"Górky" Alexéi Maxímovitch Pyeshkóff was born in Nízhni Nóvgorod in 1868 or 1869. Socially, he belongs to the petty burgher class, but his grandfather, on the paternal side, was reduced from an officer to the ranks, by the Emperor Nicholas I., for harsh treatment of the soldiers under his command. He was such a rough character that his son (the author's father) ran away from home five times in the course of seven years, and definitivelyparted from his uncongenial family at the age of seventeen, when he went afoot from Tobólsk to Nízhni Nóvgorod, where he apprenticed himself to a paper-hanger. Later on he became the office-manager of a steamer company in Ástrakhan. His mother was the daughter of a man who began his career as a bargee on the Volga, one of the lowest class of men who, before the advent of steam, hauled the merchandise-laden barks from Ástrakhan to Nízhni Nóvgorod, against the current. Afterwards he became a dyer of yarns, and eventually established a thriving dyeing establishment in Nízhni.
Górky's father died of cholera at Ástrakhan when the lad was four years old. His mother soon married again, and gave the boy to his grandfather, who had him taught to read and write, and then sent him to school, where he remained only five months. At the end of that time he caught smallpox, and his studies were never renewed. Meanwhile his mother died, and his grandfather was ruined financially, so Górky, at nine years of age, became the "boy" in a shoeshop, where he spent two months, scalded his hands with cabbage soup, and was sent back to his grandfather. His relations treated him with hostility or indifference, and on his recovery, apprenticed him to a draftsman, from whose harshness he promptly fled, and entered the shop of a painter of holy pictures. Next he became scullion on a river steamer, and the cook was the first to inculcate in him a love of reading and of good literature. Next he became gardener's boy; then tried to get an education at Kazán University, under the mistaken impression that education was free. To keep from starving he became assistant in a bakery at three rubles a month; "the hardest work I ever tried," he says; sawedwood, carried heavy burdens, peddled apples on the wharf, and tried to commit suicide out of sheer want and misery.50"Konováloff" and "Men with Pasts"51would seem to represent some of the experiences of this period, "Konováloff" being regarded as one of his best stories. Then he went to Tzarítzyn, where he obtained employment as watchman on a railway, was called back to Nízhni Nóvgorod for the conscription, but was not accepted as a soldier, such "holy" men not being wanted. He became a peddler of beer, then secretary to a lawyer, who exercised great influence on his education. But he felt out of place, and in 1890 went back to Tzarítzyn, then to the Don Province (of the Kazáks), to the Ukraína and Bessarábia, back along the southern shore of the Crimea to the Kubán, and thence to the Caucasus. The reader of his inimitable short stories can trace these peregrinations and the adventures incident to them. In Tiflís he worked in the railway shops, and in 1892 printed his first literary effort, "Makár Tchúdra," in a local newspaper, the "Kavkáz." In the following year, in Nízhni Nóvgorod, he made acquaintance with Korolénko, to whom he is indebted for getting into "great literature," and for sympathy and advice. When he published "Tchelkásh," in 1893, his fate was settled. It is regarded as one of the purest gems of Russian literature. He immediately rose to honor, and all his writings since that time have appeared in the leading publications. Moreover, he is the most "fashionable" writer in the country. But he enjoys something more than mere popularity; he is deeply loved.This is the result of the young artist's remarkable talent for painting absolutely living pictures of both persons and things. The many-sidedness of his genius—for he has more than talent—is shown, among other things, by the fact that he depicts with equal success landscapes,genrescenes, portraits of women. His episode of the singers in "Fomá Gordyéeff" (pp. 217-227) is regarded by Russian critics as fully worthy of being compared with the scenes for which Turgéneff is renowned. His landscape pictures are so beautiful that they cause a throb of pain. But, as is almost inevitable under the circumstances, most of his stories have an element of coarseness, which sometimes repels.
In general, his subject is "the uneasy man," who is striving after absolute freedom, after light and a lofty ideal, of which he can perceive the existence somewhere, though with all his efforts he cannot grasp it. We may assume that in this they represent Górky himself. But although all his heroes are seeking the meaning of life, no two of them are alike. His characters, like his landscapes, grip the heart, and once known, leave an ineffaceable imprint. Although he propounds problems of life among various classes, he differs from the majority of people, in not regarding a full stomach as the panacea for the poor man. On the contrary (as in "Fomá Gordyéeff," his most ambitious effort), he seems to regard precisely this as the cause of more ruin than the life of "the barefoot brigade," the tramps and stepchildren of Dame Fortune, with whom he principally deals. His motto seems to be "Man shall not live by bread alone." And because Górky bears this thought ever with him, in brain and heart, in nerves and his very marrow, his work possessesa strength which is almost terrifying, combined with a beauty as terrifying in its way. If he will but develop his immense genius instead of meddling with social and political questions, and getting into prison on that score with disheartening regularity, something incalculably great may be the outcome. It is said that he is now banished in polite exile to the Crimea. If he can be kept there or elsewhere out of mischief, the Russian government will again render the literature of its own country and of the world as great a service as it has already more than once rendered in the past, by similar means.
In the '70's and '80's Russian society was seized with a mania for writing poetry, and a countless throng of young poets made their appearance. No book sold so rapidly as a volume of verses. But very few of these aspirants to fame possessed any originality or serious worth. Poetry had advanced not a single step since the days of Nekrásoff and Shevtchénko, so far as national independence was concerned.
The most talented of the young poets of this period was Semén Yákovlevitch Nádson (1862-1887). His grandfather, a Jew who had joined the Russian Church, lived in Kíeff. His father, a gifted man and a fine musician, died young. His mother, a Russian gentlewoman, died at the age of thirty-one, of consumption. At the age of sixteen, Nádson fell in love with a young girl, and began to write poetry. She died of quick consumption shortly afterwards. This grief affected the young man's whole career, and many of his poems were inspired by it. He began to publish his poems while still in school, being already threatened with pulmonary trouble, on account of which he had been sent to the Caucasus atthe expense of the government, where he spent a year. In 1882 he graduated from the military school, and was appointed an officer in a regiment stationed at Kronstádt. There he lived for two years, and some of his best poems belong to this epoch: "No, Easier 'Tis for Me to Think that Thou Art Dead," "Herostrat," "Dreams," "The Brilliant Hall Has Silent Grown," "All Hath Come to Pass," and so forth. He retired from the military service in 1883, being already in the grasp of consumption. His poems ran through ten editions during the five years which followed his death, and still continue to sell with equal rapidity, so remarkable is their popularity. He was an ideally poetical figure; moreover, he charms by his flowing, musical verse, by the enthralling elegance and grace of his poetical imagery, and genuine lyric inspiration. All his poetry is filled with quiet, meditative sadness. It is by the music of his verse and the tender tears of his feminine lyrism that Nádson penetrates the hearts of his readers. His masterpiece is "My Friend, My Brother," and this reflects the sentiment of all his work.52Here is the first verse:
My friend, my brother, weary, suffering brother,Whoever thou may'st be, let not thy spirit fail;Let evil and injustice reign with sway supremeO'er all the tear-washed earth.Let the sacred ideal be shattered and dishonored;Let innocent blood flow in stream—Believe me, there cometh a time when Baal shall perishAnd love shall return to earth.
My friend, my brother, weary, suffering brother,Whoever thou may'st be, let not thy spirit fail;Let evil and injustice reign with sway supremeO'er all the tear-washed earth.Let the sacred ideal be shattered and dishonored;Let innocent blood flow in stream—Believe me, there cometh a time when Baal shall perishAnd love shall return to earth.
Another very sincere, sympathetic, and genuine, though not great poet, also of Jewish race, is Semén Grigórievitch Frug (1860-1916), the son of a member of the Jewish agricultural colony in the government of Khersón. He, like Nádson, believes that good will triumph in the end, and is not in the least a pessimist.
Quite the reverse are Nikolái Maxímovitch Vilénkin (who is better known by his pseudonym of "Mínsky" from his native government), and DmítrySergyéevitchMerezhkóvsky (1865) who, as a poet, is generally bombastic. His novels are better.
There are many other good, though not great, contemporary writers in Russia, including several women. But they hardly come within the scope of this work (which does not aim at being encyclopedic), as neither their work nor their fame is likely to make its way to foreign readers who are unacquainted with the Russian language. For those who do read Russian there are several good handbooks of contemporary literature which will furnish all necessary information.
FOOTNOTES:33The "Old Ritualists" orraskólniki, are those who do not accept the corrections to the Church books, and so forth, made in seventeenth century, by the Patriarch Níkon.34Count L. N. Tolstóy presented me with a copy of one of these legends—a most distressing and improbable affair—with the remark, "Lyeskóff has spoiled himself by imitating me." He meant that Lyeskóff was imitating his little moral tales and legends, to which he had been devoting himself for some time past. I agreed with Tolstóy, as to the effect.35Although she was very ill and weak, she was good enough to ask me to visit her, a few months before she died, in 1889.36Count L. N. Tolstóy told me that Uspénsky had never been sufficiently appreciated. He also praised Zlatovrátsky highly.37Former crown serfs repeatedly told me how free they had been—how much better off than those of private persons.38Naturally, it is this feature of his writings which made Count Tolstóy laud him so highly to me.39Or, "The Golovléffs," the above being the more formal translation. Saltykóff was too ill to receive strangers when I was in Russia. But I attended a requiem service over his body, at his home; another at the Kazán Cathedral, where all the literary lights assembled; and went to his funeral in the outlying cemetery, thereby having the good fortune to behold one of the famous "demonstrations" in which the Russian public indulges on such occasions.40This refers to the Table of Ranks, established by Peter the Great. The fourth class of officials from the top of the ladder, have attained a very respectable amount of embroidery, dignity, and social position.41About two cents and a half.42I have seen the number variously stated at from eleven to thirteen; but Countess Sophía Andréevna, his wife, told me there had been fifteen, and I regard her as the final authority on this point, a very interesting one, in view of some of his latter-day theories and exhortations. Countess Tolstóy was the daughter of Dr. Behrs, of Moscow.43Turgéneff, who afterwards called Tolstóy "The Great Writer of the Russian Land," pronounced emphatically against him at this time; and so did many others, who became his enthusiastic admirers.44At this period, also, the peasant costume became the fashion in the higher circles. Count Tolstóy is generally (out of Russia) assumed to be the first and only wearer of such garments.45This is a particularly interesting example to the people of America and to me. I sent to Count Tolstóy over seven thousand dollars which people throughout the length and breadth of the land had forwarded to me for that purpose, and I turned thousands more in his direction. His conscience is as uneasy and as fitful and illogical in pretty nearly all other matters, which is a pity, because it is both lively and sincere, though mistaken.46It was to this sort of story that Count Tolstóy referred, when he told me that Lyeskóff had spoiled his talent of recent years by imitating him, Tolstóy.47I have stated my own theory as to Count Tolstóy's incessant changes of view, and his puzzling inconsistencies, in my "Russian Rambles." It is not necessary or fitting that I should repeat it here.48I tried to see him in Nízhni Nóvgorod, but although he was still under police surveillance, the police could not tell me where to find him, and I obtained the information from a photographer friend of his. Unfortunately, he was then in the Crimea, gathering "material."49Translated into English under the title "A Russian Priest." Another volume contains two charming stories from the same circle, "A Father of Six" and "An Occasional Holiday."50He must have been at Kazán about the time I was there; and I have often wondered if I saw him on the wharf, where I passed weary hours waiting for the steamer.51See "Orlóff and His Wife," in my translation, 1891.52I do not attempt a metrical translation. Lines 1-3, 2-4, 5-7, 6-8, rhyme in pairs.
33The "Old Ritualists" orraskólniki, are those who do not accept the corrections to the Church books, and so forth, made in seventeenth century, by the Patriarch Níkon.
33The "Old Ritualists" orraskólniki, are those who do not accept the corrections to the Church books, and so forth, made in seventeenth century, by the Patriarch Níkon.
34Count L. N. Tolstóy presented me with a copy of one of these legends—a most distressing and improbable affair—with the remark, "Lyeskóff has spoiled himself by imitating me." He meant that Lyeskóff was imitating his little moral tales and legends, to which he had been devoting himself for some time past. I agreed with Tolstóy, as to the effect.
34Count L. N. Tolstóy presented me with a copy of one of these legends—a most distressing and improbable affair—with the remark, "Lyeskóff has spoiled himself by imitating me." He meant that Lyeskóff was imitating his little moral tales and legends, to which he had been devoting himself for some time past. I agreed with Tolstóy, as to the effect.
35Although she was very ill and weak, she was good enough to ask me to visit her, a few months before she died, in 1889.
35Although she was very ill and weak, she was good enough to ask me to visit her, a few months before she died, in 1889.
36Count L. N. Tolstóy told me that Uspénsky had never been sufficiently appreciated. He also praised Zlatovrátsky highly.
36Count L. N. Tolstóy told me that Uspénsky had never been sufficiently appreciated. He also praised Zlatovrátsky highly.
37Former crown serfs repeatedly told me how free they had been—how much better off than those of private persons.
37Former crown serfs repeatedly told me how free they had been—how much better off than those of private persons.
38Naturally, it is this feature of his writings which made Count Tolstóy laud him so highly to me.
38Naturally, it is this feature of his writings which made Count Tolstóy laud him so highly to me.
39Or, "The Golovléffs," the above being the more formal translation. Saltykóff was too ill to receive strangers when I was in Russia. But I attended a requiem service over his body, at his home; another at the Kazán Cathedral, where all the literary lights assembled; and went to his funeral in the outlying cemetery, thereby having the good fortune to behold one of the famous "demonstrations" in which the Russian public indulges on such occasions.
39Or, "The Golovléffs," the above being the more formal translation. Saltykóff was too ill to receive strangers when I was in Russia. But I attended a requiem service over his body, at his home; another at the Kazán Cathedral, where all the literary lights assembled; and went to his funeral in the outlying cemetery, thereby having the good fortune to behold one of the famous "demonstrations" in which the Russian public indulges on such occasions.
40This refers to the Table of Ranks, established by Peter the Great. The fourth class of officials from the top of the ladder, have attained a very respectable amount of embroidery, dignity, and social position.
40This refers to the Table of Ranks, established by Peter the Great. The fourth class of officials from the top of the ladder, have attained a very respectable amount of embroidery, dignity, and social position.
41About two cents and a half.
41About two cents and a half.
42I have seen the number variously stated at from eleven to thirteen; but Countess Sophía Andréevna, his wife, told me there had been fifteen, and I regard her as the final authority on this point, a very interesting one, in view of some of his latter-day theories and exhortations. Countess Tolstóy was the daughter of Dr. Behrs, of Moscow.
42I have seen the number variously stated at from eleven to thirteen; but Countess Sophía Andréevna, his wife, told me there had been fifteen, and I regard her as the final authority on this point, a very interesting one, in view of some of his latter-day theories and exhortations. Countess Tolstóy was the daughter of Dr. Behrs, of Moscow.
43Turgéneff, who afterwards called Tolstóy "The Great Writer of the Russian Land," pronounced emphatically against him at this time; and so did many others, who became his enthusiastic admirers.
43Turgéneff, who afterwards called Tolstóy "The Great Writer of the Russian Land," pronounced emphatically against him at this time; and so did many others, who became his enthusiastic admirers.
44At this period, also, the peasant costume became the fashion in the higher circles. Count Tolstóy is generally (out of Russia) assumed to be the first and only wearer of such garments.
44At this period, also, the peasant costume became the fashion in the higher circles. Count Tolstóy is generally (out of Russia) assumed to be the first and only wearer of such garments.
45This is a particularly interesting example to the people of America and to me. I sent to Count Tolstóy over seven thousand dollars which people throughout the length and breadth of the land had forwarded to me for that purpose, and I turned thousands more in his direction. His conscience is as uneasy and as fitful and illogical in pretty nearly all other matters, which is a pity, because it is both lively and sincere, though mistaken.
45This is a particularly interesting example to the people of America and to me. I sent to Count Tolstóy over seven thousand dollars which people throughout the length and breadth of the land had forwarded to me for that purpose, and I turned thousands more in his direction. His conscience is as uneasy and as fitful and illogical in pretty nearly all other matters, which is a pity, because it is both lively and sincere, though mistaken.
46It was to this sort of story that Count Tolstóy referred, when he told me that Lyeskóff had spoiled his talent of recent years by imitating him, Tolstóy.
46It was to this sort of story that Count Tolstóy referred, when he told me that Lyeskóff had spoiled his talent of recent years by imitating him, Tolstóy.
47I have stated my own theory as to Count Tolstóy's incessant changes of view, and his puzzling inconsistencies, in my "Russian Rambles." It is not necessary or fitting that I should repeat it here.
47I have stated my own theory as to Count Tolstóy's incessant changes of view, and his puzzling inconsistencies, in my "Russian Rambles." It is not necessary or fitting that I should repeat it here.
48I tried to see him in Nízhni Nóvgorod, but although he was still under police surveillance, the police could not tell me where to find him, and I obtained the information from a photographer friend of his. Unfortunately, he was then in the Crimea, gathering "material."
48I tried to see him in Nízhni Nóvgorod, but although he was still under police surveillance, the police could not tell me where to find him, and I obtained the information from a photographer friend of his. Unfortunately, he was then in the Crimea, gathering "material."
49Translated into English under the title "A Russian Priest." Another volume contains two charming stories from the same circle, "A Father of Six" and "An Occasional Holiday."
49Translated into English under the title "A Russian Priest." Another volume contains two charming stories from the same circle, "A Father of Six" and "An Occasional Holiday."
50He must have been at Kazán about the time I was there; and I have often wondered if I saw him on the wharf, where I passed weary hours waiting for the steamer.
50He must have been at Kazán about the time I was there; and I have often wondered if I saw him on the wharf, where I passed weary hours waiting for the steamer.
51See "Orlóff and His Wife," in my translation, 1891.
51See "Orlóff and His Wife," in my translation, 1891.
52I do not attempt a metrical translation. Lines 1-3, 2-4, 5-7, 6-8, rhyme in pairs.
52I do not attempt a metrical translation. Lines 1-3, 2-4, 5-7, 6-8, rhyme in pairs.
Adásheff,54,56.Aksákoff,141,164.Alexander I.,91,101,102,105.Archángel,72.Ástrakhan,70,227,269.Baratýnsky,123.Bárynya Sudárynya,34.Bátiushkoff,106,108.Bogdanóvitch,96,97.Book of Degrees,61.Book of Hours,53,59.Briulóff,206.Búnin,107.Byelínsky,139,141,143,161,165,204,213,215.Caucasus,251,252,270,272.Danilévsky,230.Dáshkoff,82.Decembrists,201,215.Délvig,123.Derzhávin,82,90,96,100,114.Dmítrieff,92,98,105,142.Dmítry, St. of Rostóff,63,64.Dmítry Donskóy (dmee-tree),48.Dniépr (Neepr),2,41,147,159.Dolgorúky,57.Domostróy,51.Dostoévsky,140,161,209,212,225,254.Drevlyáns,41.Dúroff,214,215.Elizabeth,68,75,76,114,230.Féodor (fáy-o-dor),47,59.Feódorovna,108,110,206.Feodósiy,40.Frug,274.Galítzyn,69.Gárshin,265.Glazátly,56.Gógol,140,141,146-159,161,165,167,181,189,213,215.Gontcharóff,140,161-63,220,223,250.Górky,268-272.Gregory,63.Griboyédoff,124,128,181.Grigoróvitch,140,161,163-64,213.House Regulator,51.Ígor (egor),41.Ígor's Raid,44.Ilarión,39.Ioánnovña, Anna,69,72,75,114.Irkútsk,199.Iván (e-vahñ) the Terrible,51.Kamarýnskaya,34.Kantemír,68,69,84.Kápnist,96.Karamzín (ka-ram-zeen),92,98,102,106,109,111,115,124,229.Katherine II.,70,77,80,82,84,85,90,91,96,100,102,114.Kazán,33,52,56,97,141,251,269.Khémnitzer,96-100.Kheraskóff,96,97,164.Khersón,158,274.Khomyakóff,164.Khvóshtchinsky,234.Kíeff (keef),1,2,7,29,36,39,41,47,56,61,63,67,204,207.Koltzóff,142-145,194,204.Korolénko,266.Kostomároff,230.Kotoshíkin,57.Kozmá, Epistle to,54.Krizhánitz,58.Kronstádt,273.Krylóff (kree-lof),98,109,112,124,189.Kúrbsky,53,55.Kúrotchkin,210.Kyríll,3.Kyríll of Nóvgorod,40.Lérmontoff,116,128,138,140,150,192.Lomonósoff,57,69,72-5,97,113,128,139,140.Lyeskóff,231.Máikoff,140,193.Makáry,48.Markóvitch,233.Márlinsky,146.Matchtet,266.Maxím, the Greek,50.Mélnikoff,230.Merezhkóvsky,274.Methódy,3.Mikháilovitch,57,59,61,62.Mináeff,210.Mínsky,274.Moghíla (mo-ghe-la),56,61,63.Moscow,47,48,53,55,57,61,62,63,67,69,72,76,84,102,139,143,164,167,182,186,193,210,212,215,251.Most Holy Governing Synod,59,68.Mystery Plays,63.Nádson,272-73.Nekrásoff,140,161,195-204,209,202.Nertchínsk,200,201.Nestor,8,40,41.Nicholas I.,108,206.Nikifór,40.Nikítin,209.Níkon,58,61.Nízhni Nóvgorod,269.Nóvgorod,2,6,7,29,62,67.Októikh,52.Olga,41.Olónetz,31,36,91.Orél (aryól),164.Orenburg,207,209.Osten-Saken,251.Ostromír,6.Ostróvsky,12,161,182-191.Ostrózhsky,53.Ózeroff,105.Panáeff,140,196.Patriarch,58,59,62.Paul I.,91,101.Peter the Great,57,58,59,66,67,70,75,113.Petrashévsky,209,214,215,239.Písemsky,191.Pleshtchéeff,209,210,215.Polónsky,194.Polótzky,57,59,61,63.Poltáva,147.Posóshkoff,67.Potápenko,267.Preobrazhénsky,91.Prokópovitch,68,69,75,85.Púshkin,44,92,106,109,113-124,126,128,139,142,143,146,165,188,189,214,229,238.Rázin Sténka,33.Róstislaff,3.Rúrik,2,61.Russian News,66.Rýbnikoff,31.Ryeshétnikoff,237.Sadkó,31.St. Petersburg,67,73,76,80,84,126,129,140,143,164,167,186,195,205,207,210,212,255.Saltykóff,238.Schelling,138-39.Shénshin,193.Shevtchénko,204-9,233.Simbírsk,161.Slavyanophils,139.Smotrítzky,57.Soloviéff,230,263.Sorótchinsky,147.Sóshenko,205.Spyéshneff,215.Stépennaya Kníga,61.Stogláva,50.Sumarókoff,75-8,97,181.Sylvester,51,54.Tambóff,91.Tarakánoff, Princess,230.Tashkéntzians,241.Tatár,10,33,36,47,48.Tatíshtcheff,68,70.Taúris,158.Tchasoslóff,53.Tchékoff,266.Tchernígoff,67.Tchernyshévsky,226.Tchetyá Mináya,49.Theatres,63.Tiflís,126.Tiútcheff,194.Tobólsk,215.Tolstóy, A. K.,191-3.Tolstóy, L. N.,140,141,150,161,188,218,233,250-65.Trediakóvsky,68,71.Tzárskoe Seló,92,114,238.Turgéneff,140,161,164-80,190,220,223,250,254.Tver,217.Ufá,141.Ukraína,156,208,270.Uspénsky,234,236.Vasílievitch,51.Vasíly,47,51.Vilna,205.Vladímir,1,7,29,30,39,97.Vladímir, Monomáchus,43.Voevóda,56,57.Volhýnia,53.Vólkhoff,76.Von Vízin,82,90,150,181.Vorónezh,142,143.Vyátka,239.Yároslaff,39.Yaroslávl,76.Yavórsky,68.Yázykoff,123,124.Yásnaya Polyána,250-52.Zagóskin,146,229.Zaporózhian,147.Zhemtchúzhnikoff,210.Zhidyáta, Luká,39.Zhukóvsky,106,108,115,124,143,150,192,206,208.Zizánie-Tustanóvsky,57.Zlatovrátsky,234,236.