisexistence——onethatwillcloselyresembletherest，andthenthereaderwillbeenabledtojudgeofTientietnikov\'scharacter，andhowfarhislifecorrespondedtothebeautiesofnaturewithwhichhelivedsurrounded。
Onthemorningofthespecimendayinquestionheawokeverylate，and，raisinghimselftoasittingposture，rubbedhiseyes。Andsincethoseeyesweresmall，theprocessofrubbingthemoccupiedaverylongtime，andthroughoutitscontinuancetherestoodwaitingbythedoorhisvalet，Mikhailo，armedwithatowelandbasin。Foronehour，fortwohours，didpoorMikhailostandthere：thenhedepartedtothekitchen，andreturnedtofindhismasterstillrubbinghiseyesashesatonthebed。Atlength，however，Tientietnikovrose，washedhimself，donnedadressing-gown，andmovedintothedrawing-roomformorningtea，coffee，cocoa，andwarmmilk；ofallofwhichhepartookbutsparingly，whilemunchingapieceofbread，andscatteringtobaccoashwithcompleteinsouciance。Twohoursdidhesitoverthismeal，thenpouredhimselfoutanothercupoftherapidlycoolingtea，andwalkedtothewindow。Thisfacedthecourtyard，andoutsideit，asusual，theretookplacethefollowingdailyaltercationbetweenaserfnamedGrigory(whopurportedtoactasbutler)andthehousekeeper，Perfilievna。
Grigory。Ah，younuisance，yougood-for-nothing，youhadbetterholdyourstupidtongue。
Perfilievna。Yes；anddon\'tyouwishthatIwould？
Grigory。What？Yousothickwiththatbailiffofyours，youhousekeepingjade！
Perfilievna。Nay，heisasbigathiefasyouare。Doyouthinkthebarindoesn\'tknowyou？Andthereheis！Hemusthaveheardeverything！
Grigory。Where？
Perfilievna。There——sittingbythewindow，andlookingatus！
Next，tocompletethehubbub，aserfchildwhichhadbeencloutedbyitsmotherbrokeoutintoabawl，whileaborzoipuppywhichhadhappenedtogetsplashedwithboilingwaterbythecookfelltoyelpingvociferously。Inshort，theplacesoonbecameababelofshoutsandsqueals，and，afterwatchingandlisteningforatime，thebarinfounditsoimpossibletoconcentratehisminduponanythingthathesentoutwordthatthenoisewouldhavetobeabated。
Thenextitemwasthat，acoupleofhoursbeforeluncheontime，hewithdrewtohisstudy，tosetaboutemployinghimselfuponaweightyworkwhichwastoconsiderRussiafromeverypointofview：fromthepolitical，fromthephilosophical，andfromthereligious，aswellastoresolvevariousproblemswhichhadarisentoconfronttheEmpire，andtodefineclearlythegreatfuturetowhichthecountrystoodordained。Inshort，itwastobethespeciesofcompilationinwhichthemanofthedaysomuchdelights。Yetthecolossalundertakinghadprogressedbutlittlebeyondthesphereofprojection，since，afterapenhadbeengnawedawhile，andafewstrokeshadbeencommittedtopaper，thewholewouldbelaidasideinfavourofthereadingofsomebook；andthatreadingwouldcontinuealsoduringluncheonandbefollowedbythelightingofapipe，theplayingofasolitarygameofchess，andthedoingofmoreorlessnothingfortherestoftheday。
Theforegoingwillgivethereaderaprettyclearideaofthemannerinwhichitwaspossibleforthismanofthirty-threetowastehistime。Cladconstantlyinslippersandadressing-gown，Tientietnikovneverwentout，neverindulgedinanyformofdissipation，andneverwalkedupstairs。Nothingdidhecareforfreshair，andwouldbestownotapassingglanceuponallthosebeautiesofthecountrysidewhichmovedvisitorstosuchecstaticadmiration。FromthisthereaderwillseethatAndreiIvanovitchTientietnikovbelongedtothatbandofsluggardswhomwealwayshavewithus，andwho，whateverbetheirpresentappellation，usedtobeknownbythenicknamesof“lollopers，“
“bedpressers，“and“marmots。“Whetherthetypeisatypeoriginatingatbirth，oratyperesultingfromuntowardcircumstancesinlaterlife，itisimpossibletosay。AbettercoursethantoattempttoanswerthatquestionwouldbetorecountthestoryofTientietnikov\'sboyhoodandupbringing。
Everythingconnectedwiththelatterseemedtopromisesuccess，forattwelveyearsofagetheboy——keen-witted，butdreamyoftemperament，andinclinedtodelicacy——wassenttoaneducationalestablishmentpresidedoverbyanexceptionaltypeofmaster。Theidolofhispupils，andtheadmirationofhisassistants，AlexanderPetrovitchwasgiftedwithanextraordinarymeasureofgoodsense。HowthoroughlyheknewthepeculiaritiesoftheRussianofhisday！Howwellheunderstoodboys！Howcapablehewasofdrawingthemout！Notapracticaljokerintheschoolbut，afterperpetratingaprank，wouldvoluntarilyapproachhispreceptorandmaketohimfreeconfession。
True，thepreceptorwouldputasternfaceuponthematter，yettheculpritwoulddepartwithheadheldhigher，notlower，thanbefore，sinceinAlexanderPetrovitchtherewassomethingwhichheartened——somethingwhichseemedtosaytoadelinquent：“Forwardyou！Risetoyourfeetagain，eventhoughyouhavefallen！”Notlecturesongoodbehaviourwasit，therefore，thatfellfromhislips，butrathertheinjunction，“Iwanttoseeintelligence，andnothingelse。Theboywhodevoteshisattentiontobecomingcleverwillneverplaythefool，forundersuchcircumstances，follydisappearsofitself。“Andsofollydid，fortheboywhofailedtostriveinthedesireddirectionincurredthecontemptofallhiscomrades，andevenduncesandfoolsofseniorstandingdidnotdaretoraiseafingerwhensalutedbytheirjuniorswithopprobriousepithets。Yet“Thisistoomuch，“certainfolkwouldsaytoAlexander。“Theresultwillbethatyourstudentswillturnoutprigs。““Butno，“hewouldreply。
“Notatall。Yousee，Imakeitmyprincipletokeeptheincapablesforasingletermonly，sincethatisenoughforthem；buttothecleveronesIallotadoublecourseofinstruction。“And，trueenough，anyladofbrainswasretainedforthisfinishingcourse。Yethedidnotrepressallboyishplayfulness，sincehedeclaredittobeasnecessaryasarashtoadoctor，inasmuchasitenabledhimtodiagnosewhatlayhiddenwithin。
Consequently，howtheboyslovedhim！Neverwastheresuchanattachmentbetweenmasterandpupils。Andevenlater，duringthefoolishyears，whenfoolishthingsattract，themeasureofaffectionwhichAlexanderPetrovitchretainedwasextraordinary。Infact，tothedayofhisdeath，everyformerpupilwouldcelebratethebirthdayofhislatemasterbyraisinghisglassingratitudetothementordeadandburied——thenclosehiseyelidsuponthetearswhichwouldcometricklingthroughthem。EventheslightestwordofencouragementfromAlexanderPetrovitchcouldthrowaladintoatransportoftremulousjoy，andarouseinhimanhonourableemulationofhisfellows。Boysofsmallcapacityhedidnotlongretaininhisestablishment；whereasthosewhopossessedexceptionaltalentheputthroughanextracourseofschooling。Thisseniorclass——aclasscomposedofspecially-selectedpupils——wasaverydifferentaffairfromwhatusuallyobtainsinothercolleges。OnlywhenaboyhadattaineditsranksdidAlexanderdemandofhimwhatothermastersindiscreetlyrequireofmereinfants——namelythesuperiorframeofmindwhich，whileneverindulginginmockery，canitselfbearridicule，anddisregardthefool，andkeepitstemper，andrepressitself，andeschewrevenge，andcalmly，proudlyretainitstranquillityofsoul。
Inshort，whateveravailstoformaboyintoamanofassuredcharacter，thatdidAlexanderPetrovitchemployduringthepupil\'syouth，aswellasconstantlyputhimtothetest。Howwellheunderstoodtheartoflife！
Ofassistanttutorshekeptbutfew，sincemostofthenecessaryinstructionheimpartedinperson，and，withoutpedanticterminologyandinflateddictionandviews，couldsotransmittohislistenerstheinmostspiritofalessonthateventheyoungestpresentabsorbeditsessentialelements。Also，ofstudiesheselectednonebutthosewhichmayhelpaboytobecomeagoodcitizen；andthereforemostofthelectureswhichhedeliveredconsistedofdiscoursesonwhatmaybeawaitingayouth，aswellasofsuchdemarcationsoflife\'sfieldthatthepupil，thoughseated，asyet，onlyatthedesk，couldbeforehandbearhispartinthatfieldbothinthoughtandspirit。NordidthemasterCONCEALanything。Thatistosay，withoutmincingwords，heinvariablysetbeforehishearersthesorrowsandthedifficultieswhichmayconfrontaman，thetrialsandthetemptationswhichmaybesethim。Andthishedidintermsasthough，ineverypossiblecallingandcapacity，hehimselfhadexperiencedthesame。
Consequently，eitherthevigorousdevelopmentofself-respectortheconstantstimulusofthemaster\'seye(whichseemedtosaytothepupil，“Forward！”——thatwordwhichhasbecomesofamiliartothecontemporaryRussian，thatwordwhichhasworkedsuchwondersuponhissensitivetemperament)；oneortheother，Irepeat，wouldfromthefirstcausethepupiltotackledifficulties，andonlydifficulties，andtohungerforprowessonlywherethepathwasarduous，andobstaclesweremany，anditwasnecessarytodisplaytheutmoststrengthofmind。Indeed，fewcompletedthecourseofwhichIhavespokenwithoutissuingtherefromreliable，seasonedfighterswhocouldkeeptheirheadsinthemostembarrassingofofficialpositions，andattimeswhenolderandwisermen，distractedwiththeannoyancesoflife，hadeitherabandonedeverythingor，grownslackandindifferent，hadsurrenderedtothebribe-takersandtherascals。Inshort，noex-pupilofAlexanderPetrovitcheverwaveredfromtherightroad，but，familiarwithlifeandwithmen，armedwiththeweaponsofprudence，exertedapowerfulinfluenceuponwrongdoers。
ForalongtimepasttheardentyoungTientietnikov\'sexcitablehearthadalsobeatatthethoughtthatonedayhemightattaintheseniorclassdescribed。And，indeed，whatbetterteachercouldhehavehadbefallhimthanitspreceptor？Yetjustatthemomentwhenhehadbeentransferredthereto，justatthemomentwhenhehadreachedthecovetedposition，didhisinstructorcomesuddenlybyhisdeath！Thiswasindeedablowfortheboy——indeedaterribleinitialloss！Inhiseyeseverythingconnectedwiththeschoolseemedtoundergoachange——thechiefreasonbeingthefactthattotheplaceofthedeceasedheadmastertheresucceededacertainThedorIvanovitch，whoatoncebegantoinsistuponcertainexternalrules，andtodemandoftheboyswhatoughtrightlytohavebeendemandedonlyofadults。Thatistosay，sincethelads\'frankandopendemeanoursavouredtohimonlyoflackofdiscipline，heannounced(asthoughindeliberatespiteofhispredecessor)thathecarednothingforprogressandintellect，butthatheedwastobepaidonlytogoodbehaviour。Yet，curiouslyenough，goodbehaviourwasjustwhatheneverobtained，foreverykindofsecretprankbecametherule；andwhile，byday，therereignedrestraintandconspiracy，bynighttherebegantotakeplacechamberingandwantonness。
Also，certainchangesinthecurriculumofstudiescameabout，fortherewereengagednewteacherswhoheldnewviewsandopinions，andconfusedtheirhearerswithamultitudeofnewtermsandphrases，anddisplayedintheirexpositionofthingsbothlogicalsequenceandazestformoderndiscoveryandmuchwarmthofindividualbias。Yettheirinstruction，alas！containednoLIFE——inthemouthsofthoseteachersadeadlanguagesavouredmerelyofcarrion。Thuseverythingconnectedwiththeschoolunderwentaradicalalteration，andrespectforauthorityandtheauthoritieswaned，andtutorsandusherscametobedubbed“OldThedor，““Crusty，“andthelike。Andsundryotherthingsbegantotakeplace——thingswhichnecessitatedmanyapenaltyandexpulsion；until，withinacoupleofyears，noonewhohadknowntheschoolinformerdayswouldnowhaverecognisedit。
NeverthelessTientietnikov，ayouthofretiringdisposition，experiencednoleaningstowardsthenocturnalorgiesofhiscompanions，orgiesduringwhichthelatterusedtoflirtwithdamselsbeforetheverywindowsoftheheadmaster\'srooms，noryettowardstheirmockeryofallthatwassacred，simplybecausefatehadcastintheirwayaninjudiciouspriest。No，despiteitsdreaminess，hissouleverremembereditscelestialorigin，andcouldnotbedivertedfromthepathofvirtue。Yetstillhehunghishead，for，whilehisambitionhadcometolife，itcouldfindnosortofoutlet。Truly\'twerewellifithadNOTcometolife，forthroughoutthetimethathewaslisteningtoprofessorswhogesticulatedontheirchairshecouldnothelprememberingtheoldpreceptorwho，invariablycoolandcalm，hadyetknownhowtomakehimselfunderstood。Towhatsubjects，towhatlectures，didtheboynothavetolisten！——tolecturesonmedicine，andonphilosophy，andonlaw，andonaversionofgeneralhistorysoenlargedthateventhreeyearsfailedtoenabletheprofessortodomorethanfinishtheintroductionthereto，andalsotheaccountofthedevelopmentofsomeself-governingtownsinGermany。NoneofthestuffremainedfixedinTientietnikov\'sbrainsaveasshapelessclots；forthoughhisnativeintellectcouldnottellhimhowinstructionoughttobeimparted，itatleasttoldhimthatTHISwasnottheway。Andfrequently，atsuchmomentshewouldrecallAlexanderPetrovitch，andgivewaytosuchgriefthatscarcelydidheknowwhathewasdoing。
Butyouthisfortunateinthefactthatalwaysbeforeitthereliesafuture；andinproportionasthetimeforhisleavingschooldrewnigh，Tientietnikov\'sheartbegantobeathigherandhigher，andhesaidtohimself：“Thisisnotlife，butonlyapreparationforlife。
TruelifeistobefoundinthePublicService。Thereatleastwilltherebescopeforactivity。“So，bestowingnotaglanceuponthatbeautifulcorneroftheworldwhichneverfailedtostriketheguestorchancevisitorwithamazement，andreverencingnotawhitthedustofhisancestors，hefollowedtheexampleofmostambitiousmenofhisclassbyrepairingtoSt。Petersburg(whither，asweknow，themorespiritedyouthofRussiafromeveryquartergravitates——theretoenterthePublicService，toshine，toobtainpromotion，and，inaword，toscalethetopmostpeaksofthatpale，cold，deceptiveelevationwhichisknownassociety)。Buttherealstarting-pointofTientietnikov\'sambitionwasthemomentwhenhisuncle(oneStateCouncillorOnifriIvanovitch)instilledintohimthemaximthattheonlymeanstosuccessintheServicelayingoodhandwriting，andthat，withoutthataccomplishment，noonecouldeverhopetobecomeaMinisterorStatesman。Thus，withgreatdifficulty，andalsowiththehelpofhisuncle\'sinfluence，youngTientietnikovatlengthsucceededinbeingpostedtoaDepartment。Onthedaythathewasconductedintoasplendid，shininghall——ahallfittedwithinlaidfloorsandlacquereddesksasfineasthoughthiswereactuallytheplacewherethegreatonesoftheEmpiremetfordiscussionofthefortunesoftheState；onthedaythathesawlegionsofhandsomegentlemenofthequill-drivingprofessionmakingloudscratchingswithpens，andcockingtheirheadstooneside；lastlyonthedaythathesawhimselfalsoallottedadesk，andrequestedtocopyadocumentwhichappearedpurposelytobeoneofthepettiestpossibleorder(asamatteroffactitrelatedtoasumofthreeroubles，andhadtakenhalfayeartoproduce)——well，atthatmomentacurious，anunwontedsensationseizedupontheinexperiencedyouth，forthegentlemenaroundhimappearedsoexactlylikealotofcollegestudents。And，thefurthertocompletetheresemblance，someofthemwereengagedinreadingtrashytranslatednovels，whichtheykepthurriedlythrustingbetweenthesheetsoftheirapportionedworkwhenevertheDirectorappeared，asthoughtoconveytheimpressionthatitwastothatworkalonethattheywereapplyingthemselves。Inshort，thesceneseemedtoTientietnikovstrange，andhisformerpursuitsmoreimportantthanhispresent，andhispreparationfortheServicepreferabletotheServiceitself。Yes，suddenlyhefeltalongingforhisoldschool；andassuddenly，andwithallthevividnessoflife，thereappearedbeforehisvisionthefigureofAlexanderPetrovitch。Healmostburstintotearsashebeheldhisoldmaster，andtheroomseemedtoswimbeforehiseyes，andthetchinovniksandthedeskstobecomeablur，andhissighttogrowdim。Thenhethoughttohimselfwithaneffort：“No，no！IWILL
applymyselftomywork，howeverpettyitbeatfirst。“Andhardeninghisheartandrecoveringhisspirit，hedeterminedthenandtheretoperformhisdutiesinsuchamannerasshouldbeanexampletotherest。
Butwherearecompensationstobefound？EveninSt。Petersburg，despiteitsgrimandmurkyexterior，theyexist。Yes，eventhoughthirtydegreesofkeen，crackingfrostmayhaveboundthestreets，andthefamilyoftheNorthWindbewailingthere，andtheSnowstormWitchhaveheapedhighthepavements，andbeblindingtheeyes，andpowderingbeardsandfurcollarsandtheshaggymanesofhorses——evenTHENtherewillbeshininghospitablythroughtheswirlingsnowflakesafourth-floorwindowwhere，inacosyroom，andbythelightofmodestcandles，andtothehissofthesamovar，therewillbeinprogressadiscussionwhichwarmstheheartandsoul，orelseareadingaloudofabrilliantpageofoneofthoseinspiredRussianpoetswithwhomGodhasdoweredus，whilethebreastofeachmemberofthecompanyisheavingwitharaptureunknownunderanoontidesky。
Gradually，therefore，TientietnikovgrewmoreathomeintheService。
Yetneverdiditbecome，forhim，themainpursuit，themainobjectinlife，whichhehadexpected。No，itremainedbutoneofasecondarykind。Thatistosay，itservedmerelytodivideuphistime，andenablehimthemoretovaluehishoursofleisure。Nevertheless，justwhenhisunclewasbeginningtoflatterhimselfthathisnephewwasdestinedtosucceedintheprofession，thesaidnephewelectedtoruinhiseveryhope。Thusitbefell。Tientietnikov\'sfriends(hehadmany)
includedamongtheirnumberacoupleoffellowsofthespeciesknownas“embittered。“Thatistosay，thoughgood-naturedsoulsofthatcuriouslyrestlesstypewhichcannotendureinjustice，noranythingwhichitconceivestobesuch，theywerethoroughlyunbalancedofconductthemselves，and，whiledemandinggeneralagreementwiththeirviews，treatedthoseofotherswiththescantiestofceremony。
NeverthelessthesetwoassociatesexerciseduponTientietnikov——bothbythefireoftheireloquenceandbytheformoftheirnobledissatisfactionwithsociety——averystronginfluence；withtheresultthat，througharousinginhimaninnatetendencytonervousresentment，theyledhimalsotonoticetrifleswhichbeforehadescapedhisattention。AninstanceofthisisseeninthefactthatheconceivedagainstThedorThedorovitchLienitsin，DirectorofoneoftheDepartmentswhichwasquarteredinthesplendidrangeofofficesbeforementioned，adislikewhichprovedthecauseofhisdiscerningnthemanahostofhithertounmarkedimperfections。AboveallthingsdidTientietnikovtakeitintohisheadthat，whenconversingwithhissuperiors，Lienitsinbecame，ofthemoment，astickofluscioussweetmeat，butthat，whenconversingwithhisinferiors，heapproximatedmoretoavinegarcruet。Certainitisthat，likeallpetty-mindedindividuals，Lienitsinmadeanoteofanyonewhofailedtoofferhimagreetingonfestivaldays，andthatherevengedhimselfuponanyonewhosevisiting-cardhadnotbeenhandedtohisbutler。
Eventuallytheyouth\'saversionalmostattainedthepointofhysteria；
untilhefeltthat，comewhatmight，heMUSTinsultthefellowinsomefashion。Tothattaskheappliedhimselfconamore；andsothoroughlythathemetwithcompletesuccess。Thatistosay，heseizedonanoccasiontoaddressLienitsininsuchfashionthatthedelinquentreceivednoticeeithertoapologiesortoleavetheService；andwhenofthesealternativeshechosethelatterhisunclecametohim，andmadeaterrifiedappeal。“ForGod\'ssakerememberwhatyouaredoing！”hecried。“Tothinkthat，afterbeginningyourcareersowell，youshouldabandonitmerelyforthereasonthatyouhavenotfalleninwiththesortofDirectorwhomyouprefer！Whatdoyoumeanbyit，whatdoyoumeanbyit？Wereotherstoregardthingsinthesameway，theServicewouldfinditselfwithoutasingleindividual。Reconsideryourconduct——foregoyourprideandconceit，andmakeLienitsinamends。“
“But，dearUncle，“thenephewreplied，“thatisnotthepoint。Thepointis，notthatIshouldfindanapologydifficulttooffer，seeingthat，sinceLienitsinismysuperior，andIoughtnottohaveaddressedhimasIdid，Iamclearlyinthewrong。Rather，thepointisthefollowing。Tomychargetherehasbeencommittedtheperformanceofanotherkindofservice。Thatistosay，Iamtheownerofthreehundredpeasantsouls，abadlyadministeredestate，andafoolofabailiff。Thatbeingso，whereastheStatewillloselittlebyhavingtofillmystoolwithanothercopyist，itwillloseverymuchbycausingthreehundredpeasantsoulstofailinthepaymentoftheirtaxes。AsIsay(howamItoputit？)，IamalandownerwhohaspreferredtoenterthePublicService。Now，shouldIemploymyselfhenceforthinconserving，restoring，andimprovingthefortunesofthesoulswhomGodhasentrustedtomycare，andtherebyprovidetheStatewiththreehundredlaw-abiding，sober，hard-workingtaxpayers，howwillthatserviceofminerankasinferiortotheserviceofadepartment-directingfoollikeLienitsin？”
Onhearingthisspeech，theStateCouncillorcouldonlygape，forhehadnotexpectedTientietnikov\'storrentofwords。Hereflectedafewmoments，andthenmurmured：
“Yes，but，but——buthowcanamanlikeyouretiretorusticationinthecountry？Whatsocietywillyougetthere？Hereonemeetsatleastageneraloraprincesometimes；indeed，nomatterwhomyoupassinthestreet，thatpersonrepresentsgaslampsandEuropeancivilisation；butinthecountry，nomatterwhatpartofityouarein，notasoulistobeencounteredsavemuzhiksandtheirwomen。Whyshouldyougoandcondemnyourselftoastateofvegetationlikethat？”
Neverthelesstheuncle\'sexpostulationsfellupondeafears，foralreadythenephewwasbeginningtothinkofhisestateasaretreatofatypemorelikelytonourishtheintellectualfacultiesandaffordtheonlyprofitablefieldofactivity。Afterunearthingoneortwomodernworksonagriculture，therefore，he，twoweekslater，foundhimselfintheneighbourhoodofthehomewherehisboyhoodhadbeenspent，andapproachingthespotwhichneverfailedtoenthralthevisitororguest。Andintheyoungman\'sbreasttherewasbeginningtopalpitateanewfeeling——intheyoungman\'ssoultherewerereawakeningold，long-concealedimpressions；withtheresultthatmanyaspotwhichhadlongbeenfadedfromhismemorynowfilledhimwithinterest，andthebeautifulviewsontheestatefoundhimgazingatthemlikeanewcomer，andwithabeatingheart。Yes，astheroadwoundthroughanarrowravine，andbecameengulfedinaforestwhere，bothaboveandbelow，hesawthree-centuries-oldoakswhichthreemencouldnothavespanned，andwhereSiberianfirsandelmsovertoppedeventhepoplars，andasheaskedthepeasantstotellhimtowhomtheforestbelonged，andtheyreplied，“ToTientietnikov，“andheissuedfromtheforest，andproceededonhiswaythroughmeadows，andpastspinneysofelder，andofoldandyoungwillows，andarrivedinsightofthedistantrangeofhills，and，crossingbytwodifferentbridgesthewindingriver(whichheleftsuccessivelytorightandtoleftofhimashedidso)，heagainquestionedsomepeasantsconcerningtheownershipofthemeadowsandthefloodedlands，andwasagaininformedthattheyallbelongedtoTientietnikov，andthen，ascendingarise，reachedatablelandwhere，ononeside，layungarneredfieldsofwheatandryeandbarley，and，ontheother，thecountryalreadytraversed(butwhichnowshowedinshortenedperspective)，andthenplungedintotheshadeofsomeforked，umbrageoustreeswhichstoodscatteredoverturfandextendedtothemanor-houseitself，andcaughtglimpsesofthecarvedhutsofthepeasants，andoftheredroofsofthestonemanorialoutbuildings，andoftheglitteringpinnaclesofthechurch，andfelthisheartbeating，andknew，withoutbeingtoldbyanyone，whitherhehadatlengtharrived——well，thenthefeelingwhichhadbeengrowingwithinhissoulburstforth，andhecriedinecstasy：
“WhyhaveIbeenafoolsolong？Why，seeingthatfatehasappointedmetoberulerofanearthlyparadise，didIprefertobindmyselfinservitudeasascribeoflifelessdocuments？Tothinkthat，afterI
hadbeennurturedandschooledandstoredwithalltheknowledgenecessaryforthediffusionofgoodamongthoseunderme，andfortheimprovementofmydomain，andforthefulfilmentofthemanifolddutiesofalandownerwhoisatoncejudge，administrator，andconstableofhispeople，Ishouldhaveentrustedmyestatetoanignorantbailiff，andsoughttomaintainanabsenteeguardianshipovertheaffairsofserfswhomIhavenevermet，andofwhosecapabilitiesandcharactersIamyetignorant！TothinkthatIshouldhavedeemedtrueestate-managementinferiortoadocumentary，fantasticalmanagementofprovinceswhichlieathousandverstsaway，andwhichmyfoothasnevertrod，andwhereIcouldneverhaveeffectedaughtbutblundersandirregularities！”
Meanwhileanotherspectaclewasbeingpreparedforhim。Onlearningthatthebarinwasapproachingthemansion，themuzhikscollectedontheverandahinveryvarietyofpicturesquedressandtonsure；andwhenthesegoodfolksurroundedhim，andtherearosearesoundingshoutof“HereisourFosterFather！Hehasrememberedus！”and，inspiteofthemselves，someoftheoldermenandwomenbeganweepingastheyrecalledhisgrandfatherandgreat-grandfather，hehimselfcouldnotrestrainhistears，butreflected：“Howmuchaffection！Andinreturnforwhat？Inreturnformyneverhavingcometoseethem——inreturnformyneverhavingtakentheleastinterestintheiraffairs！”
Andthenandthereheregisteredamentalvowtosharetheireverytaskandoccupation。
Soheappliedhimselftosupervisingandadministering。Hereducedtheamountofthebarstchina[1]，hedecreasedthenumberofworking-daysfortheowner，andheaugmentedthesumofthepeasants\'leisure-time。
Healsodismissedthefoolofabailiff，andtooktobearingapersonalhandineverything——tobeingpresentinthefields，atthethreshing-floor，atthekilns，atthewharf，atthefreightingofbargesandrafts，andattheirconveyancedowntheriver：whereforeeventhelazyhandsbegantolooktothemselves。Butthisdidnotlastlong。Thepeasantisanobservantindividual，andTientietnikov\'smuzhikssoonscentedthefactthat，thoughenergeticanddesirousofdoingmuch，thebarinhadnonotionhowtodoit，norevenhowtosetaboutit——that，inshort，hespokebythebookratherthanoutofhispersonalknowledge。Consequentlythingsresulted，notinmasterandmenfailingtounderstandoneanother，butintheirnotsingingtogether，intheirnotproducingtheverysamenote。
[1]Inthedaysofserfdom，therateofforcedlabour——somanyhoursorsomanydaysperweek——whichtheserfhadtoperformforhisproprietor。
Thatistosay，itwasnotlongbeforeTientietnikovnoticedthatonthemanoriallands，nothingprosperedtotheextentthatitdidonthepeasants\'。Themanorialcropsweresowningoodtime，andcameupwell，andeveryoneappearedtoworkhisbest，somuchsothatTientietnikov，whosupervisedthewhole，frequentlyorderedmugsofvodkatobeservedoutasarewardfortheexcellenceofthelabourperformed。Yettheryeonthepeasants\'landhadformedintoear，andtheoatshadbeguntoshoottheirgrain，andthemillethadfilledbefore，onthemanoriallands，thecornhadsomuchasgrowntostalk，ortheearshadsproutedinembryo。Inshort，graduallythebarinrealisedthat，inspiteoffavoursconferred，thepeasantswereplayingtheroguewithhim。Nextheresortedtoremonstrance，butwasmetwiththereply，“Howcouldwenotdoourbestforourbarin？Youyourselfsawhowwellwelabouredattheploughingandthesowing，foryougaveusmugsofvodkaforourpains。“
“Thenwhyhavethingsturnedoutsobadly？”thebarinpersisted。
“Whocansay？Itmustbethatagrubhaseatenthecropfrombelow。
Besides，whatasummerhasitbeen——neveradropofrain！”
Nevertheless，thebarinnotedthatnogrubhadeatenthePEASANTS\'
crops，aswellasthattherainhadfalleninthemostcuriousfashion——namely，inpatches。Ithadobligedthemuzhiks，buthadshedameresprinklingforthebarin。
Stillmoredifficultdidhefindittodealwiththepeasantwomen。
Everandanontheywouldbegtobeexcusedfromwork，orstartmakingcomplaintsoftheseverityofthebarstchina。Indeed，theywereterriblefolk！However，Tientietnikovabolishedthemajorityofthetithesoflinen，hedgefruit，mushrooms，andnuts，andalsoreducedbyone-halfothertaskspropertothewomen，inthehopethattheywoulddevotetheirsparetimetotheirowndomesticconcerns——namely，tosewingandmending，andtomakingclothesfortheirhusbands，andtoincreasingtheareaoftheirkitchengardens。Yetnosuchresultcameabout。Onthecontrary，suchapitchdidtheidleness，thequarrelsomeness，andtheintriguingandcaballingofthefairsexattainthattheirhelpmeetswereforevercomingtothebarinwitharequestthathewouldridoneoranotherofhiswife，sinceshehadbecomeanuisance，andtolivewithherwasimpossible。
Next，hardeninghisheart，thebarinattemptedseverity。Butofwhatavailwasseverity？Thepeasantwomanremainedalwaysthepeasantwoman，andwouldcomeandwhinethatshewassickandailing，andkeeppitifullyhuggingtoherselfthemeanandfilthyragswhichshehaddonnedfortheoccasion。AndwhenpoorTientietnikovfoundhimselfunabletosaymoretoherthanjust，“Getoutofmysight，andmaytheLordgowithyou！”thenextiteminthecomedywouldbethathewouldseeher，evenasshewasleavinghisgates，falltocontendingwithaneighbourfor，say，thepossessionofaturnip，anddealingoutslapsinthefacesuchasevenastrong，healthymancouldscarcelyhavecompassed！
Again，amongstotherthings，Tientietnikovconceivedtheideaofestablishingaschoolforhispeople；buttheschemeresultedinafarcewhichlefthiminsackclothandashes。Inthesamewayhefoundthat，whenitcametoaquestionofdispensingjusticeandofadjustingdisputes，thehostofjuridicalsubtletieswithwhichtheprofessorshadprovidedhimprovedabsolutelyuseless。Thatistosay，theonepartylied，andtheotherpartylied，andonlythedevilcouldhavedecidedbetweenthem。Consequentlyhehimselfperceivedthataknowledgeofmankindwouldhaveavailedhimmorethanallthelegalrefinementsandphilosophicalmaximsintheworldcoulddo。Helackedsomething；andthoughhecouldnotdivinewhatitwas，thesituationbroughtaboutwasthecommononeofthebarinfailingtounderstandthepeasant，andthepeasantfailingtounderstandthebarin，andbothbecomingdisaffected。Intheend，thesedifficultiessochilledTientietnikov\'senthusiasmthathetooktosupervisingthelaboursofthefieldwithgreatlydiminishedattention。Thatistosay，nomatterwhetherthescythesweresoftlyswishingthroughthegrass，orrickswerebeingbuilt，orraftswerebeingloaded，hewouldallowhiseyestowanderfromhismen，andtofalltogazingat，say，ared-billed，red-leggedheronwhich，afterstruttingalongthebankofastream，wouldhavecaughtafishinitsbeak，andbeholdingitawhile，asthoughindoubtwhethertoswallowit。Nexthewouldglancetowardsthespotwhereasimilarbird，butonenotyetinpossessionofafish，wasengagedinwatchingthedoingsofitsmate。Lastly，witheyebrowsknitted，andfaceturnedtoscanthezenith，hewoulddrinkinthesmellofthefields，andfalltolisteningtothewingedpopulationoftheairasfromearthandskyalikethemanifoldmusicofwingedcreaturescombinedinasingleharmoniouschorus。Intheryethequailwouldbecalling，and，inthegrass，thecorncrake，andoverthemwouldbewheelingflocksoftwitteringlinnets。Also，thejacksnipewouldbeutteringitscroak，andthelarkexecutingitsrouladeswhereithadbecomelostinthesunshine，andcranessendingforththeirtrumpet-likechallengeastheydeployedtowardsthezenithintriangle-shapedflocks。Infact，theneighbourhoodwouldseemtohavebecomeconvertedintoonegreatconcertofmelody。OCreator，howfairisThyworldwhere，inremote，ruralseclusion，itliesapartfromcitiesandfromhighways！
ButsooneventhisbegantopalluponTientietnikov，andheceasedaltogethertovisithisfields，ortodoaughtbutshuthimselfupinhisrooms，whereherefusedtoreceiveeventhebailiffwhenthatfunctionarycalledwithhisreports。Again，although，untilnow，hehadtoacertainextentassociatedwitharetiredcolonelofhussars——amansaturatedwithtobaccosmoke——andalsowithastudentofpronounced，butimmature，opinionswhoculledthebulkofhiswisdomfromcontemporarynewspapersandpamphlets，hefound，astimewenton，thatthesecompanionsprovedastediousastherest，andcametothinktheirconversationsuperficial，andtheirEuropeanmethodofcomportingthemselves——thatistosay，themethodofconversingwithmuchslappingofkneesandagreatdealofbowingandgesticulation——toodirectandunadorned。Sotheseandeveryoneelsehedecidedto“drop，“andcarriedthisresolutionintoeffectwithacertainamountofrudeness。OnthenextoccasionthatVarvarNikolaievitchVishnepokromovcalledtoindulgeinafree-and-easysymposiumonpolitics，philosophy，literature，morals，andthestateoffinancialaffairsinEngland(hewas，inallmatterswhichadmitofsuperficialdiscussion，thepleasantestfellowalive，seeingthathewasatypicalrepresentativebothoftheretiredfire-eaterandoftheschoolofthoughtwhichisnowbecomingtherage)——when，Isay，thisnexthappened，Tientietnikovmerelysentouttosaythathewasnotathome，andthencarefullyshowedhimselfatthewindow。Hostandguestexchangedglances，and，whiletheonemutteredthroughhisteeth“Thecur！”theotherrelievedhisfeelingswitharemarkortwoonswine。
Thustheacquaintancecametoanabruptend，andfromthattimeforthnovisitorcalledatthemansion。
Tientietnikovinnowayregrettedthis，forhecouldnowdevotehimselfwhollytotheprojectionofagreatworkonRussia。Ofthescaleonwhichthiscompositionwasconceivedthereaderisalreadyaware。Thereaderalsoknowshowstrange，howunsystematic，wasthesystememployedinit。YettosaythatTientietnikovneverawokefromhislethargywouldnotbealtogethertrue。Onthecontrary，whenthepostbroughthimnewspapersandreviews，andhesawintheirprintedpages，perhaps，thewell-knownnameofsomeformercomradewhohadsucceededinthegreatfieldofPublicService，orhadconferreduponscienceandtheworld\'sworksomenotablecontribution，hewouldsuccumbtosecretandsuppressedgrief，andinvoluntarilytherewouldburstfromhissoulanexpressionofaching，voicelessregretthathehimselfhaddonesolittle。Andatthesetimeshisexistencewouldseemtohimodiousandrepellent；atthesetimestherewoulduprisebeforehimthememoryofhisschooldays，andthefigureofAlexanderPetrovitch，asvividasinlife。And，slowlywelling，thetearswouldcourseoverTientietnikov\'scheeks。
Whatmeanttheserepinings？Wastherenotdisclosedinthemthesecretofhisgallingspiritualpain——thefactthathehadfailedtoorderhislifearight，toconfirmtheloftyaimswithwhichhehadstartedhiscourse；thefactthat，alwayspoorlyequippedwithexperience，hehadfailedtoattainthebetterandthehigherstate，andtheretostrengthenhimselffortheovercomingofhindrancesandobstacles；thefactthat，dissolvinglikeoverheatedmetal，hisbounteousstoreofsuperiorinstinctshadfailedtotakethefinaltempering；thefactthatthetutorofhisboyhood，amaninathousand，hadprematurelydied，andlefttoTientietnikovnoonewhocouldrestoretohimthemoralstrengthshatteredbyvacillationandthewillpowerweakenedbywantofvirility——noone，inshort，whocouldcryhearteninglytohissoul“Forward！”——thewordforwhichtheRussianofeverydegree，ofeveryclass，ofeveryoccupation，ofeveryschoolofthought，isforeverhungering。
Indeed，WHEREisthemanwhocancryaloudforanyofus，intheRussiantonguedeartooursoul，theall-compellingcommand“Forward！”？Whoistherewho，knowingthestrengthandthenatureandtheinmostdepthsoftheRussiangenius，canbyasinglemagicincantationdivertouridealstothehigherlife？Weretheresuchaman，withwhattears，withwhataffection，wouldnotthegratefulsonsofRussiarepayhim！Yetagesucceedstoage，andourcallowyouthstilllieswrappedinshamefulsloth，orstrivesandstrugglestonopurpose。Godhasnotyetgivenusthemanabletosoundthecall。
OnecircumstancewhichalmostarousedTientietnikov，whichalmostbroughtaboutarevolutioninhischaracter，wasthefactthathecameveryneartofallinginlove。Yeteventhisresultedinnothing。TenverstsawaytherelivedthegeneralwhomwehaveheardexpressinghimselfinhighlyuncomplimentarytermsconcerningTientietnikov。HemaintainedaGeneral-likeestablishment，dispensedhospitality(thatistosay，wasgladwhenhisneighbourscametopayhimtheirrespects，thoughhehimselfneverwentout)，spokealwaysinahoarsevoice，readacertainnumberofbooks，andhadadaughter——acurious，unfamiliartype，butfulloflifeaslifeitself。Thismaiden\'snamewasUlinka，andshehadbeenstrangelybroughtup，for，losinghermotherinearlychildhood，shehadsubsequentlyreceivedinstructionatthehandsofanEnglishgovernesswhoknewnotasinglewordofRussian。Moreoverherfather，thoughexcessivelyfondofher，treatedheralwaysasatoy；withtheresultthat，asshegrewtoyearsofdiscretion，shebecamewhollywaywardandspoilt。Indeed，hadanyoneseenthesuddenragewhichwouldgatheronherbeautifulyoungforeheadwhenshewasengagedinaheateddisputewithherfather，hewouldhavethoughtheroneofthemostcapriciousbeingsintheworld。
Yetthatragegatheredonlywhenshehadheardofinjusticeorharshtreatment，andneverbecauseshedesiredtoargueonherownbehalf，ortoattempttojustifyherownconduct。Also，thatangerwoulddisappearassoonasevershesawanyonewhomshehadformerlydislikedfalluponeviltimes，and，athisfirstrequestforalmswould，withoutconsiderationorsubsequentregret，handhimherpurseanditswholecontents。Yes，hereveryactwasstrenuous，andwhenshespokeherwholepersonalityseemedtobefollowinghot-footuponherthought——bothherexpressionoffaceandherdictionandthemovementsofherhands。Nay，theveryfoldsofherfrockhadasimilarappearanceofstriving；untilonewouldhavethoughtthatallherselfwereflyinginpursuitofherwords。Nordidsheknowreticence：
beforeanyoneshewoulddisclosehermind，andnoforcecouldcompelhertomaintainsilencewhenshedesiredtospeak。Also，herenchanting，peculiargait——agaitwhichbelongedtoheralone——wassoabsolutelyfreeandunfetteredthateveryoneinvoluntarilygaveherway。Lastly，inherpresencechurlsseemedtobecomeconfusedandfalltosilence，andeventheroughestandmostoutspokenwouldlosetheirheads，andhavenotawordtosay；whereastheshymanwouldfindhimselfabletoconverseasneverinhislifebefore，andwouldfeel，fromthefirst，asthoughhehadseenherandknownheratsomepreviousperiod——duringthedaysofsomeunrememberedchildhood，whenhewasathome，andspendingamerryeveningamongacrowdofrompingchildren。Andforlongafterwardshewouldfeelasthoughhisman\'sintellectandestatewereaburden。
ThiswaswhatnowbefellTientietnikov；andasitdidsoanewfeelingenteredintohissoul，andhisdreamylifelightenedforamoment。
AtfirsttheGeneralusedtoreceivehimwithhospitablecivility，butpermanentconcordbetweenthemprovedimpossible；theirconversationalwaysmergedintodissensionandsoreness，seeingthat，whiletheGeneralcouldnotbeartobecontradictedorworstedinanargument，Tientietnikovwasamanofextremesensitiveness。True，forthedaughter\'ssake，thefatherwasforawhiledeferredto，andthuspeacewasmaintained；butthislastedonlyuntilthetimewhentherearrived，onavisittotheGeneral，twokinswomenofhis——theCountessBordirevandthePrincessUziakin，retiredCourtdames，butladieswhostillkeptupacertainconnectionwithCourtcircles，andthereforeweremuchfawneduponbytheirhost。Nosoonerhadtheyappearedonthescenethan(soitseemedtoTientietnikov)theGeneral\'sattitudetowardstheyoungmanbecamecolder——eitherheceasedtonoticehimatallorhespoketohimfamiliarly，andastoapersonhavingnostandinginsociety。ThisoffendedTientietnikovdeeply，andthough，whenatlengthhespokeoutonthesubject，heretainedsufficientpresenceofmindtocompresshislips，andtopreserveagentleandcourteoustone，hisfaceflushedandhisinnermanwasboiling。
“General，“hesaid，“Ithankyouforyourcondescension。Byaddressingmeinthesecondpersonsingular，youhaveadmittedmetothecircleofyourmostintimatefriends。Indeed，wereitnotthatadifferenceofyearsforbidsanyfamiliarityonmypart，Ishouldansweryouinsimilarfashion。“
TheGeneralsataghast。Atlength，rallyinghistongueandhisfaculties，herepliedthat，thoughhehadspokenwithalackofceremony，hehadusedtheterm“thou“merelyasanelderlymannaturallyemploysittowardsajunior(hemadenoreferencetodifferenceofrank)。
Nevertheless，theacquaintancebrokeoffhere，andwithitanypossibilityoflove-making。ThelightwhichhadshedamomentarygleambeforeTientietnikov\'seyeshadbecomeextinguishedforever，anduponittherefollowedadarknessdenserthanbefore。Hencefortheverythingconducedtoevolvetheregimewhichthereaderhasnoted——thatregimeofslothandinactionwhichconvertedTientietnikov\'sresidenceintoaplaceofdirtandneglect。Fordaysatatimewouldabroomandaheapofdustbeleftlyinginthemiddleofaroom，andtrouserstossingaboutthesalon，andpairsofworn-outbracesadorningthewhat-notnearthesofa。Inshort，someananduntidydidTientietnikov\'smodeoflifebecome，thatnotonlyhisservants，butevenhisverypoultryceasedtotreathimwithrespect。Takingupapen，hewouldspendhoursinidlysketchinghouses，huts，waggons，troikas，andflourishesonapieceofpaper；whileatothertimes，whenhehadsunkintoareverie，thepenwould，allunknowingly，sketchasmallheadwhichhaddelicatefeatures，apairofquick，penetratingeyes，andaraisedcoiffure。Thensuddenlythedreamerwouldperceive，tohissurprise，thatthepenhadexecutedtheportraitofamaidenwhosepicturenoartistcouldadequatelyhavepainted；andtherewithhisdespondencywouldbecomegreaterthanever，and，believingthathappinessdidnotexistonearth，hewouldrelapseintoincreasedennui，increasedneglectofhisresponsibilities。
Butonemorninghenoticed，onmovingtothewindowafterbreakfast，thatnotawordwasproceedingeitherfromthebutlerorthehousekeeper，butthat，onthecontrary，thecourtyardseemedtosmackofacertainbustleandexcitement。Thiswasbecausethroughtheentrancegates(whichthekitchenmaidandthescullionhadruntoopen)therewereappearingthenosesofthreehorses——onetotheright，oneinthemiddle，andonetotheleft，afterthefashionoftriumphalgroupsofstatuary。Abovethem，ontheboxseat，wereseatedacoachmanandavalet，whilebehind，again，therecouldbediscernedagentlemaninascarfandafurcap。Onlywhentheequipagehadenteredthecourtyarddiditstandrevealedasalightspringbritchka。Andasitcametoahalt，thereleaptontotheverandahofthemansionanindividualofrespectableexterior，andpossessedoftheartofmovingwiththeneatnessandalertnessofamilitaryman。
UponthisTientietnikov\'sheartstoodstill。Hewasunusedtoreceivingvisitors，andforthemomentconceivedthenewarrivaltobeaGovernmentofficial，senttoquestionhimconcerninganabortivesocietytowhichhehadformerlybelonged。(Heretheauthormayinterpolatethefactthat，inTientietnikov\'searlydays，theyoungmanhadbecomemixedupinaveryabsurdaffair。Thatistosay，acoupleofphilosophersbelongingtoaregimentofhussarshad，togetherwithanaesthetewhohadnotyetcompletedhisstudent\'scourseandagamblerwhohadsquanderedhisall，formedasecretsocietyofphilanthropicaimsunderthepresidencyofacertainoldrascalofafreemasonandtheruinedgambleraforesaid。Thescopeofthesociety\'sworkwastobeextensive：itwastobringlastinghappinesstohumanityatlarge，fromthebanksoftheThamestotheshoresofKamtchatka。Butforthismuchmoneywasneeded：whereforefromthenoble-mindedmembersofthesocietygenerouscontributionsweredemanded，andthenforwardedtoadestinationknownonlytothesupremeauthoritiesoftheconcern。AsforTientietnikov\'sadhesion，itwasbroughtaboutbythetwofriendsalreadyalludedtoas“embittered“——good-heartedsoulswhomthewearandtearoftheireffortsonbehalfofscience，civilisation，andthefutureemancipationofmankindhadendedbyconvertingintoconfirmeddrunkards。PerhapsitneedhardlybesaidthatTientietnikovsoondiscoveredhowthingsstood，andwithdrewfromtheassociation；but，meanwhile，thelatterhadhadthemisfortunesotohaveengagedindealingsnotwhollycreditabletogentlemenofnobleoriginaslikewisetohavebecomeentangledindealingswiththepolice。
Consequently，itisnottobewonderedatthat，thoughTientietnikovhadlongseveredhisconnectionwiththesocietyanditspolicy，hestillremaineduneasyinhismindastowhatmightevenyetbetheresult。)
However，hisfearsvanishedtheinstantthattheguestsalutedhimwithmarkedpolitenessandexplained，withmanydeferentialpoisesofthehead，andintermsatoncecivilandconcise，thatforsometimepasthe(thenewcomer)hadbeentouringtheRussianEmpireonbusinessandinthepursuitofknowledge，thattheEmpireaboundedinobjectsofinterest——nottomentionaplenitudeofmanufacturesandagreatdiversityofsoil，andthat，inspiteofthefactthathewasgreatlystruckwiththeamenitiesofhishost\'sdomain，hewouldcertainlynothavepresumedtointrudeatsuchaninconvenienthourbutforthecircumstancethattheinclementspringweather，addedtothestateoftheroads，hadnecessitatedsundryrepairstohiscarriageatthehandsofwheelwrightsandblacksmiths。Finallyhedeclaredthat，evenifthislasthadNOThappened，hewouldstillhavefeltunabletodenyhimselfthepleasureofofferingtohishostthatmeedofhomagewhichwasthelatter\'sdue。
Thisspeech——aspeechoffascinatingbonhomie——delivered，theguestexecutedasortofshufflewithahalf-bootofpatentleatherstuddedwithbuttonsofmother-of-pearl，andfollowedthatupby(inspiteofhispronouncedrotundityoffigure)steppingbackwardswithalltheelanofanindia-rubberball。
FromthisthesomewhatreassuredTientietnikovconcludedthathisvisitormustbealiterary，knowledge-seekingprofessorwhowasengagedinroamingthecountryinsearchofbotanicalspecimensandfossils；whereforehehastenedtoexpressbothhisreadinesstofurtherthevisitor\'sobjects(whatevertheymightbe)andhispersonalwillingnesstoprovidehimwiththerequisitewheelwrightsandblacksmiths。Meanwhilehebeggedhisguesttoconsiderhimselfathome，and，afterseatinghiminanarmchair，madepreparationstolistentothenewcomer\'sdiscourseonnaturalhistory。
Butthenewcomerappliedhimself，rather，tophenomenaoftheinternalworld，sayingthathislifemightbelikenedtoabarquetossedonthecrestsofperfidiousbillows，thatinhistimehehadbeenfatedtoplaymanyparts，andthatonmorethanoneoccasionhislifehadstoodindangeratthehandsoffoes。Atthesametime，thesetidingswerecommunicatedinamannercalculatedtoshowthatthespeakerwasalsoamanofPRACTICALcapabilities。Inconclusion，thevisitortookoutacambricpocket-handkerchief，andsneezedintoitwithavehemencewhollynewtoTientietnikov\'sexperience。Infact，thesneezeratherresembledthenotewhich，attimes，thetromboneofanorchestraappearstoutternotsomuchfromitsproperplaceontheplatformasfromtheimmediateneighbourhoodofthelistener\'sear。Andastheechoesofthedrowsymansionresoundedtothereportoftheexplosiontherefolloweduponthesameawaveofperfume，skilfullywaftedabroadwithaflourishoftheeau-de-Cologne-scentedhandkerchief。
BythistimethereaderwillhaveguessedthatthevisitorwasnoneotherthanouroldandrespectedfriendPaulIvanovitchChichikov。
Naturally，timehadnotsparedhimhisshareofanxietiesandalarms；
whereforehisexteriorhadcometolookatriflemoreelderly，hisfrockcoathadtakenonasuggestionofshabbiness，andbritchka，coachman，valet，horses，andharnessalikehadaboutthemasortofsecond-hand，worse-for-weareffect。EvidentlytheChichikovianfinanceswerenotinthemostflourishingofconditions。Nevertheless，theoldexpressionofface，theoldairofbreedingandrefinement，remainedunimpaired，andourherohadevenimprovedintheartofwalkingandturningwithgrace，andofdexterouslycrossingonelegovertheotherwhentakingaseat。Also，hismildnessofdiction，hisdiscreetmoderationofwordandphrase，survivedin，ifanything，increasedmeasure，andheborehimselfwithaskillwhichcausedhistactfulnesstosurpassitselfinsurenessofaplomb。Andalltheseaccomplishmentshadtheireffectfurtherheightenedbyasnowyimmaculatenessofcollaranddickey，andanabsenceofdustfromhisfrockcoat，ascompleteasthoughhehadjustarrivedtoattendanamedayfestival。Lastly，hischeeksandchinwereofsuchneatclean-shavennessthatnoonebutablindmancouldhavefailedtoadmiretheirroundedcontours。
FromthatmomentonwardsgreatchangestookplaceinTientietnikov\'sestablishment，andcertainofitsroomsassumedanunwontedairofcleanlinessandorder。TheroomsinquestionwerethoseassignedtoChichikov，whileoneotherapartment——alittlefrontchamberopeningintothehall——becamepermeatedwithPetrushka\'sownpeculiarsmell。
Butthislastedonlyforalittlewhile，forpresentlyPetrushkawastransferredtotheservants\'quarters，acoursewhichoughttohavebeenadoptedinthefirstinstance。
DuringtheinitialdaysofChichikov\'ssojourn，Tientietnikovfearedrathertolosehisindependence，inasmuchashethoughtthathisguestmighthamperhismovements，andbringaboutalterationsintheestablishedroutineoftheplace。Butthesefearsprovedgroundless，forPaulIvanovitchdisplayedanextraordinaryaptitudeforaccommodatinghimselftohisnewposition。Tobeginwith，heencouragedhishostinhisphilosophicalinertiabysayingthatthelatterwouldhelpTientietnikovtobecomeacentenarian。Next，inthematterofalifeofisolation，hehitthingsoffexactlybyremarkingthatsuchalifebredinamanacapacityforhighthinking。Lastly，asheinspectedthelibraryanddilatedonbooksingeneral，hecontrivedanopportunitytoobservethatliteraturesafeguardedamanfromatendencytowastehistime。Inshort，thefewwordsofwhichhedeliveredhimselfwerebrief，butinvariablytothepoint。Andthisdiscretionofspeechwasoutdonebyhisdiscretionofconduct。Thatistosay，whetherenteringorleavingtheroom，heneverweariedhishostwithaquestionifTientietnikovhadtheairofbeingdisinclinedtotalk；andwithequalsatisfactiontheguestcouldeitherplaychessorholdhistongue。ConsequentlyTientietnikovsaidtohimself：
“ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIhavemetwithamanwithwhomitispossibletolive。Ingeneral，notmanyofthetypeexistinRussia，and，thoughclever，good-humoured，well-educatedmenabound，onewouldbehardputtoittofindanindividualofequabletemperamentwithwhomonecouldsharearoofforcenturieswithoutaquarrelarising。
Anyway，ChichikovisthefirstofhissortthatIhavemet。“
