I NT ROD U C T I O N

De ad S o uls fi rst,
pu bli sh e d i n 1 8 4 2 i s the gre at pro se classic ,

o f R u ssi a
. T hat amazi ng in s ti tu tio n the Russian nov e l
. ,
”
,

n o t o n ly b e gan i ts car e e r wi th this u n fin is he d ma ste rp i e c e by

Ni k olai Vasi l e vi ch G ogol but prac ti cally all the Russi an

’
,

maste rp i e c e s that hav e co m e si nc e ha v e gro wn o u t o f i t li ke ,

the l i m b s o f a si ngl e tre e D o sto i e fi sky go e s so far as to

’

b e stow th i s tri b u te upon an e arl i e r work b y the s am e au thor ,

a short s tory e n ti tl e d T he Cloak th i s i d e a has b e e n wi ttil y

e x pre sse d by ano th e r compa tri o t who s ay s We have all
,

”
i ssu e d o ut o f Go g o l s Cloak
’
.

D e ad S ou ls whi ch b e ars the word Po e m upon the ti tle

,

pag e o f the o ri gi nal has b e e n g e n e rally compare d to D on

Q u i xo te and to th e P i ckwi ck P ap ers wh i l e B M V o g ii e plac es
, . .

i ts au thor s om e wh e re b e tw e e n Ce rv an te s and L e S ag e How .

e ve r con si d e ra b l e the i n fl u e nc e s of Ce rv an te s and D i c ke n s

—
may hav e be e n the fi rst i n the matte r o f struc ture the o th e r
—
,

i n b ackground humour and d a l of charac r a on the

,
e t i ,
te i s t i
pre dom i nati ng and d i sti ngu i shi ng q uali ty of the w ork i s un
d e ni ably som e thi ng fore i gn to b o th and q u i te p e culi ar to
i tse lf ; s om e thi ng wh i ch for wan t of a b e tte r te rm m i gh t b e
, ,

call e d the q ual i ty o f the R u ssi an s oul T he E ngli s h re ad e r .

fam i li ar w i th the works o i D o sto i e fi sky T urg e n e v and '

, ,

T olstoi n e e d hardly be told what thi s i mpli e s ; i t m i gh t be

,

d e fi n e d i n the word s of the Fre nch cri ti c j u st nam e d as a

”
te nd e ncy to p i ty On e m i gh t i nd e e d g o furth e r and s ay
.

that i t i m pl i e s a c e rt a i n t o le ranc e o f on e s charac te rs e v e n

’

though th e y b e i n the conv e n ti onal se n se kna v e s produc ts

, , , ,

as th e ca se m i gh t b e o f cond i ti on s or c i rcum sta nc e

, whi ch ,

afte r all i s the thi ng to b e cri ti ci se d and n o t the man B u t .

D
a un i q ue work
e ad S o u ls
G ogoli an p e cu li arly Ru ssi an and d i sti nct from i ts au thor s
, ,
’

S p an i sh and E ngli sh ma ste rs .

S ti l l mo re p r ofound a re the con trad i c ti on s to b e se e n i n

the au thor s p e rs onal charac te r ; and un fortun ate ly th e y p re
’
vi i i D e ad S o ul s
v n
e te d hi m r f om c omp l e t i ng h i s w o r k T h e t r ou b l e i s
.
tha t

he mad e hi s a rt o u t o f l i f e and ,
fi na l y e a r s h e

T a ti i l i h
"

a
c rri e d hi s st rugg le a s o
,
l st o i d i d l a t e r b k n t o f e,
e ,

p
re e ten d of a ll he had w r i tt e n and i n th e f re n z y of a wa k e fu l
n i ght bu rn e d all hi s manu scrl p ts i nclud i ng the se cond part ,

of De ad S ou ls only fragm e n ts of whi ch w e re sav e d T h e re

,
.

was ye t a th i rd pa rt to b e w ri t t e n I nd e e d t. h e s e cond par,

t
had be e n wri tte n and bu rn e d twi c e A ccoun ts d i ffe r as to .

why he had bu rn e d i t finally R e li g i ou s re morse fury at . ,

ad v e rse c ri ti ci sm and d e spai r at n o t re achi ng i d e al p e rfe c ti on

,

are among th e re a s on s g i v e n Agai n i t i s sai d that he had

.

d es troy e d the manu scri p t wi th o th e rs altog e th e r i nad v e rte n tly .

T he po e t Pu sh k i n who s ai d of G ogo l tha t

,
b e hi nd hi s
laugh te r you fe e l the un se e n te ars was hi s ch i e f fri e nd and
,

i n sp i r e r. I t was he who s ugg e ste d the p lo t o f D e ad S ou ls as

w e ll as the plo t o f the e arli e r wo rk T he Re vi sor whi ch i s almo st ,

the only com e dy i n R u ssi an T he i mport anc e o f b o th i s th e i r

.

i n troduc ti on of the soci al e l e m e n t i n Ru ss i an li te rature as ,

Pri n c e K ropo tki n po i n ts o ut B o th hold up the m i rror to

.

R u ssi an o ffi ci ald o m and the e ff e c ts i t has produc e d o n the

na ti onal characte r T he plo t o f D e ad S ou ls i s si mple e nough
.
,

and i s sai d to hav e be e n sugge ste d by an ac tual e p i s od e .

I t was the day o f s e rfdom i n R ussi a and a man s stan d i ng

’

wa s ofte n j udg e d by the n um b e rs of s ou ls he po sse sse d .

The re was a p e ri od i cal c e nsu s o f se rfs say onc e e v e ry te n o r ,

tw e n ty y e ars .Thi s be i ng the case an own e r had to pay a ,

tax o n e v e ry s ou l re gi ste re d at the l a st c e n su s though ,

s om e of the se rfs m i gh t ha v e d i e d i n the m e an ti m e N e ve r .

the le ss th e syste m had i ts ma te ri al ad v an tag e s i na smuch as ,

an own e r m i ght borrow mon e y from a b ank o n the d e ad

s ou ls no le ss than o n the li vi ng on e s T he plan o f Chi chi ko v .
,

Go g o l s h e ro v i llai n was th e r e fo re to make a j ou rn e y through

’
-
,

R u ssi a and buy up the d e ad s ou ls at re duc e d ra te s o f cou rse , ,

s avin g th e i r own e rs the gov e rnm e n t tax and ac q u i ri ng fo r ,

hi m se lf a li st o f fi cti ti ou s se rfs whi ch he m e ant to mortgage

,

to a bank fo r a con si d e rab le su m Wi th thi s mon e y he wou ld

.

buy an e sta te and s om e re al li v e se rfs and ma ke the be gi n n i ng ,

of a fo rtu n e
!
.
 I n tro d u c ti o n x ,

ac te ri sti c nati ve typ e s

commonplac e e nough b ut draw n i n
”
com i c re l i e f e xp l a i n e d the au thor ye t a t the
Tw h. e g i“
gg nc m
w
,

be gi nn i ng of hi s care e r i s h i dd e n e v e ryw h e re only livi n g

, ,

i n th e mi nL Q Li l: we are n bi f i a
m m '

‘n
a figéfi ii ggfi ff bfit i f thé arti st
.

Baezs i t i n to hi s art o n the stage s ay w e s hall roll ab ou t w i th

, ,

”
l augh te r and only wond e r we d i d n o t no ti c e i t b e for e B ut .

the com i c i n D e a d S ou ls i s m e re ly e x te rnal L e t us se e ho w .

Pu s h k i n who lo ve d to l augh re gard e d the work

,
A s G ogo l
,
.

re ad i t a loud to hi m from th e manu s cri p t th e po e t gr e w mor e

and more gloomy and at la st cri e d o u t : G o d ! "

A nd l ate r he s ai d o f i t : G ogo l i nv e n ts
w

'
,

coun ry R uss a i s
t i
15 2116 si mpl e tru th the te rri ble tru t ,

T he w ork o n o n e hand was re c e i ve d as no th i ng l e ss than an

e xpo s ure o f all R u ssi a— w ha t w ould for e i gn e rs thi n k o f i t P
T he l i b e ral e le m e n ts how e v e r the cri ti c B e l i n sky among
, ,

th e m w e lcom e d i t as a re v e la ti on as an om e n o f a fr e e r
, ,

fu ture G ogol who had m e an t to do a se rvi c e to R u ssi a and

.
,

n o t to h e ap ri d i cul e u on h e r t oo k th e cri ti c i sm s o f the

p ,

S lavop h i l e s to h e art ; and he pall i a te d hi s c ri ti c s by prom i si n g

to b ri ng ab ou t i n th e succ e e d i ng par ts of hi s nov e l the re
d e mp ti on o f Chi chi ko v and the o th e r knave s and b loc k
he ad s ”
. B u t th e W e ste m e r B e li n sky and o the rs o f the
li b e ral camp w e re m i stru stful I t w as ab ou t th i s ti m e ( 1 8 4 7)
.

tha t G ogo l pu b l i s h e d hi s Corre sp onde n ce wi th F ri e n ds and

”

arou se d a li te rary con trov e rsy that i s al i v e to thi s day .

T o lsto i i s to b e found among hi s apo logi sts .

O p i n i on s as to the ac tual si gni fi canc e o f Go go l s maste rp i e c e ’

d i fle r . S om e con si d e r the au thor a r e ali st w ho has drawn

wi th m e ti culou s d e tai l a p i c ture o f Ru ssi a ; o th e rs M e re j ko v ,
~

sk
y among t h e m s e e i n h i m a g r e a t s ym b ol i s t ; th e v e ry ti tl e

W i ts e
,

d e scri be th e li v i ng R u ssi a a s w e l l
0
3L W W
W
c hi ko v hi m se lf i s n o w g e n e rally r e gard e d
M

d ad i
‘

Eli C h
as a M i m
.

W e fi nd an A m e ri can profe ss or
.

, i charac te r .
,

Wi lli am Lyon P he lp s o f Yal e hold i ng the op i n i on that no

1
, ,

o ne can tra v e l far i n A m e ri ca w i tho ut m e e ti ng scor e s o f

Chi c hi ko vs ; i ii d e e d h e i s an accura te port ra i t o f th e A m e ri can
,

p romo te r o f the su c c e ssful comm e rc i al trav e ll e r who se su cc e ss

,

d e pe nd s e n ti re ly n o t o n the re al valu e and u se fulne ss o f hi s

sto c k i h trad e
- -
bu t o n hi s knowl e dg e o f human nature and o f
,

the p e rsua si v e pow e r o f hi s t ongu e ”

Thi s i s also the opi ni on .
,

h ld by Pri nc e K ropo tki n who s ay s

e 2 Ch i chi ko v may b uy
,

1
E s s ays o n Russi a n No ve li sts M acmi llan . .

I de als a n d Re ali ti e s i n Ru ssi an L i te ratu re D u c kw orth a nd Co

2
. .
 x D e ad S o u l s
d e ad souls o r rai lway share s or h e may co c fund ll e t ,
s f o r
,

s om e c ha a n
ri t ble i s ti t u t i on or loo k for a po s i ti
,
on i n a b an k ,

b u t he i s an i mmo r ta l i n te rna ti ona l ty p e ; w e m e e t h i m

v
e er ywh e re ; f
he i s o a ll l and s and of a ll ti m e s ; h e b u t t a k e s

d i ffe re n t form s to su i t the re u i re m e n ts o f nati onali ty and q

”
ti m e .

A iga n t he wo
,
r k b e a r s an i n t e re s ti ng re l a ti on t o G ogo l h i m
se l f .
A r oman t i c w r i t i ng o f
,
r e a l i ti e s h e w a s appa ll
,
e d a t t h e

c ommon p l a c e n e s s o f l i f e a t fi nd i ng
,
no ou tl e t f o r h i s l o v e of
o
c l ou r d e ri v e d f r om h i s C o s s a c k an ce s t r y H e r e a l i s e d t ha
. t h e
”
had d rawn a ho st o f h e ro e s o n e mo re c ommonp l ac e than
,

ano th e r that the re w as n o t a si ngle palli ati ng ci rcum stanc e

, ,

that th e re was n o t a si ngle p la c e wh e re the re ad e r m i gh t fi n d

pau se to re st and to c on sole hi m se lf and that wh e n he had ,

fin i sh e d the b oo k i t w as a s though h e had wa lke d o u t of an

Opp re ssi v e c e llar i nto the op e n ai r ”
H e f e lt p e rhap s i nward
.

n e e d to re d e e m Chi chi ko v ; i n M ere j ko vsky s op i ni on he ’

re ally wan te d to s ave hi s o wn s ou l b u t had s ucc e e d e d on ly i n ,

lo si ng i t H i s la st y e ars w e re sp e n t mo rbi d ly ; he s u ff e re d
.

to rm e n ts and ran f rom p la c e to p la c e li k e o n e hun te d ; b u t

re a lly always runn i ng f rom h i m s e lf R om e was hi s fa v ou ri te
.

re fug e and he re tu rn e d to i t agai n and agai n I n 1 8 4 8 h e

, .
,

mad e a p i lgri mage to the H oly Land bu t he c ou ld fin d no ,

p e a c e fo r h i s s ou l S om e t h i ng
. of t h i s mood had r e fl e c t e d
i ts e lf e v e n mu c h e a rli e r i n th e M e mo i rs of a M a dma n Oh ,

li ttle mo th e r s av e you r poo r so n ! , Look how th e y are to r

m e n ti n g hi m Th e re s no plac e fo r hi m on e arth ! H e s
.
’ ’

b e i ng dri v e n ! O h li ttle mo th e r take p i ty o n thy poor

, ,

c h i ld .

A ll the c on trad i cti on s of Go g o l s c harac te r a re n o t to b e ’

d i sp o se d o f i n a bri e f e ssay S uch a strang e com bi nati on o f .

the tra gi c and the com i c wa s tru ly se ldom s e e n i n o n e man .

H e fo r o n e re ali se d tha t
, ,
“
i t i s dang e rou s to j e st w i th
E v e ry th i ng tha t I laugh e d at b e cam e s ad
”
lau g h te r .
.

And te rri ble adds M e re j ko vsky B ut e arli e r hi s humou r

”
, .

wa s li g hte r le ss ti ng e d wi th the tragi c i n tho se day s Pu sh k i n

,
;
n v e r fai le d to b e amu se d by what G ogo l had brought to re ad
e

to h1m E v e n Re vi g or ( 1 8 3
.
wi th i ts tragi c und e rc u rre n t w as ,

a ifle c ompare d to D e a d S ou ls so that o n e i s n o t astoni she d

tr
,

to h e ar that n o t on ly d i d the T s ar Ni cho la s I gi v e p e rm i ssi on

, .
,

to hav e i t a cte d i n s i te o f i ts b e i n a c i i c m
p ,
g r t i s o f o fi ci al
r tte bu t laugh e d u p roari ou sl
o nn e ss ,
y and l e d th e ,
app l au se
More o v e r he g ave G ogol a g ran t o f mon e y and aske d that i
.

,
, ts
 I ntro d u c ti o n xi

s ourc e should n o t b e re v e ale d to the au thor l e st he m i gh t

fe e l o bl i g e d to w ri te from the o fii ci al po i n t of vi e w .

G ogol was b orn at S o ro tchi n e tz Li ttle R u ssi a i n M arc h 1 809

, , .

H e l e ft co lle g e at n i n e te e n and w e n t to S t Pe te rsb urg w h e r e .

,

he s e cu re d a po si ti on a s copy i ng c le rk i n a go v e rnm e n t d e
p a rt m e nt .H e d i d n o t ke e p h i s po si ti on l ong ye t l ong e nough ,

to s tore away i n hi s m i nd a num b e r of b ur e aucra ti c typ e s

whi ch p ro v e d u se fu l late r H e q u i te s udd e n ly starte d for
.

A m e ri ca w i th mon e y gi v e n to hi m by hi s m o th e r fo r ano th e r
purpo se b u t wh e n he g o t as far as L ii b e ck h e tu rn e d b ac k
, .

H e th e n wan te d to b e com e an a c tor b u t hi s vo i c e pro v e d n o t ,

strong e nough L ate r he wro te a po e m whi ch was unki nd ly

.

re c e i v e d A s the cop i e s re mai n e d un s old h e ga th e re d th e m

.
,

a ll up at th e v ari ou s s hop s and b urn e d th e m i n h i s room .

H i s n e x t e ffor t E ve ni ng s a t the F a rm of D i ka n ka
, was
more succ e ssfu l I t w as a se ri e s of gay and co lou rful p i c ture s
.

o f U kra i n e th e l and h e kn e w and lo v e d and i f h e i s occa si on

, ,

ally a li ttl e ov e r roman ti c h e re and th e re he a ls o achi e v e s ,

s om e b e au ti fully ly ri ca l pa s s ag e s T h e n cam e ano th e r e ve n

.

fi n e r se ri e s calle d M i rgoro d wh i ch w o n the adm i ra ti on of

,

Pu sh ki n . Ne x t h e p lann e d a H i s to ry o f L i ttle R u ssi a

and a H i story o f th e Mi dd le A g e s thi s la st wo rk to b e i n
”
,

e i gh t o r n i n e v o lum e s T h e re su lt of all t h i s study was a

.

b e au ti fu l and s hor t H om e ri c e p i c i n p ro se calle d T a ra s B u lba , .

Hi s appo i n tm e n t to a p rofe ss o rsh i p i n h i s tory wa s a ri d i cu lou s

e p i s od e i n hi s l i f e A fte r a b ri lli an t fi rst le c ture i n whi ch he
.
,

had e vi d e n tly s ai d all he had to say he se ttle d to a li fe o f ,

b ore dom for h i m s e lf and hi s pup i ls Wh e n h e re si gn e d he

.

”
s a i d j oyou sly I am onc e mor e a fre e Co ss ac k B e tw e e n .

1 8 34 and 1 8 35 he produc e d a n e w se ri e s o f s t o ri e s i nc lud i ng

;

hi s famou s Cloak wh i ch may b e r e gard e d a s the le gi ti ma te

,

b e g i nn i ng o f the R u ssi an no v e l .

G ogol kn e w li ttle ab ou t wom e n who p lay e d an e q ually ,

mi nor ro e m hi s li fe an i n hi s b ooks T h i s may b e partly

“
,
.

b e cause h i s pe rs onal a p e aranc e w a s n o t pr e p o sse ssi ng H

p e .

a li ttle man w i th le g s
“ m w

i s d e s c ri b e d by a c on te mpo rary a s
to o s hort for hi s b ody H e wa lke d croo ke dly ; he w as clum sy
.
,

i ll dre sse d and ra th e r ri d i cu l ou s l oo ki ng w i th hi s long l oc k

-
,
-
,

o f ha i r fl app i ng on hi s for e h e ad and h i s l a rg e prom i n e n t no s e

, .

G og ol sp e n t almo st hi s e n ti re ti m e abroad
—
From 1 8 3
s Co ss ac k b lood — o sse sse d
,

s om e strang e unr e st po s si b ly h i p
hi m like a d e mon and he n e v e r s topp e d anyw h e r e ve ry long
, .

A fte r hi s p i lgri mage i n 1 8 4 8 to Je ru sal e m he re turn e d to ,

xi i D e ad S o uls

d a h wh i h am i 8 w as e x m y
tre e l t
fan a s t i c Hi s
Hi s e t e n 1 5 2 .

c ,
c ,

a
l st wo d
r s u t t e r e,
d i n l oud f re n z y w e re A l add e r ! , Q u i c k ,

a ladd e r ! T h i s c a ll f o r a l add e r a S p ua add

i ri t l l e r 1 n ,

th e wo r d s of M e r e j k o v s k y
— had b e e n mad e on an e a r l i e r o c c a
on by a t a i n R u i an a i n t w h o u s e d a lmo s t t h e s am e
si c e r s s s ,
” 1
l w t h i
lan g u a g e I shall laugh my b i augh
tt e r a s e n
.

s c ri p ti o n p la ce d on G o g o l s g r a v e
’
.

JO H N CO U R N O S .

1 Th i
s i s g e n e ra lly t o i n t h e R
re fe rre d
u s s i a n c ri ti c i s m s o f G o g o l
a s a q u o t a ti o n ro m J e r e m i a f I t a pp e a rs u h
p o.n i n e s ti g at i o v n ,

h h l
o w e ve r t a t i t a c t u a y ol c c u r s o n l y i n t h e S l a o n i c v e r s1 0 n fr o m v
k
,

th e Gre e and n o,
t i n t h e R u s s i a n t r a n sl a t i o n m a d e d 1r e c t f r o m

BIBLI O GRAP HY
E ve n i n g s o n the arm n e ar th e F 8 2 Dk k
9 3 ;1 i ian
r o r o , 1
a, 18 3 33 ;
1--
M g d
T b
ara s B ul a , 1 8 34 ; A b
r a e s q u e s (i n clu e s tale s , T he Po rtrai t an d d M ad A
m an s ’
D
i ar y) , 1 8 31 35 ; T he -
C k
lo a , 1 8 35 ; T he Re vi z o r (T he n s e c to r I p
Ge n e ral) , 1 8 36 ; ea D dS
o uls , 1 8 4 2 ; o rre s o n e n c e wi t C p d
ri e n s , 1 8 4 7 hF d
T kT N gh Ch
.

E NG L I S H R A NS L A T I O NS : Co ss ac ale s (T h e i t of ri s tm as E ve ,
T arass B o o l a) , tran s b by G o ls to y, 1 8 60; T S t Jo n s E ve an d Ot e r
’
h h
S I b F pg d k C T
. . .

to ri e s , tran s b y sa e l H a o o , Ne w Yo r , ro we ll , 1 88 6 ; aras
b A h h S L d
. .

lso S t Jo n s E ve an d Ot e r to ri e s , o n o n , Vi ze te ll y, 1 8 8 7 T h e
’
B ul a :
I p d I p
.

n s e c to r : a Co me y, Cal cu tt a , 1 8 9 0; T he n s e c to r- Ge n e ral , tran s b y

A A S k L d D A
.

y e s o n o n 1 8 9 2 ; R e v i z o r t ra n s f o r th e Yale rama ti c sso

S M d C Lf
.
. .
, , ,

ci ati o n b y M a x an e ll , Ne w H ave n , o nn , 1 9 08 ; H o me i e in
d p D dS L d
. .

Ru ssi a (a a ta ti o n o f o uls) , o n o n , H urst , 1 8 54 ; T c hi tc hi ko ff s

’
ea

J o u r n e y s ; o r e a o u ls D d S
tr a n s b y sa e l F I b
H a o o , Ne w Yo r , pg d k
D dS L d D dS L d
.
, .

Cro we ll, 1 8 8 6 ; ea o u ls , o n o n , Vi z e te lly, 1 8 8 7 ; ea o uls, on on ,

M a xwe ll , 1 88 7 ; Md
e i tati o n s o n th e D i vi n e i tur y , tran s b y L g L
A le xe i e ff,
d A M b
. .

L o n on, R o w ray an d C0 , 1 9 1 3
L
. . . .

I V E S , e tc : (Russi an ) K o tlyare vsky ( N 1 9 03 ; S he n ro k (V

M g ph Lg N h g
. .
.

a te ri als fo r a B i o ra y ,
1 8 9 ; ( ren ch)
2 F e er i c o las Go o l, 1 9 1 4 .
 A U T H OR S PRE FA C E
’

T O T HE FI RS T PORT I ON OF T H I S WORK
SE CON D E D I T I ON I
PUB L S H E D IN 1 8 46

F ro m the A uthor to the Re ade r

READ E R w ho so e v e r o r w h e r eso e v e r you be and whatso e v e r be

—
, ,

your sta ti on W h e th e r tha t o f a m e mb e r o f the h i g h e r ranks o f

soc i e ty o r tha t o f a m e mb e r o f the pla i n e r wal k s o f l i f e — T be g
o f you i f Go d shall hav e g i v e n you any sk i ll i n l e tt e r s and m y
, ,

book shall fall i nto your hand s to e xte nd to me your a ssi stanc e
, .

For i n the boo k whi c h l i e s b e fore you and whi c h probably , , ,

you hav e r e ad i n i ts first e d i ti on the r e i s portray e d a man w ho

,

i s a typ e tak e n from our Ru ssi an Emp i r e Thi s man trav e l s

.

abou t the Ru ssi an land and m e e t s w i th f olk o f e v e ry cond i ti on

—
,

from the nobly born to the humbl e to i l e r Hi m I hav e tak e n

-
.

as a t yp e t o Show for th the v i c es and the fai li n 3 ra t h e r t han

R
,

of the commonplac e u ssi an i ndi vi

t
t ,

dua and the charac te r s w hi ch r e volv e around hi m hav e al so

b e e n se l e c te d fo r the purpo se of d e mon stra ti ng o ur na ti onal
w e akn e sse s and shortcom i ng s A S for me n and wom e n of the
.

b e tt e r sort I propo se to portray t h e m i n sub se qu e nt volum e s

, .

Probably much o f w ha t I hav e d e scri b e d i s i mprobabl e and do es

no t happ e n as th i ng s cu st omar i ly happ e n i n Ru ssi a ; and the
r e a son fo r tha t i s that for me to l e arn all that I hav e w i sh e d to
do has b e e n i mpo ssi bl e i n tha t human l i f e i s n o t su ffic i e ntly
,

long to b e com e ac q ua i nt e d wi th e v e n a hundr e d th par t o f wha t

tak es plac e w i t h i n t he bord e rs o f the Ru ssi an Emp i r e Al so .
,

care l e ssn ess i n e xp e ri e nc e and lac k of ti m e hav e le d to my

, ,

p e rp e tra ti ng num e rou s e rrors and i naccurac i e s o f d e ta i l ; wi th

the r e sul t t ha t i n e v e ry l i n e o f the boo k t h er e i s som e t h i ng wh i ch
call s for corre c ti on For th e se re a son s I be g o f you my r e ad e r
.
, ,
t o act al so as my corr e c tor Do n o t d e sp i se the t a sk for how e v e r
.
, ,

sup e ri or be your e duca t i on and how e v e r lofty your stati on

, ,
a n d ho w e v e r 1nS I ni ficant i n your e y e s my book and how e v e r
g , , ,

A
4 D e ad S o u l s
vi e w by any r ead e r und e rtak i ng to annotate my book that ,

r ead e r s re mark s wi ll e xc e e d i n we i ght and i nt e r e st e v e n hi s o wn

’

e xp e c ta ti on s and wi ll br i ng me v e ry r e al advantag e
,
.

Thu s provi d e d that my e arn est r e qu e st be he e d e d by my

,

r e ad e rs and that among the m th e r e be found a fe w k i nd sp i ri ts

,

to do as I d e si r e the followi ng i s the mann e r i n wh i ch I would

,

r e qu e st th e m to transm i t th e i r not e s fo r my consi d e ra ti on .

Insc ri bi ng the packag e wi th my nam e le t th e m th e n e nclo se

,

tha t p ac k ag e i n a se cond o n e add re sse d e i th e r t o the R e c t or o f

the Un i v e rsi ty of S t P e te rsburg or t o P rof e ssor S he vi re v o f the
.

Uni v e rsi ty o f Mo scow accord i ng as the o n e o r the o th e r o f tho se

,

two c i ti e s may be the n e ar e r to t he se nd e r .

La stly whi l e thanki ng all journal i sts and li tterateurs for th e i r

—
,

pr v ou ly publ h d cr c m of my oo k c ri ti c i sm s whi ch
e i s i s e i t i i s s b ,

i n sp i t e of a sp i c e o f tha t i nt e mp e ranc e and pr e jud i c e whi ch i s

common to all humani ty hav e prove d o f the gr e at e st use bo th
—
,

to my h e ad and to my h e art I beg o f such wri t e rs aga i n to

favour me wi th th e i r r e vi ews For i n all si nc e ri ty I can a ssure
.

th e m tha t wha tso ev e r th e y may be pl e a se d to sa f my

y o r
i mprov e m e nt and my i n struc ti on wi ll be r e c e i v e d by me wi th
naught but grati tud e .
 D E A D SOU L S

PA RT I

T O the door o f an i n n i n the provi nc i al t own o f N th e r e dre w

—
.

up a smart bri tchka a l i g ht spri ng carri ag e o f the sort aff e c ted -

by bach e lors r e ti r e d l i e u te nant colon e l s sta ff cap ta i n s land

,
-
,
-
,

own e rs po sse sse d o f abou t a hundr e d soul s and i n Short all , , ,

p e rson s who rank as g e ntl e m e n o f the i nte rm e d i at e ca te gory

—
.

I n the bri tchka was se a te d such a g e ntl e man a man who though ,

n o t hand som e was n o t i ll favour e d n o t ov e r fat and n o t ov e r

,
-
,
-
,

t hi n. Al so thoug h n o t ov e r e ld e rly he was no t ov e r young

,
-
,
-
.

Hi s arri val produc e d no sti r i n the t o w n and was accompan i e d ,

by no parti cular i nc i d e nt b e yond t ha t a coupl e o f p e a sants w ho

,

happ e n e d to be stand i ng at the door o f a d ram shop e xchang e d

a fe w comm e nts wi th r e fe re nc e to the e qu i pa g e ra th e r than to the
i nd i vi dual w ho was se at e d i n i t Look at tha t carri ag e o ne ”
.
,

o f t h e m sa i d t o t he o t h e r
“
Thi nk yo u i t wi ll be g o i ng as far
.

as Mo scow ? I thi nk i t wi ll r e pl i e d hi s compani on B ut

, .

n o t as far a s Ka z an e h ? No n o t as f ar as Kaz an
, ,
”
Wi th .

t ha t the conv e rsa ti on e nd e d Pre se ntly as the bri tchka was

.
,

approac hi ng the i nn i t was me t by a young man i n a pa i r o f

,

v e ry short v e ry ti g ht bre e ch es o f Whi te d i m i ty a qua si fa shi o n

, ,
-

abl e fro ckco at and a d i ck e y fa ste n e d wi th a p i stol shap e d

,
-

bronz e ti e p i n T he young man turn e d hi s h e ad as he pa sse d the

-
.

bri tchka and e y e d i t a tte n ti v e ly ; afte r w hi ch he clapp e d hi s

hand to hi s cap (w hi ch was i n dang er o f b e i ng r e mov e d by the
wi nd ) and re sum e d hi s way O n the v e hi cl e r e achi ng the i nn
.

door i ts occupant found stand i ng th e re to w e lcom e hi m the

—
,

l i wa i r f h abl i hm n i nd i v i dual f uch

‘

p o e vo,
o r t e o t e,
e st s e t a n o s

ni mbl e and bri sk mov e m e nt that e v e n to d i sti ng u i sh the charac

t e r of hi s fac e was i mpo ssi bl e Runn i ng o ut wi t h a napk i n i n o n e
.

hand and hi s lanky form clad i n a tai lcoat r e achi ng al mo st to ,

the nap e o f hi s n e ck he t o sse d back hi s lock s and escort e d the

, ,

g e ntl e man upstai rs along a w ood e n g all e ry and so to the be d

, ,
 6 D e ad S o ul s
chambe r whi ch God had pre pare d for the g e ntl e man s re c e pti on
’
.

T he s i be a d dch a m b e r w a s q u i t e of ord i nary a p p e aranc e s l n c e ,

the i nn be long e d t o t h e s p e c i e s t o b e found l n all p r o v 1n 0 1 a l

t own s — t h e s p e c i e s w h e re m for t w o,
rou b l e s a day t rav e ll e r s ,

may o btai n a ro o m swarmi ng w1th blac k be e tle s and com -

,

muni ca g t i n by a doorway w i t h t h e apar t m e n t a d j o m i n g T r u e .

,

the doorway may b e bloc k e d up w i t h a wardrob e ; y e t b e h l n d

it in
,
all pro b a b i l i ty t h,
e r e w i ll b e s ta n d l ng a S i l e n t mo t i onl e
s
,
s

n e i ghbour who se e ars are burni ng t o l e arn e v e ry p OSS 1ble d e ta l l

conc e rni ng the latest arri val The i nn s e xt e rl o r corr espond e d .
’

wi th i ts i nte ri or Long and con si sti ng only of two store ys the

.
, ,

bu i ld i ng had i ts low e r half d esti tu t e of stucco ; w1th the r e sul t

that the dark re d bri c k s ori g i nally mor e or l e ss d i ngy had
-
, ,

grown ye t d i ng i e r und e r the i nflu e nc e of a tmo sph e ri c chang e s .

A s fo r the upp e r half o f the bu i ld i ng i t wa s of cour se p amt e d , , ,

the u sual ti nt o f unfad i ng y e llow Wi thi n o n the ground floor

.
, ,

th ere stood a num be r of b e nch e s h e ap e d wi th hor se collar s -

rop e and sh e ep sk i ns ; whi l e the wi ndow se at accommodat e d a -

2 —
,

shi tentshi h
1
che ek by j owl wi th a samovar the latt e r so clo se ly
,

r esembl i ng the form e r i n app e aranc e t hat but fo r the fac t o f ,

the samovar po sse ssi ng a p i tch blac k li p the samovar and the -

sbi tentshi k m i ght hav e b e e n two of a pa i r .

Duri ng the trav ell e r s i nsp e cti on of hi s room hi s luggag e was

’

brought i nto the apartm e nt Fi rst cam e a portmant e au of whi t e.

l e ath e r who se ragg e dn e ss i ndi cat e d tha t the r e c e p tacl e had mad e
s e v e ral p re v i ou s journ e y s The be ar e rs of t he sam e w e r e the
.

’
g e ntl em an s coachman S e li fan (a l i ttl e man i n a larg e ov e rcoat)
—
, ,

and t h e g n l man s val e P e tru shk a the la tte r a f e llow of

e t e
’
t ,

abou t thi rty clad i n a worn ove r ampl e j ac k e t whi ch fo rm e rly

, ,
-

had grac e d hi s ma st e r s should e rs and po sse sse d o f a no se and

’

a p ai r o f l i p s who se coarse n e ss communi cat e d to hi s fac e ra th e r

a sull e n e xpressi on B e hi nd the portmant e au cam e a small
.

d pa ch bo x of re dwood l i n e d wi th bi rch bark a boo t ca se and

i s t -

, ,
-

( w rapp e d i n b lu e p ap e r) a roa st fowl ; all o f whi ch havi ng b e e n

d po e d the coachman d e part e d to loo k aft e r hi s ho rse s and
e si t ,
,
the val e t to establ i sh h i m se lf i n t he l i ttl e dark an
t e room o r
k nn l wh e re alre ady he had store d a cloak a bagful o f l i v ery
e e
,

and hi s o wn p e cul i ar sm e ll P re ssi ng the narrow be d ste ad back

,
.

i
aga n he wall he cov e re d i t wi th the ti ny r e mnant of mattr e ss
s t t
— ,

a r e mnant as thi n and flat p e rhap

— ( s al s o a s gr e a sy ) a s a pan
cak wh ch he had manag e d to beg of the landlord o f the
e i
e sta bl i shm e nt .

1
A n urn fo r bre wi n g h o n e te a A n urn fo r b re wi n g o r di n ar te a
2
y .

y .
 D e ad S o ul s 7
Whi l e the atte ndants had b e e n thu s se tti ng thi ng s stra i g ht
the g n tl e man had r e pa i r e d to the common parlour The app e ar
e .

anc e of co m mon parlours o f the k i nd i s known to e v ry o n e who e

trav l
e s . Always th e y hav e varn i sh e d wall s whi ch grown black ,

i n t h e i r upp e r porti on s wi th t obacco sm o k e are i n th e i r low e r

—
, , ,

g rown shi ny wi th t he fri cti on o f cu stom e rs back s m ore ’

es p e c i ally wi th that o f the back s o f such local trad esm e n as o n ,

mark e t days mak e i t th e i r r e gular prac ti c e to r e sort to the local

-
,

ho ste lry fo r a gla ss o f te a Al so parlours o f thi s k i nd i nvari ably

.
,

conta i n smu tty c e i l i ng s an e qually smu tty chand e l i e r a numb e r

, ,

of p e ndan t shad e s w hi c h jump and rattl e w h e n e v e r the wa i t e r

scurr i e s acro ss t he shabby o i lclo th w i t h a t rayful o f g la sse s (t he
g la sses looki ng l i k e a floc k o f b i rd s roo sti ng by the se a shore ) ,

and a sel e cti on of o i l pai nti ng s I n short t h e r e are c e rta i n obj e c ts

.
,

whi ch o n e se e s i n e v e ry i nn I n the pre se nt ca se the only o ut

.

st and i ng f e a tur e o i the room was the fac t t ha t i n o n e of the

pa i nti ng s a nymph wa s portray e d as po sse ssi ng br easts of a si ze
such a s the r e ad e r can n e v e r i n hi s l i f e hav e b e h e ld A si m i lar .

cari caturi ng o f na tur e i s to be not e d i n the hi stori cal p i c tur e s

( o f unkno w n or i g i n p e ri od
,
and cr e a ti on ) w hi c h r e ach u s
,

so m e ti m e s t hrou g h the i n strum e n tal i ty o f Ru ssi an magna t es

—
who pro f e ss to be c o nno i sse urs o f art from I taly ; o wi ng to
the sa i d ma g na t e s hav i ng mad e such purcha se s sol e ly on the
advi c e o f the couri e rs w ho hav e e scorte d th e m
—
.

To r e sum e ho w e v e r o ur trav e ll er r e mov e d hi s cap and

, ,

d i v e ste d hi s n e ck o f a parti coloure d wooll e n scarf o f the k i nd

-

whi ch a wi f e m ak e s for he r hu sband w i th he r own hand s w hi l e ,

accompany i ng the g i ft w i t h i nt e rm i nabl e i njunc ti on s as t o ho w

b e st such a g arm e nt ou g ht to be fold e d Tru e bache lors al so .

,

w e ar si mi lar g aud s but i n th e i r ca se God alon e knows who

, , ,

may hav e manu fac ture d the arti cl e s ! F or m y part I cannot ,

e ndur e t h e m Havi ng unfold e d the Scarf the g e ntl e man ord e r e d

.
,

d i nn e r an d whi l st the vari ou s d i sh e s w e r e b e i ng go t r e ady

,

cabbag e soup a p i e se v e ral w e e k s o ld a d i sh o f marro w and

, ,

p e a s a d i sh o f sau sag e s and cabbag e , a roa st f o wl som e sal te d

, ,

cucu m b e r and the sw e e t tart w hi ch stand s p e rp etually r e ady

,

for u se i n such e stabl i shm e nts ; whi l st I say t h e se thi ng s w e re

, ,

e i t h e r b e i n g w arm e d up o r brought i n cold

’
the g e ntl e man f
,

i nduc e d the w a i t e r to r e ta i l c e rta i n fra g m e nts of ti ttl e t attl e -

conc e rn i ng the la te landlord o f the ho st e lry t he amount o f ,

i ncom e whi ch the ho st e lry p ro du e d and the charact e r o f i ts

'

g ,

pr e se nt propri e t or To the la st m e nti on e d i nqu i ry the wa i t e r

-

—
.
.

r urn d e an w r nvari ably g i v e n i n such cases nam e ly

e t e t h s e i ,
 8 D e ad S o ul s
My ma ste r i s a terri bly hard man si r Curi ou s that i n e n
,
.

l i ghte n e d Ru ssi a so many p e opl e cannot e v e n tak e a m e al at an

i nn i tw hou t cha t t e r i n g t o t h e a t t e ndan t and m a k m g fr e e w 1t h
N q
‘

hi m ! v r
e e t e h l e ss n o t a ll t h e u e st i on s wh i ch t h e g e n t l e man
a sk e d we re ai ml e ss on e s for he i n qu i r e d who was Gov e rnor o f
,

the t own who

,
P r es i d e n t o f t h e Local Counc i l and w h o P ub i 1 c,

Prosecutor In short he omi tte d no si ngl e o ffici al of no te t le

.
, ,

a sk i ng al so (though wi th an ai r of d e tachm e nt) the mo st e xac t

parti culars conc e rn i ng the landown e rs o f the n e Ighbo urho o d .

Whi ch o f th e m he i n qu i re d po sse sse d se rfs and ho w many o f

, , ,
‘
th e m ? How far from th e t own di d tho se landown e rs r e si d e ?
What was the characte r o f e ach landown e r and was he i n the ,

habi t o f payi ng fre qu e nt vi si ts to the t own ? The g e ntl e man al so

mad e se archi ng i nqu i ri e s conc e rn i ng the hyg i e n i c cond i ti on o f
the countrysi d e Was the re he a sk e d much S i ckn e ss abou t
.
, ,

whe the r sporad i c f e v e r fatal form s o f agu e smallpox o r what

, , ,

no t ? Ye t t hough hi s sol i c i tud e conc e rn i ng t h ese ma tt e rs show e d

,

more than ord i nary curi o si ty hi s b e ari ng r e ta i n e d i ts gravi ty

,

uni mpai re d and from ti m e to ti m e he bl e w hi s no se wi th por

,

te nto ns f e rv our Ind e e d the mann e r i n whi ch he accompl i she d

.
,

thi s la tt e r f e a t was mar v e llou s i n the e xtr e m e for t hough t ha t , ,

m emb e r e mi tte d sound s e qual to tho se o f a trump e t i n i nte n si ty ,

he could ye t wi th hi s accompany i ng a i r o f gu i l e l e ss d i gn i ty
e v o k e the wa i t e r s und i v i d e d r e sp e c t —
, ,
’
so much so t ha t wh e n ,
e v e r the sound s o i the no se r e ach e d t ha t m e n i al s e ar s he would
’

,
shak e bac k hi s lock s stra i ght e n h i m se lf i n t o a po stur e of mark e d
,

sol i c i tud e and i n qu i re afr e sh wi th h e ad sl i ghtly i ncl i n e d wh e th e r

, , ,
the g e n tl e man happ e n e d to r e qu i r e anyth i ng furth e r Af t e r .

d i nn er the gu e st con sum e d a cup o f coff e e and th e n se a ti ng , ,

hi mse lf upon the sofa wi th b e hi nd hi m o ne of t ho se wool

, , ,

co ve re d cu shi on s whi ch i n Ru ssi an tav e rn s r e se mbl e no thi ng

, ,
so much as a cobbl e ston e or a br i c k f e ll t o snori ng wh r af r
, ; e e t e ,
e t i
r urn ng wi th a start to con sci ou sn e ss he ord e r e d hi m se lf to ,
be conducte d to hi s room flung hi m se lf at full l e ng th upon the
,
be d and onc e mor e sl e p t soundly for a coupl e of hour s Arou se d
, .
,
e v e ntually by the wa i t e r he at the la tt r
e s r e q u e st 1n scri be d
’
, , , ,
a fragm e nt of pap e r wi th hi s nam e hi s surnam e and hi s ran k , ,

(for co m m um ti o n i n accordanc e wi th the law to the pol i c e :

)
ca
, ,
n d o n tha t pap e r the wa i te r l e an i ng forward from cor
a , t h e
r1do r r e ad sylla b e by sylla bl
l P aul Ivanov ch
Coll eg1ate Co uncfllor —Landown e r —
, , e: i t C h i c h i ko v ,

Trav e ll i ng on Pr i va t e
”
Affai rs The wa 1te r h d j u st tl me to acco m hsh thI S f e a t b e for
a p
.

.
e
 D e ad S o ul s 9
re ntly plac e succ e e d e d 1
t he n sa ti sfy i n g hi m
and to t e ll the
p a , ,

tru t h i t was at l e a st up to the u sual standard of our provi nc i al

,

cap i tal s Wh e r e the stari ng y e llo w o f ston e e d i fic e s di d n o t

.

gr e e t hi s e ye he found hi m se lf confronte d wi th the mor e mod e st

g re y o f wood e n on e s ; w hi ch con si sti ng for the mo st part of , , ,

o n e o r two stor e ys ( add e d t o t he rang e o f a tti c s w h i ch provi nc i al

archi te c ts lov e so w e ll ) look e d almo st lo st am i d the e xpan se s o f
,

str e e t and i n t e rv e n i n g m e dl e y s o f bro k e n o r half fini she d parti

-

t i on wall s A t o t h e r po i n t s e vi d e nc e o f mor e l i f e and mov e m e n t

-
.

was to be se e n and h e r e the hou se s stood cro w d e d to g e t h e r and

,

d i splay e d d i lapi dat e d ra i n blurr e d S i g nboard s w h e r e on boo ts or

,
-

ca k e s o r pa i rs o f blu e bre e ch e s i n scri b e d Arshavski Ta i lor ”

, ,

and so forth w e r e d e p i ct e d O ve r a Shop con tai ni ng ha ts and

,
.

cap s was w ri tte n Va ssi l i The do ro v Fore i g n e r w hi l e at , ,

ano th e r spo t a si g nboard portray e d a b i ll i ard tabl e and two

—
,

playe rs the la tte r clad i n fro ckco ats o f the k i nd u sually aff e c te d
by ac tors w ho se part i t i s to e n te r the stag e duri ng the clo si ng
act o f a p i e c e e v e n t hou g h wi t h arm s sharply croo k e d and l e g s
, ,

sl i g h tly b e n t the sa i d b i ll i ard play e rs w e r e t ak i ng t he mo st

,

car e ful ai m but succ e e d i ng only i n mak i ng aborti v e strok e s i n

,

the ai r Each e mpori um o f the sor t had wri tt e n ov e r i t :

. Thi s
i s the b est establ i shm e n t of i ts k i nd i n the to w n
”
Al so alf resco .
,

i n the str e e ts th e r e sto o d t abl e s h e ap e d w i t h nu ts soap and , ,

gi ng e rbre ad (the la tte r but l i ttl e d i sti ngu i shabl e from the soap) ,

and at an e a ti ng hou se th e r e was d i splay e d the S i gn o f a plump

-

fish tran sfix e d wi th a g a ff B ut the S i gn mo st f r e qu e n tly to be

.

d i sc e rn e d was the i n si g n i a o f the S ta te the doubl e h e ad e d ,

-

e ag l e i i s conn e c ti on wi t h t he lacon i c i n
( n o w r e plac e d n t h , ,

scri p ti on Dram shop A s for the pavi n g o f the t o w n i t was ,

uni formly bad .

T he g e n tl e man p e e r e d al so i n t o the mun1c1p al g ard e n s w hi ch ,

conta i n e d only a fe w sorry tre e s that w e r e poorly se l e c te d ,

r e qu i ri ng to be propp e d wi th o i l pa i n te d tri ang ular gr e e n -

,

supports and abl e to boa st of a h e i g ht no gr e a te r t han t ha t of

,

an ord i nary w alki ng sti c k Ye t r e c e n tly the local pap e r had

-
.

sa i d ap rop os o f a g ala t ha t C i
( ) Thank s t o t he e ff or,
ts o f o u r i v l
Gov e rnor the to w n has b e com e e nri ch e d wi th a pl e a saunc e full
,

o f umbra g e ou s spac i ou sly bran c hi n g t r e e s

,
E v e n o n the mo st
-
.

sul t r day t h e y a fford ag re e abl e shad e and i nd e e d gra ti fyi ng

y ,

was i t t o se e the h e art s o f o ur c i ti z e n s pan ti ng wi t h an i mpul se

o f g ra ti tud e a s t h e i r e y es sh e d t e ar s i n r e cogn i ti on o f all t ha t
”
th e i r Gov e rnor has don e fo r t h e m !
N e xt a fte r i nqu i ri ng o f a g e ndarm e as to the b e st w ays and
,
 1 0 D e ad S o ul s
fi
m e ans o f nd i ng the local counc l , i t h e local law cour , and -
t s t h e

G
local ov e rno r, should he ( Chi chi ko v) hav e n e e d of th e m , the
g e ntl eman we nt on to i nsp e c t the ri v e r wh1ch ran through the
t own E n route he t re o ff
.
o a no t i c e a f fi
x e d t o a po s t ,
l n ord e r t ha t

h e m i gh t t h e mor e con e n v
i e n t ly r e ad i t af t e r h i s r e t urn t o t h e

i nn .
l soA,
h e b e st ow e d upon a lady o f pl e a s an t e x t e n o r who ,

es cor te d by a fo o t man lad e n w i t h a bundl e , happ e n e d t o b e

k
passi ng along a wood e n si d e wal a prolong e d star e La stly , he .

t hr e w a r ound hi m a compr e h e n s i v e glanc e

( a s t hough t o x fi
1n

hi s im nd g
the e e a n r l t opography o f t he plac e
) and b e t oo h k I m se l f
T
hom e h e re , g e n tly a i d e d by the wa i te r, he a sc e nd e d the stal rs
.

to hi s e b d r oom ,
dran k
a gla s s o f t e a ,
and ,
s e a t i ng h i m s e lf a t t h e

a
t b e,l call e d f o r a candl e ; wh i ch hav i ng b e e n brough t h i m ,
h e

k
produc e d from hi s poc e t the no ti c e , h e ld i t clo se to the flam e ,
—
and conn e d i ts te nour sl i ghtly con trac ti ng hi s ri ght e ye as he
di d so Ye t th e re was l i ttl e i n the no ti c e t o call for r e ma r
. k A . ll
1
tha t i t sa i d was t ha t shortly o n e o f Ko tz e bu e s play s would be
’

gi ven , and that o n e o f the p arts i n the play was to be ta e n by k

M
a c e rtai n on si e ur Po p le vi n , and ano th e r by a c e rtai n Mad e
mo i se lle Zi ablo va, whi l e the r e mai n i ng parts w e r e to be fill e d
by a numb e r o f l e ss i mportant p e rsona e s g . N
e v e rth e l ess the

g e ntl e man p e ru se d the no ti c e wi th care ful a tte nti on , and e v e n

k
jo tte d down the pri c e s to be as e d for se ats for the p e r ormanc e f .

k
Al so , he re mar e d that the bi ll had b e e n pri nte d at the pre ss o f
P
the rovi nci al Gov e rnm e n t N e xt, he turn e d ov e r the pap e r , i n
.

ord e r to se e i f anythi ng furth e r was to be re ad o n the re v e rse

si d e ; but, fi
nd i ng no thi ng th e re , he r e fold e d the docum e n t,
plac e d i t i n the box whi ch se rve d hi m as a re c e p tacl e fo r odd s
and e nd s, and brought the day to a clo se i th a porti on o f cold w
k
ve al , a bo ttl e o f pi c l e s, and a sound l e e p S .

The follo wi ng day he d e vo te d to payi n call s upon the vari ou s g

mun1c1p al o ffici als—a rst, and a v e ry re sp e c tful , vi si t b e i ng
fi
pai d to the Gove rnor Thi s p e rsonag e turn e d o ut to r e se mbl e
.

Chl chi ko v hi mse lf i n tha t he was n e i th e r fat nor thi n . A

l so , he
w ore the ri band o f the ord e r of S ai nt Anna around hi s n e c , and k
was r e porte d to hav e b e e n r e comm e nd e d al so for the star Fo r .

the re st, he was larg e and good natur e d and had a hab i t o f -
,
amusm m l k N
gl u s e f w i t h occasi onal sp e ll s o f ni tti ng .e x t, Ch i c hi
k ov re paire d to the Vi c e Gov e rnor s,and th e nc e to the hou se o f
-
’

t he Pubhc Pro se cu tor to t ha t of t he

, Pr e si d e nt of the Local
Counci l , to that o f the Chi e f of Pol i c e , to that o f the Commi s
A Ge rman dramati st 1 7 6 1 1 8 1
1
( ? ) who
— also fi ll e d sun dry p0 t8 S m th e
servi ce Of the Russi an Go ve rn me n t
 12 D e ad S o uls
occup i e d a Spac e o f ove r two hour and n cs, e e ssi t an t
a de

to hi s to i l e t o f a k i nd no commonly
t se e n Tha . t 18 to

a bri e f po st prand i al nap he call e d fo r soap and wate r

-
,

a consi d e rabl e p e ri od i n the task of scrubbl ng hl S ch e e ks (whi ch

0

for the purpo se he support e d from wi thi n wi th hi s tong u e ) and

,

t eh n of dry i ng hi s full ,
round fac e from
,
t he e ar s downward s ,

wi th a towe l whi ch he took from the wai te r s should e r TW1ce

’
.

he s nor d
te i n to t h e wa i t e r s coun
’
t e nanc e a s h e di d t h i s and t h e n ,

h
he po ste d h i m se lf i n fron t o f th e m i rror donn
,
e d a fa lse s l rt
front pluc ke d o ut a coupl e o f hai rs whi ch w e re p ro trudmg from
,

h i s no se and ,
app e ar e d v es t e d i n a f roc k co a t o f b i lb e rry colour e d -

ch eck The re afte r dri vi ng through broad str e e ts sparse ly l i g hte d

.

wi th lante rn s he arri v e d at the Gov e rnor s re si d e nc e to find i t

,
’

i llumi na te d as for a ball Barouch e s wi th gl e am i ng lamp s a

.
,

coupl e o f g e ndarm e s po ste d b e fore the doors a bab e l o f p o s

—
,

ti ll i ons cri e s no thi ng o f a k i nd l i k e ly to be i mpr e ssi v e was

’

wanti ng ; and o n re achi ng the salon the v i si tor ac tually found

, ,

hi mse lf obl i g e d to clo se hi s e ye s for a mom e nt so strong was the ,

mi ngl e d she e n of lamp s candl e s and fe m i n i n e appare l Ev e ry

, ,
.

thi ng see m e d su ffu se d wi th l i ght and e v e rywh e r e fli tti ng and

—
, ,

flash ng w e re o be se e n blac k coats e v e n as o n a ho t summ e r s

i ,
t
’

day fli e s re volv e around a sugar loaf whi l e the o ld hou se k e e p e r

i s cutti ng i t i nto cub es b e for e the op e n wi ndow and the ch i ldr e n ,

of the hou se crowd around he r to wa tch the mov e m e nts of he r

rugg e d hand s as tho se m e mb e rs ply the smo k i ng p e stl e ; and
a i ry squadrons o f fli es born e on the br e e z e e nte r boldly as
, , ,
though fr e e o f the hou se and tak i ng advan tag e of the fac t tha t
, ,

the glare o f the sun shi n e i s troubl i ng t he old lady s si ght d i sp e rse ’

,
th em se lv e s ov e r bro k e n and unbro k e n fragm e nts al i k e e v e n
,
though the l e thargy i nduc e d by the opul e nc e o f summ e r and the
i ch show e r o f da i nti es to be e ncount e r e d a t e v e ry st e p has
r
Induc e d them to e nte r l e ss for the purpo se o f e ati ng than fo r
that o f showi ng th e mse lv e s i n publ i c o f parad i ng up and down
,
the sugar loaf of rubb i ng bo th th e i r h i nd quar te rs and t h e i r
,
 D e ad S o uls
3 1

no w e xc essi v e ly low N e xt w h e n coupl es had b e e n form e d for

.
,

danfi fig nd t hé r e ma i nd e r o f the co m pany found i tse lf pr esse d

a
back a g a i n st the w all s Chi chi ko v fold e d hi s arm s and car e fully
, ,

scru ti n i se d the danc e rs S o m e o f the ladi e s w e re dr esse d w e ll

.

and i n the f a shi on w hi l e the r e mai nd e r w e r e clad I n such g ar

,

m e nts as God u sually b e sto ws upon a provi nci al town Al so .

h e re as e l se w h e re the me n b e long e d to two se parate and

, ,

di sti nc t ca t e gori e s ; o n e of w hi c h compri se d sl e nd e r i nd i v i dual s

who fli tti ng around the lad i e s w e r e scarc e ly to be d i sti ng ui sh e d
, ,

f rom d e ni z e n s o f the m e tropol i s so care fully so arti sti cally , , ,

groom e d w e re th e i r whi sk e rs so pre se ntabl e th e i r oval cl e an

, ,

shav e n f ac e s so e a sy the mann e r o f t h e i r danc i n g a t te ndanc e

,

upon th e i r wom e nfol k so gl i b t h e i r Fre nch conv e rsati on as t h e y

,

qui zze d th e i r f e mal e compan i on s A s for the o th e r ca te g ory i t .

,

c o m pri se d i nd i v i dual s who st ou t or o f the sa m e bu i ld a s C hi chi

, ,

ko v (t ha t i s to say n e i th e r v e ry por tly nor v e ry l e an ) bac k e d

, ,

an d S i dl e d a w ay from the lad i e s and k e p t p e e ri n g h i t h e r and ,

t hi t h e r to se e wh e th e r the Gov e rnor s f oo tm e n had se t o ut g r e e n

’

t abl es fo r wh i st Th e i r f e a ture s w e r e full and plu m p som e o f

.
,

t h e m had b e ard s and i n no ca se was th e i r ha i r curl e d o r wav e d

,

o r arrang e d i n w ha t the Fr e nch call the d e vi l may car e styl e

‘ - -
.

O n the contrary th e i r he ad s w e re e i the r clo se cropp e d o r bru she d

,
-

v e ry smoo th and t he i r fac e s w e re round and firm Thi s cate g ory

,
.

r e pr e se nte d the more r e sp e c tabl e o fli ci als o f the town I n pa ssi ng , .

I may say tha t m bu si n e ss m atte rs fat me n alw ays prove sup e ri or

to t h e i r l e an e r br e t hr e n ; wh i c h 15 probably the r e a son why t he
latte r are mo stly to be found i n the Pol i ti cal Pol i c e o r ac ti ng ,

as m e r e c i ph e rs who se e x i st e nc e i s a pur e ly hop e l e ss a i ry t ri v i al , ,

o ne . Ag a i n stou t i nd i vi dual s n e v e r tak e a back se a t but al w ays

, ,

a fron t o n e and wh e re so e v e r i t be th e y si t firmly and wi t h

, , , ,

confid e nc e and d e cl i n e to bud g e e v e n thou g h the se a t crack and

,

b e nd wi t h th e i r w e i g ht Fo r com e l i n e ss of e xte ri or th e y care n o t

.

a rap , and th e re fore a dre ss coa t si ts l e ss e asi ly on th e i r fig ure s

t han I S the ca se wi t h fig ur e s o f l e an e r i nd i vi dual s Ye t i nvari ably .

fat me n ama ss the g r e a te r w e al th I n thr e e y e ars ti m e a t hi n

’
.

m an wi ll hav e no t a si ngl e se rf whom he has l e ft unpl e dg e d ;

—
wh e re a s w e ll pray look at a fat m an s f ortun e s and wha t wi ll
,
’

y o u s e e ? F i r st of all a suburban v i lla and t h e n a lar g e r suburban ,

vi lla and th e n a vi lla clo se to a t o wn and la stly a coun try

, , , ,

e sta te w hi ch compri se s e v e ry am e n i ty ! Tha t 15 to say havi ng ,

se rv e d bo t h God and t he S ta t e the stou t i nd i v i dual has wo n

,

un i ve rsal re sp e c t and wi ll e nd by r e ti ri ng from bu si n e ss re ord e r

i ng hi s mod e o f l i f e and b e co m i ng a Ru ssi an lando w n e r—
, ,

,
in
14 D e ad S o u l s
o th e r word s a fin e g e n tl e man who d i sp e n ses ho sp
,

in comfor t and luxury and ,

i s d e sti n e d t o l e av e h is

h e i rs who are purpo si ng to squand e r the sam e o n fo

Tha t the foregoi ng re pre sents pre tty much the gi st of Chi chi
fl c
ko v s re e ti s as he st
’
on ood wa t ch i ng t h e company I w ill n o t
a tte mp t to d e ny And of tho se re fl e c ti on s the up sho t wast ha t
.

d
he e i e toc d d jo i n h i m se lf t o t h e s t ou t e r se c t i on of t h e gu e st s ,

among whom he had alre ady re cogni se d se v e ral fam i l i ar fac e s

— nam e ly tho se o f the P ubl i c P ro se cu tor ( a man wi t h b ee tl i ng
,

brows ov e r e ye s whi ch se e m e d to be sayi ng wi th a wi nk Com e ,

n o
i t the e n x t room my fr i e nd for I hav e s om e t h i ng t o sa y t o

you —though i n the mai n th ei r own e r was a man o f grav e

, ,

, ,

and taci turn habi t) o f the P o stma st e r (an i nsi gni ficant loo k i ng
,
-

i nd i vi du al ye t a would be wi t and a phi lo soph e r) and of the

,
-
,

Pre si d e nt of the Local Counci l (a man of much ami abi l i ty and

good se nse ) Th e se thr e e p e rsonag e s gre e t e d Chi chi ko v as an
.

old ac qu ai ntanc e and to th e i r salu tati on s he re spond e d wi th a

,

si d e long ye t a su ffi ci e n tly c i vi l bo w Al so he b e cam e ac qua i n t e d

, ,
.
,

wi th an e xtre m e ly unc tuou s and approachabl e landown e r nam e d

Mani lo v and wi th a landown e r of mor e uncou t h e xte ri or nam e d
—
,

S o bake vi tch the latte r o f whom b e gan t he ac qua i n tanc e by

tre ad i ng h e a vi ly upon Chi chi ko v s to e s and th e n b e gg i ng hi s
’

pardon N e xt Chi chi ko v r e c e i v e d an o ff e r o f a cut i n at

.
,

whi st and acc e p te d the sam e wi th hi s u sual court e ou s i ncl i na ti on

,

o f the h e ad S e ati ng them se lv e s at a gr e e n ta bl e the party di d

.
,

n o t ri se th e r e from un ti l supp e r ti m e ; and du ri ng t ha t p e ri od

all con v e rsati o n b e tw e e n the play e rs b e cam e hu sh e d as i s the ,

cu sto m wh e n me n hav e g i v e n th e m se lve s up to a r e ally se ri ou s

pu u Ev n
r s i t
. e t h e o st —
P maste r a tal kati v e man by nature had —
no so o n e r tak e n the ca rd s i nto hi s hand s t han he a ssum e d an
e x re ssi on of profound thought purse d hi s l i p s and r e t a i n e d
p , ,
thi s a tti tud e unchang e d throughou t the gam e Only wh e n .

playi ng a court card was i t hi s cu stom to stri k e the tabl e wi th hi s

fist an d to e xcl ai m (i f the c ard happ e n e d to be a q u e e n N
,
) o w , ,
o ld
p p o ad i a
1
and (i f the card happ e n e d to be a k i ng ) Now , ,

p e a sant o f Tambov ! To whi ch e jaculati ons i nvari ably the

Pr d n of the Local Counci l re torte d Ah I ha v e hi m by
e s i e t
, ,
the e ars I ha v e hi m b y the e ars l
, An d fr0m the n e i g hbo u rh00d
of he tabl e o th e r strong e j acula ti on s r e lati v e to the play would
t
O

1
Pri e st s wi ’
f e .
 D e ad S o ul s i
5
q La rre lli n
g, and tha t d i spu te o ur fri e nd j o i n e d thoug h
i n the ,

s o ar tfully a s to le t e v e ry o n e se e t ha t i n Sp i t e o f the fac t t ha t

,

he was wrangl i ng he wa s do i ng so only i n the mo st am i cabl e

,
“
fa shion po ssi bl e N e v e r di d he say ou tri ght Yo u play e d the
.
,

wrong card at such and such a po i n t No he always e mploy e d

”
.
,

som e such phra se as

“
You p e rm i tte d y01irse lf to mak e a sl i p
,

and thu s afford e d me the honour of cov e ri ng your d e uc e .

I nd e ed the b e tte r to k e e p i n accord wi th hi s an tagoni sts he

, ,

k e p t off e ri ng th e m hi s S i lv e r e nam e ll e d snuff box (at the bo ttom

- -

o f w hi c h lay a coupl e o f v i ol e ts plac e d t h e r e for the sa k e o f

,

t h e i r sc e n t ) I n par ti cular di d the n e wcom e r pay a tt e n ti on t o

.

landown e rs Mani lo v and S o bake vi tch so much so tha t hi s ha ste

to arri v e o n good te rm s w i t h t he m le d to hi s l e av i ng the Pr e si d e n t
and the Po stm aste r ra th e r i n the shad e A t the sam e ti m e .
,

c e rta i n qu e sti on s whi ch he p ut to tho se two landown e rs e vi nc e d

n o t only cur i o si ty but al so a c e rta i n amoun t o f sound i nt e lli
,

g e nc e ; fo r he b e g an by a sk i ng how many p e a san t soul s e ach o f

th e m po sse sse d and how the i r a ffa i r s happ e n e d at pr e se n t t o be
,

si tua t e d and t h e n proc e e d e d to e nl i ght e n h i m se lf al so a s t o the i r

,

st and i n g and t h e i r fam i l i e s I nd e e d i t was n o t long b e for e he

.
,

had succ e e d e d i n fai rly e nchan ti ng hi s n e w fri e nd s I n parti cular

—
.

di d Man i lo v a man sti ll i n hi s pri m e and po sse sse d o f a pa i r ,

o f e y e s wh i ch sw e e t a s sugar bl i n k e d wh e n e v e r he laugh e d
, ,

fin d h i m se lf unabl e to mak e e nou g h o f hi s e nchan te r C la sp i n g .

Chi chi ko v long and f e rv e n tly by the hand he b e sou g ht hi m to ,

do hi m Mani lo v the honour o f vi si ti ng hi s country hou se (whi ch

, ,

he d e clar e d to li e at a d i stanc e of n o t m or e than fif te e n v e r sts

from the boundari e s of the to w n ) ; and i n r e turn Chi chi ko v
av e rre d ( wi th an e xc e e d i ngly aff abl e bow and a mo st si nc e r e
hand shak e ) tha t he was pre par e d no t only to fulfil hi s fri e nd s ’

b e h est but al so to look upon the fulfill i ng o f i t a s a sacr e d du ty

, .

In the sam e way S o bake vi tch sa i d to hi m laconi cally : And

”
do you pay me a vi si t and th e n proc e e d e d to shu ffl e a pa i r o f
,

boo ts o f suc h d i m e nsi on s tha t to find a pa i r to corr e spond wi th

t h e m w ould hav e b e e n i nd e e d di fficult—mor e e sp e c i ally at t he
r e se n t day w h e n the rac e o f e p i c h e ro e s i s b e g i nn i n g t o di e o ut
p ,

i n Ru ssi a .

N e xt day Chi chi ko v d i n e d and sp e nt the e v e n i ng at the hou se

o f the C hi e f of P ol i c e — a r e si d e nc e w h e r e t hr e e hours a ft e r ,

d i nn e r e v e ry o ne sat down to w hi st and r e m a i n e d so se ate d

, ,

un ti l two o cloc k i n the morni ng O n thi s occa si on Chi chi ko v

’
.

mad e the ac quai ntanc e o f among o th e rs a landown e r nam e d

— ,

N o zdre v a d i ssi pate d l i ttl e f e llo w o f thi rty w ho had no soon e r

,
I 6 D e ad S o u l s
e xchang e d hr
t ee or four word s w i t h h i
t han he be gan t o addr e s s h i m i n t h e s e c

Ye t t al hough h e d i d t h e s am e t o t h e

Pu bli c Pro secutor the company had no soon ,

at t h e ca r d tabl e t han - bo t h t h e o n e and t he o t h e r of

functi onari e s start e d to k e e p a care ful e ye upon Noz
t i
r c k s and
,
to wa t ch prac ti cally e v e ry card w hi c h h e p
W P
.

The follow i ng e v e n i ng C h i c h i k o v sp e n t i t h t h e r e si d e n t
—
Lo cal Counci l who r e c e i v e d hi s gu e sts e v e n though the
,

at the ho us
party at the house o f the P ubl i c P ro se cu tor (a v e ry
man ) and a subss qu
, i cre a
n s s i m yi
e r h bs M a r s r—x
‘
s
i

not an hour of t he day di d Chi chi ko v fi nd hi m se lf forc e d t o sp e nd

at hom e and ,
hi s r e t u rn t o t he i n n b e cam e n e c e ssary only fo r

pu rp o se s o f sl e e pi ng S om e how o r o th e r he had land e d on hi s

.

f e e t and e ve rywh e r e he figure d as an e xp e ri e nc e d man o f the

,

wo rld No matt e r what the con v e rsati on chanc e d to be abou t

.
,

he always contri v e d to ma i n ta i n hi s par t i n the sam e D i d the .

d i scourse turn upon horse bre e d i ng upon horse bre e d i ng he -

,
-

happ en e d to be p e cul i arly w e ll qual i fi e d to sp e ak D i d the .

company fall to d i scu ssi ng w e ll bre d dog s at onc e he had -

re mark s o f the mo st p e rti n e nt k i nd po ssi bl e to o ff e r D i d the .

company touch upon a pro se cuti on whi ch had r e c e ntly b e e n

carri e d o ut by the E xci se D e partm e nt i n stantly he show e d that ,

he to o was no t wholly unac qua i nte d wi th l e gal a ff ai rs D i d an .

Opi ni on chanc e to be e xpre sse d conc e rn i ng bi ll i ard s on tha t ,

subj e c t too he was at l e a st abl e to avo i d comm i tti ng a blund e r .

D i d a r e f e r e nc e occur to vi rtu e co nc e rni ng vi r tu e he ha st e n e d ,

to d el i v e r hi m se lf i n a way whi ch brought t e ar s to e v e ry e e

y .

D i d the subj e c t i n hand happ e n to be the d i sti ll i ng o f brandy

—well that was a matte r conce rni ng whi ch he had the sound e st
,

o f k nowl e dg e D i d any o n e happ e n to m e n ti on Cu stom s o ffi c i al s

.

and i nsp e ctors from tha t mom e nt he e xpati a te d as though he to o

,

had be e n bo th a mi nor func ti onary and a maj or Ye t a r e mark .

abl e fact was the ci rcumstanc e that he always contri v e d to te m p e r

hi s omn i sci e nc e wi th a c e rta i n r e ad i n e ss to g i v e way a c e rta i n
.

a l i ty so to k e e p a r e i n upon hi m se lf that n e ve r di d hi s utte r

.

b i

ane cs b e com e too loud o r to o soft or transc e nd w hat was ,

p rf c ly b e fitti ng In a word he was a lvyays a g e ntl e man o f

e e t .
,
,

e xc e ll e n t mann e rs and e v e ry o ffi c i al i
M ! m m a h um -n the B
own " lade
aw hi m e nte r the door Thu s the Gove rnor gav e i t as hi s .
 D e ad S o u l s I
7
opi n i on tha t Chi chi ko v was a man o f e xc e ll e nt i nte n ti on s ; the
P ubli c Pro se cu tor t hat he was a g ood man o f bu si n e ss ; the
,

C hi ef o f G e ndarm e ry t ha t he was a man o f e duca ti on ; the

,

P re si d e nt o f the Local C ounci l that he wa s a man o f bre e d i ng

,

and re fin e m e nt ; and the wi f e of the C hi e f o f G e ndarm e ry t ha t hi s ,

pol i ten e ss o f b e havi our was e quall e d only by hi s affabi l i ty of

.
,
—
b e ari ng Nay e v e n S o bake vi tch who as a rul e n e v e r spok e w e ll
o f any o ne -
sa i d t o hi s lan k y w i f e wh e n on r e turn i n g la t e from
,

the town he undr e sse d and b e took h i m se lf to be d by he r si d e

,

My d e ar thi s e v e ni ng aft e r d i n i ng wi t h the C hi e f o f Pol i c e

, , ,

I w e nt on to the Gov e rnor s and me t th e r e among o the rs a

’

, , ,

c e r ta i n P aul I vanovi tch Chi chi ko v w ho i s a C oll e g i a te C ounci llor

,
”
and a v e ry pl e a san t f e llow To thi s hi s spou se r e pl i e d Hm !
.

and th e n d e alt hi m a h e arty ki c k i n the ri bs .

S uch w e r e the fla tte ri ng op i ni on s e arn e d by the n e wcom e r to

the town ; and t h ese op i n i on s he r e ta i n e d un ti l the ti m e wh e n a
c e rta i n Sp e c i al i ty of hi s a c e rta i n sch e m e o f hi s (the r e ad e r wi ll
,

l e arn pr e se ntly wha t i t was) plung e d the majori ty of the to wn s

,

folk i nto a se a o f p e rpl e xi ty .

FOR more than two w e e k s the vi si tor l i v e d ami d a round o f

e v e n i n g par ti e s and d i nn e rs ; w h e r e for e he sp e n t as the sayi n g
(
g o e s) a v e ry pl e a sant ti m e Fi nally he d e ci d e d to e xte nd hi s
.

vi si ts b e yond the urban boundari e s by g o i ng and call i ng upon

landown e rs Mani lo v and Sobake vi tch se e i ng tha t he had ,

prom i se d on hi s honour to do 50 Ye t what r e ally i nc i te d hi m

.

to t hi s may hav e b e e n a mor e e sse n ti al cau se a ma tt e r of gr e a t e r ,

gravi ty a purpo se whi c h stood n e ar e r to hi s h e art t han the

, ,

moti v e whi ch I hav e ju st gi v e n ; and o f t ha t purpo se the r e ad e r

wi ll l e arn i f only he wi ll hav e the pa ti e nc e to r e ad thi s pr e fatory
narrati v e (w hi ch l e ng thy t hou g h i t be may ye t d e v e lop and
, ,

e xpand i n proporti on as we approach the déno u e me nt wi t h w hi ch

the pr e se n t work i s d e sti n e d to be crown e d ) .

On e e v e n i n g t h e r e fore S e li fan the coachman r e c e i v e d ord e rs

, ,

to hav e the horses harn esse d i n g ood ti m e n e x t morn i ng ; w hi l e

P e tru shk a re c e i v e d ord e rs to re ma i n b e hi nd for the pu rpo se of ,

loo ki ng afte r the portmante au and the room I n pa ssi ng the .

,

r e ad e r may car e to b e com e more f ully acquai n te d wi th the two

se rvi ng me n o f w ho m I h av e spok e n
-
Naturally th e y w e re no t
.
,
 i to t he st i i
fo r hi m a s al so t ha t h e had ( acco r d ng cu om of nd
c ll
,
ng a p i r f t h i c k l i p and i e t
v ry prom n n
e
)
a
vi duals o f hi s a i a o s

n o se In te mp e ram e nt he was taci turn ra h

.
t e r t han lo quac ou
i s ,

hough any mom n t t h r e m i ght launch i lf

t se from the pag e
t a t e e

s om e d e v i l se n t
- word wh e r e of h e could ma k e n e i t h e r h e ad nor
a
t i l . Fo r t h e mo s t par t h,
i s t a s k of r e ad i ng w a s p e rform e d i n a
r e cumb e nt po si ti on i n the ante room whi ch c i rcum stanc e e nd e d
by cau si ng h i s ma t tr e s s t o b e com e a s r agg e d and a s t h i n a s a
wafe r In addi ti on to hi s lov e o f pori ng o v e r boo k s he could
. ,

oa
b st o f two hab i ts wh i ch con s t i t u t e d t w o o t h e r e s se n t i al f e a t ur e s

o f hi s cha ra tec r— nam e ly a ,

hab i t o f r e t i r i ng t o r e s t i n h i s clo t h e s

( t ha t i s to say i n ,
t h e b rown jac k e t a b o v e m e
-
n t i on e d ) and a
habi t o f e v e rywh e re be ari ng wi th hi m hi s o wn p e cul i ar a tmo
s ph r
e e hi s o wn
,
p e cul i ar s m e ll — a s m e ll wh i ch fill e d any lod g i ng
wi th such subtl e ty that he n e e d e d but to mak e up hi s be d any
whe re e ve n i n a room hi th e rto unt e nante d and to drag thi th e r
, ,

h i s gr e a tcoa t and o t h e r i mp e d i m e n t a for

,
t ha t r oom a t onc e t o

a ssum e an ai r o f havi ng be e n l i v e d i n duri ng the pa st t e n y e ars .

N e ve rthel e ss though a fa sti di ou s and e ve n an i rri tabl e man

, , , ,

Chi chi ko v would m e re ly frown wh e n hi s no se caught t hi s sm e ll

am i d the fr e shn e ss of t he morn i ng and e xcla i m w i th a to ss o f
,

hi s h e ad : The d e vi l only k nows wha t i s up wi th you ! S ur e ly

o u sw e a t a good d e al do you n o t ? T he b est th i ng you can do
y ,

I s to go and ta k e a ba th To thi s P e tru shk a would mak e no

.

r e ply but approachi ng bru sh i n hand the spo t w h e r e hi s

, , , ,

master s coat would be p e nd e nt o r starti ng to arrang e o n e and

’

,
 20 D e ad S o u l s
crac k e d hi s whi p and the bri tchka l e ap t forward with i ncr e ase d
p
s ee d ov e r t h e co b bl e s t on e s A t la
. s t W i t,h a f e e l i ng of r e l i e f ,

the t rav e ll e r s caugh t s i gh t o f macadam ah e ad w h ,

i ch prom i se d
an e nd bo th to the cobbl e ston e s and to sundry o th e r annoyanc e s .

A nd s e e
,
ur nough af ,
t e r h i s h e ad had b e e n b ump e d a f e w mor e

C h i h k
m
ti e s aga i n s t t he boo t o f t he conv e yanc e ,
c i o
v found
hi mse lf bowl i ng ove r softe r ground O n the t own r e c e d i ng i nto .

the i sd tanc e th
,
e si d e s o f t h e road b e gan t o b e var i e d w i t h t h e

u sual hi llock s fi r tre e s clump s o f young pi n e tr e e s wi th old

, , , ,

s carr e d trun k s b u s,
h e s o f w i ld jun i p e r and ,
s o for t h P r e.s e n tly
th e re cam e i n to Vi e w al so stri ng s o f coun try vi lla s whi ch wi th ,

th e i r carv e d supports and gr e y roofs (the la tt e r loo k i ng l i k e

p end e nt e mbroi d e re d tabl e cloths) rese mbl e d ra th e r bundl e s
, , , ,

o f old faggo ts L i
. k e w i se t h e cu s t omary p e a s an t s dr e s ,
s e d i n

sh e e p sk i n jac k e ts could be se e n yawn i ng o n b e nch e s b e for e

,

th e i r hu ts wh i l e th e i r wom e nfol k fat of f e a tur e and swa th e d of

, ,

bo som gaz e d o ut o f upp e r wi ndows and the wi ndow s b e low di s

, ,

play e d he re a p e e ri ng calf and th e re the un si ghtly jaws of a p i g

, ,
.

In short the vi e w was o ne o f the fami l i ar typ e Af te r pa ssi ng

,
.

the fi fte e n th v e rst ston e Chi chi ko v sudd e nly r e coll e c te d tha t
-
,

accordi ng to Mani lo v fifte e n ve rsts was the e xact d i stanc e

,

b e twe e n hi s country hou se and the town ; but the si xte e nth
ve rst ston e fle w by and the sa i d coun try hou se was sti ll nowh e r e
,

to be se en In fac t but fo r the c i rcum stanc e t ha t the trav e ll e rs

.
,

happ e n e d to e ncounte r a coupl e o f p e a sants the y would hav e ,

com e th ei r e rrand i n vai n To a qu e ry as to wh e th e r the

.

country hou se known as Zamani lo vka was anywh e re i n the

n ei ghbourhood the p e asants re pli e d by do ffing th e i r cap s ; afte r
whi ch o n e of th e m who se em e d to boa st of a l i ttl e mor e i nte lli
g enc e than hi s compani on and who wore a w e dg e shap e d b e ard
,
-

,
mad e an sw e r :
P rhap you m an M”ani lovk a no t Z amani lo vka ?
e s e —
,
—
Ye s ye s Mani lo vk a .

Mani lovka e h ? We ll you mu st conti nu e for ano th e r v e rst

, , ,
and th en you wi ll se e i t stra i ght b e for e you on the ri ght ”
.

O n the ri ght ? re e cho e d the coachman

-
.

The houyou m e an stand s th e re o n that hi ll and i s a ston e

se
, ,
hou se i n whi ch a g e ntl e man li v e s and i ts nam e i s Mani lovka ;
,
but Z amani lo vka do e s no t stand h e r e abou ts nor e v e r h s ood ”
a st , .
 D e ad S o ul s 2 I

So proc e e d e d i n se arch o f Mani lovka and afte r

the trav e ll e rs , ,

dri vi ng an add i ti onal two v e rsts arri v e d at a spo t wh e nc e th e re

,

branch e d o ff a by road Ye t two thre e o r four v e rsts o f the

-
.
, ,

by road had b e e n cov e r e d b e for e th e y saw the l e a st S i g n o f a

-

two stori e d ston e man si on Th e n i t was tha t Chi chi ko v sudd e nly
-
.

r e coll e c te d tha t w h e n a f ri e nd has i nvi te d on e to vi si t hi s country

,

hou se and has sa i d that the d i stanc e th e r e to i s fifte e n v e rsts

, ,

the di stanc e i s sur e to turn o ut to be at l e a st th i rty .

No t many p e opl e would hav e admi r e d the si tua ti on o f Maui

lo v s abod e fo r i t stood o n an i sola te d ri se and was op e n to e v e ry
’
,

wi nd tha t bl e w O n the slop e of the ri se lay clo se ly mown turf

.
-
,

whi l e d i spo se d h e re an d th e r e afte r the Engl i sh fa shi on w e re

, , ,

flo we r b e d s con ta i n i ng clump s o f l i lac and y e llo w acac i a Al so

-
.
,

t h e re w e r e a fe w i n si g n i fica nt g roup s o f sl e nd e r l e av e d po i n te d -
,

ti pp e d b i rch tr e e s w i th und e r two o f the la tte r an arbour

, , ,

havi ng a shabby g r e e n cupola som e blu e pai nte d w ood e n sup ,

-

p orts and the i n scri p ti on Thi s i s the T e mpl e o f S ol i tary

,

Thoug ht ”
Low e r do wn the Slop e lay a g re e n coa te d pon d
.
-

g re e n coate d pond s con sti tu te a fre qu e nt Sp e ctacl e i n the g ard e n s

-

o f Ru ssi an landown e rs ; and la stly from the f oo t of the d e cli

, ,

vi ty th e r e str e tch e d a l i n e o f mouldy log bu i l t hu ts w hi ch fo r ,

-
,

som e ob scur e r e a son o r ano t h e r our h e ro se t hi m se l f to coun t

, .

Up to two hundre d or more di d he count but nowh e re could he ,

p e rc e i ve a si ngl e l e af o f v e g e tati on o r a si ng l e sti ck o f ti m b e r .

The only thi n g to g r e e t the e ye was the lo g s of w hi c h the hu ts

we re c on structe d N e ve rth e l e ss the sc e n e was to a c e rtai n
.

e x te n t e nl i v e n e d by the sp e c tacl e o f two p e a san t wom e n who ,

wi th cloth e s pi c ture squ e ly tuck e d up we r e wad i ng kn e e d e e p ,

-

i n the pond and draggi ng b e hi nd th e m wi th w ood e n handl es , ,

a ragg e d fishi ng n e t i n the m e sh e s o f w hi ch two crawfish and

-
,

a roach wi t h g l i ste n i n g scal e s w e r e e n tang l e d The w o m e n

—
.

app e are d to hav e cau se o f d i spu te b e tw e e n t h e m se lv es to be

rati ng o n e ano th e r abou t som e thi ng I n the bac kg round and .
,

to o n e si d e o f the hou se sho w e d a fa i n t du sky blur o f p i n e w ood

, , ,

and e v e n the w e ath e r was i n k e e p i ng wi th the surround i ng s ,

si nc e the day wa s n e i the r cl e ar nor dull but o f the g r e y ti n t ,

whi ch may be no te d i n uni form s o f garri son soldi e rs w hi ch hav e

se e n long se rvi c e To compl e te the pi c tur e a co ok the r e co g
.
, ,

n i se d harb i ng e r o f a tmo sph e ri c mu ta ti on s was pr e se n t and , , ,

i n sp i te o f the fac t t ha t a c e r ta i n conn e c ti on wi t h aflai rs o i

g allantry had le d to hi s havi ng had hi s h e ad p e ck e d bare by

—
o th e r coc k s he flapp e d a pa i r o f w i ng s app e ndag e s as bar e
,

as two p i e c es o f ba st — and crow e d loudly .

 22 D e ad S o u l s
A s Chi chi ko v approach e d t h e cour tyard o f t h e man si on h e

caught si ght of hi s ho st (clad i n a gre e n frock coat) standi ng on

the v e r andah and p ress i ng o n e hand t o hi s e y e s t o S h i e ld t h e m
from the sun and so g e t a be tte r Vi e w of the approac hi ng carri ag e .

In propo rti o n as the bri tchka dre w n e are r and n e are r to the
v e randah the ho st s e y es a ssum e d a more and mor e d e l i ghte d
,
’

e xpr ess i on and ,

h i s s m i l e a broad e r and broad e r sw e e p
Paul I vanovi tch ! he e xclai m e d wh e n at l e ngth Chi chi ko v
.

l e ap t from the v e hi cl e N e v e r should I ha v e b e li e ve d tha t you

.

would hav e re m e mbe re d us !

The two fri e nd s e xchang e d h e arty e mb rac e s and Mani lo v ,

th e n conduc t e d hi s gu e st to the drawi ng room Duri ng the bri e f -

.

ti m e tha t th e y are tra v e rsi ng the hall the an t e room and the , ,

di ni ng room le t me try to say som e thi ng conc e rn i ng the ma ste r

-
,

o f the hou se B ut such an und e r ta ki ng bri stl e s wi t h d i ffi cul ti e s

—i t promi se s to be a far l e ss e a sy ta sk than the d e pi c ti ng of
.

som e ou tstand i ng p e r sonal i ty o f a t yp e whi ch call s but fo r a

whol esal e da shi ng of colours upon the can va s the colours o f a —
p ai r o f dark burni ng e ye s a pa i r o f dark b e e tl i ng brows a
, , , ,

fore h e ad se am e d wi th wri nkl e s a blac k o r a fie ry re d cloak , ,

-
,

thrown back ward s o v e r the should e r and so for th and so for th , , .

Ye s so num e rou s are Ru ssi an se rf own e rs tha t t hough car e ful

, ,

scru ti ny r e v e al s to on e s si ght a qu an ti ty of o u tré p e cul i ari ti e s

’

th e y are as a cla ss e xc e e d i ngly d i ffi cul t to por tray and o n e

, , ,

n e e d s to strai n on e s facul ti e s to the u tmo st be for e i t b e com e s

’

po ssi bl e to pi c k o ut th e i r vari ou sly su btl e th e i r almo st i n vi si bl e , ,

f e a ture s In S hort o n e n e e d s be fo re do i ng thi s to carry o ut a

.
, , ,

prolong e d pro bi ng wi th the ai d o f an i n si g ht sharp e n e d i n the

acu t e sc ho o l o f r e se arc h .

Only God can say what Mani lo v s r e al charac te r was A cla ss ’

.

o f me n e xi sts whom the pro v e rb ha s d e scri b e d a s me n un to

th e m se l v e s n e i th e r thi s nor tha t—n e i th e r Bogdan of the c i ty
,
”
n o r S e li fan o f the vi llag e And to that cla ss we had b e tte r
.

a ssi gn al so Mani lo v O u twardly he wa s pr e se ntabl e e nough

.

,
for hi s f e atu re s w e re no t wanti ng i n ami abi l i ty but tha t ami a ,
e

bi li ty wa s a qu al i ty i n to whi ch th e r e e n te r e d t o o much o f t e
.

h
suga ry e l e m e n t so tha t hi s e v e ry g e
, stur e hi s e v e ry a tti tud e , ,
se e m e d to c o nno t e an e xc e ss of e ag
e rn e ss to curry favour and

cul i va a cl
t t e o s e r ac quai ntanc e O n fi rst sp e aki ng to the man.

,
hi s i ng ra ti ati ng smi l e hi s flaxe n ha i r and hi s blu
, e e y e s would
,
‘
l ead o to say What a pl e asan t good t e mp e re d f e llow he
n e f ,
,
-

se e
m s!
ye t du i ng the n e xt mom e nt o r two o n e would f e e l
r
.

i
ncl n d
i e to say no thi ng at all and duri ng the thi rd mom e nt
, , ,
 D e ad S o ul s 3 2

only to say The d e vi l alon e knows wha t he i s !

,
And should ,

t h e r e afte r o n e n o t ha ste n to d e par t o n e would i n e vi tably

, ,

b e com e ov e rpow e re d wi th the d e adly se n se of enn ui whi ch com e s

o f the i n tu i ti on t ha t no thi n g i n the l e a st i n t e r e sti ng i s to be

look e d for but only a se ri e s o f w e ari som e u tte ranc e s of the k i nd

,

w hi ch are ap t to fall from t he l i p s o f a man who se hobby has

onc e b e e n touc he d upon For e v e ry man has hi s hobby One . .

man s may be Sporti ng dog s ; ano th e r man s may be that o f

’ ’

b e li e vi ng hi m se lf to be a lov e r o f mu si c and a bl e t o sound the ,

ar t to i ts i nmo st d e p t h s ano th e r s may be tha t o f po si ng as a ’

'
conno i sse ur of re cherche cook e ry ; ano th e r s may be tha t o f ’

a sp i ri ng to play rOle s of a k i nd hi g he r than n atur e has a ssi gn e d

hi m ; ano t h e r s (t hough thi s i s a mor e l i m i t e d amb i ti on ) may be
’

t ha t o f g e tti ng drun k and of dr e am i n g t ha t he 15 e d i fyi ng bo th

,

hi s fri e nd s hi s ac q ua i n t anc es and p e opl e wi t h w hom he has no

, ,

conn e c ti on at all by wal ki ng arm i n arm wi th an Imp e ri al a i d e

de camp ; ano th e r s may be t ha t o f po sse ssi ng a hand abl e to
’
-

c hi p corn e rs o ff ac e s and d e uc e s o f d i amond s ; ano th e r 5 may ’

—
be tha t o f y e arn i ng to se t t hi ng s stra i g ht i n o the r w ord s to ,

approxi mate hi s p e rsonal i ty to tha t of a sta ti onma ste r o r a

d i re ctor o f po sts In short almo st e v e ry man has hi s hobby o r
.
,

hi s l e an i ng ; ye t Mani lo v had non e such f or at hom e he spok e ,

l i ttl e and sp e n t the gr e a te r part o f hi s ti m e i n m e d i tati on

,

t hou g h Go d only kno w s w ha t t ha t m e d i ta ti on compri se d ! No r

can i t be sa i d t hat he took much i n te re st i n the manag e m e n t o f
hi s e sta te for he n e v e r rod e i n to the coun try and the e sta te
, ,

prac ti cally manag e d i tse lf Wh e n e v e r the ba i l i ff sai d to hi m

.
,

I t m i g h t be w e ll to hav e such and such a t hi n g don e he - -

,

would r e ply Yes that i s no t a bad i d e a and th e n g o o n

, ,
”
,

smok i ng hi s p i p e — a hab i t w hi ch he had acqu i r e d duri n g hi s

se rv i c e i n the army w h e r e he had b e e n look e d upon a s an offi c e r

,

o f mod e sty d e l i cacy and r e fin e m e nt

,
Ye s i t i s not a ba d
,
.
,

i d e a he would r e p e a t Ag a i n w h e n e v e r a p e a san t approach e d

”
.
, ,

hi m and rubb i ng the back of hi s n e c k sa i d

,
B ari n may I hav e , , ,

l e av e to go and w ork f or myse l f i n ord e r t ha t I may e arn m y ,

o brok ?
1
he w ould snap o ut wi th p i p e i n mou th a s u sual ,
Ye s , ,
”
go ! and n e v e r troubl e hi s h e ad as to wh e th e r the p e a sant s ’

re al obj e c t m i ght n o t be to go and g e t drun k Tru e at i nte rval s .

,

he w ould say whi l e g a zi ng from the v e randah to the cour tyard

, ,

and from the courtyard to the pond that i t would be i nd e e d ,

Spl e nd i d i f a carri ag e dri v e could sudd e nly mate ri al i se and the ,

1
A n an n u al tax u p o n p e asan ts D av me n t o f wh i ch s e cure d to the p ayer
gh
.

the ri t o f re mo val .
 tu rn e d down
‘

I t Ras a bafikiy fi i
r

“ 1
‘

15 3 3
3 ;91 h i ? e n t e a d i n g
w
. . ,
(

p aSt
'

t d y e
'

a rs !
u

In g e n e ral ,
om e t h S
i ng se e m e d t o b e w a n t i ng
l
i n the e stab i s hm e n t or . i n s F
tanc e , al t hough t h e draw i ng room -

wa s fill e d w h
i t be tiau ful fu r n i t ur e ,
and uphol s t e r e d i n s om e fi n e

si l k e n ma t e ri al wh i ch cl e a rly had co st no i ncon si d e rabl e s um ,

two o f the cha i rs lac k e d any cov e r i ng b u t ba st and fo r s om e

,

y ea rs p ast the maste r had b e e n accu stom e d to warn hi s gu e sts

wi th the words Do no t si t upon tho se cha i rs ; th e y are n o t
,

e t r e ady for u s e A n o t h e r room con t a i n e d no furn i tur e a t all

y . ,

al though a fe w days aft e r the marri ag e i t had b e e n sai d : My

, ,

d e ar to morrow le t us se t abou t procuri ng at l e ast som e tem

,
-

so e v e ry e v e n i ng would se e
”
p o ra r y furn i tur e for t h i s room A l .
,

plac e d upon the drawi ng room tabl e a fine bronz e cand e labrum
-
,

a statu e tte re prese nta ti v e of the Thr e e Grac e s a tray i nlai d wi t h ,

moth er oi p e arl and a ri c k e ty lop si d e d copp e r i nvali de Ye t

- -
, ,
-
.

o f the fac t tha t all four arti cl e s w e r e t hi c k ly coa t e d wi th g r e a se

n e i the r the maste r of the hou se no r the m i str e ss no r the se rvants

se e m e d to e n t e rta i n the l e a st su sp i c i on A t the sam e ti m e
.
,

Mani lo v and hi s wi f e w e re qu i te sa ti sfi e d wi th o ne ano th e r .

More than e i ght ye ars had e lapse d si nc e th e i r marri ag e ye t o ne ,

o f th e m was for e v e r off e ri ng hi s o r he r partn e r a p i e c e of appl e

or a bonbon o r a n ut whi l e murmuri ng som e t e nd e r som e t hi ng

,

whi ch vo i c e d a whol e h e art e d aff e c ti on

-
O p e n your mouth
—
.
,

d e arest thu s ran the formula and le t me pop i nto i t thi s

”
ti tb i t You may be sure that o n such occasi on s the d e are st
.

mouth parte d i ts l i p s mo st grac i ou sly ! For th e i r mu tual

bi rthdays the pai r always contri v e d som e surpri se pr e se nt
i n the shap e o f a gla ss r e c e p tacl e for too t h powd e r o r wha t n o t
;
-
,

and as th ey sat tog e th e r on the sofa he would sudd e nly and fo r ,

som e unk nown r e a son lay a si d e hi s p i p e and she he r work i f
, , (
at the mom e n t S he happ e n e d to be hold i ng i t i n he r hand s and
)
hu sband and wi f e would i mpri nt upon o n e ano th e r s ch e e k s ’

such a prolong e d and langu i shi ng ki ss tha t duri ng i ts con ti nu

anc e you could hav e smo k e d a small c i gar I n short th e y w e re .

,

wha t i s known as a v e ry happy coupl e ”

Ye t i t may be .

r mark e d that a hou se hold r e qu i re s o th e r pursu i ts to be e ng ag e d

e
 D e ad S o ul s 5 2

i n than l e ng thy e mbraci ng s and the pr e pari ng o f cunn i ng

surpri ses Ye s many a functi on call s fo r fulfilm e n t Fo r
.
,
.

i n stanc e why should i t be thou g ht f ool i sh o r low to sup e ri nte nd

,

the k i tch e n ? Why should car e no t be tak e n t ha t the store roo m

n e ve r lack s suppl i e s ? Why should a hou se k e e p e r be allo w e d to
t hi e v e ? Why should slove nly and drunk e n se rvants e xi st ?
Why should a dom e sti c staff be suff e r e d to i ndulg e i n bou ts o f
unconsc i onabl e d e bauch e ry duri ng i ts l e i sure ti m e ? Ye t non e
o f th e se t hi ng s w e r e t hou g ht w ort hy o f con si d e ra ti on by Ma ni

lo v s wi f e fo r S he had b e e n g e n tly broug ht up and g e ntl e

’
, ,

nurture as we all know i s to be ac qu i re d only i n board i ng

, ,

school s and board i ng school s as we k now hold the t hre e

, , ,

pri nc i pal subj e c ts whi ch con sti tu t e the ba si s o f human vi rtu e

to be the Fr e nch lang uag e ( a t h i ng i nd i sp e n sabl e to the happ i
n e ss of marri e d l i f e ) p i ano play i ng a t h i n g wh e r e w i t h to b e g u i l e
( ,
-

a hu sband s l e i sure mom e nts) and tha t parti cular d e partm e nt

’
,

o f hou se wi f e ry w hi ch i s co m pri se d i n the k n i tti n g o f purse s and

o th e r surpri se s ”
N e v e rth e l e ss chang e s and i mprov e m e nts
.

hav e b e g un to tak e plac e si nc e thi ng s no w are g ov e rn e d more

,

by the p e rsonal i ncl i nati on s and i d i o syncrac i es o f the k e e p e rs

o f such e stabl i shm e n ts Fo r i n stanc e i n som e se m i nari es the
.
,

r e gi m e n plac e s p i ano playi ng first and the Fr e nch l ang uag e

-
,

n e xt and th e n the abov e d e partm e nt o f hou se wi f e ry ; whi l e

,

i n o th e r se m i nari e s the kni tti ng o f surpri se s h e ad s the l i st ,

and th e n the Fre nch lang uag e and the n the playi ng o f p i ano s ,
-
so d i v e rse are the sy st e m s i n forc e ! Non e the l e ss I may r e m ark ,

t ha t M adam e Mani lo v
B ut le t me conf ess t ha t I alway s shr i nk f rom sayi n g to o m uch
abou t lad i e s Mor e ove r i t i s ti m e tha t we re turn e d to o ur he ro e s
.
, ,

who duri ng the pa st fe w m i nu t e s hav e b e e n stand i ng i n fron t

, , ,

o f the drawi ng room door and e n gag e d i n urg i n g o n e ano th e r

-
,

to e n te r first
Pray be so g ood as no t to i nconv e ni e nc e yourse l f o n
accoun t sa i d Chi chi ko v I wi ll follo w you
—
. .
,

No Paul I vanovi tch no ! Yo u are my g u est

, .

Mani lo v po i n te d toward s the doorw ay .

Mak e no d i fficul ty abou t i t I pray urg e d Chi chi ko v , ,

.

be g o f you to make n o d i ffi cul ty abou t i t but to pa ss i n to t ,

roo m .

Pardon me I wi ll n o t N e ve r could I allow so di sti ng u i sh e d

, .

and so w e lcom e a g u est as yourse l f to tak e se cond plac e ”

.

Why call me di sti ngu i sh e d m y de ar si r ? ,

’

to proc e e d
33
.
! S w e
a nw
“
?
e
 2 6 D e ad S o ul s
Nay ; b y u ple o e ase d to do so .

And why ?
r
Fo r the e s a on wh i ch I hav e st a t e d A n d M a n i lo v sm i l e d
.

hi s v e ry pl e a san te st smi l e .

Fi nally the pai r e nte re d si multan e ou sly and S i d e ways ; Wi th

0

r
the e s ul ha h y t l d ano t h r t a l tt l n t h pro
t t t t e j o s e o n e e n o i e i e
ce s s .

Allow me to pre se nt to y”ou my wi f e conti nu e d Mani lo v

”
,
.

—
My d e ar Paul Ivanovi tch .

Upon that Chi chi ko v caught Si ght o f a lady whom hi th e rto he

had ove rlooke d but who wi th Mani lo v was now bowi ng to hi m
, , ,

i n the doorway No t wholly of unpl e a si ng e xt e ri or she was

.
,

d resse d i n a w e ll fitti ng hi gh n e c k e d morni ng dr e ss o f pal e

-
,
-

coloure d si lk ; and as the vi si tor e nt e re d the room he r small

whi te hand s thre w som ethi ng upon the tabl e and clu tch e d he r
e m bro i d e re d sk i r t be for e ri si ng from the sofa wh e r e she had

be e n se at e d No t wi thou t a se n se of pl e a su re di d Chi chi ko v

.

tak e he r hand a s l i sp i ng a l i ttl e she d e clar e d tha t S he and he r

, ,

hu sband w e re gre atly gra ti fi e d by hi s com i ng and tha t o f , ,

late no t a day had p asse d wi thou t he r hu sband r e call i ng hi m

,

to m i nd .

Ye s affi rm e d Mani lo v ;
,
and e v e ry day she has sa i d to
me Why do e s no t your fri e nd p ut i n an app e aranc e ? Wai t ’

a l i ttl e d e are st I ha v e always r e pl i e d

,
’
Twi ll n o t be long .
’

now be fore he com e s And yo u have com e you have honour e d

’

us wi th a vi si t you have best ow e d upon u s a tr e a t—a t r e a t

.
,

d esti n e d to conv e rt thi s day i nto a gala day a tru e b i r thday of ,

”
the h e a rt .

The i nti ma ti on tha t ma tte rs had r e ach e d the po i nt o f the

occasi on b ei ng d e sti n e d to consti tu te a tru e b i rthday of the
he art cau se d Chi chi ko v to b e com e a l i ttl e confu se d ; w h e re for e
he mad e mod e st r e ply tha t a s a ma tt e r o f fac t he was n e i th e r
, ,
o f d i sti ngu i sh e d o ri g i n n o r d i sti ng u i sh e d rank .

i nt e rrupt e d Mani lo v wi t h hi s fix e d and

”
Ah yo u are so
, ,

e ngagi ng sm i l e You are all that and mor e

.
”
, .

How l i k e you our town ? qu e ri e d M adam e

”
Hav e you .

sp e nt an agr e e abl e ti m e i n i t ?
”
V e ry re pl i e d Chi chi ko v
, The town i s an e xc e e d i ngly
.

i
n c o e and I hav e gre atly e njoy e d i ts ho sp i tabl e soci e ty
e n ,
”
.

And what thi nk you o f o ur Gov e rnor ?

Ye s ; i he not a mo st e ngag i ng and d i g n i fi e d p e rsonag e ?
s
add e d Mani lo v .

He i s all tha t a sse nt e d Chi chi ko v

, I nd e e d he i s a man .
,

wor hy o f the gre ate st re sp e ct An d how thoroughly he p e rforms

t .
28 D e ad S o ul s
to car ry hi m away ; af t e r wh i ch he con t i nu e d w i t h a g e st ur e

What I m e an i s that w e re that sort o f thi ng po ssi bl e I fo r

, , ,

o ne ,
S hould fi nd t h e coun try and an i sola t e d l i f e po sse s
s e d of

gre at a ttracti on s B ut as matte rs stand such a thi ng i s not

.
, ,

po ssi bl e All that I can manag e to do i s occasi onally to r ead

. , ,

a l i tt l e o f A S o n of th e F a t h e rla n d .

Wi th the se se nti m e nts Chi chi ko v e xpre sse d e nti r e agre e m e nt

add i ng that no thi ng could be mor e d e li ghtful than to l e ad a
ol
s it ary l i f e i n wh i ch t h e r e s hould be compr i s e d only t he s w e e t
contemplati on o f nature and the i nte rm i tte nt p e ru sal o f a
book .

ve n that w e r e wort h no thi ng had n o t o n e a fri e nd

”
wi th whom to share on e s li fe re mark e d Mani lo v ’
,
.

,
”
Tru e tru e agre e d Chi chi ko v
, Without a fri e nd , w hat
.

’
Po ssess no t mon e y a ,

fri e nd s to w hom to turn

Ye s, Paul
Ivanovi tch sai d Mani lo v wi th a glanc e no t
—
,

m ere ly sw e e t but po si ti v e ly lu sc i ou s a glanc e ak i n to the mi x

,

ture whi ch e v e n cl e v e r physi c i an s hav e t o r e nd e r pala tabl e

b e fore the y can i nduc e a h e si tant pati e nt to tak e i t Co nse
—
.

qu ently you may i magi ne what happi n e ss what p erf e ct happi

,
—
n ess so to sp e ak the prese nt occa si on has brought me se e i ng ,

tha t I am p e rmi tte d to conv e rse wi th yo u and t o e njoy your

”
conve rsati on .

”
B ut what of my conv e rsa ti on ? re pl i e d Chi chi ko v .

am an i n si gni ficant i ndi vi dual and b e yond that no thi ng , , , .

Oh Paul Ivanovi tch ! cri e d the o th e r

, P e rm i t me to .

be frank and to say tha t I w ould g i v e half my prop e rty to

,
”
po sse ss e ve n a p orti on o f the tal e nts whi ch you po sse ss .

On the contrary I should consi d e r i t the hi g h est honour i n

,
the world i f

must r e mai n a myste ry .

I humbly i nvi te yo u to jo i n us at tabl e sai d Mani lo v , .

Al o you Wi ll pardon us fo r the fact that we canno t provi d e

.

s ,

a ban qu e t such as i s to be ob tai n e d i n o ur m e tropol i tan ci ti es ?

We partak e of S i mpl e fare accordi ng to the Ru ssi an cu stom
,
we con fin e ourse l v e s to shtehi 1 but we do so wi th a si ngl e h e art
,
Come I humbly be g o f you
.

”
, .

Af r ano he r contest for the honour o f yi e ld i ng pre c e d e nc e

t e t
,
1
C bb g
a a e so u p .
 D e ad S o uls 29

Chi chi ko v succ e e d e d i n maki n g hi s way (i n zi g zag fa shi on ) to

the d i n i n g room w h e re th e y found awai ti ng th e m a coupl e o f
-
,

young ste rs Th e se w e re Mani lo v s son s and boys o f the ag e

.
’
,

whi ch adm i ts o f the i r pre se nc e at tabl e but n e c essi tates the ,

conti nu e d use o f hi gh chai rs B esi d e th e m was th e i r tu tor who

.
,

bo w e d pol i te ly and sm i l e d ; afte r w hi ch the ho ste ss took he r

se a t b e f or e he r soup pla t e and t he g u est o f honour found hi m se l f
,

e sco nse d b e tw e e n he r and the ma st e r o f the hou se whi l e the ,

se rvan t ti e d up the boys n e c k s i n b i b s

’
.

What charmi ng chi ldre n ! sai d Chi chi ko v as he g aze d at

”

the pa i r . And ho w old are th e y ?

The e ld e st i s e i g ht r e pl i e d Mani lo v and the young e r o ne
”
, ,
”
a tta i n e d the ag e o f S i x y e ste rday .

T he mi sto cle us w e nt on the fa the r turn i ng to hi s first

, ,

born who was e ng ag e d i n stri vi ng to fr e e hi s chi n from the bi b

,

wi th whi ch the foo tman had e nci rcl e d i t O n he ari ng thi s di s .

ti n ctly Gr e e k nam e (to w hi ch f or som e unkno w n r e a son Man i

, ,

lo v always app e nd e d the te rm i na ti on e us Chi chi ko v ra i se d

hi s e y e bro w s a l i ttl e but ha ste n e d the n e xt mom e n t to r e stor e
, , ,

hi s f ac e to a mor e b e fitti n g e xpr essi on .

t e ll me w hi c h i s the
”
The mi sto cle us r e p e a te d the fa t h e r
, ,
”
fin est ci ty i n Franc e .

Upon thi s the tu tor conc e ntrate d hi s a tte nti on upon The m i
sto cle us and app e ar e d to be try i n g hard to ca tch hi s e ye
,
O nly .

w h e n Themi stocle us had mu tte re d Pari s di d the pre c e ptor

g ro w calm e r and no d hi s h e ad
,
.

An d w hi c h i s the fin est c i ty i n Ru ssi a ? con ti nu e d Mani lo v .

Ag ai n the tu tor s atti tud e b e cam e w holly o n e o f conc e ntrati on

’

St P e te rsburg
”
. r e pl i e d The mi sto cle us
, .

And what oth e r ci ty ?

Mo sco w r e spond e d the boy
”
, .

Cl e ve r l i ttl e d e ar ! burst o ut Chi chi ko v turn i ng wi th an

”
,

ai r o f surpri se to the fa t h e r I nd e e d I fe e l bound to say that

.
,

the chi ld e vi nc e s the gr e a t e st po ssi bl e po te n ti al i ti e s .

Yo u do no t kno w hi m f ully r e pl i e d the d e l i g hte d Mani lo v

”
,
.

The amoun t o f sharpn ess w hi ch he po sse sse s i s e xtraord i nary .

O ur young e r on e Alki d i s no t so qui ck ; w he re a s hi s broth e r

, ,

w e ll no m a tte r wha t he may happ e n upon (w h e the r upon a co w

,

bag o r upon a w a te r b e e tl e or upon anythi ng e l se ) hi s l i ttl e e y e s

-

b e gi n jump i ng o ut o f hi s h e ad and he run s to catch the thi ng , ,

and to i nsp e c t i t Fo r hi m I am r e se rvi ng a d i ploma ti c po st

. .

The mi stocle u s add e d the fa th e r a g a i n turn i ng to hi s so n

”
, , do ,

you wi sh to b e co m e an am ba ssador ?
30 D e ad S o ul s
Y e s ,
I do r ,
e pl i e d T h e m i st o c le u s ch e w i ng a, p i e c e of br e ad ,

and wa i ng hi s h e ad from S i d e to si d e
i s i
.

A t t h n o m e n t t h e lac q u e y who had b e e n s t and i ng b e h i nd

the fu ur
t e am a
b s s a d o r w i p e d t h e la tt e r s no s e ; and ’
w e ll i t w as

t ha t he di d so S i nc
,
e o th e rw i s e an i n e l e gan t and sup e rfluou s drop
would hav e be e n a dd e d to the soup Afte r th at the conv e rsa
—
.

ti on tu r n e d upon t h e joy s o f a q u i e t l i f e t hough occa s i onally

i t was i n t e rr up t e d b y r e ma rk s from t h e ho s t e ss o n t h e s ub j e c t
M k fi
.

o f ac t i ng and ac tor s e. anwh i l e t h e t u t or e p t h i s e y e s x e d

upon the S p e ak e rs fac es ; and wh e n e v e r he no ti c e d tha t th e y
.
’

w e re o n the p o i nt o f laughi ng he at onc e op e n e d hi s mou th and ,

laugh e d wi th e nthu si a sm P ro ba bly he was a man o f gra te ful

.

h e art who wi sh e d to r e pay hi s e mploy e rs for the good tr e a tm e nt

whi ch he had r e c e i v e d O nc e howe v e r hi s f e a tur e s a ssum e d a
.
, ,

look o f gri mn e ss a s fixi ng hi s e y e s upon hi s o i s d vi s the boys

,
- -
, ,

he tapp e d ste rnly upon the ta bl e Thi s happ en e d at a j unctur e

.

whe n The mi sto cle us had bi tte n Alki d o n the e ar and the sai d ,

Alki d wi th f rown i ng e y e s and op e n mou th was pr e pari ng hi m

, ,

se lf to so b i n p i t e ou s fa sh i on ; un ti l r e cogn i si ng t ha t for such ,

a proc e e d i ng he mi ght po ssi bly be d e pri v e d of hi s plat e he ,

haste n e d to r e store hi s mou th to i ts ori g i nal e xp re ssi on and f e ll

—
,

t e arfully t o gnawi ng a mu tton bon e the gr e ase from wh i ch

had soon cov e re d hi s ch e ek s .

E very now and ag ai n the ho ste ss would turn to Chi chi ko v

w h i t t h e word s ,
Yo u a e e ati ng n o thi ng yo u hav e i nd e e d
r —
tak e n l i ttl e ; but i n vari ably he r gu e st r e pl i e d : Than k yo u ,

I hav e had more than e no ugh A pl e asan t conv e rsati on i s .

wo rth a ll the d i sh e s i n the wo rld .

A t l e ng th the comp any r o se from tabl e Man i lo v wa s i n

.

high sp i ri ts and layi ng hi s h and up o n hi s gu e st s should e r was

, ,
’

,
o n the p o i nt o f conduc ti ng hi m t o the drawi ng room wh e n -

,
sudd e nly Chi chi ko v i n ti ma t e d to hi m wi t h a m e an i ng loo k
, ,
that he wi sh e d to S p e ak to hi m o n a v e ry i mpor tan t ma tt e r .

That b”ei ng so sai d Mani lo v allow me to i nvi te you i nto

”
, ,

my udy s t .
And he le d the way to a small room whi ch fac e d
the blu e o f the fo re st Thi s i s my sanc tum he add e d
.
”
, .

What a pl e a sant apartm e nt ! r emark e d Chi chi ko v as he”

e y e d 1t care full
0
y .
A nd i nd e e d the room di d n o t lac k a c e rta i n
, ,
at tra ti e e ss
c v n .The wall s w e re p ai n te d a sor t o f blu e i sh gr e y -

c lou
o r a n d t he furn i ture con si ste d of four cha i rs a s e tte e and
—
,
, ,
t b
a a l e the la tte r o f whi ch bo re a fe w sh e e ts o f wri ti ng pap e r -

and e bo ok o f whi ch I h av e b e fore had occa si on to sp e a k

t h
.

B ut the mo st promi n e nt f e a tur e of the room wa s t o bacco wh ch

i ,
 D e ad S o u l s 3 1

—
app e are d i n many d i ffe re nt gu i se s i n pack e ts i n a t obacco ,

jar and i n a loo se h e ap str e wn abou t the tabl e Li k e wi se bo th

,
.
,

wi ndow si ll s w e r e studd e d wi th l i ttl e h e ap s o f ash arrang e d n o t , ,

wi thou t arti fi c e i n rows o f mor e o r l e ss ti d i n e ss Cl e arly smo k

,
.

i ng a ff ord e d the ma st e r o f the hou se a fr e q u e n t m e an s o f pa ssi ng

t he ti m e .

P e rmi t me to offe r you a se at o n thi s se tte e sai d Mani lo v , .

H e r e you wi ll be qu i e te r than you w ould be i n the drawi ng

”
ro om .

“
B ut I s

ob e y e d .

An d al so le t me hand yo u a p i p e .

No I n e v e r smok e an sw e r e d Chi chi ko v c i vi lly and wi th

,
”
, ,

an a ssum e d ai r o f r e gr e t
—
.

And w hy ? i n qu i re d Mani lo v e qually c i vi lly but wi th a ,

re gre t t ha t wa s wholly g e nu i n e .

B e cau se I f e ar tha t I hav e n e v e r qu i te form e d the hab i t ,

owi ng to my havi ng h e ard t ha t a pi p e e x e rc i se s a d e si ccati ng

e ff e c t upon the sys t e m
”
.

Th e n allo w me to te ll yo u that tha t i s m e r e pr e jud i c e .

Nay I w ould e v e n g o so far as to say tha t to smok e a p i p e i s

,

a h e al thi e r prac ti c e than to tak e snuff Among i ts m e mb e rs

—
.

our r e gi m e n t numb e re d a l i e u te nant a mo st e xc e ll e nt w e ll

—
,

e duca t e d f e llo w who wa s si mply i ncap able o f r e movi ng hi s

p i p e from hi s mou th wh e th e r at tabl e o r ( pardon me ) i n o th e r
,

plac e s He i s now forty ye t no man could e nj oy b e tte r h e al th

.
,

than he ha s alway s don e .

Chi chi ko v r e pl i e d t ha t such ca se s w e r e common si nc e natur e ,

compri se d many thi ng s w hi ch e v e n the fin e st i nte ll e c t could no t

compa ss .

B ut allo w me to p ut to you a q u e sti on he w e n t o n i n a

—
,

t on e i n w hi ch t h e r e was a strang e o r at all e v e n t s rather a

—
, ,

stran g e no te Fo r som e un k nown r e a son al so he glanc e d

.
, ,

ov e r hi s should e r Fo r som e e qually unkno w n r e a son Mani lo v

.
,

glanc e d ov e r hi s .

How long i s i t i nqu i r e d the g u est si nc e yo u la st r e nd e r e d

, ,

a c e n su s r e turn ?

O h a long long ti m e I n fact I canno t r e m e m b e r wh e n

,
”
,
.
,

i t was .

And si nc e t he n hav e many of your se r fs d i e d ?

 32 D e ad S o u l s
I do no t k no w To a sc e r ta i n tha t.I should n e e d t o a sk my
bai l i ff
.
Footman g o and call the bai li ff I thi nk he W ll be
,
l .

at hom e to day
-
.

B e fore long the bai l i ff mad e hi s app e aranc e He was a man .

o f und e r for ty cl e an Shav

,
e n clad i n a -
smoc k and e,
vi d e n tly ,

u se d to a qu i e t l i fe se e i ng that hi s fac e was of that puffy fulln e ss

, ,

and the ski n e nci rcl i ng hi s sl i t l i k e e y e s was o f that sallow ti nt

-
,

whi ch shows that the own e r o f tho se f e ature s i s w e ll ac quai nte d

wi th a f e ath e r be d In a tri c e i t could be se e n tha t he had play e d
—
.

hi s part i n l i f e as all such ba i l i ffs do tha t ori g i nally a young ,

se rf o f e l e m e ntary e duca ti on he had marri e d som e A g ashka o f

,

a hou se k e ep e r o r a mi str ess s favouri te and t he n hi m se l f b e com e

’
,

hou se k e e p e r and sub se qu e n tly bai l i ff ; aft e r whi ch he had

—
, , ,

proc e e d e d accord i ng to the rul e s o f hi s tri b e that i s to say he

had con sorte d wi th and stood i n wi th the mor e w e ll to do se rfs — -
,

o n the e sta te and add e d the poor e r on e s to t he l i st o f forc e d

,

p aye rs o f ohrok whi l e hi m se lf l e a vi ng hi s be d at ni n e o clock i n

,
’

the morni ng and wh e n the samovar had b e e n brou g ht dri n k i ng

, , ,

hi s te a at l e i sur e .

Look h e re my good man sa i d Mani lo v

,
How many o f
,
.

o ur se rfs ha v e d i e d S i nc e the la st c e n su s r e vi si on ?

How many of th e m hav e d i e d ? Why a gre a t many The ,

.

bai l i ff hi ccough e d and S lapp e d hi s mou th l i ghtly af te r do i ng so

, .

Ye s I i mag i n e d that to be the ca se corrobora t e d Mani lo v

, , .

In fac t a very gre at many se rfs ha v e d i e d

, He turn e d to .

Chi chi ko v and r e p e a te d the word s .

How many for i n stanc e ? a sk e d Chi chi ko v

, .

Ye s ; how many ? re e cho e d Man i lo v -

.

How many ? re e cho e d the ba i l i ff -

W e ll no o n e knows .
,
the e xac t numb e r for no o n e has k e p t any accoun t
,
”
.

Qu i t e so r e mark e d Mani lo v
”
, I suppo se d the d e ath rate .
-

to hav e be e n hi gh but was i gnoran t of i ts pr e c i se e xt e n t

, .

The n would you be so good as to hav e i t compu te d for me ?

sai d Chi chi ko v And al so to hav e a d e ta i l e d l i st of the d e aths
.

mad e o ut ?
Ye s I wi ll—a d e ta i l e d l i st agre e d Mani lo v
“
, , .

Ve ry w e ll .

The bai l i ff d e parte d .

Forwhat purpose do you want i t ? i n qu i re d Mani lo v wh e n

the bai l i ff had gon e .

The qu e sti on se e m e d to e mbarra ss the gu e st fo r i n hi

C chi ko v s
’
,
a e t
f c h re dawn e d a sort o f t e nse e xpre ssi on and i t r e dd e n e d
e
,
a s though i ts own e r w e re
stri vi ng to e xpr e ss som e thi ng n o t
 D e ad S o u l s 33
e a sy to p ut i nto word s Tru e e noug h Mani lo v was now
.
,

d e sti n e d to h e ar such strang e and un e xp e c te d thi ng s as n e v e r

b e fore had gre e te d human e ars .

fo r wha t purpo se I w an t
”
Yo u ask me sa i d Chi chi ko v
—
, ,

the l i st W e ll my purpo se i n wanti ng i t i s thi s that I d e si re

.
,

to purcha se a fe w p e a san ts
”
And he brok e o ff wi th a g ulp
. .

B ut may I ask how yo u d e si r e to purcha se tho se p e a san ts ?

a sk e d Mani lo v Wi th land or m e re ly as soul s for tran sf orm e n t
—that i s to say by th e m se l v e s and wi thout any land ?
.
,

, ,

I want the p e a sants th e mse”lve s only r e pli e d Chi chi ko v , .

And I want d e ad on e s at that .

Wha t ? Excuse me but I am a tri fl e d e af Re ally your

,
.
,

word s sound mo st strang e !

All tha t I am propo si ng to do r e pl i e d Chi chi ko v i s to , ,

purchase the d e ad p e a san ts who at the la st c e n su s w e re r e turn e d

, ,
”
by you a s al i ve .

Man i lo v dropp e d hi s p i p e upon the floor and sat g api n g ,

.

Yes the two fri e nd s w ho had ju st b e e n d i scu ssi ng the j oys o f

,

camarade ri e sat stari n g at o n e ano th e r l i k e t he por tra i ts w h i ch ,

o f old u se d to hang on oppo si t e si d e s o f a m i rror

,
A t l e ng th .

Mani lo v p i ck e d up hi s p i p e and whi l e do i ng so glanc e d cov e rtly

, , ,

at Chi chi ko v to se e wh e t he r t h e r e wa s any trac e o f a sm i l e to be

—
d e te c te d on hi s l i p s wh e the r i n Short he was j oki ng B ut
, , .

no thi ng of the sort could be d i sc e rn e d O n the contrary C hi chi .

,

ko v s fac e look e d e v e n grav e r t han u sual

’
N e xt Mani lo v .
,

wond e re d whe th e r fo r som e unknown r e ason hi s gu e st had lo st

, ,

hi s wi ts ; wh e r e for e he Sp e n t som e ti m e i n ga zi ng at hi m wi th
.
—
an xi ou s i n te ntn e ss B ut the gu e st s e y e s se e m e d cl e ar th e y ’

contai n e d no spark o f the wi ld r e stl e ss fire whi ch i s ap t to ,

wand e r i n the e y es of madm e n All was as i t Should be Co nse . .

qu e ntly i n sp i te o f Mani lo v s cogi tati on s he could thi nk o f

,
’
,

no thi ng b e tte r to do than to si t l e tti ng a str e am o f tobacco smok e

escap e f rom hi s mou t h .

S o conti nu e d Chi chi ko v wha t I d esi r e to kno w i s w h e th e r

”

— —
, ,

you are wi ll i ng to hand ov e r to me to r e si g n th e se ac tually

non l i vi ng but l e gally l i vi ng p e a san ts ; o r wh e th e r you hav e
-
, ,

any b e tte r propo sal to mak e ?

Mani lo v f e l t to o con fu se d and confound e d to do aug ht but
conti nu e stari ng at hi s i nte rlocu tor .

I thi nk that you are d i sturbi ng yourse lf unn e c essari ly was ,

Chi chi ko v s n e xt r e mark

’
.

I ? O h no ! No t at all ! stamm e re d Mani lo v

”
Only
—
.

pardon me I do not qu i te compre h e nd you Yo u se e n e v er .

,

B
34
D e ad S o u l s
has i t fall e n to my lo t t o ac q u i r e th e b r i ll i an t pol i sh wh i ch i s ,

so to Sp e a k man i f es
,
t i n your e v e r y mov e m e n t Nor hav e. I e v e r
b e e n a bl e to a ttai n the art of e xp re ssmg myse lf w e ll Gon se
— —
.

qu ently al though th ere i s a po ssi bi li ty that i n the e rr u tte r

,

ance s w i h ch hav ju t fall n from your l i p s t h e r e may l i e som e

—
e s e

h
t i ng e l se conc e al e d i t may e
,
q ually be t ha t e r — you hav e b e e n
pl e a se d so to e xpre ss yourse lf for the sak e of the b e au ty o f the
te rm s wh e r e i n t ha t e xpr e ss i on found s hap e ?
Oh no a sse rte d Chi chi ko v I m e an what I say and no
”
, ,
.

more M y re fe r e nc e to such of your p e asant soul s as are d e ad

.

was i nte nd e d to be tak e n l i te rally

”

—
.

M a n i lo v s t i ll f e l t a t a lo ss t hough al s o h e w as con sc i ou s t ha t
he m u s t do s om e t h i ng h e m u st propound
,
s om e q u es t i on B u t .

what qu esti on ? The d e vi l alon e kn e w ! In the e n d he m e r e ly

e xp e ll e d som e mor e to bacco smo k e
— th i s ti m e from hi s no stri l s
as w e ll as from hi s mou th .

S o we nt o n Chi chi ko v i f no ob stacl e stand s i n the way

”
, , ,
”
we mi ght as w e ll proc e e d to the compl e ti on o f the purcha se .

What ? Of the purcha se o f the d e ad soul s ?

Of the de ad soul s ? O h d e ar no ! L e t us wri te th e m down
a s li vi ng on es se e i ng tha t t ha t i s how th e y figur e i n the c e n su s
,

r e turns N e ve r do I p e rm i t myse lf to ste p ou tsi d e the ci vi l law

.
,

gre at though has b e e n the harm whi ch tha t rul e has wrought me
i n my car e e r In my e y es an o bl i ga ti on i s a sacr e d t hi ng I n the
. .

”
pre se nc e o f the law I am dumb .

The se last word s re a ssur e d Mani lo v no t a l i ttl e : ye t sti ll the

m e ani ng o f the affa i r re mai n e d to hi m a myste ry B y way o f .

answe r he f e ll to sucki ng at hi s p i p e wi th such v e h e m e nc e that

,

at l e ng th the p i p e b e gan to gurgl e l i k e a ba ssoon I t was as .

though he had b e e n se e k i ng o f i t i n sp i rati on i n the pr e se n t

unh e ard o f junc ture B ut the pi p e only gurgl e d e t p ra terea
-
.
,
ni hi l .

P e rhap s yo u fe e l doubtful abou t the propo sal ?

Chi chi ko v .

Not all re pl i e d Mani lo v

at , B ut you wi ll I k now e xcu se .
,
me i f ! say (and I say i t o ut of no Spi ri t o f pr e jud i c e nor e t as
.

i t i i si
.

rs e i n —
cr c ng you lf any way ) yo u wi ll I k now e xcu se me i f
y ,

— —
I y ha po bly h s e r thi s e r scheme o f yours t hi s—e r
,
,

s a t t ss i t i
, , ,
-
tran sacti on o f you rs may fa i l al tog e the r to accord w i th t e
, h
C1V11 S tatute S and P ro vi si on s of the R e alm ?
.

M
J

And a n i lo v Wi th a sl i ght g e stur e o f the h e ad loo k e d m an

, e ,
ng l i n to Chi chi ko v s fac e whi l e d i splay ng
.
’

i y i i n hi s e v e ry f,e a t ur e ,
i nclud i ng hi s clo se ly compr e sse d l i p s such an e xpr essi on o f
-

,
 3 6 D ea d S o ul s
se r v c
i e wh i ch you ha v e r e nd e r e d t o an appar e n t ly i n s i gn i fi can t
i nd v
i i dual who i s d e v o i d bo t h of fam i ly and k i ndr e d ! F or wha t
—
hav e I n o t suffe re d i n my ti m e I a dri fti ng barqu e am i d the ,

te mp e stu o u s bi llow s of l i f e ? Wha t h a r r i

y gn s wha t p e r,
s e cu t i on s ,

hav e I no t known ? O f what g ri e f ha v e I n o t ta ste d ? And why ?

S i mply be cau se e v e r I ha v e k e p t th e t ru t h i n V i e w b e cau s e e
,
v e r
I hav e pre se rv e d i nvi olate an un sull i e d consci e nc e b e cau se e v e r ,

I hav e str e tch e d o ut a h e lp i ng hand to the d e f e nc e l e ss wi do w

an d the hapl e ss o rphan ! Af te r whi ch ou tpouri ng Chi chi ko v
pull e d o ut hi s hand k e rchi e f and wi p e d away a bri mm i ng te ar
,
.

Mani lo v s h e art was mov e d to the cor e Aga i n and aga i n di d

’
.

the two fri e nd s pr ess o n e ano th e r s hand s i n si l e nc e as t h e y gaz e d

’

i n to o n e ano th e r s te ar fille d e y e s Ind e e d Man i lo v could n o t

’
-
.
,

le t go our h e ro s hand but cla sp e d i t wi th such warm t h tha t

’
,

the h e ro i n qu e sti on be gan to f e e l hi m se lf at a lo ss how b e st to

wrench i t fre e : unti l qui e tly wi thdrawi ng i t he ob se rv e d t hat
, ,

to hav e the purcha se compl e te d as sp e e d i ly a s po ssi bl e would

n o t be a bad thi ng ; wh e r e for e he h i m se lf would at onc e r e turn
to the town to arrang e ma tt e rs Ta k i ng up hi s hat t h e r e for e he .
, ,

ro se to m ak e hi s ad i e u s .

What ? A re you d e parti ng al re ady ? sai d Man i lo v sudd e nly ,

recove ri ng hi m se lf and e xp e ri e nc i ng a se nse of m i sgi vi ng A t

, .

tha t mom e n t hi s wi f e sa i l e d i n t o the room .

I s P aul Ivano vi tch l e avi ng u s so soon d e ar e st L i z anka ? ,

.

she sa i d wi th an ai r of re gr e t .

Ye s Sur e ly i t mu st be t ha t we hav e w e ari e d hi m ?

.
he r
Spou se re pl i e d .

and tal k phi loophy and d e lv e to the v e ry roo t of t hi ng s !

s
,

Ye s, i t would be a parad i sai cal e xi ste nc e ! agre e d Chi chi ko v

wi th a S i gh N e v e rth e l e ss he S hoo k hand s w i th M adam
.
Far
e e .
”.

e
w ll ,su d o ri n a he sa i d
, And fa re w e ll to you my e ste e m e d
.

,
ho st .
Do n o t fo g what I hav e re qu e st e d you to do
r e t ”
.

R e s t s ”
a su re d that I wi ll n o t re spond e d Mani lo v Only, .

for a coupl e o f days wi ll you and I be pa rte d from o n e ano th e r .

 D e ad S o u l s 37
Wi th tha t th party mov e d i n to the drawi ng room
e -
.

Far e w e ll d e ar est chi ldre n Chi chi ko v w e nt o n as he caught

,
”
,

si g ht o f A lki d and The mi sto cle us who w e r e playi n g w i t h a ,

w ood e n hu ssar whi ch lack e d bo th a no se and o n e arm Fare .

w e ll d e ar e st p e ts Pardon me for hav i ng brought you no

,
.

pre se nts but to t e ll the tru th I was n o t unti l my vi si t aw ar e

, , , , ,

o f your e xi st e nc e Ho w e ve r no w tha t I shall be com i ng ag a i n

.
, ,

I wi ll no t fa i l to bri ng you gi fts The mi sto cle us to you I wi ll .

,

bri ng a sword Yo u would l i k e t ha t w ould you no t ?

.
,
”
I Should r e pl i e d T he mi sto cle us
,
.

And to yo u A lki d I wi ll bri ng a drum That would su i t

, ,
.

you w ould i t n o t ? And he bow e d i n Alki d s d i r e c ti on ’

—
.
,

Z e th a dwu m l i sp e d the boy hang i ng hi s h e ad

, ,
.

—
Good ! Th e n a drum i t S hall be such a b e au ti ful dru m !
What a tur r r ru i ng and a tra ta ta ta i ng yo u wi ll be abl e to
- - - - - - - -

ki ck up ! Far e w e ll my darl i ng And ki ssi ng the boy s h e ad

,
.
,
’

he turn e d to Mani lo v and M adam e wi t h the sl i gh t sm i l e whi ch

o n e a ssum e s b e for e a ssuri ng par e n ts o f the g u i l e l e ss m e ri ts o f

th e i r off spri ng .

B ut you had b e tt e r stay Paul I vanovi tch sa i d the fa th e r

, ,

as the tri o st e pp e d o ut o n to the v e randah S e e ho w the cloud s .

are ga t h e ri ng !
Th e y are only small on e s r e pl i e d Chi chi ko v ,
.

And you kno w your way to S o bake vi tch s ? ’

No I do n o t and should be g lad i f you w ould d i r e c t me

, , .

If yo u l i k e I wi ll te ll your coachman And i n v e ry ci vi l

”
.

fa shi on Mani lo v di d so e v e n g oi ng so far as to address the man

,

i n the se cond p e rson plural O n h e ari ng t ha t he was to pa ss two .

tum i ng s and t h e n to t ak e the thi rd S e li fan r e mark e d

, We , ,

shall g e t t h e r e all r i g ht si r and Chi chi ko v d e part e d am i d a

, ,

prolong e d salvo o f salu ta ti on s and Wavi ng s o f handk e rchi e fs o n

the part of hi s ho st and ho st e ss who ra i se d th e m se lv es on ti p to e ,

i n t h e i r e nt hu si a sm .

For a long whi l e Mani lo v stood follow i ng the d e parti ng

bri tchka w i t h hi s e y e s In fac t he con ti nu e d to smok e hi s p i p e
.
,

and ga ze afte r the v e hi cl e e v e n wh e n i t had b e com e lo st to Vi e w .

Th e n he re e nte r e d the drawi ng room se a te d hi m se l f upon a

- -

chai r and surr e nd e r e d hi s m i nd to the t houg ht that he had

,

sho w n hi s gu est mo st e xc e ll e n t e n t e rta i nm e n t N e xt hi s m i nd .

,

pa sse d i mp e rc e pti bly to o t h e r matt e rs un ti l at la st i t lo st i tse l f ,

Go d only k now s wh e re He thou g ht of the am e n i ti e s o f a l i fe

.
,

o f fri e nd shi p and o f ho w n i c e i t would be to l i v e w i t h a comrad e

,

o n say the bank o f som e r i v e r and to span the ri v e r w i th a

, , , .
3 8 D e ad S o ul s
b r i dg e o f h i s own and t o b u i ld an e normou s man si on w i t h a

M O
,

fa cad e lofty e nough e v e n to a ford a V w t f i e o o s cow n t ha t .

facad e he and hi s wi f e and fr nd i e w o u l d d r i n k af rnoon

t e t e a i n

j
o

the op e n a i r and d i scu s s i n t e r e s ti ng s u b e c t s ; af t e r wh i ch i n a ,

,

fin e carr ag
i e t e ,
h y would dr i v e t o som e r e un i on or o t h e r wh e r e ,

wi th th e i r pl e a sant mann e rs th e y would so charm t he co mp any

t ha t the Imp r
e i al Gov e rnm e n t on l e arn ,
i n g of t h e i r m e r i t s ,

would ra i se the pai r to the grad e o f G e n e ral or Go d k nows what

—that i s to say to h e i ghts wh e re of e v e n Mani lo v hi m se lf could
,

f o rm no i d e a Th e n sudd e nly Chi chi ko v s e xtraord i nary r e qu e st

’
.

i n te rrup te d the dr e am e r s r e fl e c t i on
’
s and h e ,
found h i s bra i n
p o we rl e ss to d i g e st i t se e i ng that turn and turn the matt e r
, ,

a bou t as he m i ght he could no t prop e rly e xpla i n i ts b e ari ng

,
.

S mo k i ng hi s p i p e he sat w h e r e he was un ti l supp e r ti m e

,
.

MEANW HI L E ,
C hi ch i ko v ,
se a t e d i n hi s bri tchka and bowl i ng alon g
th turnp i k
e e , was f e e l i ng gr e a tly pl e a se d w i t h h i m se lf rom . F
the pre c e d i ng chap t e r the r e ad e r wi ll hav e ga th e r e d t he pri nc i pal
su bj e c t o f hi s b e n t and i ncl i na ti on s : wh e r e for e i t i s no ma tt e r
for wond e r tha t hi s body and hi s soul had e nd e d by b e comi ng
wholly i mm e rse d th e re i n T
o all app e aranc e s the thoughts, the
.

c alculati on s, and the proj e c ts whi ch w e r e now r e fl e c t e d i n hi s

k
fac e partoo of a pl e a san t n ature , i nc e mom e ntari ly th e y e p t S k
fi
l e avi ng be hi nd th e m a sa ti s e d smi l e Ind e e d , so e ngro sse d was .

v
he tha t he n e e r no ti c e d tha t hi s coachman , e la t e d wi t h t he
ho spi tal i ty of Mani lo v s d o m e sti c s, was ma i ng r e mar s of a
’
k k
d i dacti c nature to the o ff horse of the tro i ha, a e wbald Thi s
1
Sk .

k
s e wbald was a k w
no i ng ani mal , and mad e only a show o f ‘

pull i ng ; wh e re a s i ts comrad es, the mi ddl e horse (a bay , and

k A
nown as the sse ssor, owi ng to hi s havi ng b e e n ac u i r e d from q
k
a g e ntl e man o f that ran ) and the n e ar horse (a roan ) , would do
k
th e i r wor gallantly, and e v e n e vi nc e i n th e i r e y e s the pl e a sur e
v
whi ch th e y d e ri e d from the i r e x e rti on s .

Ah , you rascal , you ra scal ! I ll g e t the b e tt e r of you !

’

e acula t e d S e li fan as he sat up and gav e the lazy o n e a cut

j i t h w
hi s whi p .
k
You now your bu si n e ss all ri ght, you G e rman
pan aloon ! The bay i s a good f e llow , and do e s hi s du ty, and I
t
Wi ll gi ve hi m a bi t ove r hi s fe e d , for he i s a horse to be r e sp e c te d ;
1
Th re e h o rse s h arn e sse d ab r e a st .
 D e ad S o u l s 39
and the Asse ssor too i s a g ood horse B ut w ha t are you shaki ng .

your e ar s for ? Yo u are a fool so ju st m i nd wh e n you r e spok e n ,

’

Ti s good advi c e I m gi vi ng you you bloc k h e ad Ah ! Yo u

’ ’
to .
, .

can trav e l wh e n yo u l i k e And he g av e the an i mal ano t h e r cut

.
,
”
and th e n shou te d to the tri o Ge e up my b e au ti e s ! and , ,

dr e w hi s whi p g e n tly acro ss the bac k s of the sk e wbald s comrad e s ’

— n o t as a pun i shm e n t but as a S i gn of hi s approval Tha t don e

, .
,

he a ddr e sse d h i m se lf to t he sk e wbald a g a i n .

Do yo u thi n k he cri e d
”
,
t ha t I don t se e wha t you are ,
’

do i ng ? Yo u c an b e hav e qu i te d e c e ntly w h e n you l i k e and ,

”
mak e a man r e sp e c t you .

Wi th tha t he f e ll to r e call i ng c e rta i n r e m i n i sc e nc e s .

Th e y were n i c e folk tho se folk at the g e ntl e man s yond e r

,
’
,

he mu se d
“
I do lov e a chat wi th a man w h e n he 18 a g ood sort
. .

Wi t h a man o f tha t ki nd I am a lways hai l f e llo w w e ll me t and - -

,

glad to dri nk a gla ss o f t e a wi th hi m o r to e at a bi scu i t On e ,

.

can t h e lp r e sp e c ti n g a d e c e n t f e llow Fo r i n stanc e thi s g e n tl e

’

—
.
,

man o i m i n e why e v e r o n e look s up to hi m for he has b e e n

y , ,

i n the Gov e rnm e n t s se rvi c e and I S a Coll e g i at e C ounc i llor

’ ”
.
,

Thu s sol i lo qu i si ng he pa sse d to mor e r e mo te ab strac ti on s ;

,

unti l had Chi chi ko v b e e n l i ste n i ng he would hav e l e arnt a

, ,

nu m b e r o f i nte r e sti ng d e ta i l s conc e rn i ng hi m se lf How e v e r hi s .

,

th ou g hts w e r e wholly occup i e d wi t h hi s o wn subj e c t so muc h ,

so tha t no t un t i l a loud clap o f t hund e r awok e hi m from hi s

r e ve ri e di d he glanc e around hi m The Sky was compl e te ly .

cov e r e d wi th cloud s and the du sty turnp i k e b e g i nn i ng to be

,

spri nkl e d w i t h drop s o f ra i n A t l e ng th a se cond and a n e ar e r

.

and a loud e r p e al r e sound e d and the ra i n d e sc e nd e d as from a ,

buck e t Fall i ng slantw i se i t b e a t upon o n e si d e o f the ba sk e t

.
,

work o f the ti l t un ti l the Spla shi ng s b e gan to spurt i n to hi s f ac e ,

and he found hi m se lf forc e d to draw the curtai n s (fi tt e d wi th

c i rcular op e ni ng s through whi c h to ob ta i n a gl i mp se of the way
si d e v i e w ) an d to shou t to S e li fa n to q u i ck e n hi s pac e
,
Upon .

tha t the coachman i n t e rrup te d i n the m i ddl e o f hi s harangu e

, ,

b e though t hi m tha t no ti m e was to be lo st ; wh e r e fore e xtrac t ,

i ng from und e r the bo x se a t a p i e c e o f o ld blan k e t he cov e r e d

-
,

ove r hi s Sl e e v e s r e sum e d the r e i n s and ch e e r e d o n hi s thr e e fold

, ,

t e am (wh i ch i t may be sa i d had so compl e t e ly succumb e d t o the

, ,

i nflu e nc e o f the pl e a san t la ssi tud e i nduc e d by S e li fan S d i scour se

’

t ha t i t had t ak e n to scarc e ly plac i n g o n e le g b e for e the o t h e r) .

Unfortunate ly S eli fan could n o t cl e arly r e m e mb e r wh e th e r two

,

t urn i ng s had b e e n pa sse d o r thr e e I nd e e d on coll e cti ng hi s .

,

facul ti e s and d i mly r e call i ng the li e o f the road he b e cam e

, ,
 0 D e ad S O U lS
4
fill e d w ith a s hr e wd s u sp i c i on t ha t a ve r y la rg e n u m b e r of t u m
ng had b n pa d B t i nc t m m e n t s wh i ch call f o r a
i s e e ss e u s e a .
o ,

hasty d e ci si on a Ru ssi an i s qui c k to d i scov e r what may co n

,

ce v i a bl y b e t h e b e st cour s e t o t a k e o u r coachman p u t away

,

from hi m all ul te ri or r e ason i ng and turni ng to the ri g ht at

—
, ,

the n x
e t cro ss road shou t e d H,
i my b e a u t i e
,
s ! and ,
se t o ff
at a gallop N e
.
v e r for a mom e n t d i d h e s t op t o t h i n k wh i t h e r
the road m i ght l e ad hi m ! 0

I t was long b e for e t h e cloud s had d i s charg e d t h e i r burd e n ,

an d ,
m e anwh i l e t h e du s t o n
,
t h e road b e cam e k n e ad e d i n t o m i r e ,

and the horse s ta sk o f pull i ng the bri tchka h e avi e r and h e avi e r
’
.

Also Chi chi ko v had tak e n alarm at hi s conti nu e d fai lure to

,

ca tch si ght o f S o bake vi tch s country hou se Accord i ng to hi s ’

.

calculati ons i t ought to ha v e be e n r e ach e d long ago He gaz e d

,
.

a bout hi m o n e ve ry S i d e but the darkn e ss wa s too d e n se for the ,

e ye to p i e rc e .

he e xc ai m e d l e an i ng fo rward i n the bri tchka

l
S e li fan ! ,
.

What i s i t bari n r e pl i e d the coachman

,
.

Can yo u se e the country hou se anywhe re ?

No bari n Afte r whi ch wi th a flouri sh o f hi s whi p the
,
”
.
, ,

man bro k e i nto a sort o f e ndl ess drawl i ng song In that song
,
.

e v e rythi ng had a plac e B y e v e rythi ng I m e an bo th the

.

vari ou s e ncouragi ng and sti mulati ng cri e s wi th whi ch Ru ssi an

fo l k u rg e o n th e i r horses and a random unpre m e d i tate d , ,

s e l e c ti on o f adj e c ti v es .

M e anwhi l e Chi chi ko v b egan to noti c e that the bri tchka was
swayi ng vi ol e n tly and d e al i ng hi m occa si onal bump s
, Co n se .

qu ently he su sp e cte d that i t had l e ft the road and was b e i ng

d ragg e d ove r a plough e d fi e ld Upon S e li fan s m i nd th e r e
‘
’
.

app e are d to hav e dawn e d a si mi lar i nkl i ng for he had c e ase d ,

to hold forth .

You rascal what road are you followi ng ? i n qu i re d

,

Chi chi ko v .

I don t know re torte d the coachman

’

, What can a man .

do at a ti m e o f ni ght wh e n the darkn e ss won t le t hi m e v e n se e ’

hi s whi p ? And as S eli fan spok e the v e hi cl e ti l te d to an angl e

whi ch l e ft Chi chi ko v no choi c e but to hang on wi th hand s and
te e th A t l eng th he r e al i se d the fac t that S e li fan was drun k
.
.

S top stop o r you wi ll up se t us ! he shoute d to the f e llow

, , .

No no bari n re pl i e d S e li fan
, , How could I up se t yo u ?
, .

To up se t p e opl e i s wrong I know that v e ry w e ll and should .

n e v e r dre am o f such conduct

,

H r he starte d to turn the ve hi cl e round a l i ttl e —and k e p t

.

e e
 D e ad S o u l s 4 . I

on do i ng so unti l the bri tchka cap si z e d o n to i ts si d e and Chi chi ,

k ov land e d i n the mud on hi s hand s and kn e e s Fortunate ly .

S e li fan succ e e d e d i n stopp i ng t he horse s al though t h e y would ,

hav e stopp e d of th e m se l v e s se e i ng t ha t th e y w e r e u tt e rly worn ,

o ut . Thi s unfor e se e n ca ta stroph e e vi d e n tly a ston i sh e d th e i r

dri v e r S l i pp i ng from the box he stood re sti ng hi s hand s
.
,

aga i n st the si d e of the bri tchka whi l e Chi chi ko v tumbl e d and ,

fio un de re d abou t i n the mud i n a va i n e nd e avour to wri ggl e ,

cl e ar o f the stuff
Ah yo u ! sai d S e li fan m e d i tati v e ly to the bri tchka
,
.

thi n k o f up se tti ng u s l i k e thi s !

You are as drun k a s a lord ! e xclai m e d Chi chi ko v .

No no bari n Drun k i nd e e d ? Why I know my mann e rs

—
,
.
, , ,

to o w e ll A word o r two wi th a fri e nd that i s all that I hav e

.

ta k e n An y o n e may tal k wi th a d e c e n t man wh e n he m e e ts

.

hi m Th e r e i s no thi ng w rong i n tha t Al so we had a snac k

—
.
.
,

to g e t h e r Th e r e i s no thi ng wrong i n a snack e sp e c i ally a snac k

.

”
wi th a d e c e n t man .

Wha t di d I say to yo u wh e n la st you g o t drun k ? a sk e d

Chi chi ko v Hav e you forg o tt e n wha t I sa i d th e n ?
.

No no bari n How should I forg e t i t ? I know w hat i s

, ,
.

wha t and know t hat i t i s n o t ri g ht to g e t drun k All tha t I

,
.

hav e b e e n havi ng i s a word o r two wi th a d e c e nt man for the ,

re ason t hat
“
W e ll i f I lay the wh i p abou t yo u you ll know th e n ho w to
, ,
’

talk to a d e c e n t f e llow I ll w arran t !

’

,
”
A s you pl e a se bari n r e pl i e d the complac e nt S e li fan
, ,
.

S hould you whi p me you wi ll whi p me and I shall hav e , ,

nothi ng to compla i n o f Why should you n o t w hi p me i f I .

d e se rv e i t ? Ti s fo r yo u to do a s yo u l i k e Wh i pp i ng s are
’
.

n e c essary som e ti m e s for a p e a sant oft e n plays the fool and

, ,

d i sci pl i n e ought to be mai ntai n e d I f I hav e d e se rv e d i t b e a t .

,

me Why should you no t ?

.

Thi s r e a son i ng se e m e d at the mom e n t i rr e fu tabl e and , , ,

Chi chi ko v sa i d no thi ng mor e Fortuna t e ly fat e had d e c i d e d .

to tak e p i ty o n the pa i r for from afar t h e i r e ars cau g h t the ,

.

M Pluc k i ng up courag e C hi c hi ko v gav e ord e rs ,

for thebrztchka tobe ri ght e d and the horse s to be urg e d forward , ,

and si nc e a Ru ssi an dri v e r has at l e a st t hi s m e ri t t hat owi ng to , ,

a k e e n se nse of sm e ll b e i ng abl e to tak e the plac e o f e y e si g ht he ,

can i f n e c e ssary dri v e at random and ye t r e ach a d e sti nati on

, ,

o f som e sor t S e li fan succ e e d e d t hou g h po w e rl e ss to d i sc e rn a

, ,

si ng l e obj e c t i n d i r e c ti ng hi s st e e d s t o a coun try hou se n e ar by

, ,
 4 2 D e ad 8 011 18
and tha t wi th such a c e rtai n ty o f i nsti nc t tha t i t was no t
unti l the shafts had coll i d e d wi th a gard e n wall and t h e re by ,

mad e i t cl e ar that to proc e e d ano th e r pac e was i mpo ssi bl e tha t ,

he stopp e d All tha t Chi chi ko v could d i sc e rn through the thi c k

.

v e i l o f pouri ng rai n was som e thi ng whi ch r e se mbl e d a v e randah .

S o he d i spatch e d S e li fan to se a rch for the e ntranc e gate s and ,

tha t proc e ss would hav e la st e d i nd e fi n i t e ly had i t n o t b e e n

short e n e d by the c i rcum stanc e tha t i n Ru ssi a the plac e of a , ,

S wi ss foo tman i s fre qu e ntly tak e n by watchdogs ; of whi ch

a n i mal s a num be r now p rocla i m e d the tra v e ll e rs pre se nc e so ’

loudly that Chi chi ko v found hi mse lf forc e d to stop hi s e ars .

N e xt a li ght gl e am e d i n o n e of the wi ndows and fi lte re d i n a

—
, ,

t hi n stre am to the gard e n wall thu s r e v e al i ng the wh e r e abou ts

o f the e n tranc e g a t e s ; wh e r e upon S e li fa n f e ll t o k noc k i ng at the

gate s unti l the bol ts o f the hou se door w e re wi thdrawn and

th e re i ssu e d th e re from a figur e clad i n a rough cloa k .

Who i s that knocki ng ? Wha t hav e yo u com e f or ?

shou te d the hoarse vo i c e of an e ld e rly woman .

We are trav e ll e rs good mo th e r sa i d Chi chi ko v

, , .

allow us to Sp e nd the n i ght h e re .

Out upon you for a pa i r o f gadabou ts ! r e torte d the o ld

woman . A fine ti m e o f n i ght to be arri vi ng ! We don t ’

k ee p an ho te l mi nd yo u Thi s i s a lady s re si d e nc e
, .
’
.

B ut wha t are we to do mo th e r ? We hav e lo st o ur way , ,

a n d canno t sp e nd the n i ght o ut of doors i n such w e a th e r ”
.

“
No we canno t The ni ght i s dark and cold
, .
”
add e d ,

S e li fan .

Hold your tongu e yo u fool ! e xcla i m e d Chi chi ko v

, .

Who are you the n ? i nqui re d the o ld woman

'
, .

1 ”
A dvorzani n good mo th e r
, .

S om how the word dvorzamn se e m e d to gi ve the o ld woman

’ ’

food fo r thought .

Wa a mom e nt she sai d and I wi ll te ll the mi stre ss

i t , , .

i
Two m nutes l ate r she r e turn e d wi th a lante rn i n he r hand ,
the ga te s w e r e op e n e d and a l i ght gl i mm r d
e e
, i n a se cond
w ndow En r ng the courtyard the brztclzka hal te d b e fore a
i t i
’

. e
,

mod ra S z d mansmn The dark n e ss di d no t p e rm i t o f v e ry

e t e i e -
.

accura obse rvati on be i ng mad e but appare ntly the wi ndows

t e
, , ,

e e i llum i na t e d wh i l e a qua g
o nly o f o n e half o f the bu i ld i ng w r
-

1
A m mb e e r of the g e n try c lass .
44
D e ad S o u l s
and ni ghtshi rts and sk e i ns o f wool and the pi e c e o f
—
mate ri al whi ch i s d e sti n e d should the o ld gown b e com e
s co rch e d dur i ng the ba k i ng o f hol i day ca k e s and o t h e r da i n t i e s
—
,

or s hould it fall to p i e c e s o f i t s e lf t o b e com e con v e r t e d i n t o a

ne w dr e ss B u t t. h e gown n e v e r do e s g e t burn t or w e ar o u t ,for
the e sr a on tha t t h e lady i s t o o ca r e ful ; wh e r e for e t h e p i e c e o f
sha bb y ma te ri al r e po s e s i n i t s unmad e u p cond
-
i t i on un t i l t h e

pri e st advi se s that i t be gi ve n to the ni e c e of som e Wi dowe d

si ste r ,
t og e th e r w i t h a q uan t i t y o f o t h e r such rub b i sh .

Chi ch o vi k apolog i s e d for hav i ng d i st ur b e d t h e hou s e hold

wi th hi s un exp e cte d arri val .

No t t a all n o t a t all
,
r e pl
,
i e d t h e lady B u. t i n wha t
d re adful w e athe r G od has brought yo u hi th e r ! What wi nd and
what rai n ! You c o uld n o t h e lp lo si ng your way Pray e xcu se .

us for b e i ng unabl e to ma k e b e tte r pr e para ti on s for yo u at th i s

”
ti m e o f ni ght .

Sudd e nly th e re bro k e i n upon the ho ste ss word s the sound

’

o f a strang e hi ssi ng a sound so loud tha t t he gu e st st art e d i n

,

alarm and the more so se e i ng that i t i ncre ase d unti l the room
,

se e m e d fi ll e d wi th add e rs On glanci ng upward s how e v e r he

.
, ,

re cove re d hi s composure for be p e rc e i v e d the sound to be

,

e manati ng from the clock whi ch app e a re d t o be i n a m i nd t o

,

stri k e . To the hi ssi ng sound the re succ e e d e d a wh e e zi ng one ,

unti l pu tti ng forth i ts b e st e fforts the thi ng struck two wi th

, ,

as much cla tte r as though som e o n e had b e e n hi tti n g an i ron

p o t w i t h a cudg e l Tha t .don e t h e p

,
e ndulum r e t urn e d t o i t s

ri ght l e ft ri ght l e ft o sci llati on

-

,
-
.

Chi chi ko v thank e d hi s ho ste ss ki ndly and sai d tha t he n e e d e d ,

nothi ng and she mu st n o t p ut h e rse lf a bou t : only for re st was

—
,

he longi ng though al so he should l i k e t o k now whi th e r he had

arri ve d and whe th e r the di stance to the country hou se o f land
,

owne r S obake vi tch was anythi ng ve ry gre at To thi s the lady .

re pl i e d that she had n e v e r so much as h e ard the nam e si nce no ,

ge ntl eman of the nam e re si d e d i n the locali ty .

B ut at l e a st you are ac quai nte d wi th landown e r Mani lo v ?

conti nu e d Chi chi ko v .

“
No Who i s he ?
.
”

Anothe r land e d propri e tor madam , .

W ll n e i the r hav e I h e ard o f hi m No such lando wn e r l i v e s

e , .

”
he re abouts .

Bobrov”
Pli e shako v .
, S vi n i n , K an ap ati e v, K ha
p
aki n , Tre p aki n , and
 D e ad S o uls 45
ri ch me n ?
Are th e y
No non e o f th e m On e o f th e m may o wn tw e nty souls and
.
,

ano th e r thi rty but o f g e n try who o wn a hundr e d th e re are

,

non e f
’

Chi chi ko v r e fl e cte d that he had i nd e e d all e n i nt o an ari sto f

w
crati c i ld e rn e ss !
A t all e v e n ts, i s the t o n far away ? he i nqu i r e d w .

Abou t si xty v e rsts Ho sorry am that have nothi n . w I I g

for you t o e at ! S hould you care to dri nk som e te a ?
I
than k yo u, ood mo th e r, but g
re qu i re nothi n b e yond a I g
We ll afte r such a j ourn e y yo u mu st i nd e e d be n e e d i ng
,

re st so you shall li e upon thi s sofa Fe ti ni a bri n g a qu i lt and

,
.
,

som e p i llows an d sh e e ts What w e athe r Go d has se nt us ! .

And what dre adful thund e r ! Eve r si nc e sun se t I hav e had a

candl e burni ng b e fore the i kon i n my b e droom My Go d ! .

Why your back and si d e s are as muddy as a wi ld boar s ! Ho w

,
’

e v e r hav e you mana g e d t o e t i n t o s uch a st a t e ?

g
That I am no thi ng w orse than muddy i s i nd e e d fortunate ,
”
si nc e but fo r t he Al m i ght y I s hould hav e had my ri b s brok e n
, ,
.

D e ar d e ar ! To thi nk o f all that you mu st have b e e n

,

through Had I no t b e tte r wi p e your back ?

.

I than k yo u I thank you but yo u n e e d n o t troubl e Me re ly

, ,
.

”
be so go od as to te ll your mai d to dry my clo th e s .

Do you h e ar that Fe ti ni a ? sai d the ho ste ss turn i ng to a

,

w oman who was e ngag e d i n draggi ng i n a fe ath e r be d and

d e lugi n g the room wi th f e ath e rs Tak e thi s coat an d thi s
—
.

v e st and afte r dryi ng th e m b e fore the fire ju st as we u se d to

—
, ,

do for your late maste r gi ve the m a g ood rub and fold th e m ,

”
up n e atly .
1

Ve ry w e ll m i stre ss sai d Fe ti ni a spr e ad i n g som e sh e e ts

, , ,

ov e r the be d and arrangi ng the p i llows

,
.

No w your be d i s re ady for yo u sai d the ho ste ss to C hi chi

”
,

ko v . Good ni ght d e ar si r I wi sh you g ood ni ght I s

-
,
.
-
.

th e r e anythi ng e l se t hat you r e qu i re ? P e rhap s yo u would li k e

to hav e your h e e l s ti c k l e d b e for e r e ti ri ng t o r e st ? N e v e r could
my late hu sband ge t to sl e e p wi thou t that havi ng b e e n don e .

B ut the gu e st d e cl i n e d the pro ff e re d h e e l ti ckl i ng and o n -

, ,

hi s ho ste ss taki ng he r d e par tur e ha st e n e d to d i v e st hi m se lf o f

'

hi s clothi ng bo th upp e r and und e r and t o hand the garm e nts

, ,

t o Fe ti ni a She wi sh e d hi m good ni g ht and r e m ov e d the we t

.
-
,

t rapp i ngs ; afte r w hi ch he found hi m se l f alon e No t wi thou t .

sati sfacti on di d he e e hi s be d w h i ch r e ache d almo st to the

y ,
4 6 D e ad S o ul s
c e i li ng Cl e arly Fe ti ni a was a past mi stre ss i n the art o f b e at
.

i ng up s uch a couch and a s th e r,

e s ul t he
,
had no s oon e r moun ,
t e d
w h
i t i t the a
‘

i d o f a cha i r t han i t s an k w e ll n i gh t o t h e fl oor, and -

the f e a t h e r s s q u e e z,
e d o u t o f t h e i r prop e r con fi n e s fl e w h i t h e r ,

and thi th e r i nto e ve ry corn e r o f the apartm e nt Ne ve rthe le ss .

v v W
o

h l
he e ti x ngu i sh e d t h e candl e co e r e d h im s e lf
,
o e r i t h t e c u n t z

qu i lt snuggl e d down b e ne ath i t an d i nstantly fe ll asl e e p Ne xt

, ,
.

day i t was late i n the morni ng b e fore he awo k e Through the .

wi ndow the sun was shi ni ng i nt o hi s e ye s and the fli e s whi ch , ,

o ve rni ght had b e e n roo sti ng qu i e tly on the wall s and ce i hng
,

now turn e d the i r atte nti on t o the vi si tor On e se ttl e d o n hi s .

li p anothe r o n hi s car a thi rd hov e re d as though i n te nd i n g to

, ,

lodge i n hi s v e ry e ye and a fourth had the te m e ri ty to ahght ,

j u s t und e r hi s no stri l s In h i s drowsy cond i ti on he i nhal e d the

.

latte r i nse ct sn e e ze d vi ol e ntly and so re turn e d to con sci ou sn e ss

, , .

He glanc e d around the room and p e rce i v e d that n ot all the ,

pi ctu re s we re re pre se ntati ve o f bi rd s si nc e among th e m hung ,

al so a portrai t of Ku tuzov and an o i l pai nti ng o f an o ld man

1

i n a uni form wi th re d faci ngs such as w e re worn i n the days o f

the E mp e ror Paul A t thi s mom e n t the clock u tte r e d i ts u sual
2
.

hi ssi ng sound and struck te n whi l e a woman s fac e p e e re d i n

‘
’
, ,

at the door but at onc e wi thdre w for the r e a son tha t wi t h the
, , ,

obj e ct of sl e e pi ng as we ll as possi bl e Chi chi ko v had re move d ,

e v e ry sti t ch o f hi s clo thi ng S om e how the face se e m e d to hi m

.

fami l i ar and he se t hi m se lf to re call who se i t could be A t

, .

l e ngth he re coll e cte d that i t was the face o f hi s ho stess Hi s .

clo the s he found lyi ng cl e an and dry b e si d e hi m ; so he dre sse d

, ,

and approach e d the m i rror m e anwhi l e sn e e zi ng agai n wi th such ,

ve he m e nce that a cock whi ch happ e n e d at the mom e nt to be

n e ar the wi ndow (whi ch was si tuate d at no gre at d i stance from
the ground ) chuck l e d a short sharp p hra se Probably i t
, .

m ane t i n
, the b i rd s al i e n tongu
’
e Good morn i ng to you ! ,
”

Chi chi ko v r e torte d by call i ng the bi rd a fool and t h e n hi m se lf

,

approach e d the wi ndow to look at the vi e w I t app e are d to .

c mpr a poul te re r s pre mi se s At all e ve nts the narro w yard

i ’
o se .
,
i n fron t o f the wi ndow was full of poul
try and o th e r do m esti c
cr a ur
e t e s— o f gam e fo wl s and barn door fo w l
s wi th among , ,
th e m a coc k w hi ch stru tte d wi th m e a ur d ga
,
0
s e i t and k e p t ,
shak i ng i ts comb and ti l ti ng i ts h e ad
, a s t hough i t w e r e t ryi ng
to l i ste n to som e thi ng Al so a so w and .
he r fam i ly w e r e h e lp i n g
,

A 1
Russi an g e n e ral who , i n 81 2, sto u tly pp
0 N p
b l
att e o f B o ro di no
1 o se d a o le o n at the

i gh t h
.

z
The late e e e nt ce n tury .
 D e ad S o uls
to grac e t he Fi rst she roo te d among a h e ap of l i tte r ;
c ne
s e .
,

t h e n i n pa ssi ng she at e up a young pull e t ; la stly she proc e e d e d

, , ,

care l e ssly to munch som e p i e c e s o f m e lon ri nd To t hi s small .

yard or poul try run a l e ng th o f planki ng se rv e d a s a f e nc e whi l e

-
,

b e yond i t lay a k i tch e n g ard e n con tai ni ng cabbag e s on i on s , ,

po tato es b e e troo ts and o the r hou se hold v e g e tabl e s Al so the

, ,
.
,

g ard e n contai n e d a fe w stray fru i t tre e s that w e re cove re d wi th

ne tti ng to pro te c t t h e m f rom the ma g p i e s and sparro w s flock s ,

o f w hi ch w e r e e v e n t h e n w h e e l i n g and dar ti n g fro m o n e spo t to

ano th e r For the sam e r e a son a numb e r o f scar e crows wi th o ut

.

str e tc he d arm s stood r e ar e d o n long pol e s wi t h surmoun ti n g , ,

o n e of the fi g ur e s a ca st o ff cap o f the ho st e ss 5 B e yond the ’

-
.
,

g ard e n agai n th e re stood a numb e r of p e asants huts Thoug h ’

.

sca tt e r e d i n st e ad o f b e i ng rang e d i n r e g ular row s t h e se app e ar e d

, ,

to Chi chi ko v 5 e ye to compri se w e ll to do i nhab i tan ts si nc e all

’

ro tte n plank s i n th e i r roofing had b e e n r e plac e d wi th n e w on e s ,

and non e o f th e i r doors w e re a sk e w and such o f th ei r ti ltshe ds ,

as f ac e d hi m e vi nc e d e v i d e nc e o f the pr e se nc e o f a sp ar e w agg on
— i n som e ca se s almo st a n e w o n e .

Thi s lady o wn s by no m e an s a poor vi llag e sa i d Chi chi ko v ,

to h i m se lf ; wh e r e for e he d e c i d e d t h e n and t h e r e to hav e a talk

wi th hi s ho ste ss and to cul ti va te he r clo se r acquai ntanc e
, .

Accord i ngly he p e e p e d throug h the c hi n k o f the door wh e nc e he r

h e ad had re c e ntly pro trud e d and o n se e i ng he r se a te d at a, ,

te a tabl e e n t e r e d and g r e e te d he r wi th a ch e e rf ul
,
k i ndly ,

sm i l e .

Good morni ng d e ar si r she re spond e d as she ro se

, ,
Ho w .

hav e you sl e p t ? She was dr e sse d i n b e tte r styl e than she had
b e e n o n the pre vi ou s e v e ni ng That i s to say she was no w .
,

w e ari ng a g o wn o f som e dark colour and lack e d he r n i g htcap , ,

and had swa th e d he r n e ck i n som e thi ng sti ff .

I hav e sl e pt e xc e e d i ng ly w e ll r e pl i e d Chi chi ko v se ati ng

”
, ,

hi m se l f upon a cha i r “
And ho w are you g ood madam ?
.
,

B ut poorly my d e ar si r , .

And w hy so ?
B e cau se I canno t sl e e p A pa i n has tak e n me i n my m i ddl e
.
,

and my l e g s from the an k l e s upward s are achi ng a s thoug h

, ,

th e y w e r e brok e n
”
.

That wi ll pa ss that wi ll pa ss g ood m o th e r Yo u mu st pay , .

no a tt e n ti on to i t .

God grant t ha t i t may pa ss How e v e r I hav e b e e n rubbi ng .

,

myse lf wi t h lard and turp e n ti n e W ha t sort o f te a wi ll you tak e 9 .

I n thi s Jar I hav e som e o f the sc e n te d k i nd

 4 8 D e ad S o u l s
Exc e ll e nt good mo th e r ! Th e n I wi ll tak e that
,
.
’

Pro bably the re ad e r wi ll have noti c e d that fo r all hi s e xpre s

0

si on s o f sol i c i tud e Chi chi ko v s ton e t oward s hi s ho st ess par too k

’

o f a fr e e r a mor e unc e r e mon i ou s na tur e t han tha t whi ch he had

, ,

a dop t e d towa rd s M adam e Mani lo v And h e re I should l i ke to

.

a sse rt tha t howso e ve r much i n c e rtai n re sp e c ts we Rusman s

, , ,

may be surpasse d by fore i gn e rs at l e a st we surpa ss th e m i n ,

a d ro i tn ess o f mann e r . In fac t the vari ou s shad e s and subtl e ti e s

o f o ur soc i al i n te rcourse d e fy e num e ra ti on A Fre nchman o r a .

G e rman would be i ncapabl e of e nvi sagi ng and und e rstandi ng all

i ts p e culi ari e s and d i ff e re nc e s fo r hi s t on e i n sp e a k i ng to a
,

mi ll i onai re d i ff e rs but l i ttl e from that whi ch he e mploys to wa rd s

—
a small to bacconi st and that i n Spi te o f the c i rcum stanc e tha t
he i s accu stom e d to cri ng e i n Sp i ri t b e for e the form e r Wi t h u s .
,

how e ve r thi ng s are d i ffe re nt In Ru ssi an soci e ty th e r e e xi st

, .

cl e ve r fol k who can sp e ak i n on e mann e r to a landown e r p o s

s e sse d o f two hundr e d p e a san t soul s and i n ano t h e r to a land ,

own e r po sse sse d o f thre e hundre d and i n ano th e r to a lando wn e r

,

po sse sse d o f five hundre d In Short up to the numb e r o f a

.
,

mi ll i o n soul s the Ru ssi an wi ll hav e re ady for e ach lando wn e r

a su i tabl e mod e o f addre ss For e xampl e suppo se tha t som e
.
,

wh e re th e re e xi sts a gov e rnm e nt offi c e and tha t i n that offi c e ,

th e re e xi sts a d i r e c tor .I would be g o f you to conte mplate
hi m as he S i ts among hi s myrm i don s S h e e r n e rvou sn ess wi ll .

p re ve n t you from u tte ri ng a wo rd i n hi s pr e se nc e so gre a t ,

a re the pri d e and the sup e ri ori ty d e p i c te d o n hi s coun t e nanc e
.

Al so we re yo u to sk e tch hi m you would be sk e tchi ng a v e ri

, ,
tabl e P rom e th e u s for hi s glanc e i s as t ha t o f an e agl e and
, ,
he walk s wi th m e a sur e d sta t e ly stri d e Ye t no soon e r wi ll the
, .

e agl e hav e l e ft the room to se e k t he study

o f hi s sup e ri or o ffi c e r

h
t an he wi ll go scurryi ng along pap e rs h e ld clo se t
( o h i s no se
)
l k any partri dg e B ut i n soci e ty and at the e ve ni ng party
i e .
,

( hould t h e r e st o f tho se pr e se n t be o f l e sse r ran k t han h m

s
i se lf)
the Prom e th e u s wi ll onc e mo re b e com e Prom h u
e t e s and the ,
man w ho s t and s a ste p b e low hi m wi ll tr e a t hi m i n a way n e v e r
dr ame t o f by O vi d se e i ng tha t e ach fly i s o f l e sse r accoun t than
,
i ts s
up or fly and b e com e s i n the p re se nc e o f the la tte r e v e n
e ri
, ,
,
as a g ra i n o f sand . S ure ly that i s n o t Ivan P e trovi tch ? you
such a man as
y o u r e gard hi m Ivan .
 D e ad S o u l s 49
f e llow and you wi ll se e tha t i t i s I van P e trovi tch .

alack ! wi ll be the only r e mark tha t yo u can ma k e .

L e t u s r e tu rn to our charac te rs i n r e al l i f e We hav e se e n .

o n t hi s occa si on Chi chi ko v d e c i d e d to d i sp e n se wi th

,

wh e r e for e taki ng up the te apo t he w e nt o n as

, ,

Yo u hav e a n i c e l i ttl e vi llag e h e r e , madam . Ho w many

5 do es i t conta i n ?
A l i ttl e l e ss than e i g hty d e ar si r B ut the ti m e s a re hard
,
.
,

I have lo st a gr e a t d e al through la st y e ar s harv e st havi ng ’

”
prov e d a fa i lur e .

B ut your p e a sa n t s look fin e strong f e llow s May I e nqu i r e

,
.

your nam e ? Through arri vi ng so la t e at n i ght I hav e qu i te lo st

”
my wi ts .

K o ro bo tchka the wi do w o f a C oll e g i a te S e cr e tary

,
.

I humbly than k you An d your C hri sti an nam e and .

pa tronymi c ?
Nasta si a P e trovna .

Na sta si a P e trovna ! Tho se are e xc e ll e n t nam es I hav e a .

”
mate rnal aun t nam e d l i k e yourse lf .

And your nam e ? qu e ri e d the lady May I tak e i t th at .

you are a Gov e rnm e nt Asse ssor ?

,
”
No madam r e pl i e d Chi chi ko v wi th a sm i l e
,
”
I am no t .

an Asse ssor but a trav e ll e r on pri va te bu si n e ss

,
.

Th e n you mu st be a buy e r o f produc e ? Ho w I r e gre t tha t

I hav e sold my hon e y so ch e aply to o th e r buy e rs ! O th erwi se
y o u m i g h t hav e bou g h t i t d e ar S i r ,
.

I n e ve r buy hon e y ”
.

Th e n what do you buy pray ? H e mp ? I hav e a l i ttl e o f tha t

,
”
by me but n o t mor e than half a p ood o r so
,
1
.

No madam I t i s i n o th e r war e s t ha t I d e al T e ll me hav e

,
. .
,

you o f la te y e ars lo st many o f your p e a sants by d e a th ?

, ,
”
Ye s no f e w e r than e i ghte e n r e spond e d the o ld lady wi th
—
,

a si gh . S uch a fin e lo t to o all good work e rs ! Tru e o th e rs

, ,

hav e si nc e gro w n up but o f w ha t u se are they M e r e stri pl i ng s

,
.

Wh e n the Assessor last call e d upon me I could hav e w e pt ; fo r ,

t hough tho se workm e n o f m i n e are d e ad I hav e t o k e e p on ,

p ayi ng fo r th e m a s though th e y w e re sti ll al i v e ! An d only last

w e e k my black smi th go t burnt to d e ath ! S uch a cl e v e r hand at
hi s trad e he was !
’

What ? A fire occurre d at your plac e ?

No no God prese rv e us all ! I t was n o t so bad as t ha t You
, , .

Fo rty Russi an p o un ds
1
.
5 0 D e ad S o ul s
mu st und e rstand tha t the blac k sm i t h se t hi mse l
f o n fire —he g o t

se t on fi re i n h i s b ow e l s t hrough ov e rdr i n k i ng Y e
. s all
, of a
s udd e n t h e r e b ur st from h i m a b lu e flam e and ,
h e s mould e r e d
and s
mould e r e d un ti l h e had t urn e d a s blac k a s a p i e c e of char
coal ! Ye t what a cl e v e r black smi th he was ! And no w I hav e
no horse s to dri v e o ut wi th for th e re i s no o n e to sho e t h e m
“
In e ve rythi ng the w ll of God i
,

C h i c h i k o v
.

”
,

wi th a si gh .
“
Agai nst the di vi n e Wi sdom i t i s no t for us to
r e be l P ray hand th e m ov e r to me Na sta si a P e trovna
. ,
.

Hand ov e r whom ?
T he d e ad p e a sants .

Bu t how could I do t ha t ?
Qui t e si mply S e ll the m to me and I Wi ll g i v e yo u som e
.
,
”
mon ey i n e xchang e .

B ut how am I t o se ll t h e m t o you ? I scarc e ly und e r st and

wha t you m e an Am I to di g th e m up agai n from the ground ?
.

Ch i ch i k o v p e rc e i v e d t ha t t h e old lady w a s al t og e t h e r a t se a ,

a d
n t ha t h e mu s t e xpla i n t h e ma t t e r ; wh e r e for e i n a fe w w ord s

he i nform d h t ha t t h e t ran sf e r o r purcha s e o f t h e s oul s i n

—
e e r -

qu e sti on would tak e plac e m e re ly o n pap e r that the sai d soul s

would be l i ste d as sti ll al i v e .

And what good would the y be to you ? ask e d hi s ho ste ss ,

stari ng at hi m wi th he r e y e s d i ste nd e d .

That i s my affai r ”
.

B ut th e y are dead soul s .

Who sai d th e y w e re n o t ? The m e re fact o f the i r b e i ng d e ad

e n tai l s up o n you a lo ss as d e ad as the soul s for you ha v e to ,

con ti nu e payi ng the tax upon th e m whe re as my plan i s to

,

re l i e v e you bo th o f the tax and o f the r e sul tan t troubl e Now

.

do yo u und e rstand ? And I wi ll n o t only do as I say but ,

al so hand you ov e r fifte e n roubl e s e oul I t ha t cl ar

”
p r s . s e
e n o ugh ?
—
Ye s but I do no t k now sai d hi s ho ste ss di ffide ntly
, . Yo u
se e n e v e r b e fore hav e I sold d e ad soul s
”
, .

Qui te so I t would be a surpri si ng thi ng i f you had B ut

.
.

sur e ly you do n o t thi n k tha t th e se d e ad soul s are i n the l e a st

wo rth k e e pi ng ?
Oh no i nde e d ! Why should the y be worth k e e pi ng ? I
,

a m sur e th e y are n o t so The only thi ng whi ch troubl e s me i s

.

the fact that th e y are dead .

She se e m s a truly ob sti nate o ld woman ! was Chi chi ko v s

’

i nward comm e n t . Loo k h e re madam he add e d aloud

,
”
, .

Yo u re a son w e ll but you are si mply ru i ni ng you rse lf by con

,
 5 2 D e ad S o u l s
A p e rspi rati on from hi s brow . Ye t he n e e d hav e flown i nt o
not
re sp e cte d state sman re v e als
bu si n e ss matte r t o be ju st ,

E gh
g e ba g
s o t

an i d e a i nto te f
r
e
—
hi m you
argum n t
,

t
may ply hi m
“

e s y e ,

h
t e y w i ll r eb ound f r om h i s bra i n a s an i nd i a ru b b e r ball r e -

b ound s from a fl ag s t on e N e v e r th. e l e ss W i p i ng away t h e p e r

,

p a
s i r ti on C h i ch i k o v r e s olv e d t o t r y wh e th e r h e could n o t bri ng
,

he r b ac k to t h e road by ano th e r pa t h .

Madam he sai d e i the r you are d e cli ni ng to und e rstand

”
, ,

what I say or you are tal ki ng for the m e re sak e o f tal ki ng I f I

—
.

” hand o u ov e r s om e mon e y fi f t e e n rou bl e s for e ach s oul d o

y
—
,
4 .

3 y o u und e r s tand i t i s m o n ey n o t s om e t h i
,
ng wh i ch can b e
6
pi ck e d up haphazard i n the stre e t Fo r i n stanc e te ll me how .
,

much yo u sold your hon e y for ?

Fo r tw e lv e roubl e s p e r p ood .

Ah ! The n by those words madam you hav e lai d a tri fli ng

0

, ,

si n upon your soul ; for yo u di d not se ll the hon e y for tw e lv e

”
rou bl e s .

By the Lord God I di d !

We ll w e ll ! N e ve r mi nd Hone y i s only hon e y N ow you
,
. .
,

had coll e cte d that stu ff i t may be for a y e ar and wi th i n fi ni te

, , ,

care and labour Yo u had fu sse d afte r i t yo u had tro tte d to and
.
,

fro you had duly froz e n out the b e e s and you had fe d th e m i n
, ,

the c e llar throughou t the wi n te r B ut th ese d e ad soul s o f whi ch .

I spe ak are qui te anothe r matte r for i n thi s case you have p ut
—
,

forth no e xe rti on s i t was m e re ly God s wi ll that th e y should ’

l e av e the world and thu s d e cre ase the p ersonnel o f your e stab
,

li shme nt In the form e r ca se you r e c e i v e d (so yo u all e g e ) tw e lv e

.

rou bl e s p er p ood for your labour ; but i n thi s ca se you wi ll re c e i v e

mon e y for havi ng don e nothi ng at all No r wi ll you re c e i ve
tw e l v e roubl e s p e r i te m bu t fif te e n—and roubl e s n o t i n si lv e r
.

, ,
bu t roubl es i n good pap e r curr e ncy .

That th e se powe rful i nduce m e nts would c e rtai nly cau se the
J:
o ld woman t o y i e ld Chi chi ko v had n o t a doub t .

Tru e hi s ho ste ss re pli e d

”
, B ut how strang e ly bu si n e ss
.

9
i
com e s to me as a wi dow ! P e rhap s I had be tte r wai t a l i ttl e ,

longe r se e i ng that o th e r buye rs mi ght com e along and I m i ht

"

be a bl e t o compare p ri ce s ” g ,

For sham e madam ! For sham e ! Thi nk what yo u are

, /

sayi ng .
Who e l se I would ask would care t o by A l fi se soul s ?
, ,

any
M
 D e ad S o u l s 53
I f that i s som i ght com e i n u se ful to me mu se d the
,
t he y ,

1d woman aloud ; afte r whi ch she sat stari ng at Chi chi ko v wi th

mou th op e n an d a face o f n e rvou s e xp e ctancy as to hi s
o i n der .

u se ful i n
o lk a hou se hold ‘
e xcla i m e d
he Why 3’
.
,

hat c ould you do wi th th e m ? S e t th e m up o n pol e s t o fri ghte n

ay the sparrow s from your gard e n ?
1 The Lord sav e u s but wha t thi ng s yo u say ! S he e jaculate d
,

cro ssi ng he rse lf .

We ll what could you do wi th the m ? B y thi s ti m e th e y are

,

so much bon e s and e arth That i s all th e re i s l e ft o f th e m The i r

. .

tran sfe r to my self woul d b com e ! A t l e a st

gi ve me an answe r ”
.

Agai n the o ld wo
What are yo u P e trovna ? i nqu i r e d
Chi chi ko v .

I
am thi nki ng ly know w hat to do . P e rhap s
I had b e tte r se ll yo
‘
3)
P

What do I Pardon me but ju st w h e n I ,

have mad e to propo sal altog e th e r you b e gi n

i s h e mp and thou g h I may wan t
,

should l i k e t o know wha t you hav e

”
nd e r d i scu ssi on .

qu e e r b argai n N e ve r hav e I h e ard o f

.

lo st all pati e nc e up se t hi s chai r and bi d

, ,

whi ch p e rsonag e e ve n the m e re m e nti on

I be g o f you !
cri e d turn i n g pal e she , .

rath e r bl e ss hi m ! Last n i ght was the thi rd ni g ht

,

app e are d t o me i n a dre am Yo u se e afte r sayi n g 3 .

,

I b e thou ght me o f te lli ng my fortun e by the cards ;

st hav e s e n t hi m t o me as a pun i shm e n t He loo k e d .

’
d had ho rn s long e r than a bull s !
you don t se e scores o f d e vi l s i n your dre am s !
’

M e re ly o ut o f C hri sti an chari ty he had com e to yo u to say I ,

p e rc e i v e a poor wi dow to be g o i ng to rack and ru i n and l i k e ly ,

soon to stand i n dang e r o f wan t W e ll go to rack and ru i n

’
.
,

y e s
, y o u and all your v i lla g e t og e t h e r !
‘
f The i n sul ts !
”
e xclai m e d t he o ld woman g lanc i ng at he r ,

Vi si tor i n te rror .

I should thi n k so ! conti nu e d Chi chi ko v I nd e e d I cannot

”
.
,

fin d w ord s to d e scri b e yo u T o say no mor e abou t i t yo u are

.
,
 54 D e ad S o u l s
l i k e a dog i n a mang e r You don t want to e at the hay yourse lf
.
’
,

y e t you w o n t l
’
e t any o n e e l se t ouch i t All t ha t I am se e k .i ng to

a d O i s to pu rc h a s e c e r t a i n dom e st i c p roduc t s o f you r s f o r th e ,

re s a on a
th t I ha v e c e r ta i n Go v e r nm e n t con t rac t s t o ful fi l ” .

Thi s last he add e d i n passi ng and wi thou t any ulte ri or moti ve

, ,

s a v e t ha t i t cam e t o h i m as a happy t hough t N e v e rt h e l e ss t h e .

m e n ti on o f G o v e rnm e nt contracts e x e rci se d a pow e rful i nflu e nce

upon Nastasi a P e tro vna and she haste n e d to say i n a tone that
,

was almost suppl i catory :

Why should you be so angry wi th me ? Had I k nown tha t
you we re go i ng to lo se your te mp e r i n thi s way I Should n e ve r ,
”
hav e d i scu sse d the ma tte r .

No wond e r that I lo se my te mp e r ! An e gg too many i s no

gre at matte r ye t i t may prove e xc e e d i ngly annoyi ng
,
”
.

Well we ll I wi ll le t you have the soul s for fifte e n roubl es

, ,

e ach . Al so wi th r egard to tho se contrac ts do no t forg e t me i f

, ,

a t any ti m e yo u should fi nd yourse lf i n n e e d of rye m e al o r

-

buckwh e at o r groats o r d e ad m e a t ”
.

No I shall never forg e t you madam ! he sa i d wi pi ng hi s

, , ,

fore h e ad wh e nc e thre e se parate stre am s of p e rsp i ra ti on w e re

,

tri ck l i ng down hi s fac e Th e n he a sk e d he r wh e th e r i n the to wn

.

she had any ac quai n tanc e o r ag e n t whom S he could e mpo w e r to

compl e te the transf e re nc e of the se rfs and to carry o ut wha t ,

so e v e r e ls e m i gh t be n e c e ssary .

C e rtai nly r e pl i e d M ad am e K o ro bo tchka

, T he so n o f .

o ur arch p ri e st Fa th e r Cyri l h i m se lf i s a lawy e r

-
, , .

Upon th at Chi chi ko v b egg e d he r to accord the g e ntl e man i n

qu e sti on a pow e r of a ttorn e y whi l e to sav e e xtra troubl e he, , ,

hi mse lf would th e n and th e re compo se the r e qu i si t e l e tte r .

I t would be a fin e thi ng i f he w e re to buy up all my m e al

and stock fo r the Gov e rnm e nt though t M adam e to h e rse lf
”
, .

I mu st e nco urag e hi m a l i ttl e Th e re has b e e n som e dough .

stand i ng r e ady si nc e la st ni gh t so I w i ll go and t e ll Fe ti ni a to

,

fry a fe w p ancak e s Al so i t m i ght be w e ll to tr hi m wi th an

.
, y
e
gg p i
. e W e m a k e t h e m ni c e ly h e r e and th e y do no t tak e long ,
i n the m ak i ng
”
.

S o she d e parte d to tran sla te he r thoughts i nto acti on as w e ll ,

i
d pa ch bo x the
s t -
a y g pap e r The room had now
n c e e ss r wri ti n -
.

b e n se t i n ord e r the sump tuou s f e ath e r be d re mov e d and a

e
,
,
tabl e s e t b e for e the sofa D e po si ti ng hi s d i spa tch box upon
. -
 D e ad S o ul s 55
av e d a g e ntl e si g h o n b e com i ng aw ar e tha t he
e

wi th p e rspi rati on that he m i ght almo st hav e

b e e n d i pp e d i n a ri v e r Ev e rythi ng from hi s shi rt to hi s soc k s
.
, ,

was dri pp i n g May she starv e to d e ath the curse d o ld harri

.
,
”
dan ! he e j acula t e d afte r a mom e n t s r est Th e n he op e n e d hi s
’
.

di spa tch box I n pa ssi ng I may say tha t I f e e l c e rta i n tha t at

.
,

l e a st some o f my r e ad e rs wi ll be curi ou s to know the con te nts

and the i nte rnal arrang e m e n ts o f tha t re c e p tacl e Why should .

I no t gra ti fy th e i r curi o si ty ? To b e gi n wi th the c e ntre of the ,

box con ta i n e d a soap d i sh wi th d i spo se d around i t si x or

-
, , ,

se v e n compartm e n ts for razors N e xt cam e squar e parti ti ons .

for a sand box and an i nk stand as w e ll as (scoop e d o ut i n th e i r

1
,

m i d st) a hollow for p e n s se al i ng wax and anyth i ng e l se tha t

, ,
-
,

re qu i r e d mor e roo m Lastly th e re w e r e all sorts o f l i ttl e d i vi

.

si on s bo th wi th and w i thou t l i d s for ar ti cl es o f a small e r na tur e

, , ,

such a s v i si ti n g card s m e mori al card s th e atre ti ck e ts and

, , ,

th i ng s wh i ch Chi chi ko v had la i d by a s souv e n i rs Th i s porti on .

of the box could be tak e n o ut and b e low i t w e r e bo th a spac e

—
,

for manu scri p ts and a se cr e t mon e y box the la tte r mad e to -

draw o ut from the si d e o f the r e c e p tacl e .

Chi chi ko v se t to w ork t o cl e an a p e n and th e n to wri te ,

.

Pr e se ntly hi s ho ste ss e nte r e d the room .

What a b e au ti ful bo x you have go t my d e ar si r ! she ”

,

e xcla i m e d a s she took a se a t b esi d e hi m Probably you boug h t .

i t i n Mo sco w ?
—
Ye s i n Mo sco w r e pl i e d Chi chi ko v w i thou t i n te rrup ti ng
,

hi s w ri ti n g .

I thought so One can g e t g ood thi ng s th e re Thr e e y e ars

. .

ago my si ste r broug h t me a fe w pai rs o f warm sho e s for my son s ,

and th e y w e re such e xc e ll e n t arti cl e s ! To th i s day my boys

w e ar th e m And wha t n i c e stamp e d pap e r yo u hav e ! (she had
.

p e e r e d i nto the d i spa tch box wh e re sur e e noug h th e re lay a

-
, , ,

furth e r stor e o f the pap e r i n qu e sti on ) Would you m i nd l e tti ng .

me hav e a she e t o f i t ? I am wi thou t any at all al thou gh I shall ,

soon hav e to be pr e se n ti ng a pl e a to the land cour t and po sse ss

,

n o t a mor se l o f pap e r t o w ri te i t on .

Upon thi s Chi chi ko v e xplai n e d that the pap e r was no t the
sor t prop e r for the pur o se
p tha t i t wa s m —
e an t for se rf i n d e n tur -

i ng and no t for the fram i n g of pl e a s N e v e r th e l e ss to qu i e t he r

, .
, ,

he g av e he r a Sh e e t stamp e d t o the valu e of a roubl e N e xt he .

,

h and e d he r the l e tte r to S i g n and re qu e ste d i n re turn a l i st o f

—
, , ,

1
To se rve as b lo tti n gp p
-
a er (N B Th i s wo r k w s w i tt
a r en mo re t h an
v
. . .

se e n ty ye ars ag o .
1
56 D e ad S o u l s
he r p e a sants Unfor
.
t una t e ly such a l i st ,
had n e v e r b e e n c o m
p i l e d le t alon e any cop i e s o f i t and the only way i n whi ch she ,

kn e w the p e a sants nam e s was by h e art Howe ve r he told he r

,
’
,
.

to d i c ta t e t h e m S om . e of t h e nam e s gr e a t ly a st on i s h e d o u r h e ro ,

as sti
,
ll mor e d i d ,
th e surnam e s Ind e e d fr e q u
. e n t ly o n h
,
e ar i ng ,

the la tt e r ,
h e had t o pau se b e for e w r i t i ng t h e m down E 5
p e c i .

a lly di d h e hal t b e for e a c e r ta i n P e t e r S a v e l i e v N e u v a z h a i

Kori to .
”
What a stri ng o f ti tl e s ! i nvoluntari ly he e j acu
l ate d To the Chri sti an nam e o f ano th e r se rf was app e nd e d
.

Korovi K i rp i tch and to tha t o f a th i rd Kol e so I van

”
,
.

Howe v e r a t l e ng th the l i st was compi l e d and he caugh t a d e e p

, ,

b er a t h ; wh i ch l at t e r p roc e e d i ng cau s e d h i m t o ca t ch al s o t h e

attracti v e odour of som e thi ng fri e d i n fat .

I be se e ch you to hav e a morse l mu rmure d hi s ho ste ss , .

Chi chi ko v look e d up and saw tha t the ta bl e wa s Spr e ad wi th

,

mu shroom s p i e s and o th e r vi and s

, ,
.

Try thi s fr e shly mad e p i e and an e gg conti nu e d M adam e

-
, .

Chi chi ko v di d so and havi ng e a t e n mor e than half o f wha t

,

she o ff e r e d hi m pra i se d the p i e h i ghly

,
I nd e e d i t was a too th
.
,

som e d i sh and afte r hi s d i fficul ti es and e x e rti on s wi th hi s

, ,

ho ste ss i t ta ste d e v e n b e tte r than i t m i gh t o th e rwi se ha v e

,

don e .

And al so a fe w pancak es ? sugg este d Madam e .

For answe r Chi chi ko v fold e d thre e tog e th e r and havi ng , ,

d i pp e d th e m i n m e lte d bu tt e r con si gn e d the lo t to hi s mou th , ,

and th e n wi p e d hi s mou th wi th a nap k i n Twi c e more was the .

p roc e ss r e p e a te d and th e n h e re qu e ste d hi s ho ste ss to ord e r the

,

bri tchka to be g o t r e ady In d i spa tchi ng Fe ti n i a wi th the n e ce s

.

sa ry i n struc ti on s S he ord e r e d he r t o r e turn wi th a se cond ba tch

,

o f ho t pancak e s .

Your pancakes are i nd e e d spl endi d sai d Chi chi ko v , ,

applyi ng h i mse lf to the se cond con si gnm e nt o f fri e d dai n ti e s

wh e n th e y had arri v e d .

Ye s we mak e th e m w e ll h e re r e pl i e d Madam e
, , Ye t how .

unfortuna te i t i s that the harv e st should ha v e prove d so poor

as t o hav e p re v e n te d me from e arn i ng any th i ng o n my
B ut
why should yo u be i n such a hurry to d e part good S i r ? S he ,
bro k e o ff o n se e i ng Chi chi ko v r e ach for hi s cap The brztchha .
'

”
i s no t
y e t r e ady .

Th n s b ei ng g o t so madam i t i s b e i ng g o t so and I shall

e i t i , ,

n d a mom e n t o r two to pac k my thi ng s

,
e e ”
.

A s you pl e a se d e ar si r but do n o t forg e t me i n conn c ti on

,; e
W h ho se Gov e rnm e nt con tracts
i t t ”
.
 D e ad S o u l s 57
No I ha v e
,
a i d tha t n eve r shall I forg e t yo u
s ,

Chi chi ko v as he hurri e d i n to the hall .

“ ”
And would yo u li ke to buy som e lard ? conti nu e d hi s ho ste ss
'
,

pursu i ng hi m
—
.

Lard ? O h c e r ta i nly Why no t ? O nly only I wi ll do so

,
.
,
”
an o the r ti m e .

I shall hav e som e re ady at about C hri stma s .

Qu i te so madam Then I wi ll buy anythi ng and e v e ryt hi ng

—the lard i nclud e d
.
,
”
.

And p e rhap s yo u wi ll be wan ti ng al so som e f e ath e rs ? I

shall be havi ng som e f or sal e abou t S t Phi l i p s Day
” ’
. .

”
V e ry w e ll v e ry w e ll madam , ,
.

Th e r e yo u se e ! she r e marke d as th e y ste pp e d o n to the

c

”
v e randah T he bri tchka i s n ot ye t r e ady
. .

B ut i t soon w i ll be i t soon wi ll be O nly d i r e c t me to the ,

.

”
ma i n road .

”
Ho w am I to do tha t ? sa i d Madam e
’
Twould pu zzl e .

a wi se man to do so fo r i n th e se parts th e r e are so many turni ng s

,
.

How e v e r I wi ll se nd a g i rl to gu i d e yo u Yo u could find room

,
.

for he r o n the box se at could yo u no t ? -

,
”
Ye s of course
,
.

Th e n I w i ll se nd he r S he know s the way thorou g hly O nly . .

do n o t carry he r o ff for g ood Alr e ady som e trad e rs hav e .

, d e pri v e d me of o n e of my g i rl s ”
.

Chi chi ko vme assure d hi s ho st e ss o n the po i nt and Mada m e ,

pluc k e d up courag e e nough to scan first o f all the hou se k e e p e r , , ,

who happ e n e d to be i ssu i ng f rom the stor e hou se wi t h a bo w l

of hon e y and n e xt a young p e a sant who happ e n e d to be
, , ,

stand i ng a t the ga t e s ; and whi l e t hu s e ngag e d she b e cam e , ,

wholly ab sorb e d i n he r dom e sti c pursu i ts B ut why pay he r so .

much a tte nti on ? T he Wi do w K o ro bo tchka Madam e Mani lo v

— —
, ,

dom e sti c l i f e non dom e sti c l i f e away wi th th e m all ! Ho w

,

strang e ly are thi ng s compound e d ! In a tri c e may j oy turn to

sorrow Should o n e hal t long e nou g h ov e r i t : i n a t ri c e only God
,

c n say w ha t i d e a s may stri k e o n e Y o u may f all e v e n to t h i nk

a .

i ng stan d so v e ry lo w a w w w fl fi ‘. 4 54

M h bw m 7: 7 u 4 A w h v ~w a m~
M F 4
1 W WM 9 m w “M g! “ nu g w m m ; t m m ww m : 9 28 g ) : m
.

man si on i n whi ch twh e re

w
m w

e ma h t flgh fi am t
M
mm f w r fl

M
M n N M N m n

p t rhu ght m e tal and a nHM M

t M
e sW WM
t he adam e

Mani lo v w ho sp e n t mo st o f he r ti m e i n ya wn i ng b e hi nd half r e ad
P ¢ ¢M
M JJ H .

book s and i n hOp i ng for a vi si t from som e soc i a lly d i sti ng u i sh e d

,
 5 8 D e ad S o ul s
p e rson i n ord e r tha t she m i ght d i splay he r wi t and car e fully
—
r e h e arse d thoughts thoughts whi ch had be e n de ri gour i n town
for a w e e k past ye t whi ch re fe rre d n o t to what was goi ng o n i n
—
, ,

he r hou se hold o r o n he r e state both o f whi ch p rop e rt i e s w e r e

at odd s and e nd s owi ng to he r i gnoranc e of the art of managi ng
—
,

t eh m but t o the com i ng pol i ti cal re v olu ti on i n Franc e and

the d i re cti on i n whi ch fa shi onabl e Cathol i ci sm was suppo se d to
be mo vi ng ? B ut away wi th such thi ngs ! Why n e e d we sp e ak
o f th e m ? Ye t how com e s i t that sudd e nly i n t o the m i d st o f our

care l e ss fri volou s unthi nki ng mom e nts th e re may e nte r anoth e r
—
, , ,

and a v e ry d i ffe re nt te nd e ncy ,

that the sm i l e may n o t have
l e ft a human fac e b e fore i ts own e r wi ll hav e rad i cally change d
hi s or he r nature (though n ot hi s o r he r e n vi ronm e n t ) wi th the
re sul t that the face wi ll sudd e nly b e com e li t w i th a rad i anc e
n e v e r b e fore se e n th e re ?
H e re i s the bri tchka h e re i s the bri tchka , e xcla i m e d
Chi chi ko v o n p e rc e i vi ng tha t v e hi cl e slowly advanci ng Ah .
,

you blockhe ad ! he w e nt on to S e li fan Why ha v e you b e e n .

l o i te ri ng ab out ? I suppo se last ni ght s fum e s hav e n o t ye t l e ft ’

your brai n ?
To thi s Se li fan re turn e d no re ply .

Good bye madam add e d the sp e ak e r

-

,
”
, B ut w he r e i s the .

gi rl whom you promi se d me ?

“
H e re Pe lage a !
, call e d the ho stess to a w e nch o f abou t
e l e v e n who was d re sse d i n hom e dye d garm e n ts and could boa st -

o f a pai r of bare fe e t whi ch from a d i stanc e m i gh t almo st hav e

, ,

b e e n mi stak e n for boots so e ncru ste d w e re th e y wi th fre sh

,

mi re . H e re Pe lage a ! Com e and Show thi s g e ntl e man the

,

way .

S e li fan h e lp e d the gi rl t o a sc e nd to the bo x se a t Placi ng o ne -

.

foot upon the ste p by whi ch the g e ntry mounte d she cov e re d ,
the sai d ste p wi th mud and th e n a sc e nd i ng h i g he r a ttai n e d
, , ,
the d e si re d po si ti on b e si d e the coachman Chi chi ko v follow e d .

i n he r w ak e
( cau si ng t he bri tchka t o h e e l ov e r wi th hi s w e i ght
as he di d so
) and, t h e n se ttl e d h i m se lf bac k i n t o hi s plac e w i th
an All ri ght ! Go o d bye madam ! as the horse s move d away
-
,
at a tro t .

S e li fan lo ok e d gloomy as he dro v e but al so v e ry a tte nti v e

,
to hl S DU S I Il e S S Thi s was i nvari ably hi s cu stom wh e n he had
.

comm d he faul t o f g e tti ng drunk Al so the horse s look e d

i tt e t .
,

unu ually w ll groom e d In parti cular the collar on o ne o f

s e -
.
,

h
t e m had b e e n n e atly m e nd e d al though h h r o
.
i t e t
, i t a
s st te o f
d lap da on had be e n such as p e re nni ally to allow the stuffing
i i ti
 D e ad S o u l s
Wi th that he opp e d and h e lp e d he r to al i ght—mu tte ri ng
st ,

as he di d so . Ah you blackfo ote d cre atur e !

,

Chi chi ko v add e d a copp e r groat and she d e parte d w e ll pl e a se d

,

wi th he r ri d e i n the ge ntl e man s carri age ’

.

ON re achi ng the tav e rn Chi chi ko v call e d a hal t Hi s re ason s for

—
.
,

thi s w e re twofold nam e ly that he wante d to re st the horse s

, ,

and that he hi m se lf d e si re d som e re fre shm e nt In thi s conn e cti on .

the au thor f e e l s bound to confe ss that the app e ti te and the

capaci ty o f such men are gr e atly to be e nvi e d O f tho se w e ll to do .

fl
/
olk of St ntgLSb urg and h Ie sco w who S p e n th e i r ti me i n
m

consi d e ri ng what th e y shall e at on the morrow and i n compo si ng ,

a d i nn e r for the day followi ng and who n e v e r si t down t o a ,

m e al wi thou t fi rst o f all i nj e cti ng a pi ll and th e n swallowi ng

oyste rs and crab s and a quanti ty o f o th e r monste rs whi l e e te r ,

nally d e parti ng for Karl sbad or the Caucasu s the au thor has but ,

a sm all opi ni on Ye s they are n ot the p e rson s to i nspi re e nvy

—
. .
,

Rath e r i t i s the folk of the m i ddl e classes fol k who at on

,

po sthou se call for bacon and at anoth e r for a sucki ng p i g an

, ,

at a th i rd fo r a st e ak of sturg e on or a ba k e d pudd i n g wi th on i on s

and who can si t down to tabl e at any hour as though the ,

had n e v e r had a m e al i n th ei r li v es and can d e vour fish o f al ,

sort s and gu zzl e and ch e w i t wi th a vi e w t o provo k i n g furthe

—
,

app e ti te th e se I say are the folk who e nj oy h e av e n s mo s

, ,
’

favoure d gi ft To attai n such a c e l e sti al cond i ti on the gr e at fol k

.

o f whom I hav e spo k e n would sacri fic e half th e i r se rfs and hal

th e i r mortgag e d and non mortgag e d prop e rty wi th the fore i gm
-

and dom e sti c i mprov e m e nts th e re on i f ,

compass such a stomach as i s po sse sse d by

class B ut unfortunate ly n e i th e r mon e y 11
.
, ,

i mprov e d o r non i mprov e d can purcha se

-
,

The li ttl e wood e n tav e rn wi th i ts narrow , ,

curtai n su sp e nd e d from a pai r o f rough h e wn -

o ld church Candl e sti c k s se e m e d t o i nv i t e Chi chi ko v

,

Tru e the e stabl i shm e nt was only a Ru ssi an but of the

,

typ e but i t was a hut of larg e r d i m e n si on s t han u sual

, ,

around i ts wi ndows and gabl e s carv e d and patte rn e d

 D e ad S o ul s 6I
ls, and con sort e d w e ll wi t h the flow e r e d p i tch e rs
the shu tte rs .

g the narrow wood e n stai rcase to the upp e r floor,

upon a broad land i ng , Chi chi ko v found hi m se l f
cre aki ng door and a stou t o ld woman i n a
”
Thi s way, i f you pl e ase , she sai d i th i n . W

four smoo th be scratche d wall s o f whi te p i n e a

, ,

pre ss wi th cup s and te apots e gg cup s o f gi ld e d ,

-

i n front o f i kons su sp e nd e d by blu e and re d

of such fad e d
t t sm e ll the m o n e i s bound
p o ,

ucki n g p i g ?
“

Hav e you a s -
Chi chi ko v i nqu i r e d of the
dlady as she st o od e xp e c tan tly b e for e hi m .

”
Ye s .

An d s om e horse rad i sh and sour cre am ?

-

”
Ye s .

Th e n se rv e th e m .

The landlady d e part e d for the purpo se and re turn e d w i th a ,

( the latte r starch e d t o the con si ste ncy o f dri e d

kni fe wi th a bon e handl e b e gi nni ng t o turn ye llo w a ,

e d fork as th i n as a waf e r and a sal t c e llar i ncapabl e

g
-
,

b e i n g mad e to stand upri ght .

Followi n g the acc e pte d cu stom our h e ro e nte re d i nto con ,

rsati o n w i th the woman and i nqu i re d w h e th e r she h e rse l f

,

a landlord k e p t t he tav e rn ; ho w much i ncom e the t av e rn

l i v e d wi th he r ; wh e th e r the
was a bach e lor or marri e d ; w hom the e ld e st had tak e n t o
wh e th e r the dowry had b e e n larg e wh e th e r the fath e r
had b e e n sati sfi e d ; and wh e th e r the sai d fath e r i n law - -

o t compla i n e d of r e c e i vi n g t oo small a pr e se n t at the

i ko v t ouch e d on e v e ry conc e i vabl e

,

he d i splay e d som e curi o si ty as to the

e s he a s c e rtai n e d , ,

he p rako v and S o bake vi tch ,

.

Th e n you are acquai n te d wi th S o bake vi tch ? he sai d ;

wh e re upon the o ld woman i nform e d hi m that she kn e w n o t only
So bake vi t ch but al so Mani lo v and tha t the latte r was the more
, ,

d e li cate e ate r o f the two si nc e W h e re as Mani lo v always ord e re d

, ,
62 D e ad S o u l s
a roa st fowl and som e v e al and mu tton and th e n taste d m e re ly ,

a morse l o f e ach S o bake vi tch would ord e r o n e d i sh only but

,
,

consum e the Whol e of i t and th e n d e mand more at the same ,

uc
W
rl

k i
e

ng
.

hi lst
i un
Chi chi ko v was
t i l only a fragm
con
e n t
v
thu s
o
e

f
r
i
s
t
i ng
s e e
and
m e d
par
l i k e
t a
ly
k
t
i n
o
g
r e
o f the

ma i n
s p g ,

the s ound of an approach i ng v e h i cl e mad e i tse lf h e ard P e e i ng

r .

t hrough the W i ndow h e sa

,
w d r aw up t o t h e t av e rn door a l i gh t

bri tc hk a drawn by t hr e e fi n e hor s e s F rom i t t h e r e d e s c e nd e d

—
.

two m e n o n e fl a x e n ha i r e d-
and tall and t h
,
e o t h e r dark ha i r e d -

and o f sl i ghte r bu i ld Whi l e the flaxe n hai re d man was clad

.
-

in a dar k b elu - coa t t h e ,

o t h e r o n e w a s wrapp e d i n a coa t o f
r
st i p e d pa t t e rn B e.
h i nd t h e b r i tc hk a s t ood a s e cond b u t an ,

e mp t y t urn
,
o u t -
drawn ,
by four lo n g c o a t e d s t e e-
d s i n ra g g e d
collars and rop e harn ess The flaxe n hai re d man lo st no ti m e
.
-

in a s c e nd i ng t h e s t a i rca se wh i l e
,
h i s dar k e r fr i e nd r e ma i n e d
b e low to fum bl e at som e thi ng i n the bri tchka tal ki ng as he , ,

di d o s t o,
t h e d r i v e r o f t h e v e h i cl e wh i ch st ood h i t ch e d b e h i nd .

S om e how the dark hai re d man s voi c e struck Chi chi ko v as

-
’

fami li ar ; and as he was taki ng ano the r loo k at hi m the flax e n

hai re d g e ntl e man e nte re d the room The n e wcom e r was a man .

o f lofty statur e w i th a small re d mou stach e and a l e an hard

, ,

b i tte n face who se re dn e ss mad e i t e vi d e nt that i ts ac quai ntance ,

i f n o t wi th the smo k e of gunpowd e r at all e v e nts wi th that o f ,

to bacco was i nti mate and e x te n si v e

,
N e v e rth e l e ss he gre ete d
.

Chi chi ko v ci vi lly and the latte r re turn e d hi s bow Ind e e d the
,
.
,

pai r would hav e e nte re d i nto conv e rsati on and hav e mad e o ne ,

anothe r s ac quai ntanc e (si nce a b e gi nni ng was mad e wi th the i r

’

si mul tan e ou sly e xpr e ssi ng sati sfacti on at the c i rcum stanc e t ha t

the p re vi ou s n i gh t s rai n had lai d the du st o n the road s and

’

th e re by mad e dri vi ng cool and pl e a sant) wh e n the g e n tl e man s

’

dark e r fav oure d fri e nd al so e nt e re d the room and throwi ng

-

, ,

hi s cap upon the tabl e pu sh e d bac k a ma ss o f d i she v e ll e d black

,

lock s from hi s brow The late st arri val was a man of m e di um

.

h e i ght but w e ll p ut tog e the r and po sse sse d o f a pai r of full re d

, ,

ch e e ks a se t of te e th as whi te as snow and coal blac k whi sk e rs

, ,
-
.

Ind e e d so fre sh was hi s compl e xi on that i t se e m e d to hav e b e e n

,

compound e d of blood and m i l k whi l e h e al th danc e d i n hi s e ve ry ,

fe ature .

”
Ha ha ha ! he cri e d wi th a g e sture o f a stoni shm e n t at
, ,

the S i ght of Chi chi ko v What chance b ri ngs you h e re ?

Upon that Chi chi ko v re cogni se d No z dre v—the man whom
.

he had me t at di nn e r at the Pu bl i c Pro se cu t o r s and who wi thi n ’

, ,
 D e ad S o ul s 63
a m i nute or two of the i ntroducti on , had b e com e so i nti m ate
wi th hi s fe llo w gu e st as to addre ss hi m i n the se con d p e rson
-

si n gular i n sp i te o f the fact that Chi chi ko v had gi ve n hi m no

,

op e ni ng for do i n g so .

Wh e re have you b e e n to day ? No zdre v i nqu i re d and -

, ,

wi thou t wai ti ng for an answ e r w e nt o n : For m yse lf I am , ,

ju st from the fai r and compl e te ly cl e an e d out B e l i e ve me

,
.
,

n e ve r i n myli fe hav e I b e e n so cl e an e d out Actually I hav e had .

,

to do the j ourn e y back wi th stag e horse s ! Look out of the

wi n dow and se e th e m for yourse lf An d he turn e d Chi chi ko v s
,
”
.
’

h e ad so sharply i n the d e si re d d i re cti on that he cam e v e ry n e ar

to bump i n g i t aga i n st the wi ndow fram e D i d you e v e r se e -
.

such a ba g o f tri ck s ? The curse d t hi ng s hav e only ju st mana g e d

to ge t h e r e In fact on the way I had to tran sfe r myse lf to thi s

.
,

fe llow s bri tchka He i ndi cate d hi s compani on wi th hi s finge r

’ ” ‘

. .

B y the way don t yo u know o ne anothe r ? He i s Mi zhue v

,
’

my broth e r i n law He and I w e re talki ng o f yo u only thi s

- -
.

morni ng Ju st you se e sai d I to hi m i f we do n ot fall i n wi th

.
,
’
,

Chi chi ko v b e fore we hav e don e H e av e n s ho w com pl e te ly .

’
,

cl e an e d o ut I am ! No t only hav e I lo st f our g ood horses but ,

al so my w at ch and chai n ”
Chi chi ko v p e rc e i v e d that i n v e ry .

tru th hi s i n te rlocu t or was m i nu s the arti cl es nam e d as w e ll as ,

that o ne o f No zdre v s whi sk e rs was l ess bu shy i n app e aranc e

’

than the o th e r o ne Had I had ano th e r tw e nty roubl e s i n my

.

pock e t w e nt on Nozdre v I should hav e won back all that I

”
, ,

hav e lo st as w e ll as hav e pouche d a furth e r thi rty th o u sand

,
.

Ye s I gi v e you my word o f honour o n t hat

,
”
.

B ut you w e r e sayi ng the sam e thi n g wh e n la st I me t you ,

p u t i n th e fla x e n ha i r e d man Y e t e v e n
-
t hou g h I l e n t yo u .
,

fifty roubl e s you lo st th e m all ,

.

B ut I Should n o t hav e lo st th e m thi s ti m e Don t try to ’

.

m ake me out a fool I shoul d not have lost the m I tell you .
,
.

Had I only playe d the ri ght card I should hav e brok e n the ,
‘bank
'
1
.

B ut you di d not br e ak the bank re mark e d the flaxe n ,

hai re d m an .

No That was b e cau se I di d n o t play my card s ri ght B ut

.

what abou t your pre ci ou s maj or s play ? I s that g oo d ? ’

Good or n ot at l e ast he b e at you ,

.

S pl e ndi d o f hi m ! Ne v e rt he l e ss I wi ll ge t m y own back .

L e t hi m play me at doubl es an d we shall soon se e what sort o f ,

a playe r he i s ! Fri e nd Chi chi ko v at first we had a glori ou s ti m e , ,

fo r the fai r was a tre m e ndou s succ ess I nd e e d the trad e sm e n .

,
 64 D e ad S o u l s
a
s i d t ha t n e v e r had t h e r e b e e n such a ga t h e ri ng I my se lf .

manage d to se ll e ve rythi ng from my estate at a good pri c e In .

fact we had a magni fi ce nt ti m e I can t h e lp thi nki ng o f i t

,
.
’
,

d e vi l tak e me ! B ut what a pi ty you w e re n ot th e re ! Thre e ve rsts

from the town th e re i s quarte re d a re gi m e nt o f dragoon s and ,

you would scarce ly be li e ve what a lot of o ffi c e rs i t has Forty .

at l e a st t h e r e a r e and t,
h e y do a fin e l o t of k noc k i ng abou t t h e

t own and dr i n k i ng In par t

. i cular S ta ff Cap t a i n ,
P o t S i e-
lu e v i s

a sp lendi d fe llow ! Yo u should ju st se e hi s mou stach e ! Why ,

h e call s good clar e t t ra s h ! Br’

i ng m e s om e o f t h e
u sual

trash i s hi s way o f ord e ri ng i t An d Li e u t e nant K u vshi nni ko v

’
,
.
,

t o o ! He i s as d e l i ghtful as the o th e r man In fact I may say .

,

that e v e ry o n e of t he lo t i s a rak e I sp e nt my whol e ti m e Wi th

.

th e m and you can i magi n e that Ponomar e v the Wi n e m e rchan t

, , ,

di d a fin e trad e i nd e e d ! All the sam e he i s a ra scal you k now , , ,

and ought no t to be d e al t wi th for he pu ts all sorts o f rubbi sh

—
,

i nto hi s l i quor Ind i an wood and burn t cork and e ld e rb e rry

ju i ce the vi llai n ! N e v e rthe l e ss g e t hi m t o produce a bottl e
, ,

from what he call s hi s sp e ci al c e llar and you wi ll fancy your ,

’

se lf i n the se v e n th h e av e n of d e l i ght An d what quan ti ti e s of.

champagne we drank ! Compare d wi th i t provi nci al stuff i s ,

levass 1
Try to i magi n e not m e re ly Cli c quot but a sort o f a bl e nd
—
.
,

o f Cl i c quot and Matradura Cli c quo t o f doubl e str e ngth Al so .

P onomare v produce d a bottl e o f Fre nch stuff whi ch he call s

Bonbon Had i t a bou qu e t ask you ? Why i t had the bouque t
.
’
, ,

o f a ro se gard e n o f anythi ng e l se you l i k e

,
What ti m e s we had .
,
t o be sure ! Ju st afte r we had l e ft Pon omare v s plac e som e pri nc e
’
,

o r ano th e r arri v e d i n the t own and se n t out fo r s om e champa gn e

, ;
but n o t a bo ttl e was th e re l e ft fo r the o ffic e rs had drunk ,

e v e ry o n e !
”
W hy I myse lf got through se ve nte e n bo ttl e s at a
,

si tti ng .

Com e com e ! Y ou can t ha v e go t through se v e nte e n

,
’

,
re mark e d the fl axe n hai re d man -
.

B ut I di d I gi v e yo u my word o f honour r e torte d No z dre v

, , .

Imagi n e What yo u l i k e but you d i dn t dri n k e ve n ten

,
’

bottl e s at a si tti ng .

Wi ll you be t that I di d n o t ?
NO for what would be the u se o f b e tti ng abou t i t ?
‘

Th en at l e ast wage r the gun whi ch yo u have bought .

N o I am n ot gomg to do anythi ng o f the ki nd

,
”
.

j u st a s an e xp e ri m e n t?
No .

A quo r di sti lle d fro m f e rme nte d bre ad cru sts o r so ur frui t
l
1
i .
 D e ad S o u l s 65
It is w e ll fo r you that you do n t si nc e oth e rwi se , you
as
’
, ,

w ould have found yourse lf m i nu s both gun and cap Ho we ve r .

,

fri e nd Chi chi ko v i t i s a pi ty you w e re n ot th e re Had you b e e n

,
.

th e r e I f e e l sur e you w ould hav e found yourse lf unabl e t o part

,

wi th Li e u te nant K u vshi nni ko v You and he w ould hav e hi t i t .

o ff spl e nd i dly Yo u kno w he i s qu i te a d i ffe re nt sort from the

,
—
.

Publ i c Pro se cu tor and our o th e r provi nci al S ki nfli nts fe llows
who shi v e r i n th e i r sho e s b e for e th e y wi ll Sp e nd a si n gl e kop e ck .

He wi ll play faro o r anyt hi n g e l se and at any ti m e W hy di d

, ,
.

you n ot com e wi th us i n ste ad o f wa sti n g your ti m e o n cattl e

,

bre e d i ng or som e thi ng o f the sort ? B ut n e v e r m i nd Embrac e .

me I l i k e yo u i mm e n se ly Mi zhu e v se e ho w curi ou sly thi ngs

. .
,

hav e turn e d o ut Chi chi ko v has no thi ng to do wi th me o r I

.
,

wi th hi m ye t h e re i s he com e from God know s wh e re and land e d

, ,

i n the v e ry Spo t wh e r e I hap e n t o be l i vi ng ! I may te ll yo u

,

p
tha t n o ma tte r how many carri ag e s I p osse ssed I Shoul d gam bl e
, .

the lo t a way R ec e n tly I w e n t i n fo r a turn at b i ll i ard s and lo st ,

two jars o f pomad e a ch i na te apo t and a gu i tar T he n I stake d

, ,
.

som e mor e thi ng s and l i k e a fool lo st t h e m all and si x roubl e s

, , , ,

i n add i ti on What a d og i s that Kuvshi n ni ko v ! He and I at

.

te nd e d n e arly e v e ry ball i n the plac e I n parti cular th e re was

—
.
,

w oman decolletée and such a sw e ll ! I m e re ly thought to

’

myse lf The d e vi l tak e he r ! but K u vshi nni ko v i s such a wa g

‘
,
’

that he sat down b e si d e he r and b e gan payi ng he r stri n g s of ,

compli m e n ts i n Fre nch Ho we v e r I di d n ot n e gl e ct the dam se ls

—
.
,

al t o g e th e r though he call s t hat s ort of thi n g g oi ng i n for

‘

strawb e rri e s B y the way I hav e a spl e ndi d pi e ce o f fish and

.
,

som e cav i ar e w i th me Ti s all I have brought back ! I n fac t i t

’
.

i s a lucky chanc e that I happ e n e d t o buy the stu ff b e for e my

mon e y was g on e Wh e re are yo u for ? .

I am abou t to call o n a fri e nd ”

.

O n w ha t ”fri e nd ? L e t hi m g o to the de vi l and co m e to m y ,

plac e i nste ad .

I canno t I canno t I hav e bu si n e ss to d o

,
. .

O h bu si n e ss aga i n ! I thought so !
,
—
B ut I have bu si n e ss to do and pr e ssi ng bu si n e ss a t tha t .

I w ag e r tha t you re lyi ng I f no t te ll me who m yo u re g o i ng

’
.
,
’

to call upon .

Upo n So bake vi tch .

I nstantly Nozdre v burst i n to the laug h compa ssabl e only by

a h e al thy man i n w ho se h e ad e ye t oo th sti ll r ma n whi t
ry e i s as a
5 su g ar B y thi s I m ea n the laug o qu i ve ri ng ch e e ks the
.
,

lau gh w hi ch cau se s a n e i g hbour who i s sl e e p i ng b e hi nd d oubl e

0
66 D e ad S o u l s
doors thr e e room s away to l e ap from hi s be d and e xcla i m wi th
d i ste nd e d e ye s Hullo ! S om e thi ng has up se t hi m !
,

What i s th e re to laugh at ? a sk e d Chi chi ko v a tri fl e ,

n e ttl e d ; but No zdre v laugh e d more unre strai n e dly than e v e r ,

e jacula t i ng : O h spar e u s all ! T he th,

i ng 1 5 so a mu smg t ha t I
shall di e o f i t !
I say that th e re i s no thi ng to laugh at re p e ate d Chi ch i ,

kov I t i s i n ful film e nt o f a prom i se that I am o n my way to

.

”
S o bake vi tch s
’
.

Th e n you wi ll scarc e ly be glad to be al i ve wh e n you v e go t ’

th e r e for he i s the v e ri e st m i se r i n the coun try si d e

,
Oh I .
,

know you Howe v e r i f you thi nk to find th e re e i th e r faro o r

.
,

a bo ttl e o f B o nbon you are m i sta k e n Loo k h e re my g ood .

,

fri e nd L e t S o bake vi tch go to the d e vi l and com e to my plac e

.
, ,

wh e re at l e a st I shall hav e a p i e c e o f sturg e on to o ff e r you for

d i nn e r P on o mare v sa i d to me on parti ng : Th i s pi e c e i s ju st
.

the th i ng for you E v e n i f you w e r e to se arch the whol e mark e t

.
,

you would n e v e r find a b e tt e r o n e B ut of course he i s a t e rri bl e .

’

rogu e I sa i d to hi m ou tri ght : You and the Coll e c tor o f Tax e s

.

are the two gr e a t e st ski n fli n ts i n the t own

’
B ut he only strok e d .

hi s be a rd and sm i l e d Ev e ry day I u se d to bre ak fa st wi th

.

K uvshi nni ko v i n hi s r e stauran t W e ll wha t I was n e arly for .

,

g e tti ng i s thi s : that thoug h I am awar e tha t you can t forgo ’

—
,

your e ngag e m e nt I am no t go i ng to g i v e you u p no n o t fo r

, ,

t e n thou sand rou bl e s o f mo n e y I t e ll you tha t i n ad v anc e

”
. .

H e re he brok e o ff to run to the wi ndow and shou t to hi s

se r v a nt (who was hold i ng a k n i f e i n o n e hand and a cru st of
i —
bre ad and a p e c e of stu rg e on i n the o th e r he had con tri v e d to
filch the la tt e r wh i l e fum bl i ng i n the bri tchka for som e th i n g e l se) :
Hi Po rp hyri ! Bri ng h e r e tha t puppy you ra scal ! Wha t
, ,

a puppy i t i s ! Unfortunat e ly tha t th i e f o f a landlord has gi v e n

i t no thi ng to e at e v e n though I ha v e prom i se d hi m the roan
,

filly whi ch as you may re m e mb e r I swopp e d from K hvo sti re v

,
”
, .

As a ma tt e r o f fac t Chi chi ko v had n e v e r i n hi s l i f e se e n e i th e r

,

K hvo sti re v o r the r o an fi lly .

B ari n do you wi sh for anyth i ng to e at ?

,
”
i nqu i r e d the
landlady a s S he e nte re d .

No no thi ng at all Ah fri e nd Chi chi ko v what ti m e s we

, .
, ,

had ! Ye s gi v e me a gla ss o f vodka o ld woman Wha t sort do

, , .

you k e e p ?
Ani se e d .

Th e n bri ng me a gla ss of i t re p e ate d No z dre v , .

And o n e for me as w e ll add e d the flax e n hai r e d man ,

-
.
 68 D e ad S o u l s
l e ast he i s as prom i si ng e v e n thoug h he has lo st so much at ,

play B ut he has a h ad on
.
e h i s sh o u ld e rs
a
a n d t h e re fo r el
”
m st
1 o care ful ! i f I am to tac kl e hi m co nce rni n my sch e m e .

'
"

Wi th t at e a e t a o u t e ry w e l you
“
“

s s 1 ,

but do no t le t u s be long for my t i m e i s v e ry pr e

,
c i ou s
”
.

That s ri ght that s ri ght ! cri e d No zdre v

’
,
’
S pl end i d .
,

s pl e nd i d ! L e t m e e m b rac e you ! And h e f e ll upon C h i c h i ko v s ,

’

neck . All thre e of u s wi ll go ”

.

No no p ut i n the flax”e n hai re d man You mu st e xcu se

, ,
-
.

me for I mu st be o ff hom e
,
.

Rubbi sh ru bb i sh ! I am n ot go i ng to e xcu se you

B ut m
.
,

y w i f e w i ll b e fu ri ou s w i th me Y ou
”
and M on si e ur .

Chi chi ko v mu st chang e i n to the o th e r bri tchka .

Com e com e ! The thi ng i s n o t to be though t of

,
.

The flax e n ha i r e d man was o n e o f t ho se p e opl e i n who se

-

characte r at first si ght th e re se e m s to lurk a c e rtai n g ra i n o f

—
, ,

stubbornn ess so much so tha t almo st b e f or e o n e has b e gun ,

to sp e ak th e y are r e ady to d i spu t e on e s word s and to d i sagre e

’

, ,

wi th anythi ng that may be oppose d to th e i r p e cul i ar form o f

opi ni on For i nstanc e th e y wi ll d e cl i n e to have folly call e d
.
,

wi sdom o r any tun e danc e d to but th ei r o wn Al ways

, .
,

how e v e r wi ll th e r e b e com e mani f e st i n th e i r charac te r a soft

,

spo t and i n the e n d th e y wi ll acc e p t wha t h i th e rt o th e y hav e

,

d e ni e d and call wha t i s fool i sh sen si bl e and e v e n danc e yes —

,
—
b e tte r than any o ne e l se wi ll do to a tun e se t by som e one e l se
, ,

I n short th ey ”g en e rally b egi n w ell but always e nd badly

, , .

Rubbi sh ! sai d No zdre v i n answ e r to a furth e r obj e c ti on

o n hi s bro th e r i n law s part And sure e nough no soon e r had
’
- -
.
, ,

No zdrev clapp e d hi s cap upon hi s h e ad than the flaxe n ha i r e d -

man starte d to follow hi m and hi s compani on .

B ut the g e n tl e man has n o t pa i d for the vodka 7 u t i n

p
the o ld woman .

All ri ght all ri ght good mo th e r Look h e re bro th e r i n law

, , .
,
- -
.

Pay he r wi ll yo u for I hav e n o t a k op e ck l e ft

, ,
”
.

Ho w much ? i nqu i r e d the bro th e r i n law

”
- -
.

What si r ? E i ghty k op e c ks i f you pl e a se re pl i e d the o ld

,
”
, ,
woman .

A li e ! Gi ve he r half a roubl e That wi ll be qu i te e noug h . .

No i t wi ll not bari n pro te ste d the old w oman Ho w e v e r

,
”
, , .
,
she took the mon e y gra te fully and e v e n ran t t
o he door to op e n ,
i t for the g e n tl e m e n As a ma tte r o f fac t she had lo st no th i ng
.
,

by th e t ransacti on si nc e she had d e mand e d fully a quarte r more

,
than the vodka was worth .
 D e ad S o ul s
The trav e ll e rs th e n took th e i r se a ts, and si nc e Chi chi ko v s
’

bri tchka k e p t alon si d e the bri tchkag h e re i n No zdre v and hi s w

- -
w
bro th e r i n law e r e se ate d , i t was po ssi bl e for all thre e men to
g
conv e rse to e th e r as th e y proc e e d e d e h i nd th e m cam e . B
g w
No zdre v s small e r bug y , i th i ts t e am o f l e an sta e horse s and
’
g
Po rp hyri and the puppy B ut i na smuch as the conv e rsati on
.

wh i ch the trav e ll e rs ma i nta i n e d was no t o f a ki nd l i e ly to k

i n te r est the r e ad e r , I g
m i h t do orse than say som e thi ng con w
h i m se lf , se e i n tha t he i s d esti n e d to play no g
st ory .

fam i l i ar to the r e ad e r se e i ng tha t

be ,

hav e e ncoun te r e d many such Fe llo ws o f the .

ki nd are kno w n a s g ay young spark s and e v e n i n th e i r bo y

”
, ,

hoo d and school days e arn a r e pu ta ti on fo r be i ng bons camarades

,
'

( th o u g h w i t h i t all t h e y com e i n fo r s om e h a rd knock s

) fo r t h e

re a son tha t the i r fac e s e vi nc e an e l e m e n t o f frankn ess d i re c tn ess , ,

and e n t e rpri se wh i ch e nabl e s t h e m so on to mak e f ri e n ds and

W
, ,

almo st b e for e o n hav e had ti m e to k d d r

log r o u n d to s t a rt a e ss ,

e t w h i l e c e m e n ti ng
w
m

fi fi fi h i fi g u la r Y ,

such f ri e nd sh i p s o r a e ter li n o st always t h e y b e gi n quarre l

“ i '

ni ty a
i
li ng the sam e e v e ni n g si nc e throu ghou t th e y are a loqu aci ous
,

, , , ,

di ssi pate d hi g h s i ri te d ov e r showy tri b e I nd e e d at th i rty

p
- -
.
, , ,

five No zdre v was j u st w hat he had b e e n at ei g hte e n and tw e nty

—he was ju st such a lov e r o f f a st l i vi n g Nor had hi s marri a ge .

i n any way chang e d hi m and the l e ss so si nc e hi s w i fe had so on

,

d e p arte d to anoth e r w orld and l e ft b e hi nd he r two chi ldre n, ,

whom he di d not w ant, arid who w e re th e re fore place d i n the

charge of a good looki n g nurse mai d N e v e r at any ti m e c oul d
-
.

he re mai n at hom e f or mor e than a si n gl e day for hi s k e e n sc ent ,

coul d range ov e r score s and s core s o f v e rsts and de te ct any ,

fai r whi ch p romi se d ball s and crowd s C on se qu e ntly i n a tri c e

—
.
/

he w ould be th e re quarr e ll i n g and cr e ati n g d i sturb anc e s o v e r ,

the gam i n g tabl e (l i k e all me n o f hi s typ e he had a p e r fe ct

‘
-
,

p assi on for card s) ye t playi ng n e i th e r a faul tl e ss n or an ove r

cle an gam e si nc e he was both a blund e re r and abl e to i ndul ge i n
,

a larg e numb e r o f i ll i ci t cuts an d o th e r d e vi c es The r e sul t was .

that the g ame ofte n e nd e d i n anot h e r k i nd o f sport al t o g e th e r .

That i s to say e i th e r he re c e i v e d a g ood ki cki ng or he had hi s

, ,

thi ck and v e r h and som e w h i sk e rs pull e d wi th the r esul t that o n

y ,

c e rtai n occasi on s he re turn e d hom e wi th one o f tho se app e nd age s

l o oki n g d e ci d e dly ragge d Ye t hi s plu m p h ealthy l o oki ng
.
,
-

che e ks w e re so robu stly consti tu te d and c ontai n e d such an ,

abundanc e o f r e cr e a ti v e vi g our th at a n e w whi sk e r soo n sprou te d

,
7 0 D e ad S o u l s
in plac e o f the o ld on e and e v e n surpa sse d i ts pre d e c e ssor
,
.

Agai n (and the followi ng i s a ph e nom e non p e cul i ar t o Ru ssi a) a

v e ry short ti m e would hav e e lap se d b e fo re onc e mo re he would
be con sorti ng wi th the v e ry croni e s who had r e c e n tly cu ff e d
—
hi m and con sorti ng wi t h th e m as though no thi ng whatso e v e r
—
had happ e n e d no re fe re nc e to the subj e ct be i ng mad e by hi m ,

and th e y t o o hold i ng th e i r t ongu e s .

In short No z dre v was at i t w e re a man o f i nci d e nt N e v e r

, , ,
.

was he p re se n t at any gath e ri ng wi tho ut so me sort of a f racas

occurri ng th e re at E i th e r he would r e qu i re to be e xp e ll e d the
.

room by g e ndarm e s o r hi s fri e nd s would ha v e t o ki ck hi m o ut

,

i nto the str e e t A t all e v e n ts should n e i th e r of tho se occurr e nc es

.
,

ta k e plac e at l e a st he di d som e th i ng of a natur e wh i ch would n o t

,

o th e rwi se h av e b e e n wi tn e sse d That i s to say, should he n o t .

play the fool i n a bu ffe t to such an e xte nt as t o mak e e v e ry on e o

sm i l e you may be sur e tha t he was e ngag e d i n lyi ng t o a d e gr e e

,

whi ch at ti m e s abash e d e v e n hi m se lf M ore o v e r the man l i e d .

,

wi thou t re ason For i n stanc e he would b e gi n t e ll i ng a story to

.
,

the e ffe ct that he po sse sse d a blu e coa te d o r a re d coa te d horse ; - -

unti l i n the e n d hi s l i ste n e rs would be forc e d t o l e av e hi m wi th

, ,

t he r e mark You are gi vi ng us som e fin e stu ff o ld fe llow ! ”

, ,

Al so me n l i k e No z dre v ha v e a pa ssi on for i n sul ti ng the i r n e i gh

,

bours wi thou t the l e a st e xcu se afford e d ( For that matte r e v e n .

a man o f good stand i ng and o f re sp e ctabl e e xte ri or—a man wi th

,

—
a star on hi s bre ast may un e xp e cte dly pre ss your hand o ne
day and b e gi n tal ki ng t o you on subj e cts o f a nature to gi v e
,

food for se ri ou s thought Ye t ju st as un e xp e cte dly may that

—
.

man start abu si ng you to your fac e and do so i n a mann e r

worthy o f a coll egi ate re gi strar rath e r than o f a man who w e ars
a star o n hi s bre ast and a spi re s to con v e rse on subj e cts whi ch
m e ri t re fl e cti on All that o n e can do i n such a ca se i s to stand
.

shruggi ng on e s should e rs i n amaz e m e n t N

’

) W e ll o z dre v had .
,

ju st such a w e akn e ss The more he b e cam e fri e ndly wi th a man

.
,
the soon e r would he i n sul t hi m and be r e ady to S pr e ad calumn i e s
,

as t o hi s r e pu tati on Ye t all the whi l e he would con si d e r hi m se lf

.

the i n sul te d on e s fri e nd and should he m e e t hi m aga i n would

’
, , ,

gre e t hi m i n the mo st am i cabl e styl e po ssi bl e and say Yo u , ,

rascal why have you gi ve n up com i ng to se e me

,
”
Thu s ta k e n .
,

all round N o zdre v was a p e rson o f many a sp e cts and num e rou s
,

pote nti al i ti e s In one and the sam e b re ath would he propo se

.

to go wi th you whi th e rso e v e r you m i ght choo se e v e n to the v e ry

(
e nd s o f the world should you so r e q u i r e or n r upon any
) t o e t e
sort o f an e n te rpri se wi th xchang any commod y
y o u o r t o e e , i t
 S o ul s D e ad7 I

for any oth e r commod i ty w hi ch yo u m i g ht car e to nam e Gu ns

— ,
.

horses dogs all w e re subj e cts fo bart e r though n o t for profi t

, ,
r

so far as y u w e r e conc e rn e d
o S uch trai ts are mo stly the ou tcom e
.

of a boi ste rou s te mp e ram e nt as i s a dd i ti onally e x e mpl i fi e d by

,

the fac t that i f at a fa i r he chanc e d to fall i n w i th a si m l e t on

p
and t o fl e e c e hi m he w ould t h e n proc e e d to buy a quan ti ty o f
,

the v e ry fi rst arti cl e s wh i ch cam e t o hand —horse collars ci gar -

,

l i g hte rs dre sse s for hi s nurse mai d f oa l s rai si n s si lv e r e w e rs

, , , , ,

l e ng th s o f holland w h e atm e al t obacco r e volv e rs dri e d h e rri n gs

, , , , ,

pi ctur e s wh e tston e s crock e ry boo ts and so forth unti l e v e ry

, , , , ,

atom o f hi s mon e y was e xhau ste d Ye t se ldom w e re th e se arti cl e s .

conv e ye d hom e si nc e as a rul e the sam e day saw th e m lo st to

, , ,

s om e mor e sk i lful gambl e r i n add i ti on t o hi s p i p e hi s t ob acco

, ,

pouch hi s mou thpi e c e hi s four horse d turn o ut and hi s coach

, ,
- -
,

man : wi th the r e sul t that stri pp e d t o hi s v e ry shi rt he w ould

, ,

be forc e d t o be g the loan o f a v e hi cl e from a fri e nd .

S uch was Nozdre v S om e may say that characte rs o f hi s typ e

.

hav e b e com e e xti nct that the No z dre vs no long e r e xi st Alas !

,
.

such as say thi s w i ll be wrong ; fo r many a day mu st pa ss b e for e

the No zdre vs wi ll hav e d i sapp e are d from our ke n E v e rywh e re

—
.

the y are to be se e n i n o ur m i d st the only d i ff e r e nc e b e tw e e n

the n e w and the old b e i n g a di ffe r e nc e o f garm e n ts P e rson s o f .

sup e rfici al ob se rva ti on are ap t t o con si d e r t ha t a man clad i n a

d i ffe re n t coat i s qu i te di ff e re nt P§I § 9£l from what he us ci t o be

w
.

To conti nu e T he thr ee vehi cle s bowl e d up t o the ste p s o f

.

No z dre v s hou se and th e i r occupants al i ghte d B ut no pr e para

’
, .

ti on s whatso e v e r had b e e n mad e fo r the gu e sts r e c e p ti on for

’
,

on som e w ood e n tr e stl e s i n the c e ntre o f the d i n i ng room a -

coupl e o f p e a sants w e r e e nga ge d i n whi te wa shi ng the c e i li ng

and drawl i ng out an e ndl e ss song as th e y spla sh e d th e i r stu ff
abou t the floor Hasti ly b i dd i n g p e asan ts and tre stl e s be g on e
‘
.
,

No zdre v d e parte d to ano th e r room wi th furth e r i n structi on s

’

Ind e e d so audi bl e was the sound o f hi s vo i c e as he ord e re d

—
,

di nn e r that Chi chi ko v w ho was b e gi nni n g to f e e l hungry onc e

—
more was e nabl e d to gath e r that i t would be at l e a st five
o clock b e fore a m e al o f any ki nd would be avai labl e O n hi s
’
.

re turn No z dre v i nvi te d hi s compani on s to i n sp e ct hi s e stabli sh

—
,

m e nt e v e n though as e arly as two o clock he had to ann o unc e ’

tha t no thi n g mor e was to be se e n .

The t our b e gan wi th a vi e w of the stabl e s wh e re the par ty ,

saw two m ar es the o n e a gr e y and the o th e r a roan and a col t

( ) ,

whi ch latte r ani mal though far fro m sho wy No zdre v d e clare d
, ,

to hav e co st hi m te n t hou sand roubl e s .

7 2 D e ad S o u l s
”
You pai d te n thou sand roubl e s for the bru te ! e x
never
clai m e d the broth e r i n law He i sn t w orth e ve n a thousand
- -
.
” ’
.

B y Go d I di d pay te n thou sand ! asse rte d No zdre v

,
.

You can swe ar that as much as you li k e re torte d the 1

o the r .

Wi ll you be t that I di d not ? aske d No zdre v but the ,

brothe r i n law d e cl i n e d the o ffe r

- -
.

Ne xt Nozdre v show e d hi s gu e sts som e e mp ty stall s whe re a

,

nu m b e r o f e qually fine ani mal s (so he all e g e d ) had late ly stood .

Al so the re was on vi e w the goat whi ch an o ld b e l i e f sti ll consi d e rs

to be an i nd i sp e n sabl e adjunct to such plac e s e v e n thou g h i ts ,

appare nt use i s to pace up and down b e n e ath the no se s o f the

horse s as though the place b e longe d to i t Th e re afte r the ho st .

t oo k hi s gu e sts to loo k at a young wolf whi ch he had g ot ti e d to

a chai n . He i s fe d o n nothi ng but ra w m e a t he e xplai n e d , ,
“
for I want hi m to grow up as fi e rc e as po ssi ble ”
Th e n the .

party i nsp e cte d a pond i n whi ch th e re w e re fish o f such a si ze

tha t i t would ta k e two me n all th e i r ti m e to l i ft o n e o f th e m o ut
”
.

Thi s pi e c e of i nformati on was re c e i ve d wi th re n e we d i n cre du

li ty o n the part o f the bro th e r i n law — -
.

No w Chi chi ko v w e nt on No zdre v

,
”
,
le t m e Show yo u a ,

truly magn i fi c e nt brac e o f dog s The hardn e ss o f th e i r mu scl e s .

”
wi ll surpri se yo u and th e y have j owl s as sharp as n e e dl e s
, .

S o sayi ng he le d the way to a small but n e atly bu i lt she d

, ,
-
,

surround e d o n e v e ry si d e wi th a f e nc e d i n run E nte ri ng thi s -

.

run the vi si tors b e he ld a numb e r o f dogs o f all sorts and si ze s

,

and colours In th e i r m i d st No zdre v look e d l i k e a fath e r lord i ng

—
.

”
i t ove r hi s fam i ly ci rcl e Ere cti ng th e i r tai l s th e i r ste m s
—
.
,

as do
g fanc i e r s call t ho se m e mb e r s t he an i mal s cam e boun di n g
to gre e t the party and fully a scor e of th e m lai d th e i r paw s upon
,

Chi chi ko v s should e rs I nd e e d o ne do g was mov e d wi th such

’
.
,

fri e ndli n ess that standi ng o n i ts hi nd l e gs i t l i ck e d hi m on the li ps

, , ,

and so force d hi m to Spi t That don e the vi si tors duly i nsp e cte d
.
,

the coupl e alre ady m e n ti on e d and e xpre sse d a st on i shm e n t at ,

th e i r mu scl e s Tru e e nough th e y w e re fine an i mal s N e xt the

.
, .
,

party looke d at a Cri m e an bi tch whi ch though bl i nd and fast ,

n e ari ng he r e nd had two ye ars ag o b e e n a truly magni fice nt

, , ,

dog A t all e v e nts so sai d No zdre v N e xt cam e ano th e r b i t ch

—
.
, .

al so bl i nd ; the n an i nsp e cti on o f the wate r m i ll whi ch lacke d -

,
the sp i ndl e soc k e t wh e re i n the upp e r ston e ought have b e en
-

”
re volvi ng flu tte ri ng to use the Ru ssi an p e asant s qu ai n t
,
’

ex pre ssi on .B ut n e ve r mi nd ”
sa i d No z dre v L e t us proce e d
, .

to the bla ck sm i th s shop ”

S o to the blac k sm i th s Shop the p arty
’ ’
.
 D e ad S o u l s 73
proce e d e d and wh e n the sai d Shop had b e e n Vi e w e d No zdre v
, ,

sa i d as he po i n te d t o a fi e ld :

In thi s fi e ld I hav e se e n such numb e rs of hare s as to re nd e r

the ground qu i te i nvi si bl e I nd e e d on one occasi on I wi th m y
.
, ,

o wn hand s caught a har e by the hi nd l e g s

”
.
,

You n e v e r caught a hare by the hi nd l e gs wi th your hand s !

re mark e d the bro th e r i n law - -
.

B ut I di d re i te rate d No zdre v How e v e r le t me S h ow .

,

y o u th e boundary w h e r e my land s com e t o an e n d .

S o sayi ng he starte d to conduct hi s gu e sts acro ss a fi e ld

,

whi ch consi ste d mostly of mole he ap s and i n whi ch the party had ,

t o p i ck th e i r way b e tw e e n stri p s of plou g h e d la nd and o f har

row e d S oon Chi chi ko v b e gan to fe e l w e ary for the terrai n was
.
,

so lo w lyi n g tha t i n many spo ts wa t e r could be h e ard squ e lch i n g

-

und e rfoot and thou g h for a whi l e the vi si tors w at ch e d th e i r

, .

fe e t and ste pp e d care fully the y soon p e rc e i v e d that such a

, ,

course avai l e d th e m no thi n g and took to followi n g th e i r n ose s

, ,

wi thou t e i th e r se l e cti ng or avoi di ng the spots w h e re the m i re

happ e n e d to be d e e p e r o r the r e v e rse A t l e n gth w h e n a con .
,

S i de rable d i stanc e had b e e n cov e r e d . th e y cau g ht si g ht o f a ,

bound ary po st and a narro w d i tch

-
.

Th at i s the boundary sai d Nozdre v

”
,
Ev e rythi n g that .

y o u se e o n th i s si d e o f t he po st i s m i n e as w e ll a s t he f or e st o n ,

the o th e r si d e o f i t and w ha t l i es be yond the f or e st

”
.
,

When di d that f ore st b e com e yours ? aske d the brothe r i n -

law . I t canno t be lon g si nc e yo u purcha se d i t for i t n e v e r used ,

”
to be yours .

Ye s i t i sn t lon g si nc e I purcha se d i t sai d Nozdre v

,
’
,

Ho w lon g ?
How long ? W hy I purcha se d i t thre e days ago and gave
, ,

a pre tty sum for i t as the d e v i l kn o w s !,

Ind e e d ? Why thre e days ago youw e re at the fai r ?

,

Wi se acre ! C annot on e be at a fai r and buy land at the sam e

ti m e ? Ye s I was at the fai r and m y ste ward bought the lan d
, ,

i n m y ab se nc e ”
.

O h your steward bought i t The broth e r i n law se e m e d

, .
- -

doub tful and shook hi s h e ad

, .

The gu e sts r e turn e d by the sam e rou te as tha t by whi ch th e y ,

had com e ; wh e re afte r o n r e achi ng the hou se Nozdre v con

, ,

ducte d the m to hi s study whi ch contai n e d n o t a trace of the

thi n g s u sually to be found i n such apar tm e n ts—such th i n gs as
,

books and pap e rs O n the contrary the only arti cle s t o be se en

'

—
.
, ,

w r sword and a brac e of guns the one of th e m w orth thre e

e e a
74 . D e ad S o ul s
hundre d roubl e s and the o th e r abou t e i ght hundre d The
—
.
,

brothe r i n law i nsp e cte d the arti cl e s i n qu e sti on and th e n shoo k

-
,

hi s h e ad as b e fore N e xt the vi si tors w e re shown som e re al

.
,

Turki sh dagge rs o f whi ch on e bore the i nadv e rte nt i nscri p ti on

, ,

S ave li Si bi ri ako v Maste r Cu tl e r Th e n cam e a barre l organ

1 ”
,
.
-
,

o n whi ch No z dre v start e d t o play s om e tun e o r ano th e r Fo r a .

whi l e the sound s w e re n ot wholly unpl e a si ng but sudd e nly ,

som e thi ng se e m e d t o go wrong for a mazu rk a starte d to be , ,

follow e d by Marlborough has gon e to the war and to thi s ”

, ,

agai n th e re succe e d e d an anti quate d wal tz Al so long afte r

,
.
,

Nozdre v had c e a se d to turn the handl e o n e parti cularly shri ll ,

pi tche d pi p e whi ch had throughou t re fu se d t o harmoni se wi th

, ,

the r est k e p t up a pro tracte d wh i stl i ng on i ts own accoun t Th e n

—
.

followe d an e xhi bi ti on o f tobacco pi p e s p i p e s o f clay of wood , ,

o f m e e rschaum p i p e s smo k e d and non smo k e d

,
p i p e s wrapp e d -

i n chamo i s l e ath e r and n o t so wrapp e d ; an am be r moun te d -

hook ah ( a stak e won at card s) and a t obacco pouch (work e d i t ,

was all eg e d by som e coun tess who had fall e n i n lov e wi th

,

Nozdre v at a posthou se and who se hand i work No zdre v av e rre d

t o con sti tu te the subl i m i ty o f su e rflui t
p y
—,

a t e rm wh i ch ,

i n the No zdre vi an vocabulary purporte d t o si gn i fy the acm e o f ,

p e rfe cti on) .

Fi nally afte r som e hors d oeuvres o f sturg e on s back th e y sat -

’ ’

—
, ,

down to tabl e the ti m e b e i ng th e n n e arly five o cloc k B ut ’

.

the m e al di d n o t con sti tu te by any m e an s the b e st o f wh i ch

Chi chi ko v had e ve r partak e n se e i ng tha t som e o f the d i sh e s ,

we re ove rcook e d and othe rs we re scarc e ly cook e d at all E vi

, .

de ntly th e i r compound e r had tru ste d chi e fly t o i n sp i rati on

she had lai d hold o f the first thi ng wh i ch had happ e n e d t o com e

to hand Fo r i n stanc e had p e pp e r r e pre se n t e d the n e ar e st

.
,

arti cl e W i thi n r e ach she had add e d p e pp e r whol e sal e Had a

, .

cabbage chance d to be so e ncounte re d she had pre sse d i t al so ,

i nto the se rvi c e And the sam e wi th m i lk bacon and p e as
.
, , .

I n short he r rule se e m e d to have b e e n Mak e a ho t d i sh o f som e

,

sort and som e so rt o f a ta ste w i ll r e sul t

, Fo r the r e st No z dre v .
,

dre w he a vi ly upon the wi n e E v e n b e fore the soup had b e e n .

se rv e d he had poure d o ut for e ach gu e st a bump e r o f port and

,

anoth e r o f haut sauterne

( N e v e r i n prov i nc i al t own s is
.

ordi nary vulgar sau te rn e e v e n procurabl e) N e xt he call e d

, ,
.
,
for a bottl e o f mad e i ra as fin e a ti l v r a mar hal
'

pp e as e e fi e ld s -

d ank
r but the mad e i ra only burn t the mou th si nc e the
,
de al e rs fam i l i ar wi th the taste o f o ur land e d g e n try w ho lov e
,
(
1
Th at i s to say, a di sti ncti ve ly Ru ssi an n ame .
7 6 D e ad S o u l s
No no my fri e nd The r eal re ason i s that she i s a good and
, ,
.

t ru stful woman and tha t she do e s a gr e at d e al for me

,
The .

t e ars spri ng t o my e y e s as I thi n k o f i t Do no t d e tai n me A s . .

an honou rabl e man I say that I mu st g o O f that I do assure .

”
you i n all si nc e ri ty .

Oh le t hi m go p ut i n Chi chi ko v und e r hi s bre ath What

, ,
.

use w i ll he be h e r e ?
Ve ry we ll sai d No z dre v though damn i t I do n o t l i k e
, , , ,
”
fe llows who lo se th e i r h e ad s Th e n he add e d to hi s bro th e r i n .
-

1
law : All ri ght The tuk Off yo u go to your wi fe and your
,
.

woman s tal k and may the d e vi l go wi th you !

’
,

Do n ot i n sult me wi th the te rm The tuk re tort e d the ,

bro th e r i n law
-
T o he r I owe my l i fe and she i s a d e ar good
-
.
, ,

woman and has shown me much affe cti on At the v e ry thou ght
,
.

o f i t I c ould w e e p Yo u se e she wi ll be a sk i ng me what I have

.
,

se e n at the fa i r and te ll he r abou t i t I mu st fo r she i s such a d e ar

, , ,
”
good woman .

The n off yo u go to he r wi th your pack o f li e s H e re i s your .

No , good fri e nd you ,

are n o t to s peak he r l i e tha t
of y k . B
so doi ng you o ffe nd me gre atly I say tha t she i s a d e ar ,

g ood w oman ”
.

The n run along hom e to he r .

Yes I am ju st go i ng E xcu se me fo r havi ng b e e n unabl e to

, .

stay Gladly w ould I have stay e d but re ally I canno t ” ‘

—
.
.
,

Th b ro th e r i n law r e p e a te d hi s e xcu se s agai n and agai n

e -

wi thou t noti ci ng that he had e nte re d the bri tchka that i t had ,

passe d through the gate s; and that he was now i n the op e n

co un try P e rm i ssi bly we may suppo se that hi s wi fe succ e e d e d i n
.

gl e ani ng from hi m fe w d e tai l s o f the fai r .

“
What a fool ! sai d No zdre v as stand i ng by the wi ndow,
”
,

he w atch e d the d e parti ng v e hi cl e Ye t hi s o ff horse i s n o t such .

-

a bad o n e Fo r a lon g ti m e pa st I hav e b e e n wan ti ng to e t hold

g
.

ofit .A man li k e that i s si mply i mpossi bl e Ye s he i s a The tuk .

, ,
a r e gular The tuk .

Wi th that th e y re pai re d to the parlour wh e re o n Porp hyri , ,

br ng ng candl e s Chi chi ko v p e rce i ve d that hi s host had produc e d

i i
,

a p ack o f card s .

I ll you wha t sa i d No zdre v pre ssi ng the si d es of the

t e
, ,

p c k og e th e r and the n sl i ghtly b e nd i ng th e m so tha t the pac k

a t ,
,

Ru ssi an s h i h
c p er s a j
re u di ce a g ai n s t the i ni ti al c h arac te r o f the wo r d
na me ly , t h G k0
e re e or ih
.
 D e ad S o ul s 77
cr ke d and a card fle w o ut Ho wwould i t be if to pa ss the
.
,

ti me I w e r e to m ak e a ban k of t hr e e hundre d ?
,

C i chi ko v pre te nd e d no t t o hav e h e ard hi m but re mark e d

h
wi th a mai r o f h avi ng ju st r e coll e c te d a forgo tte n poi nt
‘
,

B y the way I had om i tte d to say tha t I hav e a r e qu e st to

,
”
make lo f you .

Wha t r e qu est ?
Fi rst gi v e me your w ord tha t yo u wi ll g rant i t .

What i s the r e qu e st I say ? ,

Th e n yo u gi v e me your w ord do you ? ,

C e rtai nly .

Your w ord of honour ?

My w ord o f honour
,
”
.

Th i s th e n i s my r e q u est I pre sum e th at you hav e a larg e

, ,
.

nu m b e r o f d e ad se rf s w ho se nam e s hav e n o t ye t b e e n r e m ov e d
fro m the re vi si on li st ?
I have B ut why do yo u ask ?
.

B e cau se I want you to m ak e the m ov e r to me .

O f wha t use would th e y be to yo u ?

N e v e r m i nd I hav e a purpo se i n w anti ng th e m
. .

Wha t purpose ?
A purpo se wh i ch i s stri c tly my o wn a ffa i r I n short I n e e d .
,

th e m
”
.

Yo u se e m to hav e ha tch e d a v e ry fin e sch e m e Out wi th i t .

,

no w ! Wha t i s i n the w i nd ?
Ho w could I hav e ha tch e d such a sch e m e as yo u say ? On e
could n o t v e ry w e ll ha tch a sch e m e o ut of such a tri fl e as thi s ”
.

Th e n for w ha t purpo se do you w ant the se rfs ?

O h the curi o si ty o f the man ! He wants to pok e hi s fing e rs
,

i n to and sm e ll ov e r e v e ry d e ta i l !
Why do you d ecl i n e to say wha t i s i n your m i nd ? A t all
e v e n ts un ti l yo u do say I shall n o t mov e i n the ma tt e r
”
.
,

B ut ho w w ould i t b e n e fi t yo u to kno w w ha t my plan s are ?

A whi m has se i ze d me Tha t i s all No r are you playi ng fa i r
. . .

Yo u hav e g i v e n me your w or d o f honour ye t no w yo u are tryi ng ,

”
to back o ut o f i t .

No ma tte r w ha t yo u d e si re me to do I d e cl i n e to do i t unti l
,
”
y o u hav e t old m e your purpo se .

What am I to say to the fe llow ? thoug ht Chi chi ko v He .

r e fl e c te d for a mom e nt and th e n e xpla i n e d tha t he wan te d the

,

de ad soul s i n ord e r to acqu i r e a b e tte r stand i ng i n soc i e ty si nc e ,

at pr e se n t he po sse sse d l i ttl e land e d prop e rty and only a hand f ul ,

o f se rfs .
7 8 D e ad S o u l s
You are lyi ng sa i d No zdre v wi thou t e v e n l e tti ng hi m
,

fin i sh Ye s you are lyi ng my good fri e nd

.
,
”
.

Chi chi ko v h i m se lf p e rc e i v e d tha t hi s d e vi c e had b e en a

clum sy o n e and hi s pr e t e xt w e a k
,
I mu st t e ll hi m strai g h t .

”
o ut ,
he sa i d to h i m se lf as he pull e d hi s w i ts tog e th e r .

S hould I te ll yo u the tru th he add e d aloud I must be g

”
, ,

of you no t to re p e a t i t The tru th i s tha t I am thi nki ng o f

.

g e tti ng marri e d B ut unfortuna te ly my b e tro th e d s fathe r and

.
, ,
’

mo th e r are v e ry ambi ti ou s p e opl e and do n o t wan t me to marry ,

he r si nc e th e y d e si r e the b ri d e groom to own n o t l e ss than thr e e

,

hundre d soul s wh e re a s I own but a hundr e d and fi fty and tha t

, ,

numb e r i s n o t su ffi ci e nt .

Agai n yo u are lyi ng sai d No z dre v , .

Th e n l o ok h e re ; I hav e b e e n lyi ng only to thi s e xte n t .

A nd Chi chi ko v m ark e d o ff upon hi s l i ttl e fi ng e r a m i nu t e p o rti on .

N e v e rth”e l e ss I wi ll be t my h e a d that you hav e be e n lyi ng

throughou t .

Com e com e ! Tha t i s n o t v e ry ci vi l of yo u Why should I

, .

hav e b e e n lyi ng ?
B e cau se I know you and k now th at you are a re gular ,

ski n fli nt . I say that i n all fri e nd shi p If I p o sse sse d any pow e r .

”
ov e r you I sho uld hang you to the n e ar e st tre e .

Thi s re m ark hurt Chi chi ko v for at an y ti m e he d i sl i k e d ,

e xpr e ssi on s gro ss o r o ff e n si v e t o d e c e n cy a n d n e v e r allow e d

—
any o n e n o n o t e v e n p e rso n s of the hi gh e st ran k—to b e hav e
,

toward s hi m Wi th an u n du e m e asu re o f fa m i l i ari ty Co n se .

qu e ntly hi s se nse o f umb rag e on the p re se n t occ asi on was

unbound e d .

‘
f By G o d I would hang
yo u r e p e a t e d N o z d re v I sa
,
y .

thi s fran k ly and n o t for the pu rp o se of o ff e nd i ng you but

,
,

S i mply to c ommuni cate to you my fr”i e n dly op i ni o n ”

.

To e v e rythi ng the re are li m i ts r e to rte d Chi chi ko v sti fly , .

If you wan t to i ndulg e i n sp e eche s of that sort you had b e tte r

re tu rn to the b arrac k s ”
.

How e v e r aft e r a p au se he a dd e d :
,

If yo u do n o t care to g i v e me the se rfs why n o t sell th e m ? ,

S ell th e m ? I know you you rascal ! Yo u wouldn t g i v e me,
’

v e ry much fo r th e m would you ? ,

“
0
A n c fe llow ! Loo k h e re What are th e y to you ? S o many
i e .

d i amond s e h ? ,

I thought so ! I know you !

Pardon m e but I could wi sh tha t you w e re a m e mb e r o f the
,
 D e ad
S o ul s 79
e con trary to Show yo u t ha t I am n o t a u sur e r I w i ll
, ,

a sk o f you a si ngl e k op e ck for the s rf s. All tha t you e

to buy that col t of m i n e and th e n I wi ll thro w i n the

,

I wan t wi th your col t ? sa i d Chi chi ko v ,

he d a t the propo sal .

a t should you wan t w i th hi m ? Why I hav e bough t hi m ,

for t e n thou sand roubl e s and am r e ady t o le t you hav e hi m for

,

fo urf
’

I ask you aga i n : o f wha t u se could the col t po ssi bly be to

me ? I am n o t the k e e p e r o f a bre e d i ng e stabl i shm e n t .

Ah ! I se e tha t you fa i l to und e rstand me L e t me sugg e st .

tha t you pay down a t onc e thr e e thou sand roubl e s of the
purcha se mon e y and l e av e the o th e r thou sand un ti l la t e r
,
.

B u t I do n o t m e an to buy the col t damn hi m ! ,

Th e n buy the roan mar e .

”
No nor the ro a n m are
,
.

Th e n you shall hav e bo th the mare and the gr e y horse w hi ch

”
y o u hav e se e n i n my st abl e s for two t hou sand roubl es .

I r e qui re no horse s a t all ”

Yo u would be
.

B ut yo u would be abl e t o se ll th e m aga i n .

abl e to g e t thri c e the i r purcha se pri c e at the v e ry first fa i r tha t

”
was h e ld .

Th e n se ll th e m at tha t fai r yourse lf se e i ng tha t you are so ,

”
c e rtai n o f maki ng a tri pl e profi t .

O h I should mak
,
”
e i t fa st e nou g h only I w an t you to b e n e fi t,

by the tran sac ti on .

Chi chi ko v duly t hank e d hi s i n te rlocu tor but con ti nu e d to ,

d e cl i n e e i th e r the gre y horse o r the roan mar e .

Th e n buy a fe w dog s sa i d No zdre v

”
,
I can se ll yo u a .

coupl e wi th hi d e s a qu i v e r e ars wi ll pri c k e d coats l i k e qu i ll s

-
, , ,

ri bs barre l shap e d and paw s so tuc k e d up a s scarc e ly to g ra ze

-

,
”
the ground wh e n th e y run .

O”f what use w ould tho se dog s be to me ? I am no t a sports

m an .

B ut I wan t yo u to hav e the dog s Li ste n I f you won t hav e

’
. .

Ti s a spl e nd i d i nstrum e n t
’
the dog s th e n buy my barr e l organ
,
-
. .

AS a man o f honour I t e ll yo u tha t w h e n n e w i t co st me fifte e n

, ,

hundre d roubl e s W e ll yo u Shall hav e i t for n i n e hundre d

.
, .

Com e com e ! What should I wan t wi th a barre l organ ? I

,
-

am n o t a G e rman to go haul i ng i t abou t the road s and b e ggi n g

,
”
fo r copp e rs .

B ut th i s i s qu i te a d i ff e r e n t k i nd o f org an from the o n e w h i ch

 80 D e ad S o ul s
Ge rman s tak e abou t wi th th e m Yo u se e i t i s a real organ .
,
.

Loo k at i t for yourse lf I t i s mad e of the b e st wood I wi ll ta k e

. .

you to ha v e ano th e r vi e w o f i t ”
.

An d se i zi ng Chi chi ko v by the hand No z dre v dr e w hi m to ward s ,

the o th e r room wh e r e i n sp i te of the fac t tha t Chi chi ko v w i th

, , ,

h i s f e e t plan t e d firmly o n th e floor a ssur e d hi s ho st aga i n , ,

and agai n tha t he kn e w e xac tly wha t the organ was l i k e

, ,

he was forc e d onc e mor e to h e ar how M arlborough we n t to

the war .

Th e n S i nc e you don t care to g i v e me any mon e y for i t

,
’
,

p e rsi ste d No zdre v l i ste n to the followi ng propo sal I wi ll gi v e

,
.

o u t h e barr e l org an and all the d e ad soul s wh i ch I po sse ss and

-

y ,

i n r e turn yo u shall g i v e me your bri tchka and ano th e r thr e e ,

”
hundre d roubl e s i nto the barga i n .

Li ste n to the man ! I n tha t ca se wha t should I hav e l eft ,

to dri v e i n ?
O h I would stand you anoth e r bri tchka C om e to the coach
,
.

hou se and I wi ll S how you the o n e I m e an I t only n e e d s re

,
.

pai nti ng to look a p e rf e c tly spl e nd i d bri tchka .

The ramp i ng i ncorri g i bl e d e vi l !

,
thou g ht Chi chi ko v to
hi mse lf as at all hazard s he re solv e d to e scap e from bri tehkas ,

organs and e ve ry sp e c i es o f dog howe ve r marv e llou sly barre l

, ,

ri bb e d and tuc k e d up o f paw .

5;
And i n e xchang e you shall hav e the bri téhka the barre l
, ,
”
organ and the d e ad soul s re p e ate d No zdre v
, , .

I mu st d e cli n e the offe r sa i d Chi chi ko v

”
, .

And why ?
’
—
B e cau se I don t want the thi ng s I am full up alre ady .

I can se e that yo u don t know how thi ngs should be don e ?

’

b e tw e e n good fri e nd s and comrad e s Pla i nly you are a man o i k ‘

.

”
two fac e s .

What do you m e an you fool ? Th i nk for yourse l f Why

,
Q .

should I acqu i r e arti cl e s wh i ch I don t w an t ?

’

S ay no more abou t i t i f you pl e a se I have qu i te tak e n

, . .

your m e a sur e B ut se e h e re S hould yo u care to play a gam e of g

. .

bank e r ? I am re ady to stak e bo th the d e ad soul s and the barr e l

g
”
organ at card s .

No ; to l e av e an i ssu e to card s m e an s to subm i t one se lf to

the unk nown
”
sai d Chi chi ko v cov e rtly glanci ng at the pack
, , g,
wh ch i N o z dre v had go t i n hi s hand s S om e how the way i n w hi ch ” .

hi s compan i on had cu t that pack se e m e d to hi m su sp i ci ou s

i!
m

Why to the unknown

.

ask e d N ozdre v Th e re i s n o fj .
'

such thi ng as the unknown S hould luck be on your si d e you i t

.
’

,
 D e ad S o u l s 8I
d e vi l knows w hat a haul O h luck luck ! he w e n t
.
, ,

g to d e al i n the hop e o f rai si n g a quarr e l

,
H e re .

ni n e upon whi ch the o th e r ni ght I lost e ve ryth i ng

, ,
.

kn e w that I should lo se my mon e y S ai d I to myse l f : .

tak e yo u you fal se accurse d card !

, ,

No zdre v u tte re d the word s Po rp hyri e nte re d wi th a .

e of l i quor ; but Chi chi ko v d e cl i n e d e i th e r to play o r

Why do you r e fu se to play ? a sk e d Noz dre v

‘
.

B e cause I fe e l i ndi spo se d to do so More ove r I m u st con fe ss

.
,

that I am ho gr e at hand at card s

”
.

Why are you no gre at hand at th e m ?

Chi chi ko vshru gge d hi s should e rs B e cau se I am not he
.
,

re pl i e d .

You are no gre at hand at anythi ng I thi nk

w ag g i ”
.

WW
,

atte r made me e o u
.

The tru th i s yo u are a The tuk, and no thi ng e l se nce upon . O

I g f
a ti m e b e l i e ve d you to be a ood e llow , but n ow se e that you I
don t und e rstand ci vi l i ty On e cannot sp e ak to you as one ould
’
. w
t o an i n ti mate , for th e r e i s n o frankn e ss o r si nc e ri ty abou t yo u
—
.

g
You are a re ular S o bake vi tch ju st such ano th e r as he ”
.

Fo r what r e a son are yo u abu si n me ? Am i n any way at g I

faul t fo r d e cl i ni ng to play card s ? S e ll me tho se soul s i f you are
”
the man t o h e si ta te ov e r such rubb i sh .

The foul fi e nd tak e you ! I

was abou t to hav e i v e n th e t o g m
g
you fo r nothi n , but no w you shan t hav e th e at all n o t i f
’
m —
g
you o ffe r me thre e ki n dom s i n e xchan e H e nc e ort h wi ll g . f I
g w
hav e no thi n to do i th you , you cobbl e r, you d i rty blacksm i th !
g g
Porp hyri , o and te ll the o stl e r to i v e the e n tl e man s horse s
’
g
no oats, but only hay .

i
Th s d e v e lopm e nt Chi chi ko v had scarc e ly e p e cte d e — x
And do you , add e d Nozdre v to hi s u e st, g e t out of my
”
g
g
Si ht .
”

f
Ye t i n Spi te o thi s, ho st and gu e st took supp e r t o e th e r g
g
e v e n t hou h o n thi s occa si on the t abl e was adorn e d i th n o w
w i n e s o f ficti ti ou s nom e nclatur e , but o nly i th a bo ttl e hi ch w w
g
re are d i ts sol i tary h e ad b e si d e a ju o f hat i s u sually kno n as w w
vi n ordi nai re Wh e n supp e r was ov e r Nozdre v sai d to Chi chi ko v
.

as he conduc t e d hi m t o a si d e room wh e r e a be d had b e e n ad e m

up
Thi s i s w h e re you are to sl e e p I cann o t ve ry w e ll wi sh yo u
.

g ood ni ght
-
”
.

L e ft to hi m se l f on No zdre v s d e parture Chi chi ko v fe lt i n a

’
,
82 D e ad S o u l s
most un e nvi abl e fram e o f mi nd Full o f i nward v e xati on be
.
,

blam e d hi m se lf bi tte rly fo r havi ng com e to se e thi s man and so

waste d v aluabl e ti m e ; but e v e n more di d he blam e hi m se lf fo r
—
havi ng told hi m o f hi s sch e m e fo r havi ng acte d as care l e ssly
as a chi ld o r a madman Of a sure ty the sch e m e was not on e
.

whi ch ought to ha v e b e e n confi d e d to a man li k e No z dre v for ,

he was a wor thl e ss fe llow who m i ght li e abou t i t an d app e nd ,

addi ti ons to i t and spre ad such stori e s as would gi ve ri se to

,

God knows what scandal s ”

Thi s i s i nd e e d bad ! Chi chi ko v
.

sa i d to h i m se lf I ha v e b e e n an ab solu te fool ”
Co nse qu e ntly
—
. .

he sp e nt an un e a sy n i ght hi s un e a si n e ss b e i ng i ncre ase d by the

fact that a numb e r of small but vi gorou s i n se cts so f easte d upon
, ,

hi m that he could do no thi ng but scra t ch the spo ts an d e xclai m ,

The d e vi l tak e yo u and N o z dre v ali k e ! O nly whe n morni ng

was approachi ng di d he fall a sl e e p O n ri si ng he mad e i t hi s
.
,

first bu si ne ss (afte r donni ng dre ssi ng gown and sl i ppe rs) to cro ss -

the courtyard to the stabl e for the purpo se o f ord e ri ng S e li fan

,

to harn e ss the bri tchka Ju st as he was r e turn i ng from hi s e rrand

.

he e ncoun te re d No zdre v clad i n a dr e ssi ng go wn and holdi ng

,
-

a pi p e b e twe e n hi s te e th .

Ho st and gu e st gre e te d on e ano th e r i n fri e ndly fashi on and ,

N ozdre v i n qu i re d ho w Chi chi ko v had sl e pt .

”
Fai rly we ll re pli e d Chi chi ko v but wi th a t ouch o f dryn e ss
, ,

i n hi s ton e .

The sam e wi th myse lf sa i d No z dre v

, The tru th i s that .

such a lo t o f nasty bru te s k e p t crawl i ng ov e r me tha t e v e n to

sp e a k o f i t gi ve s me the shudd e rs Li k e wi se as the e ffe ct o f last

.
,

ni ght s doi ngs a whol e squadron o f sold i e rs se e m e d to be

’

campi ng on my che st and gi vi ng me a floggi ng Ugh ! And

, .

whom also do you thi nk I saw i n a dre am ? Yo u would n e ve r

gu e ss Why i t was S taff Captai n Po tsi e lue v and Li e u te nan t
.
,
-

K uvshi nni ko v !
”
Ye s, Chi chi ko v t o h i m se lf ,
thought and I wi sh that th e y
too would gi v e you a publ i c thra shi ng !
I fe l t so i ll ! w e nt on No zdre v And ju st afte r I had fall en
.

asl e e p som e thi ng di d com e and sti ng me Probably i t was a .

party o f hag fl e as Now dre ss yourse lf and I wi ll be wi th yo u

.
, ,

pr n ly Fi rst o f all I mu st gi ve that scoundre l o f a bai li ff

e se t .

a Wi ggi ng .

Chi chi ko v d e parte d t o hi s room t o wa sh and dre ss whi ch

;
p oc
r es s compl e te d h e e nte re d the d i ni ng room to find the
,
-

tabl e lai d wi th te a thi ng s and a bo ttl e o f rum Cl e arly no broom

.

-
.

had ye t touch e d the plac e for th e re r e mai n e d trac e s o f the

,
 84 D e ad S o ul s
I know yo u and your poor play ,
s ai d No zdre v mo vi n g a ,

ch e ssman .

In fact i t i s a long ti m e S i nce last I had a ch e ssman i n my

,

hand re pl i e d Chi chi ko v al so movi ng a pi e ce

”
, ,
.

Ah ! I k now yo u and your poor play re p e ate d No zdre v

”
, ,

m ovi ng a se cond che ssman .

I say agai n that i t i s a long ti m e S i nce last I had a ch es sman

”
in my hand And. Ch i chi ko v i n h i s turn mov e d , ,
.

“
Ah ! I know you and your poor play re pe ate d No zdre v”
, ,

fo r the thi rd ti m e as he mad e a thi rd mov e A t the same mom e nt .

the cu ff o f o ne o f hi s sl e e ve s happ e n e d to d i slodg e an oth e r ch e ss

man from i ts po si ti on .

”
Agai n I say sai d Chi chi ko v that ti s a long ti m e si nc e
, , ,
’

B ut hi ! loo k h e re ! Put that p i e c e back i n i ts plac e !

What pi e c e ?
An d almo st as Chi chi ko v spo k e he saw a thi rd
”
Thi s one .

ch e ssman comi ng i n to Vi e w b e twe e n the qu e e n s God only knows .

wh e nce that che ssman had mate ri al i se d .

No no ! shou te d Chi chi ko v as he ro se from the tabl e

,
It .

i s i mpo ssi bl e to play wi th a man l i k e yo u P e opl e don t mov e

’
.

”
thre e pi e ce s at onc e .

Ho w thre e pi e ce s Al l tha t I hav e don e i s to mak e a

—
m i stak e to move one of my pi e c es by acci d e n t I f you l i k e I .
,

wi ll forfe i t i t to you ”
.

And whe nc e has the thi rd pi e ce com e ?

What thi rd pi e ce ?
The o n e now stand i ng b e twe e n the q u e e n s ?
Ti s o n e o f your o wn p i e c e s S ur e ly you a re fo rg e tti ng ?
’
.

No no my fri e nd I have counte d e ve ry mov e and can

, , .
,

re m e mb e r e ach o n e Tha t pi e c e has only j u st b e com e add e d to

.

the board Put i t bac k i n i ts plac e I sa ”

.
y , .

”
I ts plac e ? Whi ch i s i ts plac e ? B ut No z dre v had r e dd e n e d
a good d e al I p e rc ei ve you to be a strate g i st at the gam e ”

No no good fri e nd You are the stra te g i st—though an

.
.

, , .

un succ e ssful o n e a s i t h app e n s

, . 1

I be n o f what are you suppo si ng me capabl e ? O f ch e a ti ng

‘

you ; .

I am no t suppo si ng you capabl e o f anythi ng All tha t I say .

i s tha t I Wi ll no t play wi th you any mor e .

”
B ut yo u can t r e fu se to ’
sa i d No z dre v gro wi ng h eat e d
, , .

Yo u se e the gam e has b egun

, .

Ne ve rthe less I have a ri ght no t to con ti nu e i t se e i ng tha t

,
u e no t playi ng as an hon e st man should do ”
y o ar
.
 D e ad S o ul s 85
u are —
lyi ng you
canno t tru thfully say tha t .

5 yo u who are lyi n g

”
.

I hav e not ch e a te d Con se qu e n tly you” canno t re fu se to .

gam e to a fini sh .

r e torte d Chi chi ko v coldly as ,

turn i ng to the ch e ssboard he sw e p t the p i e c e s i n to confu si on

, .

No zdrev approach e d Chi chi ko v i n a mann e r so thre a te n i ng

tha t the o th e r f e ll back a coupl e o f pac e s .

I wi ll forc e yo u to play sa i d No zdre v I t i s no use your

”
, .

m aki ng a m e ss o f the ch e ssboard f or I can re m e mb e r e ve ry ,

mov e We wi ll r e plac e the ch e ssm e n e xac tly as th e y w e re

.
”
.

No no my fri e nd The g am e i s ov e r and I play you no

, ,
'

.
,

m ore .
”

Yo u say tha t yo u wi ll no t ?
Yes S ure ly yo u can se e fo r yourse l f that suc h a thi ng i s
.

i mpo ssi bl e ?
Tha t cock w on t fig ht S ay a t onc e tha t yo u r e fu se to play
’
.

wi th me And No zdre v approach

”
. e d a st e p n e ar e r .

V e ry w e ll ; I do say tha t re pl i e d Chi chi ko v and at the

”
, ,

sa m e mom e n t ra i se d hi s hand s to w ard s hi s fac e for the d i sp ut e ,

was g rowi ng h e a t e d No r was the act o f cau ti on al tog e th e r

.

u n w arra n te d fo r No zdre v al so ra i se d hi s fist and i t m ay be

, ,

tha t o n e o f o ur h e ro s plump pl e a san t looki n g ch e e k s w ould h av e

’
-
,

su sta i n e d an i nd e l i bl e i n sul t had no t he ( Chi chi ko v) parri e d the

blo w and se i zi ng No zdre v by hi s w hi rl i ng arm s h e ld th e m fast
, , .

Po rp hyri ! Pa vlushka ! shou te d N o z dre v as m a dly he

strov e to fr e e h i m se l f .

O n h e ari ng the word s Chi chi ko v bo th b e cau se he wi sh e d to

, ,

avoi d r e nd e ri ng the se rvan ts wi tn e sse s o f the un e d i fyi ng sc e n e

an d b e cau se he f e l t t ha t i t would be o f no ava i l t o hold N o zdre v

any long e r le t g o o f the latte r s arm s ; but at the sam e mome nt ’

—
,

Po rp hyri and Pavlushka e n t e r e d the roo m a pa i r o f stou t

ra scal s wi th w ho m i t w o uld be unwi se to m e ddl e .

D o yo u o r do yo u n o t i n te nd to fin i sh the g am e ? sa i d
”
, ,

No zdre v Gi v e me a d i re c t an sw e r
.
”
.

No ; i t w i ll n ot be po ssi bl e to fini sh the gam e r e pli e d ,

Chi chi ko v g lanc i ng o ut o f the w i ndow He could se e hi s bri tchka

, .

stand i n g re ady fo r hi m and S e li fan e vi d e n tly a w a i ti n o rd t

, g er s o
draw up to the e n tranc e ste p s B ut f rom the roo m th e re was n o .

e sca e si nc e i n the d oorw ay was po st e d the coupl e o f w e l l bu i l t

p
-
,

se rvi n g me n-
.

Th e n i t i s as I say ? Yo u r e fu se to fini sh the g am e ? ”

‘

r e p e a te d No z dre v hi s fac e as re d a s fire

,
86 D e ad S o u l s
I would hav e fin i sh e d i t had you play e d l i k e a man o f honour .

”
B ut a s i t i s I canno t
, ,
.

You canno t e h yo u v1llai n ? Yo u find tha t you c annot a s

, ,
’

s oon a s you fi nd tha t you a r e n o t w i nn i n g ? Thra s h h i m y o u ,

f e llows ! An d as he S po k e No zdre v gra sp e d the ch errywood

”

s han k o f h i s p i p e C hi c hi k o v t urn
. e d a s wh i t e a s a sh e e t H e .

tri e d to say som e th i ng but hi s q u i v e ri ng l i p s e m i tt e d no sound

,
.

Thrash hi m ! agai n shoute d No zdre v as he ru sh e d forward

”

i n a stat e of h e a t and p e rspi ra ti on mor e prop e r to a warri or who

i s attac k i ng an i mpr egna bl e fortr e ss Thra sh hi m ! agai n
“ ”
.

he shou t e d i n a vo i c e l i k e tha t o f som e half d e m e n t e d l i e u t e nan t -

who se d e sp e rat e brav e ry has ac qu i r e d such a r e pu ta ti on tha t

ord e rs h av e had to be i ssu e d that hi s hand s shall be h e ld l est he
atte mp t d e e d s of o v e r pre sump tuou s d ari ng S e i z e d wi th the -
.

m i l i tary spi ri t ho w e v e r the l i e u t e n an t s he a d b e g i n s to Wh i rl

, ,
’

and b e fo re hi s e ye th e r e fli ts the i m ag e o f S u v orov He advanc e s 1

.

to the gr e at e ncoun te r and i mpul si v e ly cri e s Forward my

—
, , ,

son s ! c ri e s i t wi thou t r e fl e c ti ng that he may be spo i l i ng the

pl an o f the g e n e ral a ttac k that m i ll i on s o f ri fl e s may be pro ,

trudi ng th e i r muzzl e s throug h the e mbra sur e s of the i mpr e gn abl e ,

tow e ri ng wall s of the f o rtr e ss tha t hi s own i mpo t e n t a ssa ul t ,

may be d e sti n e d to be d i ssi pat e d l i k e du st b e for e the wi nd and ,

th at al re ady the r e may hav e b e e n launch e d o n i ts wh i stl i ng

c are e r the bull e t whi ch i s to clo se for e v e r hi s voc i f e rou s thro at .

How e v e r i f No z dre v r e se mbl e d the h e ad strong d e sp e ra te

, ,

l i e u tenant who m we hav e ju st p i c tur e d a s a dvanci ng upon a

fortre ss at l e a st the fortre ss i tse lf i n no way r e se mbl e d the
,

i mpr egnabl e stronghold whi c h I h av e d e scri b e d A s a ma tt e r .

o f fac t the f o rtr ess b e cam e s e i z e d wi th a p an i c wh i ch dro v e i ts

,

S pi ri t i nto i ts bo o ts Fi rst o f all the chai r wi th whi ch Chi chi ko v

.
,

re ss i n qu e sti on
( t h e f o r t
) s o ugh t t o d e f e nd h i m s e lf w a s wr e st e d
f m
r o h i s a s b t —
gr p y he se rfs and th e n bl i nk i ng and n e i the r
—
,

al v o d e ad he tu rn e d to p arry the Ci rc assi an p i p e ste m of

i e n r -

hi s ho st In fac t God only k now s wh at would ha v e happ e n e d

.
,

had n o t the fat e s b e e n pl e a se d b a m i racl e t o d e l i v e r Chi chi ko v s ’

y
e l e gan t bac k and should e rs f ro m t he on sla u ght S udd e nly an d .
,
a s un e xp e c t e dly a s though t he sound had com e from the cloud
s ,

th e r e m ad e i tse lf h e a rd the t i n k l i ng no t e s of a collar b e ll and -

,
th e n the rumbl e of Wh e e l s approach i ng the e n t ranc e ste p s and
, ,

la ly the snorti ng and hard bre a thi ng o f a t e am of horse s as a

s t ,

1
Th e g r e at Ru ssi an g e n e r al who , a ft er wi n n i n g f a me i n th e S e ve n
Ye ars
’
War me t wi t h di saster h
w en a tte m p ti g n to a ssi s t th e A ustri an s
g F h 7
,

a ai n st the re n c in 1 99 .
 D e ad S o u l s 87

ve hi cIe cam e a stand sti ll I nvolu ntari ly all pre se nt g lanc e d

to .

t hrou gh the wi ndo w and saw a man clad i n a se m i m i l i tary

,
-

gre atcoat l e ap from a bugg y Afte r maki ng an i nqu i ry o r two

.

i n the hall he e n te r e d the d i ni ng room ju st at the junc tur e w h e n

,
-

Chi chi ko v almo st swoon i n g wi th te rror had found hi m se lf

, ,

plac e d i n abou t as aw kward a si tua ti on as could w e ll b e fall a

mortal man .

K i ndly te ll me whi ch o f you g e ntl e m e n i s Mon si e ur No z

dre v ? sa i d the un k no w n wi th a g lanc e o f p e rpl e xi ty bo th at
the p e rson nam e d ( who was sti ll stand i ng wi t h p i p e shank -

uprai se d ) and at Chi chi ko v ( who was j u st b e gi nn i ng to r e cov e r

from hi s unpl e a sant pre d i cam e nt) .

Ki ndly te ll me w ho m I hav e the honour o f addr essi ng ?

r e torte d No zdre v as he approach e d the o fli ci al .

I am the S up e ri nte nd e nt o f Rural Poli c e ”

.

And w ha t do yo u wan t ?
I h ave com e to fulfil a commi ssi on i mpo se d upon me Tha t .

i s to say I hav e com e to plac e you und e r arr e st un ti l your ca se

,

shall hav e b e e n d e c i d e d .

Rubbi sh ! Wha t ca se pray ? ,

The ca se i n w hi ch you i nvolv e d yourse l f w h e n i n a drunk e n ,

cond i ti on and throug h the i nstrum e ntal i ty o f a w al ki ng sti c k

,
-

y o u o ff e r e d g rav e o ff e nc e t o the p e r son o f Lando w n e r Mak si mov .

Yo u li e ! To your fac e I t e ll you tha t n e v e r i n my l i f e h av e I

se t e y e s upo n Landown e r Mak si mov .

Good si r allo w me to r e pr e se n t to yo u that I am a Gov e rn

,

m e nt o fli ce r S p e e ch e s l i k e tha t you may addr ess to your

.

se rvan ts but n o t to me
,
.

A t thi s po i n t Chi chi ko v w i thou t w a i ti n g f or No z dre v s r e ply

’

, ,

se i z e d hi s cap sl i pp e d b e h i nd the S up e ri n t e nd e n t s bac k ru sh e d

’
, ,

o ut o n to the v e randah spran g i n t o hi s bri tchka and ord e r e d

, ,

S e li fan to dri v e l i k e the wi nd .

V
CE RTAINL Y Chi chi ko v was a thorou g h co w ard , for , al though
t he bri tchka pur su e d i ts h e adlon g course un ti l No zdre v s e stab
’

li shme n t had d i sapp e ar e d b e hi nd h i llock s and h e dg e ro w s, o ur

h e ro conti nu e d to glanc e n e rvou sly b e hi nd hi m, as thoug h e v e ry
mom e nt e xp e c ti ng to se e a ste rn chase b egi n Hi s bre a th cam e .

wi th d i fficul ty, and w h e n he tri e d hi s h eart wi th hi s hand s he

co ul fe e l i t flutte ri ng li k e a qua i l caught i n a n e t
d
88 D e ad S o ul s
What a sw e a t the f e llow has thrown me i nto l he thought
to h i m s e lf ,
wh i l e many a di r e and forc e ful a sp i ra ti on pa sse d
t hrough hi s m i nd . Ind e e d t h e e xp ress
,
m n s t o wh i ch h e gav e

v e nt w e re mo st i n e l egant i n th ei r nature B ut what was to be .

don e n e xt ? He was a Ru ssi an and thoroughly arou se d The ,

.

affa i r had be en no jo k e B ut for the S u p e ri n t e nd e nt

. he ,

r e fl e c te d I mi gh t n e v e r aga i n hav e loo k e d upon God s day ’

l i ght—I mi ght hav e vani sh e d li k e a bubbl e on a pool and l e ft

,

n e i th e r trac e nor poste ri ty nor prop e rty nor an honourabl e

nam e for my fu ture offspri ng to i nh e ri t ! ( i t se e m e d tha t our
h e ro was parti cularly anxi ou s wi th reg ard to hi s po ssi bl e i ssu e ) .

What a scurvy bari n ! mu se d S e li fan as he drove along .

Ne v e r hav e I se e n such a bari n I should l i k e to sp i t i n hi s fac e

. .

Ti s b e tt e r to allow a man no thi ng to e at than to r e fu se to f e e d a

’

.
—
horse prop e rly A horse n e e d s hi s oats th e y arc hi s prop e r far e .

E ve n i f yo u mak e a man procure hi s m e al s at hi s o wn e xp en se”

o

don t d e ny a horse hi s oats fo r he ought always to hav e th e m

’
,
.

An e qually poor Op i n i on of No z dre v se e m e d t o be ch e ri sh e d

al so by the ste e d s for n o t only w e re the bay and the Asse ssor
,

cl e arly o ut o f spi ri ts but e ve n the ske wbald was w e ari ng a

,

d e j e cte d ai r Tru e at hom e the ske wbald g ot non e but the

.
,

poore r sort o f oats to e at and Se li fan n e v e r fill e d hi s trough

,

wi thout havi ng fi rst call e d hi m a vi llai n ; but at l e ast t h e y were

—
oats and not hay th e y w e re stu ff whi ch could be che w e d wi th
,

a ce rtai n amount of re li sh Al so th e re was the fac t that at

.
,

i n te rval s he could i n trud e hi s long no se i n to hi s compan i on s

’

troughs ( e sp e ci ally wh e n S e li fan happ e n e d to be ab se n t from

the stabl e ) and asce rtai n what thei r prov e nd e r was l i k e
‘

B ut at .

Nozdre v s the re had b e e n nothi ng but hay ! That was no t ri ght

’
.

All thre e horse s f e l t gre atly d i sconte nte d .

B ut pr e se n tly the mal con te n ts had th e i r r e fl e cti on s cut short

i n a v e ry rud e and un e xp e cte d mann e r That i s t o say th e y . .

we re brought back to practi cali ti e s by comi ng i nto vi ol e n t

colli si on wi th a si x horse d v e hi cl e w hi l e upon th e i r h e ad s
-

d e sce nd e d both a bab e l of cri es from the ladi es i nsi d e and a

storm o f cu rse s and a bu se from the coachman Ah you .
,

damn e d fool ! he voci fe rate d I shou te d to you loud e nough !

.

Draw out you old ra v e n and ke e p to the ri ght ! Ar e you drun k

, ,
”
.

S e li fan hi m se lf f e l t con sci ou s that he had b e e n car e l e ss but

,
sin c e a Ru ssi an do e s n o t car e t o adm i t a faul t i n the pr ese nc e

o f strang e rs he r e to rte d wi th d i gn i ty :
, Why hav e you run i nto
us 2 D i d yo u l e av e your e y e s b e hi nd u t t h la t t av rn tha t
y o a e s e

y o u s t opp e d at ? Wi th that he start e d to back the bri tchka i n ,

 D e ad S o uls 89
the hop e that i t m i ght ge t cl e ar o f the oth e r 5 harn e ss but thi s ’
,

w ould not do for the pai r we re too hop e l e ssly i n te rtwi ne d

,
.

M e an w hi l e the sk e w bald snufie d curi ou sly at hi s ne w acquai n t

au c e s as t h e y st ood pl an te d o n e i th e r si d e o f hi m ; whi l e the
ladi e s i n the ve hi cl e re gard e d the s ce n e wi th an e xpre ssi on of
te rror On e o f th e m was an o ld w oman and the o th e r a damse l
.
,

o f abou t si x te e n A ma ss o f gold e n h ai r fe ll dai nti ly from a sm all

.

h e ad and the oval o f he r com e ly face was as shap e ly as an e gg

, ,

and whi te wi th the tran spare n t w hi te n ess se e n wh e n the hand s

o f a hou se wi f e hold a n e w la i d e gg t o the l i g h t t o le t the sun s ray s
’
-

filte r throu g h i ts sh e ll The sam e ti n t mark e d the mai d e n s e ars

.
’

wh e re th e y glowe d i n the sun shi n e and i n short what w i th the , , ,

t e ars i n he r W i d e O p e n arre sti n g e y e s S he prese n te d so a ttracti v e

-
, ,

a pi cture that o ur he ro b e st owe d upon i t more than a pa ssi n g

glance b e fore he turn e d hi s atte nti on to the hubbub whi ch was
b ei n g rai se d amon g the horse s and the coachm e n .

B ack out yo u roo k o f Ni zhni Novg orod ! the strange rs

,
” ’

coachm an shou te d S e li fan ti ghte n e d hi s re i ns and the o th e r

.
,

dri v e r di d the same The horse s ste pp e d back a l i ttl e and th e n

—
.
,

cam e t oge th e r agai n thi s ti m e g e tti ng a le g o r two ov e r the

trac es I n f act so pl e a se d di d the sk e wbald se e m wi th hi s n e w
.
,

fri e nd s that he re fu se d to sti r from the melee i nto w hi ch an

unforese e n chanc e had plunge d hi m Layi n g hi s mu zzl e lovi ng ly .

upon the n e ck o f o ne o f hi s re ce ntly acqu i re d acquai ntanc e s -

,

he se e m e d to be w hi sp e ri n g s om e thi n g i n that acqua i n tanc e s

’

e ar — and whi sp e ri ng pre tty non se n se too to j ud ge fro m the , ,

way i n whi ch tha t confidan t k e p t shaki n g hi s e ars .

A t l e n gt h p e a san ts from a vi llag e whi ch happ e n e d to be n e ar

the sc e n e o f the acci d e n t tac k l e d the m e ss ; and si nce a Sp e ctacl e
o f that ki nd i s to the Ru ssi an muzhi k what a n e w spap e r o r a
club m e e ti ng i s to the Ge rman the v e hi cl e s soon b e cam e the
-
,

c e ntre o f a crowd and the vi llag e d e nud e d e v e n o f i ts o ld w om e n

,

an d ch i ldr e n T he trace s w e re d i se n tangl e d and a fe w sl ap s o n

.
,

the no se f orc e d the sk e wbald to dra w back a l i ttl e ; a fte r w hi ch

the te am s w e re strai g h te n e d o ut and se parate d N e v e rth e l e ss .
,

e i th e r sh e e r ob sti nacy o r v e xa ti on at b e i ng parte d from th e i r n e w

fri e nd s cau se d the strange te am ab solu te ly to re fu se to m o ve a

le g Th e i r dri v e r lai d the w hi p abou t th e m but sti ll th e y stood
.
,

as thou g h roo t e d to the spo t A t l e n gth the par ti ci p at o ry e fforts

.

o f the p e a san ts ro se t o an unpre c e d e n te d d e g r e e o f e n t hu si asm

,

and th e y shou te d i n an i n te rm i tte n t choru s the a dvi c e D o you , ,

Andru sha t ak e the he ad o f the trace horse o n the ri ght w hile

, ,
1

Uncle Mi tai mounts the shaft horse Ge t up Uncl e Mi tai .

”
, .
9 0 D e ad S o u l s
Upon that the l e an long and re d b e ard e d Uncl e Mitai mounted
, ,
-

the Shaf t hor se ; i n w hi ch po si ti on h e look e d l i k e a Vi llag e st e e pl e

o r th e w i nd e r wh i ch i s u se d t o ra i se wa t e r from w e ll s The .

coachman whi pp e d up hi s ste e d s afre sh but nothi ng cam e o f ,

i t and Uncl e Mi tai had prov e d u se l e ss

,
Hold e n hold on ! .
,

shou te d the p e a san ts agai n Do you Uncl e M i tai mount the

.
, ,

trac e horse whi l e Uncl e M i na i moun ts the Shaft horse

”
Wh e re
—
.
,

upon Uncl e Mi nai a p e asan t wi th a pai r of broad should e rs a ,

b e ard as blac k as charcoal and a b e lly l i k e the hug e samovar i n

,

whi ch sbi ten i s bre w e d for all atte ndi ng a local mark e t haste n e d —
to se at hi m se lf upon the shaft horse whi ch almo st san k t o the ,

g round b e n e ath hi s w e i ght N ow th e y w i ll go all ri gh t !

. the
muzhi ks e xclai m e d Lay i t on ho t lay i t o n ho t ! Gi v e that
.
,

sorr e l horse the whi p and ma k e hi m sq u i rm l i k e a ko ramora

” 1
.
,

Ne ve rthe l e ss the affai r i n no way progre sse d ; wh e re fore se e i ng ,

that floggi ng was of no use Uncl e s M i tai and M i nai bo th moun te d

,

the sorr e l whi l e Andru sha se at e d hi m se lf upon the trac e horse

, .

Th e n the coachman hi m se lf lost pati e nce and se nt the two

—
,

Uncl e s abou t th e i r bu si n ess and n o t b e fore i t was ti m e se e i ng ,

that the horse s w e re ste am i ng i n a way that mad e i t cl e ar that ,

unl e ss th e y w e re fi rst wi nd e d th e y would n e ve r re ach the n e xt ,

posthou se S o th e y w e re gi v e n a mom e nt s re st That don e

.
’
.
,

th e y mov e d o ff o f th e i r o wn accord !
Throughout Chi chi ko v had b e e n gazi ng at the young um
,

known wi th gre at atte nti on an d had e ve n mad e o n e or two ,

atte mpts to e nte r i nto con v e rsati on wi th he r : but wi thou t

succ e ss . Ind e e d wh e n the lad i e s d e parte d i t was as i n a dre am
, ,

that he saw the gi rl s com e ly p re se nc e the d e l i cate f e atur e s o f

’

he r fac e and the sl e nd e r ou tl i n e o f he r form van i sh from hi s

,

si ght i t was as i n a d re am tha t onc e mo re he saw only the road ,

the bri tchka the thre e horse s S e li fan and the bare e mp ty fi e ld s
—
, , , ,
.

Ev ywh ere i n li fe ye s e ve n i n the plai n e st the di ngi e st ranks

e r
, ,
o f soci e ty as much as i n tho se whi ch are un i formly bri ght and
—
,

pr ntabl e a man may happ e n upon som e ph e nom e non whi ch

e se

i s so e n ti re ly d i ffe re n t from anyth i ng hi th e rt o k nown t o hi s

e xp e ri e nc e t hat i t arou se s i n hi m f e e l i ng s d i ff e re n t from tho se

whi ch hav e hi the rto fall e n to hi s lo t E ve rywh e re through the .

we b of so rrow o f whi ch o ur li v e s are wov e n th e r e may sudd e nly

br ak a cl e ar radi ant thre ad o f j oy ; e v e n as sudd e nly along the
e
,

Stre e t of som e poor pov e rty stri ck e n vi llag e w hi ch ord i nari ly

,
-

, ,

e bowl i ng a
se es nought but a farm waggon th e r e may com

gorge ou s coach Wi th plate d harn e ss pi cture squ e horse s, an d a ,

A ki n d o f large gnat
1
.
9 2 D e ad S o u l s
catch i nd e e d She mi ght e ve n so to sp e ak make a man o f g oo d
.
, ,
”
bre e d i ng happy .

Ind e e d so a ttracti v e ly di d the i d e a o f the two hundr e d

,

t hou sand roubl es b e g i n t o danc e b e f or e hi s i ma g i na ti on t ha t h e

f e lt a twi ng e of se lf re proach b e cau se duri ng the hubbub he had

-
, ,

no t i n q u i r e d o f th e po st i ll i on o r t he coach m an w h o th e t rav e ll e r s

mi ght be B ut soon the si ght o f S o bake vi tch s coun try hou se

.
’

di ssi pate d hi s thoughts and forc e d hi m to r e turn to hi s stock

,

subj e c t o f r e fl e c ti on .

S o bake vi tch s coun try hou se and e sta te w e r e o f v e ry fa i r

’

si z e and o n e ach S i d e o f the man si on w e r e e xpan ses o f b i rch

,

and pi n e fore st i n two shad e s o f gre e n The wood e n e d i fic e i tse lf .

the ta ste of archi te ct had d i ff e r e d from that of the propri e tor

the
-
the form e r havi ng man i f e stly b e e n a p e dan t and d e si rou s o f
symm e try and the latte r ha v i ng wi sh e d only for comfort
,
.

Conse qu e ntly he (the propri e tor) had d i sp e n se d wi th all wi ndows

o n o n e si d e of the man si on and had cau se d t o be i n se rte d i n
, ,

th e i r plac e only a small ap e rtur e wh i ch doub tl ess was i n te nd e d

, , ,

to l i ght an o th e rwi se dark lumb e r room Li k e wi se the archi

-
.
,

t e e t s b e st e fforts had fa i l e d to cau se the p e d i m e n t t o stand

’

i n the c e n tr e o f the bu i ld i ng si nc e the propr i e tor had had,

o n e o f i ts four ori g i nal column s r e mov e d E vi d e ntly dura .

bi li ty had b e e n con si d e r e d throug hou t for the court yar d ,

was e nclo se d by a strong and v e ry h i gh w ood e n f e nc e and ,

bo th the stabl e s the coach hou se and the cul i nary pr e m i ses
,
-
,

we re parti ally con struc te d o f b e am s warran te d to la st fo r

c e nturi es Nay e v e n the wood e n hu ts o f the p e a san try w e re
.
,

wond e rful i n the sol i di ty o f th e i r con structi on and no t a clay ,

wall or a carv e d patte rn or oth e r d e vi c e was to be se e n Eve ry .

th i ng fitte d e xac tly i n to i ts ri gh t plac e and e v e n the draw w e ll o f -

,
the man si on was fa shi on e d of the oa k wood u sually though t su i t
abl e only for m i ll s or sh i p s I n short wh e re ve r Chi chi ko v s e ye
.
,
’

turn e d he saw no thi ng tha t was n o t fr e e from shoddy and w e ll

and ski lfully arrang e d A S he approach e d the e ntranc e ste p s he
.

caught S i ght of two fac e s p e e ri ng from a wi ndow On e o f th e m .

was that of a woman i n a m obcap wi th f e a tur e s a s l ong and as

na row as a cucumb e r and the o th e r that o f a man wi t h fe ature s
r
,

s ( k nown a s
as broad and as short as the Moldavi an pumpk i n

g orlzanki
) wh e r e of bala lai ki — th e s p e c i e s o f l i gh t t w o str i n g e d ,
-

n rum n wh ch con sti tu te s the pri d e and the j oy o f the g ay

i st e t i
 D e ad S o uls 93
young fe llo w o f tw e n ty a s he si ts wi nki ng and sm i li ng at the
whi te n e ck e d whi te bo som e d m ai d e n s who hav e gath e re d to
—
- -
,

l i ste n to hi s lo w p i tch e d ti nkl i ng are fa shi on e d Th i s scru ti ny

-
.

m ad e bo th fac e s wi thdre w and th e re cam e o ut on to the

, ,

e n tranc e st e p s a acqu e y clad i n a g r e y jack e t and a sti ff blu e

l
collar Th i s func ti onary conduc te d Chi chi ko v i nto the hall
.
,

wh e re he was me t by the ma ste r o f the hou se hi m se l f who ,

r e qu e ste d hi s g u e st to e n te r and th e n le d hi m i n to the i nn e r,

part o f the man si on .

A cov e rt glanc e at S o bake vi tch show e d o ur h e ro tha t hi s ho st

e xac tly r e se mbl e d a mod e ra t e si z e d b e ar To compl e te the -
.

rese mblanc e S o bake vi tch s long fro ckco at and ba gg y trou se rs

,
’

w e re o f the pr e ci se colour of a b e ar s hi d e whi l e wh e n shuffli ng ’

, ,

acro ss the floor he mad e a cri ss cro ss mo ti on o f the l e g s and

,
-
,

had i n ad di ti on a con stant hab i t of tre ad i ng upon hi s com

, ,

pan i on s to e s A s f or hi s fac e i t wa s o f the warm ard e nt ti nt

’

—
.
, ,

o f a p i atok
1
P e rson s o f thi s ki nd p e rson s to who se d esi g ni ng
.

na tur e has d e vo t e d n o t much thou g ht and i n the fa sh i oni ng o f ,

who se fram e s she has u se d no i nstrum e nts so d e li ca te as a file

o r a g i ml e t and so f or th are n o t uncom m on —
S uch p e rson s S he .

m ere ly roughh e ws On e cut wi th a ha tch e t and th e re r e sul ts

.
,

a no se ,
ano th e r such cut w i th a hatch e t and t h e re ma te ri al i se s ,

a pa i r o f l i p s ; two thru sts w i th a dri ll and th e r e i ssu es a pa i r ,

o f e ye s .La stly scorn i ng to plan e d o wn the roug hn e ss she se nd s

, ,

o ut t ha t p e r son i n t o the w orld say i n g : H e re i s ano th e r l i v e ,

cre ature S o bake vi tch wa s ju st such a ra gg e d curi ou sly p ut

—
.
,

t og e th e r figure thou g h the abov e mod e l w ould se e m to hav e

b e e n follo w e d mor e i n hi s upp e r porti on than i n hi s lo w e r On e .

re sul t was tha t he se ldo m turn e d hi s h e ad to look at the p e rso n

wi th whom he was sp e ak i ng but ra th e r d i re cte d hi s e yes , , ,

t o ward s say the st ov e corn e r or the doorw ay A s ho st and g u e st

, , .

cro sse d the di ni ng roo m Chi chi ko v d i r e c te d a se cond g lanc e at

'

hi s compan i on He i s a b e ar and no thi n g but a b e ar he

.
”
, ,

thou g h t to hi m se lf And i nd e e d the strang e compari son was

.
, ,

i n e vi t abl e I nc i d e ntally So bake vi tch s Chri sti an nam e and

.
,
’

p atronym i c w e r e Mi cha e l S e me n o vi tch Of hi s habi t of tre ad i ng .

upon o th e r p e opl e s to es Chi chi ko v had b e com e fully aware ;

’

wh e re fore he ste pp e d cau ti ou sly and throug hou t allow e d hi s , , ,

ho st to tak e the l e ad A s a m a tte r o f fac t S o bake vi tch hi m se l f

.
,

see m e d con sc i ou s of hi s f a i l i n g f or at i n t e rval s he would i nqu i r e

,

I hop e I hav e no t hurt yo u ? and Chi chi ko v wi th a word o f ,

thank s w ould r e ply tha t as ye t he had su sta i n e d n o i njury

,

1
A pp co e r co i n wo rt h fiv k p k
e o ec s.
94 .
D e ad S o u l s
At e tl ng h t h e y r e ach e d t h e draw i ng ro o m wh e
-
r e S o b a ke,
v i t c h
poi nte d to an armcha i r and i n vi te d hi s gu e st to be se ate d
, .
.

Chi ch i k o v gaz e d w i t h i n t e r e st a t th e wall s and t h e p i c t ur e s In .

v
e e ry such p i c t u re t h e r e w e r e por t ray e d e i t h e r youn g m e n o r

Gre e k g e n e ral s o f the typ e of Mavro g ordato ( clad i n a re d

uni form and bre e ch e s) Kanari s and o th e rs ; and all th e se h e ro e s
, ,

w e re d e pi c te d wi th a sol i d i ty of thi gh and a w e al th o f mou stach e

whi ch mad e the b e hold e r si mply shudd e r wi th awe Among th e m .

h
t e e r w e r e plac e d a l s o accord i ng t o som e un k nown sy s t e m and
1—
, ,

for som e unk nown re a son fi rstly Bagrati on , ,

tall and thi n ,

and wi th a clu ste r of small flag s and cannon b e n e a th hi m and

—
,
,

the whol e s e t i n the narrow e st o f fram e s and se condly the , ,

Gre e k h e ro i n e B o be li na who se l eg s loo k e d larg e r than do the

, ,

whol e bodi e s of the drawi ng ro o m dandi e s o f the pre se nt day

-
.

Appare ntly the ma ste r o f the hou se was h i m se lf a man of h e al th

and stre ng th an d th e re for e l i k e d to hav e hi s apartm e nts adorn e d
,

wi th non e but fol k of e qual vi gour and robu stn e ss La stly i n .

,

the wi ndow and su sp e nd e d ch e e k by j owl wi th B o be li na t h e r e

, ,

hung a cag e wh e nc e at i nte rval s th e re p e e r e d forth a whi te

Spotte d black bi rd Li k e e v e rythi ng e l se i n the apartm e n t i t
.
,

bore a strong rese mblanc e to S o bake vi tch Wh e n ho st and gu e st .

had b e e n conve rsi ng for two m i nu te s o r so the door op e n e d

—
,

and th e re e nte r e d the ho ste ss a tall lady i n a cap adorn e d wi th

ri band s o f dom esti c colouri ng and manufac ture S he e nte re d .

d e li b e rate ly and h e ld he r h e ad as e re c t as a p alm

, .

Th i s i s my wi fe The o duli a I vanovna sa i d S o bake vi tch

,
”
,
.

Chi chi ko v approach e d and took he r hand T he fac t tha t she .

rai se d i t n e arly to the l e v e l o f hi s l i p s appri se d hi m of the

ci rcum stanc e that i t had ju st b e e n ri n se d i n cucumb e r o i l .

My d e ar allow me to i ntroduc e P aul Ivanovi tch Chi chi ko v

, ,

add e d So bake vi tch . He has the honour of b e i ng ac qua i n te d

both wi th o ur Gove rnor and wi th o ur P o stma ste r ”
.

Upon thi s The o duli a Ivanovna r e qu este d he r gu e st to be

se at e d and accompan i e d the i nv i ta ti on wi th the k i nd of bow
,

u ually e mploy e d only by ac tr e sse s who are playi ng the r ol e o f

s

qu e ns N e xt she too k a se at upon the sofa dre w around her he r

e .
, ,

m ri no gown and sat th e r e afte r wi thou t movi ng an e y e l i d o r an

e
,

e y e brow A s for Chi chi ko v he glanc e d upward s and onc e mor e

: , ,

c aught S i ght o f Kanari s wi th hi s fat th i gh s and i nte rm i nabl e

mou stach e and o f B o be li na and the blac k bi rd For fully five
m nu te s all pre se nt pre se rv e d a compl e te si l e nc e —the only
, .

1
g
A Ru ssi an e n e ral who fo u ht g a g ’

a111 5t N ap o 1e o n , an d was mo rtally

d d
wo un e at B o ro di n o .
9 6 D e ad S o u l s
wi th whom he do se e m to be fri ndly Accordi ngly he add e d
es e .

aloud “
For my own part I should gi ve the pre fe re nc e to the
: ,

H ad of the Ge ndarm e ry What a fran k ou tspo k e n nature he has

e .
,

And What an e l e m nt o f si mpli ci ty do e s hi s e xpre ssi on contai n !

e
”
He is m e an t o the cor e r e mark e d S o b a ke v i
,
t ch coldly .

He w i ll se ll you and ch e a t yo u and t h e n d i n e a t your t abl e

,
.

Ye s I know th e m all and e v e ry o n e o f th e m i s a swi ndl e r and

, , ,

the t own a n e st o f rascal s e ngag e d i n robb i ng o n e ano th e r No t

”

a man o f the lot i s th ere but would se ll Chri st Ye t stay : one

—
.

d e ce nt fe llow the re i s the Publ i c Pro se cu tor though e ve n he ,

i f the tru th be told i s l i ttl e b e tt e r than a p i g

,
.

Af ter th e se e ulo gi a Chi chi ko v saw that i t would be u se l e ss to

—
conti nu e runni ng through the l i st o f o ffici als more e sp e ci ally
si nc e sudd e nly he had r e m e mb e re d tha t S o bake vi t ch was n o t at

any ti me gi ve n to comm e nd i ng hi s fe llow man .

L e t us go to lunch e on my d e ar p ut i n T he o duli a I vanovna

”
, ,

to he r spou se .

Ye s ; pray com e to tabl e sa i d S o bake vi t ch t o hi s g ue st ; ,

wh e re upon th e y con sum e d the cu stomary glass of vodka ( a e com

a ni e d by sundry snac k s of sal te d cucumb e r and o th e r da i n ti e s)
p
wi th whi ch Ru ssi an s both i n town and country pre face a m e al
, ,
.

Th e n th e y fi l e d i nto the d i ni ng room i n the wak e of the ho ste ss -

who sai l e d on ah e ad l i k e a goo se swi mm i ng acro ss a pond T he

—
.

small d i n i ng tabl e was found to be la i d for four p e rson s

-
the
fourth place b e i ng occupi e d by a lady or a young gi rl (i t woul d
hav e b e e n d i ffi cul t to say whi ch e xactly) who m i ght hav e b e e n
e i th e r a r e la ti v e the hou se k e e p e r o r a ca sual v i si t or
,
C e rtai n .
,

p erson s i n the word e xi st n o t as p e rsonal i ti e s i n th e m se lv es but

, ,

as spo ts o r sp e c k s o n the p e rsonal i ti e s o f o th e rs Always the y .

are to be se e n si tti ng i n the sam e plac e and hold i ng th e i r h e ad s

,

at e xactly the sam e angl e so tha t o n e com e s w i thi n an a ce o f

,

mi staki ng th e m for furni ture and thi n k s to on e se lf that n e ve r ,

si nc e the day of th e i r b i rth can th e y hav e spo k e n a S i ngl e word .

”
My d e ar sai d
, S o bake vi tch the cabbage soup i s ,
e xc e ll e n t Wi th that he fini sh e d hi s porti on and h e lp e d hi m se lf
to a g e n e rou s m e asur e o f ni ani a —the d i sh w h i ch f ollows
.
,
1

shtchi and con si sts o f a sh e e p s stomach stuffe d w i th black

’

porri dge brai n s and o th e r thi ngs

, , What ni ani a thi s i s ! he ”
.

add e d to Chi chi ko v N e ve r would yo u ge t such stu ff i n a town

.
,

whe re one i s gi ve n the d e vi l knows What ”

.

the Gove rnor k e e p s a fai r tabl e

I N e ve rth e l e ss
,
Cluchi ko v .

1
Li t
e rall y, n urse mai d .
 D e ad S o u l s 97
Ye s ; but do yo u know what all the stu f f i s made f o I
re torte d S o bake vi tch I f you di d kn ow yo u
. would n e v e r
t ouch i t .

O f course I am n o t i n a po si ti on t o say how i t i s pre pare d

bu t at l e a st the por k cu tl e ts and th e bo i l e d fish se e m e d e xc e ll e nt .

Ah i t m i ght hav e b e e n though t so ; ye t I k now the way i n

,

whi ch such thi ngs are bought i n the mark e t place Th e y are -
.

bou ght by som e ra scal o f a cook whom a Fre nchman has tau ght
ho w to ski n a t omcat and th e n se rv e i t up as hare ”
.

Ugh ! What horri bl e thi ngs you say ! p ut i n Madam e .

We ll my d e ar that i s how thi ngs are don e and i t i s no

, , ,

faul t of m i n e that i t i s so Mor e ov e r e v e rythi ng that i s l e ft ov e r

—
.
,

e v e ry thi n g t hat we ( pardon me fo r m e n ti on i ng i t) ca st i n t o

the slop pai l- — i s u se d by such folk for maki ng soup

”
.

Always at tabl e you b e gi n talki n g l i k e thi s ! obj e cte d hi s

h e lpm e e t .

”
I te ll you strai ght
‘

And why n ot ? sai d S obake vi t ch . ,

that I would n o t e at such na sti n ess e v e n had I mad e i t myse l f , .

S ugar a frog as much as you li k e but n e v e r shall i t pass my li p s

/

.
,

Nor w ould I sw allo w an oyste r for I kno w only t oo w e ll what an,

oyste r may re se mbl e B ut hav e som e mu tton fri e n d Chi chi ko v

.
,
.

I t i s should e r o f mu tt on and v e ry d i ffe r e n t stu ff from the

—
,

mu tton w hi ch th e y cook i n nobl e ki t ch e n s mu tton w hi ch has

b e e n k i cki n g abou t the mark e t plac e four days or mor e All -
.

that sort o f cook e ry has b e e n i nv e n te d by Fr e nch and G e rman

doctors and I should l i k e to hang th e m for havi n g don e so Th e y
,
.

go and pre scri b e d i e ts and a hung e r cure as thou g h w hat su i ts

t h e i r flacci d G e rman syste m s w i ll a g r e e w i th a Ru ssi an st omach !
S uch d e vi ce s are no g ood at all S o bake vi t ch shook hi s h e ad
”
.

wrathfully Fe llows li k e those are f or e v e r talki ng of ci vi li sa

. ,

ti on A s i f that sor t o f t hi ng was ci vi l i sa ti on ! Ph e w !

.
( P e rhap s

the sp e ak e r s concludi ng e xclama ti on would hav e b e e n e v e n

’

stron g e r had he n o t b e e n se a t e d at t abl e ) Fo r myse lf I w i ll .

,

hav e non e o f i t Whe n I e at pork at a m e al g i v e me the whole

.
,

i
p g; wh e n mu tt on t he w ho le
,
she e p ; wh e n goo s e t he w hole ,

o f the b i rd T wo d i sh e s are b e tte r t han a thou sand provi d e d

.
,
”
t hat o n e can e at o f t h e m as muc h as o n e wan ts .

And he proc e e d e d to p ut pre c e pt i nto practi c e by taki n g hal f

the should e r o f mu tt on on t o hi s pla te and t h e n d e vouri n g i t ,

down to the last morse l o f gri stl e and bon e .

My word ! re fl e cte d Chi chi ko v The f e llo w has a pr e tty

.

g ood holdi ng capaci ty !

Non e o f i t fo r me re p e ate d S obake vi tch as he Wi p e d hi s
,

D
9 8 D e ad S o u l s
hand s on hi s napki n I don t i nte nd to be l i k e a fe llow nam e d
.
’

Plush ki n w ho own s e i gh t hundr e d s oul s ye t d i n e s worse t han ,

,
”
do e s my sh e phe rd .

Who i s Plushkin ? ask e d Chi chi ko v .

A m i se r re pli e d S o bake Vi tch

,
S uch a m i se r as n e v e r .

Re ally ? e jaculate d Chi chi ko v gre atly i nte re ste d S hould ,

.

o u t eh n say t ha t he ha s lo st many p e a san ts by d e a t h ?

y , ,

C e rtai nly Th e y k e e p dyi ng l i k e fli e s

.
”
.

Th e n how far from h e re do e s he re si d e ?

”
Abou t five v e rsts .

Only five v e rsts ? e xclai m e d Chi chi kov fe e li ng hi s h e art ,

b e ati ng j oyou sly Ought one wh e n le avmg your gate s to

.
, ,

turn t o the ri ght or to the l e ft ?

I should be sorry to t e ll you the way to the hou se o f such a
cur sai d S obake vi tch
,
A man had far b e tte r go to h e ll than
.

”
to Plu shki n
’
s .

“
Qu i te so re spond e d Chi chi ko v
,
My only re ason for .

aski ng you i s that i t i nte re sts me to b e com e acquai nte d wi th

”
an y and e v e ry sort o f local i ty .

To the should e r o f mu tt on th ere succ e e d e d i n turn cu tl e ts , ,

e ach o n e larg e r than a plate ) a turk e y o f abou t the si z e o f a

( ,

calf e ggs ri c e pastry and e v e ry conc e i vabl e thi ng whi ch could

, , , ,

po ssi bly be p ut i nto a stomach Th e re the m e al e nd e d Wh e n . .

he ro se from tabl e Chi chi ko v f e l t as though a pood s w e i ght

’

we re i nsi d e hi m I n the drawi ng room the company found

.
-

d e sse rt awai ti ng th e m i n the shap e of p e ars plum s and appl es ; , ,

but S i nc e n e i th e r ho st nor gu e st could tack l e th e se parti cular

dai nti e s the ho ste ss re mov e d th e m to anoth e r room Tak i ng .

ad vantag e o f he r ab se nc e Chi chi ko v turn e d to S o bake vi tch ,

( w ho p r,on e i n an armcha i r se e m e d aft e r hi s e

pond rou s m e al , , g ,

to be capabl e of d o i ng li ttl e b e yond b e lch i ng and grun ti ng

e ach such grun t or b e lch n e c e ssi tati ng a sub se qu e n t si gn i ng o f

the cro ss o v e r the mou th and i n ti mat e d to hi m a d e si r e t o hav e

. ) ,

l
a i ttl e p ri va te conv e rsati on conc e rn i ng a c e rt a i n matte r A t .

thi s mom e n t the ho ste ss r e turn e d .

( K ” 0

H e re i s more d esse rt she sai d Pray have a fe w rad i sh es

, .

ste w e d i n hon e y .

Late r late r re pli e d S obake vi tch

, , Do yo u go to your .

room a n d Paul Ivanovi t ch and I wi ll tak e o ff o ur coats and hav e

,

a nap
’
.

Upon thi s the good lady e xpre sse d her re adi n ess to se nd for
 D e ad S o u l s
The n o f course yo u w i ll be glad to ge t ri d o f any that you
may chance to have ?
Ye s I shall hav e no obj e c t i on t o s e lli ng t h e m A t t h i s .

po i nt the spe ake r rai se d hi s he ad a l i ttl e for i t had struck hi m

,

t ha ur
t s e ly the would be buy e r m u s t hav
- e s om e advan t a g e

in V w ie .

The de i !v l ”
t hou g h t Ch i h i ko v t o h i m se lf c H r e i s h e . e

ll
se i n g the good s b e for e I hav e v n had t i m e t o uette r aeword !
And what abou t th pr i c ? h add d aloud O f course e e e e .
,

the ar c
ti l s e n o te o f
ara k i nd v e ry a sy t appra i e o
”
se .

I should be sorry to ask t o o much sai d S o bake vi tch ,

.

How would a hundre d rouble s p e r he ad su i t you ?

What ? A hundre d roubl e s p e r h e ad ? Chi chi ko v stare d
—
ope n mou th e d at hi s ho st doub ti n g wh e th e r he had h e ard
-

ar i ght or whe the r hi s ho st s slow mov i ng t ongu e m i gh t n o t

,
’
-

have i nadve rte ntly sub sti tu te d one word for ano th e r .

Ye s I s th at t o o much fo r you ? sa i d S o bake vi tch Th e n

.
.

he add e d : What i s your own pri ce ?

My own pri ce ? I th i n k that we cannot prope rly have
—
und e rstood o ne anothe r that you mu st have forg o tte n o f what
the good s con si st W i th my hand o n my h e ar t do I subm i t that
.

e i ght gri vni p e r soul w ould be a hand som e a ve ry hand some , ,

o fle r .

What ? E i ght g i vni ? r

In my Op in i on a h i ghe r o ffe r w ould

,
be i mpo ssi bl e .

”
B ut I am
a se lle r o f boots
n ot .

N o ye t you for your part w i ll agre e that th e se souls are

, ,

no t li ve hum an b e i ng s ?
“
I suppo se yo u hope to fi nd fool s re ady to se ll you soul s o n
the ce n su s l i st for a coupl e of groats ap i e c e ?
Pardon me but why do you use the te rm o n the ce n su s
,

l l i st The soul s the m se lve s have lon g si nc e pa sse d aw ay and ,

have l e ft b e h i nd the m only the i r name s No t to trouble you .

wi th any furthe r d i scu ssi on o f the subj e ct I can offe r yo u a

‘

rouble and a half p e r h e ad but fio m ore ”

, .

Yo u should be asham e d e ve n to m e n ti on such a sum ! S i nce

you d e al i n arti cle s o f th i s k i nd quote me a ge nu i n e pr i ce ”
, .

I cannot M i chae l S e me n o vi tch B e l i e ve me I canno t

, .
,
.

What a man cannot do that he cannot do The spe ake r e nd e d

”
, .

by advan cmg anothe r half rouble p e r h e ad -

.

“
B ut why hang back w i th your mon e y ? sa i d S o bake
O h I am no t ask i ng much of you Any o the r
V

l tCh f a ru
l’
t t .

rascal th an myse l f w o uld have ch e ate d yo u b y se ll i n g yo u old

,

!
 D e ad S o ul s 1o I

rubbi sh i i n st e a d o f ood g
, g
e nu i n e s oul s ,
h e r e a s s hould w be
’

I
g m
re ady to i ve you o f y b e st , e ve n w e re yo u buyi n only nut g
w
ke rn e l s For i n stance , look at he e lwr i h t Mi chi e v Ne ve r was
. g .

g
t h e re such a o ne to bu i ld spr i n car ts ! And hi s hand i ork was w
n o t l i k e your Mo scow hand i work — g
ood only for an hour No , .

he d i d i t all h i m se lf , e ve n do n t o the varn i shi n w ”

g .

Chi chi ko v op e n e d hi s m m
ou th to re ark that , n e ve rth e l e ss,
the sa i d Mi chi e v had lon si nc e d e par te d thi s World ; but S o bake
g
g
vi tch s e loqu e nc e had g o t t o o thorou hly i n t o i ts str i d e to adm i t
’

o f any i n te rrup t i on .

k
An d loo , t o o , at Pro bka S te pan , the carp e n te r , hi s ho st
w e nt o n . I w w g
i ll a e r my h e ad t hat nowh e re e l se ould you w
w
find such a orkm an What a stron fe llow he was ! He had
. g
se rve d i n the Guard s, an d the Lord only kno s wha t th e y had w
g g
i ve n for hi m, se e i n that he was ove r thr e e arshi ns i n h e i h t g .

g
A ai n Chi chi ko v tr i e d to re m ark that Pro bka was d e ad , but
g
S o bake vi tch s t on u e was born e o n the t orre n t o f i ts o wn
’

g
ve rb i a e , and the only th i n t o be done was to l i ste ng .

And Mi lushki n , the br i cklaye r ! He could bu i ld a stove i n

k
any hou se you l i e d ! And Maksi Te li atn i ko v, the boo tmake r ! m
g
Anyth i n that he drove hi s a l i n t o b e ca e a pai r o f boots w m
f w w
and boo ts or h i ch you ould be thankful , al thou h he was a g
bi t foul o f the mou th And Ere m i S orokop le chi n , to o ! He
.

was the b e st o f the lo t, and u se d to ork at hi s trad e i n Mo scow , w

w he re he pa i d a t ax of five hundre d roubl e s e ll , the re s an
’
W
—
.

assortm e n t o f se rfs for yo u a ve ry d i f e re n t a ssortm e nt fro f m

w hat Plushki n wo uld se ll you !
g
B ut p e rm i t me , at l e n th p ut i n Chi chi ko v, a stound e d at
h
th i s flood o f e loqu e nc e t o wh i ch t e re app e are d t o be no e n d .

m I
P e r i t me , say, t o i nqu i re why you e num e rate the tale nts
o f the d e c e a se d , se e i n g
that th e y are all o f th e m d e ad , and that
th e re fore t h e re can be no se n se i n do i n s o
‘
g
A d e ad body i s .

g
only ood to prop a fe nc e w i th says the prove rb’
.

O f course th e y are d e ad , re pl i e d S o bake vi tch, but rathe r

as though the i d e a had only ju st occurr e d t o hi m, and was i v i n g g
hi m food fo r t hough t B ut te ll me , n o w :
. hat i s the use o f w
g
l i sti n the m as sti ll a i ve ? And hat i s the use o f th e m the w m
se lve s ? Th e y are fl i e s , n o t hu an b e i n s m g .

W e ll ,
”
sa i d Chi chi ko v, th e y e x i st , thou h only i n i d e a g
—
.

B ut no n o t only i n i d e a I
te ll you tha t nowh e re e l se
. ould w
y o ufi nd s uch a fe llow for ork i n hwe avy t oogl s as w as M i ch i e v .

g
He had the stre n th o f a hor se i n hi s should e rs And , i th . w
the w ord s, S o bake vi tch turne d , as thou h or corroborati on, g f
 1 02 D e ad S o ul s
t o the portrai t of Bagrati on as i s fre qu e n tly done by one o f the ,

parti e s i n a d i spu te whe n he purports t o app e al to an e x trane ou s

i nd i v i dual w ho i s n o t only un k nown t o h 1m b ut w holly u n co n ,

W
.

ne c t e d w i t h the subj e c t i n hand ; i t h t he r e sul t t ha t t he

i nd i v i dual i s le ft i n doub t wh e th e r t o m a ke a re ply or whe the r ,

to b e tak e h i m se lf e l se wh e re .

Ne ve rthe le ss I canno t gi ve you more than two roubl e s p e r

”
he ad sa i d Chi chiko v
,
.

We ll as I don t wan t yo u to swe ar that I have aske d to o

,
’

much o f you and won t me e t you halfway suppo se for fri e nd ’

, ,

sh i p s sak e that you pay me se ve n ty five roub le s i n assi gnats

’ -

Good he a ve n s ! thou gh t Chi chi ko v to h i m se lf Do e s the

man take me for a fool ? The n he add e d a loud : The si tua
t i on se e m s t o me a strange o ne for i t i s as thou gh we we re ,

pe rform i ng a stage come dy N o o th e r e xplanati on would me e t .

the c ase Ye t yo u appe ar t o be a man o f se n se and po sse sse d

.
,

o f som e e duca ti on The m a tte r i s a ve ry si mp le o n e

. The .

qu e sti on i s : what i s a d e ad soul worth and i s i t of any use to ,

any o ne ?
I t i s of use to yo u or yo u w ou ld n o t be buy i ng such arti cl e s
, .

Chi chi ko v bi t hi s li p and stood at a lo ss for a re tor t He tr i e d

, .

to say som e th i ng abou t

“
fam i ly and d o me sti c c i rcum stance s ,
but S o bake vi tch cut hi m shor t wi th :
’
I don t want to know your pri vate affai rs for I ne ve r poke ,

my no se i n to such th i ngs Yo u ne e d the sou ls and I am re ady .

,

to se ll th e m S hould yo u n o t buy th e m I th i nk yo u w i ll re p e n t i t
.
, .

Two roub le s i s m y pr i ce re pe ate d Chi chi ko v

”
, .

Come come ! A s yo u h ave nam e d th at sum I can und e rstand

, ,

your no t l iki ng to go back upon i t ; but quo te me a bona fide

figure .

The d e v i l fly away w i th hi m ! mu se d Chi chi ko v How .

e ve r I w i ll add ano th e r half roubl e

”
, And he di d so -
. .

Ind e e d ? sa i d So bake vi tch We ll my la st w ord upon i t

—
.
,
i s fifty rouble s i n ass i gnats Tha t w i ll m e an a she e r lo ss to me .
,
for nowhe re e l se i n the w orld could you buy b e tte r soul s than
”
m i ne .

The o ld ski nfli nt ! mu tte re d Chi chi ko v The n he adde d .

,
i
aloud w h i rri tati on i n hi s tone : Se e he re Th i s i s a se r i ou s
t .

ma e r Any one but yo u w ou ld be thank ful to ge t ri d of the

tt .

soul s .
Only a fool would sti ck to the m and conti nu e to pay ,
the tax .

Ye s, but re me mbe r (and I say it wholly i n

a fr i e ndly w ay)
n o t ge n e rally allo we d and tha t
o

that tran sac ti on s of th i s k i nd are ,

 I 04 D e ad S o u l s
re ad i ly agre e d Ind e e d he w e n t to hi s wri ti ng d e sk th e n and
.
, . o
-

h
t e e r ,
and st ar t e d t o i nd i t e a l i st wh i ch gav e n o t only t h e

p e asants nam e s but al so th e i r la te qual i fi cati on s

.
’
.
,

legi M e a n w h i le C h i c h i k o v h a V i n
g ,
no t h i ng e l se t o do s t ood look ,

i ng a t t h e s pac i ou s form of h i s ho st ; and a s h e gaz e d a t

h i s

b ac k as b road a s t ha t of a car t hor se and a t t h e l e

, g s a s m a s sw e

a s th e i ron s tandard s wh i ch adorn a st r e e t h e could n o t ,h e lp

i nwardly e jacula ti ng
Truly God has e ndow e d you wi th much ! Though n o t ad
ju st e d wi th ni c e ty at l e a st you are strongly bu i l t I wond e r
,
.

wh e th e r you w e re born a b e ar or wh e th e r you ha v e com e to i t

through your ru sti c l i f e wi th i ts ti ll i ng of crop s and i ts trad i ng
,

wi th p e a sants ? Ye t no ; I b e l i e v e that e v e n i f you had re ,

c e i ve d a fa shi onabl e e duca ti on and had m i x e d wi th soci e ty

, ,

and had l i v e d i n St P e te rsburg you would sti ll hav e b e e n ju st

.
,

the kulak tha t you are

1 The only d i ff e re nc e i s t ha t c i rcum
.

stanc e s as th e y stand
,
p e rm i t o i your pol i shi ng o ff a stu ffe d
,

should e r o f mu tton at a m e al ; wh e r e a s i n S t P e t e rsburg yo u .

would hav e b e e n unabl e to do so Al so as c i rcum stanc e s stand .

, ,

y o u hav e und e r you a numb e r o f p e a san ts whom you tr e a t w e ll ,

fo r the r e a son tha t th e y are your prop e r ty ; wh e r e a s o th e rwi se , ,

2
y o u would hav e had und e r you tchi n ovn i ks whom you would
h av e bull i e d b e cau se th e y w e r e not your prop e rty Al so you .
,

would h av e ro bbe d the Tr e a sury si nc e a kulak always r e ma i n s ,

a mon e y grubb e r
-
.

The l i st i s r e ady sa i d S o bake vi tch t urn i ng round

, , .

Ind e e d ? Th e n pl e ase le t me loo k at i t Chi chi ko v ran ”

.

hi s e ye o v e r the docum e n t an d could n o t bu t marv e l at i ts n e at

,

n e ss and accuracy No t only w e re th e re se t forth i n i t the

.

trad e the ag e and the p e d i gr e e o f e v e ry s e rf but on the marg i n

, , ,

o f the S h e e t w e r e j o tt e d r e mark s conc e rn i ng e ach se rf s conduc t

’

and sobri e ty Truly i t was a pl e a sur e to loo k at i t

. .

And do you m i nd handi ng me the e arn e st mon e y ? sa i d

S o bake vi tch .

Ye s, I do Why n e e d tha t be don e ? Yo u can r e c e i v e the

.

mon e y i n a lump sum a s soon a s we vi si t the town ”

.

i t i s always the cu stom you k now ”

a sse rte d S o bake , ,
V1tc

Th e n I canno t follow i t for I hav e no mon e y wi th me , .

Howe ve r h e re are t e n roubl e s

,
”
.

‘
Te n roubl es i nd e e d ? You m i g ht a s w e ll hand me fifty
f ,

whi le you are abou t i t ”

.

Vill ag e facto r or u sure r

1
S ub o rdi n ate go ve rn me n t o ffici als
.
2
.
 D e ad S o u l s 1 05

O nc e more Chi chi ko v star t e d to d e ny t ha t he had any mon e y

upon hi m, but S o bake vi tch i n si ste d so stron ly tha t thi s was g
n o t so t ha t at l e ng th the gu e st pull e d o ut ano th e r fifte e n
roubl e s, and add e d th e m to the te n alre ady prod uc e d .

g ”
K i ndly i v e me a r e c e i p t fo r the mon e y , he add e d .

A r e c e i p t ? Why should I i v e you a r e c e i p t ? g

B e cau se i t i s b e tt e r so , i n ord e r t o guard aga i n st m i stak e s .

V e ry w e ll ; but first hand me ov e r the mon e y ’

.

T he mon e y ? I
hav e i t h e r e Do you wri t e o ut the r e c e i p t,
”
.

and th e n the mon e y shall be yours .

w
Pardon me , but ho am to wri te o ut the r e c e i p t b e fore I I
hav e se e n the c ash ?
Chi chi ko v plac e d the no te s i n S o bake vi tch s hand ;
’
h e re w
upon the ho st mov e d n e are r to the t abl e , and add e d to the l i st
of se rfs a no t e t ha t he had r e c e i v e d for the p e a san ts, th e re wi th
sold , the sum of tw e n ty five roubl e s, a s e arn est mon e y
-
Thi s .

don e , he coun te d the no te s onc e more .

”
Thi s i s a v e ry old no te , he r e mark e d , hold i n o n e up to the g
g
li ht . Al so , i t i s a tri fl e torn Ho e v e r, i n a ri e ndly tran s. w f
”
ac ti on on e mu st n o t be too parti cular .

W ha t a kulak I thou ht Chi chi ko v to hi se l g m f .

what a bru te b e a st !
Th e n you do n o t want any w men soul s ? o qu e ri e d S o bake
vi tch .

I than k no
y ,
o u
—
.

I could le t yo u hav e som e ch e ap say as b e tw e e n fri e nd s , ,

at a roubl e a h e ad ?
No I should hav e no u se for th e m
,
.

Th e n that b e i ng so t h e re i s no mor e to be sai d Th e re i s

, ,
.

no accoun ti ng for ta st es On e man lov e s the pri est an d

.
,

ano th e r the pri e st s wi f e says the prov e rb

’

,
’ ”
.

Chi chi ko v ro se to t ak e hi s l e av e O nc e more I w ould re .

” ”
qu e st o f you he sai d that the bargai n be l e ft as i t i s
, , .

O f course o f course What i s don e b e tw e e n fri e nd s hold s

,
.

good b e cau se o f th e i r mu tual fri e nd sh i p Good bye and than k .

-
,

yo u for your v i si t I n advanc

. e I w ould b e
g t ha t w h e n e v e r yo u ,

should hav e an hour or two t o spar e yo u wi ll com e and lunch ,

wi th us aga i n P e rhap s we m i ght be abl e to do o n e ano th e r

.

furth e r se rvi c e ?
No t i f I k now i t ! r e fl e c te d Chi chi ko v as he moun t e d hi s
”

bri tchka No t I se e i ng tha t I hav e had two and a half roubl es

.
,

p e r s oul s q u e e z e d o ut o f me by a bru t e o f a k ula k

Al tog e th e r he f e l t d i ssa ti sfi e d w i th S o bake vi tch s b e havi our
’
.
 1 06 D e ad S o u l s
In spi te o f the man b e i ng a fri e nd of the Gov e rnor and the Chi e f
o f P ol i c e,
h e had ac t e d l i k e an ou tsi d e r i n t a k i ng mon e y for
What was worthl e ss ru bbi sh A s the bri tchka l e ft the court .

yard Chi chi ko v glanc e d bac k and saw S o bake vi tch sti ll stand
—
i ng o n the v e randah appa re n tly for the pu rpo se of wa tchi ng to
s e e wh i ch way the gu e st s carri ag e would turn
’
.

The o ld vi ll ai n to be sti ll stand i ng t h e r e !

,
mu tte re d
Chi chi ko v through hi s te e th ; af te r wh i ch he ord e r e d S e li fan
to proc e e d so tha t the v e hi cl e s prog re ss S hould be i n vi si bl e from
’

the man si on — the tru th be i ng tha t he had a m i nd n e x t t o vi si t

Plushki n ( who se se rfs t o q uo t e S o bake vi tch ha d a hab i t o f
, ,

dyi ng l i k e fli e s) but n o t to le t hi s lat e ho st le arn o f hi s i n t e nti on

,
.

Accordi ngly o n re achi ng the furth e r e n d of the Vi llag e he

—
, ,

ha i l e d the first p e a san t whom he saw a man who wa s i n the

a ct o f ho i sti ng a pond e rou s b e am o n t o hi s should e r b e for e

se tti ng o ff wi th i t ant l i k e to hi s hut

,
-
,
.

”
Hi ! shou t e d Chi chi ko v How can I r e ach landown e r
.

Plushki n s plac e wi thou t fi rst go i ng pa st the man si on h e r e ?

’

The p e a san t se e m e d nonplu sse d by the q u e sti on .

Don t you k now ? qu e ri e d Chi chi ko v

’
.

N o bari n re pli e d the p ea sant

,
”
, .

What ? You don t know ski nfli nt Plushki n who f e e d s hi s

’

p e opl e so badly ?
O f course I do ! e xclai m e d the f e llow and a dd e d th e re to
”
,

an uncompl i m e ntary e xpre ssi on o f a sp e c i e s n o t ord i nari ly e m

ploy e d i n pol i te soc i e ty We may gu e ss that i t was a pre tty
.

ap t e xpr e ssi on si nc e long af t e r the man had b e com e lo st to Vi e w

,

Chi chi ko v was sti ll laughi ng i n hi s bri tchka And i nd e e d the .

, ,

langu ag e o f the Ru ssi an populac e i s always forc i bl e i n i ts

phra se ology .

CnI CHI K o v s amu se m e nt at the p e a san t s ou tburst pre v e n t e d

’
’

hi m from no ti c i ng tha t he had r e ach e d the c e n tr e of a larg e and

populou s vi llag e ; but , pr e se ntly, a i ol e nt jol t arou se d hi m to V
the fac t tha t he was d ri i ng o e r v
ood e n pa e m e nts of a i nd v w v k
compar d e i twh whi ch the cobbl e ston es of the t own had b e e n a s
k k
no h ng Li e the e ys o f a p i ano , the plan s e p t ri si ng and
t i .
k k
fall ng , and unguard e d pa ssag e ove r th e m e nta i l e d e i th e r a
i

bump on he back o f the n e c o r a brui se o n the fore h e ad o r a

t k
1 08 D e ad S o u l s
the com i n g o f th e Fr e nch t o M o s cow A s for t he wall s t.h e y ,

we re hung wi th a me dle y o f p i cture s Among the latte r was a .

long e ngravi ng o f a battl e sce n e wh e re i n sold i e rs i n thre e ,

corne re d h ats we re brand i sh i ng hug e d rum s and sl e nd e r lance s .

It lac k e d a g la ss and ,
w as se t i n a fram e ornam e n te d w i t h
bronze fre twork and bronze corne r r i ng s B e si d e i t hung a .

huge gri my o i l pa i n ti ng re pre se n tati v e of som e fl owe rs and

,

fru i t half a wate r m e lon a boar s h e ad and the p e nd e nt form

, ,
’
,

o f a d e ad w i ld duck Attache d to the ce i l i ng the re was a

—
.

chande l i e r i n a holland cove ri ng the cove ri ng so du sty as

clo se ly to re se mble a huge cocoon e nclo si ng a cate rp i llar .

Lastly i n one corne r o f the room lay a p i le o f ar ti cl e s wh i ch had

,

e vi d e n tly b e e n adjudge d unwor thy o f a plac e o n the t abl e .

Ye t what the p i le con si ste d o f i t wou ld ha ve b e e n d i ffi cul t to

say se e i ng th at the du st o n the sam e was s o th i ck that any
,

hand wh i ch t ouch e d i t wou ld h ave at once re se m bl e d a glove .

Prom i ne ntly pro trud i ng from the p i le was the shaft o f a woode n
spad e and the an t i q uate d so le of a sho e Ne ve r would o ne .

have suppose d that a l i v i ng cre ature had te nan te d the roo m ,

we re i t no t that the pre se nce o f such a cre ature was be traye d by

the sp e ctacle o f an o ld n i gh t cap re sti ng o n the tabl e .

Wh i l st Chi chi ko v was gaz i ng at th i s e xtraord i nary m e ss a ,

si d e door ope n e d and th e re e n te re d the hou se k e e p e r who had

me t hi m n e ar the ou tbu i ld i ngs B ut now Chi chi ko v pe rce i ve d

.

t h i s p e rson to be a man ra th e r than a wom an si nc e a fe mal e ,

hou se ke e pe r would have had no be ard to shave wh e re as the ,

ch i n o f the ne wcome r w i th the lowe r por ti on o f hi s che e k s

strongly re se mble d the curry—
, ,

comb wh i ch i s u se d fo r groom i n g
horse s Chi chi ko v assume d a q u e sti on i ng ai r and wa i te d to
.
,

he ar wh at the hou se ke e pe r m i gh t have t o say The hou se .

ke e pe r di d the sam e A t l e ng th surpri se d at the mi sun de r

.
,

stand i ng Chi chi ko v d e c i d e d t o ask the fi r st qu e st i on

,
,
.

I s the maste r at hom e ? he i n qu i re d .

”
Ye s re p li e d the p e rson add re sse d
, .

The n whe re i s he ? conti nu e d Chi chi ko v .

A re you bl i nd my g ood si r ?
, re torte d the o th e r .

”
the maste r .

In v olun tar i ly o ur he ro starte d and stare d Duri ng hi s

trave l s i t had be fall e n hi m t o m e e t vari ou s t yp e s o f me n—som e
.

o f the m i t may be type s wh i ch o u and I have n e ve r e n

'

, , y
coun e d ; but e ve n to Chi chi ko v th i s parti cular spe c i e s was
te r

ne w .
In the o ld man s face the re was no th i ng ve ry spe c i al—i t
’

was much l i ke the w i ze ne d face o f many ano the r do tard save

,
 D d S o uls
ea i 09

that the ch i n so gre atly proj e cte d that w he ne ve r he spoke he

was f orc e d to w i p e i t w i th a handke rch i e f t o avo i d dri bbl in g ,

an d that hi s small e ye s w e re n o t ye t g ro w n dull but tw i nkl e d ,

und e r th e i r ove rh an gi n g brows l i ke the e ye s of m i ce w h e n w i th ,

atte nti ve e ars and se n si ti ve w h i ske rs th e y snu ff the ai r and p e e r,

for th from the i r hol e s t o se e whe the r a cat or a boy may n ot be

i n the v i c i n i ty No the m o st noti ce able fe ature abou t the
.
,

man was hi s clo the s I n no way could i t h ave b e e n g ue sse d o f

.

what hi s coat was m ade for both i ts sle e ve s and i ts ski rts we re
,

so ragge d and fil thy as t o d e fy d e scr i p ti on w h i l e i n ste ad o f two ,

po ste ri or tai l s th e re dan g le d four of tho se app e ndage s w i th

, , ,

pro j e c ti n g froin th e m a t orn n e wspape r Also around hi s

,
.
,

n e ck the re was wrappe d som e th i n g w h i ch m i gh t h ave b e e n a

st ock i n g a g ar te r o r a st omach e r but was c e r ta i nly n o t a t i e
, , ,
.

I n short had Chi chiko v chance d to e ncounte r hi m at a church

,

d oor he w ould have be stowe d upon hi m a coppe r or two (for

, ,

t o do our h e ro ju sti ce he had a sym pa th e ti c h e ar t and n e ve r

,

re fra in e d from pre se n tin g a b e ggar w i th al m s) but i n the ,

pre se n t case the re was stand i n g be fore hi m n ot a m e nd i can t but

—
, ,

a lando w n e r and a landowne r po sse sse d o f fully a thou sand

se r fs the sup e r i or o f all hi s n e i g hbour s i n we al th o f flour an d
,

grai n and the o wn e r o f store hou se s and so forth that we re

, , ,

cram m e d w i th home spun clo th and l i n e n tanne d and u ndre sse d ,

sh e e p sk i n s dr i e d fish and e ve ry conce i vabl e sp e c i e s o f produc e

, , .

Ne ve rthe le ss such a phe nom e non i s rare i n Ru ssi a Wh e re the

, ,

te nd e ncy i s ra th e r t o prod i g al i ty than to parsi mony .

Fo r se ve ral m i nu te s Plushki n st ood m u te wh i l e Chi chi ko v ,

re m a i ne d so daze d w i th the app e arance o f hi s ho st and e ve ry

th in g e l se i n the room t ha t he to o could n o t b e g i n a conve r sa
, , ,

t i on but st ood w ond e r i n g how b e st t o fi nd word s i n wh i ch t o

,

e x pla i n the obj e c t o f hi s v i si t For a w h i l e he t hou gh t o f e x

.

pre ssi n g h i m se lf to the e ffe c t that h av i n g h e ard so much o f hi s

,

ho st s b e ne vo le nce and o th e r rare qu al i ti e s o f sp i ri t he had co n

’

si de re d i t hi s du ty t o com e and pay a tr i bu te o f r e sp e c t ; but

pre se n tly e ve n he cam e to the conclu si on that th i s w ould be
ove rdo i n g the th i ng and afte r ano th e r glance round the room
, ,

d e c i de d that the phra se b e ne vol e nc e and o the r rare qual i ti e s

o f sp i r i m i gh t to advan tage g i ve place to e conomy and
ge ni u s for me thod Accord i ngly the spe e ch m e ntally com
”
.
,

po se d he sa i d aloud that hav i ng he ard o f Plushki n s tal e nts for

, ,
’

t hr i fty and syste mat i c m ana ge m e n t he had con si d e re d h i m se l f,

bound t o m ake the acqua i n tance o f hi s ho st and to pre se nt ,

hi m wi th hi s p e rsonal co m pl i m e n ts ( I n e e d h a d y sa th at
l
y
r
 I 1 0 D e ad S o u l s
Chi chi ko v cou d
l e a si ly hav e all e g e d a b e tte r r e a son had an y ,

be tte r o ne happe ne d at the mom e n t to have com e i n to hi s he ad )

, ,
.

Wi th tooth le ss gum s Plushki n murmure d som e th i ng i n re ply ,

but no t h i ng i s k nown as t o i ts pr e c i se t e rm s b e yond t ha t i t l n

clud e d a state m e nt that the d e vi l was at l i b e r ty to fly aw ay
wi th Chi chiko v s compl i me nts Howe ve r, the laws o f Ru ssi an
’
.

hosp i tal i ty do n o t pe rm i t e ve n o f a m i se r i nfri n gi ng the i r rule s ;

whe re fore Plushki n adde d to the fore go i ng a more c1V1l mv1tati on
.

to be se a te d .

I t i s long si nce I la st re ce i ve d a v i si tor he we n t o n Al so ,

.
,

I fe e l bound to say that I can se e l i ttl e g ood i n th e i r com i n g .

Once i ntroduce the abom i nab le cu stom of folk payi ng calls and ,

for thwi th the re wi ll e n su e such ru i n to the manage m e nt o f

e sta te s th at l andown e rs w i ll be force d t o f e e d th e i r horse s o n

hay No t fo r a long long ti m e have I e ate n a m e al away from

—
.
,

home although my own k i tch e n i s a poor o ne and has i ts ,

ch i mne y i n such a state that we re i t to be com e ove rh e ate d i t , ,

”
would i n stantly c atch fire .

What a bru te ! though Chi chi ko v

,
I am lucky to h ave .

g o t through s o much pa sty and s tu f f e d s hould e r o f mu tt on at

S o bake vi t ch
’
s !
”
Al so we nt on Plushki n
,
I am a shame d to say that ,

hardly a w i sp of fodd e r do e s the p lace conta i n B ut how can .

I ge t fodd e r ? My land s are small and the pe asan try lazy ,

fe llows who hate work and th i nk of no th i n g but the tave rn In .

the e n d th e re fore I sha ll be forc e d t o g o and sp e nd m y o ld a e

, , g
i n roam i n g abou t the wo rld .

B ut I have b e e n to ld tha t yo u po sse ss ove r a thou sand

se rfs ? sai d Chi chi ko v .

Who told yo u that ? No m atte r who i t was you w ould ,

have b e e n ju sti fie d i n g i vi n g him the li e He mu st have b e e n a .

e ste r who w an te d to make a f ool o f

j y o u A t hou sand s oul s .
,
i nd e e d ! Why ju st re ckon the taxe s o n the m and se e what
, ,
the re w ould be l e ft ! Fo r th e se thre e ye ar s tha t accurse d fe ve r
has be e n k i ll i ng o ff my se rfs whole sal e ”
.

Whole sale you ”say ? e choe d Chi chi ko v gre atly i n te re ste d
, , .

Ye s whol e sale re pl i e d the o ld man

, , .

The n m i gh t I ask you the e xac t nu m be r ?

Fully e i ghty .

S ure ly n ot ?
B ut i t i s so .

Th n ght
e i m
I also ask whe the r i t i s from the date of the l ast
ce nsus re v i si on th at
yo u are r e ckon i n g t h e se s oul s?
1 12 D e ad S o u l s
had e lapse d b e fo re thi s i nstantan e ou sly arou se d e mo ti on had ,

as i n stan tan e ou ly s d i s
,
app e ar e d from h i s wood e n f e a tur e s .

Once more the y assum e d a care wo m e xp re S Si on and he e ve n ,

wi p e d hi s face wi th hi s hand k e rchi e f t h e n roll e d i t i nt o a ball

.

, ,

and rubb e d i t to and fro agai nst hi s upp e r li p .

If i t wi ll n ot annoy yo u agai n t o state the propo sal he ,

we nt on what you und e rtak e to do i s to pay the annual tax

,
upon th e se soul s and to re mi t the mon e y e i th e r to me or to the
,

Tre asury ?
Ye s t ,
ha t i s how i t s hall be don e W e . w i ll d r aw up a d e e d
of purcha se as t hough t he s oul s w e r e st i ll al i v e and you had
sold th e m t o mys e lf
—
.

Qui te so a d e e d o f purchase e cho e d Plushki n onc e more

, ,

re lap si ng i nto thought and the ch e wi ng mo ti on of the l i p s B ut .

a d e e d o f such a ki nd wi ll e ntai l c e rtai n e xp e n se s and lawye rs ,

are s o d e vo i d o f con s c i e nc e ! In fac t s o e x

,
t o r t i ona t e i s t h e i r
avari c e that the y wi ll charg e o n e half a roubl e and th e n a sack ,

o f flour and th e n a whol e waggon load of m e al I wond e r that

-
.
,
”
no o n e has ye t call e d atte n ti on to the syste m .

Upon that Chi chi ko v i nti mate d that o u t o f r e sp e ct for hi s ,

ho st he hi m se lf would b e ar the co st o f the tran sfe r o f soul s

,
.

Thi s le d Plushki n to conclud e that hi s g ue st mu st be the ki nd

of unconsci onabl e fool who whi l e pre te nd i ng to hav e b e e n a
,

m e mb e r o f the Ci vi l S e rvi ce has i n r e al i ty se rv e d i n the army

,

and run afte r actre sse s ; wh e re fore the old man no long e r di s
gui se d hi s d e li ght but call e d down bl e ssi ngs al i k e upon Chi chi
,

ko v s h e ad and upon tho se o f hi s chi ldr e n (he had n e v e r e v e n

’

i nqu i re d wh e th e r Chi chi ko v po sse sse d a fam i ly) N e xt he .

,

shufl i e d to the wi ndow and tappi ng o n e o f i ts pan e s shou t e d

, , ,

the nam e o f Pro shka

”
Imm e di ate ly som e o n e ran qu i ck ly
.

i nto the hall and afte r much stampi ng of fe e t burst i n to the

—
, , ,

room Thi s was Proshka a thi rte e n y e ar old youngste r who

.
- -

was shod wi th boo ts of such d i m e n si on s as almo st t o e ngulf hi s

‘

l e gs as he wal k e d The re ason why he e n te re d thu s shod was

.

that Plu shki n k e p t only o n e pai r o f boo ts for the whol e o f hi s

dom e sti c staff Thi s uni v e rsal pai r was stati on e d i n the hall of
.

the man si on so that any se rvant who was summon e d t o the

,

hou se mi ght don the sai d boots afte r wad i ng bare foo te d through
the mud o f the courtyard and e n te r the parlour dry shod
,
-

sub se qu e n tly l e avi ng the boo ts wh e re he had found t h e m and

,
d e parti ng i n hi s form e r bare foo te d cond i ti on I nd e e d had
.
,

any on e o n a slu shy wi nte r s morni ng glanc e d from a wi ndow

,
’

,
i nto the sai d courtyard he would hav e se e n Plushki n s se rvi tors ’
,
 D e ad S o uls 1 1
3
p e rform i ng saltatory f e ats worthy o f the mo st vi gorou s o f
stag e danc e rs
-
.

Loo k at that boy s fac e ! sai d Plushki n to Chi chi ko v as

” ’

he po i n te d to Pro shka I t i s stup i d e nough ye t lay anythi ng

.
, ,

asi d e and i n a tri c e he wi ll hav e st ol e n i t W e ll my lad w hat

,
.
, ,

do yo u want ?
He pau se d a mom e nt o r two but Pro shka mad e n o r e ply ,
.

C om e com e ! w e nt on the old man S et out the samovar

— —
.
, ,

and th e n gi ve Mavra the ke y o f the store room h e re i t i s and -

te ll he r t o g e t o ut som e loa f sugar fo r t e a H e r e ! W ai t ano th e r .

mom e nt fool ! I S the d e vi l i n your l e gs that th e y i t ch so to be

,

o ff ? Li ste n to w hat more I hav e to te ll you T ell Mavra that .

the su g ar on the ou tsi d e o f the loaf has g on e bad so t hat she ,

mu st scrap e i t off wi th a kni fe and n ot throw aw ay the scrap i ngs , ,

but gi v e t h e m t o the poult ry Al so se e tha t you yourse lf don t

’
.
,

i n t o t h t or room o r I wi ll gi v e you a b i rchi ng t hat you

g o e s e ,

w on t care for Your app e ti te i s g ood e nou gh alre ady but a

’
.
,

b e tte r on e won t hurt you Don t e v e n try t o go i n to the store

’
.
’

room for I shall be wat chi ng you from thi s wi ndow

,
”
.

You se e the o ld man add e d to Chi chi ko v o n e can n e ve r

, ,

tru st th e se f e llo w s
”
Pr e se ntly wh e n Proshka and the boo ts
.
,

had d e parte d he fe ll to gazi ng at hi s gu e st wi th an e qually

,

d i stru stful ai r si nc e c e rtai n f e atur e s i n Chi chi ko v s b e n e vol e nc e

,
’

n o w stru ck hi m as a l i ttl e op en t o qu e sti on and he had b e gu n ,

t o th i nk t o hi m se l f : Afte r all the de vi l only kno ws who he

—
i s w h e th e r a bragg art l i k e mo st o f th e se sp e nd thri fts o r a
,
,

fe llo w who i s lyi n g m e re ly i n ord e r to ge t som e tea o ut of me ”

.

Fi nally hi s ci rcum sp e cti on combi n e d wi th a d e si r e to te st hi s

, ,

gu e st le d hi m to r e mark that i t m i ght be w e ll to compl e te the

,

tran sacti on i mmedi ately si nc e he had n o t ov e rmuch confid e nc e

,

i n human i ty se e i n g that a man m i g ht be al i v e to day and d e ad

,
-

t o morrow
-

—
.

To thi s Chi chi ko v a sse nte d r e adi ly e nough m e re ly addi ng

that he Should l i k e first o f all t o be furn i sh e d wi t h a l i st o f the
d e ad soul s Thi s re a ssure d Plushki n as to hi s gu e st s i n te nti on
.
’

o f do i ng bu si n e ss so he
g o t o u t h i s,
k e y s approach e d a cupboard , ,

and havi ng pull e d bac k the door rummag e d among the cups
, ,

and glasse s wi th whi ch i t was fi ll e d A t l e n gth he sai d .

I cannot fi nd i t now but I u se d to po sse ss a Spl e ndi d bottl e

,

o f l i quor Probably the se rvants hav e drun k i t all for th e y are

.
,
S uch th i e v e s O h no : p e rhap s thi s i s i t !
.

Loo ki ng up Chi chi ko v saw th at Plushki n had e xtracte d a

,

d e can te r coate d w i th du st .
 1 I 4 .
D e ad S o u l s
My late wi fe mad e the stu ff we n t o n the old man but
, ,

t ha t ra s cal of a hou se k e e p e r w e n t and t hr e w away a l o t of i t ,

and n e ve r e v e n re plac e d the stopp e r Conse qu e ntly bu gs and .

o th e r nasty cre atu re s go t i nto the d e cante r but I cl e an e d i t out , ,

”
and now beg to o ff e r you a gla ssful .

T h e i d e a o f a dr i n k from s uch a r e c e p t acl e w a s t o o much for

Ch c i h i k o v s o,
he e xcu se d h i m s e lf o n t h e ground t ha t h e had ju st
had lunch e on .

Y o u ha v e ju st had lunch e on ?
”
r e
1
e cho e d
-
P lu s h k i n N ow .
,

that shows how i nvari ably o n e can t e ll a man o f good soci e ty ,

wh e re so e v e r on e may be A man o f tha t ki nd n e ve r e ats anythi ng

—he always says that he has had e nough Ve ry di fferent that
.

from the ways o f a rogu e whom o n e can n e v e r sati sfy howe v e r

, ,

much o ne may gi ve hi m For i n stanc e that cap tai n o f mi n e i s

—
.
,

constantly be ggi ng me to let hi m hav e a m e al though he i s

a bou t as much my n e ph e w as I am hi s grandfa the r A s i t hap .

p e n s th e re i s n e v e r a bi te o f anythi ng i n the hou se so he has to

, ,

o away e mp ty B u t abou t t h e li st of t ho se good for no thi ng -

g
-

—
.

soul s I happ e n to po ssess s uch a l i st si nc e I hav e drawn o n e ,

”
up i n re adi n e ss for the n e xt re vi si on .

Wi th that Plushki n donn e d hi s sp e ctacl e s and once more ,

starte d t o rummag e i n the cupboard and t o smo th e r hi s gu e st

wi th du st as he un ti e d succ e ssi v e pack age s of pap e rs so much

,
—
so tha t hi s Vi cti m burst o ut sn e e zi ng Fi nally he e xtracte d a
.

much scri bbl e d docum e nt i n whi ch the nam e s o f the d e c e ase d

-

e a s an t s lay as clo se pac k e d as a cloud o f m i dg e s f t h r

p o r e e
-
,

w e re a hundre d and tw e nty o f th e m i n all Chi chi ko v gri nn e d .

wi th j oy a t the si ght of the mul ti tud e S tu ffing the l i st i nto hi s .

p oc k e t h,
e r e mar k e d t ha t t o compl
,
e t e t h e t ran sac ti on i t would ,

be n e c e ssary to r e turn to the t own .

To the town ? re p e ate d Plushki n B ut why ? More ove r .

,

ho w could I l e av e the hou se se e i ng that e v e ry o n e o f my

,

se rvan ts i s e i th e r a thi e f o r a rogu e ? Day by day t h e y p i lf e r

thi ngs un ti l soon I shall ha v e n o t a si ngl e coa t to hang o n

,

my back ”
.

Th e n you posse ss ac quai n tanc e s i n the town ?

Ac quai ntance s ? No Eve ry ac quai ntance whom I e ve r
.

posse sse d has e i th e r l e ft me or i s d e ad B ut st op a mom e n t I . .

do k now the P re si d e n t o f the Counc i l E ve n i n my o ld age he

.

has onc e o r twi c e com e t o vi si t me for he and I u se d to be ,

s choolf e llow s and to o cl i mb i ng wall t og t h r Y h i m I do
, g s e e e s .
,
know S hall I wri t e hi m a l e tt e r ?
.

”
By all m e an s .
 I 1 6 D e ad S o u l s
lyi ng o n the tabl e ! You hav e b e e n accu si ng me for no re ason
what e ve r !
And sure e nough the sh e e t of pap e r was lyi ng b e fore
, ,

F
o

i v ry y or a mom n t two he ch e w e d S i l e n tly

’
Plus h k n s e e e s e .o r .

Th e n he w e nt o n
We ll and wha t are you maki ng such a n 01se abou t ? If o n e
0

says a si ngl e wo rd to you you an sw e r bac k Wi th t e n ,

Go and .

f e tch me a candl e to se al a l e tte r wi th And m i nd you bri ng a .

tallow candl e for i t w i ll n o t co st so much as the o th e r sor t A nd

,
.

bri ng me a m atch to o .

M avra d e parte d and Plushki n se ati ng hi m se lf and taki ng

, , ,

up a p e n sat tu rn i ng the sh e e t of pap e r ov e r and ov e r as though

, ,

i n doubt wh e th e r to t e ar from i t ye t ano th e r morse l A t l e n gth .

he cam e t o the conclu si on tha t i t was i mpo ssi bl e to do so and ,

t h e r e fore d i ppi ng the p e n i n to t he m i xtur e of mouldy flu i d and

,

d e ad fli e s whi ch the i n k bo ttl e con ta i n e d star te d to i nd i te the ,

l e tte r i n charac t e rs a s bold a s the no te s o f a mu si c score w hi l e ,

mom e ntari ly ch e ck i ng the sp e e d of hi s hand l e st i t should ,

m e and e r to o much ove r the pap e r and crawl i ng from l i n e to ,

l i n e a s though he re gre tte d tha t th e re was so l i ttl e vacant spac e

l e ft o n the sh e e t .

And do you happ e n to k now any on e t o whom a fe w runaway

se rfs w ould be o f use ? he a sk e d a s sub se q ue n tly he fold e d the
l e tt e r .

What ? Yo u hav e som e runaways a s w e ll ? e xcla i m e d

Chi chi ko v aga i n gr e a tly i n te r est e d
, .

C e rtai nly I hav e M y son i n law has lai d the n e c e ssary

.
- -

i nforma ti on aga i n st th e m but says tha t th e i r trac k s hav e grown

—
,

cold How v r he s only a m i l i tary man tha t i s to say good

. e e i , ,

at cl i nk i ng a pa i r o f spurs but o f no u se for layi ng a pl e a b e for e

,
”
a cou rt .

And how many ”runaways have you ?

About se v e nty .

Sure ly n o t
Ala s ye s N e v e r do e s a y e ar pa ss wi thou t a c e rtai n n umbe
,
.

o f th e m ma k i ng o ff Ye t so glu ttonou s and i dl e are my se rf

.

that th e y are S i mply bursti ng wi th food wh e r e a s I scarc e ly e

g ,
e nough to e a t I wi ll ta k e any pri c e for t h e m tha t
.

to o ffe r T e ll your fri e nd s abou t i t and should t

.

'
, ,

a score of the runaways i t wi ll re pay th e m ,

that a l i vi ng serf on the c e n su s l i st i s at
”
hundre d rou bl e s .

P e rhap s so but I am ,
 D e ad S o ul s 1 1
7
hav e a fing e r i n thi s thought Chi chi ko v to h i m se l f ; afte r whi ch
,

he e xpla i n e d to Plushki n t ha t a fri e nd o f the k i nd m e n ti on e d

would be i mpo ssi bl e to d i scov e r si nc e the l e gal e xp e n se s o f the ,

e n t e rpri se would l e ad t o the sa i d fri e nd hav i n g t o cut the v e ry

t a i l from hi s coa t b e for e he would g e t cl e ar of the lawy e rs .

N e v e rth e l ess add e d Chi chi ko v se e i ng that you are so

, ,

hard pre sse d fo r mon e y and tha t I am so i nt e re ste d i n the

—
,

ma tt e r I f e e l mov e d to advanc e you w e ll to advanc e you such

, ,

a tri fl e as w ould scarc e ly be worth m e n ti on i ng ”

.

B ut how much i s i t ? a sk e d Plushki n e ag e rly and wi th hi s ,

hand s tr e mbl i ng l i k e qu i cksi lv e r .

Tw e nty five kop e c k s p e r soul

-
.

Wha t ? I n re ady mon e y ?

—
Ye s i n mon e y down
”
.

N e v e rth e l e ss con si d e r my pov e rty d e ar fri e nd and mak e

, , ,

i t f orty kop e c k s p e r soul

”
.

V e n e rabl e si r would tha t I could pay yo u n o t m e re ly forty

,

ko p e cks but five hundr e d roubl e s I should be only to o d e l i gh t e d

, . .

i f tha t w e r e po ssi bl e si nc e I p e rc e i v e t ha t you an ag e d and

, ,

r e sp e c te d g e n tl e man are suffe ri ng f or your o wn g oodn e ss of

,
”
h e art .

B y Go d tha t i s tru e tha t i s tru e Plushki n hung hi s h e ad

, ,
.
,

and w agg e d i t f e e bly from si d e to si d e Ye s all tha t I hav e .

,

don e I hav e don e pur e ly o ut of k i ndn e ss .

S e e ho w i n stantan e ou sly I hav e d i vi n e d your na tur e ! By

no w i t wi ll hav e b e com e cl e ar t o you why i t i s i mpo ssi bl e for
me to pay yo u five hundr e d roubl e s p e r r unaway soul fo r by .

no w yo u wi ll ha v e g a th e re d the fac t t ha t I am no t su ffi c i e ntly

ri ch N e v e rth e l e ss I am r e ady to add ano th e r five k op e ck s
.
, ,

and so to ma k e i t tha t e ach runaway se rf shall co st me i n all , ,

th i rty kop e c k s
”
.

A S yo u pl e a se d e ar si r Ye t str e tch ano th e r po i n t and t hro w

, .
,
”
i n ano th e r two kop e ck s .

Pardon me but I canno t How many runaw ay se rfs di d

,
.

y o u say t ha t you po sse ss ? S e v e n t y ?

No se v e n ty e i g ht ” -
.

S e v e nty e i g ht soul s at thi rty kop e c k s e ach wi ll amount to

-

to only fo r a mom e nt di d o ur h e ro hal t si nc e he wa s

strong i n hi s a ri thm e ti c —wi ll amoun t to tw e nty f our roubl e s
,
,
-
,
”1
n i n e ty si x kop e ck s
-
.

1
N e ve rt h e l e ss Chi chik o v wo ul d app e ar to h ave e rre d , si n c e m o st p pl
eo e
d
wo u l m a e th e k su m a mo u n t to twe n ty t -
h ree ro u bl e s, f o r ty kp ko ec s If
h d h f bl kp k
.

so , Chi c hi ko v c e at e i mse l of o n e ro u e, fi fty -

si x o ec s .
 1 1 8 D e ad S o ul s
Wi th tha t he re qu e ste d Plushki n to mak e o ut the r e c e i p t ,

and th e n hand e d hi m the mon e y Plushki n too k i t i n bo th hand s .

,

bore i t to a bur e au wi th a s much cau ti on a s though he w e re

carryi ng a l i qu i d whi ch m i ght at any mom e n t Spla sh hi m i n the
fac e and arri v e d at the bure au and g lan cmg round onc e m ore
, , , ,

care fully p ac k e d the ca sh i n o n e o f hi s mon e y bag s wh e re , ,

doubtl e ss i t wa s d e sti n e d to li e buri e d un ti l to the i nte n se j oy

, ,

of hi s daughte rs and hi s son i n law ( and p e rhap s of the cap ta i n

- -
, ,

who clai m e d ki n shi p wi th hi m) he should h i m se lf r e c e i v e buri al

,

a t the hand s o f Fa th e rs Carp and P olycarp the two pri e sts

‘

a ttach e d to hi s vi llag e La stly the mon e y conc e al e d Plushki n

.
, ,

re se a t e d h i m se lf i n the armcha i r
-
and se e m e d at a lo ss for ,

furth e r ma te ri al for con v e rsa ti on .

Are yo u thi nk i ng o f sta rti ng ? a t l e ng th he i n qu i r e d

”
on ,

se e i ng Chi chi ko v ma k e a tri fli ng mov e m e n t though t he mov e ,

m e n t was only to e xtrac t from hi s poc k e t a hand k e rchi e f .

N e v e rth e l e ss the qu esti on r e m i nd e d Chi chi ko v tha t th e re was

n o fu rthe r e xcu se fo r l i ng e ri ng .

Ye s I mu st be go i ng he sa i d as he too k hi s hat
,
”
, .

Th e n wha t abou t the te a ?

Thank yo u I wi ll hav e som e o n my n e xt vi si t
, .

Wha t ? E v e n though I hav e j u st ord e re d the samovar to be

g o t r e ady ? W e ll w e ll !
,
I my s e lf do n o t gr e a tly car e for t ea ,

fo r I thi n k i t an e xp e n si v e b e v e rag e More ov e r the pri c e o f .

,
”
sugar has ri se n t e rri bly .

Pro shka ! he th e n shou te d The samovar wi ll n o t be

.

n e e d e d Re turn the sugar to M avra an d t e ll he r to p ut i t back

.
,
”
agai n B ut no Bri ng the sugar h e r e and I wi ll p ut i t back
. .
, .

Good bye d e ar si r finally he add e d to Chi chi ko v

-

, ,
May .

the Lo rd bl e ss you ! Hand tha t l e tt e r to the P r e si d e n t o f the

Counci l and le t hi m re ad i t Ye s he i s an old fri e nd o f m i n e
, .
, .

We kn e w o n e ano th e r as schoolf e llows ”

.

Wi th tha t thi s strang e ph e nom e non thi s wi th e re d o ld man , ,

e scor te d hi s gu e st to the ga t e s o f the court yard and aft e r the
, ,

gu est had d e p art e d ord e re d the ga te s to be clo se d mad e the

, ,
round of the ou tbu i ld i ng s for the purpo se of a sc e rta i n i ng wh
e th e r
t he num e rou s wa tchm e n w e r e at th e i r po sts p e e r e d i n to the
,

k ch n (wh e re und e r the pre te nc e o f se e i ng wh e th e r hi s se rvants

i t e
,

w re b e i ng prop e rly fe d he mad e a l i ght m e al o f cabbag e soup

e
,
a nd g ru e l
) ra t e
, d t he s a i d se rvan ts soundly for th e i r th i e vi shn e ss
and g e n e ral bad b e havi our and th e n re turn e d to hi s room
, .

M d a ng i n sol i tud e he fe ll to th i nk i n g how b e st he could

e i t t i ,

con r ve to re com pe n se hi s gu e st for the latte r s m e asure l e ss

t i ’
1 20 D e ad S o u ls
clo the s and san k i nto the profound slumbe r wh ich come s only
,

to s uch for tuna te fol k as ar e troubl e d n e i th e r wi th mo s q u i t o e s

fl
no r e sa nor e xc e ss i ve ac ti v i t y of bra i n .

WHEN Chi chi ko v awoke he stre tche d h i m se lf and re al i se d tha t

h e had s l e p t w e ll F o.r a mom e n t o r tw o h e lay o n h i s bac k ,

and the n sudde nly clappe d hi s hand s at the re coll e c ti on that he

w sa now o w n e r o f n e arly four hundr e d s oul s A t onc. e h e l e ap t
ou o t f be d w i thou t s o much as glanc i n g a t h i s fac e i n th e m i rror ,

though as a rul e he had much sol i c i tud e for hi s fe at ure s and

, , ,

e sp e c i ally for hi s ch i n of wh i ch he wou ld mak e the mo st wh e n

,

i n company w i th fri e nd s and more par ti cularly should any o ne

,

happe n t o e nte r wh i le he was e ng age d i n the proce ss o f shavi ng .

Look how round my ch i n i s ! was hi s u sual formula O n the .

pre se nt occasi on howe ve r he loo k e d ne i th e r at ch i n nor at

, ,

any o the r fe ature but at once donne d hi s flowe r e mbro i de re d

,
-

sl i pp e rs o f morocco l e ath e r (the k i nd o f Sl i pp e rs i n w h i ch than k s ,

to the Ru ssi an love fo r a dre ssi ng g own e d e x i ste nc e the t o wn o f

-
,

Torzhok doe s such a huge trad e ) and clad only i n a m e agre, ,

sh i rt so far forgo t hi s e ld e rl i n e ss and d i gn i ty as t o cut a coupl e

—
,

of cape rs afte r the fash i on o f a S co tti sh h i ghland e r al i ghti ng

ne atly e ach ti m e on the flat o f hi s h e e l s O nly whe n he had done
, ,
.

that di d he proce e d t o bu si n e ss Plan ti ng h i m se lf b e fore hi s

.

d i spatch box he rubbe d hi s hand s w i th a sati sfac ti on worthy o f

-
,

an i ncorrup ti ble rural magi strate whe n adj oum i ng for lunch e on ;
afte r wh i ch he e xtracte d from the re ce ptacl e a bund le of pape rs .

The se he had de ci de d not to de posi t w i th a lawye r for the ,

re ason that he would haste n matte rs as we ll as save e xpe n se , ,

by h i m se lf fram in g and fai r copyi n g the n e ce ssary d e e d s o f

-

i nd e n ture and si nce he was thoroughly ac quai n te d w i th the

ne ce ssary te rm i nology he proce e d e d t o i n scri be i n large char
,

acte rs the date and th e n i n small e r on e s hi s nam e and ran k

, ,
.

By two o clock the whole was fi n i she d and as he loo ke d at the

’

,
she e t s o f nam e s re pre se n ti ng bygon e p e a san ts who had plough e d
,

worke d at h and i crafts che ate d th e i r maste rs fe tche d carri e d

, , , ,

and go t drunk (though some o f the m may have b e have d we ll ) ,

th e re cam e o ve r hi m a strange unaccoun t abl e se n sat i on To hi s

, .

e ye e ach ll S t o f nam e s se e m e d t o po sse ss a charac te r o f i ts o wn

;
and e ve n i nd i vi dual p e asan ts th e re i n se e m e d t o have ta k e n o n
 D e ad S o u l s 12 I

ce rta i n qual i ti e s p e cu li ar to the m se lve s For i n stance to the .

,

maj or i ty of Madame K oro botchka s se rfs th e re we re appe nd e d ’

n i ck name s and o th e r add i t i on s ; Plushki n s l i st was d i sti n gu i she d ’

by a conc i se ne ss o f e xpo si ti on wh i ch had le d to ce rta i n o f the

i te m s b e i n g re pre se n te d m e r e ly by Chr i st i an nam e pa tronym i c , ,

and a coupl e of do ts ; and So bake vi t ch s l i st was re mark able ’

for i ts ampl i tud e and c i rcum stan ti al i ty i n t hat n o t a s i n gl e ,

p e asan t had such o f hi s pe cul i ar charac te r i sti c s om i tte d as that

”
the d e ce a se d had b e e n e xc e ll e n t at j o i n e ry or s ob e r and ,

re ady t o pay atte nti on to hi s work Al so i n S o bake vi tch s

.
,
’

l i st the re was re cord e d who had b e e n the fathe r and the mo the r
o f e ach o f the d e c e a se d and ho w tho se pare nts had b e have d
,

th e m se lve s O nly agai nst the nam e of a ce rtai n The do to v was

.

th e re i n scr i b e d : Fath e r unknown Mo th e r the ma i d se rvan t ,

K ap i to li n a Moral s and Hon e sty g ood The se d e tai l s com m un i

”
.
,

cate d t o the docum e n t a c e r ta i n ai r of fre shn e ss t h e y se e m e d ,

t o conno te tha t the p e a san ts i n qu e sti on had l i ve d bu t ye ste rday .

A s Chi chi ko v scann e d the l i st he fe l t softe n e d i n sp i r i t and sa i d ,

w i th a si gh :
My fr i e nd s w hat a concourse o f you i s he re ! Ho w di d you
,

all pass your l i ve s my bre thre n ? And how di d yo u all com e to

,

d e part h e nce ?
A s he spoke hi s e ye s hal te d at o ne n am e i n par ti cular th at —
o f the sam e P e te r S ave l i e v N éuvazhai Kor i t o who had onc e

b e e n the prop e r ty of the w i do w K oro bo tchka O nce m or e he .

could n o t h e lp e xcla i m i n g :
What a se ri e s o f ti tle s ! Th e y occupy a w hole l i ne ! P e te r
S ave l i e v I w ond e r whe the r you we re an ar ti san or a pla i n
,

muzhi k . Also I wond e r how you cam e to m e e t your e n d ;

,

whe the r i n a tave rn o r wh e the r throu gh g o i ng to Sl e e p i n the

, ,

m i ddle o f the road and b e i ng run ove r by a tra i n o f wagg on s

, .

Aga in I se e the nam e Pro bka S te pan carp e nte r ve ry sobe r

, , , ,
.
’

That mu st be the h e ro o f whom the Gu ard s wou ld have b e e n so

glad to ge t hold How we ll I can i magi ne hi m tramp i ng the
.

country w i th an axe i n hi s b e l t and hi s boo ts o n hi s Should e r ,

and l i vi n g o n a fe w groats w orth o f bre ad and dri e d fish p e r

’
-

day and ta k i ng home a coupl e o f half roubl e p i e ce s i n hi s purse

,
-

and se w i ng the no te s i nt o hi s bre e che s o r stu ffi n g the m i n t o hi s ,

boo ts ! I n what manne r cam e yo u by your e n d Pro bka S te pan ? ,

D i d yo u for g ood wage s moun t a sca ffold around the cupola

, ,

o f the v i llage church and cl i m b i n g t h e nc e t o the cro ss abov e

, , ,

m i ss your footi n g on a b e am and fall h e adlong wi th none at

—
,

han d but U ncl e M i cha i the g ood uncle who scratch i n g the ,
 1 22 D e ad S o u l s
back o f hi s n e ck and mu tte ri ng Ah Van i a fo r once you have
, , , ,

be e n to o cl e ve r ! strai ghtway lashe d h i mse lf to a rope and took ,

your place ? M aksi m Te li atni ko v shoe mak e r A shoe mak e r ,

.
’
,

i nd ee d ? A S drunk as a sho e ma k e r s ay s th e prov e rb I,

know
’
.

what you we re l i k e my fri e nd If you W i sh I w i ll te ll you your

,
.
,

Whole h i story Yo u we re appre nti ce d to a Ge rman who fe d

. ,

and your f llow t a common t ab l t hra s h e d o u w i t h a

y o u e s a e
y ,

s trap k e p,
t you i ndoor s wh e n e v e r y o u had mad e a m i st ak e and ,

Spoke o f you i n uncompl i me ntary te rm s t o hi s W1fe and fri e nd s .

A et l ng t h wh e n
,
your appr e n t i c e sh i p w as ov e r y o u s a i d t o your ,

se lf ,
I am go i ng t o se t up o n my o w n acco u n t and n o t ju st to ,

scrap e t oge th e r a k op e ck h e re and a kop e c k th e r e as the Ge rman s ,

do but t o grow r i ch qu i ck He nce you t ook a shop at a h i gh

,
.
’

re nt b e spok e a fe w ord e rs and se t t o work to buy up some

, ,

rotte n le athe r o ut o f wh i ch you could make on e ach pa i r of ,

boots a doubl e pro fit B ut tho se boo ts S pl i t w i th i n a fortn i ght

,
.
,

and brou ght down upon your he ad d i re showe rs o f male d i c ti on s

wi th the re sult that graduallyyo ur Shop gre w e mp ty o f cu stome rs
‘

an d yo u fe ll t o roam i n g the stre e ts and e xcla i m i n g The world ,

i s a v e ry poor place i nd e e d ! A Ru ssi an canno t mak e a l i v i n g

for Ge rman compe ti ti on We ll we ll ! E li zabe ta Voro be i !
.
’
,

B ut that i s a woman s nam e ! How com e s she t o be o n the l i st ?

’

That v i llai n So bake vi tch mu st have sn e ak e d he r i n w i thou t my

knowi ng i t ”
.

Gri gor i D o i e zhai me D o i e de sh -

he we n t o n
-
What sort
,
.

o f a man we re yo u I wond e r ? We re you a carr i e r who hav i n g

, ,

se t up a te am of thre e hor se s and a t i l t w aggon l e ft your hom e , ,

your nati ve hove l for e ve r and d e parte d to cart m e rchand i se

, ,

t o marke t ? Was i t o n the h i gh w ay tha t you surre nd e re d your

soul t o God o r di d your fr i e nd s fi r st marry yo u
,

re d face d sold i e r s daugh te r ; afte r wh i ch your

’
-

te am o f rough but S ,

and you lyi ng on your pall e t thought th i ngs ove r un ti

, ,

n i lly yo u fe l t that yo u m u st t up and ma k for t h

, g e e e
th e re afte r blunde r i n g i n to an i ce ho le ? Ah our p e a san t o f Ru ssi ,

Ne ve r do you we lcome d e ath whe n i t com e s !

”
And you my fri e nd s ? conti nu e d Chi chi ko v turn i ng
, ,

the sh e e t wh e re on w e re i n scri b e d the nam e s of Plu shki n s a ’

sconde d se rfs .
 1 24 D e ad S o u l s
you re mai n unti l your case com e s on wh e n the ju sti c e ord e rs ,

vou to be re mov e d from Tsare v K o kshai ska to such and such -

a t
no h e r pr i son and a
,
se cond ju s t i c e ord e r s yo u t o b e t ran s f e rr e d
h
t e nc e t o V e si e g o n sk o r s om e wh e r e e l se and y o u go fl i t t i ng ,

from gaol to gaol and sayi ng e ach ti m e as you e ye your ne w

, ,

habi tati on The last plac e was a good d e al cl e an e r than thi s

,
1 ’

on e i s,
and o n e could play b a bk i t h e r e and s t r e t ch on e s l e g s , ,

and se e a l i ttl e soci e ty

’
.

Abakum Thi ro v Chi chi ko v w e n t o n afte r a pau se

,
’
.

What o f you broth e r ? Wh e re and i n what capaci ty are you

, , ,

di sporti ng yourse lf ? Hav e you gon e to the Volga country and ,

b e com e bi tte n wi th the l i fe o f fre e dom and j oi n e d the fi sh e rm e n ,

o f t he ri v e r ?
H e re bre aki ng off Chi chi ko v r e lap se d i nt o si l e nt m e d i tati on
, ,
.

Of what was he thi nki ng as he sat th e re ? Was he thi n ki ng o f

the fortun e s o f Abak um T hi ro v or was he m e d i ta ti ng as m e d i ,

tate s e v e ry Ru ssi an wh e n hi s tho ughts onc e turn to the j oys o f

an e manci pate d e xi ste nc e ?
Ah w e ll ! he si ghe d looki ng at hi s watch
, ,
I t has now .

gone twe lve o clock Why hav e I so forgotte n myse lf ? Th e re i s

’
.

sti ll much t o be don e ye t I go shu tti ng myse lf up and l e tti ng

,

my thoughts wand e r ! What a fool I am !

S o sayi ng he e xchang e d hi s S co tti sh co stum e ( of a shi rt and
,

no thi ng e l se ) for atti re of a more E urop e an nature ; afte r whi ch

he pull e d ti ght the wai stcoat ov e r hi s ampl e st omach spri n k l e d ,

hi m se lf wi th e au de Cologn e tuck e d hi s pap e rs und e r hi s arm

- -

too k hi s fur cap and se t o ut for the mun i ci pal O ffi c e s for th

, ,

purpo se o f compl e ti ng the tran sfe r o f soul s The fact that h .

hurri e d along was n o t due to a fe ar o f b e i ng late (se e i ng tha

the P re si d e n t of the Local Counci l was an i n ti ma te acqu ai ntan c
o f hi s as w e ll as a functi onary who could shor te n o r prolon
,

an i nte rvi e w at wi ll e v e n as Hom e r s Ze u s was abl e to sho rt e

,
’

o r t o prolong a n i ght o r a day wh e n e v e r i t b e cam e n e c e ssary t

,

p u t an e n d t o th e figh t i n g o f h i s favour i t e h e ro e s or to e n abl ,

th e m t o j oi n battl e ) but rath e r t o a f e e l i n g that he would li k

,

to hav e the aff ai r conclud e d as qu i ckly as po ssi bl e se e i ng that

,
throughou t i t had b e e n an anxi ou s and d i ffi cul t bu si n e ss Al so
, .

he could n o t g e t ri d o f the i d e a that hi s soul s w e r e un su b

stanti al thi ng s and tha t th e r e for e und e r the c i rcum stanc e s hi
, , ,
should e rs had b e tte r be r e l i e v e d of th e i r load wi th the l e a st s
p o
si bl e d e lay . Pulli ng on hi s ci nnamon coloure d b e ar li n e d ove r -
,
-

coat as he w e nt he had ju st ste pp e d thoughtfully i nto the stre e

,

1
T he g me
a of k kl b
nuc e o nes .
 D e ad S o ul s 1 2
5
wh e n he coll i d e d wi th a g e ntl e man dre sse d i n a si m i lar coat and
an e ar lapp e te d fur cap Upon that the g e n tl e man u tte re d an
-
.

e xclamati on . B e hold i t was Mani lo v ! A t once the fri e nd s

,

b e cam e fold e d i n a stre nuo us e mbrac e and r e mai n e d so lock e d ,

for fully five m i nu te s . Ind e e d the ki sse s e xchang e d w e re so

,

vi g orou s that both su ffe re d from t oothach e for the gre ate r
porti on o f the day Al so Mani lo v s d e l i ght was such that only
’

—
.
,

hi s no se and l i p s re mai ii e d vi si bl e the e y e s compl e te ly di s

app e are d Afte rw ard s he sp e nt abou t a quarte r o f an hour i n
.

hold i ng Chi chi ko v s hand and chafi ng i t v i gorou sly La stly he

’
.
, ,

i n the mo st pl e a san t and e xqu i si te of t e rm s po ssi bl e i n ti mate d ,

t o hi s fri e nd t ha t he had ju st b e e n on hi s way t o e mbrac e Paul

I vanovi tch ; and upon thi s follow e d a compli m e nt o f the ki nd
whi ch would mor e fitti ngly hav e b e e n addre sse d to a lady who
was b e i ng a sk e d t o accord a partn e r the favour o f a danc e
—
.

Chi chi ko v had op e n e d hi s mou th to r e ply though e v e n he fe l t

at a lo ss how t o acknowl e dg e w hat had ju st b e e n sa i d

wh e n Mani lo v cut hi m short by produci n g from und e r hi s coat

a roll o f pap e r ti e d w i t h re d ri band .

What hav e you there ? a sk e d Chi chi ko v .

”
T he l i st o f my soul s .

”
Ah ! An d as Chi chi ko v unroll e d the docum e n t and ran
hi s e ye ov e r i t he could n o t but marv e l at the e l e gan t n e atn e ss
wi th whi ch i t had b e e n i n scri b e d .

I t i s a b e au ti ful p i e c e o f wri ti n g he sai d I n fact th e re

,
.
,

wi ll be no n e e d to mak e a copy o f i t Al so i t has a bord e r aroun d

.
,

i ts e dg e ! Who work e d that e xqu i si te bord e r ?

”
Do n o t ask me sai d Mani lo v
,
.

D i d you do i t ?
No my wi fe .

”
D e ar d e ar ! Chi chi ko v cri e d
,
To thi nk that I shoul d
.

hav e p ut her t o so m uch troubl e !

Nothi ng could be to o much troubl e whe re Paul I vanovi tch
i s conc e rn e d
.

Chi chi ko v bow e d hi s acknowl e dg e m e n ts N e xt o n l e arn i n g .

,

that he was o n hi s way t o the mun i ci pal offi c e s for the purpo se
o f compl e ti n g the t ran sfe r Mani lo v e xpr e sse d hi s r e ad i n e ss t o
,

accompany hi m ; wh e re fore the pai r l i nk e d arm i n arm and

proc e e d e d t og e th e r Wh e n e ve r th e y e ncounte re d a S l i ght ri se
—
.

i n the ground e v e n the small e st un e v e nn e ss o r d i ffe r e nc e o f

—
l e v e l Mani lo v support e d Chi chi ko v wi th such e n e rgy as
al m o st to l i ft hi m o ff hi s f e e t whi l e accompanyi ng the se rvi c e
,

wi th a smi li n g i mpli cati on that n ot i f he could h e lp i t shoul d

 I 2 6 D e ad S o u l s
Paul I vanovi tch sl i p or fall N e ve rth e l ess thi s conduct app e are d
.

to e mbarrass Chi chi ko v e i th e r b e cau se he could n o t fi nd any

,

fitti ng w ord s of grati tud e or b e cau se he con si d e r e d the pro

ce e di ng ti re som e ; and i t was wi th a se nse o f re he f that he
d e bouch e d upon the square wh e r e the muni ci pal o ffi ce s a larg e— ,

thre e stori e d bu i ld i ng of a chal k y wh i te n e ss wh i ch probably

-

symbol i se d the puri ty o f the soul s e ngag e d w i th i n — w e re

si tuate d No o th e r bu i ld i ng i n the square could vi e wi t h th e m
.

i n si ze se e i ng that the r e mai ni ng e d i fi c e s con si ste d only o f a

, w

se n try box a sh e l te r for two o r thre e cabm e n and a long

—
-
, ,

hoardi ng the latte r adorn e d wi th the u sual bi ll s po ste rs and , ,

scrawl s i n chal k and charcoal A t i n te rval s from the wi ndows

.
,

o f the se c ond and thi rd st ori e s o f the mun i ci pal o ffic e s the ,

i ncorrup ti bl e h e ad s of c e rtai n of the a tte ndan t pri e sts of Th e m i s

would pe e r qu i ckly forth and as qu i ck ly di sapp e ar agai n ,

probably for the re a son that a sup e ri or offi ci al had ju st e n te re d

the room M e anwhi l e the two fri e nd s a sc e nd e d the stai rcase
—
.

nay almo st fle w up i t si nc e longi ng to ge t ri d of Mani lov s

, , ,
’

e v e r supporti ng arm Chi chi ko v ha ste n e d hi s ste p s and Mani lo v

-
, ,

k e pt darti ng forward to anti ci pate any po ssi bl e fai lure on the

part of hi s compani on s l e gs C on se qu e n tly the pai r w e re br e ath
’
.

l e ss wh e n the y re ach e d the fi rst corri dor In pa ssi ng i t may be .

re mark e d that n e i th e r corri dors nor room s e vi nc e d any of that

cl e anl i n e ss and puri ty whi ch mark e d the e xte ri o r of the bu i ld i ng ,

fo r such a ttri bu te s w e re n ot troubl e d abou t wi th i n a n d any ,

thi ng that was d i rty r e mai n e d so and donn e d no me ri tri ci o us , ,

pure ly e xte rnal d i sgu i se I t was as though Th e m i s r e c e i v e d

, .

he r vi si tors i n nég hg é and a dr e ssi ng gown The au thor would

’

-
.

al so gi ve a d e scri pti on of the vari ou s o fii ce s through whi ch o ur

he ro passe d w e r e i t n o t tha t he (the au thor) stand s i n awe o f
,

such l e gal haun ts .

Approachi ng the first d e sk whi ch he happ e n e d to e ncoun te r ,

Chi chi ko v i nqu i r e d o f the two young o ffi c i al s who w e r e se a te d

at i t wh e th e r th e y would k i ndly t e ll hi m w h e r e bu si n e ss r e la ti ng
to se rf i nd e n tur e was tran sac t e d
-
.

O f what nature pre ci se ly i s your bu si n e ss ? counte re d

,
”
,

o n e of the you thful offi c i al s a s he turn e d h i m se lf round .

I d esi re to mak e an appl i cati on ”

.

I n conn e cti on wi th a purchase ?

Yes B ut as I say I should l i k e first to kno w wh e r e I can
.
, ,

find the d esk d e vo te d to such bu si n e ss I s i t h e re or e l se wh e re ? .

You mu st state what i t i s you hav e bought and for ho w ,

much hen we shall be happy to gi ve yo u the i nformati on

.T ”
.
I 28 D e ad S o u l s
vari ou s landown e rs i n thi s canton I hav e purcha se d a numb e r
of p a
e san t s for t ran sf e r H e r e i s t he purcha se 11st and 1t n.e e d s ,
”
but to be r e gi ste r e d .

Have you al so the v e ndors h e re ?

S om e o f th e m and from the re st I hav e obtai n e d pow e rs o f
,

attorn e y
And hav e you your state m e nt o f appl i cati on ?
—
Yes I d e si r e i nd e e d i t i s n e c essary for me so to do to
.
— ,

ha ste n matte rs a l i ttl e Could the affai r th e re fore be carri e d

.
, ,

through to day ? -

To day ? Oh d e ar no ! sai d I van Anto no vi tch B e fore

-
,
.

tha t can be don e you mu st f urn i sh me w i th furth e r proofs t hat

”
no i mp e d i m e nts e xi st .

Th e n to e xp e di te matte rs le t me say that Ivan Gri go ri e

, ,

vi tch the P r esi d e n t of the C ounc i l i s a v e ry i nti mat e fri e nd o f ,

m1n e .

P o s i bly ai d
s A n to n o vi tI van
ch w i t hou t e n thu si a sm
—
s ,
.

B ut Ivan Gri go ri e vi tch alon e w i ll n o t do i t i s cu stomary to

’
have o th e rs as w e ll .

Yes but the ab se nc e o f o th e rs w i ll n o t al tog e th e r i nval i date

,

the tran sac ti on I to o hav e b e e n i n the se rvi c e and k now ho w

.
,
”
th i ng s can be don e .

You had b e tte r go and se e Ivan Gri go ri e vi tch sai d I van ,

An tono vi tch mor e m i ldly S hould he gi v e you an ord e r ad .

dre sse d to whom i t may conc e rn we shall soon be abl e to se ttl e ,

”
the ma tte r .

Upon that Chi chi ko v pull e d from hi s poc k e t a pap e r and la i d ,

i t b e for e Ivan An to n o vi tch A t onc e the la tte r co v e r e d i t wi th .

a boo k Chi chi ko v aga i n a tt e mp te d to show i t to hi m but wi th

.
, ,

a mov e m e nt of hi s h e ad Ivan Anto no vi tch si gni fi e d that tha t ,

was unn e c e ssary .

A cl e rk he add e d wi ll no w conduc t you to I van Gri go ri e

”
, ,

vi tch s room
’

—
.

Upon ha o e of he to i l e rs i n the se rvi c e o f Th e mi s a

t t n t
z e alo t who had o ff e r e d he r such h e art f e l t sacri fi c e t ha t hi s coat

had burst at the e lbows and lac k e d a l i n i ng—e scorte d our fri e nd s
( e v e n a s V i rg i l onc e e scor t e d Dan t e
) t o the apar tm e n t of the
P re senc e I n thi s sanctum w e re som e ma ssi v e armcha i rs a
.
,
tabl e lad e n wi th two o r thr e e fat boo k s and a larg e look i ng ‘

glass La stly i n (appar e ntly ) sunl i k e i solati on th e r e was se ate d

.
, ,
at the tabl e the P r e si d e n t O n arri vi ng at the door o f the apart .

m e nt o ur mod e rn Vi rg i l se e m e d to b e com e so ov e rwh e l m e d

,

Wi th awe that wi thou t dari ng e ve n to i ntrud e a foot, he turned

,
 D e ad S o uls 1 2
9
bac k and i n so do i ng onc e more e xhi bi te d a back a s shi ny a s
, , ,

a mat and havi ng adh e ri ng to i t i n o n e spo t a chi ck e n s f e ath e r

, , ,
’
.

A s soon a s the two fri e nd s had e n te r e d the hall o f the Pr e se nc e

th e y p e rc e i v e d t ha t the Pr e si d e n t wa s n o t alon e but on the , ,

con trary had se at e d by hi s si d e S o bake vi tch w ho se form had

, ,

hi th e rto b e e n conc e al e d by the i n te rv e n i ng m i rror T he n e w .

com e rs e ntry e vok e d sundry e xclama ti on s and the pu shi ng back

’

o f a pa i r o f Gov e rnm e n t cha i r s a s the volum i nou s sl e e v e d -

S o bake vi tch ro se i nt o vi e w from b e h i nd the look i ng g la ss -

.

Chi chi ko v the Pr e si d e n t r e c e i v e d wi th an e mbrac e and fo r a ,

wh i l e the hall of the P re se nc e r e sounde d wi th o sculato ry saluta

ti on s a s mu tually the pa i r i n q u i r e d af te r o n e ano t h e r s h e al t h
’
.

I t se e m e d t ha t bo t h had la t e ly had a t ouch of t ha t pa i n und e r

the wa i st band whi ch com e s o f a se d e n tary l i f e Al so i t se e m e d .
,

t hat the P r e si d e n t had j u st b e e n conv e rsi ng w i th S o bake vi tch

o n t he subj e c t o f the sal e s o f soul s si nc e no w he proc e e d e d to
—
,

congratula te Chi chi ko v on the sam e a proc e e d i ng whi ch ra the r

e mbarra sse d o ur h e ro se e i n g t ha t Mani lo v and S o bake vi tch
, ,

two of the v e ndors and p e r son s w i t h whom he had barga i n e d

,

i n the stri c t e st pri vacy w e r e no w confron ti ng o n e ano th e r

,

di r e c t Ho w e v e r Chi chi ko v duly thank e d the P re si d e n t and

.
, ,

t h e n turn i n g to S o bake vi tch i nqu i r e d aft e r hi s h e al th

, ,
.

Thank Go d I hav e no thi ng to complai n of r e pl i e d S o bake

,
”
,

vi tch : w h i ch was tru e e nough se e i ng tha t a p i e c e o f i ron w ould

,

hav e cau g ht cold and ta k e n to sn e e zi ng soon e r than w ould that

uncou thly fa shi on e d landown e r .

Ah ye s ; you hav e alway s had good h e al th hav e yo u n o t ?

, ,

p u t i n t he Pr e si d e n t Your la t.e fa t h e r wa s e qually st ron g .

Ye s he e v e n w e n t o ut b e ar hun ti ng alon e r e pl i e d S o bake

,
”
,

vi tch .

I should thi nk tha t you too could worst a b e ar i f you w e re

to try a tu ssl e wi t h hi m r e jo i n e d the Pre si d e nt
,
.

O h no sai d S o bake vi tch My fath e r was a strong e r man

”
, .

than I am Th e n wi th a si g h the sp e ak e r add e d : B ut nowa

.

days t he r e are n o such me n as he Wha t i s e v e n a l i f e l i k e m i n e

.

wort h ?
Th e n yo u do no t hav e a comfortabl e ti m e o f i t ? e xclai m e d
the Pr e si d e n t .

No ; far from i t re jo i n e d So bake vi tch shaki ng hi s h e ad

, , .

Judg e for yourse lf I van Gri go ri e vi tch I am fi fty y ears o ld

,
.
,

ye t n e v e r i n my l i f e hav e b e e n i ll e xc e p t for an occa si onal,

carbuncl e o r bo i l That i s n o t a good si g n S oon e r or la te r I

. .

”
shall hav e to pay for i t And he r e lap se d i nto m e lancholy
. .

E
 1
30 D e ad S o u l s
Ju st l i ste n to the f e llow ! was Chi chi ko v s and the P re si ’

d e nt s jo i n t i nward comm e nt
’
Wha t o n e art h has he to com.

”
pla i n o f ? 0 0

I hav e a l e tte r for you Ivan Gr1g o r1e v1tch w e n t o n , ,

Chi chi ko v aloud a s he produc e d from hi s poc k e t Plushki n s

’

e p i stl e .

“
From whom ? i n qu i re d the P re si d ent Havi ng bro k e n the .

se al he e xcla i m e d :
,
Why i t i s from Plushki n ! To thi n k that
,

he i s sti ll al i v e ! Wha t a strang e world i t i s ! He u se d to be such

a ni c e f e llow and now ,

And now he i s a cur conclud e d S o bake vi tch a s w e ll as

, ,

a mi se r who starv es hi s se rfs to d e a th .

Allow me a mom e nt sa i d the P r e si d e n t Th e n he re ad

”
,
.

the l e tt e r through Wh e n he had fi ni sh e d he add e d

.
“
Ye s ,

I am qui te re ady to act as Plushki n s a ttorn e y Wh e n do you ’

.

wi sh the purchase d e e d s to be re g i ste re d M on si e ur Chi chi ko v

—now o r late r ? , ,

Now i f you pl e ase re pl i e d Chi chiko v

, ,
Ind e e d I be g .
,

that i f po ssi b le the affa i r may be conclud e d t o day si nc e

, ,
-
,

to morrow I w i sh to l e ave the t own

-
I have brough t w i th me .

”
bo th the form s o f i nd e nture and my state m e nt o f appl i cati on .

Ve ry we ll Ne ve rth e le ss we cannot le t yo u d e part so s oon

. .

The i nd e nture s shall be compl e te d to day but you mu st c o n -

t in ue your sojourn i n our m i d st I w i ll i ssu e the n e ce ssary .

”
ord e rs at once , .

S o sayi ng he ope ne d the door i n to the ge ne ral o ffi ce whe re

, ,

the cl e rk s loo k e d l ike a swarm o f b e e s around a hon e ycomb i f

(
I may l i ke n affa i rs o f G o ve rnm e n t to such an arti cle P) .

I s I van An to n o vi t ch h e re ? aske d the Pre si d e n t .

Ye s re pl i e d a v o i ce from w i th i n
”
, .

The n se nd hi m he re ”
.

Upon that the p i tche r face d I v an A n to n o vi tch mad e hi s

-

appe arance i n the doorw ay and bowe d , .

Take the se i nde nture s Ivan Anton o vi tch sai d the Pre si, ,

d e nt and se e that the y

,

B ut first I would ask yo u t o re m e mb e r ut i n S b k vi t h

p o a e c
that w i tn e sse s ough t t o be i n a tte ndanc e —n o t l e ss than two
, ,

o n b e half of e i th e r par ty L e t us th e re fore se nd for the Publ i c

.
, ,

Pro se cu tor who has l i ttle to do and has e ve n that l i ttl e done
, ,

for hi m by hi s ch i e f cl e rk Z o lo tu cha The In sp e c tor o f the, .

Me d i cal D e partm e nt i s al so a m an o f l e i sure and l i ke ly t o be at

—
hom e i f he has n ot gone o ut to a card party O th e rs al so
,

—
.

the re are all me n who cumbe r the ground for no th i ng ”

.
I
32 D e ad S o u l s
have bough t ? i n qu i re d S o bake vi tch o f Chi chiko v
”
And .

why I van Gri gori e vi tch do you n o t ask Mon si e ur Chi chi ko v
W
, ,

pre c i se ly what hi s purchase s have co n 51ste d of ? hat a

spl e nd i d l o t o f se rf s t o b e sur e ! I myse
,
lf hav e s old h 1m m y
”
whe e lwri ght Mi chi e v ,
.

What ? Yo u have sold hi m M1ch1e v ? e xcla1me d the Pre sl

0 0

de nt I know the man we ll He i s a spl e nd i d craftsman and

—
.
.
, ,

m 1
O w
’

o n o n e occa si on mad e e a dro

,
z hkz nly only e ll la t e ly .
, ,

d i dn t you te ll me that he i s d e ad ?
’

—
That Mi chi e v i s de ad ? re e choe d S o bake vi tch com i ng ,

pe ri lou sly ne ar to laugh i ng Oh d e ar no ! That was hi s .

bro the r Mi chi e v h i m se lf i s ve ry much al i ve and i n e ve n

. ,

be tte r he al th than he u se d to be An y day he could knock you .

up a bri tchka such as yo u could n o t procure e ve n i n Mo scow

. .

Howe ve r he i s now bound to work only for o ne maste r

,
.

Ind e e d a spl e nd i d craftsman ! re pe ate d the Pre si d e n t .

My only wonde r i s that you can have brought yourse lf to part

”
w i th hi m .

The n th i nk you that Mi chi e v i s th e o nly se rf w i th whom I

'

have parte d ? N ay for I have parte d al so w i th Pro bka S te pan

, ,

my carpe nte r wi th Mi lushkin my bri cklaye r and w i th Te li atn i

, , ,

k ov my bootmake r Ye s the whole lo t have I sold

,
.
,
.

And to the Pre si de nt s i n qu i ry why he had so acte d se e i n g

’
,

that the se rfs nam e d w e re all sk i lle d work e rs and i nd i sp e n sable

to a hou se hold So bake vi tch re pl i e d that a m e re wh i m had le d
,

hi m to do so and thu s the sale had owe d i ts o ri g i n t o a p i e ce

,

of folly The n he hung hi s h e ad as though alre ady re pe n ti ng

.

o f hi s ra sh act and add e d : ,

Though a man of gre y h ai rs I h ave n o t ye t le arne d w i sdom , .

B ut in qu i re d the Pre si d e n t furthe r how com e s i t abou t

”
, , ,

Paul I vanovi tch that you have purchase d pe asants apart from
,

land ? I s i t for transfe rme n t e l se wh e re that you n e e d the m ?

”
Ye s .

Ve ry we ll ,
th e n . That is qu i t e ano the r matte r . To what
part of country ?
the
To the provi nce of Khe rson .

Ind e e d ? That re gi on con ta i n s som e sple nd i d land sa i d ,

the Pre si d e n t ; whe re upon he proce e d e d t o e xpat i ate on the
fe rtl hty o f the Khe rson pa sture s .

And have you much land the re ? he contin ue d .

Ye s ; qu i te su ffic i e nt to accomm odate the se rfs whom I

”
h ave purchase d .

A sort o f lo w fo ur whe ele d c arri age

1
,
-
.
 D e ad S o u l s 33
And i s the re a r i ve r on the e state or a lake ?
B o th ”
.

Afte r th i s re ply Chi chi ko v i nvolun tari ly thre w a glance at

S o bake vi tch and thou gh tha t lando wn e r s face was as m o ti on
’

le ss as e ve r the o th e r se e m e d to d e te c t i n i t : Yo u l i ar ! Don t
,
’

te ll me that you o wn bo th a r i ve r and a lake as we ll as the land ,

wh i ch yo u say yo u do ”
.

Wh i lst the fore go i n g conve rsati on had b e e n i n pro gre ss ,

var i ou s w i tn e sse s had be e n arr i v i ng o n the sc e n e Th e y con .

s i ste d o f the con st an tly bl i nk i n g Publ i c P ro se cu t or the In

—
,

spe c t or o f the M e d i cal D e par tm e n t and o th e r s all to quo te , ,

So bake vi tch ,
me n who cumb e re d the ground for no th i n g ”
.

W i th som e o f the m howe ve r Chi chi ko v was al to ge the r un

, ,

acquai n te d si nce ce rta i n sub sti tu te s and supe rnum e rar i e s had
,

to be pre sse d i n t o the se rv i c e fro m amon g the ran k s o f the sub

ord i nate staff The re al so arri v e d i n an swe r to the su mm o ns
.
, ,

n o t only the so n o f Fa th e r Cyr i l b e fore m e n t i on e d but al so ,

Fathe r Cyr i l h i m se lf Each such w i tne ss app e nd e d to hi s

.

si gna ture a full l i st o f hi s d i gn i t i e s and qual i fica ti on s : o ne m an

i n pr i n te d charac te r s ano th e r i n a flow i n g hand a th i rd i n

, ,

t op sy turvy charac te rs o f a k i nd n e v e r be fore se e n i n the Ru ssi an

-

alphabe t and so forth Me anwh i le o ur fr i e nd Ivan An tono

,
.

vi tch compor te d h i m se lf w i th n o t a l i ttl e addre ss ; and afte r the

i nd e nture s had b e e n si gne d dock e te d and r e g i ste re d Chi chi ko v
, , ,

found h i m se lf call e d upon to pay only the m e re st tri fl e i n the

way of Gove rnme nt pe rce ntage and fe e s for publ i sh i ng the
tran sac ti on i n the O ffi c i al Gaze tte T he r e a son o f th i s was that
.

the Pre si d e n t had g i ve n ord e rs t hat only half the u sual charge s
we re to be e xacte d from the pre se n t purchase r the re m a i n i ng -m

half b e i n g som e ho w d e b i te d to the accoun t o f ano the r appl i can t

for se r f re gi strati on .

”
And now sa i d Ivan Gri go ri e vi tch whe n all was com
'

p l e te d w e n e e d only t o we t th e bar g a i n ”
.

For tha t to o I am re ady re pl i e d Chi chi ko v ,

Do you .

but nam e the hour I f i n re turn for your m o st a gre e abl e com
.
,

pany I we re no t to se t a fe w champagn e corks fly i n g I shou ld

, ,
”
be i nd e e d i n d e faul t .

B ut we are n o t g o i n g to le t yo u char ge yourse lf w i th any

thi ng what so e ve r We mu st prov i d e the champagn e fo r you
—
.
,

are o ur
g u e st and i t i s f or u s i t i s o u r du ty i t i s o ur bound e n
—
, ,

obl i gati on to e nte rta i n yo u Look h e re ge ntl e m e n L e t us .

,
.

adjourn to the hou se o f the C h i e f of Pol i ce He i s the m agi ci .

who n e e d s but t o w i nk whe n pa ssi n g a fishmo nge r s or a w i ne ’

 D e ad S o u lS
I
34
me rchant s No t only shall we fare w e ll at hi s place but al so
’
. ,
”
we s hall g e t a gam e o f w h i st .

j
0

To t i s h propo s al n o o n e had any ob e c t 1o u t o o ffe r for t he ,

me re me n ti on o f the fish sh0p arou se d the W1tne sse s appe ti te

’
.

Con se qu e ntly the ce re mony b e i ng o ve r the re was a ge ne ral

, ,

re ach i ng for hats and caps A s the party we re p assmg through

.

the e eg n ral o ffi c e Ivan ,

A n t o n o v i t c h wh i sp e r e d l n C h 1ch 1k o v s
’

e ar w i th a cour t e ou s i ncl i na t i on of h i s jug s hap e d phy-

s i o g nomy :
,

Yo u hav e g i v e n a hundr e d t hou s and roubl e s for t h e se rf s ,

bu t ha v e pa i d m e only a t ri fl e for my t roubl e

”
.

Ye s
”
r
,
e pl i e d C h i c h i k o v i n a si m i lar wh i sp e r b u t wha
,
t

s or t of s e rf s do you suppo se t h e m t o b e ? T h e y a re a poor ,

u se l e ss lo t and not worth e v e n half the purchase mon e y

,
”
.

Thi s gave I van Anton o vi tch to und e rstand that the vi si tor
was a man o f s t rong charac t e r— a man from whom no t h i ng
more was to be e xp e cte d .

Why have you gon e and purcha se d soul s from Plushki n ?

whi sp e re d S o bake vi t ch i n Chi chi ko v s o th e r e ar ’
.

Why di d you go and add the woman Vo ro be i to your li st ?

re torte d Chi chi ko v .

Voro be i ? Who i s Vo ro be i ?
The woman E li zab e t Voro be i E li zab e t n ot Eli za ,
’

b e ta ?
I add e d n o such nam e re pli e d So bake vi tch and strai ght
, ,

way joi n e d the o the r gu e sts .

A t l e ngth the party arri v e d at the r e si d e nc e o f the Ch i e f o f

P oli ce The latte r prove d i nd e e d a man of sp e lls fo r no soone r
.

had he l e arnt what was afoot than he summon e d a bri sk young

constabl e whi sp e re d i n hi s e ar add i ng laconi cally
, ,
You ,

und e rstand do you n o t ? and brought i t abou t that duri ng the

, ,

ti m e that the gu e sts w e re cu tti ng for partn e rs at whi st i n an

adjoi ni ng room the di ni ng tabl e b e cam e lad e n wi th sturg e on
,
-
,

cavi are salmon h e rri ngs ch e e se smo k e d t ongu e fre sh ro e and

—
, , , , , ,

a po d var y o f the sam e all procure d from the lo cal fish

tt e i e t
mark e t and re i nforc e d wi th add i ti ons from the ho st s o wn
,
’

ki tche n The fact was that the worthy Chi e f o f P oli ce fi ll e d the
.

offi ce of a sort o f fathe r and g e n e ral b e n e factor to the t own and ,

that he mov e d among the ci ti z e n s as t hough th e y con sti tu te d

part and parce l o f hi s own fami ly and watch e d ov e r the i r shops ,

and mark e ts as though tho se e stabli shm e nts w e re m e re ly hi s

o wn pri vate lard e r Ind e e d i t would be d i ffi cul t to say so —
thoroughly di d he p e rform hi s du ti e s i n th i s r e sp e ct—wh e th e r
.
,

the po st mo st fitte d hi m o r he the po st Matte rs w e re al so so

, .
 6 D e ad S o uls
1
3
h e ro s l i p s a fli ck e ri ng sm i l e Lastly he re ce i ve d from the
’
.
,

company a pressi ng as w e ll as an unammo us 1nv1tat10n to

, ,

e x t e nd h i s stay i n t h e t own f o r a t l e a st ano th e r f o rt n l

gh t and , ,

i n the m e anwh i l e t o allow ,

a w i f e t o b e found f o r h i m .

Qu i te so agre e d the P re si d e nt
”
,
Fi ght us tooth and nai l
.

Y
.

t hough you may w e i n t,

e nd t o hav e y o u marr i e d o u hav e .

happ e n e d upon us by chance and you shall hav e no re a son to ,

r e p e n t o f i t W .e a r e i n e arn e st o n t h l s sub j e c t
”
.

B ut why should I fi ght you t ooth and nai l ? sa1d Ch1 ch1ko v ,

s m i l i ng .
M arr i ag e would n o t com e am i s s t o m e w e r e I but ,

provi d e d wi th a be trothe d .

The n a be troth e d you shall have Why n o t ? We Wl ll do .

as yo u wi sh .
0

Ve ry we ll asse nte d Ch1ch1ko v

,
.

”
Bravo bravo ! the company shou te d
,
Long l i ve Paul .

Ivano vi tch ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! ”

And wi th tha t e ve ry o n e
approache d to cli nk glasse s wi th hi m and he r e ad i ly acce pte d ,

the compl i m e n t and acc e p t e d i t many ti m e s i n succ e ssi on

,
.

Ind e e d as the hours passe d o n the hi lari ty of the company

, ,

i ncr e a se d ye t furth e r and more than onc e the Pr e si d e n t ( a man

,

o f gre at urbani ty wh e n thoroughly i n hi s cup s) e mbrac e d t he

chi e f gu e st o f the day wi th the h e art fe l t word s “

My d e are st ,

fe llow ! My o wn most pre ci ou s o f fri e nd s ! Nay he e v e n start e d ,

to crack hi s fi ng e rs to danc e around Chi chi ko v s chai r and to

’
, ,

si ng snat ch e s o f a popular s ong T o the champagn e succ e e d e d

.

Hungari an wi n e whi ch had the e ffe ct o f sti ll furth e r h e arte ni ng

,

and e nli ve ni ng the company By thi s ti m e e v e ry o ne had .

forgo tte n abou t whi st and gi v e n hi m se lf up to shou ti ng and di s

,

pu ti ng E ve ry conc e i vabl e subj e ct was d i scu sse d i nclud i ng

.
,

pol i ti cs and m i li tary affai rs ; and i n thi s conn e cti on gu e sts voi c e d
j e jun e Opi ni ons for the e xpre ssi on o f whi ch the y would at any ,

othe r ti m e hav e soundly span k e d th e i r o ffspri ng Chi chi ko v

, .
,

l i k e the re st had n e v e r b e fore fe l t so gay and i magi ni ng hi m se lf

, , ,

re ally and truly to be a landown e r o f Kh e rson spo k e of vari ou s ,

i mp ro v e m e n ts i n agri cul tu re of the thr e e fie ld syst e m o f ti llag e

,
- 1
,

and o f the be ati fic fe l i ci ty o f a uni on b e tw e e n two ki ndre d

soul s . Al so he starte d to re ci te po e try to S o bake vi tch who
, ,
bl i nk e d as he l i ste n e d for he gr e atly d e si re d t o go to sl e e p A t
, .

l e ngth the gu e st o f the e ve ni ng re al i se d that matte rs had g on e

far e nough so b e gge d to be gi ve n a l i ft hom e and was acco mmo
, ,

date d wi th the P ubl i c Pro se cu tor s drozhhz Luck i ly the dri v e r

'
’
.

1
T h e syste m b y wh i c h i n ann u al ro ta ti o n two th i r d s o f a g i ve n are a -

are cul tl vate d an d the re mai n i n g th i r d i s l e f t f allo w

o
, ,

, .
 D e ad S o ul s 37 1

of the v e hi cl e was a practi se d man at hi s w ork fo r whi l e dri vi ng , ,

wi th o ne hand he succ e e d e d i n l e ani ng backward s and wi th the

, ,

o the r hold i ng Chi chi ko v se cur e ly i n hi s plac e Arri ve d at the

,
.

i nn o ur h e ro conti nu e d babbl i ng awhi l e abou t a flax e n hai re d

,
-

d am se l wi th ro sy li ps and a d i mpl e i n he r ri ght ch e e k abou t ,

v i llag e s of hi s i n Kh e rson and abou t the amoun t of hi s capi tal

, .

Nay he e ve n i ssu e d se i gnori al i n structi on s that S e li fan should

,

go and mu ste r the p e a sants abou t to be tran sfe rre d and mak e a ,

compl e te and d e tai l e d i nv e ntory o f th e m Fo r a whi l e S e li fan .

l i ste n e d i n si l e nc e ; t h e n he l e ft the room and i n structe d

P e tru sh k a to h e lp the harmto undre ss A s i t happ e n e d C hi chi
,

.
,

ko v s boo ts had n o soon e r b e e n r e mov e d than he manag e d to

’

p e rform the re st o f hi s toi l e t w i thou t assi stanc e to roll on to ,

t he be d (whi ch cr e ak e d te rri bly as he di d so ) and to si nk i n to ,

a sl e e p i n e v e ry way worthy o f a landown e r of Kh e rson M e an .

whi l e P e tru sh k a had tak e n hi s ma ste r s coat and trou se rs ’

of b i lb e rry coloure d ch e ck i nto the corri dor ; wh e re spre ad i ng

-
,

th e m ov e r a clo th e s horse he starte d t o fl i c k and to bru sh

’

th e m and t o fill the whol e corri dor wi th du st

,
Ju st as he was .

abou t to re plac e th e m i n hi s maste r s room he happ e n e d to ’

glanc e ov e r the rai li ng o f the gall e ry an d saw S e li fan re turn i ng

,

from the stabl e Glanc e s w e r e e xchang e d and i n an i n stan t

.
,

the pa i r had arri v e d at an i n sti nc ti v e und e rstand i ng — an und e r

stand i n g to the e ffe c t tha t the bari u was s ound a sl e e p and tha t ,

t h e r e for e o n e m i gh t con si d e r on e s o wn pl e a sur e a l i ttl e Accord

’
.

i ngly P e tru sh k a proc e e d e d t o r e st or e the coat and trou se rs t o

t h e i r appo i n te d plac e s and th e n d e sc e nd e d the stai rs ; w h e r e
,

afte r he and S e li fan l e ft the hou se tog e th e r No t a word pa sse d .

b e tw e en the m as to the obj e c t of th e i r e xp e d i ti on O n the .

contrary th e y talk e d sol e ly o f e xtran e ou s subj e cts Ye t th e i r

,
.

walk di d no t tak e th e m far ; i t took th e m only to the o th e r si d e

o f the str e e t and t h e nc e i n t o an e stabl i shm e n t wh i ch i mme di
,

ate ly confronte d the i nn En te ri ng a m e an d i rty courtyard

.
,

cove re d w i th glass the y passe d th e nc e to a c e ll ar wh e re a

,

numb e r o f cu st om e rs w e re se ate d around small wood e n tabl e s .

What th e re afte r was don e by S e li fan and P e tru shk a Go d alon e

knows A t all e ve nts wi thi n an hour s ti m e th e y i ssu e d arm
.
,
’

i n arm and i n profound si l e nc e ye t r e mai n i ng mark e dly

, ,

assi duou s t o o n e ano t h e r and e v e r r e ady to h e lp o n e ano th e r

—
,

around an awkward corn e r S t ll l n k d tog e th e r n e ve r once

i i e
—
.

re l e asi ng th e i r mu tual hold th e y sp e nt the n e xt quarte r o f an

hour i n atte mpti ng to n e go ti ate the stai rs of the i nn ; but at
l e ngth e v e n that asc e nt had b e e n maste re d and th e y proc e e d e d ,
 8 D e ad S o u lS
I
3
furth e r o n th e i r way Hal ti ng b e fore hi s m e an l i ttl e pall e t
.
,

P e trushka stood awhi l e i n thought Hi s di fficul ty was how b e st .

to a ss um e a r e cum b e n t po si ti on E v e n t ually he lay. down on h 1 s

fac e wi th hi s l eg s trai l i ng ov e r the fl oor ; afte r Wt h S e hfan

,

al so stre tch e d hi mse lf upon the pall e t wi th hi s h e ad re stmg ,

upon P e tru shk a s stomach and hi s m i nd wholly obl i vi ou s o f

’
,

the fac t tha t he ought no t to hav e b e e n sle e p mg th e r e at all ,

but i n the se rvan ts quar te rs or i n the sta bl e besi d e hI S horses

’
.
,

S carc e ly a mom e nt had pa sse d b e fore the pa i r w e re plung e d i n

slum be r and e m i tti ng the mo st raucou s snor e s to wh1ch th e 1r
maste r (n e xt door) re spond e d wi th snore s o f a whl sthng and
na sal ord e r Ind e e d be fore long e ve ry o n e i n the i nn had
.
,

follow e d th e i r soo thi ng e xampl e and the ho ste lry lay plung e d
,

i n compl e te re stfuln e ss O nly i n the wi ndow o f the room of the

.

n e wly arri ve d l i e u te nant from Ri azan di d a l i ght re mal n bum

-

i ng E vi d en tly he was a d e vo te e o f boo ts for he had purcha se d

.
,

four pai rs and was now tryi ng on a fifth S e v e ral tl me s he

,
.

approach e d the be d wi th a vi e w to ta k i ng o ff the boo ts and

r e ti ri ng to rest ; but e ach ti m e he fa i l e d for the r e a son that the,

boo ts w e re so alluri ng i n th e i r mak e tha t he had no cho i c e but

to l i ft up fi rst o ne foo t and th e n the o th e r for the purpo se o f
, ,

scann i ng th e i r e l e gan t w e l ts .

g
I T was no t lon b e for e Chi chi ko v s purcha ses had b e com e the ’

k
tal o f the t own ; and vari ou s w e r e the op i n i on s e xpr e sse d a s to
wh e th e r o r no t i t was e xp e d i e nt to procure p e a sants for trans
f e rm e nt Ind e e d such was the i nte r e st ta e n by c e rta i n c i ti z e n s
. k
v
i n the matte r tha t th e y ad i se d the purcha se r t o provi d e h i m se lf
w
and hi s convoy i th an e scort, i n ord e r to e n sure th e i r saf e
arri val at the appo i nte d d e sti nati on ; but though Chi chi ko v
k
than e d the donors of thi s advi c e for the sam e and d e clar e d that
,
 1
4 0 D e ad S o ul s
I n short he had c eas d
,
e a fre e ag e nt B ut i ncomparably
t o be .

m ore stri ki ng w th as e i mpr e ssi on ( a ma tte r for un bound e d

s u r p r i se ! ) wh i ch h e produc e d upon t h e lad i e s P rop e rly t o .

e xpla i n t h i s ph e nom e non I should n e e d t o s a y a gr e a t d e al abou t

t h e l a d i e s t h e m se l v e s and
,
t o d e scr i b e i n t h e mo st v 1 v 1 d o f
colou rs th e i r soc i al i nte rcourse and spi ri tual qual i ti e s Ye t th i s .

would be a di fli cult thi ng for me to do si nc e o n the o n e hand I

‘
, , ,

s hould b e hamp e r e d by my b oundl e ss r e s p e c t for t h e wom e nfol k

of all Ci vi l S e rvi c e o flfici als and o n the o th e r hand w e ll
, ,
— ,

si mply by the i nna t e a rduou sn e ss o f the ta sk The lad i e s o f N . .

we re B ut no I canno t do i t ; my h e ar t ha s alr e ady fa i l e d

,

me Com e com e ! The lad i e s o f N w e re d i sti ngu i sh e d for

.
,
.

B ut i t i s o f no u se ; som e how my p e n se e m s to r e fu se t o mo v e
—
o v e r the pap e r i t se e m s to be w e i ght e d a s wi th a plumm e t of
l e ad V e ry w e ll Tha t b e i ng so I wi ll m e r e ly say a word or two
. .
,

conc e rn i ng the mo st promi n e nt ti n ts o n the f e m i n i n e pal e tt e

of N . m e re ly a word or two conc e rni ng the ou tward app e aranc e
-

o f i ts lad i e s and a word or two conc e rn i ng th e i r mor e sup e r fi c i al

,

charac te ri sti c s The lad i e s of N w e re p re e mi n e ntly what i s

. .
-

known a s pre se ntabl e Ind e e d i n that re sp e c t th ey mi ght

“ ”
.
,

hav e se rv e d for a mod e l to the lad i e s o f many ano th e r town .

That i s to say i n whate ve r p e rtai n e d to ton e e ti qu e tte

,
”
, ,

the i n tri cac i e s of d e corum and stri c t ob se rvanc e o f the pr e va i l

,

i ng mod e th e y surpa sse d e v e n the lad i e s o f Mo scow and S t

,
.

P e te rsburg se e i ng that th e y dre sse d wi th taste drov e abou t

, ,

i n carri ag e s i n the la t e st fa sh i on s and n e v e r w e n t o ut wi thou t

,

the e sco rt o f a foo tman i n a gold lac e d l i v e ry Ag a i n t h e y loo k e d

-

—
.
,

upon a vi si ti ng card e v e n upon a mak e shi ft affa i r con si sti ng -

o f an ace of d i amond s o r a two o f club s—as a sacr e d th i ng ;

so sacr e d tha t o n o n e occa si on two clo se ly r e la t e d lad i e s w ho had

al so b e e n clo se ly a ttach e d fri e nd s w e re k nown to fall o ut wi th

o n e ano th e r o v e r the m e r e fac t o f an om i ssi on t o r e turn a soc i al

call ! Ye s i n spi t e of the b e st e ff orts of hu sband s and k i n sfol k

,

to r e conc i l e the antagon i sts i t b e cam e cl e ar tha t though all e l se

, ,

1n the world m i g ht conc e i v ably be po ssi bl e n e v e r could the

~
1
,

hatch e t be buri e d b e twe e n lad i e s who had quarr e ll e d ov e r a

n egl e c te d vi si t Li k e wi se str e nuou s sc e n es u se d to tak e plac e
—
.

ov r qu on o pr e c e d e nc e sc e n e s o f a k i nd wh i ch had the
e e s t i s f
e ff e p t o f i n sp i ri ng hu sband s t o g re a t and k n i gh tly i d e a s o n the

sub j e c t o f pro t e c ti ng the fa i r Tru e n e v e r di d a du e l ac tually

.
,
t k e plac e si nc e all the hu sband s w e r e o ffi c i al s b e long i ng to the
a ,

Cl v1l S e rvi c e ; but at l e a st a g i v e n comba tan t would stri v e to

heap contum e ly upon hi s ri val and as we all k now that , , ,
 D e ad S o ul s 4 1

is a re sourc e wh i ch may e prov e v e n mor

e e ff e c tual t han a

du e l A s r eg ard s moral i ty the lad i e s o f N w e re no thi ng i f no t

.
,
.

c e n sori ou s and w ould at onc e be fi r e d wi th vi r tuou s i nd i gna ti on

,

wh e n th e y h e ard o f a ca se o f vi c e or se ducti on Nay e v e n to .

,

m e re fra i l ty th e y would award the la sh wi thou t m e rcy O n the .

o th e r hand should any i n stanc e o f wha t th e y call e d t hi rd

,

p e rso ni sm occur amon g th e i r own c i rcl e i t w a s alway s k e p t

—
,

dark no t a hi nt o f wha t wa s go i ng on b e i ng allow e d to tran s

p i re and e v e n the wrong e d hu sband hold i ng h i m se lf r e ady
, ,
”
should he m e e t w i t h or h e a r of the th i rd p e rson
,
t o quo te , , ,

i n a m i ld and ra ti onal mann e r the pro v e rb Whom c o n c e rns , ,

i t t ha t a fri e nd should con sort wi th fri e nd ? I n addi ti on I may ,

say t ha t l i k e mo st of the f e mal e world o f S t P e t e rsburg the

,
.
,

lad i e s o f N w e r e p re e m i n e n tly car e ful and r e fin e d i n th e i r cho i c e

.
-

”
o f word s and phra se s N e v e r di d a lady say I bl e w my no se
.
, ,

or I p e rspi r e d or I spa t No i t had to be I r e l i e v e d my

”
,
.
, ,

no se through the e xp e d i e nt o f wi p i n g i t w i th my handk e rch i e f ,

and so forth Aga i n to say Thi s gla ss or thi s pla te sm e ll s

.
“

, , , ,

badly was forb i dd e n No n o t e v e n a h i nt to such an e ff e c t was

.
,

to be dropp e d Rath e r the prop e r phra se i n such a ca se was

” —
,
.
, ,

Th i s gla ss o r th i s pla t e i s no t b e havi ng v e ry w e ll

, ,
o r s om e ,

suc h formula .

In fac t to r e fi n e the Ru ssi an tongu e the mor e thoroughly

, ,

som e th i ng l i k e half the word s i n i t w e r e cut o u t : w h i ch c i rcum

stanc e n e c e ssi t a te d v e ry fr e qu e n t r e cour se t o the t ongu e of

France si nc e the sam e word s i f spo k e n i n Fre nch w e re ano th e r

, , ,

matte r al tog e th e r and o ne could u se e v e n blunt e r on e s than

,

the on e s ori g i nally obj e c t e d to .

S o much for the lad i es o f N provi d e d tha t o ne confin e s on e s .

’

ob se rva ti on s to the surfac e ; ye t hardly n e e d i t be sa i d that ,

should o n e p e n e tra t e d e e p e r t han t ha t a g r e a t d e al mor e w ould ,

com e to l i g ht A t the sam e ti m e i t i s n e v e r a v e ry saf e proc e e d

.
,

i ng to p e e r d e e ply i n to the h e arts o f lad i e s ; w h e r e for e r e stri c t ,

i ng ourse lv e s to the for e go i ng su p e rfici ali ti es le t u s proc e e d ,

furth e r o n our way .

Hi th e rt o the lad i e s had pai d Chi chi ko v n o parti cular atte n

ti on t hough g i v i ng hi m full cr e d i t for hi s g e n tl e manly and
, ,

urban e d e m e anour ; but from the mom e nt that th e re aro se

rumours of hi s b e i ng a m i ll i onai r e oth e r qual i ti e s o f hi s b e g an
t o be canva sse d N e ve rth e l e ss n o t all the lad i e s w e re gov e rn e d
.
,

by i nte re ste d mo ti v e s si nc e i t i s du e to the te rm m i lli onai re

, ,

rath e r than to the characte r of the p e rson who b e ar s i t that the ,

m e re sound of the w ord e x e rci se s upon rascal s upo n d e c e n t fol k , ,

 r4 2 D e ad S o u l s
a n d upon fol k who a re n e i t h e r t h e o n e n o r th e o t h e r an un ,

d e fi n a b le i n fl u e nc e A m i ll
. i ona i r e s u ff e r s from t h e d i sad v an t ag e

of e ve rywh e re havi ng to b e hold m e ann e ss i ncludi ng the sort of ,

m e ann e ss whi ch though no t actually base d upon calculati ons

,

o f se lf -
i n t e r e s t y e t run
,
s af t e r t h e w e al t hy man w i t h s m i l e s and ,

do ff s hi s hat and b e gs fo r i nvi tati on s to hou se s wh e re the

,

mi lli onai re i s known to be goi ng to d i n e That a si m i lar i ncl i na .

t i on t o m e ann e ss s e i z e d upon t he lad i e s o f N g o e s w i thou t .

sayi ng ; wi th the re sul t that many a drawi ng room h e ard i t -

whi sp e re d that i f Chi chi ko v was n o t e xactly a b e au ty at l e ast

, ,

he was su ffi ci e ntly good loo ki ng to se rv e for a hu sband though

-
,

he could hav e born e t o hav e b e e n a l i ttl e more rotund an d st ou t .

To that th e re would be add e d scornful r e f e re nc e s to l e an hu s

band s and hi nts that the y r e se mbl e d tooth bru she s rath e r than -

—
,

me n wi th many o th e r f e m i ni n e add i ti on s Al so such crowd s .

,

o f fe m i n i n e shopp e rs b e gan t o re pa i r t o the Bazaar as almo st to

consti tu te a cru sh and som e thi ng li k e a proc e ssi on o f carri ag e s
,

e n su e d so long gr e w the ran k o f v e hi cl e s

,
Fo r th e i r part the .
,

trad e sm e n had the j oy o f se e i ng h i ghly p ri c e d d re ss mate ri al s

whi ch th e y had bought at fai rs and th e n b e e n unabl e to d i spose ,

o f n o w sudd e nly b e com e trad e abl e and go o ff w i th a ru sh

, ,
For .

i n stanc e on o n e occa si on a lady app e ar e d at M a ss i n a bu stl e

,

whi ch fi ll e d the church to an e xte nt whi ch le d the v e rge r o n

du ty to bi d the common e r fol k wi thdraw to the porch l e st the ,

lady s t oi l e t should be so i l e d i n the cru sh E v e n Chi chi ko v could

’
.

n o t h e lp pri v a te ly re mark i ng the a tt e n ti on whi ch he arou se d .

On one occasi on whe n he re turn e d to the i nn he found on hi s

, ,

tabl e a no te addr e sse d to h i m se lf Wh e nc e i t had com e and who .

,

had d e li v e re d i t he fai l e d t o d i scov e r for the wai te r d e clare d

, ,
that the p e rson who had brough t i t had om i tte d t o l e av e the
nam e of the wri te r B e gi nni ng ab rup tly wi th the word s I must
.

”
wri te to you the l e tte r w e n t o n to say that b e tw e e n a c e rtai n
,

pai r o f soul s th e re e xi ste d a bond o f sympathy ; and thi s v e ri ty

the e pi stl e furth e r con fi rm e d wi th row s o f full stop s to the
e xte n t o f n e arly half a pag e N e xt th e re follow e d a few re fle c
.

tl on s of a corre cti tud e so r e mark a bl e that I hav e no cho i c e but

to q uo te t h e m What I would ask i s thi s l i fe of ours ?
.
”
, ,
mqu1re d the wri te r Ti s nought but a val e o f wo e And what
.
’
.
,

I would as k i s
,
t h e wo ld Ti s nought but a mob of unthi nki ng
r ? ’

humamty .
The re afte r i nci d e ntally re marki ng that she had
,

j u dropp e d a te ar to the m e mory o f he r d e ar mothe r who

st
,

had d part ed thi s li fe tw e nty five y e ars ago the (pre sumably)
e -

lady wn te r i nvi te d Chi chi ko v to com e forth i nto the wi ld s and ,

1 44
D e ad S o u l s
to b e ar a r e se m b lanc e t o a F r e nch phra s e
( though C h i c h i k o v
kne w n ot a si ngl e word of the Galli c tongu e ) Lastly cam e th”e .

p e rform i ng of a se ri e s of what I m i ght call agre e abl e surpri se s,

in t h e s hap e o f t w i t ch i ng s o f t h e brow and l 1
p s and c e r t ai n
mo ti on s of the tongu e In short he di d all that a man i s ap t.
,

to do wh e n he i s n o t only alon e b u t al s o c e r t a i n t ha t h e i s

handsom e and that no on e i s re gard i ng hi m through a chi nk .

Fi nally he tapp e d hi m se lf li ghtly o n the chi n and sai d Ah , , ,

”
good o ld fac e ! In the sam e way wh e n he starte d to dre ss ,

hi m se lf for the c e re mony the l e v e l o f hi s hi gh spi ri ts re mai n e d

,

uni mpai re d throughou t the proc e ss That i s to say whi l e .

,

adju sti ng hi s brace s and tyi ng hi s ti e he shuffle d hi s fe e t i n ,

’
what was n o t e xactly a danc e but m i ght be call e d the entr acte ,

of a danc e : wh i c h p e rformanc e had t h e n o t v e ry se r i ou s r e s ul t o f

se tti ng a wa rdrob e a ra t tl e and -
cau si ng a
,
bru s h t o sl i d e from
the tabl e to the fl oor .

Late r hi s e ntry i nt o the ball room produc e d an e xtraord i nary

,

e ffe c t E
.
v e ry o n e pr e s e n t cam e fo rward t o m e e t h i m s om e ,

wi th card n s i t h e i r hand s and o n e man e v e n br e a k i ng o ff a

—
,

con v e rsati on at the mo st i nte re sti ng poi nt nam e ly the po i nt ,

tha t the Inf e ri or Land Court mu st be mad e r e spon si bl e for

e v e ryth i ng Ye s i n spi t e o f the re spon si b i li ty of the Infe ri or
.
,

Land Court the sp e ak e r ca st all thoughts o f i t to the wi nd s as

,

he hurri e d t o gre e t our h e ro From e v e ry si d e r e sound e d acclama

.

ti on s of w e lcom e and Chi chi ko v f e l t h i m se lf e ngulfe d i n a sea

,

of e m brac e s Thu s scarc e ly had he e xtri cate d hi m se lf from the

.
,

arms o f the Pre si d e nt o f the Local Counci l whe n he found hi m self

ju st as fi rmly clasp e d i n the arm s of the Chi e f o f P ol i c e who i n , ,

turn surr e nd e re d hi m to t he In sp e c tor of the M e d i cal D e p ar t

,

m e nt who i n turn hand e d hi m ov e r to the Comm i ssi on e r o f

, , ,

Taxe s who agai n comm i tte d hi m to the charg e o f the Town

, , ,

Ar chi te ct Ev e n the Go v e rnor who hi th e rt o had b e e n standi ng

.
,

among hi s wom e nfol k wi th a box o f sw e e ts i n o n e hand and a

lap dog i n the o th e r now thr e w down bo th sw e e ts and lap dog
-
,
-

( th e lap dog -
g i v i ng v e n t t o a y e lp as he di d s o and add e d hi s
)
gre e ti ng to those o f the re st of the company Ind e e d n o t a fac e
was th e re to be se e n o n whi ch e cstati c d e l i ght—o r at all e v e n ts
.
,

the r e fl e cti on of o th e r p e opl e s e c stati c d e l i gh t—was n o t pai nte d

, ,
’
.

T he sam e e xpr e ssi on may be d i sc e rn e d o n the fac e s of su bo rdi

nate o ffi ci al s wh e n the n e wly arri ve d D i re cto r ha vi ng mad e hi s
,
-

i n sp e cti on the sai d offi ci al s are b e gi nn i ng to g e t ov e r th e i r fi rst

,

se nse of awe o n p e rc e i vi ng t hat he has found much t o comm e nd

,

and that he can e v e n go so far as to j e st and u tte r a fe w w ord s

 D e ad S o ul s 1 45

approval Th e re upon e v e ry tehi uooui k re spond s wi th

.

a smi l e of doubl e stre ngth and tho se who (i t may be ) have n o t

,

ngl e word o f the D i re ctor s sp e e ch sm i l e o ut of sym ’

at the
n e v e r b e fore compasse d
0 has
,

—
a sm i l e but i s more accu st om e d to d e al i ng o ut blow s to the
populace summon s up a ki nd of a gri n e v e n though the gri n ,

rese mbl e s the gri mac e of a man who i s abou t to sn e e z e afte r

.

i nadv e rt e ntly ta k i ng an ov e r larg e p i nch o f snu ff To all and

-
.

sundry Chi chi ko v r e spond e d wi t h a bo w and f e l t e x traord i nari ly ,

at hi s e a se as he di d so To ri ght and l e ft di d he i ncl i n e hi s h e ad

.

i n the si d e long ye t uncon strai n e d mann e r that was hi s won t

, ,

and n e ve r fai l e d to charm the b e hold e r A s for the lad i e s th e y .

,

clu ste re d around hi m i n a shi ni ng b e vy that was r e dol e nt o f

e v e ry sp e ci e s o f p e rfum e —o f ro se s of spri ng vi ol e ts and o f, ,

m i gnon e tte ; so much so that i n sti nc ti v e ly Chi chi ko v rai se d hi s

no se to snu ff the ai r Li k e wi se the lad i e s dre sse s d i splaye d an
.
’

e ndl e ss profu si on of t a ste

k o v thou ght to
hi m se lf : Whi ch of the se
b e au ti e s i s the wri te r of the l e tte r ? Th e n agai n he snu ffe d the
”

ai r. Wh e n the lad i e s had to a c e rt ai n e xte nt re turn e d to the i r

, ,

se a ts ,
he r e sum e d hi s atte mp ts t o d i sc e rn ( from glanc e s and
e xpr e ssi on s i ssi bly be the un k nown
) wh ch of t h e m could po
au thore ss Ye t though those glanc e s and e xpre ssi ons w e re to o
.
,

sub tl e t o o i n su ffi c i e n tly op e n the d i ffi cul ty i n no way d i m i n i sh e d

, ,

hi s h i gh sp i ri ts E a si ly and g rac e fully di d he e xchang e agr e e

.

abl e bad i nag e w i th one lady and th e n approach anoth e r on e

,

wi th the short m i nci ng ste ps u sually affe cte d by young old

,
-

dand i e s who are flu tte r in g around the fai r As he turne d n o t .

,

w i thout d e xte r i ty to r i gh t and l e ft he ke pt o ne le g sl i ghtly

, ,

draggi ng b e h i nd the o the r l i ke a short tai l o r a com m a Th i s

,
.

tr i ck the lad i e s part i cularly ad m i re d In short th e y n o t only

.
,

d i scove re d i n hi m a host o f re comm e ndati ons and attrac ti on s ,

but a lso b e gan t o se e i n hi s face a sor t of grand Mars l i k e -

—
, ,

m i l i tary e xpre ssi on a th i n g wh i ch as we know n e ve r fai l s t o , ,

ple ase the fe m i n i ne e ye C e rta in o f the lad i e s e ve n t ook to

.

b i cke rin g ove r hi m and o n pe rce i v i n g that he spe nt mo st o f

, ,

hi s t i m e st and i n g n e ar the door som e o f the i r numb e r ha ste ne d

,

to occupy cha i r s n e are r to hi s po st of van t age In fac t whe n a .

,

ce r tai n dam e chance d to have the g ood fortune to an ti c i pate

a hate d r i val i n the rac e th e re ve ry n e arly e n su e d a mo st la m e n t
 4 6 D e ad S o u l s
able sce ne —wh i ch t o many of those who had b e e n d e si rou s of
,

do i n g e xactly the same th i n g se e me d a p e cul i arly horri bl e

,

n
i s tanc e o f braz e n fac
-
e d audac i t y .

S o d e e ply di d Chi chi ko v be come plunge d m conve rsati on w1th

0

hi s fa i r pur su e r s— o r ra t
,
h e r s o
,
d e e ply d 1d t ho s e fa 1r pur s u e rs

e nm e s h h i m i n t h e t o i l s o f s mall t al k ( wh i ch th e y acc o mpl i sh e d

t hrough t h e e xp e d i e n t o f a s k i n g h i m e ndl e s s sub t l e r i ddl e s wh i ch
brought the swe at t o hi s brow i n hi s atte mpts t o gue ss th e m )
— tha t h e forgo t th e cla i m s of cour t e sy wh i ch re q u i r e d h i m fi r st
o f all t o gre e t hi s ho ste ss In fact he re me mb e re d those clai m s
.
,

o nly on h e ar in g the G ove rnor s w i fe h e rse lf addre ssi ng hi m

’
.

She had be e n stand i ng be fore hi m for se ve ral m i nu te s and n ow ,

r e t e d hi m w i th sua ve e mpressern e n t and the word s S o h e re

g e ,

you are Paul Ivano vi tch !

,
B ut what she sa i d n e x t I am n o t
i n a po si ti on to re port for she spok e i n the ul tra re fin e d t one
,
-

an d ve i n wh e re i n lad i e s and ge n t le m e n cu stomar i ly e xpre ss

th e m se l ve s i n h i gh class nove l s whi ch have b e e n wr i tte n by

-

e xpe r ts more qual i fi e d than I am t o d e scr i b e s alo ns and abl e ,

t o boa st o f som e ac qua i n tance w i th good s oc i e ty In e ffe ct

—
,
.

what the G o ve rnor s w i fe sa i d was that she hope d she gre atly
’

—
hope d that M on si e ur Chi chi ko v s he art sti ll con ta i n e d a corne r
’

—e ve n the smalle st possi ble com e r—for those whom he had so

crue lly forgotte n Upon that Chi chi ko v turne d to he r and was
.
,

o n the po i n t of re turn i ng a re ply at l e a st no worse t han tha t

wh i ch would have b e e n re turne d und e r si m i lar c i rcum stance s , ,

by the he ro o f a fash i onabl e nove l e tte wh e n he stoppe d short , ,

as though thund e rstruc k .

For be fore hi m the re was stand i ng no t only M adame but also ,

a young g i rl whom she was hold i ng by the hand The golde n .

ha i r the fine drawn d e l i ca te con tours the fac e w i th i ts be w i tch

-

—
, , ,

i ng oval a fac e wh i ch m i ght have se rve d as a mod e l fo r the

c oun te nanc e of the M adonn a si nc e i t was o f a t yp e rare ly t o be
,

me t w i th i n Ru ssi a wh e re ne arly e ve ryth i n g from pla i n s to

, ,

human fe e t i s rathe r on the g i ganti c scal e ; the se fe ature s I

, , , ,
say we re tho se o f the i d e n t i cal ma i d e n whom Chi chi ko v had
,

e ncoun te re d o n the road wh e n he had b e e n fl e e i ng from No z dre v s

’
.

Hi s e mo ti on was such that he could n o t formulate a si n gle

i n te ll i g i bl e syllabl e ; he could m e re ly murmur the d e v i l only
knows what though ce rtai nly no th i ng of the k i nd wh i ch w ould
,

ha ve r i se n t o the l i ps o f the h e ro o f a fash i onabl e no ve l .

I th in k that you have n o t me t my daugh te r b e fore ? sa i d

”
Madame She i s ju st fre sh from school
He re pl i e d that he had had the happ i n e ss o f m
.
.

e e ti n g M ade
 1 4 8 D e ad S o u l s
Chi chi k ovw i t h m i ng le d a s t on i s hm e n t and s ub t l e i rony B u t .

C h i ch i k o v n e v e r e v e n no t i c e d h i m ; h e saw i n th e d i st anc e o n ly
h
t e gold e n ha i r
-
e d b e au t y A t tha t
. mom e n t s he w as draw i ng
o n a lon g g lov e and doub tl e s
,
s p i n i n g t o ,
b e fl m
y g o v e r t he

dan ci ng flo or wh e re w i th cl i ck in g h e e l s four coupl e s had n ow

-

, , ,

be gun t o t hr e ad th e maz e s of t h e mazur k a In p a r t l c ular . w a s

a m i li tary staff capta i n work i ng body and soul and arm s and
-

le gs to compass such a se ri e s o f ste p s as we re n e ve r be fore

p e rform e d e ve n i n a dre am Howe ve r Chi chiko v sl i ppe d past
,
.
,

the m azurk a danc e rs and a lmo st tre ad i ng o n th e i r h e e l s mad e

, , ,

hi s way t oward s the spo t wh e re M adam e and he r daugh te r we re

se a te d .Ye t he appro ach e d the m w i th gre at d i ffi d e nc e and non e
o f hi s late m i nc i ng and pranc i ng N ay he e ve n falte re d as he
.
,

wal ke d ; hi s e ve ry mo ve me n t had abou t i t an ai r o f awkwardne ss .

I t i s d i ffi cul t to say wh e the r o r n o t the fe e l i n g wh i ch had

awake ne d i n our he ro s bre ast was the fe e l i ng o f love ; fo r i t i s
’

probl e mati cal wh e the r or n o t me n who are ne i the r stou t nor

th i n are capabl e of any such se n t i m e n t N e v e rth e l e ss som e th i ng .
,

stran ge som e th i ng wh i ch he cou ld n o t al t oge th e r e xpla i n had

, ,

c om e upon hi m I t se e m e d as though the ball w i th i ts tal k and

—
,
.

i ts c latte r had sudd e nly b e com e a th i ng re mo te tha t the

,

orche stra had w i thdrawn b e h i nd a h i ll and the sc e n e grown ,

m i sty l i ke the care le ssly pa i n te d ih back ground of a p i c ture

,
-
.

And from that m i sty vo i d th e re cou ld be se e n gli mm e ri ng only

the d e li ca te ou tl i n e s o f the b e w i tch i ng ma i d e n S ome how he r .

e x qu i si te shap e re m i nd e d hi m o f an i vory to y i n such fa i r wh i te , , ,

tran spare n t re li e f d i d i t stand o ut aga i n st the dull blur of the

su rround i ng throng .

He re i n we se e a phe nom e n o n no t i nfre qu e ntly ob se rve d

the ph e nom e non o f the Chi chi ko vs of th i s world b e com i n g
te mporar i ly poe ts A t all e ve n ts fo r a mome n t o r two o ur
.
,

Chi chi ko v fe lt that he was a young man aga i n i f n o t e xac tly ,

a m i l i tary o ffi ce r On pe rce i v i ng an e mpty chai r be si d e the

.

mo the r and daughte r he haste n e d to occupy i t and though

, ,

conve rsati on at first hung fire th i n gs gradually i mprove d and , ,

he ac qu i re d more con fi d e nce .

A t th i s po i n t I mu st r e luc tan tly d e v i a te to say tha t me n o f

we i ght and h i gh offi ce are always a tri fle ponde rou s whe n
con v ng w h lad e s Y oung l i e u te nan ts or at all e ve nts
e r si i t i —
—
.
, ,

ffi
o c r e s n o t a ov
b e t h e rank of cap ta i n are far m ore succ e ssful
at the game How the y con tri ve t o be so God only k nows L e t
.
.

th e m but mak e the mo st i nan e o f re mark s and at onc e the

,

mai d e n by the i r si d e w i ll be rock i ng w i th lau gh te r ; whe re as ,

 D e ad S o ul s 14
9
sh ould a S tate Counc i llor e n te r i nt o conve rsati on w i th a dam se l ,

and re mar k that the Ru ssi an E m p i re i s o n e of va st e x te n t or

, ,

u tte r a compl i m e n t w h i ch he has e laborate d n o t w i thou t a

ce rta i n me asure of i n te ll i ge nce (howe ve r stron gly the sa i d
comp li m e n t may smac k of a book ) o f a sure ty the th i n g w i ll ,

fall flat E ve n a w i tt i c i sm from hi m w i ll be laughe d at far m ore

.

by hi m h i m se lf than i t w i ll by the lady who may happe n to be

l i ste n i n g to hi s re mark s .

Th e se comme n ts I ha ve i n te rpo se d fo r the purpo se o f e xpl ai n

i ng t o the re ad e r why as o ur h e ro conve r se d the ma i d e n be gan
, ,

t o yawn . Bl i nd t o th i s howe ve r he con ti nu e d to re late to he r

, ,

sundry adv e n ture s wh i ch had b e fall e n hi m i n d i ffe re n t par ts o f

the world . Me anwh i le (as ne e d hardly be sa i d ) the re st o f the

lad i e s had tak e n umbrage at hi s b e hav i our One o f the m pur .

p o se ly s t alk e d pa s t hi m t o i n t i ma te t o hi m t he fac t a s w e ll as ,

to j o stl e the Gove rnor s dau gh te r and le t the flyi ng e n d o f a

’
,

scarf fl i c k he r in the fac e ; wh i l e from a lady se a te d b e h i nd the

pa i r c ame bo th a wh i ff o f vi ole ts and a ve ry ve nomou s and
sarca st i c r e mark . Ne ve rthe le ss e i the r he d i d n o t he ar the
,

r e mark o r he pre tende d n o t to h e ar i t Thi s was unwi se of hi m

—
.
,

si nc e i t n e v e r do es to d i sr e gard lad i e s op i n i on s
’
Late r but
—
.

t o o la t e he wa s d e sti n e d to l e arn th i s to hi s Co st .

In short d i ssa ti sfac ti on b e g an to d i splay i tse lf on e v e ry

,

f e m i ni ne fac e No matte r how hi gh Chi chi ko v m i ght stand i n

.

soc i e ty and n o ma tt e r how much he m i gh t be a m i ll i ona i r e and

,

i nclud e i n hi s e xpr e ssi on o f count e nanc e an i nd e finable e l e m e n t

o f grandn e ss and mar ti al ardour t h e r e are c e rta i n th i ng s w h i ch
,

no lady wi ll pardon w ho so e v e r be the p e rson conc e rn e d We

, .

know tha t at Gov e rnors ball s i t i s cu stomary for the onlook e rs

’

to compo se v e rs e s at the e xp e n se o f the d anc e rs ; and i n thi s ca se

the v e rses w e r e d i r e c t e d to Chi chi ko v 5 addr e ss Bri e fly the
’
.
,

pre va i l i ng d i ssati sfac ti on gr e w unti l a tac i t e d i c t o f pro scri p ti on

had b e e n i ssu e d agai n st bo th hi m and the poor young m ai d e n .

B ut an e v e n mor e unpl e a san t surpri se was i n stor e for our

h e ro ; fo r w hi l st the young lady wa s sti ll yawni ng a s Chi chi ko v
re co d nt e d to he r c e r ta i n o f hi s pa st adv e n tur e s and al so t ouch e d

l i g htly upon the subj e c t of Gre e k phi losophy th e re app e are d ,

from an adj o i n i ng room the figure of No zdre v Wh e th e r he had .

com e from the buff e t o r wh e th e r he had i ssu e d from a l i ttl e

,

gre e n r e tr e a t wh e r e a gam e more stre nuou s than whi st had b e e n

i n progr e ss o r w h e th e r he had l e f t t he la tte r r e sort una i d e d o r
, ,

wh e th e r he had b e e n e xp e ll e d th e r e from i s un k nown ; but at ,

all e v e n ts w h e n he e n te r e d the ballroom he was i n an e l e va te d

, ,
1
50 D e ad S o ul s
cond i ti on and l e ad i ng by the
,
e arm th P ubl i c P ro se cu tor who m ,

he se e e m d t o hav e b e e n dragg i ng a b ou t fo r a long wh i l e pa s t ,

se e i ng t ha t t h e poor man w a s glanc i ng from s i d e t o s i d e a s

t hough s e e k i ng a m e an s of pu t ti ng an e n d t o t h i s p e r s onally
conducte d tour C e rtai nly he mu st hav e found the si tuati on
.

almo st unb e arabl e i n vi e w o f the fac t tha t afte r d e ri vi ng

, ,

n
i s p i ra t i on from t w o gla sse s o f t e a n o t wholly und i lu t e d w i t h rum ,

No z d re v w a s e ngag e d i n ly i ng unm e rc i fully O n s i gh t i ng h i.m

i n the d i st anc e C h i c h i
,
k o v a t onc e d e c i d e d t o s acr i fi c e h i mse lf .

That i s to say he d e ci d e d to vacate hi s pre se nt e n vi abl e po si ti on

,

and mak e o ff wi th all po ssi bl e sp e e d si nc e he could se e that an ,

e ncoun t e r w i t h t he n e wcom e r would do h i m no good U n f o rt u n .

a te ly at that mom e nt the Gov e rnor bu ttonhol e d hi m wi th a

re qu e st that he would com e and act as arbi te r b e tw e e n hi m ( the
—
Gove rnor) and two ladi e s the subj e ct o f d i spu te b ei ng the
qu e sti on as to wh e th e r or no t woman s lo v e i s la sti ng S i mul ’
.

tan e o usly No z dre v d e scri e d o ur h e ro and bor e down upon hi m .

Ah my fin e landown e r of Kh e rson ! he cri e d wi th a smi l e

,

whi ch se t hi s fresh spri ng ro se pi n k ch e e k s a qu i v e r

,
- -
Hav e -
.

you b e e n do i ng much trad e i n d e parte d soul s lat e ly ? Wi th

that he turn e d to the G ov e rnor I suppo se your E xc e ll e ncy
.

knows that thi s man trafli cs i n d e ad p e a sants ? he bawl e d ”

.

Loo k h e re Chi chi ko v I te ll you i n the mo st fri e ndly way

—
.
,

po ssi bl e tha t e v e ry o n e h e re l i k e s you ye s i nclud i ng e v e n the ,

Gov e rnor N e v e rth e l e ss had I my way I would hang you ! Ye s

.
, , ,

by God I would !
Chi chi ko v s di sco mfiture wa s compl e te
’
.

And would you be l i e v e i t your E xc e ll e ncy w e nt o n , ,

No zdre v ,
but th i s f e llow ac tually sa i d to me S e ll me your ,

d e ad soul s ! Why I laugh e d ti ll I n e arly b e cam e as d e ad as the

,

soul s . An d b e hold no soon e r do I a rri v e h e r e t han I am told

, ,

that he has bough t thr e e m i ll i on roubl es wor th of p e a san ts for

’

tran sfe rme nt ! For transfe rme nt i nd e e d ! And he wante d to ,

bargai n wi th me fo r my dead on e s ! Loo k h e re Chi chi ko v Y ou ,

.

are a swi n e ! Ye s by God you are an u t t e r sw i n e ! I s n o t tha t

, ,

so your E xc e ll e ncy ?
,
I s n o t tha t so fri e nd P rohuror ? ,
1

B ut bo th hi s E xc e ll e ncy the P ubl i c P ro se cu tor and Chi chi ko v

, ,

we re to o tak e n a bac k to r e ply The half ti p sy No zdre v wi thou t .

-
,

no ti c i ng th e m conti nu e d hi s harangu e a s be fore

, .

Ah my fin e si r ! he cri e d Thi s ti m e I don t m e an to le t

, .
’

you go No n o t unti l I hav e l e arn t what all thi s purcha si ng of

.
,

d e ad p e a san ts m e ans Loo k h e r e You ou g ht to be a sham e d o f

. .

1
b
Pu li c Pro se cu to r .
1
5 2 D e ad S o ul s
too ,
ma t t e rs f e l t uncomfor t abl e e v e n t hou g h
,
th e soc i e ty at

C h i c h i k o v
’
s t a b l e w a s e xc e e d i ngly agr e e abl e and N o z dr e v had
b e e n re move d owi ng to the fac t tha t the lad i e s had found hi s
,

conduc t to o scandalous to be born e now tha t the d e l i n qu e nt ,

had tak e n to se ati ng hi m se lf o n the floor and pluck i ng at the

s k i r t s o f pa ss i ng lady danc e r s A s I s a y . t h e re fo re C hi c h i ko
,
v ,

found the si tuati on n o t a l i ttl e awk ward and e v e ntually p ut an ,

e nd to i t by l e a v i ng the supp e r room b e for e the m e al was o v e r ,

and long be fo re the hour wh e n u sually he r e turn e d to the i nn .

In hi s l i ttl e room wi th i ts door of communi ca ti on bloc k e d

,

wi th a wardrob e and blac k b e e tl e s occa si onally p e e p i ng o ut o f

,
-

corn e rs hi s fram e o f m i nd r e mai n e d as uncomfortabl e as the

,

cha i r i n whi ch he was se ate d Hi s h e art ach e d wi th a dull .

,

unpl e a sant se n sati on wi th a sort of oppr e ssi v e e mpti n e ss

,
.

The d e v i l ta k e tho se who first i n v e n t e d ball s !

”
wa s hi s
r e fle c ti on . Who d e ri v e s any r e al pl e a sure from th e m ? In thi s
provi nc e th e re e xi st want and scarci ty e v e rywh e r e : ye t fol k
go i n for ball s ! How a bsurd to o w e re tho se ov e rdre sse d wom e n !
, ,

On e o f th e m mu st hav e had a t hou sand roubl e s o n he r bac k and ,

all ac qu i re d at the e xp e n se o f the ov e rtax e d p e a sant o r worse , ,

sti ll at tha t o f the con sc i e nc e of he r n e i ghbour

,
Ye s we all k now .
,

why bri b e s are acc e p te d and why me n b e com e croo k e d i n soul

—
.
,

I t i s all don e to pro vi d e wi v e s ye s may the p i t swallow th e m

—
,

up wi th fal lal s An d for wha t purpo se ? T hat som e woman

-
.

may no t hav e to re proach he r hu sband wi th the fac t that say

—
, ,

the P o stma ste r s wi f e i s w e ari ng a b e tte r dr e ss than she i s a

’

dre ss whi ch has co st a thou sand roubl e s ! Ball s and gai e ty ,

ball s and gai e ty i s the constan t cry Ye t wha t folly ball s are ! .

The y do n o t consort wi th the Ru ssi an Spi ri t and ge ni u s and ,

the d e vi l only k nows why we ha v e th e m A grown m i ddl e ag e d -

—
.
,

man a man dr esse d i n black and loo k i ng as sti ff a s a po k e r ,

sudd e nly t a k e s the floor and b e g i n s shu ffl i ng hi s f e e t abou t

,

whi l e anoth e r man e ve n though conv e rsi ng w i th a compani on

,

o n i mportan t bu si n e ss wi ll the wh i l e k e e p cap e ri ng to ri gh t

, , ,

and l e ft l i k e a bi lly goat ! M i m i cry sh e e r m i m i cry ! The fac t

-
,

t ha t the Fre nchman i s at for ty pre c i se ly wha t he wa s a t fi fte e n

l e ad s us to i mag i n e that we too fo rsoo th ought to be the sam e
—
, ,
.

No ; a all l av
b e e s o n e e e i
f l ng ha o n e has don e a wrong thi ng so
t t
much so that o n e do es n o t care e v e n to thi nk o f i t I t al so .

l e a v e s on e s h e ad p e rf e ctly e mpty e v e n as do e s the e x e rti on o f

’

,
tal k i ng to a man of the wo rld A man o f that k i nd cha tte rs away
.
,

and touch e s l i ghtly upon e v e ry conc e i vabl e subj e c t and tal k s i n ,

sm oo th flu e n t phra se s wh i ch he has cull e d from boo k s w i thou t
,
 D e ad S o ul s
53 1

gra zi ng th e i r sub stanc e ; wh e r e a s go and hav e a chat wi th a

t rad e sman who know s a t l e a st one th i ng thorou g hly and throu g h ,

the m e d i um o f e xpe ri e nc e and s e e w h e th e r hi s conv e rsa ti on wi ll

,

n o t be wor th mor e t han t he pra ttl e o f a t hou sand cha tt e rbox es .

For what good do e s o n e g e t o ut o f ball s ? S uppo se that a

comp e te nt wri te r w e re to d e scri b e such a sc e n e e xac tly as i t
st and s ? Why e v e n i n a boo k i t w ould se e m s e n se l e ss e v e n a s i t
, ,

c e rta i nly i s i n l i f e A re th e r e for e such func ti on s ri ght or w rong ?

.
, ,

On e w ould an sw e r tha t the d e vi l alon e k nows and th e n sp i t ,

an d clo se t he book .

S uch w e r e the unfavourabl e comm e nts w hi ch Chi chi ko v pa ssed

upon ball s i n g e n e ral Wi th i t all how e v e r th e re w e nt a se cond
.
, ,

sourc e o f d i ssati sfac ti on That i s to say hi s pri nci pal grudge

.
,

was n o t so much agai n st ball s as a g ai nst the fact that at thi s

parti cular o ne he had b e e n e xpo se d he had b e e n mad e to di s ,

clo se the ci rcum stanc e that he had b e e n playi ng a strange an ,

ambi guou s part O f course wh e n he r e vi e w e d the eontrete rnp s i n

.
,

the l i ght o f pur e r e a son he could n o t bu t se e that i t matte re d

,

no thi ng and that a fe w rud e word s w e re of no account now that

,

the ch i e f po i n t had b e e n a tta i n e d ; ye t man i s an o dd cr e atur e ,

and Chi chi ko v actually f e l t pai n e d by the cold should e ri ng ad -

m i n i ste re d to hi m by p e rson s for whom he had n o t an ato m o f

re sp e ct and who se van i ty and lov e o f d i splay he had only that
,

mom e nt b e e n c e nsuri ng S ti ll more o n vi e wi ng the matte r

.
,

cl e arly he fe lt v e x e d to thi n k that he hi m se lf had b e e n so

,

larg e ly the cau se of the cata stroph e

—
.

Ye t he was n o t angry wi th hi mse lf o f tha t you may be sur e ,

se e i ng t ha t all o f u s hav e a sl i gh t w e a k n e ss fo r S pari ng o ur own

faults and always do our b est to find som e f e llow cre ature upon -

—
,

whom to v e nt o ur d i spl e asure wh e th e r that fe llow cre ature be -

a se rvant a subord i nate o ffi ci al o r a wi fe In the sam e way

, ,
.

Chi chi ko v sought a s cap e g o a t upon who se should e rs he could

lay the blam e fo r all that had annoy e d hi m He found o n e i n .

Nozdre v and yo u may be sure that the scap e goat i n q u e sti on

,

re c e i v e d a good drubb i ng from e v e ry si d e e v e n as an e xp e ri ,

e n ce d cap ta i n o r chi e f o f pol i c e w i ll gi v e a knav i sh starosta o r

po stboy a rati ng n o t only i n the t e rm s b e com e cla ssi cal but ,

al so i n such te rm s as the sai d cap tai n or chi e f of pol i c e may

i nv e n t fo r hi m se lf In short N ozdre v s w hol e li n e ag e was
.
,
’

passe d i n re vi e w ; and many o f i ts m e mb e rs i n the asc e nd i ng

l i n e fare d badly i n the proc e ss .

M e anwhi l e at the oth e r e n d o f the t own th e re was i n progress

,

an e v e nt whi ch was d e sti n e d to au gm e nt sti ll furthe r the un

1
54 D e ad S o u l s
pl e asantne ss o f o ur he ro s posi ti on That i s to say through the
’
.
,

ou tlyi ng stre e ts and all e ys o f the t own th e re was clatte rmg a

ve hi cl e to whi ch i t would be di ffi cul t pre ci se ly to assi gn a nam e ,

s e e i ng that though i t was o f a sp e c i e s p e cul i ar t o i tse lf i t mo st

, ,

n e arly r esem bl e d a larg e ri ck e ty wate r m e lon on wh e e l s

,
.

E ve ntually thi s monstrosi ty dre w up at the gate s of a hou se

wh e re the archpri e st of o ne o f the church e s re si d e d and from ,

i ts doors th e r e l e ap t a dam se l clad i n a j e rki n and w e ari ng a

s carf o v e r her h e ad Fo r a whi l e she thump e d the gate s so
.

vi gorou sly as to se t all the dogs barki ng ; th e n the gate s sti ffly
Op e n e d and admi tte d thi s unwi e ldy ph e nom e non of the road .

Lastly the bari ni a h e rse lf ali ghte d and stood r e v e al e d as

, ,

Madam e K orobotchka wi dow o f a Coll e gi ate S e cre tary ! The

,

re ason o f he r sudd e n arri val was that she had f e lt so un e asy

abou t the possi bl e ou tcom e o f Chi chi ko v s whi m that duri ng ’
,

the thre e n i ghts followi ng hi s d e partur e S he had b e e n unabl e to

sl e e p a wi n k ; wh e re afte r i n sp i te of the fac t tha t he r hor se s
,

we re n o t shod S he had se t o ut for the t own i n ord e r to l e arn

, ,

at fi rst hand how the d e ad soul s w e r e fari ng and wh e th e r ,

( wh i ch m i gh t God for e fe nd ! ) she had n o t s old th e m at som e

thi ng l i k e a thi rd o f th e i r tru e valu e The con se qu e nc e s of he r

.

ve nture the re ad e r wi ll l e arn from a conv e rsati on b e tw e e n two

lad i e s We wi ll rese rv e i t for the e nsu i ng chapte r
. .

NE! T morni ng b e fore the u sual hour for payi ng call s th e re

, ,

tri pp e d from the portal s of an orang e colour e d wood e n hou se -

wi th an atti c store y and a ro w of blu e pi llars a lady i n an

e l e gan t plai d cloak Wi th he r cam e a footman i n a many cap e d
.
-

gre atcoat and a pol i sh e d to p hat wi th a gold band Hasti ly .

,

but grac e fully the lady a sc e nd e d the ste p s le t down from a

,

holi aska whi ch was stand i ng b e fore the e n tranc e and as soon ,

as she had don e so the foo tman shu t he r i n u t up th t p

p e s e s,

agai n and catchi ng hold o f the strap b e hi nd the v e hi cl e

, , ,
”
shou te d t o the coachman Ri ght away ! T he r e a son of all
,

thi s was that the lady was the po sse ssor of a p i e c e of i n te ll i g e nc e

whi ch she was burn i ng t o communi cate to a f e llow cre ature -
.

Eve ry mom e nt she k e pt looki ng o ut of the carri age wi ndow and ,

p e rc e i vi ng wi th almo st sp e e chl e ss v e xati on that as ye t she

, , , ,
was but half way o n he r journ e y
-
T he fronts of the hou ses
.
1
56 D e ad S o u l s
t ru e fr i e nd would hav e had t he h e ar t t o i n t e rrup t h e r ; b u t
the ho s t e s s w a s ju st such a fr i e nd and a t onc e i
, n t e rpo se d w i t h :

I wond e r how any o n e can se e anythi ng i n the man to

prai se o r to admi re For my own part I thi n k and I would —
—
.
,

say t h e s am e t h i ng st ra i gh t t o hi s fac e t ha t h e I S a p e rf e c t
”
rascal .

Ye s but do li ste n t o what I hav e go t to te ll yo u

,
.

Oh I know that som e pe opl e thi n k hi m hand som e con

, ,

ti nu d
e t h e ho st e ss unmov e d ; b u t I sa y t ha t h e i s no t h i ng o f
—
,

the i k nd that i n parti cular hi s no se i s p e rfe ctly od i ou s

, ,
”
.

Ye s but le t me fi ni sh wha t I was sayi n g T he gu e st s

’
.
,

ton e was almo st p i te ou s i n i ts app e a l .

What i s i t th e n ? ,

Yo u cannot i magi n e my sta te o f m i nd ! You se e th i s

morni ng I re ce i v e d a vi si t from Fathe r Cyri l s wi fe the Arch — ’
,

’
—
pri e st s wi fe yo u know he r don t you ? W e ll whom do you ,
’
,

suppo se that fin e g e n tl e man v i si tor of ours has tu rn e d o ut

to be ?
T heman who has bu i lt the Archpri e st a poultry run ? -

Oh d e ar no ! Had that b e e n all i t would have b e e n nothi ng ,

.

N o Li ste n to what Fathe r Cyri l s wi fe had to te ll me She

.
’
.

sai d tha t la st n i ght a lady landown e r nam e d M adam e K oro

—
, ,

botchk a arri v e d at the Archpri e st s hou se arri ve d all pal e and ’

tr e mbl i ng — and told he r o h such thi ngs ! Th e y sound l i k e a

, ,

pi e c e o ut of a book That i s to say at d e ad o f n i ght ju st wh e n

.
, ,

e v e ry o n e had r e ti r e d t o r e st th e r e cam e the mo st dr e adful,

knocki ng i magi nabl e and som e o ne scre am e d o ut O p e n the

, ,

gate s o r we wi ll bre ak th e m down !

,
Ju st thi n k ! Afte r thi s ,
”
how any o n e can say that the man i s charm i ng I canno t i magi n e .

We ll what of M adam e K o ro bo tchka ? I s she a young

,

woman or good looki ng ?

Oh d e ar no ! Qu i te an old woman .

Spl e ndi d i nd e e d ! S o he i s actually e ngage d to a p e rson

li ke that ? One may he arti ly comm e nd the taste o f our lad i e s
fo r havi ng fall e n i n lov e wi th hi m !
Ne verthe l e ss i t i s no t as yo u suppose Thi nk now !
, .
,

Arm e d wi th we apons from h e ad to foot he call e d upon thi s o ld ,

woman and sai d : S e ll me any soul s o f yours whi ch have

,

late ly d i e d O f course M adam e K oro botchka answe re d

.
’

r asonably e nough : I canno t se ll you tho se soul s se e i ng that

e
,
the y ha v e d e parte d thi s world b u t h r pl i d No no !
; e e e :
—
,

i
’
Th y e a re n o t d ad
e T s I who te ll you that I who ought to
.

know the tru th o f the matte r I sw e ar that th e y are sti ll al i ve . .

’
 D e ad S o uls 57 1

I n short he mad e such a sce n e that the whol e vi llage cam e

,

runni ng to the hou se and chi ldr e n scr e am e d and me n shou te d

, , ,

and no o n e could te ll what i t was all abou t The a ff a i r se e m e d to .

me so horri bl e so u tte rly horri bl e tha t I tre mbl e d b e yond b e l i e f

, ,

a s I l i st e n e d to the story M y d e ar e st madam sa i d my mai d

.
,
’
,

M ashka pray loo k at yourse lf i n the m i rror and se e how wh i te

, ,

you are B ut I hav e no ti m e for tha t I r e pl i e d a s I mu st be

’ ’
.
, ,

Off to t e ll my fri e nd Anna Gri g o ri e vn a the n e ws

,
Nor di d I ,
.
’

lo se a mom e n t i n ord e ri ng the holi asha Ye t w h e n my coachman .

,

Andru sha a sk e d me for d i r e c ti on s I could no t g e t a word o ut

,
-
I ju st stood starmg at hi m l i k e a fool un ti l I thou g ht he mu st ,

th i nk me mad O h An n a Gri go ri e vna i f yo u but kn e w ho w

.
, ,

up se t I am !
”
Wha t a strang e affa i r ! comm e nte d the ho ste ss Wha t .

o n e ar th can the man hav e m e an t by d e ad soul s I confe ss

tha t the word s pa ss my und e rstand i ng Curi ou sly e nough thi s .
,

i s the se cond ti m e I hav e h e ard sp e ak o f tho se soul s Tru e my .

,

hu sband av e rs tha t No zdre v was lyi ng ; ye t i n hi s l i e s th e re

se e m s to hav e b e e n a gra i n O f tru th
”
.

W e ll j u st thi n k o f my sta te wh e n I h e ard all thi s ! And

,

now appare n tly sa i d K o ro bo tchka to the Archpri e st s wi f e

,
’ ’

I am al tog e th e r at a lo ss wha t to do for throwi ng me fifte e n

—
, ,

ro ubl e s,the man forc e d me to S i g n a worthl e ss pap e r ye s me , ,

an i n e xp e ri e nc e d d e f e nc e l ess w i dow who know s no thi ng Of

,

bu si n e ss Tha t such th i ng s should happ e n ! Try and i mag i n e

.
’

m y fe e l i ng s !
I n my Opi ni on th e re i s i n th i s more than the d e ad soul s
,

whi ch m e e t the e ye .

I th i n k so to o agre e d the o th e r A S a ma tte r of fac t he r

”
, .
,

fri e nd s r e mark had struc k he r wi th compl ete surpri se as w e ll

’
,

a s fill e d he r w i th cur i o si ty to kno w wha t the word mor e

m i g ht po ssi bly si gni fy I n fact she f e lt dri v e n to i nqui r e
.
,

What do you suppo se to be hi dd e n b e n e ath i t all ?

NO t e ll me wha t you suppo se ?
Wha t I suppo se ? I a m at a lo ss to conj e c ture .

Ye s but te ll me wha t i s i n your m i nd ?

,

U pon thi s the vi si tor had to conf e ss h e rse l f nonplu sse d ; for ,

thou g h capabl e o f grow i ng hy ste ri cal she was i ncapabl e of ,

propoundi ng any rati onal th e ory Conse qu e ntly S he f e l t the .

m ore that she n e ed e d te nd e r comfort and advi c e .

Th e n thi s i s what I thi nk abou t the d e ad soul s sa i d the ,

ho stess In stantly the gu e st pri c k e d up he r e ars (o r rath e r

.
, ,

th e y pri ck e d th e m se lv e s up ) and stra i ght e n e d h e rse l f and

1 5 8 D e ad S o u l s
be cam e s om e how mor e mod i,
sh and d e sp i t e h e r n o
,
t i n co n,
si d e r
,

a bl e w e i ght po se d h e rse lf to loo k l i k e a p i e c e Of thi stl e down

,

fl oati ng on the bre e z”e .

Th e d e ad soul s b e gan t he
,
ho s t e ss .

A re wha t a re wha,
t ? i nqu i r e d t h e gu es t m gr ea t e x c 1t e

m e nt .

A re , are
Te ll me te ll me for h e av e n s sak e !
, ,
’

Th e y are an i nve nti on to conc e al som e thi ng e l se The man s ’

—
.

re al obj e ct i s i s to abduct the Governor s daughter

,
’
.

SO st art l i ng and un e xp e c t e d wa s t h i s conclu si on t ha t t h e

gu e st sat r e duc e d to a stat e of pal e p e tri fi e d g e nu i n e amaz e m e n t

, ,
.

M y God ! she cri e d clappi ng he r hand s I should never

, ,

ha v e gu e sse d i t !
W e ll to te ll you the tru th I gu e sse d i t as soon as e v e r you
, ,
”
op e n e d your mou th .

S o much th e n for e ducati ng gi rl s l i k e the Gove rnor s

, ,
’

daughte r at school ! Ju st se e what com e s Of i t !

Ye s i nd e e d ! An d th e y te ll me tha t she says th i ng s wh i ch
,
”
I h e si tat e e ve n to r e p ea t .

Truly i t wri ng s on e s h e art to se e to wha t l e ng th s 1mmo rali ty

’

”
has com e .

S om e Of the me n hav e qu i te lo st th e i r h e ad s abou t he r but ,

for my part I thi nk he r n o t worth no ti c i ng ”

.

“
O f course And he r mann e rs are unb e arabl e B ut what
. .

puzzl es me mo st i s how a trav e ll e d man l i k e Chi chi ko v could

com e to le t hi m se lf i n for such an aff ai r S ure ly he mu st hav e .

accompl i c e s ?
Ye s and I should say tha t o n e Of tho se accompl i c e s i s
,

N o zdre v .

S ur e ly no t ?
Certai nly I should say S O Why , I hav e nown hi m e v e n try
. k
to se ll hi s own fa th e r ! A t all e v e n ts he sta e d hi m a t card s
”
k .

I
nd e e d ? Y
ou i nt e r e st me I should n e v e r hav e thought .

hi m capabl e Of such thi ng s .

I always gu e sse d hi m to be S O .

The two lad i e s w e r e sti ll d i scu ssi ng the ma tte r wi th acum e n

k
and succ e ss wh e n th e re wal e d i n to the room the Publ i c Pro se cu
—
to r bu shy e y e brow s, mo ti onl ess f e a tur e s bl i n i ng e y e s and
, ,
k
all A t onc e the lad i e s ha ste n e d to i nform hi m o f the e ve n ts
.

re late d , adduc i ng th e re wi th full d e ta i l s bo th as to the purcha se

Of d e ad soul s and as to the sch e m e to abduc t the Go e rnor s ’
v
daughte r ; afte r whi ch th e y d e parte d i n d i ff e re nt d i re c ti ons,
 I 60 D e ad S o ul s
s pr e ad t o mor e r e mo t e corn e r s o f t he t own A t l e ng t h . w i t h ,

f
’
h
t es p e e rfe c ti n g s t
,
h e a ffa i r r e ach e d t he e a rs o t h e Gov e rnor s

wi fe h e rse lf N aturally as the mo th e r of a fam i ly and a s the

.
, ,

first lady i n the town and as a matron who had n e v e r b e fore

,

be e n su sp e c t e d o f t h i ng s of t h e k i nd s h e w a s h1 h
g y
,
1 o f f e nd e d
wh e n she h e ard the stori e s and v e ry j u stly so : wi th the r e sul t
,

t ha t h e r poor young daugh t e r t hough i,

nnoc e n t had to e ndure ,

about as unpl e a sant a téte d téte as e v e r b e f e ll a mai d e n o f si xt e e n

‘
- -
,

wh i l e for hi s part the S wi ss foo tman r e c e i v e d ord e rs n e v e r at

, ,

any ti m e to adm i t Chi chi ko v to the hou se .

Havi ng don e th e i r bu si n e ss wi th the Gov e rnor s wi f e the ’

lad i e s party d esc e nd e d upon the mal e se c ti on wi th a v i ew to

’
,

i n flu e nc i ng i t to th e i r own si d e by a sse rti ng t ha t the d e ad soul s

w e re an i nv e nti on u se d sol e ly for the purpo se of d i v e rti ng sus
p i ci o n and succ e ssfully e ff e c ti ng the abduc ti on And i nd eed .
, ,

more than o n e man was conv e rte d and j o i n e d the f e mi ni n e ,

camp i n spi te Of the fac t that th e re by such se c e d e rs i ncurr e d

—
,

strong nam es from th e i r la t e comrad e s nam e s such a s Old

wome n ,
” ”
p e tti coa ts and o th e rs Of a na ture p e cul i arly off e n
,

si v e t o the mal e se x .

Al so how e v e r much th e y m i ght arm th e m se lve s and ta k e

,

x the fi e ld the me n could no t compa ss such ord e rl i n ess w i th i n

,

t h e i r ran k s a s could the wom e n Wi th the form e r e ve ryt hi ng

.

wa s o f the anti qua t e d and rough h e wn and i ll fitti ng and - -

un su i ta bl e and b ad ly adap te d and i nfe ri or k i nd ; th e i r h e ad s

-

w e re full o f no thi ng but d i scord and tri vi al i ty and confu si on and

slov e nl i n e ss of though t In bri e f th e y d i splay e d e v e rywh e re
.
,

the mal e b e nt the rud e pond e rou s na tur e wh i ch i s i ncapabl e

, ,

e i th e r of mana gi ng a hou se hold or Of jump i ng to a conclu si on ,

as w e ll as r e ma i n s alway s d i stru stful and lazy and full o f con stan t

d oubt and e v e rla sti ng ti m i d i ty Fo r i n stanc e the m e n s party

’

—
.
,

d e clar e d tha the whol e st ory wa s ru bb i sh tha t the all e g e d

t
a bducti on Of the Gov e rnor s daughte r was the work rath e r o f a
’

mi l i tary than Of a c i vi l i an culpri t ; that the lad i e s w e r e lyi ng

wh e n th e y accu se d Chi chi ko v Of the d e e d ; that a woman was
—
l i k e a mon e y bag whatso e v e r you p ut i nto he r she th e nc e forth
-

re tai n e d ; that the subj e ct whi ch re ally d e mand e d atte n ti on

was the d e ad soul s o f whi ch the d e vi l only k n e w the m e an i ng
, ,
but i n whi ch th e re c e rt ai nly lurk e d som e thi ng that was con trary
to good o rd e r and di sci pl i n e On e r e a son why the m e n s party
.
’

was so c e rtai n that the d e ad soul s conno te d som e thi ng con trary
t o good ord e r and d i sci pli n e was that th e re had ju st b e e n
appoi nte d to the provi nc e a ne w Gove rnor Ge n e ral—an e ve nt
,
-
 D e ad S o u l s 1 6I
whi ch ,
of course had thrown the whol e army Of provi nci al
,

tchi nooni hs i n t o a st at e Of gr e at e xci te m e n t se e i ng t hat th e y ,

k n e w that b e fore long th e re would e n su e transfe rme nts and

s e n te nc e s Of c e n sur e as w e ll as the se ri e s o f O ffi ci al d i nn e rs wi t h
,

whi ch a Gov e rnor Ge n e ral i s accu st om e d to e nte rtai n hi s

-

”
subord i na te s .Ala s thought the army Of tchi nooni ks
, ,

i s probabl e tha t S hould he l e arn Of the gro ss r e por ts at pr e se n t

,

afloat i n our t own he wi ll make such a fu ss that we shall n e ve r

,
”
h e ar the last o f t h e m In parti cular di d the Di re ctor Of the
.

M e di cal D e partm e nt turn pal e at the thought that po ssi bly the
n e w Gov e rnor G e n e ral would surm i se the t e rm
-
d e ad fol k to
connot e pati e nts i n the local ho spi tal s who for want Of prop e r ,

r e v e n ti v e m e a sur e s had d i e d Of sporad i c f e v e r Ind e e d m i ght

p ,
.
,

i t n o t be t hat Chi chi ko v was n e i t h e r mor e nor l e ss t han an e m i s

sary o f t he sa i d Gov e rnor G e n e ral se n t t o conduct a se cr e t ,

i n q u i ry ? Accord i ngly he (the D i r e ctor Of the M e d i cal D e part

m e nt) communi cat e d thi s la st suppo si ti on to the Pre si d e n t Of
the C ounci l who tho ugh at fi rst i ncl i n e d t o e jaculat e
, ,
Rubbi sh !
sudd e nly t urn e d pal e o n propound i ng t o h i m se lf the t h e ory
. ,

What i f the soul s purchase d by Chi chi ko v should really be

d e ad on e s ? — a t e rri bl e thou g ht con si d e ri ng t ha t he the ,

Pre si d e nt had p e rm i tte d the i r tran sfe rme nt to be re gi ste re d

, ,

and had hi m se lf acte d as Plushki n s re pre se n tati ve ! What i f ’

t h e se t h i ng s should r e ach the Gov e rnor G e n e ral s e ars ? He

’
-

m e nti on e d the matte r to o n e fri e nd and an o th e r and th e y i n , ,

t h e i r t urn w e n t w hi te t o the l i p s fo r pan i c spr e ad s fa ste r and

, , ,

i s e v e n mor e d e structi v e t han the dr e ad e d blac k d e ath Al so

,
.
,

to add t o the tchi n ovni hs troubl e s i t so b e fe ll t ha t ju st at t hi s

’

juncture th e re cam e i nt o the local Gov e rnor s hand s two docu ’

m e n ts Of gre at i mport anc e The first Of th e m contai n e d advi c e s

.

that accord i ng t o r e c e i v e d e vi d e nc e and r e por ts t h e re was

, ,

Op e rati ng i n the provi nc e a forg e r Of roubl e no te s who had b e e n -

passi ng und e r vari ou s ali a se s and mu st th e re fore be sought for

wi th the utmo st di li g e nce ; whi l e the se cond docum e nt was a
l e tte r from the Gov e rnor Of a n e i ghbouri ng provi nc e wi th re g ard
t o a mal e fact or who had t h e r e e vad e d appr e h e n si on — a l e tt e r

conv e yi ng al so a warni ng that i f i n the provi nc e o f the t own ,

Of N the re should app ea r any su sp i ci ou s i nd i vi dual who could

.

produc e n e i th e r re fe re nc e s nor passports he was to be arre ste d ,

fort hwi th Th e se two docum e n ts l e ft e v e ry o n e thund e rstruck

.
,

fo r t h e y knock e d on the h e ad all pr e vi ou s conc e p ti on s and

th e ori es No t for a mom e nt could i t be suppo se d tha t the form e r
.

docum e nt re fe rre d to Chi chi ko v ; ye t as e ach man pond e re d ,

F
 1 62 D e ad S o u l s
the po i
s t i on from h i s o w n po i n t Of v i e w h e , r e m e mb e r e d t ha t
no on e really kn e w who Chi chi ko v was ; as al so that hi s vagu e
— —
re fe re nce s to hi mse lf had ye s i nclud e d state m e nts that hi s
care e r i n the se rvi ce had su ffe re d much i n the cau se Of Tru th ,

and that he po sse sse d a numb e r o f e n e mi e s who w e re se e ki ng hi s

l i fe Thi s gav e the tchi novni ks furth e r food for thought P e rhap s
.
.

l
hi s i e ef r ally d i d st and i n dang e r ? P e rhap s h e r e ally w a s b e
i n g
s ough t for by s om e o n e ? P e rhap s he r e ally h a d don e s o m e t h m g
Of the ki nd above re fe rre d to ? A S a matte r Of fact who was he ? ,

—not that i t could actually be suppo se d that he was a forg e r Of

note s sti ll l e ss a bri gand se e i ng that hi s e xte ri or was re sp e ctabl e
, ,

i n the h i gh e st d e g re e Y
. e t w h o w as h e ? A t l e ng t h t h e tchi n oo

ni ks d e c i d e d t o ma k e i n q u i r i e s among t ho se o f whom h e had

purchase d soul s i n ord e r that at l e ast i t m i ght be l e arn t w hat
,

t h e purcha s e s had con si s t e d O f and wha

,
t e xac t ly und e rlay t he m ,

and wh e th e r i n passi ng he had e xplai n e d to any o n e hi s re al

, ,

i n te n ti on s or r e v e al e d t o any o n e hi s i d e n ti ty In the fi rst i n

,
.

stanc e th e r e fore r e sor t wa s had t o K o ro bo t chka Ye t l i ttl e was

—
.
, ,

gl e an e d from that sourc e m e re ly a state m e nt that he had

bought o f he r som e soul s for fi fte e n roubl e s ap i e c e and al so a ,

quanti ty Of fe ath e rs whi l e promi si ng al so to buy som e othe r

,

commod i ti e s i n the fu ture se e i ng that i n parti cular he had

, , ,

e n te r e d i n to a con tract wi t h the T r e a sury for lard a fact co n ,

sti tuti ng fai rly pr e sump ti v e proof that the man was a rogu e ,

se e i ng that ju st such ano th e r f e llow had bought a q uan ti ty of

fe ath e rs ye t had ch e ate d fol k all round and i n parti cular had
, , , ,

don e the Archpri e st o ut Of ove r a hund re d roubl e s Thu s the .

n e t r e sul t Of Madam e s cro ss e xam i na ti on was t o convi nc e the

’
-

tchi n ooni hs that she was a garrulou s si lly Old woman ,

Wi th .

re gard to Mani lo v he re pl i e d that he would an sw e r fo r Chi chi ko v

,

as he would for hi m se lf and tha t he would gladly sacri fi c e hi s

,

prop e rty i n toto i f th e r e by he could attai n e v e n a ti th e o f the

quali ti e s whi ch Paul Ivanovi tch posse sse d Fi nally he d e li ve re d .

o n Chi chi ko v w i th acu te ly k n i tt e d brow s a e ulogy couch e d i n

,
-

the mo st charm i ng Of te rm s and coupl e d w i t h sundry se n ti m e n ts

,

o n the subj e c t o f fri e nd sh i p and a ff e c ti on i n g e n e ral Tru e th e se

.
,

re mark s su ffi c e d to i nd i cate the te nd e r i mpul se s o f the Sp e ak e r s ’

h e art but al so the y di d no thi ng to e nl i ghte n hi s e xam i n e rs

,

conce rn i ng the bu si n e ss that was actually i n hand As for .

S o bake vi tch that landown e r r e pl i e d that he con si d e r e d C hi chi

,

ko v an e xc e ll e n t f e llow as w e ll as that the soul s whom he had

,

sold to hi s vi si tor had b e e n i n the t ru e st s e n se Of the word al i v e

,
but that he could n o t an sw e r for any thi ng whi ch m i g ht occur
 6
1 4 D e a d S o u l s

ce rtai n S e m e n Ivanovi t ch who fo r som e re ason or anoth e r was , , ,

n e ve r allud e d to by hi s fam i ly nam e but who wore on hi s i nd e x ,

fing er a r i ng w i t h wh i ch h e w as accu s t om e d t o dazzl e h i s lady

fri e nd s had d i mi ni sh e d i n bul k Ye t as always happ e n s at
,
.
,
.

s uch junc t ur e s t h e r e w
,
e r e al so pr e se n t a s cor e Of bra z e n 1n d1v1
dual s who had succe e d e d i n not lo si ng th e i r pre se nce Of m i nd ,

e v e n though th e y con sti tu t e d am e r e spri n k l i ng O f t h e m the P o t

s .

maste r form e d o ne si nc e he was a man Of e quabl e te mp e ram e nt

,

w h o could alway s s a y : W e k now you you Go v e rno r G e n e ral s ! ,

-

W e ha v e se e n t hr e e o r four Of you com e and go wh e re as

”
,

we have b e e n si tti ng on the sam e st ool s th e se thi rty y e ars .

N e ve rthe l e ss a promi n e nt fe ature o f the gath e ri ng was the”total

abse nce Of what i s vulgarly k nown as common se n se In .

ge n e ral we Ru ssi an s do n o t mak e a good S how at re pre se ntati ve

,

asse m bl i e s for the re ason that unl e ss the re be i n au thori ty a

, ,

l e ad i ng spi ri t to control the re st the affai r always d e v e lop s ,

i nto confu si on Why th i s should be S O o n e could hardly say

.
,

but at all e v e nts a succ e ss i s scor e d only by such ga th e ri ngs as

—
have for th e i r obj e ct d i ni ng and f e sti vi ty to wi t gath e ri ngs ,

at club s or i n G e rman run r e stauran ts How e v e r on the pre se nt

-
.
,

occasi on the m e e ti ng was not o n e o f thi s k i nd ; i t was a m e e ti ng

,

con v ok e d of n e c e ssi ty and l i k e ly i n v i e w Of the thre ate n e d

,

calami ty to affe ct e v e ry tchi noo ni h i n the plac e Al so i n .

,

add i ti on to the gre at d i ve rg e ncy o f vi e ws e xpre sse d the re at ,

th e re was vi si bl e i n all t he s p e a k e r s an i nv i nci bl e t e nd e ncy to

i nd e ci si on whi ch le d th e m at o n e mom e n t to ma k e a sse rti on s ,

and at the n e xt t o contradi ct the sam e B ut o n at l e a st o ne

—
.

poi nt all se e m e d to agre e nam e ly that Chi chi ko v s app e aranc e ,

’

and con v e rsati on w e re to o re sp e ctabl e for hi m to be a forge r or

a di sgui se d bri gand That i s t o say all see med to agre e o n the
.
,

poi nt ; unti l a sudd e n shou t aro se from the d i re cti on Of the

P ostmaste r who for som e ti m e past had b e e n si tti ng plung e d
,

i n thought .

I can te ll you he cri e d who Chi chiko v i s !

, ,

Who the n ? re pl i e d the crowd i n gre at e xc i te me nt

, .

He i s none o the r than Capta i n Kope iki n ”

.

And who may Captai n Kope i k i n be 3

Tak i ng a p i nch Of snuff (wh i ch he di d wi th the li d o f hi s snuff

bo x half Ope n l e st some e x trane ou s pe rson should con tr i ve to
-

i n se r t a n o t ove r cl e an fi nge r i n to the stuff the Po stma ste r

)
-

,
re late d the follow i ng st ory 1
.

1
To re p d ro u ce hs
t i sto ry wi t h a rac i n e ss wo rt y h the Ru ssi an o ri i n al
of g
15 p rac t1c ally i m p o ssi bl e . T he tran sl ato r ha s n o t a tte m te p d
the tas k .
 D e ad S o ul s 1 65
Afte r fi ghti n g i n the camp ai gn Of 1 8 1 2 th e re was se n t ho me
—
, ,

wounde d a c e rta i n Capt a i n Kop e i k i n a he ad strong l i ve ly

, ,

blad e who whe the r on du ty or und e r arre st m ad e th i n gs l i ve ly

, ,

for e ve rybody N ow si nce at Kra sn i o r at L e i pz i g ( i t matte rs

.
,

n o t wh i ch ) he had lo st an arm and a le g and i n t ho se d ays n o ,

provi si on was mad e fo r w ound e d sold i e rs and he cou ld n o t work ,

w i th hi s le ft arm alone he se t o ut to se e hi s fathe r Un fortun ,

.

a te ly hi s fat he r could only ju st suppor t h i mse lf and was f orce d ,

t o te ll hi s so n so wh e re fore the Captai n de c i de d to g o and apply

fo r he lp i n St P e te r sbur g se e in g t ha t he had r i ske d hi s l i fe for
.
,

hi s coun try and had lo st much blood i n i ts se rv i ce

,
Yo u can .

i ma g i n e hi m arr i v i n g i n the c ap i tal o n a baggage wagg on i n the -

cap i t al wh i ch i s l i ke no o th e r c i ty i n the w orld ! B e fore hi m the re

lay spre ad o ut the who le fi e ld o f l i fe l i ke a sort o f Arab i an ,
—
N i ghts a p i c ture mad e up o f the Ne vsk i Pro spe c t Go rokho vai a ,

S tre e t coun tl e ss tape ri n g sp i re s and a nu m be r Of br i d ge s

—
, ,

appare n tly supporte d o n no th i n g i n fac t a re gular se cond ,

N i ne ve h We ll he m ad e sh i ft to h i re a lod g i ng but found e ve ry

.
, ,

t h i n g so w ond e rfully furn i sh e d w i th bl i nd s and P e rsi an carp e ts

and so forth that he saw i t would me an throw i n g away a lo t
Of m on e y True as one wal k s the stre e ts Of S t P e te rsburg
.
,
.

o ne se e ms t o sm e ll m on e y by the thou sand roub le s bu t o ur ,

fri e nd K Op e i kin s bank was l i m i te d to a fe w score copp e r s and

’

—
a l i ttle si lve r n o t qu i te e nou gh to buy a v i llage w i th ! A t
le n gth at the pr i ce Of a roubl e a day he ob tai n e d a lod g i ng i n
, ,

the s ort o f t av e rn wh e re the da i ly ra t i on i s a bowl Of cabba ge

soup and a cru st o f bre ad ; and as he fe l t that he could n o t
manage to l i ve ve ry lon g on fare o f that k i nd he a ske d fol k what
he had b e tte r d o What you had b e tte r do ? the y sa i d We ll
—
. .

the Gove rnm e n t i s n o t h e re i t i s i n Pari s and the troop s have ,

n o t ye t re t urn e d fro m the war ; but th e re i s a te mporary Co m

m i ssi on si tti n g and yo u had b e tte r g o and se e what i t can do
,

for yo u A ll r i g h t ! he sai d I w i ll g o and te ll the C o m m i ssi on

’
. .

tha t I have Sh e d m y blood and sacr i fice d m y l i fe fo r my , ,

country And he go t up e arly o ne morn i ng and shave d h i m se l f

.
’
,

w i th hi s le ft hand (si nce the e xpe n se Of a barbe r was n o t worth

wh i l e ) and se t o ut w oode n le g and all to se e the P re si d e n t O f
, , ,

the Co mm i ssi on B ut fi r st he a ske d wh e re the P re si d e n t l i ve d

.
,

and was t old that hi s hou se was i n N abe re zhn ai a S tre e t And .

y o u may b e s ur e t ha t i t was no p e a s an t s hu t w i t h i t s g laz e d ’

,

w i ndows and gre at m i rror s and st atu e s and lac qu e ys and bra ss
door handle s ! Rathe r i t was the sort Of place wh i ch yo u w ould
,

e n te r only afte r o u had bough t a ch e ap cak o f oap an d

y e s
1 66 D e ad S o u l s
i ndul g e d i n a t w o hour s wa s h Al ’
so a t t h e e n t ranc
. e t h e r
,
e w a s

po ste d a grand Swi ss foo tman w i th a béton and an e mbrmde re d

collar—a fe llow look i ng l i ke a fat ove r fe d pug dog Howe ve r ,
-
.
,

fri e nd Kope i k i n manage d to ge t h i m se lf and hi s wood e n le g

q m
'

m
.

n o
i t the e r c e p t i on room and t h e r,
e s u e e z e d h l se lf away t o

a corne r for fe ar l e st he should knoc k down the g i ld e d ch i na

,

wi th hi s e lbow An d he stood wa i t i ng i n gre at sat i sfacti on at

.

hav i ng arr i ve d b e fore the Pre si de n t had so much as l e ft hi s

be d and b e e n s e rv e d w i t h hi s si lv e r wa s h b as m N e v e r t h e l e ss -
.
,

i t was only wh e n K op e i k i n had b e e n wa i t i n g four hour s t ha t a

bre ak fast wai te r e n te re d to say The P re si d e n t w i ll soon be ,

he re B v n o w the room was as full of p e ople as a plate i s Of

.
’

be an s ahd whe n the Pre si de nt l e ft the bre akfast roo m he

,
-

brought w i th hi m Oh such d i gn i ty and re fi ne me n t and such an

, , ,

a ri of t h e m e tr opol i s ! F i r s t h e wal k e d up t o o n e p e r s on and t he n ,

up to anothe r sayi n g : What do yo u wan t ? And what do you

,

want ? What can I do for yo u I What i s yo ur bu si ne ss ? And

at l e n gth he h al te d be fore Kop e i k i n and Kop e i k i n sa i d t o hi m : ,

I have S he d my blood and lo st bo th an arm and a le g fo r my

, ,

country and am unabl e to w ork M i ght I the re fore dare to ask

,
.

for a l i ttl e he lp i f the re gulati on s should pe rm i t of i t o r for a

, ,

ra t u i ty o r for a p e n si on o r som e th i n g of the k i nd ? Th e n the

g , ,

Pre si de n t looke d at hi m and saw that o ne of hi s le gs was i nde e d

,

a woode n o n e and that an e mpty ri ght sle e v e was p i nne d t o hi s

,

uni form Ve ry we ll he sa i d Come to me aga i n in a fe w days

.
,
’
.
’

ti m e .
’
Upon th i s fri e nd Kop e i k i n fe l t d e li gh te d Now I have .

done my j ob ! he thought t o h i m se lf ; and you may i mag i n e how

gai ly he trotte d along the pave m e nt, and how he droppe d i nto
a tave rn fo r a glass Of vodka and how he ord e re d a cu tle t and ,

som e cap e r sauce and o th e r th i ng s for lunch e on and how he ,

call e d for a bo ttl e o f wi n e an d how he we n t to the th e atre i n

,

the e ve n i ng ! In shor t he d i d h i m se lf thorou ghly w e ll

,
Ne xt .
,

he saw i n the stre e t a youn g E n gl i sh lady as grace ful as a swan , ,

and se t Off afte r he r on hi s woode n le g B ut no he thou ght to .

,
’

h i m se lf T O the d e v i l w i th that sort Of th i ng ju st now ! I w i ll

.

wa i t unti l I have drawn my pe n si on For the pre se nt I have .

(
’
sp e n t e nough And I may te ll o u tha t by now h had t
.
y e g o
through fully half hi s mon e y ) Two or thre e days late r he we n t .

to se e the Pre si d e n t o f the Comm i ssi on aga i n I should be glad .

to know he sa i d whe the r by now yo u can do anyth i ng for me

’
, ,

i n re turn for my hav i ng she d my blood and su ffe re d si c k n e ss and

wound s on m i l i tary se rv i ce Fi rst o f all sai d the Pre si de n t
.
’

,
’
,

I mu st te ll you that noth i ng can be d e c i d e d i n your case wi th

 1 68 D e ad S o u l s
se e mly tha t a man w h o h as se rv e d h i s coun t ry s hould b e l e f t
d e sti tu te O n the o the r hand i f i n the me anwh i le yo u de si re
. , , ,

to i ndulg e i n cu t l e t s and t h e a t r e go i ng pl e a se -
und e r st and ,
t ha t
we canno t h e lp you bu t t ha t y,
o u mu s t ma k e your o
w n r e s ourc e s ,

and try as be st you can to he lp yourse lf Y ou can 1magme that .

’

h w n ik i ar and h o h r ha
’

t is e t i n a t o n e O f K o p e n s e s o u t a t t e ,
t e ; t t
i t was l i k e s hoo t i n g p e a s a t a s t on e wall Accord i n g ly h e ra i s
. e d
a turmo i l wh i ch se nt the staff flyi n g One by o ne he gave the .
,

m o b Of se cr e t ar i e s and cl e r k s a re al good hamm e r i ng Y o u .

,

and you and you he sai d do n o t e ve n k now your du ti e s Y ou

, ,
.

a er law br
-
e a k e r s Y e s h .e t rod ,
e v e ry man O f t h e m und e r foo t .

A t le ng t h t h e G e n e ral h i m se lf arr i v e d from ano t he r Offi ce and ,

sound e d the alarm What was to be done w i th a fe llow l i ke

.

K Op e i ki n ? The P re si d e n t saw that stron g me a sure s w e re

i m pe rati ve Ve ry we ll he sai d S i nce yo u d e cl i n e to re st
’
.
.
,

s a t i sfi e d w i t h w ha t h a s b e e n g i v e n you an d q u i e t ly to aw a i t the
,

de c i si on of your ca se i n S t Pe te rsburg I m u st fi nd you a lodg i ng

.
, .

He re constable re move the man to gaol The n a constable who ’

—
.
, ,

had be e n calle d to the door a con stabl e thre e e ll s i n h e i ght and

—
,

arme d w i th a carb i ne a m an we ll fi tte d t o guard a ban k

place d o ur fr i e nd in a pol i ce waggon We ll re fle cte d Kope ik i n .
,
’
,

at l e a st I shan t have to pay my fare for thi s r i d e That s o ne

’ ’
.

comfort Agai n afte r he had r i dd e n a l i ttl e way he sai d to

.
’
, ,

h i m se lf : The y t old me at the Comm i ssi on t o go and mak e my

o wn m e an s o f e njoy i ng myse lf Ve ry good I ll do S O Howe ve r ’ ’
. .
,
.

what be came Of Kope i k i n and wh i the r he we nt i s known to , ,

n o one .He sank t o u se the poe ts e xpre ssi on i n t o the w ate rs

,
’

o f Le th e and hi s do i n gs now li e bur i e d i n Obl i v i on

,
B ut allo w .

me ge ntl e m e n t o p i e ce t oge th e r the furth e r thre ad s o f the story

, , .

Not two months late r the re appe are d i n the fore sts Of R i azan a
band Of robbe rs : and Of that band the ch i e ftain was non e o the r
than
Allow me p ut i n the H e ad o f the P ol i c e D e partm e nt
, .

You hav e sai d that Captai n Kop e i ki n had lo st an arm and a

leg ; w h e r e a s Chi chi ko v
T o say anythi ng more was unn e c e ssary The P o stma ste r .

clapp e d hi s hand to hi s for e h e ad and publ i cly call e d hi m se lf a ,

fool though late r he tri e d to e xcu se hi s m i sta k e by sayi ng

, , ,

that i n E ngland the sc i e nc e o f m e chan i c s had re ach e d such a

p i tch that wood e n l eg s w e re manufac tur e d whi ch would e nabl e
the w e ar e r o n t ouchi ng a Spri ng to van i sh i n stan tan e ou sly
, ,

from S i ght .

Vari ou s oth e r th e ori e s w e re th e n propound e d among th e m ,

 D e ad S o u l s 69 1

a th e ory tha t Chi chi ko v wa s Napol e on e scap e d from S t H e l e na ,

.

and trav e ll i ng abou t the world i n d i sgu i se And i f i t should be .

suppo se d t ha t no such no ti on could po ssi bly hav e b e e n broach e d ,

le t the r e ad e r r e m e m b e r tha t th e se e v e n ts t oo k plac e n o t many

ye ars afte r the Fre nch had b e e n dri v e n o ut o f Ru ssi a and that ,

vari ou s proph e ts had S i nc e d e clar e d that Napol e on was An ti

chri st and would o n e day e scap e from hi s i sland pri son to
,

e x e rc i se un i v e rsal sway on e ar th Nay som e good folk had

.
,

e v e n d e clar e d the l e tt e r s of Napol e on s nam e t o con sti t u t e the

’

Apocalyp ti c c i ph e r !
A S a la st r esor t the tchi n ovni hs d e c i d e d to qu e sti on No z dre v
, ,

si nc e n o t only had the la tt e r b e e n the first to m e n ti on t he d e ad

soul s but al so he wa s suppo se d t o st and o n t e rm s o f i n ti macy

,

w i th Chi chi ko v Accord i ngly the C hi e f o f P ol i c e d i spa tch e d a

.

no te by the hand Of a comm i ssi ona i re A t the ti m e No zdre v .

was e nga g e d o n som e v e ry i mportant bu si n e ss so much so —

t ha t he had n o t l e ft hi s room fo r four day s and was r e c e i vi ng ,

hi s m e al s through the w i ndow and n o vi si t ors at all T he bu si n e ss

,
.

re f e rr e d to con si st e d o f the mark i ng of se v e ral doz e n se l e c te d

card s i n such a way a s to p e rm i t o f hi s r e lyi ng upon th e m as
upon hi s bo som fri e nd N a turally he di d n o t l i k e havi ng hi s
.

r e ti r e m e nt i nvad e d and at first con si gn e d the comm i ssi onai re

,

to the d e vi l ; but a s soon a s he l e arn t from the no t e t ha t S i nc e ,

a novi c e at card s was to be the gu e st o f the Chi e f Of Pol i c e tha t

e v e n i ng a call at the la tte r s hou se m i gh t prov e n o t wholly
’

unprofitabl e he r e l e n te d unlock e d the door o f hi s room thr e w

, ,

o n t he fi rst garm e n ts wh i ch cam e to hand and se t for th To ,

.

e v e ry q u e sti on p u t t o hi m by t he tchi n ovn i hs he an sw e r e d fi rmly

and w i th a ssuranc e Chi chi ko v he av e rre d had i nd e e d pur

.
, ,

cha se d d e ad soul s and to the tun e o f se v e ral thou sand rou bl es

,
.

I n fac t he (No zdre v) had hi m se lf sold hi m som e and sti ll saw

, ,

n o r e a son why he should n o t hav e don e so N e xt to the qu e sti on .

,

Of w h e th e r o r n o t he con si d e re d Chi chi ko v to be a sp y he r e pl i e d ,

i n the afli rmati ve and add e d t ha t a s long ago as hi s and

, ,

Chi chi ko v s jo i n t schoolday s the sai d Chi chi ko v had b e e n

’

,
”
known as The Inform e r and r e p e ate dly b e e n thra sh e d by
,

hi s compan i on s o n tha t account Ag a i n to the q u e sti on o f

.
,

wh e th e r o r no t Chi chi ko v was a forg e r Of curre ncy no te s the

d e pon e nt as b e for e re spond e d i n the a ffi rmati v e and app e nd e d
, , ,

th e r e to an an e cdo t e i llu stra ti v e o f Chi chi ko v s e x traord i nary

’

—
d e xt e ri ty Of hand nam e ly an an e cdo te to the e ff e c t that
, ,

onc e upon a ti m e o n l e arn i ng tha t two m i lli on roubl e s w orth o f

,
’

counte rf e i t no te s w e r e lyi ng i n Chi chi ko v s hou se the autho ri ’

,
 1
7 0 D e ad S o ul s
ti e s had plac d al upon t h bu i ld i ng and had surr und d i t
e s e s e ,
o e

on e e v ry s i d e w i t h an arm e d guard ; wh e r e upon C h 1c h 1k o v had ,

duri ng the ni ght chang e d e ach o f th e se se al s for a n e w o n e and

, ,

al so so arrang e d matt e rs that wh e n the hou se was se arch e d , ,

the forg e d no te s w e r e found to be g e nume on es !

Agai n to the qu e sti on Of wh e th e r or n o t Ch1ch1ko v had
0

,
’
s ch e m e d t o abduc t t he Gov e rnor s daugh t e r and al so wh e th ,
e r
it w a s t ru e t ha t h e N o z dre
,
v had und e
,
r t a k e n t o a i d and ab e t
hi m i n the a ct the wi tn e ss r e pl i e d tha t had he n o t und e rta k e n
, ,

to do so the affa i r would n e v e r hav e com e Off

,
A t th i s po i n t .

the wi tn e ss pull e d h i m se lf up on r e al i si ng tha t he had told a li e

,

whi ch m i ght g e t hi m i nto troubl e ; but hi s tongu e was n o t to be

d e n i e d— the d e ta i l s tre mbl i ng o n i ts ti p w e re to o alluri ng and ,

he e v e n w e n t o n to c i t e the nam e o f the v i llag e church wh e r e

the pa i r had arrang e d to be marri e d tha t o f the pri e st who had ,

p e rform e d the c e r e mony the amount Of the f e e s pa i d for the

,

sam e ( se v e n ty five roubl e s) and sta t e m e n ts ( I ) tha t t he pri e st

-
,

had r e fu se d to sol e mni se the w e dd i ng unti l Chi chi ko v had

fri ghte n e d hi m by thr e at e n i ng to e xpo se the fac t tha t he (the
pri e st) had marri e d M i k ha i l a local corn d e al e r to hi s paramour
, , ,

and ( 2 ) that Chi chi ko v had ord e r e d bo th a holi asha for the
coupl e s con v e yanc e and r e lays Of horse s from the po st hou se s
’
-

o n the road N ay the narrati v e as d e ta i l e d by No zdre v e ve n

.
, , ,

r e ach e d the po i nt o f hi s m e n ti on i ng c e rta i n of the po sti ll i on s

by nam e ! N e xt the tchi n ovni hs sound e d hi m o n the q u e sti on o f
,

Chi chi ko v s po ssi bl e i d e n ti ty wi th Napol e on ; but b e for e long

’

th e y had r e a son t o r e gr e t the st e p for No z dre v r e spond e d wi th ,

a rambl i ng ri gmarol e such as bor e no r e se mblanc e to anyth i ng

po ssi bly conc e i vabl e Fi nally the m ajori ty o f the aud i e nc e l e ft
.
,

the room and only the Ch i e f o f P ol i c e r e ma i n e d to l i ste n i n

, (
the hop e of ga th e ri ng som e th i ng mor e ; bu t at la st e v e n he
)
found hi m se lf forc e d to d i scla i m the sp e ak e r wi th a g e stur e whi ch
sa i d : The d e v i l only k nows wha t the f e llow i s tal k i ng abou t !
a n d so vo i c e d the g e n e ral Op i n i on tha t i t was no u se t ry i n g t o

gath e r figs Of thi stl e s .

m M e anwhi l e Chi chi ko v kn e w no thi ng o f th e se e v e n ts ; fo r ,

ha vi ng contrac te d a sl i ght chi ll coupl e d wi th a sor e throa t he

, ,

had d e ci d e d to k e e p hi s room for thr e e days duri ng wh i ch ti m e

he gargl e d hi s throa t wi th m i l k and fig ju i c e con sum e d the fru i t ,

f rom whi ch the jui c e had b e e n e x trac te d and wo re a round hi s ,

n e ck a poul ti c e o f camomi l e and camphor Al so to wh i l e away .

,
t he hours he mad e n e w and mor e d e ta i l e d l i sts of the soul s
,

whi ch he had bought p e ru se d a work by the Duch e sse de

.

,
 1
7 2 D e ad S o ul s
hou se what the P r e si d e nt s mu tte re d word s could ha v e m e an t
,
’

bu t fa i l e d t o ma k e h e ad o r t a i l o f t h e m N e x t h e v i si t ed i n .
, ,

turn the Ch i e f Of P ol i c e the V i c e Gov e rnor t he P o stma st e r

-

, , , ,

and o th e rs ; but i n e ach ca se he e i th e r fai l e d to be accord e d

admi ttanc e o r was r e c e i v e d so strang e ly and wi th such a ,

m e asu re of con strai nt and con v e rsati onal awk wardn e ss and
a bse nc e Of m i nd and e m barra ssm e nt that he b e gan t ,

the san i ty o f hi s ho sts Aga i n and aga i n di d he stri v e

.

the c au se but could n o t do S O so he w e nt wand e ri ng ai m

,

a bou t the t own wi thou t succ e e d i ng i n ma ki ng up hi s m i n d

,

wh e th e r he or the O ffi ci al s had gon e crazy A t l e ng th i n a state

—
.
,

bord e ri ng upon b e wi ld e rm e nt he r e turn e d to the i nn to the ,

e sta bl i shm e n t wh e nc e tha t v e ry af t e rnoon he had se t forth i n

, ,

such e xub e ranc e o f sp i ri ts Fe eli ng the n e e d Of som e thi ng to do

.
,

he o rd e r e d t e a and sti ll marv e ll i ng at the strang e n e ss o f hi s

, ,

po si ti on was abou t to pour o ut the b e v e rag e wh e n the door

,

op e n e d and No z dre v mad e hi s app e aranc e .

What says the prov e rb ? he b e gan”

To se e a fri e nd .
,

se v e n v e rsts i s n o t to o long a round to ma k e I happ e n e d to be ’

.

pa ssi ng the hou se saw a l i ght i n your wi ndow and thought to

, ,

myse lf : Now suppo se I w e re to run up and pay hi m a vi si t ?

,

I t i s unl i k e ly tha t he wi ll be a sl e e p Ah ha ! I se e te a o n your ’

.
,

ta bl e ! Good ! Th e n I wi ll dri n k a cup wi th you for I had ,

wre tch e d stuff fo r d i nn e r and i t i s be gi nni ng to li e h e avy o n my

,

stomach Al so tell your man to fill me a p i p e Wh e re i s your

.
, .

own p i p e ?
I ne ve r sm oke re jo i ne d Chi chi ko v dri ly
, .

Rubb i sh ! A s i f I di d n o t k now what a ch i m ne y p o t yo u are ! -

What i s your man s name ? Hi Vakhrame i ! Com e h e re !

’

Pe tru shk a i s hi s name n o t Vakhrame i ”

, .

Ind e e d ? B ut you use d t o have a man calle d Vakhrame i ,

d i dn t yo u ?
’

NO ne ve r
, .

Oh we ll The n i t mu st be D e re bin s man I am th i nk i ng o f

,
.
’
.

What a lucky fe llow that D e re bi n i s ! An aunt of hi s has gone

and quarre lle d w i th he r son for marry i ng a se rf woman and ,
has le ft all he r prope r ty t o hi m t o D e re bi n W ould tha t I had , .

an aunt Of that k i nd t o provi d e aga i nst fu ture con ti nge nc i e s !

B ut why have yo u be e n h i d i ng your se lf away ? I suppo se t he
re ason has be e n that you go i n fo r ab stru se subj e c ts and are
fond o f re ad i ng (why No zdre v should have drawn the se co n
C ll S l OIl S no o ne cou ld po ssi bly have sa i d —
l l e a st Of all C h i c hi ko v
h mse lf)
i .
By the way I can te ll yo u o f some th i ng tha t would
,
 D e ad S o uls 1
73
have f ound yocope for your sati ri cal ve i n (the conclu si on
u s

as t o Chi chi ko v s sa t i r i cal v e i n was as b e fore al t o ge the r

’
, ,

unw arrante d on No zdre v s part) That i s t o say yo u w ould

’
.
,

have se e n m e rchant L i khache v lo si n g a p i le o f m on e y at play .

My w ord yo u w ould have laugh e d ! A fe llo w w i th me na me d

,

Pe re p e n de v sa i d : Would that Chi chi ko v had be e n he re ! I t

would have b e e n the ve ry th i n g for hi m ! ( A s a m a t te r Of fac t ,

ne ve r si nce the day o f hi s b i r t h had No zdre v me t any o ne O f the

na m e Of Pe re p e n de v Ho we ve r my fri e nd you m u st ad m i t
.
, ,

that yo u tre a te d me ra the r badly the day that

w e p laye d t hat

game Of che ss ; but as I won the gam e I be ar you no mal i ce

, , .

A propos I a m ju st from the P re si d e n t s and ou gh t t o te ll yo u

’
, ,

that the fe e l i n g ag a i n st yo u i n the t own i s ve ry stron g for e ve ry ,

o ne b e l i e ve s you t o be a for ge r Of curr e ncy no te s I m yse lf was .

se nt for and qu e sti on e d abou t yo u but I st uck up for yo u throu g h ,

th i ck and th i n and t old the tchi novni ks tha t I had b e e n at school

,

w i th you and had known your fathe r I n fact I gave the fe llows
,
.
,

a k nock or two fo r the m se lve s ”

.

Yo u say that I am b e l i e ve d t o be a forge r ? sa i d Chi chi ko v ,

star t i n g fro m hi s se a t .

Ye s sa i d No zdre v
”
,
Why h ave yo u g on e and fri gh te ne d
.

e ve rybody as you have don e ? S om e o f o ur folk are al m o st o ut

o f th e i r m i nd s abou t i t and d e clare you t o be e i th e r a br i g and i n

,

d i sgu i se or a sp y Ye ste rday the Publ i c Pro se cu t or e ve n d i e d O f

.

i t and i s to be bur i e d to morro w (t h i s was tru e i n so far as th at

,
-

o n the pre v i ou s day the Offic i al i n qu e sti on had had a fa t al

—
,

stroke probably i nduce d by the e x c i te m ent Of the publ i c

me e ti ng ) O f course I don t suppose yo u to be anyt hi ng Of the
.
’

k i nd but you se e the se fe llo ws are i n a blu e funk abou t the ne w

, , ,

Gove rnor Ge ne ral for the y t h i nk he w i ll m ake troubl e for the m

-

O ve r your affa i r A propos he i s be l i e ve d t o be a m an who pu ts

.
,

o n a i r s and turn s up hi s no se at e v e ry th i ng ; and i f so he w i ll

, ,

g e t on badly w i t h the d v or i an e
'
se e i n g t ha t f e llo w s Of t ha
,
t s ort
ne e d to be hu m oure d a bi t Ye s m y word ! S hould the ne w .
,

Gove rnor Ge ne ral shu t h i mse lf up i n hi s study and g i ve n o

-
,

ball s the re w i ll be the ve ry d e v i l to pay ! By the w ay Chi chi ko v

, , ,

that i s a r i sky sch e m e Of yours

”
.

What sche m e do yo u m e an ? Chi chi ko v aske d une asi ly .

Why that sche me Of carryi n g Off the Gove rnor s dau ghte r
,
’
.

Ho we ve r to te l l the tru th I was e xpe cti ng som e th i ng o f the ,

k i nd NO soone r di d I se e yo u and he r to ge th e r at the ball than

.

I sai d to myse lf : Ah ha ! Chi chi ko v 18 n o t he re for noth i n g !

,

For my own par t I th i n k vo u have m ad e a poor cho i c e for I

, ,
1 74 D e ad S o u l s
can se e no th i ng i n he r at all O n the o the r hand the n i e ce of
—
. ,

a fri e nd o f m i ne name d B i kuso v she i s a g i rl and no m i stake ! ,

A re g ular what you m i gh t call m i racle i n mu sl i n !

W h a t o n e ar th ar e yo u t al k i ng abou t ? as k e d C h i chi k o v
How could I carry Off the Go ve rnor s
’
w i th hi s e ye s d i ste nd e d .

daughte r ? What on e arth do you me an ?

Come come ! What a se cre ti ve fe llow yo u are !
,

Obj e ct i n havi ng come to se e you i s to l e nd you a he lp

the ma t te r Loo .
k h e r e O n cond .i t i on t ha t y o u w
h
t re e t hou s and rou b l e s I w i ll s,
t and y o u t h e co st Of th e w e dd i ng ,
the holi a sk a and t he r e lay s Of hor se s I mu st hav e t.he mon e y
”
e ve n i f I di e fo r i t .

Throughout No zdre v s maunde ri ngs Chi chi ko v had be e n

’

rubb i ng hi s e ye s t o asce rta i n whe the r or n o t he was dre am i ng .

What w i th the charge Of be i ng a forge r the accu sati on Of ha v i ng ,

sche m e d an a bduc ti on the d e ath o f the Publ i c Pro se cu t or

,

wha e ve r m i gh t have b e e n i ts cau se ) and the ad ve n t o f a ne w

( t ,

Go ve rnor Ge ne ral he fe l t u tte rly d i smaye d

-
,
.

Th i ngs h avi ng come to the i r pre se nt pass he re fle cte d I

—
, ,
”
had be tte r n o t l i nge r he re I had b e tte r be Off at once .

Ge tti ng ri d Of No zdre v as soon as he could he se nt fo r Se li fan , ,

and ord e re d hi m to be up at daybre ak i n ord e r to cle an the ,

bri tchka and t o ha ve e ve ryth i ng re ady fo r a star t at S i x O clock

’
.

”
Ye t though Se l i tau re pl i e d
,
Ve ry we ll Paul Ivanovi tch he
, , ,

he si tate d awh i l e by the door Ne xt Chi chi ko v bi d Pe tru sh k a .

,

e t o u t t h e du sty por tman te au fro m und e r the be d and th e n se t

g
t o work t o crami n t o i t pe ll m e ll soc k s Sh i r ts collars ( bo th
,
-
, , , ,

cl e an and d i r ty) boot tre e s a cale ndar and a var i e ty o f o the r

, , ,

arti cle s Eve ryth i ng we nt i nto the re ce p tacl e ju st as i t came to

.

hand si nce hi s o ne Obj e ct was t o ob v i ate any po ssi bl e d e lay

,

i n the morn i ng s d e par ture

’
Me anwh i le the re luctant S e li fan
.

slowly v e ry slowly l e ft the r oom as S lo wly d e sc e nd e d the sta i r

, , ,

case (On e ach se parate ste p of whi ch he l e ft a muddy foot pri n t) -

,

and fi nally hal te d to scratch hi s he ad What that scratch i n g

, , .

may have m e ant no o ne could say ; for w i th the Ru ssi an ,

populace such a scratch i ng may me an any o ne Of a hundre d

,
 1
7 6 D e ad S o u l s
be don e I ,
I — I w i
,
ll g i v e y o u t he b e st flogg i ng t ha t e v e r you
had i n your l i fe ”
Truly Chi chiko v was almo st b e si de h i m se lf
.

wi th fury .

Turni ng toward s the door as though for the purpo se Of go mg ,

and carryi ng o ut hi s orde rs Se li fan hal te d and adde d :

—
,

That ske wbald bari n yo u m i gh t th i nk i t we ll to se ll h

,

s e e i ng t ha t h e i s no t h i ng bu t a ra sc a l ? A ho rs e l i k e t ha t i s m
”
Of a h i ndrance than a h e lp .

What ? D O yo u e xpe ct me to go n ow to the m arke t p l -

and se ll hi m ?
We ll P aul Ivano v i tch he i s good for no th i ng but S ho w
, , ,

sin ec by n at ur e h e i s a m o st cunn i ng b e a st N e ve r i n my l i fe .

have I se e n such a horse ”

.

Fool ! Whe ne ve r I may w i sh to se ll hi m I shall se ll hi m .

’
Me anwh i l e don t you troubl e your h e ad abou t what do e sn t
,
’

conce rn yo u but go and fe tch a black sm i th and se e that e ve ry

, ,

th i ng i s p ut ri gh t w i th i n two hours Othe rwi se I wi ll take the .

ve ry hai r Off your he ad and b e at yo u t i ll you ha ve n t a face

,
’

”
l e ft B e Off ! Hurry !
.

S e li fan d e parte d and Chi chi ko v hi s i ll humour ve n te d thre w

, ,
-

down upon the fl oor the po i gnard wh i ch he always t ook w i th

’

hi m as a m e an s Of i n st i ll i n g re spe c t i n t o whom soe v e r i t m i g t

h
conce rn and spe nt the ne xt quarte r Of an hour i n d i spu tin g

—
,

wi th a coupl e o f blacksm i ths me n who as u sual we re rascals , ,

o f the typ e wh i ch on p e rc e i v i ng that s om e th i n g i s wan te d i n a

,

hurry at once mul ti pl i e s i ts te rm s for provi d i ng the same

,
.

Ind e e d fo r all Chi chi ko v s storm i ng and ragi ng as he dubb e d the

,
’

fe llows ro bb e rs and e xtorti on e rs and thi e v e s he c ould mak e no ,

i mpr e ssi on upon the pai r si nc e tru e to th e i r characte r th e y , , ,

d e cli ne d to abate th e i r pri ces and e v e n wh e n th e y had b e gun , ,

th e i r wo rk sp e n t upon i t n o t two hours but five and a half

, , ,
.

M e anwhi l e he had the sati sfacti on of e xp e ri e nci ng that d e li ghtful

i
t m e wi th whi ch all trav e ll e rs are fam i l i ar — nam e ly the ti m e ,

du ri ng whi ch o ne si ts i n a room wh e re e xc e p t for a l i tte r Of ,

str i ng , waste pap e r and so forth e v e rythi ng e l se has b e e n

, ,

pack e d B ut to all thi ngs the re com e s an e n d and th e re arri v e d

.
,

al so the longe d fo r mom e nt wh e n the bri tchka had r e c e i v e d the

-

luggag e the faulty wh e e l had be e n fi tte d wi th a n e w tyr e the

.

, ,

horses had b e e n re shod and the pre datory black smi th s had
-
,

d e parte d wi th the i r gai n s Than k God ! t hought Chi chi ko v

.

as the bri tchka roll e d o ut Of the gat e s o f the i nn and the v e hi cl e

,

b e gan to j olt o v e r the co bbl e ston e s Ye t a fe e l i ng whi ch he .

could not altoge th e r have d e fi n e d fi ll e d hi s bre ast as he gaze d

 D e ad S o u l s 1
77
upon the hou se s and the stre e ts and the gard e n w all s whi ch he
mi ght n e v e r se e ag ai n Pr e se nt ly o n turni ng a corn e r the
.
, ,

bri tchka was brought t o a hal t through the fact t hat along the
str e e t t h e r e was fi li ng a se e m i ngly e ndl e ss fun e ral proc e ssi on .

Le ani ng forward i n hi s bri tchka Chi chi ko v ask e d P e tru sh k a ,

whose Obse qu i e s the proce ssi on re pre se nte d and was told that ,

t h e y r e pr e se n t e d tho se Of the Publ i c Pro se cu t or D i sagre e ably .

shoc k e d o ur h e ro ha st e n e d t o rai se the hood Of the v e hi cl e

, ,

t o draw the cur tai n s acr o ss the wi ndow s and t o l e an back i n to ,

a corn e r Whi l e the bri tchka r e mai n e d thu s hal te d S e li fan and
.

P e tru shka th e i r cap s do ffe d sat wat chi ng the pro gr e ss Of the
, ,
‘
corteg e aft e r th e y had r e c e i v e d stri c t i n struc ti on s n o t t o gr e e t
,

any fe llow se rvant whom t h e y m i ght re co gni se

-
B e hi nd the .

h e arse wal k e d the whol e body o f tchi novni hs bare h e ad e d and ,

-

thou g h fo r a mom e n t o r two Chi chi ko v fe ar e d t hat s om e Of

, ,

th e i r numb e r m i ght d i s c e rn hi m i n hi s bri tchka he n e e d n o t hav e ,

d i sturb e d hi m se lf si nc e th e i r atte nti on was o th e rwi se e n gag e d

,
.

I n fact th e y w e re n o t e v e n e xchangi ng the small talk cu stomary

,

among m e mb e rs Of such proc e ssi on s but thi n ki ng e xclu si ve ly ,

Of t h e i r o wn a ffa i rs Of the adv e n t o f t he n e w Gov e rnor G e n e ral

,
-

and Of the p robabl e mann e r i n whi ch he would tak e up the r e i n s

Of adm i n i stra ti on N e xt cam e a numb e r Of carri ag e s from the
.
,

wi ndow s Of whi ch p e e re d the fac e s Of lad i e s i n mourni ng t o i l e ts .

Ye t the mo v e m e n ts of t h e i r hand s and l i p s mad e i t e vi d e nt that

t h e y w e r e i ndulgi ng i n an i m —
ate d conv e rsati on probably abou t
the Gov e rnor G e n e ral the ball s whi ch he m i gh t be e xp e cte d to
-
,

gi v e and th e i r own e te rnal fri pp e ri e s and ge wgaws La stly

,
.

cam e a fe w e mpty drozhhi s A s soon as the latte r had pa sse d

.
,

our h e ro was abl e t o con ti nu e o n hi s way Throwi ng bac k the .

hood Of the bri tchka he sai d t o hi m se lf :

,

Ah good fri e nd yo u have l i v e d your l i fe and now i t i s

‘

, , ,

ov e r ! In the n e wspap e rs th e y wi ll say Of you that you di e d

re gre tte d n ot only by your subord i nat e s but al so by humani ty ,

at larg e as w e ll as t ha t a r e sp e ct e d ci ti z e n a k i nd fa t h e r and
, , , ,

a hu sband b e yond re proach you w e nt to your grav e ami d the ,

t e ars of your w i dow and orp han s Ye t Should tho se j ournal s .

,

be p ut to i t t o nam e any parti cular c i rcum stanc e whi ch ju sti fi e d

t hi s e ulo g y Of you th e y would be forc e d t o fall bac k u pon the
,

fact t hat you gre w a pai r o f e xc e pti onally thi ck e y e brows !

Wi th that Chi chi ko v bi d S e li tau qu i ck e n hi s pace and con ,

clud e d : Afte r all i t i s as w e ll that I e ncounte re d the proc e ssi on

, ,
”
for th e y say that to m e e t a fun e ral i s lucky .

Prese ntly the bri tchka turn e d i nto so m e l e ss fre qu e nte d stree ts ,
 1
7 8 D e ad S o u l s
li n e s Of wood e n fe nci ng Of the ki nd whi ch mark the ou tski rts
Of a town b e gan to file by the cobbl e st on e s cam e to an e n d , ,

the macadam O f t he h i ghroad s ucc e e d e d t o t h e m and onc e ,

more the r e be gan on e i th e r si d e o f the turnpi k e a proce ssi on Of

verst st on e s road m e
,
nd e r s and gr e y v i llag
,
e s ; i n n s w i t h s a m o va r s

and p e asant wom e n and landlord s who cam e runni ng o ut o f

yard s wi th si e ve fuls Of oats ; p e d e stri ans i n worn sho e s whi ch ,

it m i gh t b e had cov e
,
r e d e i gh t hundr e d v er s ts l i tt l e t o w n s ,

bri ght wi th booths for the sal e Of flour i n barr e l s boots small , ,

loav e s and o th e r tri fle s ; he ap s Of slag ; much re pai re d bri dg e s ;

,

e xpan se s of fi e ld t o ri ght and t o l e f t ; st ou t landown e rs ; a

mounte d soldi e r b e ari ng a gre e n i ron clamp e d box i nscri b e d : -

—
,

The th Batt e ry o f Arti ll e ry long stri p s Of fre shly ti ll e d -

e arth whi ch gl e am e d gre e n y e llow and blac k o n the fac e Of the

, ,

countrysi d e Wi th i t mi ngl e d long drawn si ngi ng gl i mp se s o f

.
-
,

e lm t op s am i d m i st the far Off no te s Of b e ll s e ndl e ss cloud s Of

- -
, ,

rooks and the i lli mi tabl e l i n e Of the hori zon

,
.

Ah Ru ssi a Ru ssi a from my b e au ti ful hom e i n a strange land

, , ,

I sti ll can se e you ! In you e v e rythi ng i s poor and d i sord e re d and

unhom e ly ; i n you the e ye i s n e i th e r ch e e re d nor d i smaye d by
te m e ri ti e s Of natur e whi ch a ye t mor e t e m e rari ou s art has
c on qu e r e d ; i n you o n e b e hold s no ci ti e s w i th lofty many ,

wi ndowe d man si on s lofty as crags no p i cture squ e tr e es no i vy

, , ,

clad ru i ns no wate rfall s wi th th e i r e v e rlasti ng spray and roar

, ,

no b e e tli ng pr e ci pi c e s whi ch confu se the brai n wi th th e i r stony

i mm e n si ty no vi sta s Of vi n e s and i vy and m i ll i on s Of wi ld ro se s
,

a n d ag e l e ss l i n e s Of blu e hi ll s whi ch loo k almo st unr e al agai n st

the cl e ar si lv e ry back ground Of the sky

,
I n you e ve rythi ng i s.

flat and 0 e n ; your t own s proj e c t l i k e po i n ts o r si gnal s from

smoo th le v e l s Of plai n and no thi ng whatso e v e r e nchants o r
,

d e lud e s the e ye Ye t what se cr e t what i n v i nci bl e forc e draws

.
,

me to you ? Why do e s th e re ce ase l e ssly e cho and re e cho i n my -

e ar s the sad song wh i ch hov e rs throughou t t he l e ng th and the

br e ad th Of your bord e rs ? What i s the burd e n o f that song ?

Why do e s i t wai l and so b and catch at my h e art ? What say the
not e s whi ch thu s pai nfully care ss and e mbrac e my soul and fli t , ,

u tte ri ng th e i r lam e ntati on s around me ? What i s i t yo u se e k Of

,

me 0Ru ssi a ? What i s the hi dd e n bond whi ch sub si sts b e tw e e n

,

u s ? Why do you r e gard me as o u do ? Why do v ry t h i ng

y e s e e

wi thi n you turn upon me e ye s full of ye arni ng ? Eve n at thi s

mom e nt as I stand dumbly fi x e dly p e rpl e xe dly con te mplati ng
, , ,

your vastn e ss a m e naci ng cloud charge d wi th gath e ri ng rai n

, , ,

s e e m s to ov e rshadow my h e ad What i s i t that your boundl ess

.
 1 80 D e ad S o ul s
Fre shly do es lulli ng bre ath Of ni ght blow i n your fac e unti l
the ,

once more you re lap se i nt o snori ng O bl i vi on and your poor ,

n e i ghbour tu rns angri ly i n hi s com e r as he b e gi n s t o be con sci ou s

Of your we i ght Th e n agai n you awak e but thi s ti m e to fi nd
. ,

you rse lf confronte d only wi th fi e ld s and st e pp e s E v e rywh e re i n .

the a sc e ndan t i s t he d e s ola ti on o f s pac e B u t sudd e nly t h e .

ci phe rs on a verst ston e l e ap to the e ye ! M orni ng i s ri si ng and ,

o n th e ch i ll gradually,
pal i ng l i n e Of t he ho r i zon you can s e e

gl e ami ng a fai nt gold stre ak The Wi nd fre sh e n s and grows .

ke e ne r and you snuggle clo se r i nto you r cloak ; ye t how glori ou s

,

is t ha t fr hn and how marv e llou s t h e sl e e p i n wh i ch onc e

—
e s e s s ,

agai n yo u b e com e e nfold e d ! A j ol t and fo r the last ti m e yo u

re turn to consci ou sn e ss By now the sun i s hi gh i n the h e av e n s
.
,

and you h e ar a voi c e cry g e ntly g e ntly ! as a farm waggon

—
,

i ssu e s from a by road B e low e nclo se d wi thi n an ampl e d i k e

.
, ,

str e t ch e s a sh e e t o f wa t e r wh i ch gl i st e n s l i k e copp e r i n the ,

sunl i ght .
B e yond o n the si d e of a slop e li e som e scatte r e d
, ,

p e asants hu ts a manor hou se and fl an ki ng the latte r a vi llage

’
, , , ,

chu rch wi th i ts cro ss fl ashi ng l i k e a star Th e re al so com e s .

wafte d t o your e ar the sound Of p e a sants laughte r whi l e i n your ’

i nn e r man yo u are b e com i ng con sci ou s Of an app e ti te whi ch i s

n o t t o be wi th st ood .

Oh long drawn h i ghway ho w e xce lle nt yo u are ! HOW Ofte n

-
,

have I i n we ari n e ss and d e spond e ncy se t forth upon your

l e ngth and found i n you salvati on and re st ! How Ofte n as I
, ,

followe d your le ad i ng have I be e n v i si te d w i th wond e rful

,

though ts and po e ti c dre am s and cur i ou s w i ld i mpre ssi on s ! ,

A t th i s mom e n t o ur fr i e nd Chi chi ko v al s o was e xp e r i e nc in g

vi si on s Of a n o t wholly pro sa i c nature L e t us p e e p i n t o hi s soul .

and share the m A t first he re mai n e d uncon sc i ou s of anyth i ng

.

whatsoe ve r for he was to o much e ngage d i n mak i n g sure that

,

he was re ally cl e ar Of the t own ; but as soon as he saw that i t

had comple te ly d i sappe are d w i th i ts m i ll s and factori e s and ,

othe r urban appurte nance s and that e ve n the ste e pl e s Of the ,

wh i te stone churche s had sunk be low the hori zon he turne d hi s ,

atte nti on to the road and the t own Of N v an i she d from hi s

, .

though ts as comp le te ly as though he had n o t se e n i t si nc e ch i ld

hood Agai n i n i ts turn the road ce ase d t o i n te re st hi m and he
.
, , ,

be gan t o clo se hi s e ye s and to 1011 hi s h e ad aga i n st the cu sh i on s .

Of thi s le t the au thor take advantage i n ord e r to spe ak at ,

le ngth conce rn i ng hi s he ro ; si nce h i th e rt o he (the au thor ) has

be e n pre ve nte d from so do i ng by No zdre v and ball s and lad i e s
—
and local i n tri gu e s by those thou sand tri fle s wh i ch se e m tri fle s
 D e ad S o ul s 1 81
only whe n the y are i ntroduce d i nto a book but wh i ch i n re al , ,

l i fe fi gure as affai rs Of i mportance Le t us lay th e m a si d e and

,
.
,

be tak e ourse lve s to bu si n e ss .

Whe th e r the charac te r whom I have se l e c te d for m y h e ro has

ple ase d my re ad e rs i s Of course e xce e d i n gly doubtful A t all
, ,
.

e v e n ts the lad i e s w i ll have fa i l e d t o approve hi m for the fa i r ,

se x d e mand s i n a h e ro p e rfe c t i on and should th e re be the l e a st

—
, ,

me n tal o r physi cal sta i n on him we ll woe b e ti d e ! Ye s no , ,

m atte r how profoundly the au thor m ay pro be that he ro s s oul ’

,

n o matte r ho w cl e arly he may por tray hi s fig ure as i n a m i rror ,

he w i ll be gi ve n no cre d i t fo r the ach i e ve m e n t Ind e e d Ch i ch i .

,

kOv s ve ry stou tn e ss and p le n i tud e Of ye ar s may have m i l i t ate d

’

aga i n st hi m fo r n e ve r i s a he ro pardone d for the form e r and

, ,

the maj or i ty Of lad i e s w i ll i n such ca se turn away and m u tte r , ,

to th e m se lve s : P h e w ! What a be ast ! Ye s the au thor i s

”
,

we ll aware o f th i s Ye t . e could n o t t o save hi s l i fe

, , ,

hi m, and the t
m arve llou s mai d e n Of Ru ssi a who has n o t he r l i ke i n all the
world for he r b e au ti ful fe m i n i ne sp i ri tual i ty, the roo ts Of wh i ch
li e bur i e d i n nobl e a sp i rati on s an d boundl e ss se lf d e n i al In -
.

w
fac t, compare d i th th e se t yp e s, the v i rtuou s Of o the r rac e s
se em l i fe l e ss, as do e s an i nan i mate volu e whe n co pare d w i th m m
the l i v i n gw ord Ye s, e ach ti m e that th e re ari se s i n Ru ssi a a
.

m m g
ove e n t o f thou h t , i t be com e s cle ar that that move m e n t si nk s
d e e p i n to the S lavon i c nature wh e re i t ould but have sk i m e d w m
f
the sur ace o f o th e r nati on s —
B ut why am I t alk i n l i ke t h i s ? g
W h i the r am I te nd i ng ? I t i s i nd e e d sha e fu l that an au thor
,
m
g
who lon ag o re ach e d m
an s e st ate , and was brou h t up t o a
’
g
course Of se ve re i n tro sp e c ti on and sobe r, sol i tary se lf e nl i gh te n -

4 e nt should i ve wa t o such e jun e wande r i ng fro the po in t

m g j m
, y .

g
T O e ve ryt h i n i ts prop e r ti m e an d plac e and turn AS was . I
g
say i n , i t do e s n o t li e i n me t o t a e a k
i r tuou s charac te r for v
my he ro : and I w i ll te ll you why I t i s b e cau se i t i s h i h ti e
. g m
that a r e st we re i ve n t o the g poor , but vi rtuou s i nd i i dual ; v
i t i s b e cau se the phra se m
a an of orth has grown i nt o a w
—
w
by ord ; i t i s b e cau se the m ’’
an of worth has b e com e conve r te d
w
i n t o a hor se , and th e re i s n o t a r i te r but r i d e s hi m an d flo gs
hi m , i n and o u t o f se a son ; i t i s b e cau se the
‘‘
an Of orth m w
has b e e n st arve d un ti l he has n o t a shre d Of hi s vi r tu e l e t, and f
 1 82 D e ad S o u l s
fall that re ma i n s Of hi s body i s but the r i b s a n d the h i d e ; i t i s
f
be cause th e man of or t h i s fo r e v e r b w
e i n s muggl e d upon g
c n
the s e e ;
I
i t i s b e cau se t h e an o f wor t h has a t l e ng m
th
l forfe i te d e ve ry one s re spe ct Fo r the se re ason s do I re af r
l
’
. fim
tha t it i s h i h t i m eg t o yo e a ra s cal t o t he s haf t k
s L e t u s yo e . k
t hat rascal .

Our he ro s be gi nn i ngs we re both mode st and Ob scure True

’
.
,

hi s par e n t s w e r e dv o r i a n é bu t h e i n no ,
way r e se mbl e d t h e m .

A t all e v e n t s a
,
s hor t s q uab fe mal ,
e r e la t i v e w h o w as pr e se n t
at h i s b i r t h e xcla i m e d as sh e l i f t e d up th e baby H e i s

altoge the r d i ffe re nt fro m what I had e xp e cte d hi m t o be He .

ought t o have take n afte r hi s m ate rn al grandmo th e r whe re as ,

‘
he has b e e n bo r n a s th e ,
prov e rb h as i t l i ke nor fathe r nor ,

mothe r but l i ke a chance pa sse r by

,
Thu s fro m the first
-
.
’

l i fe re garde d the l i ttl e Chi chiko v w i th sour d i sta ste and as ,

t hrough a d i m fro st ,
e ncru st e d w
-
i ndow A t i ny roo m w i t
. h
d i m i nu ti ve case me nts wh i ch we re ne ve r ope ne d sum me r o r ,

wi nte r ; an i nval i d fath e r i n a dre ssi ng gown l i ne d w i th lamb sk i n -

—
,

and wi th an a i li n g foo t swath e d i n bandag e s a m an who was

conti nually draw i ng d e e p bre ath s and walk i n g up and do wn ,

the room and sp i tt i ng i n t o a sandbox ; a p e r i od Of p e rp e tually

,

si tt i ng on a b e nch w i th p e n i n hand and i nk o n l i p s and fi nge r s ;

a p e ri od Of b e i ng e te rnally confron te d w i th the copy book -

max i m ,
Ne ve r te ll a li e but Ob e y your supe r i ors and che ri sh
, ,

vi rtu e in your he art ; an e ve rlasti n g scrap i n g and shu ffl i ng

Of sl i pp e rs up and do wn the room ; a p e ri od Of conti nually
he ari ng a we ll known stri d e nt vo i ce e xcla i m : S O you have
-
,

be e n p lay i ng the fool aga i n !

”
at t i m e s wh e n the ch i ld we ary ,

o f the mor t al mono t ony Of hi s t a sk had add e d a supe rfluou s ,

e mb e ll i shm e n t t o hi s copy ; a p e r i od o f e xp e r i e nc i ng the e v e r

fam i l i ar but e ve r unpl e asant se n sati on wh i ch e n su e d upon

,
-

tho se word s as the boy s e ar was pa i nfully tw i ste d b e twe e n two

’

long finge rs be nt backward s at the ti ps such i s the m i se rable —

p i c ture Of that you th o f wh i ch i n late r l i fe Chi chi ko v pre se rve d , ,

but the fa i n te st o f m e m or i e s ! B ut i n th i s world e v e ryt h i ng i s

l i able to sw i ft and sudd e n change ; and o ne day i n e arly spri n g , ,

whe n the r i ve rs had m e lte d the fathe r se t forth w i th hi s l i ttle ,

so n i n a te li ezhha drawn by a sorr e l ste e d o f the k i nd k nown t o

1

horsy folk as a soroka and havi ng as coachman the d i m i nu ti ve

,

hunchback who fathe r o f the only se rf fam i ly b e longi ng to the

,

hi chi ko v se r ve d as ge ne ral fac to tum i n the Chi chi ko v

e ld e r
C ,

e stabl i shm e n t For a day and a half the soroka conve ye d the m
.

Fo ur wh e e le d o p e n waggo n
1 -
.
 1 84 D e ad S o u l s
as e r gard s the p r a ct i c a l a s p e c t o f l i fe In a t r i c e he d.i v i n e d and
compre he nd e d how th i ngs ought t o be worke d and from that , ,

m
ti e fo r t h b or e h i m ,
se lf t oward s h i s s chool f e llow s i n s uch a -

way that though the y fre qu e ntly gave hi m pre se nts he no t only
, ,

ne ve r re turne d the compl i me nt but e ve n o n occasi on s pocke te d ,

the g i f t s for t he m e r e purpo se Of se ll i ng t h e m aga i n Al s o boy .

,

t hough h e w as he ac q u i,
r e d th e a r t O f se lf d e n i al O f t h e -
t r i fle .

wh i ch hi s fathe r had g i ve n hi m o n par ti ng he sp e n t n o t a k op e c k ,

but the same ye ar actually add e d t o hi s l i ttl e st ore by fa sh i on i ng

, ,

a bullfin ch o f wax pai nti ng i t and se ll i n g the same at a hand

, ,

s om e p r o fi t N e x t a s t i
. m e w e
,
n t O n h e e nga g e d i n o,
t h e r spe cula
ti on s— i n p arti cu lar in the sch e me Of buyi ng up e atabl e s t a k i ng
, ,

hi s se a t i n cla ss b e si d e boy s who had pl e n ty o f pocke t mone y -

,

and as soon as such opule nt i nd i vi dual s Showe d si gn s of fai l i ng

,

atte nti on (and the re fore Of growi ng app e ti te ) te nde ri ng th e m

, , , ,

from be ne ath the de sk a roll o f pudd i ng o r a p i e ce Of g i nge r

,

bre ad and chargi ng accord i ng t o d e gre e Of app e ti te and si ze o f

,

porti on He al so spe nt a couple Of mon th s i n tra i n i ng a mou se

.
,

wh i ch he k e pt confi ne d i n a l i t tle wood e n cage i n hi s be droom .

A t l e ngth wh e n the trai n i ng had r e ach e d the poi n t tha t at the

, ,

se v e ral word s of command the mou se would stand upon i ts

,

hi nd l e gs li e down and g e t up agai n he sold the cr e ature for a

, , ,

resp e cta bl e sum Thu s i n ti m e hi s gai ns attai n e d the amount

.
, ,

Of five roubl e s ; wh e re upon he mad e hi m se lf a pu rse and th e n

starte d t o fi ll a se cond r e c e p tacl e o f the k i nd S ti ll more studi e d .

was hi s atti tud e t oward s the au thori ti e s NO o n e could si t more .

qui e tly i n hi s place on the b e nch than he In the sam e conn e c .

ti on i t may be r e mark e d that hi s t e ac he r wa s a man who abov e ,

all thi ngs lo v e d p e ac e and good b e havi our and si mply could
, ,

n o t ab i d e cl e v e r wi tty boys si nc e he su sp e c te d t h e m Of laughi ng

, ,

at hi m Conse qu e ntly any lad who had onc e attracte d the

.

maste r s att e nti on wi th a mani f e stati on o f i nte ll i ge nc e n e e d e d

’

but to shu ffl e i n hi s plac e o r un i n t e n ti onally to twi t ch an e ye

,

brow for the sai d maste r at o nc e to burst i nto a rag e to turn

, ,

the suppo se d O ff e nd e r o ut Of the room and to vi si t hi m w i th ,

”
unm e rci ful puni shm e nt Ah my fin e fe llow he would say
.
, , ,
I ll cu re you o f your i mpud e nc e and wan t Of r e sp e ct ! I k no w
’

y o u t hrough and t hrough far b e tt e r than yo u kn ow yourse lf ,

and wi ll tak e good care that you hav e t o go down upon your
knee s and curb your app e ti te Wh e re upon the wre t ch e d lad
”
.

would fo r no cau se Of whi ch he was aware be force d to w e ar

, ,
o ut hi s br e e ch e s o n the floor and hungry f day Tal n t
”
g o o r s e s .

and gi fts the schoolmaste r would d e clare

, are so mu ch ,
 D e ad S o u l s 1 85
rubbi sh I re sp e ct only g ood b e havi our and shall aw ard full
.
,

marks to those who conduct th e m se lv e s prop e rly e ve n i f the y ,

fai l to l e arn a si ngl e l e tte r o f th e i r alphab e t : wh e re a s to tho se

i n whom I may p e rc e i v e a t e nd e ncy t o j oculari ty I S hall award
nothi ng e v e n thou gh th e y should ou tdo S olon hi m se l f
,
”
For .

the sam e r e a son he had no gr e at lov e for the au thor K rylov ,

i n that the latte r says i n o n e Of hi s Fabl e s In my Opi ni on ,

the mor e o n e si n gs the b e tt e r o n e work s

,
and Ofte n the ,

p e dago gu e w ould r e late how i n a form e r sch ool of hi s the si l e nc e

, ,

had b e e n such that a fly could be h e ard bu zzi ng o n the wi ng ,

an d for the Spac e of a whol e y e ar n o t a si ngl e pup i l sn e e z e d or

cough e d i n class and so compl e te was the ab se nc e Of all sound
,

t hat n o o ne c ould hav e t old tha t t h e r e was a soul i n t he plac e .

O f thi s m e ntor young Chi chi ko v sp e e d i ly apprai se d the m e ntali ty ;

wh e r e fore he fashi on e d hi s b e havi our to corr e spond wi th i t .

No t an e y e l i d no t an e y e brow would he sti r duri n g school

, ,

hours howso e v e r many p i nch e s he m i ght re c e i v e from b e hi nd ;

,

and o nly wh e n the b e ll rang would he run to anti ci pate hi s

f e llows i n hand i ng the maste r the thre e corn e re d cap whi ch
that d i gn i t ary cu st omari ly sporte d and t h e n t o be t he first t o ,

l e av e the cla ss room and contri v e to m e e t the ma st e r n o t l e ss

-

than two o r t hr e e ti m e s as the latt e r walk e d hom e ward i n ,

ord e r that o n e ach O cca si on he m i ght doff hi s cap An d the

, ,
.

Sch e m e prov e d e n ti r e ly succ e ssful Throughou t the p e ri od o f .

hi s atte n danc e at school he was h e ld i n hi gh favour and o n , ,

l e avi ng the e stabl i shm e nt re c e i v e d full marks for e v e ry subj e ct

, ,

as w e ll as a d i ploma and a book i n scri b e d i n gi l t l e tte rs

( ) F o r

Ex e mplary D i li ge nc e and the P e rfe cti on Of Good C onduct ”

.

B y thi s ti m e he had grown i nto a fai rly good looki n g you th o f -

the ag e wh e n the chi n first call s for a ra z or ; and at abou t the

sam e p e ri od hi s fa t h e r d i e d l e avi ng b e hi nd hi m as hi s e state
,

, , ,

H ou r wai st coats compl e te ly worn o ut two anci e nt fro ckcoats , ,

an d a small sum O f mon e y Appar e ntly he had b e e n ski ll e d only

—
.

i n re co mmendi ng the savi ng o f k op e c k s n o t i n actually practi si ng

the art .Upon that Chi chi ko v sold the o ld hou se and i ts l i ttl e
parc e l o f land for a thou sand roubl e s and r e mov e d wi t h hi s o n e , ,

se r f and the se rf s fam i ly t o the cap i tal w h e r e he se t abou t

’
, ,

organi si ng a ne w e stabl i shm e nt and e nte ri ng the Ci vi l S e rvi c e .

Si multan e ou sly wi t h hi s doi ng so hi s Old schoolma ste r lo st ,

1
( t hrough st up i d i t y or o t h e rw i se
) t he e st abl i s hm e n t ov e r w hi ch
he had hi t h e rt o pr e si d e d and i n whi ch he had se t so much st or e
,

by si l e nce and good b e ha v i our Gri e f drov e hi m t o dri nk and

—
.
,

wh e n nothi ng was l e ft e v e n for that purpo se he re ti re d i ll

, , ,
 1 86 D e ad S o u l s
—
he lpl e ss and starvi ng i nt o a bro k e n down ch e e rl e ss ho v e l -

—
, , .

B ut c e rt a i n o f hi s form e r pup i l s t he sam e cl e v e r w i tt y lad s ,

whom he had once be e n wont to accu se Of i mp e rti n e nc e and

e iv l conduc t g e n e rally — h e ard o f h i s p i t i abl e pl i gh t and col ,

le cte d for h i m wha t mon e y t h e y could e v e n ,

t o t h e po i n t o f s e lli ng

t h e i r o w n n e c es s ar i e s . O nly C hi c h i k o v wh e n, app e al e d t o ,

pl e ad e d i nab i l i ty and comprom i se d wi th a contri bu ti on of a

,

s i ngl e p i a ta h :
1
w h i ch h i s o l d s choolf e llow s s t ra i gh t way r e tu r n ed

h i m — full i n t h e fac e and

,
accompan i e d w i t h a s hou t Of O h you ,

sk i n fl i n t ! A s for t h e poor s choolma s t e r wh e n h

,
e h e ard wha t

hi s fo rm e r pupi l s had don e he buri e d hi s fac e i n hi s hand s and

, ,

the t e ars gu sh e d from hi s fai l i ng e y e s as from tho se Of a h e lpl e ss

”
i nfan t .
God has brought you but to w e e p ov e r my d e ath be d -
,

he murmu re d f e e bly ; and add e d wi th a profound si gh o n ,

h e ari ng o f Chi chi ko v s conduct ’

Ah Pavlushka how a human
, ,

b e i ng may b e com e change d ! O nc e you w e re a good lad and ,

gav e me no troubl e ; but now you are b e com e proud i nd e e d !

Ye t le t i t n o t be i nf e rr e d from thi s tha t o ur h e ro s characte r
’

had grown S O blasé and hard or hi s con sci e nc e S O blun te d as to

, ,

pre clud e hi s e xp e ri e nci ng a parti cl e of sympathy o r compassi on .

AS a matte r o f fact he was capabl e bo th Of the o n e and the o th e r

, ,

and would hav e b ee n glad t o assi st hi s Old te ach e r had no gre at

sum b e e n r e qu i r e d o r had he n o t b e e n call e d upon to t ouch the
,

fund whi ch he had d e ci d e d should re mai n i n tact I n o the r .

word s the fath e r s i njuncti on Guard and sav e e ve ry k op e ck

,
’
,
”
,

had b e com e a hard and fast rul e Of the son s Ye t the you th had ’
.

n o parti cular attachm e n t t o mon e y fo r mon e y s sa k e ; he was

’

n o t po sse sse d wi th the tru e i n sti nct for hoard i ng and n i a rdli
gg
n ess Rath e r b e fore hi s e y e s the re floate d e v e r a vi si on of l i fe
—
.
,

and i ts am e n i ti e s and advantag e s a vi si on o f carri ag es and an

'
e l e gan tly furn i sh e d hou se and récherche d i nn e rs ; and i t was i n

the hOp e that som e day he m i ght attai n th e se th i ngs that he

sav e d e v e ry k op e c k and m e anwh i l e sti n t e d bo th h i m se lf and
, ,

o the rs Wh e n e v e r a ri ch man passe d hi m by i n a spl e nd i d

.

drozhhi d rawn by swi ft and hand som e ly capari son e d horse s -

,

he would hal t as though d e e p i n thought and th e n say t o h i m se lf , ,

l i ke a man awak e ni ng from a long sl e e p : That g e ntl e man

mu st have b e e n a fi nanci e r he has so l i ttl e hai r o n hi s bro w
,
”
.

In short e v e rythi ng conn e cte d wi th w e al th and pl e nty produc e d

,

upon hi m an i n e ffac e abl e i mpre ssi on Ev e n wh e n he l e ft school .

he t oo k no hol i day so strong i n hi m was the d e si r e to e t to

, g
work and e nte r the Ci vi l S e rvi ce Ye t for all the e ncom i um s .
,

S i lve r fi ve ko p e ck p i e ce
1
.
 1 88 D e ad S o u l s
a
r t e h r a s trang e e ff e c t .In t he s am e w a y hi s w i z e n e d marbl,
e ,

l i ke fe atu re s re m i nd e d o n e of nothi ng i n parti cular so pri mly ,

p roporti on e d w e re th e y O nly the num e rou s pock mark s and

.

d i mpl e s wi th whi ch the y w e re p i tte d plac e d hi m among the

num be r o f tho se ove r who se fac e s t o quo te the popular ,

s ay i ng
,
T h e D e v i l h a s wal k e d by n i gh t t o gr i nd p e as
”
.

In short i t would se e m that no human ag e ncy could ha v e

,

approach e d such a man and gai n e d hi s goodwi ll Ye t Chi .

chi k ov mad e the e ffort A s a fi rst ste p he took to consulti ng

.
,

t h e o th e r s
’
conv e n i e nc e i n all mann e r Of i n si gn i fican t tr i fle s
—to cl e ani ng hi s p e ns care fully and whe n th e y had b e e n , ,

pre pare d e xactly to the Chi e f Cl e rk s l i ki ng layi ng th e m re ady ’

,

at hi s e lbow ; t o du sti ng and sw e e p i ng from hi s tabl e all sup e r

fluo us sand and t obacco ash ; to p rocuri ng a n e w mat fo r hi s
—
i nk stand t o look i ng for hi s hat the m e an e st loo ki n g hat that -

e v e r the wo rld be h e ld
— and havi ng i t r e ady for hi m at the e xact
mome nt wh e n bu si n e ss cam e to an e n d ; to bru sh i ng hi s back
i f i t happe n e d t o b e co me sm e are d w i th wh i te wash from a wall .

Ye t all th i s pa sse d as unnoti c e d as though i t had n e ve r b e e n

done Fin ally Chi chi ko v sn i ffe d i n t o hi s supe ri or s fami ly and
.
,
’

dome sti c l i fe and l e arn t that he po sse sse d a grown up daugh te r

,
-

on who se face also the re had take n place a noc turnal di a ,

bo li cal gr i nd in g o f pe a s He re was a quarte r whe nc e a fre sh

.

attack m i gh t be d e l i ve re d ! A fte r a sce rta i n i n g what church

the daugh te r a tte nd e d on S undays o ur h e ro t oo k to con tr i v i n g,

to me e t he r i n a n e a t su i t and a w e ll st arch e d d i cke y : and soon -

the sch e m e b e gan to work The surly Ch i e f Cl e rk wave re d for a

.

whi le ; the n e nde d by i nvi ti ng Chi chi ko v to te a Nor could any .

man i n the Offi ce have t old you how i t came abou t that b e fore
long Chi chi ko v had re move d to the Ch i e f Cle rk s hou se and ’

b come a pe rson n e ce ssary

e i nd e e d in d i spe n sabl e ,
— to the
,

hou se hold se e i n g that he bou gh t the fl our and the sugar tre ate d
, ,

the daugh te r as hi s b e tro th e d call e d the Ch i e f Cle r k

, Pape nha ,

and occasi onally k i sse d P ape nka s hand In fact e ve ry o ne

” ’
.
,

at the Offi c e suppo se d tha t at the e n d Of Fe bruary i e b e fore

, ( . .

the b e g i nn i n g Of Le n t ) th e re w ould ta k e p lace a we dd i ng N ay .

,
the surly fath e r e ve n b e gan to ag i tate w i th the au thor i ti e s o n
Chi chiko v s b e half and so e nabl e d o ur h e ro o n a vacancy
’

, ,

O ccurri n g to attai n the stool Of a Ch i e f Cle rk Appare n tly

, .

th i s marke d the con sum m ati on of Chi chik o v s re lat i on s w i th ’

(
hi s ho st fo r he haste n e d ste al th i ly t o pac k hi s trun k and the
( , , ,

t day fi gure d i n a fre sh lod gi ng Al so he ce a se d to call the

‘

r i e x , .
,

Ch i e f Cle rk P apenka or t o k i ss hi s hand ; and the m atte r Of

”
,
 D e ad S o ul s 1 89
the we dd in g came to as abrup t a te rm i nat i on as thou gh i t had
ne ve r b e e n moo te d Ye t al so he n e ve r fai l e d to pre ss hi s late
.

host s hand wh e n e ve r he me t hi m and to i nvi te hi m to te a ;

’
, ,

wh i le o n the o the r hand for all hi s i mmob i l i ty and dry i ndi ffe r
, ,

e nc e ,
the Ch i e f Cl e rk n e v e r fa i l e d t o shake hi s h e ad w i th a
mu tte re d Ah my fine fe llo w you have grown to o proud yo u
, , , ,

ha ve gro wn to o proud ”
.

The fore g o i n g con sti t u te d the m o st d i ffi cul t ste p tha t our h e ro
had to n e g oti ate Th e re afte r th i n gs came wi th gre ate r e ase and
.

sw i fte r succ e ss E ve ryw h e re he a ttrac te d no t i c e fo r he d e ve lope d

—
.
,

w i thi n h i mse lf e ve rythi n g ne ce ssary fo r th i s w orld name ly ,

charm Of manne r and be ar i n g and gre at d i l i ge nce i n bu si ne ss ,

m atte rs Arm e d w i th the se re source s he n e xt Ob tai ne d prom o

.
,

t i o n to w hat i s kno wn as a fat post and u se d i t to the b e st ,

advantage ; and e ve n thou gh at that pe r i od str i c t i nqu i ry had , ,

b e gun to be mad e i n to the whole subj e c t Of bri b e s such i nqu i ry ,

fa i le d to alarm hi m may he actually turne d i t to accoun t and

-

th e re by man i fe ste d the Ru ssi an re source fu ln e ss wh i ch n e ve r

fa i l s to atta i n i ts ze n i th wh e re e xt orti on i s conce rn e d Hi s .

m e thod Of work i n g was the follow i n g A s soon as a p e t i ti on e r o r .

a su i tor p ut hi s hand i n to hi s pock e t to e xtrac t th e nce the ,

ne ce ssary l e tte rs Of re comme ndati on for si gnature Chi chi ko v ,

w ould sm i l i n gly e xclai m as he de ta i n e d hi s i n te rlocu tor s ’

hand : N 0 no ! S ure ly yo u do n o t th i n k that I

,
B ut n o ,

no ! I t i s our du ty i t i s our Obl i gati on and we do n o t re qu i re

, ,

re w ard s for do i n g o ur w ork prope rly S O far as yo ur matte r i s .

conce rne d yo u may re st e asy Eve ryth i n g shall be carri e d

,
.

throu gh to morro w B ut may I have your addre ss ? Th e re i s

.

no n e e d for yo u t o troubl e yourse l f se e i n g that the docu m e n ts ,

can e a si ly be brou gh t to yo u at your re si d e nc e Upon wh i ch .

the d e l i gh te d su i t or would re turn hom e i n rap ture s th i nk i n g : ,

He re at lon g last i s the sort o f man so badly ne e d e d A man

, ,
.

g of t hat k i nd i s a j e we l b e yond pr i c e
”
r
Ye t fo r a day for two
— —
.
,

!l dayS nay e ve n fo r thre e the su i t or w ould w a i t i n va i n S O

i
,
li far as any m e sse n ge r s w i th docu m e n ts we re conc e rn e d
”
Th e n
—
.

he would re pa i r to the Ofli ce t o fi nd tha t hi s bu si n e ss had n o t

so m uch as b e e n e n te r e d upon ! Lastly he would confront the ,

j e we l b e yond pr i ce O h pardon me pardon me ! Ch i ch i

, ,

ko v would e xcla i m i n the pol i te st Of t on e s as he se i ze d and

ra p d v i i or h nd h ru h i ha w hav
’
g s e th e s t s a s T e t t s t . t e e s u ch
a quan ti ty Of b usi ne ss on hand ! B ut the m atte r shall be p ut
through to morro w and i n the m e an w h i l e I a m m o st s orry abou t
-
,

it.
”
And w i th th i s w ould g o the m o st fa sc i nati n g o f ge sture s .
1 9 0 D e ad S o u ls
Ye t n e i th e r o n t he morrow nor o n t h e day ,
follow in g nor o n t h e ,

i
’
h
t i rd would docum e n t s arr i ve a t t h e s u t or s abod e Upon t ha t .

he would t a k e t hou g h t a s t o wh e t h e r s om e t h i n g mor e ough t n o t

to ha v e b e e n don e ; and s ur e e nough ,
o n h i s mak i ng i n q u i
, ry h e ,

would be i nforme d that some th i ng w i ll have to be gi ve n to the

”
copyi sts ”
.
We ll the re can be n o harm i n that he would re ply
, ,
.

As a ma t t e r O f fac t I hav e r e,
ady a tc h e t ve r ta k 1
o r tw o
”
O h .
,

no ,
no ”
t
,
h e an s w e r would com e N o t a tc h e tv e rt
. a k p e r copy i st ,

b u t a roubl e i s t h e,
f e e Wha t ? .A roub le p e r copy i s t ?
Ce rta i nly What i s the re to grumble at i n that ? O f the mone y
.

the copyi sts w i ll re c e i ve a tche tve rtah ap i e c e and the re st w i l l ,

go to the Go ve rnme n t ”
Upon that the d i si llu si one d su i t or
.

would fl y o ut upon the ne w ord e r o f th i n gs brough t abou t by

the i n qu i ry i n t o i ll i c i t fe e s and curse bo th the tchi n ovn i ks and
,

th e i r upp i sh i n sol e nt b e hav i our

,
Once upon a ti m e would .
”
,

the su i t or lam e n t o ne di d know what t o do

,
Once o ne had .

t i pp e d the D i re c tor a bank no te on e s a ffa i r was so t o sp e a k

’
-

, , ,

in the hat B ut n o w one has t o pay a roubl e p e r copyi st afte r

.

wai ti ng a we e k be cau se othe rw i se i t was i mpossi ble to gue ss

how the w i nd m i ght se t ! The d e vi l fly away w i th all di si n
te re ste d and tru stwort hy tchi novni ks ! An d c e rt a i nly the
aggri e ve d su i tor had re ason to grumbl e se e i n g that now that , ,

br i be take rs had ce ase d to e x i st and D i re ctors had un i formly

-
,

be come me n Of honour and i nte gri ty se cre tari e s and cl e rk s ou ght ,

n o t w i th i mpun i ty t o have con t i nu e d th e i r th i e v i sh way s In .

ti me the re Ope ne d o ut to Chi chi ko v a sti ll w i d e r fi e ld for a ,

Comm i ssi on was appo i nte d to supe r vi se the e re c ti on Of a Go ve rn

me nt bu i ld i ng and o n hi s be i ng nom i nate d to that body he
, , ,

prove d h i m se lf o ne Of i ts mo st acti v e m e mb e rs The Comm i ssi on .

o t t o work w i t hou t d e lay but for a spac e Oi si x ye ar s had s om e

g
-
,

troubl e w i th the bu i ld in g i n qu e st i on E i the r the cl i mate .

h i nde re d Ope rati on s or the mate ri al s u se d we re Of the k i nd wh i ch

pre ve nts O ffi c i al e d i fi ce s from e ve r r i si n g h i gh e r than the base
me nt B ut me anwh i l e o ther quarte rs of the town saw ar i se
.
, , ,

fo r e ach me m b e r Of the Com m i ssi on a hand so m e hou se of the ,

n o n Offi ci al styl e Of arch i te c t ure

-
Cle arly the foundati on a fford e d
.

by the so i l of tho se parts was be tte r than that whe re the Gove rn
me nt bu i ld i n g was sti ll e ngage d i n hang i n g fire ! Li ke wi se the
me mbe rs o f the Comm i ssi on be gan to look e xce e d i ngly pros
pe rou s and to blo ssom o ut i n t o fam i ly l i fe ; and for the fi rst
, ,
ti m e i n hi s e x i ste nce e ve n Chi chi ko v al so d e par te d fro m the
,

i ron laws Of hi s se lf i m po se d re stra i n t and i n e xorabl e se lf de n i al

- -
,
1
A si lve r q arte r ro u
u bl e .
 1
9 2 D e ad S o u l s
wi t h a gaf f ; and t o s uch an e x t e n t d i d th e s por t prov e succ e s sful
t ha t almo s t i n no t i m e e ach par t i c i pa t or i n th e hun t w a s s e e n
t o be i n po s se ss i on O f s e v e ral t hou s and rou b l e s O f ca p i t al Upon .

t ha t a larg e numb e r o f t h e form e r band O f tchi n o v n i h s al so

b e cam e con v e r t e d t o pa t h s Of re c t i t ud e and w e r e allow ,
e d t o

re e
- n te r t h e S e rv i c e ; b u t n o t by b o o k o r by croo k could Ch i ch i
k o v worm hi s way back e ve n though i nc i te d the re t o by sundry , ,

i te m s O f pap e r curr e ncy t h e G e n e ral,

s fi r st se cr e t
’
ary and
’
pri nc i pal be ar l e ad e r di d all he could o n our h e ro s be half I t .

se e me d that the Ge n e ral was the k i nd Of man who t hough ,

e a si ly le d by the no se ( prov i d e d i t was don e w i thou t hi s k now

l e dge ) no soone r g o t an i d e a i n t o hi s h e ad than i t stuc k the re l i ke
a nai l and could n o t po ssi bly be e xtrac te d ; and all that the
,

wi ly se cre tary succe e d e d i n procuri ng was the te ar i n g up Of a

—
ce rtai n d i rty fragme nt Of pape r e ve n that b e i ng e ffe cte d only
by an appe al t o the Ge n e ral s compassi on o n the score o f the ’
,

unhappy fate wh i ch o the rw i se would be fall Chi chi ko v s w i fe

, ,
’

and ch i ldre n (who luck i ly had no e x i ste nce i n fac t)

, ,
.

”
We ll sai d Chi chi ko v to h i m se lf
,
I have done my be st , ,

and now e ve ryth i ng has fai l e d Lame nti n g my m i sfortune w on t .

’

he lp me but only act i on

,
”
And wi th that he de c i de d to b e g i n
.

hi s care e r an e w and onc e more t o arm h i m se lf w i th the we apon s

,

Of pati e nc e and se lf d e n i al The b e tte r t o e ffe c t th i s he had O f

-
.
, ,

course t o re move t o anothe r t own Ye t som e how for a wh i l e

,
.
, ,

th i ngs m i scarr i e d More than once he found h i mse lf force d to

.

e xchange o ne po st for ano th e r and at the bri e fe st o f noti ce ;

,

and all o f the m we re po sts of the m e ane st the mo st wre tch e d , ,

ord e r Ye t b e i ng a m an Of the u tmo st n i c e ty of fe e l i n g the fac t

.
, ,

that he found h i m se lf rubb i ng should e r s w i th anyt h i ng but n i c e

compan i on s di d n o t pre ve nt hi m from pre se rvi ng in tac t hi s
i nnate lo ve of what was d e c e n t and se e mly or from ch e ri sh i ng ,

the i n st i nc t wh i ch le d hi m t o han k e r afte r O ffi c e fi tt i ngs Of

lac que re d wood w i th n e atne ss and ord e rl i ne ss e ve rywhe re
, .

N or di d he at any ti me pe rm i t a foul word to cre e p i nt o hi s

sp e e ch and would fe e l hur t e v e n i f i n the sp e e ch Of o th e r s th e re
,

occurre d a scornful re fe re nce to anyt h i n g wh i ch pe rta i n e d t o

rank and d i gn i ty Also the re ad e r w i ll be pl e ase d to k no w that
.
,

o ur h e ro change d hi s l i n e n e ve ry o the r day and i n summe r , ,

whe n the we athe r was ho t e ve ry day se e i ng that the ve ry , ,

fain te st su sp i c i on of an unple asan t Odour o ffe nd e d hi s fasti d i ou s

ne ss For the same re ason i t was hi s cu st om b e fore b e i n g val e te d
.
,

by Pe trushk a always to plug hi s no stri l s wi th a coupl e of clove s

, .

In short the re we re m any occasi on s wh e n hi s n e rve s sufle re d

,
 D ead S o uls 1
93
racki n gs as cru e l as a young g i rl s an d so he lp e d to in cre ase hi s
’
,

d i sgu st at havi n g once m ore to assoc i ate w i th me n who se t n o

st or e by the d e c e nc i e s o f l i fe Ye t thou gh he brace d h i m se lf
.
,

to the t a sk th i s p e r i od O f adve r si ty t old upon hi s h e al th and

, ,

he e ve n gre w a tr i fle shabby More than once o n happe n i n g

.
,

to cat ch si gh t Of h i m se l f in the m i rror he could n o t forb e ar ,

e x cla i m i n g Holy Mo the r O f Go d but w hat a nasty look i n g ,

-

bru te I have b e co me ! and for a lon g wh i l e afte rw ard s could

no t w i th anyth i n g l i k e s ang f ro i d con te m pla te hi s r e fle c t i on Ye t
—
-
.

throu g hou t he bore up st o utly and pati e n tly and e nd e d by

be i n g tran sfe rre d to the Cu stom s De partm e nt I t m ay be sa i d .

tha t the d e par tm e n t had lon g con st i tu te d the se cre t g oal o f

hi s a m b i ti on for he had no te d the f ore i gn e l e g anc i e s w i th w h i ch
,

i ts O ffi c i al s al w ays con tr i ve d to prov i d e th e m se lve s and ha d ,

al so O b se rve d that i nvari ably the y we re abl e to se n d pre se nts

o f chin a and cambr i c to th e i r S i ste r s and aun ts — we ll to the i r ,

l ady fr i e nd s ge ne rally Ye s m ore than once he had sa i d to hi m

.
,

se lf w i th a si g h Tha t i s the de partm e nt to w h i ch I ou gh t to

!

be lon g for gi ve n a t o w n ne ar the fronti e r and a se n si ble se t

, , ,

O f coll e a gu e s I m i gh t be abl e to fit m yse lf out w i th e x ce ll e n t

,

l i n e n Sh i r ts
.
”
Al so i t m ay be sa i d that m o st fre qu e ntly O f all
,

had hi s thou gh ts turn e d to a ce r ta i n qual i ty Of Fre nch soap

wh i ch i i np arte d a pe cul i ar w h i te ne ss to the sk i n and a pe e rle ss
fre shne ss to the che e k s I ts name i s known to Go d alone but at
.
,

le ast i t was to be procure d only i n the imme d i ate ne i ghbourhoo d

O f the fronti e r n s l s ay, ۤhi e hilgo v had long fglt a le ani n g
.
r
- " W W “ w

t p wards the C u st o m s but for a ti m e had be e n re stra i n e d fro m

fl A
» ”w fl
‘ m

applyhrg f or t lre same by the var i ou s curre n t advan ta ge s o f the

i e r

B u i ld i ng C omm i ssi on ; S i nce ri ghtly he had adjud ge d the latte r

t o con sti tu te a b i rd in the hand and the f or m e r to con st i tu te
,

only a b i rd i n the bu sh. B ut now he de c i d e d that co me w hat ,

m i ght i n to the Cu stom s he mu st m ake hi s way And that way

, .

ELhe m ad e an d th e n appl i e d h i m se l f to hi s ne w du ti e s w i th a ze al
,

11 born O f the fac t that he r e al i se d tha t f or tun e had spe c i ally

;

l marke d hi m o ut f or a C u st o m s O ffice r I nde e d such acti vi ty .

, ,

pe rsp i cu i ty and ub i qu i ty as hi s had ne ve r be e n se e n or thou ght

,

Of Wi th i n f our we e ks at the m o st he had so thorou ghly got hi s

.

hand i n that he was conve rsan t w i th Cu sto m s proc e d ure i n

e ve ry d e ta i l No t only could he we i gh and m e asure but al so
.
,

he could d i v i n e fro m an i n vo i ce ho w m an y arshi ns O f clo th or

othe r m ate ri al a gi ve n p i e ce contai ne d and the n tak i n g a ro ll , ,

o f the l atte r i n hi s h and could spe c i fy at o n c e the nu m be r O f

,

pou nds at whi ch i t w ould ti p the scale AS for se arch i n gs we ll , .

,

G
 D e ad S o ul s
1 94
e v e n h i s coll e a g u e s had t o adm i t t ha t h e po ss e ss e d t h e no s e O f
a ve ri tabl e bloodhound and that i t was i mpo ssi bl e n o t to m ar ve l ,

at th e pa t i e nc e wh e r e w i t h h e would t r y e v e ry bu t t on Of t h e

u
s s ep c t e d p e r s on y e t pr e se r v e
,
t hrou g hou t ,
a d e adly po l i te n e s s ,

and an i cy s ang f roi d wh i ch surpass be l i e f And wh i l e the - .

se arch e d w e r e ra g i n g and foam i,

n g a t t h e mou t h and f e e l i n g ,

t ha t t h e y would g i v e w orld s t o al te r h i s s m i l i n g e x te r i or w i t h a

good re sound i ng slap he w ould m ove no t a mu scl e o f hi s face

, , ,

nor aba te by a j o t t h e urban i t y o f h i s d e m e anour as h e ,

murmure d D O you m i nd S O far i ncomm od i n g yourse l f as to

,

s t and up ? o r Pray st e p i n t o t h e n e x t roo m m ada m w h e re ,

t h e w i f e Of o n e O f o u r s t af f w i ll a tt e nd y o u
”
o r Pray allo w m e ,

to s l i p t h i s p e nkn i f e Of m i n e i n t o t h e l i n i n g O f your coa t ( af t e r

wh i ch he would e xtract the nce shawls and towe ls w i th as much
nonchalance as he w ould have done fro m hi s own trave ll i ng
tru nk) Eve n hi s supe ri ors acknowl e d ge d hi m to be a de v i l at
m m
. ,

‘ m

m
‘ - m - w ‘,

S
“

O w i i t i
! t on
‘ n

a
u

f e fi
.
- s r u

1 é
G

ob ra h r han i n 5 p
'

t h e j t e t r a g S i c t S
,M "
:
n c t
o k n (f e é
“

i l fi
’
n o
fi

lo o ar wh l f and
i g i e S f e
'

for t t e s c a rr
-
a g p o r se s a r ?
place s whi théran author 01i gh t no t t o pene traWt Vé ii ifiThO
I N M m an " 5
, ’
’

ught
“ '

fiw
'

é
p l ac e s w h i
'

t h er O
'
w m m
re sul t was that the wre tche d trave e r who a j u st crosse d the
m T h e
m
fronti e r would w i th i n a fe w m i nu te s b e co me wholly at se a and
, , , ,

w i p i ng away the pe rsp i rati on and bre ak i ng o ut i nto body ,

flu she s would be re duc e d to cro ssi n g h i m se lf and m u tte r i n g

, ,

We ll we ll we ll ! , ,
I n fact such a trave lle r would fe e l i n the
,

posi ti on Of a schoolboy who hav i n g b e e n summone d to the ,

pre se nce of the he admaste r for the o ste n si bl e purpose Of b e i n g

gi ve n an orde r has found that he re ce i ve s i n ste ad a sound
, , ,

floggi ng In . ti m e Chi chi ko v m ad e i t i m po s— si bl e

me arma l i vi ng In p arti cu ar e re ucE d Pcfli sh .

,

J e wry almo st to de sp ai flE Oi n vi nci ble S O alm o st unnatural was

'

, ,

the re cti tud e the i ncorrup t i b i l i t y wh i ch le d hi m t o re fra i n fro m

,

conve rti ng h i mse l f i n to a small cap i tal i st w i th the ai d Of confis

cate d good s and ar t i cl e s wh i ch t o save e xce ssi ve cl e r i cal
,
”
labour had fa i le d to be hand e d ove r t o the Gove rnme nt Al so
, .
,

wi thout sayi ng i t goe s that such phe nome nally ze alou s and
d i si nte re ste d se rvi ce attrac te d ge ne ral ast on i sh me n t and , ,

e ve n tually the no ti c e Of the au thor i ti e s

, ; w h e r e upon h e r e c e i v e d
prom oti on and followe d that up by moo ti ng a sche me for the
,

i nfall i bl e de te c ti on Of contraband i sts prov i d e d tha t he could be ,

furni she d w i th the ne ce ssary au thori ty for carryi ng o ut the same .

A t once such au thor i ty was accorde d hi m as al so unl i m i te d ,

powe r to conduct e ve ry spe c i e s o f se arch and in ve sti gati on And .

 6 D e ad S o ul s
1 9
th ta d e scr i p t i on o f th e p e r s on s o ad d r e sse d w as pe r f e c tly
accurate he cho se to take O ff e nce and to answe r Chi chi ko v w i th
, ,

word loudly and i nc i i v ly u r d ) I i w h h av

the s
( ”
s e t te e t ,
s y o u o e

a pri e st for your fath e r and to add to that (the more to i nce nse
,

m ”
Y
.

hi s compan i on ) ,
Y e s ark
, y o u ! T h a t i s h o w i t i s e t .
,

t hou g h h e had t hu s t urn e d t h e t abl e s upon C h i ch i ko v w i th a

tu q q u o u e and
,
t h e n capp e d t ha t e xplo i t w i t h t h e word s l ast
quo te d the offe nde d tchi novni k could n o t re ma i n sati sfie d but
, ,

we nt o n to se nd i n an anonym ou s docume nt to the au thori ti e s .

On the othe r hand some ave r that i t was ove r a w oman that the
— ,

pa i r fe ll o ut o ve r a w om an who to quo te the phrase the n ,

curre nt am ong the staff O f the Cu stom s D e partme n t was as ,

fre sh and as stron g as the pulp Of a turn i p and that n i gh t b i rd s ,

-

we re h i re d to assault o ur h ero i n a dark alle y and that the ,

sche m e m i scarr i e d and tha t i n any ca se bo th Chi chi ko v and hi s

,

fr i e nd had be e n de ce i ve d se e i n g that the pe rson to who m the

,

lady had re ally accord e d he r favours was a ce rta i n staff capta i n -

name d Shamshare v Howe ve r only Go d kno ws the tru th o f

.
,

the matte r L e t the i nqu i si ti ve re ad e r fe rre t i t o ut for h i m se l f

. .

The fact re ma i n s that a com pl e te e x po sure o f the d e al i n gs w i th

the contraband i sts followe d and that the two tchi no vni ks we re
,

u t t o t h e qu e sti on d e pr i ve d O f th e i r prop e r ty and m ad e to

p , ,

formulate in wr i ti ng all that the y had done Agai nst th i s

.

thund e rbol t o f for tune the S tate C o unc i llor could make no h e ad
way and i n some re ti re d spot or anothe r san k i nto Obl i vi on ;
,

but Chi chiko v p ut a brave face upon the m a tte r for i n sp i te Of , ,

the au thor i ti e s b e st e ffor ts to sm e ll o ut hi s g a i n s he con tr i ved

’
,

to conce al a por ti on Of th e m and al so re sor te d to e ve ry sub tl e

,

tr i c k Of i n te ll e c t wh i ch could po ssi bly be e m ploye d by an

e xpe r i e nce d man of the w orld who has a w i d e kno w l e d ge Of hi s

fe llows Noth i n g wh i ch could be e ffe cte d by ple asantne ss Of

.

d e me anour by m ov i ng oratory by cloud s Of flatte ry an d by

, , ,

the occa si onal i n se rti on o f a co i n i n t o a pal m di d he l e ave undone ;

wi th the re sult that he was re ti re d wi th l e ss i gnom i ny than wa s

hi s compan i on and e scape d actual tr i al o n a cr i m i nal charge

, .

Ye t he i ssue d stri ppe d of all hi s cap i tal str i ppe d Of hi s i mporte d ,

e ffe cts str i ppe d Of e ve ryt h i n g

, That i s to say all that re mai ne d
.
,
to hi m con si ste d Of te n thou sand rouble s wh i ch he had store c
'

agai nst a rai ny day two doze n l i ne n sh i rts a sm all bri tchka o f
, ,

the typ e u se d by bache lors and two se rv i n g me n nam e d Se li far

,
-

and Pe tru shka . Ye s and an i m pul se of k i ndne ss move d the

,

tchi novni ks Of the Cu sto m s al so to se t a si d e fo r hi m a fe w cak e :

Of the soap wh i ch he had found S O e x ce lle nt for the fre shne ss O
 S o ul s D e ad 1
97
the ch e e ks Thu s once m ore our he ro foun d hi m se l f stran de d
. .

An d what an acc um ula ti on o f m i sf ortu ne s had d e sce nd e d upon

hi s he ad — thou gh tru e he te rm e d the m
,
suffe r i n g i n the
,

Se rvi ce i n the cau se Of Tru th Ce rta i nly o ne w ou ld have thou ght

”
.

that a fte r the se b uffe ti n g s and tr i al s an d chan ge s o f fort u ne

,

afte r th i s ta ste O f the sorro w s O f l i fe — he and hi s pre c i ou s te n

thou sand roubl e s w ould have w i th draw n to so me p e ace ful com e r
i n a prov i nc i al to wn w h e re cl ad i n a stu ff dre ssi n g g o wn he
, , ,

c ould have sat and l i ste ne d to the pe asants quarre ll i n g on fe sti val
d ays or (for the sake O f a bre ath O f fre sh ai r) have g one i n
, ~

pe rson to the poul te re r s to fin ge r ch i cke n s for soup and S O h ave

’
,

Spe nt a qu i e t but n o t wholly u se l e ss e x i ste nce ; but noth in g

, ,

o f the k i nd took place and t h e re i n we m u st do ju st i c e t o the

,

stre n gth O f hi s charac te r I n o th e r w ords al thou gh he had

.
,

un d e r g on e w hat to the m aj or i ty O f me n w ould have m e an t ru i n

, ,

an d d i scoura ge m e nt and a sha tte r in g o f i d e al s he sti ll pre se rve d ,

hi s e ne rg y True d o wnc ast and an gry and full o f r e se ntm e nt

.
, ,

ag ai n st the w orld in ge ne ral he fe lt furi ou s w i th the i nju sti ce

,

O f fate and d i ssati sfie d w i th the d e al i ngs O f me n ; ye t he coul d

,

no t f orbe ar cour ti n g add i t i onal e xp e r i e nce s I n short the .

,

pati e nce whi ch he d i splaye d was suc h as to m ake the w o od e n

—
pe rsi ste ncy O f the Ge rm an a pe rsi ste ncy me re ly due to the
slo w l e thar g i c c i rcula t i on O f the Te u t o n s blood
,
—se e m n o th i n g
’

at all se e i n g that by nature Chi chi ko v s blood flo we d stron gly

’
, ,

and th at he had to e m ploy m uch f orc e O f w i ll t o curb w i th i n

hi m se lf tho se e l e me n ts w h i ch lon ge d to burst f or th and re ve l

i n fre e dom He thou gh t th i n gs ove r an d as he di d S O a ce rt a in
.
, , ,

Sp i c e re ason appe are d i n hi s re fle c ti on s

of .

How have I co me to be w hat I a m ? he sa i d to hi m se l f .

Why has m i sfortune ove rtake n me i n th i s way ? Ne ve r have I

wronge d a poor pe rson or robbe d a w i dow or turne d any one
, ,

o ut Of doors : I hav e al w ays b e e n care ful only to ta k e advan ta ge

Of tho se who po sse ss m ore than the i r share More ove r I have .
,

ne ve r gle ane d anywhe re but w he re e ve ry one e l se was gle an i n g ;

and had I no t done S O othe rs w ould have gl e ane d i n m y place
, ,
.

Why the n should those othe rs be prospe r i n g and I be sunk as

, , ,

low as a w or m ? Wha t a m I ? Wha t a m I g ood for ? Ho w can I ,

in fu ture hOp e to look any hone st fathe r Of a f a m i ly i n the face ?

,

How shall I e scape b e i n g tor ture d w i th the thou gh t that I a m

cu m be ri n g the grou nd ? What i n the ye ars to co me w i ll m y , ,

ch i ldre n say save tha t ,o ur fathe r was a bru te for he l e ft us ,

no th i n g to l i ve upo n ?
He re I may re m ark th at we have se e n how much th ough t
 8 D e ad S o ul s
1
9
Chi c h i ko v d e vo t e d t o h i s fu t ur e d e s c e ndan ts I nd e e d . had n o t ,

h r
t e e e e co b n n s t a n t ly r e c u r r i n g t o h i s m i nd t h e i n si s te n t qu e st i on ,

What w i ll my ch i ldre n say ? he m i ght n o t have p lii nge d i nto

the f a fa i r S O d e e ply . N e v e r t h e l e ss , l i k e a wary c a t wh i ch g lanc e s

hi t eh r and th i t h e r t o se e wh e th e r i t s m i st r e ss b e n o t com i ng
be fore i t can make Off w i th whatsoe ve r first fall s to i ts paw
bu e r fat lard a duc k o r an yt h i n g e l se ) so our fu t ure fo unde r
( t t , , , , ,

m g w g mg hi s lo t to
.

Of a fa i ly con t i nu e d t
,
hou h e e p i n a n d b e w a i l ,

le t n o t a si n gle d e ta i l e scape hi s e ye Tha t i s t o say he re ta i n e d

.
,

hs i w i t s e v e r i n a s t a t e Of ac t i v i t,y and k e p t h i s bra i n con s t an t ly

work i ng A ll that he re qu i re d was a plan O nce m ore he pulle d
.
.

h i mse lf t oge the r once more he e mbark e d upon a l i fe o f to i l

, ,

once m ore he sti nte d h i m se lf i n e ve ryth i ng once m ore he l e ft ,

cl e an and d e ce nt surround i n gs for a d i rty m e an e x i ste nce In ,

.

o the r w ord s unti l some th i n g b e tte r should turn up he e mbrace d

—
, ,

the call i n g Of an ord i nary attom e y a call i n g wh i ch n o t th e n ,

po sse sse d Of a c i vi c statu s was j o stl e d o n e ve ry si de e nj oye d

, ,

l i ttle re spe ct at the hand s o f the m i nor l e gal fry (o r i nd e e d at , ,

i ts o wn) and p e rforce me t w i th un i ve r sal sl i gh ts and rude n e ss

,
.

B ut she e r ne ce ssi ty comp e ll e d Chi chi ko v t o face th e se th i ngs .

Amon g com m i ssi on s e ntru ste d t o hi m was that Of plac i n g i n the

hand s Of the Publ i c Tru ste e se ve ral hundre d p e asants who
be longe d to a ru i ne d e state The e state had re ach e d i ts parlou s
.

cond i ti on through cattle d i se a se throu gh rascally bai l i ffs , ,

through fa i lure s Of the harve st throu gh such e p i d e m i c d i se a se s

,

that had k i lle d Off the b e st workm e n and la st but n o t l e a st , , , ,

throu gh the se n se le ss conduc t o f the o w n e r h i m se lf who had ,

furn i she d a hou se in Mo scow i n the late st styl e and the n ,

s quand e re d hi s e ve ry kop e c k 8 0 that no th i n g was l e ft fo r hi s

/
,

furthe r mai nte nance and i t b e cam e n e ce ssary t o m ortgage the

'

r ma n
e i s — i i t
,

h —
nclud ng e pe asan ts Oi the e state In tho se days .

mortgage to the Tre asury was an i nnovati on looke d upon w i th

re se rve and as attorn e y i n the matte r Chi chi ko v had first Of
, , ,

all to e nte rtai n e ve ry Offi c i al conce rne d (we know that unle ss ,
that be pre v i ou sly don e unl e ss a w hol e bo ttl e Of m ad e i ra fir st
,

be e m p ti e d down e ach cl e r i cal throa t n o t the sm all e st l e g al ,

aff ai r can be carri e d through ) and to e xplai n for the barri ng O f

, ,

fu ture attachme nts that half the pe asants we re de ad

, .

”
And are the y e nte re d on the re vi si on l i sts ? a ske d the
se cre tary . Ye s ,
”
re pl i e d Chi chi ko v . The n w hat are yo u
boggl i ng at ? conti nu e d the S e cre tary Shoul d o ne soul di e
.
,
anothe r w i ll be born and i n ti me gro w up t o t ake the first on e s ’
,
”
place .
Upon that the re d awne d o n our he ro one O f the m ost
 2 00 D e ad S o u l s
vari ou s corne rs Of the Ru ssi an Emp i re but more e spe c i ally tho se ,

wh i ch had su ffe re d from such unfortunate acci de nts as fai lure s

Of the harve st a h i gh ra te Of mor tal i ty or whatso e ve r e l se m i gh t
, ,

e nabl e hi m to purcha se soul s at the lowe st po ssi bl e r ate B ut .

he di d n o t tackl e hi s landown e rs haphazard : he rath e r se le cte d

such of th e m as se e m e d more par ti cularly su i te d t o hi s taste o r ,

wi th whom he m i ght w i th the le ast po ssi ble troubl e conclude

i d e n ti cal agre e me n ts ; thou gh i n the fi rst i n stance he always
—
, ,

tr i e d by ge tti ng on te rm s Of ac qua i n tanc e sh i p b e tte r sti ll O f

—
, ,

fri e nd sh i p wi th the m to ac qu i re the soul s for no th i n g and S O

, ,

t o avo i d purcha se at all In pa ssi ng my re ad e r s m u st n o t blame

.
,

me i f the characte rs whom the y have e ncoun te re d i n the se page s

have n ot be e n alt oge th e r to the i r l i k i ng The faul t i s Chi chi ko v s .
’

rathe r than m i n e for he i s the m aste r and whe re he le ad s we

, ,

mu st follow Al so should my re ad e rs g i rd at me f or a c e r ta i n
.
,

d i mne ss and want Of clari ty in my pr i nc i pal charac te rs and

actors that wi ll be tantam ount to sayi ng that ne ve r do the
,

broad te nde ncy and the ge ne ral scope o f a work b e co me i m

me d i ate ly appare n t S i m i larly doe s the e ntry to e ve ry town
—
.

the e ntry e ve n t o the C ap i tal i tse lf c onve y to the trave lle r such
an i mpre ssi on o f vagu e ne ss that at first e ve ryth i ng looks gre y
an d m ono t onou s and the l i n e s Of sm oky fac t or i e s and w ork shop s
,

se e m n e ve r t o be com i n g t o an e n d but i n ti me th e re w i ll b e gi n
al so to stand o ut the ou tl i n e s o f si x stori e d m an si on s and O f -
,

shop s and balcon i e s and wi d e p e rsp e cti v e s O f str e e ts and a

—
, ,

m dl y
e e o f ste e pl e s column statu e s and turre ts the w hol e
s , , ,

fram e d i n rattl e and roar and the i nfini te wond e rs whi ch the
hand and the brai n Of me n have conc e i v e d O f the mann e r .

i n whi ch Chi chi ko v s fi rst purcha se s w e re mad e the r e ad e r i s

’

aware S ubse qu e ntly he wi ll se e al so how the aff ai r pro gre sse d

.
,
an d wi th what succ e ss o r fai lur e o ur h e ro me t and how C hi chi
,

kov was call e d upon to d e ci d e and to ov e rcom e e v e n more

d i ffi cult probl e ms than the fore goi ng and by what colo ssal force s ,
the l e v e rs Of thi s far flun t al e are mov e d and ho w e v e n tually
g
-

,
t he hori zon wi ll b e com e e x te nd e d un ti l e v e ryth i ng assu m e s a
grandi ose and a lyri cal te nd e ncy Yes many a verst Of road .
,

re mai ns to be trave ll e d by a party mad e up o f an e ld e rly ge ntl e

man a bri tchka of the ki nd aff e cte d by bach e lors a val e t nam e d
, ,

P e tru shka a coachman nam e d Se li fan and thre e horse s w hi ch

, , ,
from the Asse ssor to the ske wbald are kno wn to us i nd i vi dually ,

by nam e Agai n although I hav e gi ve n a full d e scri pti on O f o ur

.
,

h ro s e xte ri or (such as i t i s) I m ay ye t be ask e d for an i nclu si ve

’
e
,

d fini ti on al so O f hi s m oral p e rsonali ty That he i s n o h e ro com

e .
 D e ad S o ul s 2 01

pou nd e d O f vi rtu e s and p e rfe cti on s mu st be alre ady cl e ar Th e n .

what i s he ? A vi llai n ? W hy should we call hi m a vi llai n ? W hy

Should we be so hard upon a fe llow man ? I n th e se days o ur
vi llai ns hav e c e ase d to e xi st Rath e r i t w ould be fai re r to call
.

hi m an acqui rer The lov e O f acqu i si ti on the lov e Of g ai n i s a

.
, ,

faul t common to many and gi v e s ri se to many and many a

,

tran sacti on o f the ki nd g e n e rally known as n o t stri ctly honour

abl e.
”
Tru e such a characte r contai ns an e l e m e nt Of u gl i n e ss,
,

and the sam e re ad e r who duri n g hi s j ourn e y through l i fe w ould

, ,

si t at the board o f a charac te r o f thi s k i nd and sp e nd a mo st ,

a gr e e abl e ti m e wi th hi m w ould be the first to look at hi m

,

askanc e i f he should app e ar i n the gu i se o f the he ro of a nov e l o r

a play B ut wi se i s the re ad e r w ho on m e e ti n g such a characte r

.
, ,

s can s hi m car e fully and i n ste ad O f Shri nk i n g from hi m w i t h

, ,

d i staste prob e s hi m to the spri ngs o f hi s b e i n g The human

“

,
.

p e rsonal i ty contai n s nothi n g w hi ch may no t i n the twi nkli ng

—
O f an e ye b e com e al tog e th e r chang e d no thi ng i n whi ch b e fore
,
,

y o u can look round t h e r e m ay n o

,
t Spr i n g t o b i r th som e cank e r
w orm whi ch i s d esti n e d to suck the nce the e sse nti al j u i ce Ye s .

m
,

i t i s a com m on thi n g to se e not only an ov e r a ste ri n g passi on ,

but al so a pa ssi on of the m o st p etty ord e r, ari se i n a man who

was born to b e tte r th i n gs and l e a d hi m bo th to f org e t hi s g r e atest
,

an d mo st sacr e d O bl i g ati on s and t o se e only i n the v e ri e st tri fle s

,

the Gr e at and the Holy For human pa ssi on s are as numb e rl e ss

.

as i s the sand O f the se ashor e an d i nfin i t e ly m or e vari ou s : and,

all Of t h e m wh e t h e r e l e va te d o r d e ba se d may b e gi n by ac ti n g
, ,

as m an s se rvan ts and g o o n t o b e co m e hi s mo st i n si ste n t O f

’

be n e fice nce ; hour by hour wi ll i t si nk d e e p e r and d e e p e r i nto

the i nfin i t e parad i se Of hi s soul B ut t h e r e are pa ssi on s O hi ch
. fw
f
a man canno t ri d hi m se l , se e i n tha t th e y are born i th hi m at g w
hi s b i rt h , and he has no pow e r to abjur e th e m H i ghe r po e rs . w
g ov e rn tho se passi on s, and i n th e m i s som e thi n hi ch i ll call gw w
to hi m, and r e fu se t o be si l e nc e d , to the e n d o f hi s l i f e Ye s, .

w g
h e th e r i n a u i se o f darkn e ss, o r wh e th e r i n a u i se hi ch wi ll g w
b e com e conv e rte d i nto a l i ght to li ghte n the orld , th e y i ll w w
m
and u st attai n th e i r consummati on on li e s fi e ld : and i n
’
f
e i th e r ca se t h e y hav e b e e n e vok e d or man s
’
ood n the sa e f g . I m
way may the pa ssi on hi ch dr e w
o ur Chi chi ko v onward s hav e w
b e e n on e that was i nd e p e nd e n t o f hi m se l ; i n the sam e ay may f w
th e re h av e lurk e d e v e n i n hi s c ol e sse nc e so e thi n hi ch i lld m gw w
2 02 D e ad S o ul s
o ne day c a u s e m e n t o hu m bl e t h e m s e lv es i n t h e du s t b e for e t h e

i nfini te wi sdom Of God .

Ye t t ha t fol k s hould b e d i ss a t i s fi e d w i t h my he ro ma tt e r s

no thi ng What matte rs i s the fact that und e r d i ff e re nt ci rcu m

. ,

st anc es t
,
h e i r approval could hav e b e e n t a k e n a s a for e gon e

conclu si on That i s to say had n ot the au thor pri e d ov e r d e e ply

.
,
-

n
i t Co hi c h i k o v s s oul ’
nor s,
t i rr e d up i n i t s d e p t h s wha t s hunn e d
and lay hi dd e n from the l i ght nor d i sclo se d tho se o f hi s h e ro s
,
’

t hou g h t s wh i ch t ha t h e ro would n o t hav e d i s clo s e d e v e n t o

hi s mo s t i n t i ma t e fr i e nd ; had t h e au t hor i
, nd ee d
,
e x h i b i t e d
C hi c hi k o v ju s t as he e xh i b i t e d h i m se lf t o t h e t own s m e n O f N .

and Mani lov and the r e st ; w e ll th e n we m ay re st a ssure d that

,

e v e ry r e ad e r w ould hav e b e e n d e l i g h t e d w i t h h i m
, and have
vote d hi m a mo st i nte re sti ng p e rson For i t i s not n e arly so .

n e c e ssary that Chi chi ko v should figure b e fore the re ad e r as

though hi s form and p e rson w e r e actually pr e se nt to the e ye as
that o n conclud i ng a p e ru sal o f thi s work the r e ad e r should be
, ,

abl e to re turn unharrow e d i n soul to that cul t o f the card tabl e

, ,
-

whi ch i s the solace and d e l i ght Of all g ood Ru ssi ans Ye s .

,

p ut b e fore us what i s com e ly and attracti ve so that we m i ght ,

forge t ourse lve s a l i ttl e I n the sam e fashi on do es a l andown e r

”
.

say t o hi s bai li fl Why do you com e and te ll me that the affai rs

Of my e state are i n a bad way ? I know that wi thou t your h e lp .

Have you no thi ng e l se to te ll me ? Ki ndly allow me to forge t

the fact or e l se to r e m ai n i n i gnoranc e O f i t and I shall be much
, ,

obli ge d to you ”
Wh e re afte r the sai d landown e r probably
.

proce e d s to Sp e nd O n hi s d i v e rsi on the mon e y w hi ch ou ght to

have gone toward s the re hab i li tati on Of hi s affai rs .

Possi bly the author may al so i ncur c e n sure at the hand s O f

tho se so call e d -
patri ots who si t qu i e tly i n corn e rs and ,

b e com e capi tali sts through maki ng fortun e s at the e xp e n se O f

o the rs Ye s le t but som e thi ng whi ch th e y conce i v e to be
—
.
,

i
d e rogatory to the r country occur fo r i nstanc e le t th e re be
i
publ h d om book wh ch vo c
s e s e i i e s t he b i tte r tru th — an d o ut
,

the y wi ll com e from th e i r hi d i ng plac e s l i k e a sp i d e r wh i ch

-

pe rc ei ve s a fly to be caught i n i ts we b I s i t w e ll to proclai m
.

thi s to the w orld and t o se t fol k talki n g abou t i t ?

, t h e y wi ll
2 04 D e ad S o u l s
s uch th i ng s La st ly
. Mo k i K i fo
,
v i t ch i s my s o n and v e ry d e ar to
,

my h e art ”
.And b e ati ng hi s br e ast Ki fa Mo ki e vi tch agai n
, ,

asse rte d that e v e n though hi s son should e l e ct to conti nu e hi s

,

pranks i t would no t be for hi m fo r the fathe r to proclai m the

, , ,

fact or to fall out wi th hi s O ffspri ng An d thi s e xpre ssi on Of

,
.
,

pate rnal fe e l i ng u tte re d Ki fa Mo ki e vi tch l e ft Mo ki K i fo vi tch to

,

hi s h e roi c e xploi ts and hi m se lf r e turn e d to hi s b e lov e d subj e ct

,

Of sp e culati on whi ch now i nclud e d al so the probl e m S uppo se

, ,

e l e phan ts w e r e t o t a k e to b e i n g ha t ch e d from e gg s w ould n o t ,

the sh e ll Of such e gg s be of a th i ck n e ss proof agai n st cannon

ball s and n e c e ssi tate the i nve nti on Of som e n e w typ e o f fire
,

arm ? Thu s at the e nd Of thi s li ttl e story we have th ese two

d e ni ze ns Of a p e ace ful corn e r Of Ru ssi a loo ki ng th e nc e as from a ,

wi ndow i n l e ss te rror Of doi ng what was scandalou s than Of

,

havi ng i t sai d Of th e m that th e y w e re acti ng scandalou sly Ye s .

,

the fe e l i ng ani mati ng o ur S O call e d patri ots i s n ot tru e

-

patri oti sm at all S om e thi ng e l se l i e s b e n e ath i t Who i f n ot an

. .
,

author i s to sp e ak aloud the tru th ? Me n l i k e you my p se udo

, ,

patri ots stand i n dre ad O f the e ye whi ch i s abl e to d i sce rn ye t

, ,

shri n k from u si ng your o wn and pre fe r rath e r to glance

, , ,

at e v e ryt hi ng unh e e d i ngly Ye s afte r laughi n g h e arti ly ove r

.
,

Chi chiko v s m i sadve n ture s and pe rhap s e ve n comme nd i n g the

’
,

au thor for hi s de xte ri ty Of Ob se rvati on and pre tty turn Of wi t ,

y o u w i ll loo k at your se lv e s w i t h r e doubl e d pr i d e and a se l f

sati sfie d sm i l e and add , We ll we agre e that i n ce rta i n parts
,

Of the prov i nce s th e re e x i sts stran ge and r i d i culou s i nd i vi dual s

,
”
as uncon s c i onabl e ra scal s .

wh i ch of you whe n qu i e t and alone and e ngage d in

, , ,

sol i tary se lf com m un i on w ould n ot do we ll to pro be

-
u r w n
, y o o
soul s and to, p u t t o yo u r s e lv e s t h e s ol e m n qu e st i on I s th e r
, e
n o t i n me an e l e me n t Of Chi chi ko v ? For how should the re n ot
be ? Wh i ch Of yo u i s n o t l i abl e at any m ome nt to be p asse d i n
the stre e t by an ac q ua i n tan ce who nud g i n g hi s n e i g hbour m ay
, ,
sa
y Of y o u w i th ,a bar e ly suppr e s s e d s n ee r : Look ! th e r e g o e s
Chi chi ko v ! That i s Chi chi ko v who has ju st o ne by !
g
B ut he re are we talk i n g at the to o f our vo i ce s wh i lst all the
p
ti me o ur h e ro l i e s slu m be r i ng i n hi s bri tchka / Inde e d hi s name ,
has be e n re pe ate d so Ofte n dur i ng the re c i tal o f hi s l i fe s h i st ory ’

that he m u st al m o st have h e ard u s ! An d at any t i m e he i s an

i rr i tabl e i rasc i bl e fe llow w h e n spoke n Of w i th d i sre spe c t Tru e ,
, .

t o the re ade r Chi chi ko v s d i spl e a sure canno t m atte r a o t

’

j ; b u t
for he au thor i t w ould me an ru i n t o quarre l wi th hi s he ro
t
,
se e i ng tha t arm i n arm Chi chiko v an d he have
.

, , y e t f ar t o g o .
 D e ad S o ul s 20
5
Tut, tu t, tut !
”
m
c a e i n a shou t ro Chi chi ko v f m .

Se li fan !
What i s i t came the re ply, u tte re d i th a dra l
. w w .

What i s i t ? W
hy, how dare you dri ve l i ke th at ? o e! C m
B e st ir your se lf a l i ttl e !
’

And , i nd e e d , Se li fan had lon b e e n si tti n g

i th hal clo se d g w f -

e ye s, and hand s w
h i ch b e st owe d no e ncoura e e n t upon hi s gm
so m
n ol e n t ste e d s save an occa si onal fl i ck i n of the re i n s a ai n stg g
th e i r flank s ; w
hi l st P e tru shka had lo st hi s cap , and was l e an i n g
backward s unti l hi s h e ad had co e to re st a a i n st Chi chi ko v s m ’
g
— w
kn e e s a po si t i o n h i ch n e c e ssi t ate d hi s b e i n a ake ne d i th a g w w
f
cu f Se li fan al so rou se d h i m se l , and apporti one d to the ske
. f w
b ald a fe w cu ts acro ss the back Of a k i nd h i ch at l e ast had the w
e ffe c t Of i nc i t i n g m
that an i al t o tro t ; and wh e n , pre se n tly , the
w
o the r two horse s follo e d the i r co pan i on s e xampl e , the l i ht
’
m g
bri tchka m f w
ove d or ard l i ke a p i e c e O th i stl e do n Se li fan f w .

h
flouri s e d hi s wh i p and shoute d , Hi , hi ! as the i ne qual i ti e s
f
O the ro ad j e rke d hi m ve rti cally on hi s se at ; and e an h i le , m w
g g
re cl i n i n a a i n st the le athe r cu sh i on s O the ve h i cle s in te r i or,
’
f
m w
Chi chi ko v s i l e d i th grati ficati on at the se n sati o n O dri vi n f g
fast w
For hat Ru ssi an d oe s n o t love to dr i ve ast ?
. h i c O us f W h f
d m g
oe s not at t i e s ye arn to i ve hi s horse s the i r e ad , and to le t h
m
the g ,o an d t o cry ,
T o the d e v i l i th the orld ! w A t su c w h
m m g f m
o e n ts a re at orce se e s to upl i t one as on i n s ; and one f w g
g
fl i e s, and e ve ryth in e l se fl i e s, but contrar i i se bo th the vers t w —
g
st on e s, and trad e rs r i d in o n the S ha t s o f th e i r f
a on s, an d the w gg
f w
ore st i th dark l i ne s Of Spru ce and fir a i d h i ch ay be he ar m w m d
the axe O the f w
oodcu tte r and the croak i n O the rave n Ye s, g f .

f
o ut O a di m, r e m
o te d i stance the road co e s t o ard s one , and m w
g
whi le no th i n save the sky and the l i ht cloud s throu h h i c g g w h
the m g
oon i s cle av i n he r way se e halte d , the bri e l i pse s m f g m
w g
h e re i n one can d i sce rn noth i n cl e rly have i n the a pe rvad a m
i t first i nve nte d yo u Only am on g a hardy race O f f olk can yo u
W —
.
” W

have co me o nly i n a l and w h i ch , thou g h poor an d

r ou gh, l i e s spre a ove r hal f the w orld , and sp an s vers ts the

d
counti ng w he re of w ould l e ave one wi th ach i ng e ye s Nor are
—
.

y o u a m od i shly fa sh i on e d v
-
e h i cl e o f t h e road a t h i n g o f cl am p s
and i ro n Rath e r , you are a ve h i cl e but shap e n and fitte d w i th
.

the axe or ch i se l Of so m e han dy p e a san t O f Yaro slav No r are .

y o u dr i v e n by a coach m an c lo th e d i n G e r m an l i v e ry ,
b ut b y a
man be arde d and m i tte ne d S e e him as he m oun ts, and flouri she s
.

hi s w h i p , and bre aks i nt o a lon g drawn son g ! Aw ay l i k e the -

2 06 D e ad S o u l s
wi nd go the horse s and the whe e l s w i th th e i r spoke s be c ome
, , ,
'

tran spare nt c i rcl e s and the road se e m s to q u i ve r b e ne ath them

, ,

and a pe de stri an w i th a cry Of aston i shme n t halts to watch the

, ,

ve h i cle as i t fl i e s fl i e s fl i e s o n i ts way un ti l i t be come s lost on

— , ,

the ul ti mate hor i z on a spe c k am i d a cloud Of du st !

—
An d yo u Ru ssi a Of m i ne are n o t yo u al so sp e e d i n g like a
,

tro i ka wh i ch nou gh t can ov e r ta k e ? I s n o t the road sm ok i n g

be ne ath your whe e l s and the bri d ge s thund e ri n g as you cross
,

th e m and e ve ryth i ng b e i n g l e ft i n the re ar and the spe ct tors

, , ,

struck w i th the por te n t hal ti n g t o w ond e r w h e th e r you b

,
e no t

a thunde rbol t launche d from he ave n ? What doe s that awe

i n sp i r i n g progre ss Of yours fore te ll ? What i s the un knownforce
whi ch l i e s wi th i n your myste ri ou s ste e d s ? S ure ly the wi nds
th e m se l ve s mu st ab i d e i n th e i r m an e s and e ve ry ve i n i n th e i r
,

bod i e s be an e ar stre tche d t o catch the ce l e sti al m e ssage wh i ch

b i d s the m w i th i ron gi rd e d bre asts and hoove s wh i ch bare ly
,
-
,

t ouch the e ar th as the y g allop fly forw ard o n a mi ssi on o f Go d ?

,
l

Wh i the r the n are you spe e d i n g 0Ru ssi a o f m i ne ? Wh i the r ?

, ,
—
Answe r me ! B ut no answe r come s only the we i rd Sound O f
,

your collar be ll s Re nt i nto a thou sand shre d s the a

-
. i r roars
,

past you for yo u are ove rtak i n g the w hole w orld and shall
, ,

o ne day forc e all nati on s all e mp i re s t o stand a si d e t o g i ve

, ,

you way !
 2 08 D e ad S o ul s
th i s combi n ati o n o f tre e s and roofs th e re r i se s
Lastly ove r
ove rtopp g i
,

n e ve g
ry tw
h i n i th i t sgi ld e d ,
s
o

parkl i n ste e g
pl e lan — f

Old vi llage church O n e ach Of i ts p i r i n acle s a cro ss Of ca v

.

.
r e d
gi lt i s staye d wi th supports Of sii n i lar gi ld i ng and de sign ;
wi th the re sult that from a d i stance the gi ld e d porti ons have the ’
,

e ffe c t Of han g i n g w i thou t v i s i bl e a g e ncy i n t h e ai r A n

d t h e

whole —the thre e succe ssi ve t i e rs Of w oodland roofs and crosse s

.

—l ie s e xqu i si te ly m i rrore d i n the ri ve r be low whe re h ollow

, ,
”

wi llows grote squ e ly shape d (some Of th e m roo te d on the r ive r s

,
’

banks and some in the wate r i tse lf and all dro o p i ng the i r
'

, , ,

branche s unti l th e i r l e ave s have f orm e d a tangl e w i th the

wate r li l i e s wh i ch float on the surface ) se e m to be gazi ng at the ,

marve llou s re fle cti on at the i r fe e t .

Thu s the Vi e w from be low i s be au ti ful i nde e d B ut the Vi e w .

from above i s e ve n be tte r NO gue st no v i si tor could stand on

.
, ,

the balcony Of the m an si on and re ma i n i nd i ffe re n t S O boundl e ss .

is t h e panorama r e v e al e d t ha t s urpr i se w ould cau se h i m lo ca t ch

at hi s bre ath and e xcla i m :
,
Lord of He ave n but ,w hat a ,

pro spe ct ! B e yond m e adows studd e d w i th sp i nne ys an d w ate r

m i ll s li e fore sts be l te d w i th gre e n ; wh i le be yond agai n the re can , ,

be se e n show i n g throu gh the sl i ghtly mi sty ai r str i p s Of ye llo w

he ath and agai n w i d e roll i ng fore sts (as blu e as the se a or a
, , ,
-

cloud ) and m ore he ath pale r than the first but sti l l ye llow
, , ,
.

Fi nally on the far hori zon a range of chal k toppe d h i l ls gle am s

,
-

wh i te e ve n i n dull we athe r as thou gh i t we re li ghte ii e d w i th

, ,

pe rpe tual sunsh i ne ; and he re and the re o n the dazzl i ng wh i te

ne ss Of i ts lowe r slope s some pl aste r l i k e ne bulou s patche s -
,

re pre se nt far o ff vi llage s w hi ch li e to o re m o te fo r the e ye to

-

d i sce rn the i r d e tai l s Inde e d only whe n the sunl i ght touche s a
.
,

ste e pl e to g old do e s o ne re al i se that e ach such pa tch i s a hu m an

se ttl e m e nt Fi nally all i s wrappe d i n an i mm e n si ty o f si le nce

.
,

whi ch e ve n the far fai nt e choe s Of pe rsons si n gi ng i n the voi d

,

o f the pla i n cannot sha tte r .

Eve n afte r gazi ng at the sp e ctacl e f or a coupl e o f hours o r so ,

the vi si t or would sti ll find no thi ng t o say sav e : Lord o f H e av e n

, ,

but what a pro sp e ct !

”
Th e n who i s the d we ll e r i n the p rO
p r i e to r of thi s manor
,
— a manor t o wh i ch a s t o an i mpr e gnabl
,
e
,

fortre ss e ntrance canno t be gai n e d from the si d e wh e re we have

,

b e e n standi ng but only from the o th e r approach wh e re a fe w

, ,

s catte r e d oa k s O ffe r ho spi tabl e w e lco m e t o the vi si t or and th e n

, ,

spr e ad i ng abov e hi m th e i r spaci ou s branch es as i n fri e ndly

(
e mbrac e
) accompany
,
h i m t o t he fa ca d e o f th e man s i on who s e
top we hav e b ee n re gard i n g from the r e v e rse a sp e ct but w hi ch ,
 D e ad S o ul s 20
9
now st and s frontwi se on to us and has o n o ne si d e O f i t a row , , ,

of p easants hu ts wi th re d ti l e s and carve d g abl e s and o n the

’
, ,

oth e r the vi llage church wi th t hose gl i tte ri n g g old e n cro sse s

, ,

an d gi ld e d O p e n w ork charm s w hi ch se e m to han g su sp e nd e d

—
-

i n the ai r ? Ye s i nd e e d to w hat fortunat e i nd i vi dual do e s

,

thi s corn e r O f the world b e lon g ? I t b e lon g s to An dr e i I v ano

vi t ch T i e nti e tni ko v landown e r O f the cant on Of T re malakhan
, ,

an d wi thal a bach e lor O f abou t t h i rt y

, ,
.

S hould my lady r e ad e rs ask O f me w hat mann e r o f man i s

Ti e nti e tni ko v an d w hat are hi s attri bu te s and p e culi ari ti es
, ,

I should re fe r the m to hi s n e i ghbours O f the se a m e mb e r Of .

,

the alm o st e x ti nct tri b e O f i n te lli g e n t staff O ffi c e rs o n the r e ti re d

li st onc e summ e d up Ti e nti e tni ko v i n the phrase He i s an ,

ab solu te blockh e ad w hi l e a Ge n e ral who re si d e d te n versts

away was h e ard to r e m ark tha t he i s a youn g man who thou g h ,

no t e x ac tly a f ool has at l e ast to o much cro w d e d i nt o hi s h ead

,
.

I myse l f mi ght have b e e n o f use to hi m, for no t only do I m ai n

tai n c e rt a i n conn e cti on s wi th St P e te rsburg but al so .
,

An d the G e n e ral l e ft hi s se n te nc e u nfin i sh e d Thi rdly a cap tai n .

,

sup e ri nt e n d e n t O f rural pol i c e happ e n e d to r e mark i n the course

Of conv e rsati on T O morro w I mu st go and se e Ti e nti e tni ko v

-

abou t hi s arre ars Lastly, a p e asant Of Ti e nti e tni ko v s ow n

.
’

vi llage w h e n ask e d w hat hi s bari n was li k e re turn e d n o an sw e r

, ,

at all All O f whi ch w ould app e ar to sho w that Ti e nti e tni ko v

.

was no t e xactly look e d upon wi th favour .

T O sp e ak d i spa ssi onate ly how e v e r he was n o t a bad sort O f

—
fe llow m e re ly a star g aze r and S i nc e the w orld con tai n s many
-
, ,

w atche rs O f the ski e s why should Ti e nti e tni ko v no t have b e e n

,

o n e o f th e m ? How e v e r le t me d e scri b e i n d e tai l a sp e ci m e n

— ,

day O f hi s e xi ste nc e o ne that wi ll clo se ly r e se mbl e the re st ,

a n d th e n the r e ad e r wi ll be e n abl e d to jud ge O f Ti e n ti e tni ko v s

’

characte r and ho w far hi s l i fe corr e spond e d to the b e au ti e s o f

,

n atur e wi th w h i ch he li v e d surround e d .

On the m orni ng o f the Sp e ci m e n day i n qu e sti on he aw ok e

v e ry late and rai si ng hi m se lf to a si tti ng po sture rubb e d hi s
"

1
, , ,

e ye s . And si nc e tho se e y e s w e r e small the proc e ss o f rubbi n g ,

th e m occup i e d a v e ry lon g ti m e and throughou t i ts con ti nuanc e ,

t h e r e st ood w ai ti n g by the door hi s val e t M i k hai lo arm e d wi th , ,

a towe l and basi n For on e hour fo r two hours di d poor Mi k

.
.
, ,

bai lo stand th e r e : th e n he d e part e d to the ki t ch e n and r e turne d ,

t o find hi s maste r sti ll rubb i ng hi s e y e s as he sat on the be d At .

l e n gth how e v e r Ti e nti e tni ko v ro se w ash e d hi m se lf donn e d

, , , ,

a dre ssi n g g o wn , and m ov e d i nt o the drawi ng room for m orni ng

- -
2 1 0 D e ad S o u l s
te a ,
co ff e e cocoa ,
and warm ,
m i lk ; Of all Of wh i ch he p a r t f
t o k
but s par i ngly wh i l
,
e munch i ng a p i e c e Of br e ad and s ca tt e ri ng ,

t obacco a sh w i t h compl e t e i n s o u ci a n ce Two hour s d i d. h e si t

ove r thi s m e al the n poure d hi m se lf o ut anoth e r cup o f the
,

rapi dly cooli ng te a and wal k e d to the wi ndow Thi s fac e d the
,
.

courtyard and ou tsi d e i t as u sual th e re t oo k place the followi ng

, , ,

dai ly alte rcati on b e twe e n a se rf nam e d Gri gory (who purporte d

to a c t as bu t l e r) and th e hou se k e e p e r Pe rfi li e vn a ,
.

G g y
r i or Ah.
you nu
,
i sanc e you g ood for
,
no t h i ng y o u -
had -
,

far b e tte r hold your stupi d t ongu e .

Peni li evna Yes ; and don t you wi sh t ha t I would ?

’
.

Gri g ory What ? Yo u S O thi c k wi th that bai li ff Of yours you

. ,

hou se k e e pi ng jad e !
Pe rfili evna N ay he i s as bi g a thi e f as you are
.
,
D O yo u .

th i n k the bari n do e sn t k now yo u ? And t h e re he i s ! He mu st

’

have h e ard e ve rythi ng !

Gri g ory Wh e re ?
—
.

Perfi li evna T h e r e si tti ng by the wi ndow and loo k i ng at u s !

.
,

Ne xt to compl e te the hubbub a se rf chi ld whi ch had b ee n

, ,

clou te d by i ts moth e r brok e o ut i nto a bawl whi l e a borzoi puppy ,

whi ch had happ e n e d to ge t splash e d wi th bo i li ng wate r by the

cook fe ll to ye lpi ng voci fe rou sly In short the plac e soon b e cam e .
,

a bab e l Of shou ts and squ e al s and afte r watchi ng and l i ste ni ng

, ,

fo r a ti m e the bari n found i t so i mpo ssi bl e to conc e n trate hi s

,

mi nd upon anythi ng that he se nt o ut word that the no i se would

have to be abate d .

The n e xt i te m was tha t a coupl e Of hours b e f ore lunch e on

,

ti m e he wi thdre w t o hi s study t o se t abou t e mployi n g hi m se l f

, ,

upon a we i ghty work whi ch was to consi d e r Ru ssi a from e ve ry

poi nt o f vi e w : from the pol i ti cal from the phi lo sophi cal and , ,

from the re li gi ous as w e ll as to re solve vari ou s probl e m s whi ch

,

had ari se n to confront the Empi re and to d e fin e cl e arly the gr e at ,

future to whi ch the country stood ordai n e d In short i t was to .

,

be the sp e ci e s of compi lati on i n whi ch the man Of the day S O

much d e li ghts Ye t the colossal und e rtaki ng had progr e sse d
.

but l i ttl e b e yond the Sph e re Of proj e cti on si nc e afte r a p e n had , ,

b e e n gnawe d awhi l e and a fe w strok es had b e e n comm i tte d to

,

pap e r the whol e w ould be lai d asi d e i n favour o f the re adi ng Of

,

som e book ; and that r e ad i ng would con ti nu e al so duri ng lunch e on

and be followe d by the l i ghti ng of a p i p e the playi ng o f a Sol i tary ,

gam e Of che ss and the doi ng of more o r l e ss nothi ng for the

,

re st Of the day .

The fore go i ng wi ll gi ve the r e ad e r a pre tty cl e ar i d e a O f the

2 12 D e ad S o u l s
ke e p the i ncapabl e s for a si ngl e te rm only si nc e that i s e no ugh ,

for th e m ; but to the cl e ve r on e s I allot a doubl e course Of

n
i st ruc ti on .
And tru e e nough
,
any lad Of
,
bra i n s was r e t ai ne d
fo r t h i s fi n i sh i ng cour s e Y e t h e. di d n o t r e pr e ss all boyi sh

playfuln e ss si nc e he d e clare d i t to be as n e ce ssary to hi m as a

,

rash to a doctor i nasmuch as i t e nabl e d hi m to di agno se what

,

lay hi dd e n wi thi n .

C onse qu e ntly how the boys love d hi m ! N e ve r was the re such

,

an attachm e nt be twe e n maste r and pupi l s And e ve n late r .

,

duri ng the fooli sh ye ars whe n fool i sh thi ngs attract the m e asure
, ,

Of affe cti on whi ch Al e xand e r P e trovi t ch re tai n e d was e xtra

ordi nary In fact to the day Of hi s d e ath e v e ry form e r pupi l
.
, ,

would ce l e brate the bi rthday Of hi s late m aste r by rai si ng hi s

glass i n grati tud e to the m e ntor d e ad and buri e d th e n clo se —
hi s e ye li d s upon the te ars whi ch would com e t ri ckl i ng throu gh
th e m . Eve n the sli ghte st word Of e ncourag e m e nt from Al e x
and e r P e trovi t ch could t hro w a lad i n t o a tran spor t o f tr e mulou s
j oy and arou se i n hi m an honourabl e e mulati on Of hi s fe llows
,
.

B oys Of small capaci ty he di d not long re tai n i n hi s e stabli sh

m e nt ; wh e re as tho se who po sse sse d e xc e pti onal tal e nt he p ut
throu gh an e xtra course Of school i ng Thi s se n i or class a class —
—
.

compose d Of sp e ci ally se l e cte d pupi l s was a ve ry di ff e re nt

-

aff ai r from that whi ch u sually Ob tai n s i n o th e r coll e g e s O nly .

wh e n a boy had attai n e d i ts ranks di d Al e xand e r d e mand Of hi m

what o the r maste rs i ndi scre e tly d em and Of m e re i nfants nam e ly —
the sup e ri or fram e Of m i nd whi ch w hi l e n e v e r i ndul gi ng i n,

mocke ry can i tse lf b e ar ri di cul e and d i sre gard the f ool and
, , ,

ke e p i ts te mp e r and re press i tse lf and e sch e w r e ve nge and

, , ,

calmly proudly re tai n i ts tranqu i ll i ty Of soul I n short w hat

, .
,

e v e r avai ls to form a boy i n to a man o f as sur e d ch aracte r ,

that di d Al e xand e r P e trovi t ch e mploy duri n g the pup i l s

’

youth as we ll as constantly p ut hi m to the test How w e ll

, .

he und e rsto od the art Of l i fe !

O f assi stant tutors he ke pt but a fe w si nce most o f the ne ce s ,

sary i n struc t i on he i m par te d i n p e r son and w i thou t pe dan ti c

, ,

te rm i nology and i nflate d d i c ti on and v i e ws could so tran sm i t ,

to hi s l i ste ne rs the i n m o st sp i r i t Of a l e sson tha t e ve n the younge st
pre se nt ab sorbe d i ts e sse nti al e l e me nts Al so Of stud i e s he .
,
se l e c te d non e bu t tho se wh i ch m ay h e lp a boy t o b e com e a g ood

Ci ti z e n ; and the re fore m o st o f the l e c ture s w h i ch he d e l i ve re d

consi ste d Of d i scourse s on what may be aw ai ti n g a you th as ,

-

we ll as Of such de marcati ons o f l i fe s fie ld that the pupi l though

’

se ate d as ye t only at the d e sk could b e fore hand b e ar hi s par t

, , ,
 D e ad S o ul s
3 2 1

i n that fi e ld bo th i n thou gh t and sp i r i t Nor di d the m aste r .

conce al anyt h i n g That i s to say w i thou t m i nc i n g w ord s he

.
, ,

i n var i ably se t b e for e hi s h e are r s the sorro ws and the di fli culti e s

wh i ch m ay confron t a m an the tri al s and the te mptati on s wh i ch
,

i nay b e se t hi m An d th i s he di d i n te rm s as thou gh i n e ve ry
.
,

po ssi bl e call i n g and cap ac i ty he h i m se lf had e xp e r i e nce d the

,

sam e . C on se qu e ntly e i the r the vi gorou s de ve lopm e nt Of se lf

,

re spe c t o r the con stan t sti m ulu s Of the m aste r s e ye (wh i ch ’

se e m e d t o say t o the pup i l Forw ard ! — that w ord w h i ch

,

has b e com e so fam i l i ar t o the con te mporary Ru ssi an th at w ord ,

wh i ch has work e d such w ond e rs upon hi s se n si ti ve te mp e ra

me nt) ; o ne or the othe r I re pe at w oul d from the first cau se
, ,

the pup i l to t ackl e d i fficul t i e s and only d i ffi cul ti e s and to , ,

hun ge r f or prowe ss only whe re the path was arduou s and ,

O b stacl e s we re m any and i t was ne ce ssary to d i splay the utmost

,
'

stre n gt h O f m i nd Inde e d fe w com ple te d the course o f wh i ch

.
,

I h ave Spoke n wi thou t i ssu i ng the re from re l i able se asone d ,

fi gh te rs who could ke e p the i r he ad s i n the m ost e rribarrassing

O f Offi c i al po si ti on s and at ti me s whe n Olde r and wi se r me n
, ,

di strac te d w i th the annoyan ce s O f l i fe had e i the r abandone d ,

e v e ryt h i n g o r gro wn slack and i nd i ffe re n t had surre nd e re d to

, ,

the br i b e t ake rs an d the ra scal s I n shor t n o e x pup i l O f Al e x

-
.
,
-

an d e r P e trov i t ch e ve r w ave re d fro m the r i g h t road but fami l i ar , ,

wi th l i fe and w i th me n arm e d w i th the we apon s o f prude nce

, ,

e xe rte d a po we rful i nflu e nce upo n wron g do e r s .

For a lon g ti m e pa st the arde n t youn g Ti e n ti e tn i ko v s e xci t

’

abl e h e art al so had be a t at the thou ght t h at o ne d ay he m i gh t

attai n the se n i or cl ass d e scr i be d And i nd e e d w ha t be tte r.

, ,

te ache r could he have ha d be fall hi m th an i ts pre ce pt or ? Ye t

st at the m o m e n t w h e n he had be e n tr ansfe rr e d th e re t o jus t
j u ,

at the m om en t w h e n he had re ach e d the cove te d p o si ti o ri di d ,

hi s i n struc t or co me sudd e nly by hi s de ath ! Th i s was i nd e e d a

—
blo w for the bo y i nd e e d a te rr i ble i n i ti al lo ss ! I n hi s e ye s
e ve rythi ng conne cte d w i th the school se e m e d t o und e rg o a
—
f

ch an ge the ch i e f re as on be i ng the fact tha t t o the place O f

the de c e a se d h e ad m aste r th e re succe e d e d a c e r tai n The do r
I van o vi tch who at once be gan to i n si st upon ce rtai n e xte rn al
,

rul e s and to d e mand of the boys w h at ou g h t r i g h tly to have

,

be e n d e m and e d only o f adul ts That i s to say si nc e the lad s

’
.
,

frank and O pe n d e me anour savoure d to hi m only Of lack O f

d i sc i pl ine he announce d (as t hou gh i n d e l i b e rate Sp i te O f hi s
,

pre de ce ssor) that he care d noth i n g for pro gre ss and i n te lle c t but ,

that h e e d was to be pa i d only to g ood be hav i our Ye t curi ously .

,
2 14 D e ad S o u l s
e nou g h ,
g ood b e hav i our w a s ju s t wha t h e n e ve r Ob t a i n e d for ,

v
e e ry k i nd Of se cr e t prank b e cam e t h e rul e ; and wh i l e by day, ,

g g g
.

h r
t e e e r i n e d r e s t ra i n t and con sp i racy by n i , h t t h e r e b e an t o

t a k e plac e chamb e r i n g and wan t onn e ss .

Al so ce rtai n change s i n the curri culum o f stud i e s came abou t

, ,

fo r t h e r e w e r e e ngag e d n e w te ach e r s w h o h e ld n e w v i e w s and

Op i ni ons and confu se d the i r h e are rs w i th a m ul ti tude Of ne w
,

te rm s and phra s e s
,
and d i splay e d i n t h e i r e xpo si t i on O f t h i n g s

both logi cal se que nce and a ze st for mod e rn d i scove ry and
much warmth Of i nd i v i dual b i as Ye t the i r in structi on alas !
.
,

contai ne d no lif e i n the mou th s o f tho se te ache r s a de ad

language savoure d me re ly Of carri on Thu s e ve ryth i n g conne c te d .

wi th the school und e rwe nt a rad i cal al te rati on and re spe ct for ,

au thori ty and the au thori ti e s wane d and tu tors and u she rs ,

al i ke be gan to be tre ate d wi th r i d i cul e and e ve n the he admaste r ,

came to be dubbe d Old The dor ” “

Cru sty and the l i ke
—
.
, ,

An d sundry o the r th i n gs b e g an to take place th i n gs wh i ch

ne ce ssi tate d many a pe nal ty and e xpul si on ; unti l w i th i n a ,

couple Of ye ars n o one who had kno wn the school i n forme r

,

d ays would now have re cogn i se d i t .

Ne ve rthe le ss T i e nti e tni ko v a you th O f re ti ri n g d i spo si ti on

, ,

e xpe r i e nce d n o l e an i n gs t o w ard s the noc turnal org i e s Of hi s

compani ons—orgi e s duri n g wh i ch the latte r u se d to fl i rt wi th
damse l s be fore the ve ry w i ndows Of the he ad m aste r s room s ’
,

n or ye t t oward s the i r moc k e ry Of all that was sacre d si m ply ,

be cau se fate had cast i n the i r way an i njud i c i ou s pri e st N 0 .

,

de sp i te i ts dre am i ne ss hi s soul e ve r re me mbe re d i ts ce le sti al

,

ori gi n and could n o t be d i ve rte d from the path o f v i rtue Ye t

,
.

sti ll he hung hi s he ad fo r w h i l e hi s amb i t i on had com e t o l i fe

, , ,

i t could fi nd n o sor t Of ou tle t Truly twe re we ll i f i t had no t

’
.

com e to l i fe fo r throu ghout the ti me that he was l i ste n i n g to

,

profe ssors who ge sti culate d on the i r cha i rs he could n o t he lp

re me mbe ri ng the Old pre ce ptor who i n var i ably cool and cal m , ,

had ye t k nown how to make h i mse lf und e rst ood TO what

—
.

subj e c s t ,
t o what l e c ture s di d the boy n o t have t o l i ste n l
, to
l e cture s on me d i c in e and on ph i lo sophy and o n law and on a
, , ,

ve rsi on Of ge n e ral h i story so e nlarge d that e ve n thre e ye ars

fai le d to e nable the profe ssor to do more than fi n i sh the i ntro
ducti on the r et o and al so the acco um Of the de ve lop me nt O f
,

som e se lf gove rn i ng town s i n Ge rmany

-
None Of the stufi
.

re ma i ne d fi xe d i n Ti e nti e tn i ko v s bra i n sa ve as shape l e ss clots ;

’

for though hi s nati ve i nte lle ct could n ot te ll hi m how i n structi on

Ought to be i mparte d i t at le ast told hi m that thi s was no t the
,
2 1 6 D e ad S o u l s
th e y we re applyin g the mse lve s I n short the sce ne se e me d to
.
,

Te i n t i e tn i ko v strang e and hi s,
form e r pur su i t s mor e i mportant
than hi s pre se n t and hi s pre parat i on for the S e rv i c e pre fe rable
,

t o the S e r v i ce i tse lf Ye s sudde nly he fe lt a lon g i ng for hi s Ol d

.
,

school ; and as sudd e nly and w i th all the v i v i dn e ss Of l i fe the re

, ,

appe are d be fore hi s v i si on the figure Of Ale xande r Pe trovi tch .

He almost burst i n to te ars as he be h e ld hi s old m aste r and the ,

room see me d to swi m be fore hi s e ye s and the tchi novni ks and the ,

d e sks to be come a blur and hi s si ght to grow di m The n he

,
.

thou gh t to h i m se lf w i th an e ffor t : N O n o ! I wi ll apply myse lf

t o my w ork howe ve r p e tty i t be at fi rst And harde n i ng hi s
”
.
, ,

he art and re co ve r i n g hi s sp i r i t he de te rm i ne d the n and the re

,

to p e rform h i s du ti e s i n such a manne r as should be an e xam pl e

t o the re st .

B ut wh e re are compe n sa ti on s n o t to be found ? Eve n in St .

Pe te rsburg d e sp i te i ts gr i m and m urky e xte ri or the y e xi st

, , .

Ye s e ve n thou gh th i rty d e gre e s Of ke e n crack i n g fro st m ay

, ,

have bound the stre e ts and the fam i ly o f the North Wi nd be

,

wai l i ng the re and the Snowstorm Wi tch have he ape d h i gh the

,

pave me nts and be bl i nd i ng the e ye s and powde ri ng be ard s and

,

fur collars and the shaggy mane s Of horse s e ve n the n the re wi ll

,
—
be sh i n i n g ho sp i tably throu gh the sw i rl i n g snow flake s a f our th
flo or w i ndow whe re i n a co sy room and by the l i ght Of m od e st
, ,

candl e s and to the h i ss Of the s amovar the re w i ll be i n progre ss

, ,

a d i scu ssi on wh i ch warm s the he art and soul o r e l se a re ad i n g ,

aloud Of a bri ll i ant page o f o ne o f tho se i n sp i re d Ru ssi an poe ts

wi th whom God has dowe re d us wh i le the bre ast O f e ach ,

me mbe r Of the company i s he avi n g w i th a rapture unkno wn

unde r a noonti de sky .

Gradually the re fore Ti e nti e tni ko v gre w m ore at home i n the

, ,

Se rvi ce Ye t ne ve r di d i t be come for hi m the ma i n pursu i t

.
, , ,
the ma i n Obj e c t i n l i fe wh i ch he had e xpe c te d N 0 i t re m a i ne d
, .
,
but one Of a se condary k i nd That i s to say i t se rve d m e re ly
.
,
to d i v i d e up hi s t i m e and e nabl e hi m the m ore to valu e
,

hi s hours Of l e i sure Ne ve rthe le ss ju st whe n hi s uncle was

.
,

be gi nn i n g to flatte r h i mse lf that hi s ne phe w was d e sti ne d to

succe e d i n the profe ssi on the sa i d n e ph e w e l e c te d t o ru i n hi s
,

e ve ry hO e Thu s i t be fe ll T i e nti e tni ko v s fr i e nd s (he had ’

p.
.

many) i nclud e d among the i r numb e r a coupl e of young fe llows

o f the sp e c i e s k nown as e mb i tte re d
”
That i s t o say though .
,

good nature d souls o f that curi ou sly re stle ss type wh i ch cannot

-

e ndure i nju sti ce n o r anyth i n g w h i ch i t conc e i ve s t o be such

, ,
the y we re thoroughly unbalance d Of conduc t th e m se lve s and
, ,
 D e ad S o ul s 2 I
7
wh i le de m and i n g ge ne ral ag re e me nt wi th the i r vi e ws tre ate d ,

tho se O f o th e rs w i th the scan t i e st o f c e re m ony Ne ve rth e le ss

—
.

two as soc i ate s e x e rc i se d upon T i e n ti e tn iko v bo th by

e O f th e i r e loqu e nc e and by the form Of th e i r nobl e di ssati s
re sult
that throu g h arou si n g i n hi m an i nnate te n d e ncy to n e rvou s
,

re se n tme nt the y le d hi m al so to no ti c e tri fle s w h i ch b e fore

,

had e scap e d hi s atte n ti on An i n stance Of th i s i s se e n i n the

.

fac t that he conce i ve d agai ns t The dor The doro vi tch L i e ni tsi n ,

D i re ctor O f o ne of the D e partme n ts w h i ch was quar te re d i n

the spl e nd i d ran ge Of Ofii ce s be f ore m e n ti on e d a d i sl i ke w h i ch ,

prove d the cau se o f hi s d i sce rn i n g i n the man a ho st O f h i the rto

un m ark e d i m p e r fe c ti on s Above all th i ngs di d Ti e nti e tni ko v
.

tak e i t i nt o hi s h e ad that w h e n conve rsi n g w i th hi s supe r i ors

, ,

L i e ni tsi n b e ca me for the m o m e nt a sti ck o f lu sc i ou s swe e tme at

, , ,

but th at wh e n conve rsi n g w i th hi s i nte ri ors he appro xi m a te d

, ,

m ore to a vi ne gar crue t Ce rtain i t i s th at l i ke all pe tty m i nde d

.
,
-

i nd i v i d ual s L i e n i tsi n m ad e a no te O f any o ne who fa i l e d to O ff e r

,

hi m a gre e ti n g o n fe sti val days and th at he re ve nge d h i m se l f ,

upon any one w ho se v i si ti n g c ar d had no t be e n hand e d to hi s

-

bu tle r Eve ntually the you th s ave rsi on al m o st atta i ne d the

.
’

po i n t o f hyste r i a ; un ti l he fe l t th at come w hat m i g ht he must , ,

i n sul t the fe llo w i n so m e fa sh i on TO th at t a sk he appl i e d h i m se l f

.

ou ghly that he me t w i th comple te

to say he se i ze d an O cc asi on to addre ss L i e ni tsin
,

th at the d e l i n qu e n t re ce i ve d no ti ce e i th e r t o
o r to l e ave the S e rv i c e ; an d w h e n o f the se two al te rn a
he cho se the la tte r hi s uncle cam e to hi m and m ad e a ,

e d app e al Fo r God s sake re m e m be r what yo u are

’
.

he cr i e d TO th i nk tha t a fte r b e g i nn i n g yo ur c are e r

.
,

11 you should ab andon i t m e re ly fo r the re a son th at yo u

,

n o t f all e n i n w i th the s or t O f D i r e c t or w ho m yo u pre fe r !

do yo u m e an by i t w hat do yo u m e an by i t ? We re o the rs
,

to r e g ard t h i n g s i n the sa m e way the S e rv i ce w o ul d find i tse l f ,

le ft w i thou t a si n gle i nd i vi dual R e consi de r your con du ct .

fore g o your pri de and conce i t and m ake L i e ni tsi n ame nd s

,
”
.

B ut d e ar U ncl e the n e phe w re pl i e d

”
, ,
th at i s no t the ,

po i nt The po i n t i s n ot that I sho uld find an apology d i ffi cul t

.
,

to Ofie r se e i n g th at si nce L i e n i tsi n i s m y supe ri or and I ou g h t

, , ,

no t to h ave addre sse d hi m a s I di d I a m cl e arly i n the wron g , .

R athe r the po i n t i s the follo w i n g T o m y charge the re has be e n

, .

comm i tte d the pe rf orm ance Of anothe r k i n d O f se rv i ce That i s .

to say I am the ow ne r o f thre e hun dre d p e asan t soul s, a b ad l y

,
2 1 8 D e ad S o u l s
adm i n i ste re d e state and a fool o f a bai l i ff That be i n g so
,
.
,

whe re as the State w i ll lose l i ttle by havi n g to fill m y st ool wi th

anothe r copyi st i t w i ll lose ve ry much by cau si ng thre e hundre d
,

pe asant souls to fai l i n the payme nt Of the i r t axe s As I say .

( h o w am I t o p ut i t I am a landown e r who has pre fe rre d to

e n te r the P ubl i c S e rv i ce Now should I e mploy m yse lf he nce

.
,

forth i n conse rvi n g re stofi ng and i m prov in g the fortune s Of

, ,

the soul s whom Go d has e n tru ste d t o my care and the re by ,

provi de the State w i th thre e hundre d law ab i d i ng sobe r hard -

, ,

working taxpaye rs ho w wi ll that se rvi ce Of m i ne rank as i nfe ri or

,

to the se rv i ce Of a d e par tm e n t d i re cti n g fool l i ke L i e n i tsi n ?

-

On he ari ng th i s Spe e ch the S tate C ounc i llor could only gape

, ,

for he had n ot e xpe cte d T i e nti e tni ko v s t orre n t Of w ord s He

’
.

re fle cte d a fe w mome nts and the n murmure d

—
,

Ye s but but but ho w can a man l i ke yo u re ti re to ru sti ca

, ,

t i on i n the coun try ? Wha t soc i e ty w i ll yo u ge t th e re ? He re

o ne m e e ts at l e a st a ge n e ral o r a pr i n ce so m e ti m e s ; i nd e e d ,

no matte r whom you pass i n the stre e t that pe rson re pre se n ts gas
,

lamps and E urope an c i vi l i sati on ; but i n the country no m atte r ,

what part of i t you be i n no t a soul i s to be e ncoun te re d save

,

muzhi ks and the i r w om e n Why should yo u g o and cond e mn

.

yourse lf to a state O f ve ge tati on l i ke that ?

Ne ve rthe l e ss the uncl e s e xpo stulati on s fe ll upon d e a f e ars
’
,

for alre ady the ne phe w was b e gi nn i n g t o th in k Of hi s e st ate as a

re trea t o f a typ e l i ke ly to nouri sh the i nte ll e c tual facul ti e s and
afford the only profitable fie ld Of acti vi ty Afte r une arth i ng one .

or two mod e rn w ork s o n a gr i cul tur e th e re fore he two we e k s

, , ,

late r found h i m se lf i n the ne i ghbourhood Of the home whe re

,

hi s boyhood had b e e n sp e n t and approach i n g the spot w h i ch

,

ne ve r fai l e d to e nthral the chance v i si tor o r gue st And i n the .

young man s bre ast the re was be g i nn i n g to palp i tate a ne w fe e l i n g

’

— i n the youn g m an s soul th e re we re r e aw a k e n i n g old lon g

’

conce ale d i mpre ssi on s ; w i th the re sult that many a spo t wh i ch

had long b e e n fad e d from hi s me m ory n ow fi lle d hi m w i th
i nte re st and the b e au t i ful v i e ws o n the e state found hi m ga zi n g
,

at th e m l i k e a n e wco me r an d wi th a b e a ti n g h e ar t Ye s as the
, .
,

road w ound through a narro w ravi ne and be came e n gulfe d i n ,

a fore st whe re both above and be low he saw thre e ce n tur i e s Old
, ,
- -

o ak s wh i ch thre e me n could n o t have spanne d and whe re ,

S be ri an firs and e lms ove rtoppe d e ve n the poplars and as he

.

i
,

aske d the pe asants to te ll hi m to who m the fore st be lon ge d and ,

the y re pl i e d ”
T O Ti e nti e tn i ko v and he i ssu e d from the fore st
, ,
an d proce e d e d o n hi s wa
y t hrou g h m e ado w s and p as t sp i nn e y,
s
220 D e ad S o u l s
ti on ! And i r t urn f wha t ? In r e turn for my n e v e r hav i ng
come to se e the m—i n re turn for m y ne ve r havi n g take n the
n e or

le ast i nte re st in the i r affai rs ! And the n and the re he re g i ste re d

a me ntal vow to share the i r e ve ry task and occupati on .

S O he appl i e d h i m s e lf t o sup e rv i si n g and ad m i n i st e r i n g H e .

re duce d the am ount o f the bars tchi na he d e cre ase d the nu m be r 1

,

o f w or k i n g day -
s f o r t h e own e r and h e au g m e n
,
t e d th e su m O f
t h p a an t l e i ’
sur e t i m e H e al so d i s m i sse d t h e fool of a ba i l i ff
—
e e s s .
,

and t ook t o b e ar i n g a p e r sonal hand i n e v e ry t h i n g t o be i ng

pre se nt i n the fi e ld s at the thre sh i n g flo or at the k i lns at the
,
-
, ,

wharf at the fre i ghti ng o f barge s and rafts and at th e i r conve y

, ,

ance down the r i ve r : wh e re fore e ve n the lazy hand s be gan to

look to the m se lve s B ut th i s di d no t last lon g The pe asant
. .

i s an ob se rvan t i nd i vi dual an d T i e nti e tn iko v s muzhi ks soon

’

sc e n te d the fac t that thou gh e n e r ge ti c and d e si rou s o f do i n g

,

much the bari n had no no ti on how to do i t nor e ve n how to se t

abou t i t—that i n Short he spoke by the boo k rathe r than o ut
, ,

, ,

of hi s pe rsonal knowle d ge Con se qu e ntly th i n gs re sul te d not .

,

i n ma ste r and me n fa i l i n g to und e rstand o ne ano the r but in ,

th e i r n o t si n g i n g t o ge the r i n th e i r n o t produc i n g the ve ry sam e

,

no te .

That i s to say i t was no t long b e for e Ti enti e tni ko v no ti c e d

,

tha t o n the manori al land s no th i ng pro sp e r e d to the e xte n t ,

tha t i t di d o n the p e a san ts The manori al crop s w e r e so wn i n

’
.

good ti m e and cam e up w ell and e v e ry on e app e are d to work

, ,

hi s b est so much so tha t Ti e n ti e tni ko v who sup e rvi se d the

, ,

whol e fre qu e ntly ord e re d mugs of vodka to be se rve d o ut as a

re ward fo r the e xc e ll e nc e of the labour p e rform e d Ye t the rye .

o n the p e a san ts land s had form e d i n to e ar and the oa ts had

’
,

b egun to shoo t th e i r grai n and the m i ll e t had fill e d b e fore o n , ,

the manori al land s the corn had so much as grown to stal k o r

, ,

the e ars had Sprou t e d i n e mbryo In short g radually the bari n

.
,

real i se d that i n spi te Of favours conf e rre d the p e asants w e re

, ,
:

playi ng the rogu e wi th hi m N e xt he re sorte d to re mon stranc e , .

,

but was me t wi th the r e ply Ho w could we no t do our b e st

,

for o ur bari n You yourse lf saw how w e ll we laboure d at the

ploughi ng and the sowi ng for yo u g av e us mug s o f vodka for ,
”
o ur pa i ns .

Th e n why hav e thi ngs turn e d o ut so badly ? the bari n

p e rsi ste d .

Who can say ? I t mu st be that a g rub has e ate n the crop

I n the d ays o f se rf d o m the rate o f fo rce d lab o ur—
so man y d ays p er we e k—
so m an y h o urs or
1

whi ch the se rf had to p e rf o rm fo r hi s p ro p ri e to r

,

.
 D e ad S o ul s 22 1

fro m b e low B e si d e s
.
,
—
what a summ e r i t has b e e n n e v e r a d rop
O f ra i n ! ”

N e v e rth e l e ss the bari n no te d that no g rub had e ate n the

ants crop s as w e ll as tha t the ra i n had f all e n i n the m o st
’

p
—
e as ,

curi ou s f a shi on nam e ly i n patch e s I t had obl i g e d the muzhi ks

,
.
,

but had sh e d a m e r e spri nkl i ng fo r the bari n .

S ti ll m ore d i ffi cul t di d he find i t to d e al wi th the p e a san t

wom e n Eve r and anon th e y would beg to be e xcu se d fro m
.

work o r start m aki ng complai nts O f the se v e ri ty o f the barstchi na

,
.

I n d e e d th e y w e re te rri bl e folk ! Ho we v e r Ti e nti etni ko v

, ,

abol i sh e d the m ajori ty o f the ti th e s O f l i n e n h e d g e fru i t m u sh

, ,

roo m s and nu ts and al so r e duc e d by o ne hal f o th e r ta sks prop e r

, ,
-

to the w om e n i n the hop e tha t th e y wo uld d e vo t e t h e i r spar e

“
,
—
ti m e to th e i r o wn do m e sti c co nce m s nam e ly to se wi n g an d ,

m endi ng and to m aki ng clo th es for th e i r hu sbands and to

, ,

i ncr e a si ng the ar e a o f th e i r k i tch e n g ard e n s Ye t no such r e sul t

.

cam e abou t O n the contrary such a pi tch di d the i dl e n e ss the

.
, ,

quarre l som e n ess and the i n tri g u i ng and caball i ng o f the fai r
,

se x a tta i n tha t th e i r h e lp m e e ts w e r e fo r e v e r com i n g to the

a r e qu e st tha t he w ould ri d o ne or ano th e r of hi s wi f e ,

had b e com e a nu i sanc e and to l i v e wi th he r was

,

i ng hi s h e art, the bari n a tt e m pte d se v e ri ty B ut .

was se v e ri ty ? T he p e a san t woman r e mai n e d

woman , an would co m e and whi n e that
d
si ck and a i l i n g , and k e e p p i ti f ully hu gg i n g to h e rse l f

n and fil thy rag s w hi ch S he had donn e d for the occa si on .

e n poor Ti e nti e tni ko v f ound h i m se l f unabl e to say mor e

han ju st, Ge t o ut o f m y si g h t, and may the Lord g o

“

n e xt i te m i n the com e dy would be tha t he w oul d

se e he r, e v e n as she was l e avi n g hi s g a t e s, f all to con t e nd i n g w i th

a n e i g hbour for , say, the po sse ssi on o f a turn i p , and d e al i ng o ut

slap s i n the f ac e such as e v e n a stron g , h e al thy m an coul d
scarc e ly hav e compa sse d !

Aga i n , among st o th e r thi ng s, T i e nti e tni ko v conc e i v e the i d e a d

Of e stabl i shi ng a school for hi s p e opl e ; but the sch e m e r e sul te d
i n a f arc e w hi ch l e ft hi m i n sackclo th and a sh e s I n the sam e way .

he f ound tha t , wh e n i t cam e to a qu e sti on o f d i sp e n si n g ju sti c e

and O f adju sti ng d i spu tes, the ho st of j uri d i cal sub tl e ti e s wi th .

whi ch the pro fe ssors had provi d e d hi m prov e d absolu te ly u se l ess .

Tha t i s to say, the o n e party l i e d , and the o th e r party l i e d , and

only the d e vi l could hav e d e ci d e d b e tw e e n th e m C on se qu e ntly .

he hi m se lf p e rc e i v e d tha t a kno w l e d g e O f manki nd w ould ha v e

222 D e ad S o ul s
avai l e d hi m more than all the l e gal r e fi n e m e nts and p hi lo so p hi
cal maxi m s i n the w orld could do He lac k e d som e thi ng ; and .

thoug h he could n o t d i vi n e wha t i t was the si tua ti on brou g ht ,

abou t was the common o ne o f the bari n fa i l i ng to und e rstand

the p e a san t and t he
,
p e a san t fa i l i ng t o und e r st and t he bari n ,

and bo th b e comi ng d i saffe c te d In the e n d th e se di fli culti e s so .

,

chi ll e d Ti e nti e tni ko v s e nthu si a sm tha t he t oo k to sup e rvi si ng

’

the labours o f the fi e ld wi th g re a tly d i m i n i sh e d a tt e n ti on Tha t .

i s to say no ma tt e r wh e th e r the scyt h e s w e r e softly swi sh i ng

,

through the gra ss or ri ck s w e r e b e i ng bu i l t or rafts w e r e b e i ng

, ,

load e d he would allow hi s e ye s to wand e r from hi s me n and to

, ,

fall to gazi ng at say a re d bi ll e d re g l e gg e d h e ron whi ch afte r

, ,
-
,
-
,

stru tti ng along the bank Of a str e am w ould hav e caugh t a fish ,

i n i ts b e ak and be hold i ng i t awh i l e as t hough i n doub t w h e th e r

, ,

to swallow i t Ne xt he would glanc e toward s the spo t wh e re a

.

si mi lar bi rd but o n e n o t ye t i n po sse ssi on of a fish was e ngag e d

, ,

i n wa tchi ng the do i ng s o f i ts ma t e La stly wi th e ye brows .

,

kni tte d and face turn e d to scan the z e ni th he would dri nk i n the
, ,

sm e ll Of the fi e ld s and fall t o l i st e n i ng to the wi ng e d popula ti on

,

Of the ai r as from e arth and sky al i k e the man i fold mu si c o f

wi ng e d cre ature s combi n e d i n a si ngl e harmoni ou s choru s In .

the rye the qua i l would be call i ng and i n t he g ra ss the corn , , ,

crak e and ov e r th e m would be wh e e l i ng floc k s Of twi tte ri ng

,

l i nn e ts Al so the jac ksni p e would be u tt e ri ng i ts croak and the

.
, ,

lark e xe cuti ng i ts roulad e s wh e r e i t had b e com e lo st i n the

sun shi n e and cran es se nd i ng for th t h e i r t rump e t l i k e chall e ng e
,
-

as th e y d e ploy e d t oward s the z e n i th i n tri angl e shap e d floc k s -

.

In fac t the n e i g hbourhood would se e m to hav e b e com e conv e rte d

,

i n to o n e gr e a t conc e rt of m e lody O Cr e a tor how fa i r i s Thy .

,

world wh e re i n re mo te rural se clu si on i t l i e s apart from c i ti e s

, , ,

and from hi ghways !

B ut soon e v e n thi s b e gan to pall upon Ti e nti e tni ko v and he ,

c e ase d al tog e th e r to vi si t hi s fi e ld s o r to do au g ht but shu t hi m ,

se lf up i n hi s room s wh e r e he r e fu se d to r e c e i v e e v e n the ba i l i ff
,

wh en that functi onary call e d wi th hi s re ports Agai n al thoug h .

, ,

unti l now he had to a c e rtai n e xte nt a ssoc i ate d wi th a r e ti re d

—
colon e l o f hu ssars a man saturate d wi th tobacco smok e —and
,

al so wi th a stud e nt Of pronounc e d but i mmature opi ni ons who , ,

cull e d the bulk Of hi s wi sdom from conte mporary n e wspap e rs

and pamphl e ts he found as ti m e w e nt o n that th e se compani ons
, , ,

rov e d as t e d i ou s as the r e st an d came to th i n k t h e i r conv e rsa

p
o

,
ti on sup e rfic i al and th e i r Europ e an m e thod Of comporti ng th e m
se lve s — ,

that i s to say the m e thod o f conv e rsi ng wi th much

,
.
2 24 D e ad S o u l s
l i k e ove rh e ate d m e tal hi s bounte ou s stor e Of sup e ri or i nsti nc ts
,

had fai l e d to tak e the final te mp e ri ng ; the fac t that the tu tor
Of hi s boyhood a man i n a thou sand had pre mature ly d i e d
, , ,

and l e ft to Ti e nti e tni ko v no o n e who could r e store to hi m the

m oral stre ngth shatte re d by vaci llati on and the wi ll pow e r
—
w e ak en e d by wan t o f vi ri l i ty no o n e i n shor t w ho could cry
”—
, ,

h e arte ni ngly to hi s soul Forward ! the word f or wh i ch the

Ru ssi an o f e ve ry d e gre e of e v e ry cla ss of e v e ry occupati on o f
, , ,

e ev ry s chool of t hough t i s fo r e v e r,
hung e ri ng .

Ind e e d where i s the man who can cry aloud for any o f us i n
, ,

the Ru ssi an tongu e d e ar to o ur soul the all comp e ll i ng com

-
,

mand Forward ! Who i s the re w ho k nowi ng the stre ng th ,

and the nature and the i nmo st d e p th s Of the Ru ssi an g e n i u s ,

can by a si ngl e mag i c i ncantati on d i v e rt o ur i d e al s to the hi gh e r

l i fe ? We re th e re such a man wi th wha t te ars wi th wha t
, ,

affe c ti on would no t the g ra te ful son s of Ru ssi a r e pay hi m !

,

Ye t ag e succ e e d s to ag e and our callo w you th sti ll l i e s wrapp e d

,

i n sham e ful slo th o r stri v e s and strugg l e s to no purpo se Go d

,
.

has no t ye t g i v e n us the man abl e to sound the call .

On e c i rcum stanc e whi ch almo st arou se d T i e nti e tni ko v w h i ch ,

almo st brought abou t a re voluti on i n hi s charac te r was the fac t ,

tha t he cam e v e ry n e ar to fall i ng i n lov e Ye t e v e n th i s r e sul te d .

i n no thi ng T e n versts away th e r e l i v e d the G e n e ral who m we

.

hav e h e ard e xpressi ng hi m se lf i n hi ghly uncompl i m e ntary te rm s

conc e rni ng Ti e nti e tni ko v He mai ntai n e d a G e n e ral l i k e e stab
.
-

li shme nt d i sp e n se d ho spi tal i ty ( tha t i s to say was glad w h e n

, ,

hi s n e i g hbours cam e to pay hi m th e i r r e sp e c ts thou g h he hi m se lf ,

n ev e r w e nt o ut) spo k e always i n a hoarse vo i c e r e ad a c e rt ai n

—
, ,

numb e r o f boo ks and had a dau ghte r a curi ou s unfami l i ar

, ,

typ e but full Of l i f e as l i f e i tse lf

,
Thi s ma i d e n s nam e was
.
’

Uli nka and S he had b e e n strang e ly brough t up for lo si ng he r

, , ,

mo th e r i n e arly ch i ldhood she had sub se qu e n tly r e c e i v e d i n

,

struc ti on at the hand s o f an Eng l i sh g ov e rn e ss who kn e w no t a

si ngl e word Of Ru ssi an More ov e r he r fath e r though e xc essi ve ly

,
,

fond Of he r tre a te d he r always as a to y ; wi th the r esul t that as

, ,
she gr e w to y e ars o f d i scr e ti on she b e cam e wholly w ayw ard
,

and spoi lt Ind e e d had any o n e se e n the sudd e n rag e whi ch

.
,

would gathe r o n he r b e auti ful young fore h e ad wh e n she was

e ngag e d i n a h e a te d d i spu t e w i th her fa th e r he w ould h av e
,
thought he r o n e of the mo st capri ci ou s b e i ng s i n the world Ye t .
 D e ad S o ul s 225

ang e r would di sp p e ar as soo n as e ve r she saw any o ne who m

; he had f orm e rly d i l i k e d f all upon e vi l ti m es and at hi s first
s , ,

. e qu est f or alm s w ould ,

wi thout consi d e rati on o r subse qu e nt
re g r e t hand hi m her purse and i ts w hol e con t e n ts
,
Ye s he r e v e ry.
,

i ct was str e nuou s and w h e n she spok e he r w hol e p e rsonal i ty

,

i e e me d to be f ollo wi ng ho t f oo t upo n he r thou g h t

- — bo th he r
expr e ssi on O f f ac e and he r d i c ti on an d the mov e m e n ts o f her

i an d s Nay the v e ry f ol d s O f he r f rock had a si m i lar app e aranc e

.
,

) f stri v i ng ; un ti l o n e w ould hav e t ho ug h t t ha t all he r se l f w e r e

lyi n g i n pursu i t O f he r w ord s No r di d she kno w r e ti c e nc e :

.

i e fo re any o ne she w ould d i sclo se her m i nd and no f orc e coul d ,

o mp e l he r to ma i n ta i n S i l e nc e w h e n she d e si r e d to sp e ak Al so
—
z .
,

i e r e nchan ti n g p e cul i ar g a i t a g ai t w h i c h b e long e d to he r alon e

— , ,

was so ab solu te ly f re e an d un f e tte re d th a t e v e ry o ne i nvo lun

:ari ly g av e he r w ay . La stly i n he r pre se nc e churl s se e m e d to
,

) e com e con f u se d an d f all to si l e nc e and e v e n the rou g h e st an d

,

no st ou tspok e n w ould lo se th e i r h e ad s and hav e no t a w ord ,

:0 say ,
wh e re as the shy m an would find hi m se l f abl e to c onve rse
i s n e v e r i n hi s l i f e b e f or e an d w ould f e e l f ro m the first as th ou g h
—
, , ,

i e had se e n he r and kno w n he r at so m e pr e vi ou s p e ri od d uri ng

zhe day s o f som e unr e m e m b e re d chi ldhood w h e n he was at ,

e rry e v e n i n g a m ong a cro w d O f ro m p i ng

a fte rw ard s he w ould f e e l as thou g h hi s

e w e r e a burd e n .

e fe ll Ti e nti e tni ko v; and as i t di d so a

r d i n to
e e hi s soul , an d d m
hi s re a y l i e l i te n e f gh d
G e n e ral u se d to re c e i v e hi m wi th ho sp i tabl e
e rman e nt concor d b e tw e e n th e m prov e d i m

conv e rsa ti on al w ays m e rg e d i n to d i sse nsi on and

ti ve n e ss Tru e for the dau g hte r s sak e the

.
,
’
,

whi l e d e fe rre d to and thu s p e ac e was mai n

,

la ste d only u nti l the ti m e w h e n th e re arri v e d

—
Ge n e ral two k i nsw o m e n o f hi s the Counte ss
,
,

e Pri nc e ss Uzi aki n r e ti r e d C o urt d a m e s but

, ,

wi th C ourt ci rcl e s ,

r h o st NO soon e r .

e nti e tni

b e cam e
e to hi m

soc i e ty .

a
226 D e ad S o ul s
Thi s o ff e nd e d Ti e nti e tni ko v d e e ply and though , wh e n at l e ngth ,

he s po k e o u t o n t h e subj e c t h e r e ta i n e d,
s u fl i C i e n t pr ese nc e o f
m i nd to compre ss hi s l i p s and to pre se rv e a g e ntl e and courte ou s
,

t on e ,
h i s fac e flu sh e d and h
,
i s i nn e r man w a s bo i l i ng .

”
Ge n e ral he sa i d
,
I thank yo u fo r your cond esc e n si on
,
.

B y addressi ng me i n the se cond p e rson si ngular you hav e ad ,

mi tte d m e to t h e c i rcl e o f your mo st i n ti ma t e f r i e nd s I nd e e d .

,

we re i t no t that a d i ffe re nc e of ye ars forbi d s any fam i li ari ty o n

my part I should answ e r yo u i n si mi lar fa shi on
,

The G e n e ral sat agha st A t l e ng th rallyi ng hi s tong u e and

.
,
”
hsi f acul ti e s h
,
e r e pl i e d t ha t t hough h e,
had s pok e n w i t h a lack
o f c e r e mony he had u se d the te rm
,
thou m e re ly as an e ld e rly
man naturally e mploys i t to ward s a juni or (he mad e no re fe re nc e
to d i ff e re nc e Of ran k ) .

Ne ve rth e l e ss the acqua i ntanc e brok e Off h e re and wi th i t

, ,

any po ssi bi li ty o f lov e m ak i ng The l i g ht whi ch had sh e d a

-
.

mom e ntary gl e am b e fore Ti e nti e tni ko v s e y e s had b e com e e x ’

ti ngui she d for e v e r and upon i t th e r e follow e d a darkn e ss d e n ser

,

than b e for e H e nc e forth e ve rythi ng conduc e d to e volv e the

—
.

' '
regi me wh i ch the r e ad e r ha s no t e d tha t regi me Of slo th and i n
ac ti on whi ch conve rte d Ti e nti e tni ko v s r e si d e nc e i n to a plac e of ’

d i rt and n e gl e ct Fo r days at a ti m e would a broom and a h e ap

.

Of du st be l e ft lyi ng i n the m i ddl e o f a room and trou se rs to ssi ng ,

abou t the salon and pa i rs o f worn o ut brac e s adorni ng the wha t

,
-

no t n e ar the sofa In short so m e an and unti dy di d Ti e nti e tni

.
,

ko v s mod e Of l i f e b e com e tha t no t only hi s se rvan ts but e v e n

’
, ,

hi s v e ry poul try c e a se d to tr e a t hi m w i th r e sp e c t Taki ng up a .

p e n ,
h e would s p e nd hour s i n i dly sk e t ch i n g hou s e s h u ts w agg o n s , , ,

troi kas and flouri sh e s o n a p i e c e o f p ap e r ; wh i l e at o th e r ti m e s

,

wh e n he had sunk i nto a re ve ri e the p e n would all unkno wi ngly , ,

sk e tch a small h e ad w h i ch had d e l i ca t e f e a tur e s a pa i r of qu i c k ,

p e n e tra ti ng e y e s and a ra i se d coiffure Th e n sudd e nly tht

, .

dre ame r would p e rc e i ve to hi s surpri se tha t the p e n ha<

, ,

e x e cu te d the por tra i t o f a ma i d e n w ho se p i c tur e n o ar ti st co ulr

ad e quate ly hav e pa i nte d ; and th e re wi th hi s d e spond e ncy wo ulc

b e com e gre ate r than e v e r and b e l i e vi ng tha t happ i n e ss di d n o
, ,

e x i st o n e ar th he w ould r e lap se i n to i ncr e a se d e nnui i ncr e a se

, ,

n egl e ct o f hi s r e spon si bi l i ti e s .

B ut o n e morni ng he no ti c e d o n movi ng to the wi ndo w aft e ,

bre akfa st tha t no t a word was proc e e d i ng e i th e r from th

,

butl e r o r the hou se k e e p e r but tha t o n the contrary the court

, , ,

yard se e m e d to smack o f a c e rtai n bu stl e and e xci te m e nt Th .

was b e cau se through the e ntranc e g a te s (w h i ch the k i tch e n mai

228 D e ad S o u l s
Ho we ve r hi s fe ars vani sh e d the i n stant tha t the gu e st salute
,
t

hi m i t w h m ar k e d pol i t e n e ss and e xpla i n e d w i t h , many d e f e

r e m
ti al po i se f h h ad and i t rm t onc e c 1 v 1 1 and conc e
s o t e e ,
n e s a
i s

t ha t for s om e t i m e pa s t h e ( th e n e w com e r ) had b e e n t ou n n ,

Ru i an Emp i r bu i n and i th t f kno w

—
the ss e o n s e ss n e pi i rs u i o

l e dg e that that Emp i re abound e d i n obj e cts Of i n te rest no t t

,
m e nti on a pl e ni tud e Of manufacture s and a gre at di ve rsi ty c
o
s i l ,
and tha t i,
n s p i t e o f t h e fac t t ha t h e w a s g r e a t ly s t r u c

wi th the am e ni ti es of hi s ho st s domai n he would ce rtai nly no

’
,

have pre sum e d to i ntrud e at such an i nconve ni e nt hour but fo

the c i rcum st anc e t ha t th e i ncl e m e n t s pr i ng w e a t h e r add e d
,
t
the s t a t e o f th e road s ,
had n e c es s i t a t e d s undry r e pa i r s t
hi s carr i a g e a t th e hand s Of wh e e lwr i g h t s and blac k sm i th:
Fi nally he d e clare d that e ve n i f thi s la st had not hap p e ne c
’

he would sti ll hav e f e l t unabl e to d e ny h i m se lf the p le asur

Of Ofi e ri ng to hi s ho st tha t m e e d o f homag e whi ch was th
la tte r s due
’

— —
.

Thi s sp e e ch a sp e e ch O f fa sc i na ti ng bonhomi e d e l i v e re d th ,

gu e st e x e cu te d a sort o f shuflle wi th a half boo t o f pa te n

‘

—
-

l eath e r studd e d wi th bu ttons o f mo th e r o f p e arl and fo llo we -

,
i

tha t up by ( i n Sp i t e o f hi s pronounc e d ro tund i ty o f fig ur e

ste pp i ng bac k ward s wi th all the élan o f an i nd i a rubb e r ball
-
.

From thi s the som e wha t r e a ssure d Ti e nti e tni ko v conclud e

tha t hi s vi si tor mu st be a l i te rary k no w l e dg e se e k i ng p ro fe ssc
,
-

who was e ngag e d i n roami ng the country i n se arch o f bo tani c :

sp e c i m e n s and fo ssi l s ; wh e r e for e he ha st e n e d to e xpr e ss bo t
hi s r e ad i n e ss to furth e r the vi si tor s Obj e c ts ( wha t e v e r the
’

mi ght be ) and hi s p e rsonal wi lli ngn e ss to provi d e hi m wi th tl

re qui si te wh e e lwri ghts and blac k sm i th s M e anwhi l e he be gg e .

hi s gu e st to con si d e r hi m se lf at hom e and afte r se a ti ng hi m i , ,

an armcha i r mad e pre para ti ons to l i ste n to the n e wcom e r

,

d i scourse o n na tural hi story .

B ut the ne wco m e r appl i e d hi m se lf ra th e r to ph e nom e na , ,

1

the i n te rnal world sayi ng tha t hi s l i f e m i ght be l i k e n e d to

,

barqu e to sse d o n the cre sts of p erfidi o us bi llo ws tha t i n hi s ti n ,

he had b e e n fa te d to play m any parts and tha t o n mor e th: ,

on e occa si on hi s l i f e had stood i n dang e r at the hand s o f fo e

At the same ti m e th e se ti d i ng s w e r e commun i ca te d i n a mann
,

calcula te d to show tha t the sp e ak e r was al so a m an o f practi ¢

capabi l i ti e s I n conclu si on the vi si tor too k o ut a cambi
.
,

poc k e t hand k e rchi e f and sn e eze d i nto i t wi th a vehe me n

-
,

wholly ne w to Ti e nti e tni ko v s e xp e ri e nc e I n fac t the sne e

’
.
,

rath e r r e se mbl e d the no te whi ch at ti m e s the trombon e o f , ,

l
 D e ad S o ul s 22
9
o rch estra app e ars to u tte r no t so m uch fro m i ts prop e r plac e on
the pla tfo rm as f ro m the i mm e d i ate n e i g hbourhood o f the
li ste n e r s car
’
.And as the e cho e s o f the dro wsy m an si on re
soun d e d to the r e por t o f the e x plo si on t h e r e f ollo w e d upon the
sam e a wav e o f p e rfum e sk i l f ully w a ft e d abroad w i th a flou ri sh
,

o f the cau de Colognc sc e n t e d han d k e rch i e f

- - -
.

B y thi s ti m e the re ad e r wi ll hav e g u e sse d tha t the vi si tor was

n on e o th e r th an o ur Old and r e sp e c te d f ri e nd Paul I van o vi tch
Chi chi ko v Na turally ti m e had no t spar e d hi m hi s share O f
.
,

an xi e ti e s and alarm s ; w h e r e f or e hi s e x te ri or had com e to lo o k

a tr i fl e m or e e ld e rly hi s fro ckco at had tak e n o n a su gg e sti on o f
,

shabb i ne ss, and bri tchka co achm an val e t hor se s and harne ss
, , , ,

al i k e had abou t t h e m a sor t o f se c o nd hand worse fo r we ar -

,
- -

e fi ect. Evi d e n tly the Chi chi ko vi an finance s w e re no t i n the

m o st fl ouri shi ng O f con di ti ons N e v e rthe l e ss the Ol d e xpre ssi on
.
,

o f f ac e the O ld ai r o f br e e d i ng and r e fine m e n t r e m a i n e d un i m

,

a i r d and o ur h e ro had e v e n i m p rov e d i n the art O f w alki n g

p e ,

an d turn i ng w i th g rac e an d o f d e xte rou sly cro ssi ng o n e leg

,

o v e r the o th e r w h e n taki n g a se a t Al so hi s m i ldn e ss o f d i c ti o n

.
, ,

hi s d i scre e t m od e rati on O f w ord and phra se survi v e d i n i f any , ,

th i n g i n cre a se d m e asur e and he bor e hi m se lf wi th a sk i ll w h i ch

, ,

cau se d hi s tac tf ulne ss to surp ass i tse l f i n sure n e ss o f aplomb .

And all the se accom pl i sh me n ts had the i r e ffe c t fur the r he i g hte ne d
by a snow y i mm acul ate ne ss o f collar and d i ck e y and an ab se nce ,

o f du st fro m hi s fro ckc o at as co m pl e te as thou gh he had j ust

,

arr i ve d to atte nd a n ame day fe sti val Lastly hi s che e ks an d

.
,

chi n we re o f such n e at cl e an shave nne ss th at n o o ne but a bl i n d

-

man could have f a i l e d to adm i re the i r round e d c o nt ours .

Fro m that mom e n t onw ard s gre a t chan ge s t ook plac e i n

Ti e nt i e tn iko v s e stabl i sh m e n t and ce r ta i n o f i ts room s a ssu me d
’
,

an un w on te d ai r o f cl e anl i n e ss and ord e r The roo m s i n qu e s .

ti on w e re tho se assi gn e d to Chi chiko v wh i l e o ne o th e r apart

—
me nt a l i ttle front cham be r O pe n i n g i nto the hall be cam e — ,

pe rme ate d w i th Pe tru shk a s own pe cul i ar sme ll B ut th i s

’
.

l aste d only for a l i ttle w h i l e f or pre se ntly Pe tru shka was tran s
,

fe rre d to the se rvants quarte rs a course wh i ch ou gh t to have

’
,

be e n adop te d i n the first i n stance .

Dur i n g the i n i ti al days Of Chi chikov s so j ourn T i e nti e tni ko v ’

,

fe are d rathe r to lose hi s i nde pe nde nce i nasm uch as he thou ght ,

th at hi s g u e st m i g h t ham p e r hi s m ove m e n ts and br i n g abo ut ,

al te r ati on s i n the e st abl i sh e d rou tin e o f the place B ut the se .

fe ars prove d groundle ss for Paul I vanov i tch d i splaye d an e xtra

,

ord i nary ap t i tud e for acco mm oda ti n g h i m se l f t o hi s ne w po si ti on .

2 0 D e ad S o uls
3
To be gi n wi th he e ncourage d hi s ho st i n hi s ph i losoph i cal
,

n
i e ti r a by s ay i n g t ha t t h e la t t e r w ould h e lp T i g n t i e t n i k o v t o
b e come a ce nte nari an Ne xt i n the m atte r O f a l i fe of i solati on
.
, ,

he h i t t h i ng s o ff e xac t ly by r e mar k i n g t ha t s uch a l i fe br e d i n

a man a capac i ty for h i gh th i nk i n g Lastly as he i n sp e cte d the .
,

l i brary and d i late d on book s i n ge ne ral he contri ve d an Opp or ,

tun i y t t o Ob s e rv e t ha t l i te ra t ur e s af e guard e d a m an from a

te nd e ncy t o w a s te h i s t i m e .In s hor t t h ,
e fe w w ord s o f w h i ch h e
de l i ve re d h i m se lf we re bri e f but i nvari ably to the po i nt And
,
.

t sh i d i scr e t i on Of s p e e ch w a s ou t don e by h i s d i s cr e t i on o f c o n
duct That i s to say whe the r e nte ri n g or l e avi ng the room he
.
, ,

ne ve r we ari e d hi s host wi th a que sti on i f Ti e nti e tni ko v had the

ai r o f b e i n g d i s i ncl i n e d t o t alk ; and w i th e qual s a t i s fac t i o n t h e

gu e st could e i the r play che ss or hold hi s ton gu e C on se qu e ntly .

T i e nti e tn i ko v sa i d t o h i m se lf
For the first ti me i n my l i fe I have me t wi th a m an Wi th
.

whom i t i s po ssi bl e to l i ve In ge ne ral n o t m any Of the type

.
,

e x i st i n Ru ssi a and thou gh cl e ve r g ood humoure d we ll

, , ,
-
,

e ducate d me n abound o ne w ould be hard p ut t o i t t o find an

,

i nd i vi dual of e quabl e te mp e ram e nt w i th whom o ne could share

a roof for c e nturi e s w i thou t a quarre l ari si ng Anyw ay Ch i ch i .
,

kov i s the first o f hi s sort that I have me t ”

.

For hi s par t Chi chi ko v was only t o o d e l i gh te d t o re si d e w i th

,

a pe rson so qu i e t and agre e able as hi s ho st O f a w ande r i ng li fe .

he was te mporari ly we ary and to re st e ve n for a m on th i n

, , ,

such a b e au t i ful spo t and i n si gh t o f gre e n fi e ld s and the slo w

,

flowe ri ng o f spri n g was l i k e ly t o b e ne fi t hi m al so from the

,

hygi e ni c po i nt of Vi e w And i nde e d a more d e l i gh tful re tre at

.
, ,

i n wh i ch to re cupe rate could n o t po ssi bly have b e e n found .

The spri n g lon g re tard e d by pre v i ou s cold had no w b e gun i n

, ,

all i ts come l i ne ss and l i fe was rampant Alre ady ove r the fi rst
, .
,

e m e rald of the gra ss the dand e l i on was sho w i n g ye llo w and the
, ,

re d p i nk ane m on e was h an gi n g i ts te nd e r h e ad ; w h i l e the sur

-

face o f e ve ry pond was a swarm o f danc i ng gnats and m i d ge s ,

and the wate r sp i de r was be i n g j o i ne d i n the i r pursu i t by b i rd s

-

wh i ch gathe re d from e ve ry quarte r to the vantage ground o f -

the dry re e d s . E ve ry spe ci e s o f cre ature also se e me d to be

asse mbl i ng i n concourse and tak i ng stock Of one anothe r
, .

Sudde nly the e arth had be come populou s the fore st had ope ne d ,

i ts e ye s and the m e a dows we re l i fti n g up the i r vo i ce i n son g

, .

In the same way had choral dance s b e gu n to be we ave d i n the

vi llage and e ve rywhe re that the e ye turne d the re was me rri
,

me nt What bri ghtne ss i n the gre e n of nature what fre shne ss

.
,
2 32 D e ad S o ul s
ponde re d the i d e a o f h i m se e l f b com i ng a landown r— e n o t n ow ,

Of course but late r whe n hi s ch i e f aim Should have b e e n

, ,

ach i e ve d and he had got i nto hi s hand s the ne ce ssary me ans

,

for i l v i n g t h e q u i e t l i f e Of th e propr i e t or Of an e st at e .Y e s a,n d

h m h r would i nclud i lf i h i ca l bu i ld i ng
i
—
at t e s e t e s t e e e t se n s s t e -

the fi g ur e o f a youn g fr
,
e s h fa i r f ac
,
e d ma i d e n o f th e m e rcan t i le
o
or t e h r r i ch g rad e of s oc i e ty a w o m ,
an w h o could bo t h play and
si n g . He also dre ame d Of l i ttl e d e sce ndan ts who should p e r
tu ate the name o f Chi chi ko v ; p e rh ap s a frol i c so m e l i ttl e bo y
p e
and a fai r young daugh te r or possi bly two boys and qu i te two
, , ,

o r thre e daugh te rs ; so tha t all should kno w tha t he had re ally

l i ve d and had hi s be i n g that he had not me re ly roame d the
,

world l i ke a spe ctre or a shadow ; so that for hi m and hi s the

country should ne ve r be p ut t o shame And fro m that he w ould .

go on to fancy that a ti tle appe nde d to hi s rank w ould no t be a

bad th i ng—the ti tle o f State Counc i llor for i n stance wh i ch was , ,

de se rvi ng o f all honour and re spe c t Ah i t i s a comm on th i n g .

,

for a man who i s tak i ng a sol i tary w alk so to d e tach h i mse l f from
the i rk so me re al i ti e s of the pre se nt that he i s abl e to sti r an d to
e x c i te and to provoke hi s i m ag i n e to the conc e pt i o n o f th i n gs he

kn ows can ne ve r re ally come to pass !

Chi chiko v s se rvants also f ound the m an si on to th e i r taste ,
’

and l i ke the i r maste r sp e e d i ly m ad e th e m se lve s at ho me i n i t

, , .

In parti cular di d Pe tru shka make fri e nd s w i th Gri g ory the

bu tle r al though at first the pai r showe d a te nde ncy to ou tbrag
o ne ano the r
,
— Pe tru shk a be ginn i ng by throw i ng dust i n Gri gory s ’

e ye s o n the score O f hi s (Pe tru sh k a s) trave ls and Gr i g ory

’
,

tak in g hi m down a pe g o r two by re fe rr i n g to S t Pe te r sburg .

( a c i ty w h i ch P e tru s hka had n e v e r v i si t e d ) ,

and P e tru sh k a
see k i n g to re cove r lo st round by d i la ti n g n t o w n w h i ch h
g o s e
had vi si te d and Gr i g ory capp i n g th i s by nam i n g s om e t own
,

wh i ch i s not to be found o n any m ap in e xi ste nce and the n ,

e sti m ati n g the j ourn e y th i th e r as at l e a st th i rt y thou sand
—
ve rsts a state me nt whi ch w ould so com ple te ly flabbe rgast the
he nchm an o f Chi chi ko v s su i te that he w ould be l e ft star i n g
’

Ope n m ou the d ami d the ge ne ral lau ghte r o f the dome sti c staff
-
, .

Howe ve r as I say the pai r e nde d by swe ari ng e te rnal fri e nd

, ,

sh i p w i th o ne ano th e r and m ak i n g a prac ti c e of re sort i n g to the .

,

vi llage tave rn i n com pany .

For Se li fan howe ve r the plac e had a ch arm o f a d i ff e re nt

, ,

ki nd s That i s to say e ach e ve n i ng the re w ould take place i n

,
the Vi llage a si n gi ng Of s on s and a we avi n g o f country dance s
and so shape ly and bux o m we re the m ai d e ns—
g ;
mai de ns of a
 D e ad S o ul s 2
33
type hard to find i n o ur pre se nt day vi llage s o n large e state s -

t h at he w ould stand for hour s w ond e r i n g w h i ch O f th e m was the

be st Wh i te ne cke d and w h i te bo som e d all had gre at rov in g
.
- -
,

e ye s the g a i t o f pe acock s and ha i r re ach i n g t o the w a i st

, ,
A nd .

as w i th hi s hand s cla sp i n g th e i rs he gl i d e d h i th e r and t h i th e r

, ,

in the dance o r re ti re d backward s to w ard s a w all w i th a row O f

,

o the r youn g fe llo ws and the n w i th th e m re turn e d to me e t the

d am se l s—all si n gi n g i n choru s (and lau gh i n g as the y san g i t)
, , ,

B oyars sho w me m y br i d e groom !

,
and du sk was fall i n g
g e ntly and from the oth e r si d e o f the ri v e r th e re k e p t co mi ng
,
,

,
—
far fa i nt plai nti ve e cho es o f the m e lody w e ll th e n o ur ,

S e li fan scarc e ly kn e w w h e th e r he w e r e stand i ng upon hi s h e ad

o r hi s h e e l s La te r w h e n sl e e p i ng and wh e n waki ng bo th at
.
, ,

noon and at twi l i g ht he w ould se e m sti ll to be hold i ng a pa i r o f

,

whi te hand s an d m ovi ng i n the danc e

,
.

Chi chi ko v s horse s al so f o und no th i ng o f w h i ch to d i sapprov e

’
.

Ye s bo th the bay the Asse ssor and the sk e w bald accounte d

, , ,

re si d e nc e at Ti e nti e tni ko v s a m o st com f or tabl e a ff a i r

’
and ,

vo te d the oa ts e xc e ll e n t and the arrang e m e nts o f the stabl e s ,

b e yond all cavi l Tru e o n thi s occa si on e ach horse had a stall
.
,

to h i m se lf ; ye t by looki ng ov e r the i n te rv e n i ng parti ti on

, ,

i t was po ssi bl e al w ays to se e on e s f e llo w s and should a

’
, ,

n e i g hbour tak e i t i nto hi s h e ad to u tte r a n e i g h to answ e r i t ,

at onc e .

A s f or the e rrand w h i c h had hi th e rto le d Chi chi ko v to trav e l

abou t Ru ssi a he had no w d e c i d e d to mov e v e ry cau ti ou sly an d
,

se cr e tly i n the m a tte r I n fact o n no ti ci ng tha t Ti e nti e tni ko v

.
,

we nt i n ab sorb e dly fo r re adi ng and for talki ng phi lo sophy the

vi si tor sa i d to hi m se lf —
NO I had b e tte r b e gi n at the o th e r
,
,

e nd
”
,
and proc e e d e d first to f e e l hi s w ay among the se rvants Of
the e stabl i sh m e n t Fro m th e m he l e arn t se v e ral thi ngs and i n
.
, ,

parti cular tha t the bari n had b e e n w o nt to go and call upon a

,

c e rta i n G e n e ral i n the n e i g hbourhood and th at the G e n e ral ,

po sse sse d a dau g hte r and tha t she and Ti e nti e tni ko v had had
,
?

an aff a i r o f som e sort but tha t the pa i r had sub se qu e ntly part e d
,

and g on e th e i r se v e ral w ays For tha t ma tte r Chi chi ko v hi m .

,

se l f had no ti c e d t ha t Ti e n ti e tni ko v wa s i n the hab i t O f dra wi ng

h e ad s o f w h i ch e ach r e pre se ntati on e xac tly r e se mbl e d the re st .

O nc e as he sat tappi ng hi s si lve r snuff box a fte r lunch e on

,
-
,

Chi chi ko v r e m ark e d :

On e th i ng yo u lack and only o n e A ndr e i I vanovi tc h , , .

Wha t i s tha t ? a sk e d hi s ho st .

A fe mal e fri e nd o r two re pl i e d Chi chi ko v

”
, .
 2 34 D e ad S o u l s
Ti e n t i e t n i k o v mad e no r e jo i nd e r ,
and th e conv e r sa ti on ca m e

te mporar i ly t o an e n d.

B ut C h i c h i k o v w a s n o t t o b e d i s courag e d ; wh e r e for e , wh i l e

k
wa i ti ng for supp e r and tal i ng o n d i ff e re nt subj e cts, he se i ze c
an Oppor t un i t y t o i n t e rj e c t :

DO you k now ,
i t would do you no harm t o marry .

As b e for e ,
T i e n t i e tn i k o v d i d n o t r e ply ,
and t h e r e n e w e d m e n

ti on o f t h e s ubj e c t se e m e d t o hav e annoy e d h i m

— —
.

Fo r t h e t h i rd t i m e i t w a s af t e r s upp e r C h i c h i k o v r e tu r n e c

g
t o the char e by r e mar i ng : k
To day
-
,
a s I w a s wal k i ng round your prop e r t y , I could n o t

he lp t h i n k i ng t ha t marr i ag e w ould do y o u a gr e a t d e al Of good

O t h e rw i se you w i ll d e v e lop i n t o a hypochondr i ac .

Wh e th e r Chi chi ko v s word s now vo i c e d su f ci e n tly the no te 0

’
fi
e r sua si on , o r wh e th e r T i e nti e tni ko v happ e n e d , at the mom e n t
p
to be unu sually d i spo se d to frankn e ss, at all e v e nts the young
landown e r si gh e d , and th e n r espond e d as he e xp e lle d a p uf
o f tobacco smo e : k
P
To atta i n anythi ng , aul vanovi tc , o ne n e e d s to haveI h
be e n born und e r a lucky star .

w
An d he r e la te d to hi s gu e st the hol e hi story of hi s acqua i nt
q
a n ce shi p and sub se u e n t rup tur e
s w i th the G e n e ral .

AS Chi chi ko v l i ste n e d to the r e c i tal , and gradually re ali se c

tha t the a ff a i r had ari se n m e r e ly o ut o f a chanc e w
ord o r
the G e n e ral s par t, he
’
was a stound e d b e yond m
e a sur e

and gaze d at Ti e nti e tni ko v wi thou t kno i ng ha t to mak < w w

o f hi m .

A
ndre i Ivanovi tch , he sa i d at l e n th , wha t was th e re tl g
k
ta e O ff e nc e at ?
N w
o thi ng , as re gard s the ac tual ord s spok e n , re pl i e d th
o th e r . The o ff e nc e lay , ra th e r , i n the i n sul t conv e y e d i n th
”
Ti e nti e tni ko v was a k i ndly and p e ace abl
’
G e n e ral s ton e .

m an , ye t hi s ey es fla sh e d as he sa i d thi s, and hi s vo i c e vi bra te

”

w w
i th ound e d f e e li ng .

Ye t, e ve n th e n , n e e d yo u hav e tak e n i t so much am i ss ?

What ? Could I hav e gon e o n vi si ti n hi m as b e fore ? g
C
e rta i nly . NO gr e a t harm had b e e n don e ?
I g
d i sa re e wi th you Had he b e e n an old man i n a hu b m
'

s ta ti on of l i f e , i n ste ad o f a proud and swa gg e ri ng Offic e r ,

s hould n o t hav e m i nd e d so much . B ut, as i t was, I could no
.
and would n o t, brook hi s w ord s.

w
A curi ous fe llo , thi s Ti e nti e tni ko v ! thou ht Chi chi kc g
t o hi m se lf .
2 6 D e ad S o u l s
3
b e e n swa th e d and wrapp e d unti l I have com e to be as i t w e re , ,

s uf f e r i ng p e r son i fi e d ; wh i l e o f th e e x t e n t t o w h i c h m y l i f e ha s
b e e n sought by fo e s no word s no colouri ng no (i f I may so
, , ,

e xpr e s s i t ? ) pa i n t e r s bru sh’

could e v e r conv e y t o you an ad e q ua t e

i dea .
And now at l e ng th i n my d e cl i ni ng y e ars I am se e ki ng
, , ,

a corn e r i n whi ch to e ke o ut the r e ma i nd e r o f my m i se rabl e

e x i st e nc e wh ,
i l e a t th e pr es e n t mom e n t I am e nj oy i ng the
”
ho spi tali ty o f a n e i ghbour o f your acqua i ntanc e .

And who i s tha t ?

Your n e i ghbour Ti e nti e tni ko v your Exc e ll e ncy ,
.

Upon tha t the G e n e ral frown e d .

L e t me add p u,
t i n C h i ch i k o v ha sti ly t ha t
,
h e gr e a tly

re gre ts tha t on a form e r occa si on he should hav e fa i l e d to Sho w

a prop e r re sp e c t for fo r —
Fo r what ? a sk e d the G e n e ral .

For the se rvi c e s to the publi c whi ch your E xc e ll e ncy has

re nd e re d Ind e e d he canno t find word s to e xpre ss hi s sorro w
.
, ,

but k e e p s r e p e a ti ng to hi m se l f : Would tha t I had valu e d at

th e i r tru e worth the me nw ho hav e sav e d o ur f a th e rland !
And why should he say tha t ? a sk e d the mo lli fie d Ge n e ral .

I b e ar hi m no grudg e I n fact I hav e n e v e r ch e ri sh e d aught

.
,

but a si nc e r e l i ki ng for hi m a si nc e r e e ste e m and do no t doub t

, ,

but tha t i n ti m e he may b e com e a u se ful m e m b e r o f soc i e ty

”
.
, ,

In the word s whi ch yo u hav e b e e n g ood e nou gh to u tte r ,

sa i d Chi chi ko v wi th a bo w th e r e i s e m bod i e d much j u sti c e

, .

Ye s Ti e nti e tni ko v i s i n v e ry tru th a man Of w orth No t only

, .

do e s he po ssess the g i ft of e loqu e nc e but al so he i s a ma ste r o f ,

the p e n .

Ah,
h ee
y ;d
s o e s wr i t e rubb i sh o f som e sor t ,
do es n t he ?
’

Ve rses, or som e thi n Of the ki nd ? g

No t rubbi sh , your Exc e ll e ncy , but prac ti cal stu n ff . I
h
s ort , he i s i nd i ti n a hi story ”
g .

A hi story B ut a h i story o f ha t ? w
A hi story of , Of For a mom e nt or two Chi chi ko v h e si
tate d w
Th e n , h e th e r b e ca u se i t was a G e n e ral tha t was se ate
. d
i n fron t Of hi m, or b e cau se he d e si r e d to i mpart re a te r i mport g
an c e to the subj e c t wh i ch he wa s abou t to i nv e n t he conclud e d
,
A hi story o f G e n e ral s, your xc e ll e ncy ”
E .

O G
f e ne ral s ? f what Ge ne rals ? O
O g —
f Ge ne ral s e ne rally Of Ge ne ral s at lar e That i s to g .

say, and t o be m
ore pre c i se , a h i story o f the e ne ral s o f o ur
”
G
fathe rland .

By th i s ti me Chi chiko v was flound e r i ng badly . Me ntally he

 D e ad S o uls 2 37

s pat upon h i m se l f and re fle cte d Grac i ou s he ave n s ! Wh at

rubb i sh I am talk i ng !
Pardon me we nt on hi s i n te rl o cu tor but I do n o t qu i te
, ,

und e rstand you I S Ti e nti e tn i ko v produc i n g a h i st ory Of a g i ve n

.

pe ri od or only a h i story mad e up o f a se ri e s o f b i ograph i e s ?

,

Al so i s he i nclud i ng all our Ge ne ral s or only t hose who t ook

, ,

par t i n the cam pai gn o f 1 8 1 2 ?

,
—
The latte r your Exc e ll e ncy only the Ge n e ral s o f 1 8 1 2 ,

re pl i e d Chi chi ko v Th e n he add e d b e ne ath hi s bre ath : We re

.

I to be ki lle d for i t I could no t say what that may be suppose d

,
”
to m e an .

The n why should he n ot co me and se e me i n pe rson ? we nt

o n hi s ho st Po ssi bly I m i ght be abl e to furn i sh hi m w i th
.

m uch i nte re sti n g mate r i al ?

He i s a fra i d to com e your E x ce lle ncy ,
.

Nonse nse ! Ju st be cau se o f a h asty w ord or two ! I am n o t

that sor t o f man at all I n fac t I should be ve ry happy t o call
.
,
”
upon hi m .

Ne ve r w ould he pe rmi t that your Exce lle ncy He w o uld , .

g r e a t ly pr e f e r t o be t he fir st t o m ak e a dvanc e s
”
And C h i chiko v .

add e d t o h i m se lf : What a stroke o f luck those Ge ne rals

we re ! O the rw i se the Lord kno ws w he re m y t on gue m i gh t have
,

l an d e d me !
A t th i s m o me nt the door i nto the adj o i n in g r o o m ope n e d and
'

the re appe are d i n the doorw ay a g i rl as fa i r as a ray o f the sun

S O f ai r i nd e e d that Chi chi ko v stare d at he r i n a m aze m e n t
-
, , .

Appare ntly she had come to spe ak to he r fathe r for a m ome nt ,

but had st oppe d short o n p e rc e i vi ng that the re was so m e o ne

wi th hi m The only fault to be found in he r appe aran ce was the
.

fact that she was to o th i n and fragi le look i n g -

.

May I i ntroduce m y l i ttle pe t ? sa i d the Ge ne ral to

Chi chi ko v TO te ll yo u the tru th I do n o t kno w your
.
,

na me .

That yo u should be unacquai n te d w i th the n ame o f one who

has ne ve r d i sti n g ui sh e d h i m se l f i n the m anne r O f w h i ch yo u
yourse lf can boast i s scarce ly to be w on d e re d at And Chi chi ko v
”
.

e xe cu te d o ne o f hi s si d e lon g d e fe re n t i al bo w s ,
.

We ll I should be de l i ghte d to know i t

,
”
.

I t i s Paul I vanov i t ch Chi chi ko v your Exce ll e ncy Wi th ,

.

that we nt the e a sy bow o f a m i l i tary m an and the ag i le b ack

—
ward m ove me nt Of an i nd i a rubbe r ball .

Uli nka th i s i s P aul I vanovi tch sa i d the Ge n e ral t urn i n g

” '

, , ,

t o hi s dau g hte r He has ju st t old me so m e i nte re sting ne ws

.
2 38 D e ad S o ul s
name ly that o ur ne i ghbour T i e nti e tni ko v i s no t al toge the r the
,
fool we had at first thought hi m O n the cp ntrary he i s e ngage d
—
.
,

upon a ve ry i mportant w ork upon a h i story o f the Ru ssi an

Ge ne ral s Of
Bu t who e v e r s uppo s e d h i m t o b e a
0

fool ? a s k e d t h e g i rl
qu i ck ly What happe ne d was that yo u too k Vi shne p okromo v s ’

w ord—the word o f a man who i s h i m se lf both a fool and a good

.

for noth i ng
-
.

We ll we ll sai d the fathe r afte r furthe r g ood nature d di s

, ,
-

pute on the subj e ct o f Vi shne p okro mo v D o o u now run

y .

a w ay ,
for I w i sh t o dr e ss for lunch e on And y o u h
. e add e d ,

to C ch i h i ko v w i ll you n o t j o i n u s at t abl e ?
i
Ch ch i k o v bow e d so l o w and s o long t ha t by th e t i m e t ha t ,

y
hi s e e s had c e a s e d t o se e no th i n g b u t h i s o w n boo t s the ,

Ge ne ral s daughte r had d i sappe are d and i n he r place was stand

’
,

i ng a be wh i ske re d bu tle r arm e d w i th a si lve r soap d i sh and a

,
-

hand basi n
-
.

Do yo u m i nd i f I wash i n your pre se nce ? aske d the host .

B y no me ans re pl i e d Chi chi ko v

”
,
Pray do whatsoe ve r .

you ple ase i n that re spe ct

—
.

Upon that the Ge ne ral fe ll to scrubb i ng h i mse lf i nc i de ntally ,

to se nd i ng s oapsud s flyi n g i n e ve ry d i re c ti on Me anwh i le he .

se e me d so favourably d i spo se d that Chi chi ko v d e c i d e d to s ound

hi m the n and the re more e sp e c i ally si nce the bu tl e r had l e ft
,

the room .

May I p ut to you a probl e m ? he aske d

Ce rta i nly re pl i e d the Ge ne ral
,
What i s i t ? .

I t i s th i s your E xce ll e ncy I have a d e cre p i t Old uncl e who

,
.

owns thre e hundre d soul s and two thou sand rouble s worth o f -

othe r prope rty Also e xce pt fo r myse lf he po sse sse s n o t a

.
, ,

si n gl e he i r Now al though hi s i nfirm state o f he al th w i ll n o t

.
,

pe rm i t o f hi s manag i ng hi s prope rty i n pe rson he w i ll no t allo w

me e i the r to manage i t And the re ason for hi s conduct—hi s
,

—
.

v ry range conduct he state s as follows : I do n o t know my

e s t
ne phe w and ve ry l i ke ly he i s a spe nd thri ft If he w i she s to show
, .

me that he i s good fo r anyth i ng le t hi m g o and ac qu i re as many ,

soul s as I have ac qu i re d and wh e n h e h a s don e t ha t I w i ll

;
tran sfe r to hi m my thre e hundre d soul s as we ll .

The man mu st be an ab solu te fool co mme n te d the Ge ne ral ”

,
.

P ossi bly And we re that all th i ngs would n o t be as bad

.
,

as the y are B ut unfortunate ly my uncl e has gon e and tak e n

.
, ,

up w i th hi s hou se ke e pe r and has had ch i ldre n by he r C ouse

~

, .

”
que ntly e ve ryth i ng w i ll now pass to them .
 2 40 D e ad S o ul s
Ye s, but wi th gre at d i ffi culty
”
.

An d has he any te e th l e ft ?
N0 m ore than two at the most .

The Old jack ass ! Don t be angry w i th me but I mu st say

’
,

that thou gh your uncle he i s al so a jack a ss

”
.
, ,

Qu i te so your Exce lle ncy And thou gh i t gr ie ve s me to

,
.

have to confe ss that he i s m y uncle w hat am I to do wi th hi m ? ,

Ye t th i s was n o t al toge the r the tru th What would have b e e n .

a far hard e r thi ng for Chi chi ko v to have confe sse d was the fac t
that he po sse sse d n o un cl e s at all .

I be g of you your Exce lle ncy he we n t on to han d me

, , ,

o ve r tho se tho se ,

Those de ad soul s e h ? Why in re turn for the j e st I w i ll

, ,

gi ve yo u some land as we ll Ye s you can take the whole grave .

,

yard i f yo u l ike Ha ha ha ! The Old man ! Ha ha ha ! What

.
, , , ,

a fool he ll look ! Ha ha ha !
’
, ,

An d once more the Ge ne ral s gu ffaws w e n t r i n g i n g throu gh

’

the hou se .

e occurs a lon g h i atu s i n the or i g i n al

! A t th i s po i n t t h e r ! .

IF Colone l Koshkare v should turn out to be as m ad as the

last one i t i s a bad look out sa i d Chi chiko v to h i m se l f o n
ope n i ng hi s e ye s am i d fi e lds and op e n country—
-
,

e ve r yt h i ng e l se
havi ng d i sappe are d save the vault of he ave n and a couple o f
low lyi ng cloud s
-
.

he we n t o n di d you ask how t o ge t to C olone l

”
Se li fan , ,

K o shkare v s ?
’

Ye s, Paul I vanovi tch At le as t .

,
th e re was uch a clatte r
s
aro und the o as a k li k that I could no t ;
but Pe tru shk a aske d the
”
coachman .

Yo u fool ! Ho w Ofte n hav e I told you no t to r e ly upon

P e trushk a ? P e tru shka i s a blockh e ad an i d i o t B e si d e s at the , .
,

pre se nt mom e nt I b e li e v e hi m to be drun k ”

.

NO yo u are wrong bari n p ut i n the p e rson re fe rre d to

,
”
, , ,
turn i ng hi s h e ad wi th a si d e long g lanc e Afte r we g e t do wn the .

ne xt hi ll we shall n e e d but to k e e p b e ndi ng ro und i t Tha t i s all ”

. .

‘
Y es and I suppo se you ll t e ll me tha t si vnkha i s the onl
f
’
, y
thi ng tha t has pa sse d your l i p s ? We ll the Vi e w at l e a st i s b e au ti
,

ful I n fac t wh e n one has se e n thi s plac e o n e m ay say that on e

.
,
 D e ad S o ul s 24 1

se e n one o f the b e au ty spo ts o f Europ e Thi s sa i d Chi chi ko v .

,

hi ng hi s c hi n What a d i ff e re nc e
fe ature s o f a ci vi li sed m an o f the world and tho se
lacqu e y !
the koli aska qu i ck e n e d i ts pac e and Chi chi ko v onc e ,

si g ht o f T i e nti e tni ko v s a sp e n st udd e d m e ado w s

’
-
.

Undulati ng ge ntly on e la sti c spri ngs the v e hi cl e cau ti ou sly ,

d esc e nd e d the ste e p i ncl i n e and th e n proc e e d e d pa st w a te r m i ll s

,
-
,

rumbl e d ove r a bri dg e o r two an d j ol te d e a si ly along the roug h

,

se t road w h i ch trav e rse d the fla ts No t a mol e hi ll n o t a mound

.
,

jarre d the spi n e The v e hi cl e was co mfort i tse l f

. .

S wi ftly th e re flew by clu m p s o f o si e rs Sl e nd e r e ld e r tre e s an d , ,

si lv e r l e av e d poplars
-
th e i r branch e s bru shi ng a g a i n st S e li fan
,

and P e tru shka and at i nte rval s d e pri vi n g the val e t o f hi s cap
,
.

Eac h ti m e tha t thi s happ e n e d the sull e n fac e d se rvi tor fe ll to

,
-

cursi ng bo th the tre e r esponsi bl e fo r the occurr e nc e an d the

la ndo w n e r r e spon si bl e fo r the tre e b e i ng i n e xi ste nc e ; ye t
no thi ng w ould i nduc e hi m th e re a fte r e i th e r to ti e o n the cap o r
to ste ady i t wi th hi s hand so co m pl e te was hi s assuranc e tha t
,

the acc i d e n t w ould n e v e r be r e p e a te d S o on to the for eg oi ng .

tr e e s th e r e b e c am e add e d an occa si onal b i rch o r spruc e fir ,

whi l e i n the d e nse und e rg ro w th around th e i r roots could be se e n

the blu e i ri s and the y e llo w w ood tul i p Gradually the for e st -
.

gre w dark e r as thoug h e ve ntually the obscuri ty w ould b e co m e

,

co m pl e te Th e n throu g h the trunks and the boug h s th e re b eg an

.

to g l e a m po i n ts o f l i g h t l i k e g l i tte ri ng m i rrors and as the ,

numb e r of tre e s l e sse n e d th e se po i nts g re w larg e r un ti l the

, ,

trav e ll e rs d e bouch e d upon the shor e o f a lak e four ve rsts o r so

i n ci rcumf e re nc e and havi ng o n i ts f ur th e r margi n the gr e y
, ,

sca tt e r e d lo g hu ts o f a p e a san t v i lla g e I n the wate r a g re a t com .

m o ti on was i n prog re ss I n the first plac e som e tw e n ty me n

.

.
, ,

i mm e rse d to the kn e e to the br e a st o r to the n e ck w e r e drag

, , ,

gi ng a larg e fishi ng ne t i n shore whi l e i n the se cond plac e th e re

-
, , ,

was e n tang l e d i n the sa m e i n add i ti on to som e fish a sto u t man

, ,

shap e d pr e c i se ly l i k e a m e lon o r a hog sh e ad Gre atly e xc i te d .

,

he was sh ou ti n g at the to p o f hi s vo i c e L e t Ko sm a m ana g e .

i t yo u lou t O f a D e ni s ! Ko sma tak e the e n d o f the rop e f rom

, ,

D e ni s ! Don t b e ar so hard o n i t T h o ma B ol shoy ! GO wh e re

’ 1
,

Tho m a Me nsho v i s ! Da m n i t bri ng the n e t to land wi ll yo u !

2
,
”
,

Fro m thi s i t b e c am e cl e ar tha t i t was no t o n hi s o wn account

tha t the stou t man was w o rryi ng I nd e e d he had no n e e d to do .
,
!

so si nc e hi s fat w ould i n any ca se hav e pr e v e n t e d hi m f ro m

,
1
T he E l d e r .
2
T he Yo un g e r.
242 D e ad S o uls
si nki ng Ye s e ve n i f he had turn e d h e ad ov e r h e e l s i n an e ffo rt
.
,

to d i v e the wa te r would p e rsi st e n tly hav e born e hi m up ; and

,

the sam e i f say a coupl e of

,
m ,
e n had jump d one hi s —
bac k the
only r esul t would have b e e n tha t he would hav e b e c om e a tri fle
d e e p e r subm e rg e d and forc e d to draw bre ath by spou ti ng
,

bubbl e s through hi s no se NO the cau se o f hi s agi ta ti on was

.
,

l e st the n e t Should bre ak and the fish e scap e : wh e r e fore he

,

was urgi ng som e add i ti onal p e a san ts who w e r e stand i ng on the

bank to lay hold of and to pull at an e xtra rop e or two
—
.
,

Tha t mu st be the bari n Colon e l Ko shkare v sa i d S e li fan

”
,
.

Why ? a sk e d Chi chi ko v .

B e cau se i f yo u pl e a se hi s ski n i s wh i te r than the re st and

, , ,

he has the r esp e c tabl e paunch o f a g e n tl e man .

M e anwhi l e g ood progre ss was b e i ng mad e wi th the hauli ng i n

o f the bari n ; un ti l f e e l i ng the ground wi th hi s f e e t he ro se to
, ,

a n up ri ght po si ti on and at the sam e mom e n t cau g h t si g h t o f

,

the koli aska wi th Chi chi ko v se a t e d th e r e i n d e sc e nd i n g the

, ,

d e cl i vi ty
.

Hav e you d i n e d ye t ? shou te d the bari n as sti ll e ntang l e d ,

i n the n e t he approach e d the shor e w i th a hu g e fish on hi s bac k

, .

Wi th o ne hand shadi ng hi s e ye s from the sun and the o the r ,

t hro w n backward s he look e d i n po i n t of po se l i k e the M e d i c i

, , ,

Ve nu s e m e rgi ng from he r bath .

No re pli e d Chi chi ko v ra i si ng hi s cap and e x e cuti ng a

,
”
, ,

s e ri e s o f bo ws .

The n t”hank Go d for tha t r e joi n e d the g e ntl e man , .

Why ? a sk e d Chi chi ko v wi th no l i ttl e curi o si ty and sti l l ,

hold i ng hi s cap ov e r hi s h e ad .

B e cau se o f thi s Ca st o ff the n e t Thoma Me nsho v and

.
, ,

p i ck up tha t sturg e on fo r the g e ntl e man to se e Go and he lp .

hi m Te le p e n Ku zma
,
”
.

Wi th that the p e asants i nd i cate d p i ck e d up by the h e ad what

was a v e ri tabl e mon ste r Of a fish
—
.

I sn t i t a b e au ty a sturg e on fre sh run from the ri ve r ?

’ ”

e xcla i m e d the stou t bari n And now le t us be Off hom e Co ach

. .

m an you can tak e the low e r road through the ki tch e n gard e n
, .

Run you lou t o f a Thoma Bol shoy and op e n the ga te for hi m

, , .

He wi ll gu i d e yo u to the hou se and I myse lf shall be along ,

”
pre se ntly .

Th e re upon the bare l e gg e d Thoma Bol shoy clad i n no thi ng ,

but a shi r t ran ah e ad o f the koli aska through the vi llag e e ve ry
, ,
hut of wh i ch had hangi ng i n fron t o f i t a vari e ty Of n e ts for
,
the r e a son tha t e v e ry i nhab i tan t o f the plac e was a fi sh e rm an .
2 44 D e ad S o u l s
glassful o f vodk api e c a e. Th e n p ut up the horse s and
,
be Off to

the se rvants q uarte rs

’ ”
.

I regre t m i stak e e xtre m e ly sa i d Chi chi ko v

the ,
.

B ut i t i s n o t a m i s t a k e W h e n yo u hav e .
t r i e d th e d i nn e r

whi ch I hav e i n store for you ” ju st se e wh e th e r you thi nk i t a ,

m i stak e E n te r I be g of you
.
,
An d ta k i ng Chi chi ko v by the
.
,

arm the ho st conduc te d hi m wi thi n wh e r e th e y w e re me t by a

, ,

coupl e o f youth s .

“
Le t m e i n t roduc e my t w o s on s hom e for t h e i r.
hol i days ,

from t Gymna um
h e si
” 1
sa i d P ,
i e tu kh N i k o l asha com e and .
,

e n te r ta i n o ur good vi si tor w h i l e you A le ksasha f ollo w me , , ,

.

An d wi th tha t the ho st d i sapp e ar e d .

C h i c h i k o v t urn e d t o N i k o la s h a w hom h e found t o be a

,

budd i ng man abou t town si nc e at onc e he op e n e d a conv e rsa ti on,

by stati ng tha t as no g ood was to be d e ri v e d from studyi ng

,

at a provi nc i al i n sti tu ti on he and hi s bro th e r d e si r e d to

,

re move rath e r to St P e te rsburg the provi nc es n o t b e i ng

, ,
.

worth li vi ng i n .

I qu i te und e rstand Chi chi ko v thought to hi m se lf ,

The .

e n d o f the chap te r w i ll be conf e c ti on e rs a ssi stan ts and the

’

”
bo ul e vard s .

T e ll me he add e d aloud ho w do e s your fa th e r s prop e rty

, ,
’

at pre se n t stand ?

I t i s all mortgag e d p ut i n th e,
fa th e r h i m s e lf a s h e re

Ye s i t i s all mortg a g e d e v e ry bi t Of i t
”
e n te r e d the room .
, , .

A t th i s ra te i t wi ll
”
Wha t a p i ty ! thought Chi chi ko v .

n o t be long b e for e the man has no prop e rty at all l e ft I mu st .

Al oud he sa i d wi th an ai r o f sympa thy

”
hurry my d e parture .

Tha t you have mortgag e d the e state se e m s to me a m atte r fo r

regre t .

NO no t at all re pl i e d Pi e tukh
, ,
I n fact th e y te ll me .
,

tha t i t i s a good th i ng to do and tha t e v e ry o n e e l se i s do i ng i t , .

Why should I act di ffe re ntly from my n e i ghbours ? More ove r ,

I have had e nough of li vi ng h e re and should li k e to try Mo scow

— more e sp e ci ally si nc e my sons are always b e ggi ng me to g i ve
,

th e m a m e tropol i tan e duca ti on

”
.

Oh the fool the fool ! r e fl e cte d Chi chi ko v

, ,
”
He i s fo r .

throwi ng up e ve ryt hi ng and ma k i ng Sp e nd thri fts o f hi s sons .

Ye t thi s i s a n i c e prop e rty and i t i s cl e ar tha t the local p e a sants

,

are do i ng w e ll and tha t the fam i ly to o i s comfort ably Off

, , , .

On the o th e r hand as soon as e v e r th ese lads b e g i n th e i r e duca

,

ti on i n r e staurants and th e a tr e s the d e vi l wi ll a w ay w i th e v e ry

,

S e co n d ary S c h o o l
1
.
 D e ad S o u ls 245

of For my o wn part I co ul d d e si re
th e i r sub stanc e .
,

ng b e tt e r than t hi s qu i e t l i f e i n the coun try .

me g u e ss w ha t 15 i n your m i nd sa i d Pi e tukh
”
.
,

What th e n ? a sk e d Chi chi ko v rath e r tak e n aback

, ,
.

Yo u are thi nk i ng to yourse l f : Tha t fool o f a Pi e tukh has

sk e d me to d i nn e r ye t n o t a b i t e o f d i nn e r do I se e B ut w a i t
’
.
,

a l i ttl e .I t wi ll be r e ady pr e se n tly fo r i t i s b e i ng cook e d as ,

fast as a ma i d e n who has had he r ha i r cut o ff pla i ts h e rse lf a new

”
se t of tr e sses .

”
H e re com e s Pla ton Mi khali tch fa th e r ! e xcla i m e d Al e k ,

a sha w ho had b e e n p e e p i ng o ut o f the wi ndo w

,
.

Ye s and o n a g r e y horse add e d hi s bro th e r

”
.
, ,

Who i s Pla ton Mi khali tch ? i nqu i re d Chi chi ko v .

A n e i g hbour o f ours and an e xc e ll e nt f e llo w

,
.

The n e x t mom e n t Pla ton Mi kha li tch h i m se l f e n te r e d the

om accompani e d by a sporti ng do g nam e d Yarb He was a
,
.

ll hand som e man wi th e xtr e m e ly re d ha i r A s for hi s com

, ,
.

an i on i t was o f the k e e n m uzzl e d sp e c i es u se d fo r shoo ti ng

,
-
.

Hav e yo u d i n e d ye t ? a sk e d the ho st .

”
Ye s r e pl i e d Pla ton
, .

I n d e e d ? Wha t do yo u m ean by com i ng h e re to laugh at

D O I e v e r go to your plac e afte r d i nn e r ?
4

us all ?
The n e w com e r sm i l e d We ll i f i t can bri ng you any
.
,

co mf or t le t me te ll yo u tha t I ate no thi ng at the

” “
he sa i d
, ,
‘

meal fo r I had no app e ti te

—
.
,

B ut yo u shoul d se e w h at I hav e cau g ht w ha t sort o f a

sturg e on f a te has bro ug h t m y way ! Yes and w hat cruci ans ,

and ca rp !
Re ally i t ti r es o ne to hear yo u Ho w com e yo u al w ays to .

be so ch e e rf ul ?
And ho w com e you al ways to be so g loo my ? re torte d ”

the ho st .

Ho w you ask ? S i m ply b e cau se I am so

,
.

The tru t h i s yo u don t e at e nou g h Try the plan o f m aki ng

’
.

a g ood d i nn e r We ari n ess O f e ve rythi ng i s a mod e rn i nve nti on

. .

Onc e upon a ti m e o n e n e ve r h e ard o f i t .

We ll boa st away but have you yourse lf n e ve r b e e n ti re d

, ,

o f th i n g s ?

N e ve r i n my l i fe I do no t so much as kn o w w h e th e r I
.

should find ti m e to be ti r e d I n the morni ng wh e n o ne awak e s

.
, ,

the cook i s w a i ti ng and the d i nn e r has to be ord e r e d

,
The n .

o n e dri nk s on e s morn i n g t e a and th e n the ba i li ff arri v e s for hi s

’

o rd e rs and th e n t h e r e i s fi sh i n g to be don e an d t h e n on e s
’
, ,
2 46 D e ad S o ul s
d i nn e r has to be e ate n N e xt b e fore o n e has e ve n had a chance
.
,

to t e u t r a snor e t h e r e e n te r s
,
onc e a g a i n t he coo k and o n e has ,

to ord e r supp e r ; and wh e n she has d e parte d b e hold , back she ,

com e s wi th a re qu e st fo r d i re c ti ons for the followi ng day s ’

d i nn e r ! What ti m e do e s that l e ave o n e to be w e ary of thi ngs ?

Throughout thi s conv e rsa ti on Chi chi ko v had b e e n taki ng ,

stoc k o f the n e w com e r who a ston i sh e d hi m w i th hi s good look s

, ,

hi s upri ght p i c tur esqu e figur e hi s app e a r

,
anc e o f fre sh un , ,

waste d youthfulne ss and the boyi sh puri ty i nnoc e nc e and

, , ,

clari ty Of his f e ature s Ne i th e r pa ssi on nor care nor aug ht O f

.

the na tur e Of ag i ta ti on or anxi e ty o f m i nd had v e n tur e d to touch

hi s un sull i e d fac e o r to lay a si ngl e wri n k l e th e r e on Ye t the
‘

.
,

touch of l i fe wh i ch tho se e mo ti on s m i g h t hav e i mpar te d was

wanti ng The fac e was as i t w e re dre am i ng e ve n though from
.
, , ,

ti m e to ti m e an i ron i cal sm i l e d i sturb e d i t .

I to o cannot und e rstand re marke d Chi chi ko v ho w a

, ,
”
, ,

man o f your app e aranc e can find thi ngs w e ari som e O f course .
,

i f a man i s hard pre sse d for mon e y o r i f he has e n e m i es who are ,

lyi ng i n wa i t for hi s l i fe (as hav e c e rta i n folk o f whom I know ) ,

we ll the n
,

B e li e ve me whe n I say i nte rrup te d the hand som e g u e st , ,

tha t fo r the sa k e Of a d i v e rsi on I should be g lad Of any sort

, ,

Of an anxi e ty Would tha t som e e n e my w ould conc e i v e a

.

grudg e agai n st me ! B ut no o n e do e s s o Ev e rythi ng re ma i ns .

e t e rnally dull .

B ut p erhap s you lack a suffi c i e ncy o f land o r soul s ?

No t at all I and my bro th e r o wn te n thou sand desi ati ns
.
1
”
o f land and ov e r a thou sand soul s
, .

Curi ou s ! I do no t und e rstand i t B ut p e rhaps the harve st .

has fa i l e d o r yo u hav e si c k n e ss abou t and many o f your mal e

, ,

p e a sants have d i e d o f i t ?
On the contra ry e ve rythi ng i s i n spl e nd i d ord e r fo
, ,
”
bro the r i s the b e st o f manag e rs .

Th e n to find thi ngs w e ari som e ! e xcla i m e d Chi

I t pa sse s my c ompr e h e n si on ”
And he shrugg .

We ll we wi ll soon p ut w e ari n e ss to fli ght

,
”
,

ho st . A le ksasha do yo u run h e l te r sk e l te r
,
-

and th e re t e ll the coo k to se rve the fish pa sti e s .

have that gawk o f an E me li an and tha t th i e f

g o t to ? W hy hav e t h e y n o t hand e d round the
A t thi s mom e n t the door op e n e d and the ,
thi e f i n qu e sti on mad e th e i r app
T he d e si ati n 2 8 6 E n gli s h a cre s
1
! . .
248 D e ad S o ul s
SO mad e the atte mpt ; and i n v e ry tru th the v eal
Chi chi ko v
wa s b e yond all pra i se and room w a s found ,
for i t e v e n thoug h ,

on e w ould hav e suppo se d th e f e a t i mpo ssi bl e .

Fancy thi s good fe llow r e movi ng to St P e te rsburg or .

Mo scow ! sai d the gu est to h i m se lf

”
Why wi t”h a scal e Of .
,

l i vi ng l i k e thi s he w ould be rui n e d i n thre e y e ars

,
Fo r tha t .

ma tte r Pi e tukh m i ght w e ll hav e b e e n ru i n e d alre ady for

, ,

ho spi tali ty can d i ssi pa te a fortun e i n thre e months as e a si ly as

i t can i n thr e e y e ars .

The ho st al so d i sp e n se d the w i n e wi th a lavi sh hand and ,

wha t the gu e sts di d no t dri nk he gav e to hi s son s who thu s ,

swallo w e d gla ss afte r gla ss I nd e e d e v e n b e fore com i ng to

.
,

tabl e i t was po ssi bl e to d i sc e rn to w ha t d e par tm e n t of human

,

accompl i shm e nt the i r b e nt was turn e d Wh e n the m e al was .

ove r howe v e r the gu e sts had no m i nd for furth e r dri nki ng

, , .

Ind e e d i t was all tha t th e y could do to drag th e m se lv es o n to

,

the balcony and th e r e to r e lap se i n to e a sy cha i rs I nd e e d the

—
.
, ,

mom e nt tha t the ho st subsi d e d i n to hi s se a t i t was larg e e noug h

—
fo r four he f e ll a sl e e p and hi s por tly pr e se nc e conv e rti ng
, ,

i tse lf i n to a sort Of blacksm i th s b e llo ws star te d to v e n t throu g h

’
, ,

Op e n mouth and d i ste nd e d no stri l s such sound s as can have

—
gre e te d the re ad e r s e ar but se ldom sound s as Of a dru m b e ing
’
,

b e ate n i n combi na ti on wi th the whi stli ng o f a flu te and the

stri d e n t howl i ng o f a dog .

Li ste n to hi m ! sa i d P la ton .

Chi chi ko v sm i l e d .

Na turally on such d i nn e rs a s tha t con ti nu e d the o th e r

, , ,

o ur ho st do e s n ot find the ti m e dull And as soon as d i nn e r .

”
i s e nd e d th e r e can e n su e sl e e p .

Ye s but pardon me I sti ll fa i l to und e rstand why yo u

“
, , ,

find l i fe w e ari som e Th e re are so many r e sourc e s a ga i nst

.

ennui I
As for i n stanc e ?
Fo r a young man , danci ng the playi ng Of o ne o r ano th e r
—
mu 51cal i nstrum e nt and w e ll ye s marri ag e
.

,
”
,
,

, .

Marri ag e to whom ?
T O some m a i de n who i s bo th char mi n g and r i ch A re the re .
O

none i n the se parts ?

C‘
No
The n we re I you I should trave l and se e k a mai de n e l se
, , ,

whe re ”
And a bri ll i an t i de a the re wi th e nte re d Chi chiko v s
.
’

” “
h ad
e .
Th is last re source he adde d i s the be st Of all , ,
”
re source s agai n st ennui .
 D e ad S o ul s 2 49

What re source a e you Spe ak ing o f ?

r

Of trave l ”
.

B ut wh i the r ?
We ll shou ld i t so ple ase you you m gh t j o i n me as m y com
, ,
i

p an i on . Thi s sa i d the spe ake r add e d to h i mse lf as he e ye d

,

Pl aton Ye s that w ould su i t me e xac tly for the n I should

, ,

have hal f m y e xpe nse s pai d and could charge hi m al so w i th the

,

co st o f me nd i n g the k li aska ”
o .

And w hi the r hould we go ? s

In that re spe c t I am no t wholly m y own m aste r as I h ave ,

bu si ne ss to do f or o the rs as we ll as for m yse l f Fo r i n stan ce

—
.

Ge ne ral B e tri stche v an i n ti m ate fri e nd and I m i gh t add a

—
ge ne rous be ne factor o f mi ne has charge d me wi th comm i ssi ons
, ,

to ce rta i n o f hi s re la t i ve s Ho we ve r thou gh re lati ve s are

.
,

re l ati ve s I a m tr ave ll i n g l i ke w i se o n m y o wn accou nt si n ce I

— ,
,

wi sh to se e the w orld and the Wh i r i gi g o f hu m an i ty wh i ch i n

l ,

sp i te o f what pe opl e m ay say i s as g ood as a l i v i ng book or a

,

se cond e d uca ti on As a m atte r O f fac t Chi chi ko v was re fle ct

.
,

i ng : Ye s the plan i s an e xce lle n t one I m i ght e ve n contri ve

,
.

tha t he should have to b e ar the w hol e o f our e xp e n se s an d that ,

hi s horse s should be use d w h i l e m y o wn should be p ut o ut to

g raz e o n hi s f ar m .

We ll why should I no t adopt the su gge sti on ? was Platon s

,
” ” ’

thou gh t . Th e re i s noth i n g for me to do at ho me si nce the ,

m anage me nt o f the e state i s i n my brothe r s hand s and m y ’

,

g oi ng would cau se him no i nconve ni e nce Ye s why should I not

"

.
,

do as Chi chi ko v has su gge ste d ?

1 The n he add e d aloud :
W ould you come and stay wi th m y brothe r for a couple of
d ays ? Othe rw i se he mi ght re fuse me hi s conse nt ”
.

W”i th gre at ple asure sai d Chi chi kov O r e ve n for three
, .

d ays .

The n he re i s m y hand on i t L e t us be Off at once . Platon .

? se e m e d sudd e nly t o have co m

e t o l i f e ag a i n .

Whe re are you Off to ? p ut i n the i r host une xpe cte dly as he
rou se d h i m se lf and stare d i n ast on i shme nt at the pa i r No ;

.
,

no m y g ood si rs
, I have had the whe e l s re m ove d from your
.

koli aska Monsi e ur Chi chi ko v and have se n t your horse Plat on
, , ,

Mikhali tch to a grazi n g ground fifte e n vers ts away

, Gonse .

que ntly you m u st spe nd the n i ght he re and de p ar t to m orrow ,

-

m orn i n g afte r bre akfast .

What could be done wi th a man l ike Pi e tukh ? The re was no

he lp for i t but t o re m ai n I n re turn, the gue sts we re re w ar d e d
.
2 50 D e ad S o u l s
w i th a b e au t i ful spr i n g e v e n i n g fo r t o s e
p nd t h e t i m,
e th e,
ho s t ,

organ i se d a boati ng e xpe d i ti on o n the ri ve r and a doze n rowe rs

.

, ,

wi th a doze n pai rs Of oars conve ye d the party (to the accom ,

n i m e n t Of s ong ) acro s s th e smoo t h s urfac e o f t he lak e and

p a
up a gre at ri ve r wi th towe ri ng bank s From ti me t o ti me the boat .

would pass unde r rope s stre tche d acro ss for purpo se s o f fi sh i n g

, ,

and at e ach turn Of the ri ppl i ng curre nt ne w v i stas unfolde d

th e m se lve s as ti e r upon t i e r o f woodland d e l i gh te d the e ye w i th
a d i ve rsi ty Of ti m be r and fol i age In un i son di d the rowe rs ply .

the i r scull s ye t i t was as thou gh Of i tse lf that the sk i ff sho t

,

forward b i rd l i ke ove r the glassy surface o f the wate r ; wh i le

,
-
,

at i n te rval s the broad should e re d youn g oar sm e n who was

-

se ate d th i rd fro m the bow would ra i se as fro m a n i gh ti n g al e s

’
,

throat the op e n i n g stave s Of a boat s on g and th e n be j o i n e d by

, ,

five o r si x more un ti l the me lody had com e to pour for th i n a

,

volume as fre e and boundle ss as Ru ssi a he rse lf And Pi e tukh .

,

t o o would g i ve h i mse lf a shak e and h e lp lu sti ly to suppor t the

, ,

choru s ; and e ve n Chi chi ko v fe l t acu te ly con sc i ou s o f the fact

that he was a Ru ssi an Only Platon re fle cte d : What i s the re
.

so spl e nd i d i n th e se m e lancholy s on g s ? The y do but i ncre ase

”
one s d e pre ssi on o f sp i ri ts
’
.

The journe y home ward was made i n the g athe ri n g du sk .

Rhythm i cally the oars smo te a surfac e wh i ch n o longe r re fle c te d

the sky and dark ne ss had fall e n w h e n t he y re ach e d the shore
, ,

along wh i ch l i ghts we re twi nkl i ng whe re the fishe rfolk we re

.

bo i l i ng l i ve e e l s for; soup Eve ryth in g had now we nd e d i ts way

.

home ward for the n i ght ; the cattl e and poul try had b e e n hou se d ,

and the he rd sm e n stand i ng at the gate s o f the v i llage cattl e

,

p e ns am i d the trai l i ng du st late ly ra i se d by the i r charge s we re

, ,

awai tin g the m i lk pai l s and a su mmon s to partake Of the e e l

-

broth Through the du sk cam e the hum Of human k i nd and the

.
,

bark i ng o f dogs i n o the r and more d i stant vi llage s ; wh i le ove r ,

all the moon was r i si ng and the darke ne d countrysi de was

, ,

be gi nni ng to g l i mme r to l i ght agai n und e r he r b e am s What a .

glori ous p i cture ! Ye t no o ne thou ght o f adm i r i ng i t Inste ad Of .

gallop i ng ove r the countrysi d e on fri sk y cob s Ni ko lasha and ,

A le ksasha we re e ngage d i n dre am i ng o f Mo scow w i th i ts co n ,

fe cti o ne rs S hop s and the the atr e s o f wh i ch a cade t n e wly arri ve d
’

on a v i si t from the cap i tal had ju st b e e n te ll i ng th e m

, ; w h i l e
the i r fathe r had hi s m i nd fu ll o f how b e st t o stu ff hi s g ue sts w i th

y e t mor e food and Platon was gi ve n up t o yawn i n g O nly i n

, .

Chi chi ko v was a sp i ce Of an i mati on vi si ble ”

Ye s he re fle cte d .
,
some day I to o w i ll b e com e lord of such a coun try plac e
, , .
2 52 D e ad S o u l s
groom s and the two gu e sts e nte re d Chi chi ko v s koli aska E ve n
’
.

the do g t ro t te d la z i ly i n th e r e ar ; for h e t o o had , ov e r e a t e,n -

h i mse lf .

It h as b e e n ra t h e r t o o much o f a g ood t h i ng r e mar k e d ,

Ch i chi k v o as t h e v e h i cl e i ss u e d fr o m t h e cour t yard .

Ye s and ,
i t v e x e s m e t o se e th e f e llo w n e v e r t i r e o f i t
”
,

re pl i e d Platon .

g m i nco m e
0
0

Ah t,
hou h t C h i c h i k o v t o h i se lf i f,
I had a n
I ’
g
—
o f se ve n ty t hou s a nd roubl e s ,
as y o u hav e d v e ,ry s oon i v e

tire dn e ss o n e i n t h e e y e ! Tak e M u r a z o v t h e t ,
a x fa r m e r h e, -

a g a i n ,
m u s t b e w or t h t e n m i ll i on s W
. ha t a for t un e !
D O you m i nd whe re we dri ve ? aske d Platon I Should .

like first to go and take le ave Of m y si ste r and my brothe r

”
in law
-
.

Wi th ple as ure ,
ai d
s Chi chi ko v .

My brothe r i n law i s the l e ad i ng landowne r he re abou ts

- -
.

A t the pre se nt m ome nt he i s draw i n g an i ncom e of two hundre d

thou san d roubl e s from a prope r ty wh i ch e i gh t ye ars ag o was , ,
”
produc i ng a bare twe nty thou sand .

Truly a m an w orthy o f the u tmost re spe c t ! I shall be most

i n te re ste d to m ake hi s acqua i n tan ce To th i nk o f i t ! And what .

may hi s fam i ly nam e be ?

”
K ostanzhoglo .

And hi s Christi an name and patrony i c ? m

Constanti ne The do ro vi tch .

Constanti ne The dorovi tch K ostanzhoglo Ye s, i t i ll be a . w

m g
ost i nte re sti n e ve nt to ma e hi s ac ua i ntance To kno k q . w
”
such a man mu st be a whole e duca ti on .

g
He re Platon se t h i m se lf to i ve S e l i lan some d i re cti on s as to
g
the way, a n e ce ssary proce e d i n i n v i e w o f the fact that S e li fan
m
could scarce ly ai n tai n hi s se at o n the bo x Tw i ce e tru sh a, . P k
to o , had fall e n he adlong , and thu s ne ce ssi tate d hi s b e i ng t i e d to
hi s pe rch w
i th a p i e ce o f rope
“ ”
hat a clown ! had be e n
. W
Chi chi ko v s only com e n t
’
m .

Th i s i s whe re my bro th e r i n law s land s be g i n , sai d P laton

’
- -
.

g
The y i ve one a change of vi e w ”
.

m
And , i nde e d , fro th i s po i nt the countrysi d e be ca e plante d m
w i th ti mbe r ; the rows o f tre e s runn i n as stra i ght as p i st ol g
sho ts, and hav i n g
be yond the m , and o n h i ghe r
w
e xpan se o f fore st, ne ly plan te d l i k e the rst ; fi
agai n , loome d a
succe e d e d a flat p i e ce o f the sa e nature m .

”
All th i s timbe r, sai d Platon , has ro n up i th i n e i ht g w w g
 D e ad S o ul s 2 53

or te n ye ars at the m o st ; whe re as on anothe r m an s l and i t ’

w ould have take n twe nty to attai n the same growth

.
”
.

An d ho w has your broth e r ln law e ff e c te d th i s ? - -

Yo u mu st ask hi m hi m se l f He i s so e xc e ll e nt a hu sban d
.

man tha t no thi ng e v e r fa i l s wi th hi m You se e he kno w s the .

,

so i l and al so kno w s w ha t ou g h t to be plan te d b esi d e w ha t an d

, ,

wha t k i nd s O f ti mb e r are the b e st n e i g hbours f or g rai n Aga i n .

,

e v e ryt hi n g o n hi s e sta te i s mad e to p e rfor m at l e a st thr e e o r

four di ff e re nt functi on s For i nstanc e he m ak e s hi s ti m b e r no t
.
,

only se rv e as ti m b e r but al so se rv e as a provi d e r o f m o i sture

,

an d shad e to a g i v e n str e t ch o f land and the n a s a f e r ti l i se r ,

wi th i ts f all e n l e av es C on se qu e n tl y w h e n e v e ryw h e re e l se th e re
.
,

i s drou g ht he sti ll has wa te r and w h e n e v e ryw h e re e l se the re

, ,

has b e e n a f a i lur e of the harv e st o n hi s lan ds i t w i ll hav e prov e d

,

a succ e ss B ut i t i s a p i ty tha t I kno w so l i ttl e abou t i t all as to

.

be unabl e to e xpla i n to yo u hi s m any e xp e d i e nts Folk c all hi m .

a wi zard fo r he produc e s so m uch

,
N e ve rth e l e ss p e rsonally I
.
,

fi n d w ha t he d o e s un i nte re sti ng
”
.

Truly an astoni shi ng f e llo w ! ”

r e fl e cte d Chi chi ko v wi th a
g lanc e at hi s compani on I t i s sa d i n de ed to se e a m an so
.

sup e rfic i al a s to be unabl e to e xpla i n m a tt e r s o f t h i s k i nd

”

—
.

At l e ngth the manor app e ar e d i n si gh t an establ i shm e nt

looki ng alm o st l i k e a to wn so num e rou s w e re the hu ts w h e re
,

th e y stoo d arrang e d i n thr e e ti e r s cro w n e d wi th thre e church e s,

,

an d surround e d w i t h hu g e ri ck s and barn s Ye s thou g ht

”
.
,

Chi chi ko v to h i m se lf ,
o n e can se e tha t a j e w e l o f a lando w n e r

l i v e s h e re The hu ts i n qu esti on w e r e stou tly bu i l t and the

.

i n te rv e n i ng all e ys w e ll la i d o ut ; wh i l e w h e r e v e r a w ag gon was

-
,

vi si bl e i t looke d se rvi c e abl e and more o r l e ss n e w Al so the

,
.
,

local p e a sants bore an i n te ll i g e n t look o n th e i r fac e s the cattl e ,

w e re Of the b est p o ssi blie bre e d and e ve n the p e asant s p i g ,

’

b e long e d to the porc i n e ari stocracy C l e arly th e r e dw e lt h e re .

p e asants w ho to q uo t e the song we re accu stom e d to p i ck up

, ,

si lv e r by the shov e l ful .No r w e re E ngli shi fie d gard e n s and

p ar te rre s and o t h e r conc e i ts i n e v i d e nc e bu t on th e con tr a ry , , ,

th e r e ran an op e n v i e w from the m anor hou se to the farm bu i ld

i ngs and the w orkm e n s co ts so tha t afte r the o ld Ru ssi an
’
, ,

fashi on the bari n should be abl e to k e e p an e ye upon all that

,

was g o i ng o n around hi m Fo r the sam e purpo se the m an si on

was topp e d w i th a tall lante rn and a sup e rstruc tur e —a d e vi c e
.
,

d e si gn e d no t fo r ornam e nt no r for a va ntag e spo t for the co n

, ,
-

te mp lati o n O f the Vi e w but fo r sup e rv i si on o f the labour ers

,

e ng a g e d i n d i stan t fi e ld s Lastly the bri sk ac ti ve se rvants who

.
, ,
2 54 D e ad S o u l s
re c ei ve d the vi si tors on the ve randah we re ve ry di ffe rem
m e ni al s from the drunk e n P e tru shk a e v e n thoug h th e y di d no t ,

w e ar swallow ta i l e d coa ts but only Co ssac k tchekmeni o f blu r

-
,
1

hom e spun clo th .

Th e lady of t he hou s e al so i ssu e d o n t o t he v e randah Wi th he i .

fac e Of the fre shn e ss o f blood and mi l k and the bri ghtn e ss O
God s dayl i ght she as n e arly r e se mbl e d P la ton as o n e p e
’
,
r

r ese mbl e s ano th e r sav e that wh e re a s he was lang u i d she wa

, ,
'
,

ch e e rful and full o f tal k .

”
Good day bro th e r ! she cri e d
,
How g lad I a m to se t .

you ! Con sta nti n e i s no t at hom e but wi ll be bac k prese ntly ,

”
.

”
Wh e re i s he ?
Do i ng bu si n e ss i n the vi llag e wi th a party Of fac tors re p li e c ,

the lady as she conduc te d he r gu e sts to the drawi n g room -

.

Wi th no l i ttl e curi o si ty di d Chi chi ko v ga ze at the i nte ri or 0

the mansi on i nhab i t e d by the man who r e c e i v e d an annua
i ncom e of two hundr e d thou sand roubl e s ; for he though t tc
d i sc e rn th e r e from the na tur e o f i ts propri e tor e ve n as fro m a ,

sh e ll o n e may d e duc e the sp e c i e s o f oyst e r or sna i l wh i ch has

be e n i ts te nant and has l e ft th e r e i n i ts i m pr essi on B ut no sucl

,
.

conclu si on s w e re to be drawn The room s w e re si mpl e and e v e r .

,

bar e No t a fr esco nor a p i c tur e no r a brbnze nor a flow e r no r a

.

chi na what no t nor a boo k was th e re to be se e n I n short e ve ry

-
.
,

thi ng app e ar e d to show tha t the propri e tor of th i s abod e S p e nl

the gr e a t e r part Of hi s ti m e no t b e tw e e n four wall s but i n thf
, ,

fi e ld and tha t he thought o ut hi s plan s n o t i n sybari ti c fashi o r

, ,

by the fire si d e no r i n an e a sy chai r b e si d e the stove but o n thc

spo t wh e r e work wa s ac tually i n prog r e ss —
, ,

tha t i n a word ,

wh e re tho se plans w e re conc e i v e d th e r e th e y w e re p ut i nt< ,

e x e cu ti on Nor i n th ese room s could Chi chi ko v d e te c t the l e a s ‘

.

trac e o f a f e m i n i n e hand b e yond the fac t tha t c e rta i n tabl es an<

,

cha i rs bor e dryi ng board s wh e re on w e re arrang e d som e spri nk

-

l i ngs of flow e r p e tal s .

What i s all thi s rubb i sh for ? a sk e d Pla ton .

I t i s no t rubbi sh ”
re pl i e d the lady of the hou se
,
O n th .
i

contrary i t i s the b e st po ssi bl e re m e dy for f e v e r La st y e ar w

, .

cure d e v e ry o n e of o ur si ck p e a sants wi th i t S om e of the p e tal .

I am goi ng to mak e i nto an oi ntm e nt and som e i nto an i nfu si on ,

Yo u may laugh as much as you l i k e at my po tti ng and pre se rv
i ng ye t you yourse lf wi ll be glad of th i ng s of the k i nd wh e n O ’
, y .

se t o ut o n your trav e l s .

Platon move d to the pi ano and b e gan to pi c k o ut a no te o r twc

,
1
L g b
on , e lte d T artar bl o uses .
2 56 D e ad S o ul s
p e asant anywh e re e l se Tha t i s to say first and fore mo st I make
.
,

hi m w or k .
W h e t h e r a p e a san t b e wor k i ng for h i m s e lf or for m e ,

n e v e r do I le t hi m wa ste ti m e I myse l f to i l l i k e a bullock and .

,

I forc e my p e asants to do the sam e for e xp e ri e nc e has taught me ,

t ha t t ha t i s th e only way to g e t t hrou g h l i f e All t h e m i sch i ef in .

the world com e s throu g h lac k of e mploym e n t Now do yo u go .

,

and con si d e r the matte r and talk i t ov e r wi th your mi r ,

1
.

We hav e don e tha t alre ady C onstan ti n e The doro vi tch and , ,

ou r e ld e r s Op’
i n i on i s : Th e r e i s no n e e d for f ur th e r talk .

E v e ry pe asant b e longi ng to C onstanti n e The do ro vi tch i s we ll

Off and ha sn t to w ork fo r no thi n g The pri e sts of hi s vi lla g e
’
.
, ,

to o are me n o f g ood h e art wh e re a s ours hav e b e e n tak e n aw ay

, , ,
’
and th e re i s no o ne to bury us .

N e v e rth e l e ss do you go and talk the ma tte r ov e r ag ai n

0

.
,

We wi ll bari n ,
”
.

H e re the fac tor who had b e e n walki ng o n the bari n s o th e r ’

si d e p ut i n a w ord .

Con stanti n e The doro vi tch he sai d I beg of yo u to do as , ,

I hav e r e qu e ste d .

I have told you b e fore re pli e d the bari n tha t I do no t , ,

car e to play the huc kste r I am no t o ne o f tho se landown e rs .

whom fe llows of your sort vi si t on the ve ry day tha t the i nte re st

on a mortgag e i s due Ah I kno w your fra te rn i ty thoroug hly
.
, ,

and know that you k e e p l i sts o f all who hav e mortg ag e s to r e pay .

B ut wha t i s th e r e so cl e v e r abou t tha t ? Any man i f you p i nc h ,

hi m su ffi ci e n tly wi ll surre nd e r you a m ortg ag e at half pri c e

,
-
,

any man that i s to say e xc e p t myse lf who car e no thi ng for you r
, , ,

mon e y We re a loan Of mi n e to re mai n o ut thre e ye ars I shoul d

.
,
”
n e v e r d e mand a kop e ck o f i nte r e st on i t .

Qui te S O Constanti n e The do ro vi tch re pli e d the fac tor

, ,
.

B ut I am a ski ng thi s of you mor e for the purpo se of e stabl i sh

i ng us on a bu si n e ss foo ti ng than b e cau se I d e si re to wi n you r
favour P ray th e re fore acc e pt thi s e arnest m on e y o f thre e
.
, ,

An d the man dr e w from hi s bre a st pock e t

”
thou sand roubl e s .

a d i rty roll o f bank no te s w hi ch care l e ssly re c e i vi ng K o stanz

-
, , ,

ho glo thru st uncounte d i n to the back pock e t o f hi s ov e rcoa t

, , .

Hm ! thought Chi chi ko v

”
For all he care s the no te .
,
:

mi ght have b e e n a handk e rchi e f

l

—
.

Wh n oe K s ta n z ho glo app ear e d at clo se r q uarte rs tha t i s te

say i n the doorw ay o f the dra wi ng roo m —
, he struc k Chi chi ko w -

m ore than e ve r wi th the swarthi n e ss o f hi s compl e xi on thl

“

di she ve lme nt o f hi s black sli ghtly gri zzl e d locks the al e rtn ess , ,
1
Vi lla g e co mmun e .
 D e ad S o u l s 2 57

Of hi s e ye , and the i mpr essi on o f fi e ry sou th e rn ori i n wh i ch hi s g

whol e p e rsonal i ty d i ff u se d Fo r he was no t wholly a Ru ssi an ,
.

f
nor could he hi m se l say pr e c i se ly who hi s for e fa th e rs ha b e e n d .

Ye t, i na smuch as he accoun te d e n e alo i cal re se arch no part g g

o f the sc i e nc e Of e sta te manag e m e n t, but a m e r e sup e rflui ty, he
-

look e d upon hi m se l f as, to all i n te nts and purpo se s, a na ti v e o f

Ru ssi a , and the more so si nc e the Ru ssi an lan ua e was the only g g
tongu e he n e w k .

Plat on pre se nte d Chi chi ko v, and the pai r e xchan e d re e ti n s g g g .

To ge t ri d Of m ”
y d e pre ssi on , on stanti ne , co nti nu e d C
Platon , I m g f
a th i nk i n O acco panyi n o ur gu e st on a tour m g
g
throu h a fe w o f the prov i nc e s
”
”
.

A n e xce ll e n t i d e a , s a i d K ost anzho lo

g B u t pr e c i se ly .

wh i the r ? he add e d , turn i n ho sp i tably to Chi chi ko v g .

T o te ll yo u the tru th ,
”
re pl i e d th at p e rsona e w i th an g
aff abl e i ncl i na ti o n o f the h e ad as he s oo the d the arm o f hi s m
w
chai r i th hi s hand , I m
a trave ll i n l e ss on y o wn af ai rs than g m f
ff
o n the a ai r s Of o th e rs That i s to say, Ge ne ral B e tri stche v,
.

an i n ti m f
ate r i e n d , and, I mg
i h t add , a e ne rou s b e ne ac t or , o f g f
m g w m
i ne , has char e d me i th co m i ssi on s t o s o e o f hi s re l ati ve s m .

g
Ne ve rthe l e ss, thou h re lati ve s are re lati ve s, may say that I I
am trave ll i n g
o n my o wn accou n t as w
e ll , i n tha t , i n add i ti on

t o po ssi bl e b e n e fi t to y he al th , m
e si re t o se e the Id
orl and w d
the W gg f m
h i rl i i O hu an i ty, h i ch consti tu te , so to spe ak, a w
g k
l i vi n boo , a se cond course o f e d ucati on ”
.

Ye s, the re i s no har m
i n look i n at o the r co me rs o f the g
w orld be si de s one s o wn ’
.
”

Yo u spe ak truly The re i s no harm i n such a proce e d i n g

. .

The re by one may se e th i n gs wh i ch o ne has n o t be fore e n

counte re d one may me e t me n w i th who m one has n o t be f ore
,

c o m e i n con tac t And w i th so me me n o f th at k i nd 3 conve rsa

. .

i n str uc ti on , and a ai n or i n struc ti on , and g f

age my th i rst i th an e xposi ti o n Of the tru th w
as i t i s . g
I hun e r for the favour Of your word s as fo r anna m .

B ut how so ? What can I te ach you ?

”
e xcla i e d K os m
tan zho glo i n confu si on I
myse lf was i ve n but the pla i n e st
. g
”
o f e ducat i on s .

N w
ay, mo st orthy si r, you po sse ss i sdo , and a ai n w m g
w i sdom m
Wi sdo only can d i re ct the manage e n t o f a re at
. m g
e st a te , that can d e r i ve a so un d i nco e fro the sam e , that can m m
acqu i r e w
e al th o f a re al , n o t a fic ti ti o us, ord e r wh i l e al so ful
2 58 D e ad S o u l s
fill i ng the duti e s of a c i t i ze n and the re by e arn in g the re spe c t of
”
h
t e Ru ss i an publ i c ll t h i s I pray
.
yo u t o te ach m e .

I te ll yo u what sa i d K o stan zhoglo loo k i n g m e d i tati ve ly

”
, ,

a t h i s gu e st
“
Y .ou had b e t te r s t ay w i t h m e for a fe w days ,

and duri ng that ti me I can show you how th i ngs are m anage d
he re and e xpla i n to you e ve ryth i ng The n yo u w i ll se e for
,
.

yourse lf that no gre at w i sdom i s re qu i re d for the purpo se ”

.

”
Ye s ce rta i nly yo u mu st st ay h e re
, p ut i n t he lady o f the ,

hou se The n turn i n g to he r brothe r she add e d

.
,
An d you ,

t o o mu st stay Why should you be i n such a hu rry ?

.

Ve ry we ll he re pl i e d ,
B ut what say yo u P aul I v ano
.
,

vi t ch ?
“
I say the ame as you and w i th much pl e asu re re pli e d
s , ,

Chi chiko v . B ut al so I ough t t o te ll you th i s : that th e re i s a

v
re lati e o f Ge ne ral B e tri stche v s a ce r tai n Co lone l K osh
’
,

kare v
Ye s, we know hi m ; but he i s u i te mad q .

A s you Say, he i s mad , and I should n o t have b e e n in te nd

i ng t o vi si t hi m, we re i t n o t that Ge n e ral B e tri st che v i s an
in t i mate fr i e nd Of m i ne , as we ll as, m i h t add , my mo st I g
”
ge ne rou s b e ne factor .

The n sai d K o stanzhoglo do yo u go and se e Co lone l

”
, ,

Koshk are v now He l i ve s l e ss than te n vers ts from he re and I

.
‘

have a gi g re ady harne sse d GO to hi m at onc e and re turn .

,
”
he re for te a .

”
An e xce ll e n t i de a ! cri e d Chi chi ko v and w i th that he ,

se i ze d hi s cap .

Half an hour s dri ve suffi ce d to bri ng hi m to the Colone l s

’ ’

e stabl i shm e n t The v i l lage attache d t o the manor was i n a state

.

o f u tte r confu si on si nc e i n e v e ry d i re c ti on bu i ld i n g and re pa i r

,

i ng ope rati on s we re i n progre ss and the all e ys we re chok e d ,

wi th he ap s of l i me br i ck s and be ams Of wood Al so some Of

, , .
,

the hu ts we re arrange d to re se mb le O ffi c e s and sup e rscr i b e d i n ,

gi lt l e tte rs D e pot for Agri cu ltural Imple me n ts ”

Ch i e f ,

Ofli ce o f A ccounts ”
E state Works Comm i tte e,
”
Normal ,

S chool for the E ducati on o f Colon i sts ”

and so forth ,
.

Chi chi ko v found the Colon e l po ste d b e h i nd a de sk and ho ld

i n g a p e n b e twe e n hi s te e th Wi thou t an i n stan t s d e lay the ’

—
.

ma ste r of th e e st abl shme nt who se e me d a k i ndly approach

i ,

able man and accorde d hi s v i si tor a ve ry c i v i l we lcome

,

plunge d i nto a re c 1tal o f the labour wh i ch i t had co st hi m t o

bri ng the prope rty to i ts pre se nt cond i ti on o f afflu e nce The n .

he we n t o n t o lame n t the fac t that he could n o t make hi s

2 60 D e ad S o u l s
a l i ve .
’
A t all e v e n ts w i th,
ou t docum e n t ary proc e s s o f t ha t k i nd ,

the ma tte r canno t po s s i bly be carr i e d t hrough s I w i ll

Al o.
,

appo i nt a Comm i ssi one r t o gu i de you round the vari ou s Offi ce s

.

And he sounde d a b e ll ; whe re upon the re pre se nte d h i mse lf a

m an whom addre ssi ng as Se cre”tary the Colone l i nstructe d
, ,

to summon the Comm i ssi one r . The latte r on appe ar in g

, ,

w a s se e n t o hav e th e a i r half,
o f a p e a s an t half o
,
f an Of fi c i al .

Th i s man the Colone l sai d to Chi chi ko v w i ll act as

”
, ,
”
your e scort .

What could be done w i th a lunati c l i ke Ko shkare v ? In the

e nd cur i o si ty move d Chi chiko v t o acco mpany the Comm i ssi on e r
,
.

The Comm i tte e for the R e ce p ti on Of R e por ts and R e turn s was

d i scove re d to have p ut up i ts shu tte rs and to have locke d i ts ,

doors for the re ason that the D i re ctor o f the Comm i tte e had
,

be e n transfe rre d to the ne wly forme d Comm i tte e o f E state

-

M anage me nt and hi s succe ssor had be e n anne xe d by the same

,

Comm i tte e Ne xt Chi chi ko v and hi s e scort rappe d at the

.
,

doors o f the D e partm e n t of E state A ffai rs but that D e part

me nt s quarte rs happe ne d to be i n proce ss Of re pa i r and no o ne
’
,

could be made to answe r the summon s save a drunk e n pe asant

from whom n ot a w ord of se n se was t o be e xtrac te d A t le ngth .

the e scor t h i m se lf fe l t move d to re mark :

The re i s a d e al Of fool i shn e ss go i n g o n he re Fe llows l i ke .

that drun k ard l e ad the bari n by the no se and e ve ryt h i ng i s ,

rule d by the Comm i tte e Of Manage me n t wh i ch take s me n from ,

the i r prop e r work and se ts th e m t o do any o th e r i t l i ke s

,
.

Inde e d only through the Comm i tte e doe s anythi ng ge t done

,
”
.

By th i s ti me Chi chiko v fe l t that he had se e n e nough ; whe re

fore he re turn e d to the Colone l and i nforme d hi m that the
,

Ofli ce for the R e ce p ti on o f R e por ts and R e turn s had c e ase d to

e x i st . A t once the Colon e l fl ame d t o nob le rage Pre ssi ng.

Chi chi ko v s hand i n t o k e n Of gra ti tud e for the i nformati on wh i ch

’

the gu e st had furn i she d he t oo k pap e r and p e n and no te d

, ,

e i gh t se arch i ng qu e sti o ns for pre se n ta ti on und e r thre e se para te

he ad i ngs : ( 1 ) Why has the Comm i tte e Of Manage m e nt p re

”
sum e d t o i ssu e ord e r s t o Ofl i ci als n o t und e r i ts jur i sd i c ti on ?
( )
2
“
Why h a s th e Ch i e f M anag e r p e r m i tt e d h i s pr e d e c e ss or ,

though sti ll i n re te nti on o f hi s po st t o fo ,

D e partme nt ? and ( 3) Why has the Comm i tte e of

”

Affai rs su ffe re d the Offi ce for the Re ce pti on o f Re por

Re turn s to lap se ?
No w for a row ! though t Chi chi ko v t o h i m se lf and ,

t o d e part ; but hi s ho st st opp e d hi m s ayi ng :

,
 D e ad S o ul s 261

I cannot le t you go for i n add i ti on to my honour h av i n g

, ,

be com e i nvolve d i t b e hove s me to Sho w my pe op le ho w the

,

re gular the organ i se d adm i n i strati on of an e state m ay be c on

, ,

ducte d . He re w i th I w i ll hand ove r the conduc t o f your affa i r

to a man who i s wor th all the re st o f the st a ff p ut t o ge th e r and ,

has had a un i ve rsi ty e ducati on Al so the b e tte r t o lo se no ti m e .

, ,

may I humbly be g yo u to ste p i n t o my l i brary whe re you w i ll ,

fi nd note books pape r pe ns and e ve ryth i ng e lse that you m ay

, , ,

re qu i re Of the se arti cl e s pray make full use for you are a

.
,

ge ntl e man O f le tte rs and i t i s your and my j o i n t du ty to br i ng

,

e nl i gh te nm e n t to all
”
.

SO sayi ng he u sh e re d hi s g u e st i n to a larg e room l i n e d from

,

floor to c e i l i ng w i th book s and stu ff e d sp e c i m e n s The books i n

—
.

qu e sti on w e re d i vi d e d i n to se c ti on s a se c ti on on fo re stry a ,

se c ti on o n ca ttl e br e e d i n g -
a se c ti on o n the ra i si ng o f swi n e
, ,

and a se c ti on on horti cul ture tog e th e r wi th sp e c i al j ournal s of

,

the typ e c i rcula te d m e r e ly fo r purpo se s o f r e f e re nc e and n o t fo r ,

g e n e ral re ad i ng P e rc e i vi ng tha t th e se works we re scarc e ly o f a

.

ki nd calcula te d to whi l e away an i dl e hour Chi chi ko v turn e d to a ,

se cond bookca se B ut to do so wa s to fall o ut o f the fryi ng pan

.
-

i nto the fire fo r the con te n ts of the se cond bookca se prov e d to

,

be w ork s on ph i lo sophy w h i l e i n par ti cular si x hug e volum e s

, , ,

con fron te d hi m und e r a lab e l i n scri b e d A Pre para tory C ourse

to the Prov i nc e o f Thou g h t w i th the Th e ory Of C ommun i ty Of
,

E ff ort Co op e ra ti on and S ubsi ste nc e i n i ts Appl i ca ti on to a

,
-
, ,

Ri g h t Und e rstand i ng Of the O rgan i c Pri nc i pl e s o f a Mu tual

D i vi si on o f S oc i al Produc ti vi ty Ind e e d wh e r e so e v e r Chi chi ko v
.
,

look e d e ve ry pa ge pre se nte d to hi s vi si on som e such word s

,
” ” ” ”
ph e nom e non d e v e lopm e nt
,
ab strac t con te n ts , , ,

an d syn op si s
”
. Thi s i s no t the sort o f thi ng for me he ”
,

m urmure d and turn e d hi s atte nti on to a thi rd boo k ca se whi ch

, ,

conta i n e d book s o n the Arts E xtrac ti ng a hug e tom e i n wh i ch

.

som e by no m e an s r e ti c e n t my tholog i cal i llu stra ti on s w e r e

conta i n e d he se t hi m se lf to e xam i n e th e se p i c ture s Th e y w e re

, .

O f the ki nd whi ch pl e a se s mo stly m i ddl e ag e d bach e lors and -

o ld me n who are accu st om e d to se e k i n the ball e t and si m i lar

fri vol i ti e s a furth e r spur to th e i r wan i ng pa ssi on s Havi ng con .

clud e d hi s e xam i na ti on Chi chi ko v had ju st e xtrac te d ano th e r

,

volum e of the sam e Sp e c i e s wh e n C olon e l Ko shk ar e v r e turn e d

wi th a docum e nt o f som e sort and a radi ant counte nanc e .

Ev e rythi ng has b e e n carri e d throu g h i n due form ! he cri e d .

T he man whom I m e n ti on e d i s a g e n i u s i nd e e d and I ,

i nt e nd n o t only to promo te hi m ov e r the r e st but al so to cr e a te ,

2 62 D e ad S o ul s
for hi m a sp e c i al D epartm e nt H e re wi th shall you h e ar what a
.

S pl e ndi d i nte ll e ct i s hi s ”and how i n a few mi nute s he has p ut

,

the whol e a ffa i r i n ord e r .

M ay the Lord be thank e d for tha t ! thought Chi chi ko v

”
.

Th e n he se ttl e d hi m se lf to li ste n whi l e the Colon e l r e ad aloud

Afte r gi vi ng full consi d e ra ti on to the Re fe re nc e whi ch
your E xc e ll e ncy has e ntru ste d to me I hav e the honour to ,

r e port as follows
In e S ta t e m e n t o f P l e a pr e se n te d by o n e Paul
( )
1 t h
I vanovi tch Chi chi ko v G e ntle man Ch e val i e r and Coll e gi a te
, , ,

Counc i llor th e re lurk s an e rro r i n tha t an ov e rsi ght has le d the

, ,

P e ti ti on e r to apply to Re vi si onal S oul s the te rm D e ad Now ”

.
,

from the conte xt i t would app e ar tha t by thi s te rm the P e ti ti on e r

d esi re s to si gn i fy S oul s Approachi ng D e a th ra th e r than S oul s
Ac tually D e c e ase d : wh e r e fore the te rm e mploy e d b e trays such
an e mp i ri cal i n structi on i n l e tte rs as mu st b eyond doubt hav e , ,

be e n con fi n e d to the Vi llag e S chool se e i ng tha t i n tru th the ,

S oul i s D e athl e ss .
’

The ra scal !
”
Ko shk ar e v bro k e Ofl to e xcla i m d e l i ghte dly .

He has go t yo u th e re M onsi e ur Chi chi ko v An d you wi ll

,
.

admi t that he has a su ffi c i e ntly i nc i si v e p e n ?

2 O n thi s E sta t e th e r e e x i st no Unmor tg a g e d S oul s w ha t
( )
so e v e r
,
wh e th e r Approachi ng D e a th o r O th e rwi se ; for the
re a son tha t all S oul s th e r e on hav e b e e n pl e dg e d no t only und e r

a Fi rst D e e d o f M ortgag e but al so ( for the sum o f On e Hundre d

—
,

and Fi fty Roubl es p e r S oul ) und e r a S e cond the vi llag e Of ,

Gurmai lo vka alon e e xc e p t e d i n tha t i n con se qu e nc e o f a S u i t

, ,

havi ng b e e n brought aga i n st Landown e r Pri adi stche v and o f a ,

cave at ha v i ng b e e n prono unc e d by the Land Cour t and Of such ,

caveat havi ng b e e n publ i sh e d i n NO 4 2 of the Gaze tte of M o scow, .

the sa i d V i llag e has com e wi th i n the Juri sd i c ti on Of the Court

Above M e nti on e d
-
.
’

Why di d yo u no t t e ll me all th i s b e for e ? cri e d Chi chi ko v

fu ri ou sly Why hav e yo u k e p t me danci ng abou t fo r no thi ng ?
.

B e cau se i t was ab solu te ly n e c e ssary tha t you should Vi e w

the ma tt e r through form s of docum e n tary proc e ss Thi s i s no .

j e st on my part The i n e xp e ri e nc e d may se e thi ng s su bco n

.

sci o u sly y,
e t i t i s
”
i mp e ra ti v e tha t he s h ould al so se e t h e m
con sci ously .

B ut to Chi chi ko v spati e nc e an e nd had com e S e i zi ng hi s

’
.

cap and ca sti ng all c e re mony to the wi nd s, he fle d from the

,

hou se and ru sh e d through the cour tyard A s i t happ e n e d the

, .
,

man who had dri ve n hi m thi th e r had warn e d by e xp e ri e nc e no t , ,

2 64 D e ad S o ul s
procuri ng candl e mak e rs from London and th e n turni ng land
-
,

own e rs i nto huc k ste rs ! To thi nk o f a Ru ssi an pomze stchzk a 1

,

m e mb e r o f the nobl e st o f call i ngs conduc ti ng work shop s and ,

co tton m i ll s ! Why i t i s fo r the w e nch es Of town s to handl e

,

loom s for musli n and lac e .

B ut you your s e lf ma i n ta i n w or k shop s ? r e mark e d Pla ton .

I do ; but who e stabl i sh e d th e m ? Th e y e stabl i sh e d th em

lv F or i n t anc wool had accumula t e d and s i nc e I had
—
se e s . s e , ,

nowh e re to store i t I b e gan to w e a v e i t i nto clo th but mark

, ,

y o u,
only i n t o g ood pla i n clo,
t h o f wh i ch I can d i s po s e at a

ch e ap ra te i n the local mark e ts and whi ch i s n e e d e d by p e asan ts

, ,

i nclud i ng my own Ag a i n fo r si x y e ars o n e nd di d the fish

.
,

fac tori es k e e p dumpi ng th e i r o ffal o n my bank o f the ri ve r ;

wh e re fore at la st as th e re was no thi ng to be don e wi th i t I took
, ,

to bo i l i ng i t i n to g lu e and cl e ar e d for ty t hou sand roubl e s by

,

the proc e ss .

The d e vi l ! thou g ht Chi chi ko v to h i m se lf as he star e d at hi s

0

ho st . What a fist thi s man has fo r ma k i ng mon e y !

“
Ano th e r re a son w hy I starte d tho se fac tori e s conti nu e d ”
,

K o stan zhoglo i s tha t th e y m i g ht g i v e e mploym e n t to many

,

p e asants who would o th e rwi se hav e starv e d Yo u se e the ye ar

—
.
,

happ e n e d to hav e b e e n a l e an o n e thank s to tho se sam e

i ndu stry mong e ri ng landown e rs i n tha t th e y had n e g l e c te d to
-
,

so w th e i r crop s ; and n o w my fac tor i e s k e e p g row i ng a t the ra te

of a fac tory a y e ar o wi ng to the ci rcum stanc e tha t such q uanti

,

ti e s o f r e mnan ts and cu tti ng s b e com e so accumula t e d tha t i f ,

a man loo k s care fully to hi s manag e m e nt he wi ll find e ve ry sort

o f rubb i sh to be capabl e o f bri ng i ng i n a r e turn — y e s t o t h e po i n t
,

Of hi s havi ng to re j e c t mon e y o n the pl e a tha t he has no n e e d

of i t Ye t I do n o t find tha t to do all thi s I r e qu i r e to bu i ld a
"
.

mansi on wi th fa cad e s and p i llars !

M arv e llou s ! e xclai m e d Chi chi ko v
”
B e yond all thi ngs
do e s i t surpri se me tha t r e fu se can be so u ti l i se d ”
.

Ye s and tha t i s wha t can be don e by si mp le m e thod s B ut

, .

nowadays e v e ry o n e i s a m e chani c and wan ts to op e n the ,

mon ey ch e st wi th an i n strum e nt i nste ad o f si mply For that .

pu rpo se he h i e s hi m to E ngland Ye s that i s the thi ng to do .

,
.

”
What folly ! K o stanzhog lo spa t and add e d : Ye t wh e n he
re turn s from abroad he i s a hundr e d ti m e s mor e i gnoran t than

wh e n he w e n t .

Ah Constan ti n e p ut i n hi s wi fe anxi ou sly you kno w ho w

, , ,

bad fo r you i t i s to talk l i k e thi s ”

.

L an do wn e r 1
.
 D e ad S o ul s 26
5
Yes but ho w am I to he lp lo si ng my te mp e r ? The thi ng
,

touch e s me to o clo se ly i t v e x e s me to o d e e ply to th i nk tha t

,

the Ru ssi an charac t e r should be d e g e n e ra ti ng Fo r i n tha t char .

ac t e r th e r e has da w n e d a sor t o f Qu i xo ti sm w h i ch n e v e r u se d to

be th e r e Ye s no soon e r do e s a man g e t a l i ttl e e duca ti on i n to hi s

.
,

he ad than he b e com es a Don Qu i x o t e and e stabl i sh e s school s on ,

hi s e sta te such as e v e n a madman w ould n e v e r hav e dr e am e d o f .

And from tha t school th e re i ssu es a workman who i s g ood fo r

n o t hi n g w h e th e r 1n the coun t ry o r i n the t o w n
,
— a f e llow who

dri nk s and I S for e v e r stand i ng o n hi s d i g n i ty Ye t sti ll o ur land .

own e rs k e e p taki ng to phi lan thropy to conv e rti ng th e m se lv es ,

i n to ph i lan throp i c kn i g h ts e rran t and sp e nd i ng m i ll i on s upon

-
,

se n se l e ss hOS p i ta ls and i n sti tu ti on s and so ru i n i n g th e m se lv e s

,

and turni ng t h e i r fa m i l i es adri ft Ye s tha t i s all tha t com e s o f

.
,

ph i lan thropy .

Chi chi ko v s bu si n e ss had no th i n g to do w i th the Spr e ad of

’

e nl i gh te nm e n t he was but se e k i n g an opportun i ty t o i nqu i re

,

furth e r conc e rni ng the pu tti ng o f re fu se to lucrati ve u se s ; but

K o stanzho glo would no t le t hi m ge t a word i n e dg e ways so ,

i rre si sti bly di d the flo w o f sarca sti c comm e n t pour from the
sp e ak e r s l i p s
’
.

”
Ye s w e n t o n K o stanzho glo
,
folk are always sch e m i ng
,

to e duca te the p e a san t B ut first mak e hi m w e ll o ff an d a good

.
-

farm e r Then he wi ll e duca te h i m se l f fa st e nou gh A s thi ngs a re

. .

n o w the w orld has grown stup i d to a d e gr e e tha t pa sse s b e l i e f

,
.

Look at the stu ff tha t o ur pre se n t day scri bbl e rs wri te ! L e t -

any sort o f a book be publ i sh e d and at onc e yo u wi ll se e e v e ry

,

o n e mak i n g a ru sh fo r i t S i m i larly wi ll you find folk sayi ng :

.

The p e a san t l e ad s an ov e r si mpl e l i fe He ough t to be fam i l i ari se d

-
.

wi th luxuri e s and so le d to ye arn for th i ng s abov e hi s stati on

’
.
,

And the re sul t o f such luxuri e s wi ll be tha t the p e asant wi ll

b e com e a ra g ra th e r than a man and su ffe r from the d e vi l only
,

kno ws wha t d i se a se s unti l the re wi ll re ma i n i n the l and no t a

,

boy o f e i gh te e n who wi ll no t have e xp e ri e nc e d the whol e gamu t

o f th e m and found h i m se lf l e f t wi th n o t a t oo th i n hi s j a ws o r
‘

a hai r o n hi s pa te Ye s tha t i s wha t wi ll com e o f i nfe c ti ng the

.
,

pe a san t wi th such rubbi sh B ut tha nk God th e re i s sti ll o n e

—
.
, ,

h e al thy cla ss l e ft to us a cla ss wh i ch has n e ve r ta k e n up

wi th the advan ta ge s o f whi ch I sp e ak For tha t we ought .

to be gra te ful And si nc e e v e n ye t the Ru ssi an agri cul turi st

.
, ,

re ma i ns the m o st re sp e c t worthy man i n the land why -

,

should he be touch e d ? Would to God e ve ry o ne w e re an

a gri cul turi st
2 66 D e ad S o ul s
Th e n you b e l i e v e agr i cul t ur e t o b e t h e mo s t pro fi tabl e o f
o ccup a t i o n s ? s a i d C h i ch i k o v .

The b e s t a t
,
a ll e v e n t s— i f n o t t h e mo s t pro fi t abl e In the .

s w e a t o f th y b r ow s hal t t hou t i ll t h e l a nd To q uo te t h a t
.
’

re qu i re s n o gre a t wi sdom for the e xp e ri e nc e of age s has shown

,

us t h a t i n
,
t h e a g r i cul tural call i ng m a n ha s ,
e v e r r e ma i n e d mor e

moral m o re pure more nobl e than i n any o th e r O f course I do

, ,
.

not m e a n t o i mply th a t no o t h e r c a ll i ng ough t t o be prac ti se d :

si mply that the c all i ng i n q u e sti on l i e s at the roo t of all the r e st .

Howe ve r much fac tori e s may be e stabl i sh e d pri va te ly o r by the

’
law the re wi ll sti ll li e re a dy to m an s hand all that he n e e d s
,

he wi ll sti ll re qu i re non e o f tho se am e n i ti e s wh i ch a re sapp i ng

the Vi tal i ty o f o u r pre se nt day fol k nor any o f tho se i ndu stri al
-

e stabl i shm e n ts wh i ch mak e th e i r pro fi t and k e e p the m se lv e s ,

goi ng by c au si ng fool i sh m e a sure s to be adop te d whi ch i n the

, ,

e n d are bound to d e prav e and corrup t our unfor tun ate m asse s
,
.

I myse lf am d e te rm i n e d n e ve r to e stabl i sh any manufac ture ,

howe v e r pro fi tabl e wh i ch wi ll gi ve ri se to a d e mand for h i gh e r

—
,

t h i ng s such a s sugar and t ob acco

,
’
no no t i f I lo se a m i ll i on
by my re fu si ng to do so If corrup ti on must ov e rt a k e the mi r i t
.
,

shall no t be th rough my hand s And I thi nk tha t God wi ll

.

ju sti fy me i n my re solv e Tw e n ty ye ars hav e I l i ve d among the

.

c ommon fol k and I k now what wi ll i n e vi tably com e of such

,
”
th i n s
ISut what surpri se s me most p e rsi ste d Chi chi ko v i s tha t
.

, ,

from re fu se i t should be po ssi bl e wi th good manage m e n t to ,

mak e such an i mm e n si ty o f pro fi t .

An d a s for pol i ti cal e conomy con ti nu e d K o stanzho glo

, ,

wi thou t noti c i ng hi m and wi th hi s fac e charg e d wi th bi li ou s

sarca sm ,
— ,

as for pol i ti cal e conomy i t i s a fin e th i ng i nd e e d , .

Ju st o ne fool si tti ng o n ano th e r fool s bac k and floggi ng hi m ’

along e ve n though the ri d e r can se e no furth e r than hi s o wn

Ye t i nto the saddl e wi ll tha t fool cl i mb —Sp e c tacl e s and
,

n o se !

all ! Oh the folly the folly o f such thi ngs !

, ,
And the sp e ake r
sp at d e ri si v e ly .

That may be tru e sai d hi s wi fe , Ye t yo u mu st no t ge t

.

angry abou t i t S ure ly o n e can sp e ak on such subj e c ts wi thou t

.

losi ng on e s te mp e r ? ’

A s I l i ste n t o yo u m o st worthy Con stan ti n e The do ro vi tch

, ,

Chi chi ko v h aste n e d to re m ark i t b e com e s pla i n t o me tha t

,

y o u hav e p e n e tr a t e d t o the m e an i ng o f l i fe and la i d your fi ng e r ,

upon the e sse n ti al roo t o f the ma tte r Ye t suppo si ng fo r a .

,
mom e n t we l e av e the a ffa i rs of humani ty i n ge n e ral and turn
, ,
2 68 D e ad S o u l s
po ssi bl e sort ; wh e re a s my accu se rs ju sti fy th e m se lve s i n e ve ry
h
t i ng and say t ha t t hough we hav e wa
,
st e d o ur mon e y w e ,
,
have starte d a d e mand for the hi gh e r am e ni ti e s of l1fe and th e re ,
~

fore e ncourag e d i ndu stry wi th o ur wa ste fuln e ss a far b e tte r ,

way o f do i ng th i ng s th a n t ha t prac ti se d by K o s ta n zho g lo who ,

l i ve s li ke a p i g .
’

Would I could li ve i n your pi ggi sh fa shi on ! e jaculate d

Chi chi ko v .

And forth and so forth Ye t wha t a re the h i gh e r am e ni

so ,
.

ti e s o f l i f e Wh a t good can th e y do t o any o n e ? Ev e n i f a

landown e r o f the day se ts up a l i brary he n e v e r loo k s at a si ngl e ,

b oo k i n i t b ut s oon ,
r e l a p se s i n t o c a rd playi ng th e u s ual
-

pu rsu i t Ye t fol k call me name s si mply b e cau se I do no t wa ste

.

my m e an s upon the gi vi ng o f d i nn e rs ! On e re a son why I do no t

gi ve such di nn e rs i s tha t th e y we ary me ; and ano th e r re a son i s
tha t I am no t u se d to th e m B ut com e you t o my hou se for the .

purpo se of ta ki ng p o t luc k and I shall be d e l i gh te d to se e you

,
.

Al so fol k fool i shly say tha t I l e nd mon e y on i n te re st ; wh e re a s

,

the tru th i s that i f yo u should com e to me wh e n you a re re ally

i n n e e d and should e xpla i n to me Op e nly how you p rOp o se to
,

e mploy my mon e y and I should p e rc e i v e tha t you are p urp o s

,

i n g to u se th at mon e y wi se ly and tha t you are re ally l i k e ly to

—
,

pro fi t th e re by we ll i n tha t ca se you would fi nd me re ady to

,
”
l e nd you all that you m i gh t ask wi thou t i nte re st at all .

”
That i s a th i ng whi ch i t i s as we ll to know re fl e c te d ,

Chi chi ko v .

”
Ye s, p e a te d K o stan zho glo
re und e r tho se c i rcum stance s,

I should n e v e r re fu se you my a ssi stanc e B ut I do obj e c t to .

throwi ng my mon e y to the wi nd s Pardon me for e xpre ssi ng .

myse lf so plai nly To thi n k o f l e nd i ng mon e y to a man who i s

.

me re ly d e vi si ng a d i nn e r to hi s m i stre ss o r plann i ng to furni sh ,

hi s hou se l i ke a luna ti c or th i nki ng o f ta ki ng hi s paramour to a

,

ma sk e d ball o r a jub i l e e i n honour o f som e o n e who had b e tte r

n e v e r have b e e n born !
And sp i tti ng he cam e n e ar to v e nti ng som e e xpre ssi on
, ,

whi ch would scarc e ly hav e b e e n b e com i ng i n the pre se nc e o f hi s

wi fe O v e r hi s fac e the d ark shadow of hypochondri a had c ast
.

a cloud and furrows had form e d o n hi s brow and te mpl e s a n d

, ,

hi s e ve rv g esture b e spo k e the i nflu e nc e o f a ho t n e rvou s ,

rancour .

B ut allow me onc e more t o d i re c t your a tte nti on t o the

”
su bj e c t o f o ur re c e ntly i n te rrup te d conv e rsati on p e rsi ste d ,
Chi chi ko v as he si pp e d a gla ss o f e xc e ll e n t ra spb e rry wi n e .
 D e ad S o ul s 2 69

That 15 to say suppo si n g I w e re to acqu i re the prop e rty w h i ch

,

o u hav e b e e n good e nough t o bri n g to my no ti c e h o w lon g

y ,

would i t take me to grow ri ch ?

That w ould d e p e nd upon yourse lf re pl i e d K o stanzho glo ,

wi th gri m abrup tn e ss and e vi d e nt i ll humour You m i gh t .

e i th e r g
D t
r o w r i ch qu i ckly or yo u m i gh t n e v e r grow ri ch at all

If you made up your mi nd to grow ”

ri ch soon e r o r la te r yo u ,

would find yourse lf a we a lthy man .

Ind e e d ? e jacula te d Chi chi ko v .

Ye s re pl i e d K o stan zho glo as sharply as thou gh he w e re

,
”
,

an gry w i th Chi chi ko v Yo u w ould me re ly n e e d to be f on d o f

.

w ork : othe rwi se yo u w ould e ffe ct noth i n g The m ai n th i ng i s .

to l i ke looki n g afte r your prop e rt y B e li e ve me you w ould .

,

ne ve r gro w we ary o f do i n g so Pe opl e w o uld have i t that l i fe

.

i n the coun try i s dull ; w h e re a s i f I w e re t o sp e nd a si ngl e day

,

as i t i s sp e n t by so me f olk w i th th e i r stup i d club s and th e i r

,

re staurants and the i r the atre s I shou ld di e o f e nn ui The fool s

,
.
,

the i d i o ts the ge ne rati o n o f bl i n d dullard s ! B ut a lando wn e r

—
,

ne ve r find s the days we ari so me he has n o t the ti me I n hi s .

l i fe n ot a mo me nt re m ai ns unoccup i e d ; i t i s full to the bri m .

An d w i th i t all g o e s an e ndle ss var i e ty o f occupati o n s And .

what occupati on s ! O cc up ati on s wh i ch ge nu i n e ly upl i ft the

s oul,
se e i n g that the lando w n e r w alk s w i th n ature and the

se a son s o f the ye ar and take s part i n and i s i nti m ate w i th

, , ,

e ve ryt h i n g wh i ch i s e volve d by cre at i o n Fo r le t us look at the .

ro und o f the ye ar s l abours Eve n b e fore spri n g has arri ve d

’
.

th e re wi ll ha ve b e g un a ge n e ral w at ch i n g and a w a i ti n g f or i t ,

an d a pre par i n g for so w i n g an d an apport i o ni n g o f crop s and

, ,

a m e asuri ng o f see d grai n by b yre s and a dryi ng o f se e d and a , ,

d i vi d i n g o f the w orke rs i n t o te a ms For e ve ryth i n g n ee d s to .

be e xam i n e d b e fore hand and calc ulati on s m u st be mad e at the

,

ve ry start And as soon as e ve r the i ce shall have m e l te d and

.
,

the r i ve rs be flo w i n g and the l and have dr i e d su ffic i e n tly t o be

,

w orkable the Spade wi ll be gi n i ts task i n ki tche n and flowe r

,

garde n and the plough and the harrow th e i r tasks i n the fie ld ;

,

un ti l e ve rywh e re the re w i ll be ti ll i n g and so w i n g and planti n g .

An d do you und e rstand w hat the sum o f that labour w i ll m e an ?

I t wi ll m e an that the harve st i s b e i n g so wn that the we lfare o f ,

the w orld i s b e i n g sown th at the food o f m i ll i on s i s b e i n g p ut

,

i n to the e arth And th e re afte r w i ll co me su mme r the se ason

.
,

o f re ap i n g e ndl e ss re ap i n g ; fo r sudd e nly the crop s w i ll have

,

r i p e n e d and rye she a f w i ll be lyi n g h e ap e d upon rye she af w i th

,
- -
, ,

e lse wh e re shoc k s o f barl e y and o f oats and o f w h e at

, ,
An d ,
. .
2 0
7 D e ad S o u l s
e v r
e yt h i ng w i ll b e t e e m i ng w i t h l i f e and n o t a m om e n t w i ll
,

h
t e re be t o be lo st se e i ng t ha t had
,
you e v e n t w e n ty,
e ye s
you ,

wou ld have ne e d fo r the m all An d afte r the harve st fest1v1ti e s .

th e re w i ll be gra i n t o be carte d t o byre or st ac k e d i n

s t or e s t o b e pr e par e d for th e w i n t e r and s t or e hou se s ,

and cattle she d s to be cle ane d

-

wome n to be assi gne d the i r task s and the to tal s o f e ve ryth i n g ,

to be calculate d so that o n e may se e the valu e o f wh a

,
t has b e e n
done An d lastly w i ll come wi nte r whe n i n e ve ry thre sh i n g
.
,

floor the flai l w i ll be worki n g and the grai n whe n thre she d wi ll , , ,

ne e d to be carr i e d from barn to b i nn and the m i lls re qu i re to ,

be se e n to and the e sta te fac t ori e s t o be i n spe c te d and the

, ,

workme n s hu ts to be vi si te d for the purpo se o f asce rtai n i ng

’

how the muzhi k i s fari ng (for g i ve n a carp e n te r who i s cl e ve r ,

wi th hi s tool s I for one am only to o glad to sp e nd an hour o r

, , ,

two i n hi s company so ch e e r i n g t o me i s labour ) ,

And i f i n .
,

add i ti on o ne d i sce rn s the e nd t o wh i ch e ve ryth i n g i s m ovi ng

, ,

and the manne r i n wh i ch the th i ngs of e arth are e ve rywhe re ,

multi plyi ng and m ulti plyi ng and bri n gi ng forth more and m ore ,

fru i t t o one s pro fiti n g I cannot ad e qua te ly e xpre ss what ta ke s

’
,

place i n a man s soul And that n ot be cau se o f the grow th i n

’

— —
.
,

hi s we al th mone y i s m one y and no m ore but b e cau se he wi ll

fe e l that e ve ryth i ng i s the w ork o f hi s o wn hand s and that he ,

has b e e n the cau se o f e ve ryth i ng and i ts cre a tor and tha t fro m , ,

hi m as fro m a mag i c i an the re has flowe d boun ty and goodn e ss

, ,

for all In what o the r call i ng w i ll yo u fi nd such d e l i ghts i n

.

pro spe ct ? A s he spok e K o stan zho glo ra i se d hi s face and i t

, ,

be came cl e ar that the wri n kl e s had fle d fro m i t and that l i k e , ,

the Tsar o n the so le nm day o f hi s cro wn i ng K o stanzho glo s

’

whole form was d i ffu si ng l i ght and hi s fe ature s had in the m a ,

ge ntle rad i ance In all the w orld be re pe ate d

.
” “
y o u w i ll
, ,

fi nd no j oys l i ke the se fo r he re i n man i mi tate s the Go d who ,

proj e cte d cre ati on as the supre me happ i ne ss and no w de mand s ,

o f man that he t o o shou ld act as the cre at or o f pro sp e r i ty
, , .

Ye t th e re are folk who call such func ti on s te d i ou s !

K o st an zho glo s me lli flu o us pe r i od s fe ll upon Chi chi ko v s e ar
’ ’

l i ke the no te s of a b i rd o f parad i se From ti m e to ti me he .

g ulp e d and h i s s of te ne d e ye s e xpre sse d the pl e asure wh i ch i t

,
gave h1m to l i ste n .

Constanti ne , i t i s ti m e to l e a ve the tabl e sai d the lady ,

o f the hou se m w
.

r1s1n
g ,f r o h e r s e a t Ev e ry o n e follo e d h
. e r
e xamp le
. .

,and Ch1ch1ko v agai n acte d as hi s ho ste ss s e scort ’

though wi th l e ss d e xte r i ty o f d e por tm e n t than b e fore ow i ng to

,
27 2 D e ad S o uls
dog Yarb and the sne e ze wh i ch on e ach such
, ,

ve nte d and the lau ghte r o f the pl e asan t face d

,
-

always followe d by the word s Pray do no t .

more and the che e rful candle hght and the -

,

i n a corne r and the glass door and the

, ,

layin g i ts e lbows upon the tre e tops and -

,

and vocal w i th the n i ghti ngal e s wh i ch

w arbl e d d i t t i e s fro m th e r e c e sse s o f the f o li a ge k e jft g lanc i n g ,

t hrough th e door and r e g ard,

i n g t he co m pany w i t h i n .

Ho w i t de li ghts me to h e ar your w ord s g ood Constan ti ne ,

The doro vi tch ! sa i d Chi chi ko v Ind e e d nowhe te i n Ru ssi a

.
,
”
have I me t w i th a man o f e qual i n te lle ct .

K o stanzho glo sm i le d wh i le re al i si n g tha t the

,
cut wa s

scarce ly d e se r ve d .

If yo u wan t a man o f gen ui ne i n te ll e ct he sai d I can te l l ,

you o f one He i s a man who se boo t sol e s are w ort more than
.

my who le body
”

m
.

Who may he be ? aske d Chi chi ko v i n as ton i sh e nt .

Murazo v o ur local C omm i ssi one r of Taxe s

”
.
,
”
Ah ! I have he ard of hi m b e fore re marke d Chi chi ko v ,
.

He i s a man who we re he n o t the d i re ctor o f an e state

, ,

m i ght we ll be a d i re ctor o f the Empi re And we re the E mpi re .

und e r my d i re c ti on I should at onc e appo i nt hi m my M i n i ste 1

,
”
o f Fin ance
—
.

I have he ard tale s be yond be l i e f con ce rmng hi m fm

i n stance that he has ac qu i re d te n m i ll i on roubl e s
”
.
, ,

Te n ? M ore than for ty S oon half Ru ssi a wi ll be i n hi s

.

”
hand s .

Y ou don t say so ? cri e d Chi chi ko v in am aze me nt

’
.

Ye s c e rta i nly The man who has only a hundre d thousanc

.

roubl e s to w ork wi th grows r i ch but slowly whe re as he who ha ,

s

m i lli ons at hi s d i sposal can ope rate ove r a gre ate r rad i u s anc ,

so back wha tso e ve r he und e rt ake s w i th tw i c e o r thr i c e tht

m one y wh i ch can be brou ght agai n st hi m Con se que ntly hi .

fie ld be come s so spaci ou s that he e nd s by ha vi ng no ri vals

Ye s no one can compe te w i th hi m and whatsoe ve r pr i ce ht
, , ,

may fi x for a gi ve n comm od i ty at that pri ce i t wi ll have tc ,

”
re ma i n n or wi ll any man be abl e to ou tb i d i t
, .

My God ! mu tte re d Chi chi ko v cro ssi ng h i m se lf and star , ,

i ng at K o stanzho glo w i th hi s bre ath ca tch i n g i n hi s throat

The m i nd canno t gra sp i t —
“
i t p e tri fie s on e s though ts wi tl ’

awe . Yo u se e folk marve ll i n g at wh at S c i e nce has ach i e ve d i r

the ma tte r o f i nve st i ga ti ng the hab i ts of co wbu s but to me i ‘

g ,
 D e ad S o ul s 273

is a far m ore m arve llou s th i n g that m the hand s o f a si n gle m ortal

th e re can b e co m e accu m u la te d such g i g an t i c su m s o f m on e y .

B ut m ay I ask whe th e r the gre a t f or tun e o f w h i ch yo u spe ak

has b e e n ac qu i re d throu gh hon st m e an s ? e

Ye s through m e an s o f the m o st i rre proachabl e k i nd

,

throu gh the mo t honourabl e o f me thod s

’
s .

Ye t so i mprobabl e doe s i t se e m that I can scarc e ly b e l i e ve

it Thou sand I cou ld und e rstand ; but m i ll i on s
s

On the con trary t mak e thou sand s hon e stly I S a far mor e
,
o

d i ffi cul t ma tte r than to mak e m i ll i on s Mi lli on s a e e a si ly co m e . r

by fo r a mi ll i ona i re has no n e e d to r e sort to croo k e d ways ;

,

the way l i es stra i g h t b e for e hi m and he n e e d s but to ann e x ,

whatso e ve r he com es acro ss No ri val wi ll spri ng up to oppo se .

hi m f or no ri val wi ll be sufli ci e ntly stron g and si nc e the

, ,

mi lli ona i re can op e ra te ov e r an e xte nsi v rad i u s he can e ,

bri ng (as I hav e sa i d ) two o r thre e roubl e s to b e ar upon any

o n e e l se s o n e
’
Con se qu e ntly wha t i nte r est wi ll he de ri v e fro m
.
,

a thou sand roubl es ? Why te n o r tw e n ty p c e nt a t the ,

er .

”
l e a st .

And i t i s b e yond m e a sure marv e llou s tha t the w hol e should

hav e start e d from a si ng l e kop e ck ”
.

Had i t starte d o th e rwi se the thi ng could n e v e r hav e b e e n ,

don e at all S uch i s the normal course He who i s born wi th

. .

thou sand s and i s brou g h t up to thou sand s wi ll n e v e r acqu i r e

, ,

a si n g l e kop e ck mor e fo r he w i ll hav e b e e n s e t up wi th the

,

am e ni ti e s o f l i f e m a dvanc e and so n e ve r co m e to stan d l n n e e d

,

o f any thi n g I t 15 n e c e ssary to b e gi n f rom the b e g i nn i ng ra th e r

.

than from t he m i ddl e ; from a k op e ck ra th e r than from a

roubl e ; from the bo ttom ra th e r than from the to p For only .

thu s w i ll a man g e t to kno w the me n and cond i ti on s amon g

whi ch hi s car e er wi ll have to be carv e d Tha t i s to say throug h .
,

e ncoun t e ri n g the rou g h and the tumbl e o f l i f e and throu g h ,

l e arn i ng tha t e v e ry kop e ck has to be b e ate n o ut wi th a thr e e

kop e ck na i l and throug h w orsti ng knav e afte r knav e he wi ll
, ,

acqu i re such a d e gre e o f p e rsp i cu i ty and wari n e ss that he wi ll

e rr i n no th i n g wh i ch he may tackl e and n e v e r com e to ru i n , .

B e li e v e me i t i s so The b eg i nni ng no t the mi ddl e i s the ri g ht

, .
, ,

star ti ng po i n t No o n e who com e s to me and says Gi v e me

.
,

a hundr e d thou sand roubl e s and I wi ll grow ri ch i n no ti m e , ,

’

do I b e l i e v e for he i s l i k e ly to m e e t wi th fa i lure ra th e r than wi th

,

the succ e ss of whi ch he i s so a ssur e d Ti s w i th a kop e ck and

’
.
,

wi th a kop e ck only tha t a man mu st b egi n ,

”
.

I f that i s so I shall g row ri ch sa i d Chi chi ko v i nvoluntari ly

,
”
, ,
274 D e ad S o ul s
re m e mbe ri ng the d e ad soul s Fo r of a sur e ty I b e gan wi th
.

”
no thi ng .

Co n stanti n e pray allow P aul I v ano vi tch to re ti re to r e st

, ,

u t i n t he l a dy o f t he h o u se I t i s h i gh t i m e and I am sur e
p .
,

av e t a l k e d e nough
”
o
y “ u h .

Ye s be yond a doub t you wi ll grow ri ch

,
con ti nu e d K o s ,

tanzho g lo wi thou t h e e d i ng hi s w i f e
,
Fo r towa rd s you th e r e .

wi ll run ri v e rs and ri v e rs o f gold unti l you wi ll n o t k now what

,
”
to do wi th all your g a i n s .

A s though Sp e llbound Chi chi ko v sat i n an au re a t e wo rld o f

,

e v e r growi ng dr e am s and fan ta si e s

-
All hi s thoughts w e re i n .

a whi rl and on a carp e t o f fu tu re w e al th hi s tumul tuou s i magi na

,

ti on wa s w e a vi ng gold e n p att e rn s wh i l e e v e r i n hi s e ar s w e r e
,

ri ng i ng the word s towa rd s you th e re wi ll run ri v e rs and ri v e rs

o f gold .

Re ally Con stanti n e do allow P aul Ivanovi tch to go to

, ,

Wha t on e ar th
ma tte r ? re tort e d the ma st e r o f the
i s the
hou se te sti ly P ray go yourse lf i f yo u wi sh to Th e n he
.
”
.

stopp e d Shor t for the snori ng of P la ton was fi ll i ng the whol e

— —
,

room and al so ou tri valli ng i t tha t o f the do g Ya rb Thi s

,
.

c au se d K o stanzho glo to r e al i se tha t b e d ti m e r e ally had ar ri v e d ;

wh e re for e afte r he had shak e n P l aton o ut o f hi s slumb e rs and
, ,

bi dd e n Chi chi ko v good n i ght all d i sp e rse d to th e i r se v e ral

,

chamb e rs and b e cam e plung e d i n S l e e p

, .

All tha t i s to say e xc e p t Chi chi ko v who se though ts r e ma i ne d

, , ,

wak e ful and who k e p t wond e ri ng and wond e ri ng ho w b e st he

,

could b e c o m e the own e r n o t o f a fi c ti ti ou s but o f a r e al e sta te

, , ,
.

The con v e rsa ti on wi th hi s ho st had mad e e v e ry thi ng cl e ar had ,

mad e the po ssi b i li ty of hi s acqu i ri ng ri ch e s mani f e st had mad e ,

the d i ffi cul t art of e sta t e manag e m e n t a t onc e e a sy and und er

standable ; un ti l i t would se e m a s though par ti cularly wa s hi s

na tu re adapte d fo r ma ste ri ng the art i n qu e sti on All tha t he .

w ould n e e d to do would be to mortgag e the d e ad soul s and ,

th e n t o se t up a g e nu i n e e stabl i shm e nt Alre ady he saw hi m .

se lf ac ti ng and adm i n i st e ri ng a s K o stan zho lo had adv i se d hi m

g
—e n e rg e ti cally and through p e rsonal ove rsi g ht and und e r
, ,
takmg no thi ng n e w unti l the o ld had b e e n thoroughly l e arn e d ,

a nd vi e wi n
g e v e ry th i ng wi th hi s o wn e y e s and ma k i ng hi ms e lf ,
fam1li ar wi th e ach m e mb e r o f hi s p e a san t ry and abjuri ng all ,
s u e rflui ti e s and g i vi ng h i m se lf up t o ha rd work and hu sbandry
p , .

Ye s alre ady could he ta ste the pl e a sur e whi ch would be hi s

,

wh e n he had bu i l t up a compl e t e i ndu stri al organi sa ti on and ,

2 6
7
D e ad S o u l s
on o f hi s
e boo t s worn t hrough N e v e r th e l e ss he s e e m e d d e .

l i ghte d to se e hi s vi si tors .

”
Wha t ? he e xcla i m e d Co n stantl n e The do ro v1tch and
.

P laton Mi khai lo vi tch ? Re ally I mu st rub my e ye s ! Ne ve r

agai n i n thi s world di d I loo k to se e call e rs arr i vi ng A s a rul e .
,

fol k avo i d me l i k e the d e vi l fo r th e y canno t d i sabu se th e i r m i nd s

,

o f the i d e a tha t I am go i n g to ask th e m for a loan Ye s i t i s .

,

my o wn faul t I k now but wha t would you ? To the e nd

, ,

wi ll swi n e che a t swi n e P ray e xcu se my costum e Yo u wi ll

. .

ob se rv e that my boo ts are i n hol e s B ut how can I a ff ord to .

e t th e m m e nd e d ?
g
N e ve r mi nd sa i d Constanti n e
”
,
We hav e com e o n .

bu si n e ss only M ay I pr e se nt to you a po ssi bl e purcha se r o f

.

your e sta te i n the p e rson of Paul Ivanovi tch Chi chi ko v ?

,

I am i nd e e d glad to m e e t you ! was K hlo bue v s r e sponse ’

.

P ray shak e hand s wi th me P aul I vanovi tch ”

,
.

Chi chi ko v off e re d n o t o n e hand but bo th ,

.

I can show you a prop e r ty worth your a tte nti on w e nt o n ,

the ma st e r o f the e sta t e M ay I a sk i f yo u hav e ye t d i n e d ?

.

Ye s we hav e p ut i n Con stan ti n e d e si rous o f e scap i ng as

”
, , ,

soon a s po ssi bl e To sav e you furth e r troubl e le t us g o and

.
,

Vi e w the esta te at onc e ”

.

“ ”
Ve ry w e ll re pl i e d K hlo bue v
,
Pray com e and i n sp e c t .

my i rre gulari ti e s and fu ti l i ti e s Yo u hav e don e w e ll to d i ne .

b e for e hand for n o t so much as a fowl i s l e ft i n the plac e so d i re

, ,
”
are the e x tr e m i ti e s to wh i ch you se e me r e duc e d .

S i ghi ng d e e ply he too k Pla ton by the arm (i t was cl e ar that

,

he di d n o t loo k for any sympa thy from C on stan ti n e ) and walk e d ,

a h e ad whi l e Con stan ti n e and Chi chi ko v follow e d

, .

Thi ng s are go i ng hard wi th me P la ton Mi khai lo vi tch con , ,

ti nn e d K hlo bue v How hard you canno t i magi n e No

. .

mon e y hav e I no food no boo ts We re I sti ll young and a

, , .

bach e lor i t would have com e e a sy to me to l i ve o n bre ad and

,

ch e ese ; but wh e n a man i s growi ng o ld and has g o t a wi fe and ,

five chi ldr e n such tri al s pr e ss h e avi ly upon hi m and i n Sp i te

, , ,
”
o f h i m se lf hi s sp i ri ts si nk
, .

B ut should you succ e e d i n se ll i ng the e sta t e tha t w ould

, ,

h e lp to p ut you ri ght would i t n o t ? sa i d Pla ton

, .

How could i t do so ? r e pl i e d K hlo bu e v wi th a d e spa i ri ng

g e stur e Wha t I m i ght g e t for the prop e rty would hav e to
g o t oward s d i scharg i ng my d e bts and I should find myse lf ,
”
l e ft W1th l e ss than a thou sand roubl e s b e si d e s .

Th e n what do yo u i nte nd to do ?
 D e ad S o ul s 2
77
Go d k nows !
B ut i s th e r e no thi ng to whi ch you could se t your hand in
ord e r to cl e ar yourse lf o f your di fli culti e s ? ‘

How could th e re be ?
W e ll yo u m i ght acc e p t a Gov e rnm e nt po st
,
.

B e com e a provi nc i al se cre tary you m e an ? Ho w could I ,

ob ta i n such a po st ? Th e y w ould no t off e r me o n e o f the

m e an e st po ssi bl e ki nd Eve n suppo si ng tha t th e y di d ho w
—
.
,

could I l i v e on a salary of five hundr e d roubl e s I who hav e a

’
wi f e and five ch i ldr e n ?
Th e n try and ob ta i n a ba i l i ff s po st ’
.

Who would e n tru st th e i r prop e rty to a man who has

squand e r e d hi s o wn e sta te ?

N e ve rth e l e ss wh e n d e a th and d e sti tu ti on thre ate n a man

, ,

m u st e i th e r do so me thi ng o r starve S hall I ask my bro th e r to

'

use hi s i nflu e nc e t o procur e yo u a po st ?

No no Pla ton Mi khai lo vi tch si gh e d K hlo bue v gri pp i ng
”

—
, , , ,

the o th e r s hand
’
I am no longe r se rvi ce abl e I a m grown
.

o ld b e fore my ti m e and fi nd tha t l i ve r and rh e uma ti sm are

,

p aymg me fo r the si n s o f my you th W hy should the Gove rn

—
.

m e nt be p ut to a lo ss o n my account n o t to sp e ak o f the fac t

tha t for e v e ry salari e d po st th e re are coun tl e ss numb e rs o f
appl i can ts God forb i d tha t i n ord e r to provi de me wi th a l i v e l i
.
,

hood farth e r burd e n s should be i mpo se d upon an i mpove ri sh e d

publ i c !
S uch are the re sul ts of i mprovi d e n t mana ge m e n t ! though t
Pl aton to hi m se lf The d i se a se i s e ve n worse than my slo th
.

”
fuln e ss .

M e anwh i l e K o stan zho glo walki ng by Chi chi ko v s si d e was

,
’
,

almo st taki ng l e ave of hi s se n se s .

S e e to wha t
”
Look at i t ! he cri e d wi th a wave o f hi s hand .

yvre tche dne ss the p e a san t has b e com e r e duc e d ! S hould ca ttl e
d i se a se com e K hlo bue v wi ll have no thi ng to fall back upon
—
, ,

E;but w i ll be forc e d to se ll hi s all to l e av e the p e a san t wi thou t a

horse and th e re fore wi thou t the m e an s to l abour e v e n thou gh
, ,

the lo ss o f a si ngl e day s work may tak e ye ars o f labour t o

’

re c ti fy M e anwh i l e i t i s pla i n that the loca l p e asan t has b e come

.

a m e re d i ssolu te la zy drun k ard Gi ve a muzhi k e nough to l i ve

,
.

upon for twe lve mon th s wi thou t w orki n g and you wi ll corrup t ,

hi m fo r e ve r so i nure d to ra gs and va grancy w i ll he grow And

—
.
,

wha t i s the good o f tha t p i e c e o f pa sture th e re o f tha t p i e c e o n

the furth e r S i d e o f tho se hu ts ? I t i s a m e re flood e d trac t W e re i t .

mi n e I Should p ut i t und e r flax and cl e ar five thou sand roubl e s

, , ,
2 8
7 D e ad S o u l s
l
o r e se so w i t wi th turn i p s and cl e ar p e rhap s four thou sand
, , , .

And se e how that rye i s droopi ng and n e arly lai d A s for wh e at ,

.
,

I am p re tty sure that he has n o t sown any Loo k to o at tho se .

, ,

ravi n e s ! We re th e y m i n e th e y would be stand i ng und e r ti mb e r

,

whi ch e v e n a ro o k c o uld n o t to p T o thi nk o f wa sti ng such .

qu anti ti e s o f land ! Wh e re land wouldn t b e ar co m I Should di g ’

,

i t up and plan t i t wi th v e g e tabl e s Wh at ough t to be don e i s

,
.

th at K hlo bu e v ough t t o tak e a sp ad e i n t o hi s o wn hand s and to ,

se t hi s wi fe and ch i ldre n an d se rv an ts to do the sam e ; and e ve n

i f th e y d i e d o f the e x e rti on th e y w o uld at l e a st di e do i ng th e i r
,

du ty and n ot thro ugh guzzli ng at the d i nn e r tabl e

,
.

Th i s sai d K o stanzho glo spa t and hi s brow flu sh e d wi th gri m

, ,

i nd i gna ti on .

P re se ntly th e y re ach e d an e l e vati on wh e nce the d i stan t flash

i ng o f a ri v e r wi th i ts fl ood wa te rs an d sub si d i ary stre am s
, ,

caught the e ye whi l e furth e r o ff a porti on o f Ge n e ral B e tri st

, , ,

ch e v s hom e ste a d could be d i sc e rn e d among the tre e s and ove r

’
, ,

i t a blu e d e n se ly wood e d h i ll wh i ch Chi chi ko v gu e sse d to be the

, ,

Spo t wh e re Ti e nti e tni ko v s man si on wa s S i tua te d

’
.

”
Thi s i s wh e re I should pl ant ti mb e r sa i d Chi chi ko v ,
.

And re gard e d as a si te for a manor hou se the si tu ati on could

, ,

s carc e ly be b e ate n for b e au ty of vi e w .

Yo u se e m to se t gre a t store upon vi e ws and b e au ty re ,

mark e d K ostanzhoglo wi th re proof i n hi s ton e S hould you .

t o o much a tte n ti on t o tho se th i ng s you m i gh t fi nd yourse lf

p y
a ,

wi thou t cr0p s o r vi e w U ti li ty should be pl a c e d fi rst n o t b e au ty

.
,
.

B e au ty wi ll com e o f i tse lf Ta k e for e xampl e town s The

.
, ,
.

fai re st and mo st b e au ti ful town s a re tho se whi ch hav e bu i l t

—
th e m se lve s tho se i n wh i ch e ach man has bu i l t to su i t hi s o wn
e xclu si v e c i rcum stanc e s and n e e d s ; wh e re a s town s wh i ch me n
h ave con struc te d o n re gular stri ng tau t l i n e s are no b e tte r than
,
-

coll e c ti on s of barrac k s Put b e au ty a si d e and loo k only to what

.
,

15 n e cess ary .

Ye s, but to me i t would always be i rk som e

hav e to wa i t to .

All the ti me that I was doi ng so I should be hunge ri ng to se e i n

front o f me the sort o f pro sp e c t wh i ch I pre fe r ”

—
.

Com com !
e ,
e A r e you a man of tw e n ty five you who have -

se rv e d a s a tehi n ovn i h i n S t P e te rsburg ? Hav e pa ti e nc e have

.
,

p ati e nc e Fo r S i x ye ars work and work hard P lan t so w and

.
,
.
, ,

di g the e arth wi thou t ta k i ng a mom e n t s re st I t w i ll be d i ffi cul t ’

—
.
,

I k now ye s d i ffi cul t i nd e e d ; but at the e n d of tha t ti m e i f you

, ,

have thoroughly sti rre d the soi l the land wi ll b e gi n to h e lp yo u as

,

no thi ng e l se can do Tha t i s to say ov e r and above your se ve nty

.
,
 2 80 D e ad S o ul s
fo r e ve n I can se e tha t p e a sants mu st first be afford e d the m e ans
o f e arn i ng a l i v e l i hood b e fore th e y can l i v e Wha t th e y n e e d i s a .

ste rn ye t ju st ma ste r who S hall l i v e w i th th e m day i n day o ut

, , , , ,

and se t th e m an e xampl e o f ti re l e ss e n e rgy The pre se nt day

—
-

—
.

Ru ssi an I know i t o f myse lf i s h e lpl e ss wi thou t a dri ve r .

”
Wi thou t o n e he falls a sl e e p and the mould grows ove r hi m
,
.

Ye t I canno t und e rstand why he Should fall asl e e p and grow

”
mouldy i n tha t fa shi on sa i d Pla ton ,
“
Why should he n e e d .

con ti nual surve i llanc e to ke e p hi m from d e ge n e ra ti ng i nto a

d runkard and a good for no thi ng ? - -

T he cau se i s lack o f e nl i gh te nm e n t sa i d Chi chi ko v , .

Po ssi bly only God knows Ye t e nl i gh te nm e n t has

.

re ach e d us ri gh t e nough Do we no t a tte nd uni ve rsi ty l e c ture s

.

and e ve rythi ng e l se tha t i s b e fi tti ng ? Ta k e my o wn e duca ti on .

I l e arnt no t only the u sual thi ngs but al so the art o f sp e nd i ng

—
,

mon e y upon the la te st re fi n e m e n t the la te st am e ni ty the art,

o f fam i l i ar i si ng on e se lf wi th wha tso e v e r mon e y can buy How .

,

th e n can i t be sa i d tha t I was e duca te d fool i shly ?

,
And my
comrad e s e duca ti on was the sam e A fe w o f th e m succ e e d e d i n
’
.

ann e x i ng the cre am o f thi ng s for the re a son tha t th e y had the
,

wi t to do so and the re st sp e n t th e i r ti m e i n do i ng th e i r b e st to
,

ru i n th e i r he al th and squ and e r th e i r mon e y O fte n I th i nk th e re .

i s no hOp e fo r the pre se n t day Ru ssi an -

Wh i l e d e si ri ng to do .

e v e ry th i ng he accompl i sh e s no th i ng
, On e day he wi ll sch e m e
.

to b e gi n a n e w mod e o f e x i ste nc e a n e w d i e tary ; ye t b e fore

,

e v e n i ng he wi ll hav e so ov e r e a te n h i m se lf a s to be unabl e to
-

sp e ak o r do augh t but si t sta ri ng l i k e an o wl The sam e w i th .

”
e ve ry o n e .

Qu i te so agre e d Chi chi ko v wi th a sm i l e

, T i s e v e rywh e re .

”
the sam e story .

T o te ll the tru th we are n o t born to common se n se I doub t

, .

wh e th e r Ru ssi a has e v e r produc e d a re ally se n si bl e man Fo r .

my own part i f I se e my n e i ghbour l i vi ng a re gular l i fe and

, ,

maki ng mon e y and savi ng i t I b e gi n to d i stru st hi m and to

, , ,

fe e l c e rtai n tha t i n o ld age i f no t b e fore he to o wi ll be le d

astray by the d e v i l—
, ,

le d a stray i n a mom e n t Ye s wh e th e r o r .
,

no t we be e duca te d th e r e i s som e th i ng we lack

, B ut wha t tha t .

som e th i ng i s p asse s my und e rstand i ng .

On the re turn journ e y the pro sp e ct was the sam e as be fore .

E ve rywh e re the sam e slove nli n e ss the sam e d i sord e r was di s

, ,

playi ng i tse lf unadorn e d : the only d i ffe re nc e b e i ng tha t a fre sh

puddl e had form e d i n the m i ddl e o f the vi llage stre e t Th i s want .

a n d n e gl e c t wa s no ti c e abl e i n the p e a san ts qu arte rs e qually ’

 D e ad S o ul s 28 1

wi th the quarte rs o f the bari n I n the vi lla ge a furi ou s woma n

.

i n gre a sy sackclo th was b e a ti ng a poor young w e nch wi th i n an

a ce o f he r l i f e , and at the sam e ti m e d e vo ti n g som e th i rd p e rso n

to the care o f all the d e vi l s o f h e ll ; furth e r away a coupl e o f

p e a sants we re sto i cally conte mpla ti n g the vi ra go o ne scra tch —
i ng hi s rump as he di d so , and the o th e r o ne ya w ni n g The sa m e .

yaw n was d i sce rn i bl e i n the bu i ld i ngs, for no t a roof was the re

but had a g ap i ng hol e i n i t A s he ga ze d at the sce n e Pl ato n
.

h i m se lf yawn e d P atch was supe ri m po se d upon patch , and , i n

.

place o f a roof , o ne but had a p i e ce o f w oode n fe nc i ng , wh i le i ts

cru m bl i ng w i ndo w frame s we re staye d w i th sti cks purlo i ne d fro m
the bari n s barn Ev i d e ntly the sy ste m of upk e e p l n vo gu e was the
’

—
.

syste m e mploye d 1n the ca se o f Tr i shk i n S coa t the syste m o f

’

cu tti ng up the cu ffs and the collar i nt o m e nd i ngs f or the e lbo ws .

No , I do n o t adm i re your way o f do i ng th i ng s, was Chi

chi ko v s un spoke n com m e n t w h e n the i n sp e c ti on had b e e n con
’

clud e d and the party had re e n te re d the hou se Eve ryw he re i n

-
.

the la tte r the v i si t ors w e re struck w i th the way i n w h i ch pove r ty

we nt w i th gl i tte ri ng , fash i onable profu si on O n a wri ti ng table
.
-

lay a volum e o f S hake sp e are , and , o n an occa si onal tabl e , a

c arve d i vory bac k scratch e r The ho ste ss, to o , was e l e g an tly and
-
.

fash i onably atti re d , and de vote d he r whole conve rsati on to the

to w n and the local th e a tre —
Lastly, the ch i ldre n bri gh t, me rry
—
.

l i ttl e th i ngs we re we ll dre sse d both as re gard s boys and gi rls

-
.

Ye t far b e tte r w ould i t have b e e n fo r th e m i f th e y had be e n clad

i n pla i n str i p e d sm ock s , and runn i n g abou t the cour tyard l i k e
pe asan t ch i ldre n Pre se n tly a v i si tor arr i ve d i n the shape o f a
.

chatte r i n g , g o ssi p i ng w oman ; whe re upon the ho ste ss carri e d he r

o ff to he r o wn por ti o n o f the hou se , an d, the ch i ldre n follo w i n g

th e m , the men fou n d th e m se lve s alon e .

Ho w m uch do you wan t for the prope rty ? a ske d Chi chi ko v
o f K hlo bue v . I am afra i d I m u st re que st you to name the
l owe st po ssi bl e sum, S i nce I find the e st ate i n a f ar w orse co n
;d i ti on than I had e xpe c te d to do .

Ye s, i t i s i n a te rr i b le st ate , agre e d K hlo bue v Nor i s that

.

the whol e o f the st ory Th at i s to say, I w i ll n o t conce al from yo u

.

the fac t that , o ut o f a hund re d s oul s re g i ste re d at the la st re

v i si on , only fi fty survi ve , so te rr i bl e have be e n the ravage s o f
chole ra And o f the se , agai n , som e have ab sconde d w he re fore
.

the y to o m u st be re ckon e d as d e ad , se e i n g tha t, we re o ne to

e n te r proc e ss ag a i n st t h e m , the co sts w ould e nd m the prope r ty

havi ng to pass en blo c to the le gal au thori ti e s For the se re asons

.

I am aski ng only th i rtyfive thou sand rouble s f or the e state

-
”
.
2 82 D e ad S o ul s
Ch i ch i ko v ( i t n e e d hardly be sa i d ) st art e d t o haggl e .

T ”
h irty five thou sand ? he cr i e d
-
Com e , come ! S ure l y .

you w i ll acce p t twe n ty five thou sand ? -

T h i s was to o much fo r laton s consc i e nce

’
P .

P
Now , n ow, au l I anovi tch ! he e xclai e d v ake the m . T
m
pro pe rty at the p r1ce n a e d , and have don e w i th i t The e state
—
.

i s worth at le ast that amoun t so much so tha t , should you n o t

v
be w i ll i ng t o g i e i t, my bro the r i n law and I w i ll club t o e the r
- -
g
”
t o e ffe c t the pu rchase .

“
T ”
hat be i ng so, sai d Chi chi ko v, ta e n ab ac , I be g t o k k
q
agre e t o the pr i ce i n u e sti on A t the same t i m e , I mu st ask you
.

t o al low me t o d e fe r paym e n t o f o ne half the purcha se mone y -

”
unti l a ye ar from now .

N P v
o , no , aul I anovi tch Und e r no c i rcum stance s could I
.

. P
do that ay me half now , and the re st i n 1
ou se e , I n e e d . Y
the mone y fo r the re d e mp t i on of the mor tgage .

T ”
ha t place s me i n a d i fficul ty , re mar e d Chi chi ko v Te n k .

”
thou sand roubl e s i s all th at at the mom e n t I have ava i lab le .

As a matte r o f fac t , th i s was n o t tru e , se e i n g tha t, coun ti ng al so

the mone y wh i ch he had borrowe d o f K o s tan zhoglo , he had at
hi s d i spo sal twe n ty thou sand Hi s re al re ason for h e si tati n
. g
k
was tha t he d i sl i e d the i d e a o f mak i ng so large a p ayme n t i n a
lump sum .

I mu st re pe at my re qu e st P aul I vano v i tch sai d Khlo

—
, ,

bu e v ,
name ly that yo u pay me at le a st fifte e n thou sand
,
”
i mme d i ate ly .

The o dd five thou sand I w i ll l e nd you p u t i n Pla t on to ,

Chi chi ko v .

Inde e d ? e xclai m e d Chi chi ko v as he re fl e c te d : S o he also

le nd s mon e y !
In the e n d Chi chi ko v s d i sp atch bo x was brough t from the
’
-

koli aska and K hlo bu e v re c e i ve d the nce te n thou sand roub le s

, ,

t o ge th e r w i th a prom i se tha t the re ma i n i ng five thou sand should

be forthcom i ng on the morrow ; though the prom i se was g i ve n
only afte r Chi chi ko v had fi rst propo se d that thre e thou sand
should be brought o n the day nam e d and the r e st be l e ft o ve r
,

for two or t hre e days longe r i f n o t for a sti ll more protrac te d

,

pe r i od The tru th was that P aul I vanovi tch hate d par ti n g w i th

.

mone y No matte r how urge nt a si tuati on m i gh t have be e n he

.
,

would sti ll h ave pre fe rre d to pay a sum t o m orrow rathe r than -

t o day
-
.In o the r words he ac te d as we all do fo r we all l i ke
, ,
ke e p mg a pe ti ti on e r w ai ti ng L e t hi m rub hi s bac k i n the hall
.

H e re i n the o ri gi n al a wo rd i s mi ssi n g
1
, , .
2 84 . D e ad S o u l s
What mo st surpri se s me sai d Chi chi ko v i s ho w i n Vi e w
, , ,
”
o fyo ur abi li ty yo u com e t o be so de st i tu te of m e an s o r re source s
,
.

B ut I have pl e n ty o f bo th sa i d K hlo bu e v and w i th that

, ,

we nt o n to de l i ve r h i mse lf of a pe rfe c t avalanch e o f proj e cts .

Ye t those proj e cts prove d to be so uncou th so clu msy so li ttl e , ,

the ou t com e o f a knowl e dge of me n and th i ng s that hi s h e ar e rs ,

cou ld only shru g the i r should e rs and me ntally e xclai m : Good

Lord ! What a d i ffe re nce b e twe e n worldly w i sdo m and the
capac i ty to use i t ! In e ve ry case the proj e cts i n que st i on we re
base d upon the i mp e rati ve ne ce ssi ty of at once procuri n g fro m
some wh e re two hundre d
— o r at l e a st o ne hundre d — thou sand
roubl e s That done (so K hlo bue v ave rre d ) e ve ryth i ng w ould
.
,

fall i nto i ts prope r plac e the manage me nt o f hi s a ffai rs would

,

be g i n to pro sp e r the hole s i n hi s poc ke ts would be come stoppe d

, ,

hi s i ncome wou ld be q uadrupl e d and he would fi nd h i m se lf i n ,

a po si ti on to l i qu i date hi s d e bts i n full Ne ve rthe l e ss he e nde d .

by sayi ng : What would you advi se me to do ? I fe ar that the

ph i lanthrop i st who would l e nd me two hundre d thou sand roub le s
or e ve n a hundr e d thou san d do e s n o t e x i st I t i s n o t God s w i ll
’
.
,
”
that he should .

Good grac i ou s ! i nwardly e jaculate d Chi chi ko v To .

suppo se tha t Go d would se nd such a fool two hundr e d thou sand

roubl e s !
“
Howe ve r we nt o n K hlo bue v I po sse ss an aunt worth
—
, ,

thre e m i ll i on s a p i ou s old woman who g i ve s fre e ly to churche s

an d monaste ri e s but fi nd s a d i fficul t y i n h e lp i n g he r n e i ghbour

, .

A t the same ti me she i s a lady of the old school and worth

, ,

havi n g a pe e p at He r canari e s alon e numb e r four hundre d and

.
, .

in add i ti on the re i s an army o f pu g dogs hange rs o n and

,
-
,
-

se rv an ts E ve n the youn ge st o f the se rvants i s si xty but she

.
,
!

call s the m all youn g fe llows and i f a gu e st happe n s to o ffe nd

,
’

he r dur i n g d i nn e r she ord e rs the m to l e ave hi m o ut whe n hand

,

i n g the d i she s There s a woman f or you !

.
’

Platon laughe d .

An d w hat may he r fam i ly nam e be ? ”

aske d Chi chi ko v .

And whe re do e s she l i ve ?

She l i ve s i n the coun ty t own and he r nam e i s Al e xandra ,
”
Ivanovna Khanasaro v .

“
The n why do you n o t apply to he r ? aske d Plat on e arn
I t se e m s to me that onc e she re al i se d the po si ti on of
,
”
fam i ly she could n o t po ssi bly re fu se yo u
, .

“
Alas ! noth i ng i s t o be looke d for from th at
re pl i e d Khl
 D e ad S o uls 2 85
a pe rfe c t stone o f a w om an More ove r she has around he r a
.
,

suffic i e n t band o f f avour i te s alre ady In parti cular i s the re a

.

fe llow who 15 a i m i n g for a Gove rnorsh i p and to that e nd has ,

m anage d to i nsi nuate h i mse l f into the c i rcle o f he r k‘i nsfolk .

B y the way the spe ake r ad d e d turn i ng to Platon w ou ld

”
, , ,

o u d o me a favour ? N e x t we e k I a m g i v i n g a d i nn e r t o the
y
assoc i ate d gu i ld s o f the t own ”
.

Platon stare d He had b e e n unaw are that bo th i n o ur

.

cap i tal s and i n o ur prov i nc i al t o wn s the re e x i sts a class of me n

—
who se l i ve s are an e n i gm a me n who thou gh the y w i ll se e m ,

t o have e xhau ste d th e i r sub stance and to hav e b e com e e m ,

m e she d i n de b t w i ll sudde nly be re porte d as i n fund s and on

, ,

the po i n t o f g i v i n g a d i nn e r ! And thou gh at th i s d i nne r the , ,

gu e sts w i ll de clare that the fe sti val i s bound to be the i r host s ’

last fl i n g and th at for a c e rta i nty he w i ll be hal e d to pr i son o n

,

the morrow te n ye ars o r more w i ll e lap se and the ra scal sti ll

, ,

be at l i b e rty e ve n thou gh i n the m e an w h i l e hi s d e b ts w i ll

, , ,

have i ncre ase d !

I n the sam e way di d the conduc t o f K hlo bue v s ménage
’

afford a cur i ou s ph e nom e non fo r o ne day the hou se w ould be

,

the sce n e o f a s ol e m n Te D e um p e r f orm e d by a pr i e st i n v e st

,

me nts and the ne xt o f a stage play pe rforme d by a troupe of

,

Fre nch ac tors i n th e atr i cal co stum e Agai n o ne day w ould se e

.
,

n o t a m or se l o f bre ad i n the hou se and the n e x t day a banqu e t

,

an d ge ne rou s largesse gi ve n to a par ty o f arti sts and sculpt ors .

Duri n g the se se ason s o f scarc i ty (su ffic i e ntly se ve re to have le d

any o ne but Khlo bue v t o se e k su i c i d e by han g i n g o r shoo ti n g
) ,

the m a ste r o f the hou se would be pre se rve d from ra sh ac ti on

by hi s stron gly re l i g i ou s d i spo si ti on w h i ch con tri vi ng i n so me
, ,

curi ou s w ay to conform w i th hi s i rre gular mod e o f l i fe e nable d ,

hi m t o fall back upon re ad i n g the l i ve s o f sa i nts a s ce ti cs and , ,

o the rs o f the typ e wh i ch has r i se n supe r i or to i ts m i sfortune s .

And at such ti m e s hi s sp i r i t would be com e softe n e d hi s thou gh ts ,

full o f ge ntle ne ss and hi s e ye s we t w i th te ars ; he w ou ld fall to

,

say i n g hi s praye r s and i nvar i ably some stran ge co i nc i de nc e

,

w ould bri n g an answe r the re t o i n the shape o f an une xpe cte d

me asure o f assi stance That i s t o say so me form e r fri e nd o f hi s
.
,

w ould re me m be r hi m and se nd hi m a tri fle i n the way of m one y ;

,

o r e l se so m e fe male v i si t or w ould be m ove d by hi s st ory t o le t

he r i mpul si ve ge n e rou s h e ar t pro ffe r hi m a hand som e g i ft ; or

,

e l se a su i t wh e r e o f ti di n gs had n e ve r e ve n r e ach e d hi s e ar s

w ould e nd by b e i ng de c i de d i n hi s favour And whe n that

happe ne d he w
.

ould re ve re ntly acknowl e d ge the i m me nsi ty o f

2 86 D e ad S o ul s
the m e rcy of P rov i d e nc e g,
ra te ful ly t e nd e r t ha n k sg i v i n g for the
s am e,
and be t a k e h i m se lf a g a i n t o h i s i rr e gular m od e o f e x i ste nce .

S ome how I fe e l sorry for the man sa i d Pla t on whe n he and

”
,

Ch c i h i ko v had t a k e n l e av e o f t he i r ho st and l e ft the hou se

, .

Pe rhap s so but he I S a hope le ss prodi gal re pli e d the othe r

, , .

Pe rsonally I fi nd i t i mpossi ble to compassi onate such fe llows ”

.

And wi th th at the pa i r ce ase d t o d e vo te ano the r thought to

Khlo bue v In the case of P laton thi s was b e cau se he conte m
.
,

p late d the fortune s o f hi s fe llows w i th the l e tharg i c half somno ,

-

l e nt e ye wh i ch he turne d upon all the re st o f the world ; for

thou gh the si gh t o f the d i stre ss of o th e rs would cau se hi s h e art
to contract and fe e l full o f sym pathy the i mpre ssi on thu s pro ,

du ce d n e ve r san k i n to the d e p th s o f hi s b e i n g Accord i ngly .

,

be fore many m i nu te s we re ove r he had ce ase d t o be stow a si ngle

thou ght upon hi s late ho st Wi th Chi chi ko v howe ve r th i ngs
.
, ,

we re d i ffe re n t Whe re as Plat on had c e ase d to th i nk o f Khlo

.

bu e v no more than he had ce ase d t o th i n k o f h i mse lf Chi chiko v s ,

’

m i nd had straye d e l se wh e re for the re ason that i t had be come

,

take n up w i th grave m e d i tati on o n the subj e c t of the purch ase

ju st made S udde nly fi nd i ng h i m se lf no lon ge r a ficti ti ou s pro
.

ri e to r but the own e r o f a re al an ac tually e x i sti n g e st ate he

p , , , ,

be cam e conte mplati ve and hi s plan s and i d e a s assume d such a

,

se r i ou s v e i n as i rn p arte d t o hi s f e a ture s an uncon sc i ou sly i m

portant ai r .

Pati e nce an d hard work ! he mu tte re d to h i m se lf The .

th i n g w i ll n o t be d i ffi cul t for w i th tho se two re q u i si te s I have

,

be e n fam i l i ar from the days o f my swaddl i ng clo the s Ye s n o .

,

nove l ty w i ll the y be to me Ye t i n m i ddl e age shall I be able

.
, ,

to compa ss the pat i e nc e wh e re of I was capabl e i n my you th ?

Howe ve r no matte r how he re garde d the fu ture and no
, ,

matte r from what po i nt of V i e w he con si de re d hi s re c e nt acqu i

si ti o n he could se e no th i n g but ad v an tage l i k e ly to accru e
,

from the bargai n For o ne th i ng he m i gh t be able to proce e d

.
,

so tha t fi r st the who le of the e st ate should be mor t age d and

, g ,

th e n the b e tte r por ti on s o f land be sold ou tri gh t Or he m i ght .

so c o n tri ve ma tte r s as t o manag e the prop e rty for a wh i l e

( and
thu s be com e a landown e r l i k e K o stan zho lo w ho se advi ce as
g , ,

hi s n e i ghbour and hi s b e n e fac t or he i n te nd e d a lways t o follow)

, ,

and the n to d i spo se o f the prope r ty by pri vate tre aty (provi de d
he d i d n o t w i sh t o con ti nu e hi s own e rsh i p ) and sti ll to re ta i n ,

i n hi s hand s the d e ad and ab sconde d soul s And anothe r .

possi bl e co up occurre d to hi s m i nd Tha t i s t o say he m i ght .

,

contri ve to w i thdraw from the d i str i c t w i thou t havi ng re pai d

 2 88 D e ad S o ul s
Re ally , Platon , sa i d the ge n tle man ( who se nam e was

Vassi li ) , what do you me an by r a g t e ti n me i

lk h
e t i s P

Ho w so ? aske d Plato n i nd i ffe re ntly .

What ? For thre e days past I ha ve se e n and he ard no th i ng

o f yo u ! A gr oom from Pi e tukh s brough t your cob ho me , and
’

told me yo u had d e parte d on an e xpe d i ti on w i th s o me bari n .

A t l e ast you m i gh t have se n t me w ord as t o your d e sti na ti on

and the probable le n gth o f your ab se nce What mad e you act .

so ? God knows what I have no t b e e n wonde r i ng !

Doe s i t matte r ? re j o i n e d Pla ton I forgo t to se nd you
.

word and we have be e n no furthe r than Con stan ti ne s (who

,
’

wi th our si ste r se nds you hi s gre e ti ng ) By the way may I

,
.
,

in troduc e Paul Ivanov i tch Chi chi ko v ?

The pa i r shoo k hand s w i th o ne ano th e r The n do fli ng the i r .
,

cap s the y e mbrace d

,
.

What sort o f man i s th i s Chi chi ko v ? though t Vassi l i .

A s a rul e my bro th e r P la t on 15 n o t ove r n i c e i n hi s cho i c e o f -

acquai ntance s And e ye i ng o ur he ro as n arrowly as c i vi li ty

.
,

pe rm i tte d he saw that hi s appe arance was that of a pe rfe ctly

,

re spe ctable i nd i vi dual .

Chi chi ko v r e turn e d Va ssi l i s scru ti ny w i th a S i m i lar o bse rv

’

ance o f the d i c ta te s o f c i v i l i ty and p e rc e i v e d tha t he was shor te r

,

than Plat on that hi s ha i r was o f a dark e r shad e and that hi s

, ,

fe ature s though l e ss h and some conta i ne d far more l i fe an i ma

, , ,

ti on and k i ndl i ne ss than di d hi s bro th e r s Cle arly he i ndul ge d

’
.
,

i n l e ss dre am i ng though that was an a spe c t wh i ch Chi chiko v

,

l i ttl e re gard e d .

I ha ve mad e up my m i nd to go t ouri ng our Holy Ru ssi a

wi th Paul I vanovi ”tch sai d Platon
”
,
Pe rhap s i t w i ll ri d me
.

o f my m e lancholy .

B ut what has mad e you com e t o such a sudd e n d e c i si on ?

aske d the pe rple xe d Vassi l i ( ve ry ne arly he add e d : Fancy
go i ng trave ll i ng w i th a man who se acquai n tance you have ju st
made and who may turn o ut to be a ra scal o r the d e v i l k nows
,

what ! B ut i n sp i te o f hi s d i stru st he conte nte d h i m se lf wi th

, ,

anothe r co ve rt scru ti ny o f Chi chi ko v and th i s ti m e cam e to the,

conclu si on that the re was no faul t to be found w i th hi s e xte r i or) .

The p arty turn e d to the ri gh t and e n te re d the ga te s o f an

,

anci e nt courtyard a ttach e d to an o ld fa shi on e d hou se o f a typ e

—
-

no longe r bu i l t the typ e wh i ch has huge gabl e s supporti ng a

hi gh pi tch e d roof In the c e n tre o f the court yard two gre a t l i me
-
.

tre e s cov e re d half the surround i ng Sp a c e wi th shad e wh i l e ,

b e ne a th th e m we re range d a nu mb e r of w ood e n b e nch e s and ,

 D e ad S o ul s 28
9
the whol e was e nc i rcl e d wi th a ri ng o f blo sso mi ng l i lac s and
ch e rry tre e s whi ch l i ke a b e ad e d n e cklac e re i nforc e d the
, ,

w ood e n fe nce and almost buri e d i t b e n e a th th e i r cluste rs o f

,

l e av e s and flow e rs The hou se to o stood almo st conce al e d by

.
, ,

th i s gre e n e ry e x c e p t tha t the fron t d oor and the wi ndows

,

p e e re d pl e a san tly throu gh the f ol i a ge and tha t h e re an d th e re ,

b e tw e e n the ste m s o f the tre e s th e re could be caugh t gl i mp se s

o f the k i tch e n r e gi on s the st ore hou se s and the c e llar
,
La stly , .
,

around the whol e stood a grove fro m the re c e sse s o f whi ch came
,

the e cho i ng so n gs o f n i gh ti n gal e s .

I nvoluntari ly the plac e communi ca te d to the soul a sort of

qu i e t re stful fe e l i n g so e lo qu e ntly di d i t sp e ak o f tha t care fre e
, ,
-

p e ri od wh e n e ve ry o ne l i ve d on g ood te rm s wi th hi s n e i ghbour ,

and all was si mpl e and un sophi sti ca te d Vassi l i i nvi te d C hi chi .

ko v to se a t h i m se l f and the party approache d f or tha t p urpo se

, , ,

the b e nche s und e r the l i m e tr e e s ; a fte r w h i ch a you th o f a bo ut

se v e n te e n and c lad i n a re d shi rt brou gh t d e ca n te r s con tai ni ng
, ,

vari ou s ki nd s o f kvass (som e o f th e m as thi ck as syrup and o th e rs ,

h i ssi ng l i ke a e ra te d l e monad e ) d e po si te d the sa m e upon the

,

tabl e and tak i n g up a Spad e wh i ch he had l e ft l e ani n g agai n st

, ,

a tre e mov e d away toward s the gard e n The re a son o f thi s was
,
.

tha t i n the bro th e rs ho use hold as i n tha t o f K o stanzho glo no

’
, ,

se rvan ts w e re k e p t si nc e the whol e sta ff w e re rate d as gard e n e rs

, ,

and p e rf orm e d tha t du ty i n ro ta ti on Va ssi li hold i ng tha t

dom e sti c se rvi c e was no t a sp e ci al i se d calli n g but o ne to whi ch ,

any o ne m i gh t con tri bu te a hand and th e re fore o ne wh i ch di d no t

,

re qu i re Sp e c i al m e n i al s to be ke p t fo r the purpo se More ove r .

,

he h e ld tha t the av e rage Ru ssi an p e a san t re ma i n s ac ti v e and

wi ll i ng (ra th e r than la zy) only so long as he w e ars a sh i rt and a
p e a san t s smoc k ; but tha t as soo n as e ve r he find s hi m se lf p ut
’

i nt o a G e rman tai lcoa t he b e com e s awkward slugg i sh i ndol e n t

, , , ,

d i si ncl i n e d to change hi s v e st o r tak e a b ath fond o f sl e e p i ng ,

i n hi s clo th e s and ce rtai n to bre e d fl e a s and bug s und e r the

,

Ge rman appare l And i t may be that Va ssi l i was ri ght A t all

—
. .

e v e n ts the bro th e rs p e a san try w e r e e xc e e d i ngly w e ll cl ad

’

,
the
wom e n i n parti cular havi ng th e i r he ad dre sse s Spangl e d wi th
, ,
-

gold and the Sl e e ve s o f th e i r blou se s e mbro i d e re d afte r the

,

fa sh i on of a Turki sh Shawl .

Yo u se e h e re the sp e ci e s o f hvass fo r whi ch o ur hou se has long

”
b e e n famou s sai d Va ssi l i to Chi chi ko v The la tte r poure d
, .

h i m se l f o ut a gla ssful fro m the first d e cante r whi ch he l i ghte d

upon and found the con te n ts to be l i nd e n hon e y o f a ki nd n e ve r
,

ta ste d by hi m e v e n i n Poland se e i n g tha t i t had a Sparkl e l i ke

,

K
 2 90 D e ad S o ul s
tha t of champagne and also an e ff e rve sc e nc e wh i ch se nt a
,

pl e asan t Spray from the mou th i nto the nose .

Ne c tar ! he e xclai me d Th e n he too k som e from a se cond .

de cante r I t prove d to be e v e n b e tte r than the fi rst

, A
”
be ve rage o f be ve rage s ! he e xclai m e d A t your re sp e c te d .

bro th e r i n law s I ta ste d the fin e st syrup whi ch has e ve r com e

- -
’

my way but h e re I have ta ste d the ve ry fi ne st kvass

,
”
.

Ye t the re ci p e fo r the syrup al so cam e from h e re sa i d ,

Va ssi li ,
se e i ng tha t my S i ste r t ook i t w i th he r By the way .
,

to wha t p art o f the coun try and to wha t plac e s are yo u thi nk , ,

i ng o f trav e ll i ng ?
To te ll yo u the tru th re pli e d Chi chi ko v rocki ng hi m se l f to
, ,

and fro o n the b e nch and smoo th i ng hi s kn e e wi th hi s hand and

, ,

ge n tly i ncl i ni ng hi s h e ad I am trave lli ng le ss o n my o wn

,

affai rs t han on the a ffa i rs o f o th e rs Tha t i s to say Ge ne ral .

,

B e tri stche v an i n ti ma te fri e nd and I m i ght add a ge n e rou s

, , , ,

b e ne factor of m i ne has c harge d me wi th commi ssi ons to some

,

o f hi s re la ti v e s Ne ve rth e le ss though re lati ve s are re lati ve s

.
, ,

I may say that I am trave lli ng on my o wn account as we ll i n ,

tha t i n add i ti on to po ssi bl e b e n e fi t to my h e al th I d e si re t o

‘

, ,

se e the world and the W h i rl i gi g of human i ty wh i ch con sti tu te , ,

so to sp e a k a l i vi ng boo k a se cond course of e duca ti on

”
.
,

Va ssi l i too k though t The man sp e a k s flo ri dly he re fl e c te d

.
”
, ,

y e t h i s w ord s con ta i n a c e rta i n e l e m e n t of tru th

”
Afte r a .

mom e nt s S i l e nc e he add e d to Pl aton : I am b e gi nni ng to th i nk

’

tha t the tour m i gh t h e lp you t o b e sti r yourse lf A t pre se n t yo u .

are i n a cond i ti on of m e n ta l Slumb e r Yo u hav e fall e n a sl e e p n o t .

,

so much from w e ari n e ss o r sati e ty a s through a lack of vi vi d ,

p e rc e p ti ons and i mpre ssi on s Fo r myse lf I am your compl e te .

,

an ti th e si s I should be only to o glad i f I could fe e l l e ss acu te ly

.
,

i f I could ta k e th i ngs l e ss to h e art

”
.

E mo ti on has b e com e a d i se ase wi th you sai d Pla ton , .

You se e k your own troubl e s and ma k e your o wn anxi e ti e s ,

”
.

How can you say tha t wh e n re ady mad e anx i e ti e s gre e t o n e -

at e v e ry Ste p ? e xcla i m e d Va ssi l i For e xample have yo u

—
.
,

h e ard of the tri ck wh i ch L i e ni tsi n has ju st playe d us o f hi s

se i zi ng the p i e c e o f va can t l and wh i th e r o ur p e a san ts r e sor t fo r
th e i r sports ? Tha t p i e c e I would n o t se ll for all the mon e y i n the
world I t has long b e e n our p e a sants play ground and all the
.
’
-

trad i ti on s o f o ur vi llage are bound up wi th i t More ove r for me .

, ,

o ld cu stom i s a sacre d th i ng for wh i ch I would gladly sacri fic e

”
e ve ryth i ng e l se .

L i e ni tsi n canno t h av e known o f th i s or he would no t have ,

2
9 2 D e ad S o u l s
do e s no t forbi d such th i ngs but th e re i s always the ri sk o f a
,

scand a l .

Qu i te so qu i te so sa1d L 1e n1tS1n w1th h e ad b e n t do wn

0

.
, ,

The n we a gre e ! e xclai m e d Chi chi ko v How charmi ng !

”
.

A s I say my bu si n ess i s bo th l e gal and i ll e gal Though n e e d i ng

,
.

to e ff e c t a mortgage I d e si re t o p ut no o n e to the ri sk o f havi ng

,

to p ay the two roubl e s o n e ach l i vi ng soul ; wh e r e for e I hav e

conc e i ve d the i d e a of re l i e vi ng lando wn e rs o f tha t d i sta ste ful
obl i ga ti on by acqu i ri ng d e ad and ab scond e d soul s who have
fa i l e d to d i sapp e ar from the re vi si on l i st Th i s e nabl e s me at .

onc e to p e rform an act o f Chri sti an chari ty an d to re mov e from

the should e rs o f our more i mpove ri sh e d propri e tors the burd e n
o f tax p aym e n t upon soul s of the k i nd s sp e c i fi e d
-
S hould you .

yourse lf care to do bu si ne ss wi th me we wi ll draw up a formal ,

”
purcha se d e e d as though the soul s i n qu e sti on w e re sti ll al i v e .

”
B ut i t would be such a curi ou s arrange m e n t mu tte re d ,

L i e ni tsi n movi ng hi s cha i r and h i m se lf a l i ttl e furth e r away

—
.
,

I t would be an arrange m e nt wh i ch e r e r ,

Would i nvolve yo u i n no scandal wha te ve r se e i ng that the ,

a ffai r would be ca rri e d through i n se cre t M ore ove r b e twe e n .

,

fri e nd s who are we ll d i spo se d toward s o n e ano th e r

-

Ne ve rthe le ss
Chi chi ko v adop te d a fi rm e r and mor e d e c i d e d ton e I re p e a t .
”
tha t th e re would be no scandal he sa i d The tran sac ti o n
,
.

would ta k e plac e as b e twe e n good fri e nd s and a s b e tw e e n fri e nd s ,

o f ma ture a e and b tw n fr i nd f good t t u and

g as e
,
e e e s o s a s a s ,

b e twe e n fri e nd s who k now how to ke e p th e i r o wn counse l ”

.

And so sayi ng he looke d hi s i n te rlocu tor frank ly and ge n e rou sly

, ,

i n the e y e s .

Ne ve rth e l e ss L i e ni tsi n s re sourc e fuln e ss and acum e n i n bu si

’

n e ss ma tte rs fai l e d to re l i e v e hi s m i nd o f a c e rtai n p e rpl e xi ty

and the l e ss so S i nc e he had contri v e d to b e com e cau ght i n hi s
o wn n e t Ye t i n ge n e ral he po sse sse d n e i th e r a lov e for nor a
.
, ,

tal e nt fo r und e rhand d e al i ngs and had n o t fa te and c i rcum

, ,
stanc e s favoure d Chi chi ko v by cau si ng L i e n i tsi n s w i fe to e n te r
’

h
t e room at th at mom e n t th i ng s m i gh t hav e turn e d o ut v e ry
,

d1ffe re ntly from wha t th e y di d Madam e was a pal e th i n i n .

, ,
mgmficant loo k i ng young lady but non e the l ess a lady w ho
-

wore he r clo th e s a la St P e te rsburg and culti va te d the soci e ty

.
,
o f p e rson s who w e r e un i mp e achably coh un e i l ant B h i nd
f e h e r .
,

born e m a nurse s arm s cam e the fi rst fru i ts o f the lov e of

’

hu sband and wi fe Adop ti ng hi s mo st te ll i ng m e thod of approach

.

( th e m e thod accompani e d wi th a si d e long i ncli na ti on of the

 D e ad S o u l s 2
93
h e ad and a sort o f hop ) Chi chi ko v ha ste n e d to g r e e t the lady
,

from the m e trop oli s and th e n the baby At fi rst the la tte r
,
.

sta r te d to b e llo w d i sapproval but the w ord s Ag oo agoo my

, , ,

t ! add e d t o a l i ttl e crac k i n g o f the fi ng e s and a si g h t o f a

p e
r
b e au ti ful se al o n a wa tch cha i n e nabl e d Chi chi ko v to w h e e dl e the
,

i n fant i n to hi s arm s ; a ft e r wh i ch he f e ll to swi ng i ng i t up and

—
d own un ti l he had con tri v e d to ra i se a sm i l e o n i ts fac e a c i rcum
stanc e w h i ch gr e a tly d e l i g ht e d the par e n t s and finally 1ncl1n e d the
—
,

fa th e r i n hi s vi si tor s favour S udd e nly ho we ve r w h e th e r from

’

—
.
,

pl e a sure o f from som e o th e r cau se the i n fant m i sb e have d i tse lf !

My Go d ! cri e d Madam e He has g on e and spo i lt your
.

frockco at !
Tru e e noug h o n glanc i ng downward s Chi chi ko v saw tha t the
, ,

sl e e v e o f hi s brand n e w g arm e n t had i nd e e d su ff e r e d a hur t

-
.

If I could ca tch you alon e yo u l i ttl e d e vi l he mu tte re d to

”
, ,

hi m se lf I d shoo t you !
,
’

Ho st ho ste ss and nurse all ran fo r eau de Cologne and from

, ,
- -
,

thr e e si d e s se t th e m se lv e s to rub the Spo t a ffe c t e d .

N e v e r m i nd n e v e r m i nd ; i t i s no thi ng sa i d Chi chi ko v

,
”
,

as he strov e to commun i ca t e to hi s f e a tur e s as ch e e rful an

-

e xpr e ssi on as po ssi bl e Wha t do e s i t ma tte r w ha t a chi ld may

.

spo i l duri ng the gold e n ag e of i ts i n f ancy ?

To hi m se lf he r e mark e d : The l i ttl e bru te ! W ould i t could be
de vour e d by wolv e s ! I t has mad e only to o g ood a Sho t the ,

cu sse d young rag amuffi n !

—
Ho w aft e r th i s aft e r the g u e st had Shown such i nnoc e n t
,

aff e c ti on f or the l i ttl e o n e and ma g nan i mou sly pa i d for hi s so

— ,

d o i ng wi th a brand n e w su i t could the fa th e r r e ma i n obdura t e ?

-

N e v e rth e l e ss to avo i d se tti ng a bad e xampl e to the coun trysi d e

, ,

he and Chi chi ko v agr e e d t o carry throug h the t ran sac ti on

p r i v a te ly ,
l e st o t h
,
e rw i se a scandal Should ar
,
i se .

I n r e turn sa i d Chi chi ko v w ould yo u m i nd doi ng me the

”
, ,

followi ng favour ? I d e si re to m e d i a te i n the ma tte r o f your

d i ffe r e nc e wi th the Bro th e rs P la tonov I b e l i e v e tha t you wi sh to .

acqu i re som e add i ti onal land ? I s n o t tha t so ?

! H e re the re occurs a hi a tus i n the o ri gi nal !
.

Ev e rythi ng i n l i f e fulfil s i ts func ti on and Chi chi ko v s tour ,

’

i n Se arch o f a for tun e was carri e d o ut so succ e ssfully tha t n o t a

li ttl e m on e y pa sse d i n to hi s pock e ts T he syste m e mploy e d was .

a g ood o n e : he di d n o t st e al he m e r e ly u s e d And e v e ry o ne o f
,
.

us at ti m e s do e s the sam e : o n e man w i th r e gard to Gov e rnm e n t

ti m b e r and ano th e r wi th r e g ard to a sum b e long i ng to h i s
,
2 94 .
D e ad S o u l s
e mploy e r wh,
i l e a th i rd d e fraud s h i s ch i ldr e n for t h e s ak e of an
ac tre ss and a four th rob s hi s p e a sant ry for the sak e o f smart
,
furn i ture o r a carri ag e Wha t can o n e do wh e n o ne i s sur .

round e d o n e ve ry S i d e wi th rogu e ry and e v e rywh e re th e re are ,

n
i s ean ly e xp e n si v e r e st auran t s ma s k e d ball
,
s and danc e s to the
,

mu si c o f g i p sy band s To ab sta i n wh e n e v e ry o n e e l se i s i n
?

u l
d g g i n i n th e s e t h i ng s and fa s h i,
on command s i s d i ffi cul t i nd ,
e e d
C h i ch i k o v w a s for s e tt i ng for t h aga i n b u t t h e road ,
s had no w
t i n t o a bad s t a t e and i n add i ti on t h e r e w a s i n pr e para t i on
g o
—
, , ,

a se cond fa i r o n e for the dvori an e only The form e r fa i r had

’

b e e n h e ld fo r the sal e o f horse s ca ttl e ch e e se and o th e r , , ,

p e a sant produc e and the buy e rs had b e e n m e r e ly cattl e jobb e rs

,
-

and kulahs but thi s ti m e the func ti on wa s to be o ne for the sal e

o f manori al produc e wh i ch had be e n bough t up by whol e sal e
d e al e rs at Ni zhni N ovgorod and th e n tran sf e rre d hi th e r To ,
.

the fa i r o f course cam e tho se ravi sh e rs o f the Ru ssi an purse

, ,

who i n the shap e o f Fr e nchm e n wi th pomad e s and Fr e nch

,

wom e n wi th ha ts mak e away wi th mon e y e arn e d by bloo d and

,

hard work and li k e the locu sts of E gyp t ( to use K o stanzhoglo s

, ,
’

te rm ) n o t only d e vour th e i r pr e y but al so d i g hol e s i n the g roun d

, ,

and l e ave b e h i nd th e i r e gg s .

Al though unfortuna te ly the occurre nc e o f a bad harv e st

, ,

re ta i n e d many landown e rs at th e i r country hou se s the loca l ,

tchi n ovni hs (whom the fa i lur e o f the harv e st

proc e e d e d to le t th e m se lv e s go as a l —
th e i r wi v e s The r e ad i ng o f book s o f t
.

mod e rn days fo r the i nocula ti on of,

ne w and sup e ri or

to m e e t thi s wan t the Fre nch

e stabl i shm e n t i n the shap e o f 5

b e fore b e e n h e ard o f i n the provi

could be procur e d on cr e d i t as
unpr e c e d e n te dly lo w sum as r e gard e d
su i te d bo th h e ad s o f board s and cl e rk s

o f b e i ng abl e som e day to r e sum e t

su i tors Th e re al so d e v e lop e d a te nd e ncy to comp e te
.

ma tte r o f horse s and l i ve ri e d flunk e ys ; wi th the re su

d e sp i te the damp and snowy w e a th e r e xc e e di ngly clegan
outs too k to parad i ng back ward s and forward s Whe nc .

e qu i pag es had com e Go d only k now s but at l e a st th e y

,
2 96 D e ad S o u l s
the purcha se i nto a brown pap e r parc e l and -
,
st ow e d it away in
Chi chi ko v s koli aska
’
.

k
A t th i s mom e n t a vo i c e a s e d to be shown a blac fro ckco at k .

k
The d e vi l ta e me i f tha t i sn t K hlo bu e v !
’
mu tt e r e d o ur
k
h e ro , turni ng hi s bac upon the n e wcom e r Unfortuna te ly the .

o th e r had se e n hi m .

P
Com e , com e , aul Ivanovi tch ! he e xpo stula te d S ure ly
.

y o u do n o t i n te nd t o ov e rloo m k
e ? I hav e b e e n se arch i n for
”
y o u g
e v e rywh e r e , for I hav e som e thi ng i mportan t to say to yo u .

M ”
y d e ar si r, my v e ry d e ar si r, sa i d Chi chi ko v as he pre sse d
K hlo bu e v s hand , I can a ssur e you tha t, had I the n e c e ssary
’

”
l e i sure , I should a t all ti m e s be charm e d to conv e rse wi th yo u .

And m e ntally he add e d : Would tha t the vi l On e ould flyE w

away wi th you !
Almo st at the sam e mom e n t Murazo v, the gr e a t landown e r,
e n t e r e d the shop . A S he di d so o ur h e ro ha st e n e d to e xcla i m
Why, i t i s A thanasi Vassi li e vi tch ! Ho w are yo u, my ve ry
d e ar si r ?
We ll e nough , re pl i e d Murazo v, r e movi n hi s cap ( K hlo bue v g
a nd the shopman had alr e ady don e the sam e
) How.
,
may I
ask are you

B ut poorly , r e pl i e d Chi chi ko v, for o f la te hav e b e e n I

troubl e d w i th i nd i g e sti on , and my Sl e e p i s bad
”
I
do no t ge t
.

su ffi c i e n t e x e rc i se .

How e v e r, i n ste ad of probi ng furth e r i nto the subj e c t o f

Chi chi ko v s a i lm e nts, Murazo v turn e d to K hlo bu e v
’
.

I saw o u e n t e r the shop ,

y
”
he s a i d ,
and t h e r e or e f
ollo e d f w
I
you , for have som e thi n i mportant for your e ar g ould yo u
. C
Spare me a mi nu te or two ?
C e r ta i nly, c e r ta i nly
,
”
sa i d K h lo b u e v,
and t h e pa i r l e t th e f
shop tog e th e r .

I wond e r what i s afoo t b e twe e n th e m sai d Chi chi ko v ,

to hi m se lf .

A w i se and noble ge n tle man A than asi Vassi li e vi tch ! re

,

marke d the trade sman Chi chi ko v m ade no re ply save a

.

ge sture .

P aul Ivanov i tch I have be e n look i ng for yo u e ve rywhe re

, ,
L 1e n i tsi n s v o i ce sa i d from b e h i nd hi m w h i l e aga i n the trad e s
’

man ha ste ne d to re mo ve hi s cap Pray com e home wi th me

.
,
fo r I ha ve some th i ng to say t o o u
y .

Chi chi ko v scanne d the Sp e ak e r s fac e but could mak e no th i n g

’
,
o f 1t .
Payi ng the trad e sman for the clo th he l e ft the shop .
,

Me anwh i le Murazo v had conve ye d Khlobue v to hi s room s .

 D e ad S o ul s 2
97
Te ll me he sa i d to hi s gu e st
,
e xac tly ho w your a ffa i r s ,

I take i t that afte r all your aunt le ft yo u some th i n g ?

,

stand .
, ,

I t w ould be d i fficu lt t o say wh e th e r o r n o t my a ffa i r s are

i mprove d
”
re p li e d K hlo bue v
,
Tru e fi fty souls and th i rty .
,

thou sand roubl e s cam e t o me fro m Madame K han asaro va but ,

I had to pay the m away to sati sfy m y d e b ts C onse qu e ntly I .

am once more d e sti tu te B ut the i mportant po i nt i s that t he re .

was tr i cke ry conn e c te d w i th the l e gacy and sham e ful tr i cke ry ,

at that . Ye s thou g h i t m ay surpr i se you i t i s a fac t that that

, ,

fe llow Chi chi ko v

Ye s S e me n S e me n o vi tch but b e fore yo u g o o n t o spe ak o f
, , ,

Chi chi ko v pray te ll me so m e th i n g abou t yourse l f and ho w

, ,

much i n your op i n i on w ould be su ffic i e n t to cl e ar you o f your

, ,

d i ffi culti e s
My d i ffi cul ti e s are gr i e vou s re pl i e d K hlo bue v To ri d ,
.

myse l f o f the m and al so to have e nou gh to g o o n w i th I Should

, ,

ne e d to acqu i re at l e ast a hu n dre d thou sand roub le s i f n o t ,

m ore I n short th i n gs are be com i n g i m possi ble for me

.
,
”
.

And had you the mone y w hat should you do w i th i t ?

, ,

I should re nt a te ne me n t and de vo te myse lf to the e duca ,

t i o n o f m y ch i ldre n No t a thou gh t Should I gi ve t o myse lf f or

.
,

m y care e r i s ove r se e i ng that i t i s i m possi ble for me to re e nte r

,
-

the C i v i l S e rv i c e and I a m g ood f or no th i n g e l se

”
.

Ne ve rthe l e ss whe n a m an i s l e ad i n g an i dl e l i fe he i s ap t
,

t o i ncur te m p ta ti on s w h i ch shu n hi s b e tte r e mploye d bro th e r

” -
.

Ye s but b e yond qu e st i on I am g ood for noth i n g so broke n

, ,

i s m y h e al th and such a martyr am I to dysp e p si a

”
.
,

B ut ho w do yo u propo se t o l i v e w i thou t w ork i n g ? How

can a man l i ke yo u e x i st w i thou t a post o r a po si ti on o f any
k i nd ? Look around yo u at the w orks o f Go d E ve ryt h i n g has .

i ts prop e r func ti on and pursu e s i ts prop e r cour se

,
Eve n a st one .

can be u se d for o ne purpo se o r anothe r Ho w the n can i t be .

, ,

r i ght for a man who i s a th i nk i n g b e i n g to re ma i n a dron e ?

B ut I should n o t be a dron e for I Should e m ploy myse lf ,

wi th the e ducati on o f m y ch i ldre n

—
.

No S e me n Se me n o vi tch no : that yo u w ould find the

,

hard e st t ask o f all For how can a man e ducate hi s ch i ldre n

.

who has n e ve r e ve n e ducate d h i m se lf ? I n struc ti on can be i m

parte d to ch i ldre n only throu gh the me d i um of e xample ; and
w ould a l i fe l i ke yours furn i sh the m w i th a profi tabl e e xample
-
a l i fe w h i ch has b e e n sp e n t i n i dl e n e ss and the p lay i n g o f

card s ? No S e m e n S e me no vi tch You had far be tte r h and

,
.

your ch i ldre n ove r to me O the rwi se the y w i ll be ru i n e d Do . .

2
9 8 D e ad S o ul s
no t t h i nk that I am j e sti ng Idl e ne ss has wre cke d your li fe .
,

an d you mu st fle e fro m i t Can a m an l i ve w i th noth i ng to

.

ke e p hi m i n place ? Eve n a j ourne yman laboure r who e arns

”
the bare st p i ttance may tak e an i n te re st i n hi s occupat i on .

A than asi Vassi li e vi tch I have tr i e d t o ove rco me m yse lf but

, ,

what furthe r re source l i e s ope n to me ? Can I who am o ld and

i ncapable re e n te r the C i vi l S e rvi ce and sp e nd ye ar af te r ye ar
-

at a d e sk w i th you th s who are ju st star ti n g the i r care e rs ?

More o ve r I have lo st the tri ck o f taki n g br i be s ; I should only
,

h i nd e r both myse l f and o the rs ; whi l e as you k now i t i s a de , ,

artme nt wh i ch has an e stabl i sh e d ca ste o f i ts o wn T h e re f or e

p .
,

though I have consi d e re d and e ve n a tte mp te d t o ob ta i n e ve ry

, ,

conce i vable post I find m yse lf i ncom pe te nt for the m all O nly
,
.

i n a monaste ry should I
Nay nay Monaste ri e s aga i n are only for those who have
,
.
, ,
.

w orke d To those who have spe nt the i r you th i n d i ssi pati on

—
.

such have n s say what the ant sa i d t o the drago nfly nam e ly ,

Go yo u away and re turn to your danc i ng Ye s e ve n i n a ’

—
.
, ,

m onaste ry do folk toi l and toi l the y do no t si t playin g wh i st ”

.

Murazo v looke d at Khlo bue v and add e d : S e me n S e me no ,

vi tch yo u are d e c e i vi n g bo th yourse lf and me

, .

Poor Khlo bue v could no t u tte r a w ord i n re ply and Murazo v ,

be gan to fe e l s orry for hi m .

Li ste n Se me n Se me no vi tch he we nt o n
,
I k now that , .

y o u sa y your pray e r s and t ha t yo u g o t

, o ch urch and tha t you ,

o b se rve bo th Ma t i n s and Ve spe rs and that thou gh ave rse to , ,

e arly r i si n g yo u l e ave your be d at f our o cloc k i n the morn i ng

’
,
”
be fore the hou se hold fire s have be e n li t .

”
Ah Athanasi Vassi li e vi tch sa i d Khlo bue v
, that i s , ,

anothe r matte r al to ge the r That I do no t for man s sake but

.
,
’

for the sak e o f Hi m who has ord e re d all th i n gs he re o n e ar th .

Ye s I be l i e ve tha t He at l e a st can fe e l com passi o n for me that

, ,

He at le ast thou gh I be foul and lowly w i ll pardon me and

, ,

re ce i ve me whe n all me n have cast me o ut and my be st fr i e nd ,

has be traye d me and bo aste d that he has done i t for a g ood

e nc1

K hlo bue v s face was glowi n g w i th e m o ti on and from the

’

,
’
old e r man s e ye s al so a te ar had starte d .

Yo u wi ll do we ll to he arke n un to Hi m who i s m e rc i ful he ,

sai d . B ut re me mb e r al so tha t i n the e ye s o f the All Me rc i ful -

, ,

h one st to i l i s o f e qual me ri t w i th a praye r Th e re fore take un to .

yourse lf whatsoe ve r task yo u may and do i t as though you ,

we re do i ng i t n ot un t o m an but un to God
, Eve n thou gh to , .
 D e ad S o ul s
q
i n u i re d of me whe th e r I cou ld com e nd t o hi m a manm e e t to m
be e n tru ste d w i th the co ll e c ti on of alm s for a church a man —
S '
who hould be long t o the dvori ane o r t o the more l e tte re d me r
chants, but who would guard the tru st as he would guard the
salvat i on o f hi s soul . O
n the i n stan t though t I to yse lf : m
F
Why Shou ld n o t the Ho ly athe r appo i nt y fr i e nd S e me n m
Se me n o vi tch ? For the way o f su ffe ri n would b e n e t him g fi
gre atly ; and as he passe d w i th hi s l e dge r from lando ne r t o w
pe asant, and from pe asant to town sman , he ou ld l e arn whe re w
k
fol dwe ll , and who stand s i n ne e d o f au h t , and thu s ould g w
q
be come be tte r ac uai nte d w i th the countrysi d e th an folk who
d we ll in c i ti e s . A
nd , thu s be com e , he would nd that hi s se r fi
vi ce s we re always i n d e mand ’
. O
nly o f late di d the Gove rnor
Ge ne ral say to me tha t, could be but be furn i she d w i th the
k
nam e o f a se cre tary who should now hi s wor n o t only by the k
k
boo but al so by e xpe ri e nce , he would i ve hi m a gre at sum, g
si nce no th i ng i s t o be l e arn e d by the form e r m e an s, and , throu h g
”
i t , much confu si on ar i se s .

Yo u confound me , yo u o e rwh e lm me ! v ”
sa i d Khlo bue v,

star i ng at hi s compan i on i n op e n e ye d a st on i shm e n t

-
I can .

scarce ly b e li e ve tha t your word s are tru e , se e i n tha t for such g

a tru st an ac ti ve , i nd e fati gabl e man wou ld be n e c e ssary More .

v v
o e r, ho w cou ld I l e a e my w i fe and ch i ldre n unprovi d e d for ?
“ ”
Have no fe ar, sai d Murazo v, I
myse lf i ll ta e th e m w k
und e r my c are , as we ll a s procure fo r the chi ldre n a tu tor ar . F
be tte r and nobl e r we re i t for you to be trav e ll i ng wi th a wall e t,
k f
and a s i ng alms o n b e half o God , than to be re mai ni ng h e re and
k
as i ng alm s for yourse lf alon e k
Li e wi se , I wi ll furni sh you wi th
.

a ti lt waggon , so tha t you may be sav e d som e of the hard sh i p s

-

of the journ e y, and thu s be pre se rve d i n good h e al th Al so , I .

wi ll gi ve you som e mon e y for the j ourn e y, i n ord e r tha t, as yo u

p ass o n your way, yo u may gi v e to tho se who stand i n re ate r g
n e e d than th e i r fe llows Thu s, i f, b e fore gi vi ng , you a ssure your
.

se lf tha t the r e c i p i e n t o f the alm s i s worthy o f the sam e o u

, y

wi ll do much good ; and as you trave l yo u wi ll b e com e ac uai nte d q

wi th all me n and sundry, and th e y wi ll tre a t you , n o t as a
tchi novi nh to be f e ar e d , bu t as o n e t o whom a s a p e ti ti on e r on
,
be h lf o f the Chu rch , th e y may unloo se th e i r t ongu e s wi thou t
p e r1 a
I fe e l th at the sch e m e i s a Spl e ndi d o n e and would gladly ,

b e ar my part i n i t w e re i t n o t l i k e ly to e xc e e d my stre ngth .

Wha t i s th e re that do e s n ot e xc e e d o ur stre ngth ? sai d ”

Murazo v No thi ng i s wholly proporti ona te to i t e ve rythi ng

. —
 D e ad S o u l s 30 1

s urpa sse s i t H e lp from abov e i s n e c e ssary : o the rw i se we are

.

all pow e rl e ss S tre ng th com e s o f praye r and o f praye r alone

.
,
.

Wh e n a man cro sse s hi m se lf and cri e s Lord have m e rcy upon

, , ,

me ! he soon ste m s the curr e n t and wi n s to the shore No r .

n e e d yo u take any prolonge d thought conce rn i n g thi s ma tte r .

All tha t yo u n e e d do i s to acc e p t i t as a co m m i ssi on se n t o f Go d .

The ti l t wa gg on can be pr e pare d fo r you i mm e di a te ly ; and th e n

-
,

as soon as yo u hav e b e e n to the Arch i m andr i te for your book

o f accoun ts an d hi s bl e ssi n g you wi ll be fr e e to star t o n your

,
”
j ou rn e y .

I subm i t myse lf to yo u and acc e p t the commi ssi on as a

,

d i vi n e tru st .

And e v e n as K hlo bue v Spoke he f e l t re n e w e d vi g our and

confid e nc e ari se i n hi s soul and hi s m i nd b e gi n to a wake to a
,

se n se o f hop e fuln e ss of e v e n t u ally b e i ng abl e t o p ut t o fl i gh t hi s

troubl e s And e ve n as i t was the world se e m e d to be growi n g

.
,

di m to hi s e y e s
M e anwh i l e pl e a a fte r pl e a had b e e n pre se nte d to the l e gal
,

au thori ti e s and d ai ly w e re re l ati ve s whom no o ne had b e fore

,

h e ard o f pu tti ng i n an app e aranc e Ye s l i ke vul ture s to a corp se

.

di d th e se good folk com e flocki ng to the i mm e n se prop e rty wh i ch

Madam e K hanasaro v had l e ft b e hi nd he r Ev e ry wh e re w e re .

h e ard rumours agai nst Chi chi ko v ru mours wi th re gard to the

,

val i d i ty o f the se cond wi ll rumours wi th re gard to wi ll numb e r

,

o ne and rumours o f larc e ny and conc e alm e n t o f fun ds

,
Al so , .

th e r e cam e to hand i nforma ti on w i th r e gard bo th to Chi chi ko v s

’

purcha se s o f d e a d soul s and to hi s conni vi ng at contraband

g ood s duri ng hi s se rvi c e i n the Cu stom s D e partm e nt In short .
,

e v e ry po ssi bl e i te m o f e vi d e nc e wa s e xhum e d and the whol e ,

o f hi s pr e vi ou s h i story i nv e sti ga te d How the a uthori ti e s had

.

com e to su sp e c t and to a sc e rta i n all th i s Go d only knows but ,

the fac t r e ma i n s tha t th e re had fall e n i n t o th e hand s of tho se .

au thori ti e s i nforma ti on conc e rn i ng ma tte rs o f wh i ch Chi chi ko v

had b e li e ve d only hi m se lf and f our wall s to be aware Tru e .
,

fo r a ti m e th e se ma tte rs r e ma i n e d w i th i n the cogni sanc e of non e

but the func ti on ari e s conc e rn e d and fa i l e d to r e a ch Chi chi ko v s
’

e ar s ; bu t at l e ng th a l e tte r from a confid e n ti al fri e nd gav e hi m

re a son to thi nk that the fat was ab o u t to fall i n to the fire S a i d .

the l e tte r bri e fly : D e ar si r I be g to a dvi se you tha t po ssi bly

,

l e gal troubl e i s p e nd i ng but tha t you h ave no cau se fo r une asi

,

n e ss se e i ng tha t e ve rythi ng wi ll be a tte nd e d to by yours v e ry

,
”
truly . Ye t i n sp i te o f i ts te nor the e p i stl e re a ssure d i ts
, ,

re c i p i e n t Wha t a g e n i u s the fe llow i s ! thou gh t Chi chi ko v

.
”
302 D e ad S o u l s
to hi mse lf Ne xt to compl e te hi s sa ti sfac ti on hi s tai lor a rri ve d
.
, ,

wi th the n e w sui t whi ch he had ord e re d No t wi thou t a c e rtai n .

se n se o f pri d e di d our h e ro i n sp e c t the fro ckco at o f smoke d gre y

Sho t wi th flam e colour and loo k at i t from e ve ry poi nt o f vi e w
, ,

and th e n try on the bre e ch e s the latte r fi tti ng hi m l i k e a

pi c ture and qu i te conc e al i ng any d e fici e nci e s i n the ma tte r o f
,

th i ghs and cal v e s (though wh e n buc k l e d b e hi nd the y l e ft hi s

, ,

stomach proj e c ti n g l i k e a drum ) Tru e the cu stom e r re marke d

.
,

tha t th e re app e are d to be a sl i gh t ti gh tn e ss und e r the ri gh t

armpi t but the smi li ng tai lor only re j oi n e d tha t tha t would
,
”
cau se the wai st to fit all the b e tte r S i r he sa i d tri umphan tly.
, ,

you may re st a ssure d tha t the work has b e e n e xe cu te d e xactly

a s i t ough t to hav e b e e n e x e cu te d No o ne e xc e p t i n S t P e te rs
.
,
.

burg could have don e i t b e tte r A s a ma tte r o f fac t the ta i lor

,
”
.
,

h i m se lf hai l e d from S t P e te rsburg but call e d h i m se lf o n hi s si gn

.
,

board Fore i gn Co stumi e r from London and Pari s the tru th -

b e i ng tha t by the use o f a doubl e barre ll e d flouri sh o f c i ti e s -

sup e ri or to me re Karl sruh e and Cop e nha ge n he d e si gn e d

to ac qu i re bu si n e ss and cut o ut hi s loca l ri val s .

Chi chi ko v grac i ou sly se ttl e d the man s account and as soon
’
, ,

a s he had gon e parad e d at l e i sure and con amore and afte r the
, , ,

mann e r o f an arti st o f aesthe ti c ta ste b e fore the m i rror S om e ,

.

how he se e m e d to loo k b e tte r than e v e r i n the su i t for hi s ch e e ks ,

had now ta k e n o n a sti ll more i nte re sti ng ai r and hi s chi n an ,

add e d se duc ti ve n e ss whi l e hi s wh i te collar l e n t tone to hi s n e ck

, ,
the blu e sa ti n ti e h e i gh te n e d the e ffe c t o f the collar the fa sh i on ,

abl e d i c ke y se t o ff the ti e the ri ch sa ti n wa i stcoa t e mpha si se d

,

the d i ck e y and the smok e d gr e y sho t w i th flame colour frock

,
- - - - -

coa t Shi ni ng l i ke S i l k spl e nd i dly round e d o ff the whol e Wh e n

, , .

he turn e d to the ri gh t he loo k e d w e ll : wh e n he turn e d to the

l e ft he looke d e ve n b e tte r In S hort i t was a co stum e worthy of
.
,

a Lord Chamb e rlai n or the sp e c i e s o f dandy who shri nks from

sw e ari ng i n the Ru ssi an lan guag e but amply r e l i e v e s hi s fe e l i ngs
,
i n the langu age of Franc e N e x t i ncl i n i ng hi s h e ad sl i gh tly to
.
,

o n e si d e o ur h e ro e n de avour e d to po se a s though he w e re
,

addre ssi ng a mi ddl e age d lady o f e x qu i si te re fi n e m e nt ; and the

-

re sul t o f th e se e fforts was a p i c tur e wh i ch any ar ti st m i gh t hav e

ye arn e d to portray Ne x t hi s d e l i ght le d hi m grac e fully t o

.
,

e x e cu te a hop i n ball e t fa sh i on so tha t the wardrob e tre mbl e d

,

and a bo ttl e o f eau de Cologne cam e crashi ng to the floor Ye t

- -
’

e v e n th i s co ntre tem s di d n o t up se t hi m h m r ly call d the

p ; e e e e

o ffe nd i ng bo ttl e a fool and th e n d e ba te d Whom fi rst he should

,

V1S l t i n hi s a ttrac ti v e gu i se .
 0
3 4
D e ad S o u l s
di m Chi chi ko v s
’
The world se e m e d sudd e nly to grow b e fore
si ght .

Y o ur H i ghn e ss he ga sp e d I wi ll te ll you the whol e truth

—
, , ,

and no thi ng but the tru th I am gu i l ty ye s I am gu i l ty ; but .

,

I am no t so gui lty as you thi nk for I was le d away by ra scal s ,

”
.

That any one can have le d you away i s i mpo ssi bl e re torte d ,

the P r i nc e . R e cord e d aga i n st your n am e t h e r e sta nd more

fe loni e s than e ve n the mo st hard e n e d l i ar could have i nve nte d .

I b e l i e ve tha t n e ve r i n your l i fe ha v e yo u don e a d e e d no t i n

a
m te ly d ishonour a bl e — that no t a k op e c k ha v e you e v e r Ob ta i n e d
by augh t but sham e ful m e thod s of tri c k e ry and the ft the p e nal ty ,

fo r wh i ch i s S i b e ri a and the kn u t B u t e nough Of th i s ! From th i s

.

room yo u wi ll be conv e ye d to pri son wh e re wi th o th e r rogu e s , ,

and thi e ve s yo u wi ll be confin e d un ti l your tri al may com e on

,
.

And thi s i s l e ni e nt tre a tm e nt On my part for you are worse far , ,

worse than the fe lons who wi ll be your compani ons They are
,
.

but poor me n i n smoc k s and S h e e p ski n s wh e r e a s yo u Wi th ,

o u t conclud i ng hi s wo rd s the P ri nc e ca st a glanc e at Chi chi ko v s

’
,

smo k e d gre y sho t wi th flame colour appar e l

- - - - -
.

The n he t ouche d a b e ll .

Y our H i ghne ss cr i e d Chi chi ko v have me rcy upon me !

”
, ,

Y ou are the fathe r Of a fam i ly ! S pare me for the sak e Of my

age d mo the r !
Rubb i sh ! e xcla i m e d the Pri nce
”
Eve n as be fore yo u .

be sou ght me for the sake Of a w i fe and ch i ldre n whom yo u di d

n o t e v e n po sse ss so n o w you would sp e ak t o me Of an a ge d
,
”
mo the r !
Y our H i ghne ss prote ste d Chi chi ko v thou gh I am a
, ,

wre tch and the lowe st Of rascals and though i t i s true that I ,

l i e d whe n I t old yo u that I posse sse d a w i fe and ch i ldre n I ,

swe ar that as God i s my w i tn e ss i t has always b e e n my des i re

, ,

t o po sse ss a w i fe and t o fulfil all the du ti e s o f a man and a

,

c i ti ze n and to e arn the re spe ct Of my fe llows and the au thor i ti e s

, .

B ut what could be done aga i n st the force Of c i rcum stance s ?

By bo ok or by crook I have e ve r b e e n force d to win a l i vi n g ,

though confron te d at e ve ry ste p by w i l e s and te mp tati on s and

trai t orou s e ne m i e s and d e spo i le rs S O much has th i s b e e n so .

that m y l i fe has throughou t re se mbl e d a bar q u e t o sse d by

,

te mpe stuou s w ave s a bar qu e dr i ve n at the m e rcy of the w i nd s

, .

Ah I am only a man your H i ghne ss !

, ,

And in a m ome nt the te ars had gu she d in torre nts from hi s

e ye s , and he had falle n forward at the Pri nc e s fe e t falle n — ’

forward ju st as he was i n hi s smoke d gre y shot w i th flame ,

- - - -
 D e ad S o ul s 0
3 5
ve l ve t w a i stcoat hi s sati n ti e and hi s
hi s , ,

bre e che s w h i l e from hi s ne atly bru she d p ate

, ,

as ag a m and aga i n he struc k hi s hand a ga i n st hi s fore h e ad th e re ,

carh e an Odorou s wh i ff Of b e st qual i ty e au de Cologn e

- - -
.

\Aw ay w i th hi m ! e xcla i m e d the Pr i nce to the ge ndarme

“ ”

who fhad ju st e n te re d S u mm on the e scort to re m ove hi m

.
”
.

Your H i ghne ss ! Chi chi ko v cr i e d agai n as he claspe d the

Pri n ce s kne e s ; but shudd e ri n g all ove r and stru ggl i n g to
’
, ,

fre e hi m se lf the Pr i nce re pe ate d hi s ord e r for the pri sone r s

,
’

re m oval .

Your H i ghne ss I say that I w i l l n o t l e ave th i s room un ti l

,

o u hav e accord e d m e m e rcy ! cr i e d Chi chi ko v as he clun g t o

y
the Pr i nce s le g w i th such te nac i ty tha t fro ckc o at and all he
’
, ,

b e gan to be drag ge d alon g the floor .

Away w i th hi m I say ! once more the Pri nce e xcla i m e d

wi th the sort Of i nde finable ave rsi on w h i ch o ne fe e l s at the S i gh t
O f a re pu lsi ve i n se c t whi ch he canno t summon up the coura ge
t o cru sh w i th hi s boo t S O convul si ve ly di d the Pr i nc e shudd e r
.

that Chi chi ko v cl i n g i n g t o hi s le g re ce i v e d a k i ck on the no se

, ,
.

Ye t sti ll the pr i sone r r e ta i ne d hi s hold ; unti l at l e n gth a coupl e

o f burly ge ndar m e s t ore hi m a w ay and graspi n g hi s arm s
—
, ,

hurri e d hi m pal e d i she ve ll e d and i n that stran ge half con

, , ,
-

s c i ou s cond i t i on i n t o w h i ch a m an si nk s w h e n he se e s be fore

hi m only the dark te rr i bl e fi gure Of d e ath the phan t o m wh i ch

—
, ,

i s S O abhorre nt to all o ur nature s fro m the bu i ld i n g B ut o n .

the thr e shold the par ty ca me f ace t o fac e w i th Murazo v and i n ,

Chi chi ko v s h e ar t the c i rcum stance re vi ve d a ray Of hope

’
.

Wre sti n g h i m se lf wi th alm ost supe rnatural stre ngth from the
grasp o f the e scorti ng ge ndarme s he thre w h i m se lf at the fe e t Of
,

the horror str i cke n Old man

-
.

Paul Ivanovi tch Murazo v e xcla i me d what has happe n e d

”
, ,

t o you ?
S ave me ! g aspe d Chi chi ko v The y are tak i ng me aw ay
.

to pr i son and d e ath !

Ye t almo st as he spok e the ge ndarm e s se i ze d hi m aga i n and ,

hurr i e d hi m aw ay so sw i ftly that Murazo v s re p ly e scape d hi s ’

e ar s
.

A damp mouldy c e ll wh i ch re e ke d o f sold i e rs boo ts and

,
’

le ggi n gs an unvarn i she d tab le two sorry cha i r s a wi ndo w

, , ,

clo se d w i th a grati ng a crazy st ove w h i ch wh i le l e tti n g the

—
, ,

sm oke e m rg e e t hroug h i t s crack s gave o ut no he at such was

,

the de n t o w h i ch the man who had j u st b e g un to ta ste the swe e ts

O f l i fe and to attrac t the atte n ti on Of hi s fe llows wi th hi s ne w
,
 06 D e ad S o ul s
3
su i t O f s m ok e d g re y sho t
-
w i th fl a m e colour
-
n o w
-
found -
hi rnse lf -
,

consi gne d Not e ve n ne ce ssari e s had he be e n allowe d to bri ng

.

aw ay w i t h h i m n o r hi d,
i s pa t ch b o x w h i ch
s con t a i n e d all hi s -

booty NO wi th the i nde nture d e e d s Of the de ad so ul s i t was

.
, ,

lodge d i n the hand s o f a t hi n vni k and as he thou gh t O f the e c o s

h
t i n g s C h i h i k o v
c roll e d abou t th e floor and f e l t the c anke r ,

w orm o f re m or e se i e upon and gnaw at hi s he art and b ite i ts

s z ,

way e ve r fur the r and furthe r i nt o that h e ar t S O d e fe nce l e ss

aga i n st i ts ravage s un ti l he m ad e up hi s m i nd tha t should he
, ,

have to su ffe r ano the r twe nty four hours Of such m i se ry the re -
,

would no longe r be a Chi chi ko v i n the world Ye t ove r hi m .

,

as ove r e ve ry o ne th e re hun g po i se d the All S av i n g Hand ; and

-
, ,

an hour afte r hi s arr i val at the pr i son the doors O f the gaol ,

Ope ne d to adm i t Murazo v .

Compare d wi th poor Chi chi ko v s se nse O f re l i e f whe n the Old ’

man e nte re d hi s ce ll e ve n the ple asure e xpe r i e nce d by a th i rsty

, ,

du sty tra ve lle r whe n he i s gi ve n a dri nk Of cl e ar spri n g w a te r to

cool hi s dry parche d throat fad e s i n t o i nsi gni fican ce
,
.

Ah my d e li ve re r ! he cri e d as he rose fro m the floor whe re

, ,

he had b e e n grove ll i ng i n he ar tre nd i n g paroxysms O f gr i e f .

Se i zi ng the Old man s hand he k i sse d i t and pre sse d i t to his

’
,

bosom The n bursti ng i nt o te ars he add e d

.
,
“
God H i mse l f ,

wi ll re ward you for havi ng come to vi si t an unfortunate wre tch !

Murazo v look e d at hi m sorrowfully and sa i d no more than ,

Ah Paul I vanovi tch Paul Ivanov i tch ! What has happe ne d ?

, ,

What has happe ne d ? cri e d Chi chiko v I have be e n .

ru i ne d by an accurse d wom an That was be cau se I could not

—
.

do th i ngs i n mod e rati on I was powe rl e ss to st op myse l f i n ti me .

S atan te mpte d me and drove me from my se nse s and be re ft me

, ,

Of human prude nce Ye s truly I have si nne d I have si nne d !

—
.
, ,

Ye t how came I S O to si n ? T O th i nk that a dvo ri ani n ye s a

—
dvori ani n shou ld be thrown i n t o pr i son w i thou t proce ss or
,

tr i al ! I re pe at a dvo ri ani n ! Why was I n o t g i ve n ti me to g o

,

home and coll e c t my e ffe cts ? whe re as now th e y are l e ft w i th

no o ne t o look afte r the m ! My d i spatch box my d i spatch -
,

box ! I t con ta i n e d my whol e prop e rty all tha t my he art s

’
,

blood and ye ars o f to i l and want have be e n ne e d e d to ac qu i re .

And now e ve ryth i ng w i ll be st ol e n A thanasi Vassi li e vi tch ,

e ve ryth i ng w i ll be t ak e n from me ! My God !

And unab le to stand aga i n st the t orre n t o f gri e f wh i ch came
,

ru sh i ng o ve r hi s he art once m ore he sobb e d aloud i n tone s wh i ch ,

pe ne trate d e ve n the th i ckne ss Of the pr i son wall s and m ade dull ,

e choe s aw a k e b e h i nd th e m The n te ar ing Off hi s sati n ti e and .

, ,
308 D e ad S o u l s
k
i t, S O to spe a , w i th the ti p Of one —
finge r th e re S hould
have
w
ari se n a sudde n storm h i ch has se nt my bar u e t o p i e ce s o n a q
k
roc ? My cap i tal had ne arly re ache d the sum Of thre e hund re d
t hou sand roub le s ,
and a t h re e st or i e d hou se wa-
s a s good as

m i ne , and tw i ce ove r I could ha e bough t a country estate v .

Why, the n , shou ld such a te mp e st have burst upon me ? Why

S hou ld I have su sta i n e d such a blow ? Was n o t my l i fe alre ady
li e a bar u e to sse d t o and fro by the b i llow s ? Wh e re i s
k q
v —
He a e n s ju sti ce whe re i s the re ward fo r all my pati e nce , for
’

my boundle ss pe rse ve rance ? Thre e ti m e s di d I have to b e g i n

l i fe afre sh , and e ach ti me that I lost my all I be gan w i th a si ngle
k
kop e c at a mom e nt wh e n o th e r me n ould hav e i ven the m w g
se lv e s up t o d e spa i r and dri n k
How much di d I n ot have to
.

ove rcom e , ho w much di d I n o t hav e to b e ar ! Eve ry op e ck k

wh i ch I gai n e d I had to make wi th my whol e stre ngth ; for
though , to o th e rs , w e al th may com e e a si ly , e e ry coi n of m i n e v
had to be fo rge d wi th a n ai l worth thre e op e c s as the pro k k
—
ve rb has i t Wi th such a na i l wi th the nai l O an i ron , un f
—
.

we aryi ng p e rse ve ranc e di d I forge my op e c s ”

k k .

Convul si ve ly sobbi ng wi th a gri e f whi ch he could n o t re pre ss,

k
Chi chi ko v san upon a cha i r, tore from hi s should e rs the la st
ragge d , trai l i ng re mnan ts o f hi s fro ckco at , and hurl e d th e m
from hi m Th e n , thru sti ng hi s finge rs i n to the ha i r wh i ch he
.

had onc e b e e n S O care ful to pre se rve , he pull e d i t Out by hand

ful s at a ti m e , as though he hop e d through physi ca l pai n to
d e ad e n the m e ntal agony whi ch he wa s su ff e ri ng .

M e anwhi l e Murazo v sat gazi ng i n i l e nc e at the unwon te d S

sp e ctacl e Of the man who had l ate ly b e e n m i nc i ng wi th the ga i t
Of a worldl i ng o r a m i l i tary fop n o w wri th i ng i n d i she ve lm e nt
and d e sp ai r a s he poure d o ut upon the ho sti l e forc e s by whi ch
fi
huma n i nge nu i ty S O Ofte n nd s i tse l ou twi tte d a flood Of f
i nv e c ti e v .

P I
Paul Ivanovi tch , aul vanovi tch , at l e ngth sai d Murazo v,
what could n o t e ach Of u s ri se to be di d we but d e vo te to good
e nd s the sam e m e a sure Of e n e rgy and Of pa ti e nc e wh i ch we

b e stow upon unworthy Obj e c ts ! Ho w much good would no t you

f
yourse l have e ffe c te d ! Ye t I do n o t gri e ve S O much for the
fac t that you have si nne d agai nst your fe llow as I ri e ve fo r g
v
the fac t tha t you ha e si nn e d aga i n st yourse lf and the ri ch store
Of gi fts and Opportuni ti e s whi ch has b e e n comm i tte d to your
care Though ori gi nally d e sti n e d to ri se , you have wand e re d
.
“

from the pa th and fall e n .

Ah , Athanasi Vassi li e vi tch, cri e d poor Chi chi ko v, cla spi ng

 D e ad S o u l s 0
3 9
I sw
ar to you tha t i f you would but re store
e ,

and re cov e r for me my lo st prop e rty I would ,

from th i s ti m e forth S av e me you who .

,

rk my d e l i v e ranc e ! S av e me !
I do that ? S O to do I should n e e d to pro cure the
Of a law Aga i n e v e n i f I w e re to m ak e he
.
,
t

Pri nc e i s a stri c t a dm i n i stra tor and would re fu se ,

”
re l e a se you .

fo r you all thi ngs are po ssi bl e I t i s n o t the law .

5 me : w i th tha t I could find a m e an s t o d e al It is .

t for no o ffe nc e a t all I h a v e b e e n ca st i n t o pri so n ,

and tre ate d l i k e a do g and d e pri v e d of my pap e rs and d i spa tch

,

bo x and all my prop e rty S ave me i f you can

. .
’

Aga i n cla spi ng the o ld man s k n e e s he b e d e we d th e m wi th

’

hi s te ars .

Paul I vano vi tch sa i d Murazo v shaki ng hi s h e ad

, , ho w ,

tha t prop e rt y Of yours sti ll se al s your e y e s and e ars so t ha t ,

o u canno t so much a s l i st e n t o the promp ti n gs o f your o wn

y
soul !

Ah I wi ll th i nk o f my soul to o i f only yo u w i ll sav e me

, , , .

Paul I vanovi tch ”

the old man b e gan a ga i n and the n
, ,

stopp e d Fo r a l i ttl e wh i l e the re wa s a pau se

. .

Paul I vanovi tch at l e ngth he w e n t o n to sav e you do e s

”
, ,

n o t li e w i th i n my powe r S ure ly yo u yourse lf se e tha t ? B ut

.
,

so far as I can I w i ll e n de avour to at all e v e n ts l i gh te n your

, , ,

lo t and procur e your e v e n tual r e l e a se Wh e th e r o r n o t I shall

.

succ e e d I do n o t know ; bu t I w i ll mak e the a tte mp t And .

should I con trary t o my e xp e c tati on s prov e succ e ssful I be

, , g ,

f
'

of
y o u,
i n r e t urn for t h e se my e f or ts t o r e nounc e,
all t h o ugh t o f
b e n e fi t from the prop e rty whi ch yo u have acqu i re d S i nc e re ly .

do I a ssure you tha t w e re I myse lf to be d e pri v e d o f my p ro

,
~

p e rty (and my prop e rty gre a tly e xc e e d s yours i n ma gni tud e ) ,

I should no t sh e d a S i ngl e te ar I t 15 no t the prop e rty o f whi ch

.

me n can d e pri ve us tha t ma tte rs but the prop e rty o f whi ch no

,

o n e on e ar th can d e pri v e or d e spo i l us Yo u are a man who has

—
.

se e n s om e th i ng o f l i f e to u se your o wn word s yo u hav e b e e n ,

a bar qu e to sse d hi the r and thi th e r by te mp estuou s wave s : ye t

sti ll w i ll th e r e be l e f t t o yo u a r e mnan t o f sub sta nc e o n wh i ch

to l i v e and the re for e I b e se e ch yo u to se ttl e down i n som e qu i e t

,

nook wh e re th e re i s a church and wh e re non e but pl ai n good

, ,

h e arte d folk ab i d e O r should you fe e l a ye arni ng to l e ave

.
,

b e hi nd you po ste ri ty take i n marri a ge a good woman who shall

,

bri ng you n o t mon e y but an apti tud e fo r si mpl e mod e st

, , ,
 3 0I D e ad S o u l s
dom e sti c li fe s B ut th i li f
e — the l i f of turmo i l wi th i t
e s l on g
—
. ,

ng
i s and i ts te mp ta ti on
s e forg t and l t i t forg t y u
e ,
e o for
h r
t e e i s no p e ac e i n i t S e e for .your se lf h o w a t e v e ry ste p i t , ,

bri ngs o ne but ha tre d and tre ach e ry and d e c e i t .

”
“
Ind e e d ye s ! agre e d the re p e ntant Chi chi ko v
,
Gladly .

wi ll I do as you wi sh si nc e fo r many a day pa st have I b e e n

,

longi ng to ame nd my l i fe and to e ngage i n hu sbandry and to, ,

re ord e r my aff ai rs A d e mon the te mp te r S a tan h i m se lf has

.
, ,

be gu i l e d me and le d me from the ri gh t path .

S udd e nly th e re had re curre d to Chi chi ko v long u nknown -

,

long unfami l i ar fe e l i ngs S om e thi ng se e m e d to be stri vi ng to

-

—
.

com e to l i fe agai n i n hi m som e th i ng di m and re mo te som e ,

thi ng wh i ch had b e e n c ru sh e d o ut o f hi s boyhood by the dre ary ,

d e ad e ni ng e ducati on o f hi s you th ful days by hi s d e sola te hom e , ,

by hi s sub se qu e nt lack o f fami ly ti e s by the pove rty and ,

n i ggardl i n e ss o f hi s e arly i mpre ssi ons by the gri m e ye o f fa te ,

an e ye wh i ch had always see m e d to be re gard i n g hi m as through

a m i sty mournful fro st e ncru ste d wi ndow pan e and to be

, ,
- -
,

mocki ng at hi s struggl e s fo r fre e dom An d as th e se fe e li ngs .

ca m e back to the p e ni te nt a groan burst from hi s l i p s and , ,

c ov e ri ng hi s fac e w i th hi s hand s he moan e d

.
,
I t i s all tru e i t ,

i s all tru e !
O f li ttle avai l are knowl e d ge o f the world ”
and e xp e ri e nce o f
me n unl e ss ba se d upon a se cure founda ti on ob se rve d Murazo v ,
.

Though you have fall e n Paul ”

I vanovi tch awake to b e tte r
, ,

th i ngs for as ye t th e r e i s ti m e
,
.

NO no ! groan e d Chi chi ko v i n a vo i c e whi ch mad e Mura

,

z o v s h e art bl e e d
’
I t i s to o la te to o la te
. More and more i s
,
.

the convi c ti on gai ni ng upon me tha t I am pow e rl e ss tha t I hav e ,

straye d to o far e v e r t o be abl e t o do as yo u bi d me The fact .

tha t I hav e b e com e wha t I am i s due to my e arly school i n g ; f or ,

though my fa th e r taugh t me moral l e sson s and b e a t me and , ,

se t me to co
py max i m s i n t o a boo k h e h i m s e lf s t,
ol e land from
hi s n e i ghbours and forc e d me to h e lp hi m
,
I have e ve n known .

hi m bri ng an unju st su i t and d e fraud the orphan who se guard i an

,

he was ! Con se qu e n tly I k now and f e e l tha t though my l i fe has ,

b e e n d i ffe re nt from hi s I do n o t ha te rogu e ry a s I ought to

,

hate i t and tha t my na ture i s coarse and tha t i n me th e re i s no

, ,

re al lo v e for wha t i s good no re al S park o f tha t b e au ti ful i n

,

s ti n ct fo r w e ll do i ng wh i ch b e com e s a se cond na ture

-
a se ttl e d ,

hab i t Al so n e ve r do I ye arn to stri ve fo r wha t i s ri gh t as I

.
,

ye arn to ac qu i re prop e rty Th i s i s no more than the tru th . .

What e lse could I do but confess i t ?

3 1 2 D e ad S o u l s
”
I myse lf can fe e l but l i ttl e he re fle c te d but I i nte nd to
, ,

use my e ve ry facul ty t o h e lp o the rs to fe e l I myse lf am but bad .

and worthle ss but I i nte nd to do my u tmo st t o se t othe rs o n

,

the r i gh t road I myse lf am bu t an i nd i ffe re n t Chr i sti an but I

.
,

i n te nd t o stri ve n e ve r t o y i e ld t o te mp tat i on but to w ork hard , ,

and to ti ll my land w i th the swe at of my brow and to e ngage ,

only i n honourab le pursu i ts and to i nflu e nce m y fe llows i n the

,

sam e d i re c t i on For afte r all a m I so ve ry u se l e ss ? At l e a st I

.
, ,

could m ai n tai n a hou se hold for I am frugal and acti ve and

,

i n te ll i ge n t and ste adfa st The only th i ng i s t o mak e up my m i nd

.

”
t o 1t .

Thu Chi chi ko v pond e re d ; and as he di d so hi s half awake ne d

s -

e ne rg i e s o f soul t ouche d upon som e th i ng That i s t o say, d i ly . m

hi s i n sti nct d i v i n e d that e ve ry m
an has a du ty t o pe rform , and
th at that du ty m
ay be p e rform e d h e re , the re , and e ve rywhe re ,
w
and no matte r hat the c i rcu mstance s and the e oti on s and m
‘
the di fii cult i e s w
h i ch compass a man abou t And w i th such .

cl e arne ss di d Chi chi ko v me n tally p i cture to h i se lf the l i fe of m

w
grate ful t o i l h i ch l i e s re move d fro the bu stle o f t o n s and m w
g
the te mp tati on s wh i ch man , for e tful o f the obl i gat i on o f labour ,
has i nve n te d t o be gu i le an hour o f i dl e ne ss that almo st our he ro
forgo t hi s unple asant po si ti on , and e ve n fe lt re ady to thank
w
Provi d e nce for the calam i ty h i ch had b e fall e n hi m, provi de d
tha t i t shou ld e n d i n hi s b e i ng re le ase d , and i n hi s re c e i v in back g
a porti on o f hi s prope rty .

Pre se ntly the massi ve door o f the ce ll ope ne d to adm i t a

tchi noo ni k nam e d S amosvi t o v, a robu st , se n su al i nd i vi dual
who was re pu te d by hi s comrad e s to be some th i n o f a rake g .

Had he se rve d i n the army , he wou ld have done wond e rs, for he
w v m
ou ld ha e stor e d any po i nt, howe e r dange rou s and i n acce s v
si b le , and cap ture d cannon und e r the v e ry no se s of the fo e
;
but , as i t was, the lack o f a more warl i e e ld fo r hi s e n e rg i e s k fi
cau se d hi m t o d e vo te the latte r pr i nci pally to d i ssi pati on .

N e ve rth e le ss he e njoye d gre at popu lar i ty fo r he was loyal to the

,

po i nt that , once hi s word had b e e n g i ve n no th i ng ould e ve r w

k k
ma e hi m bre a i t A t the sam e ti m e , some re ason or anothe r
.

le hi m to re g ard hi s sup e ri ors i n the l i gh t o f a ho sti le batte ry

d
wh1ch, come what m i gh t , he mu st b re ach at any we a or um k
guarde d spot or gap wh i ch m i ght be capab le o f be i ng u ti l i se d
fo r the purpo se .

We ha e all he ard o f your pli gh t, he b e gan as soon as the

v
door had be e n safe ly clo se d b e h i nd hi m Ye s, e e ry o ne has
. v
he ard o f i t B ut ne ve r m i nd Th i ngs w i ll ye t come r i ght We
. . .
 D e ad S o ul s 3 3 1

w i l l do o ur v e ry b e st fo r you and act as your hu m bl e se rvan ts

i n e ve ryth i ng Thi rty thou sand roubl e s i s o ur pr i c e no m ore
.
,
— ”
.

Ind e e d ? sa i d Chi chi ko v And for that Sh all I be co m

.
, ,

p le t e ly e xon e ra t e d ?
Ye s co m ple te ly and also g i ve n som e co m pe n sati on for your
, ,
”
lo ss o f t i m e .

And ho w m uch am I to pay i n re turn you say ? ,

Th i rty thou sand roubl e s t o be d i v i d e d am on g ourse lve s the

, ,

Gove rnor Ge ne ral s staff and the Gove rnor Ge ne ral s se cre taryl
-
’
,
” -
’

B ut ho w i s e ve n that t o be manage d for all my e ffe c ts i n , ,

clud i ng my d i sp atch box w i ll have b e e n se al e d up an d take n

-

aw ay for e xam i nati on ?

In an hour s ti m e the y w i ll be i n your hand s agai n sa i d
’
,

S amo svi t o v .S hall we shake hand s ove r the barga i n ?

Chi chi ko v di d so w i th a b e ati n g h e ar t fo r he could sc arce ly ,

be l i e ve hi s e ars .

Fo r the pre se n t th e n fare we ll ,

conclude d Samosvi to v
, .

I have i n structe d a ce rtai n m utual fri e nd that the i rnp ortant

po i nts are si le nc e and pre se nce o f m i nd ”
.

Hm ! thought Chi chi ko v I t i s to m y lawye r he i s re

” “
.

fe rri ng ”
.

Eve n wh e n S amosvi to v had d e parte d the pr i son e r found i t

d i fficul t to cre d i t all that had b e e n sa i d Ye t n ot an hour had .

e lap se d b e for e a m e sse n ge r arr i ve d w i th hi s d i spa tch box and -

the pap e rs and m one y t h e re i n prac ti cally und i sturb e d and i n

t ac t ! Late r i t cam e o ut that S amo svi to v had a ssu m e d co m ple te
"

au thori ty i n the matte r Fi rst he had re buke d the ge ndarme s

.
,

guard ing Chi chi ko v s e ffe cts f or lack of vi gi lance and the n se nt
’
,

word to the S upe ri nte nd e nt that add i ti onal me n we re re qu i re d

for the purpo se ; afte r wh i ch he had take n the d i spatch bo x i nto -

hi s o wn charge re move d fro m i t e ve ry pape r w h i ch could p o s

,

si bly co m prom i se Chi chi ko v se al e d up the r e st i n a pack e t an d

, ,

ord e re d a ge ndarm e to conve y the w hol e to the i r owne r o n the

pre te nce o f forwardi n g hi m sundry garm e n ts ne c e ssary for the
n i gh t I n the re sul t Chi chi ko v re ce i ve d n o t only hi s pape rs but
.
,

al so so me w arm clo th i n g for hi s hyp e rse nsi ti ve l i mb s S uch a .

sw i ft re cove ry o f hi s tre a sure s d e l i gh te d hi m b e yond e xpre ssi on ,

and gathe ri n g ne w hOp e he b e gan once m ore to dre am o f such

, ,

allure m e nts as th e atre g o i ng and the balle t gi rl afte r w ho m he

-

had for som e ti m e past b e e n dangl i n g Gradually di d the coun try .

e st a te and the si mpl e l i fe b e g i n t o re ce d e i n t o the d i stance :

g raduall y d i d th e t o w n hou se and the l i f e o f g a i e t y be gi n t o loo m

large r and large r i n the fore ground O h l i fe l i fe ! .
, ,
 14 D e ad S o ul s
3
Me anwh i le i n Gove rnme nt offi ce s and chance llor i e s the re had
be e n se t o n foot a boundle ss volu me of work Cl e r i cal pe n s .

s lav e d
,
and bra i n s S k i ll e d i n l e g al c as us t o i le d ; f or e ach o ffi c i al
had the arti st s l i k i ng for the curve d l i n e i n pre fe re nce to the
’

s tra i gh t A.nd all th e wh i l e l i k e a h i,

dd e n mag i c i an C hi ch i ko v s ,
’

lawye r i mparte d dr i v i n g powe r to that mach i ne wh i ch caught

up a m an i nto i ts me chan i sm be fore he cou ld e ve n look round .

And the comple x i ty o f i t i ncre ase d and i ncre ase d for Samosvi to v ,

surpa sse d h i m se lf i n i mpor tance and dar i ng On le arn i ng o f the .

place o f confine me nt o f the w oman who had b e e n arre ste d he ,

pre se nte d h i m se lf at the doors and passe d so we ll for a sm art ,

young offi ce r o f ge ndarme ry that the se ntry salu te d and sprang

to atte nti on .

Have you be e n on du ty long ? aske d Samosvi to v .

S i nce th i s morn i ng your Exce lle ncy

,
”
.

And shall you soon be re li e ve d ?

In thre e hours from n ow your E xce l le ncy ,
.

Pre se ntly I shall want you so I w i ll i nstruc t your o ffi c e r to ,

have you re l i e ve d at once .

Ve ry g ood your E xce ll e ncy

,
.

Haste n i ng home the re afte r at to p spe e d and donn i ng the

, , ,

un i f orm o f a ge ndarm e w i th a fa se mou stach e and a pa i r o f

l
—
,

fal se wh i ske rs an e nsemble i n wh i ch the d e v i l h i m se lf would

no t ha v e kno wn hi m Samo svi to v th e n mad e for the gaol whe re
,

Chi chiko v was confine d and en ro u te i mpre sse d i n t o the se rvi c e

, , ,

the fi rst stre e t w oman w ho m he e ncoun te re d and hand e d he r ,

ove r to the care o f two young fe l lows o f l i ke sort w i th h i mse l f .

The n e x t ste p was to hurry bac k to the pr i son whe re the or i g i nal
woman had be e n i nte rne d and the re to i n ti ma te to the se ntry
,

that he Samosvi to v (w i th wh i sk e rs and r i fle comp e te ) had b e e n l

—
, ,

se n t t o re l i e ve the sa i d se n try at hi s po st a proce e d i ng wh i ch ,

o f course e nabl e d the n e wly arr i v e d re li e f t o e n sure wh i le

p e r
-
, ,

form i ng hi s se lf assu me d turn of du ty that fo r the woman

-
,

lyi ng unde r arre st the re shou ld be sub sti tu te d the woman

re ce ntly re crui te d to the plo t and that the form e r S hou ld the n ,

be conve ye d to a place o f conce alm e n t w he re she was hi ghly

unl i ke ly t o be d i sco ve re d .

Me anwh i le Samo svi to v s fe ats i n the m i li tary sphe re we re

,
’

be i ng r i vall e d by the wond e rs work e d by Chi chi ko v s lawye r i n ’

the c i v i li an fi e ld o f acti on A s a first ste p the lawye r cau se d i t

.
,

t o be i n ti mate d to the local Go ve rnor that the P ubl i c Pro se cu tor

was e ngage d i n draw i n g up a re port to hi s the local Gove rnor s ,
’
,

de tri me nt ; Whe re afte r the lawye r cau se d i t to be i nti mate d al so

3 1 6 D e ad S o u l s
pol i ce for the re ason that ce rtai n rascal s had star te d a ru m our
,

t ha t t h e t i m e was com e wh e n t he p e a s an t s t h e m se l ve s we re to
b e com e landown e rs and to we ar fro ckco ats whi l e the land
, ,

own e rs i n be i ng we re abou t to re ve rt to the p e a san t sta te and ,

to ta k e th e i r own ware s to m ark e t ; wh e re fore o n e o f the loca l

volos ts,
i i s o f the fac t tha t an ord e r o f thi ngs of tha t ki nd
1 obl v ou

would l e ad to a sup e rflui ty al i k e o f landown e rs and o f sup e r

i nte n de nts o f pol i c e had r e fu se d to pay i ts tax e s and ne ce s
, ,

si tate d re course to forc i bl e m e a sur e s H e nc e i t was i n a mood

.

o f the gre ate st po ssi bl e d e spond e ncy tha t the poor Pri nc e wa s
S i tti ng plunge d wh e n word wa s brough t hi m tha t the Old man
who had gon e b ai l for Chi chi ko v was wai ti n g to se e hi m .

S how hi m i n sa i d the P ri nc e ; and the o ld man e n te re d

”
,
.

A fine fe llow your Chi chi ko v ! b e gan the Pri nc e angri ly .

You d e fe nd e d hi m and w e nt bai l for hi m e v e n though he had

, ,

b e e n up to bu si ne ss wh i ch e ve n the low e st thi e f would n o t have

”
touch e d !
Pardon me your Hi ghn e ss ; I do no t und e rstand to wha t
,
”
you are re fe rri ng .

“
I am re fe rri ng to the matte r o f the fraudul e nt wi ll The .

”
fe llow ought to have b e e n gi v e n a publ i c floggi ng for i t .

Al though to e xculp ate Chi chi ko v i s n o t my i nte nti on m i gh t ,

I ask you wh e th e r you do n o t thi n k tha t the ca se i s non prove n ? -

At all e ve n ts su ffi ci e n t e vi d e nc e aga i n st hi m i s sti ll lac k i ng

”
.
,

Wha t ? We hav e as chi e f wi tn e ss the woman who p e rsona te d

the d e c e a se d and I wi ll hav e he r i n te rrog ate d i n your pre se nc e
, .

Touchi ng a b e ll the Pri nce ord e re d he r to be se n t for

, .

”
I t i s a mo st d i sgrac e ful a ffa i r he w e n t o n ;
,
and a sham e d ,

though I am to have to say i t som e o f o ur l e ad i ng tchi novn i ks

, ,

i nclud i ng the local Gov e rnor h i m se lf h av e b e com e i mpl i ca te d i n

,

the ma tte r Ye t you te ll me tha t th i s Chi chi ko v ough t n o t t o be

.

confi ne d among thi e ve s and ra scal s ! ”

Cl e arly the Gov e rnor
’
Ge n e ral s wrath was ve ry gre a t i nd e e d .

Your Hi ghne ss sai d Murazo v the Gove rnor of the town

”
, ,

i s o n e o f the h e i rs und e r the wi ll : whe re fore he has a c e rta i n

ri ght to i nte rve n e Al so the fac t tha t e x tran e o u s p e rson s have
.
,

m e ddl e d i n the ma tte r i s only wha t i s to be e xp e c te d from

human na ture A ri ch w o man d i e s and no e xac t re gul ar di s
.
, ,

po si ti on o f he r prop e rty i s mad e H e nc e the re com e s floc ki ng

.

from e ve ry si d e a cloud o f fortun e hun te rs What e l se could one .

e xp e c t ? S uch i s human na tur e

”
.

Ye s but why should such p e rson s go and comm i t fraud ?

,

Fi s al d i t i ts
1
c s r c .
 D e ad S o u l s 3 7
I

a ske d the Pri nc e i rri tably I fe e l as though no t a si ngl e hon e st

—
.

tchi n ovn i k w e r e ava i l abl e as though e v e ry o n e o f th e m w e r e

”
a rogu e .

Your H i ghn e ss wh i ch of us i s al to ge th e r b e yond re proach ?

,

The tchi novn i hs o f o ur t own are human b e i n gs and no more ,

.

S om e o f th e m are me n of worth a nd n e arly all of the m me n

— ,

Ski ll e d i n bu si n ess though al so unfortuna te ly large ly i nte r

, ,
”
re late d .

Now te ll me thi s A thanasi Va ssi li e vi tch sa i d the Pri nc e

, , , ,

fo r yo u are abou t the only hon e st man o f my acqu ai n tanc e .

Wha t has i nspi re d i n you such a penchan t for d e fe ndi ng ra scal s ?

”
Thi s re pl i e d Murazo v
,
Tak e any man you l i ke o f the
.

p e rsons whom you thu s te rm ra scals Tha t man non e the l e ss .

re ma i n s a human b e i n g Tha t b e i ng so ho w can o n e re fu se

.
,

to d e fe nd hi m w he n all the ti m e o ne k now s tha t half hi s e rrors

have b e e n commi tte d throu gh i gnoranc e and stup i d i ty ? E ach o f
us com mi ts faul ts wi th e v e ry ste p tha t we t ak e ; e ac h o f us
e n tai l s unhapp i n e ss upon o th e rs w i th e v e ry bre a th tha t we
—
dra w and tha t al though we may hav e no e vi l i nte n ti on wha t
e v e r i n o ur m i nd s . Your Hi ghn e ss h i m se l f has b e fore no w , ,

comm i tte d an i nju sti c e o f the grav e st na ture .

I hav e ? cri e d the Pri nc e take n aback by thi s un e xp e c te d

,

turn gi v e n to the conv e rsa ti on .

Murazo v re ma i n e d si l e n t for a mom e n t as though he w e re ,

de ba ti n g som e th i n g i n hi s thou ghts Th e n he sa i d : .

Ne ve rth e le ss i t i s as I say You comm i tte d the i nju sti c e i n

.

”
the ca se o f the lad D i e rp i e nni ko v
w
.

Wha t Athanasi Vassi li e vi tch ? The fe llo had i n fri nge d o ne

,

o f the Fundam e n tal Law s ! He ha d b e e n f ound gu i l t y of tr e a son !

I am not se e ki ng to j u sti fy hi m ; I am only a ski ng yo u

whe th e r you thi nk i t ri ght that an i n e xp e ri e nc e d you th who ha d
b e e n te mp te d and le d away by o th e rs should hav e re c e i ve d the
sa m e se n te nc e as the man who had ta k e n the ch i e f part i n the

a ffai r Tha t i s to say al thou gh D i e rp i e nni ko v and the man

.
,
,

Voron D ri anni re c e i ve d an e qual m e a sure o f puni shm e n t th e i r

-
,
”
cri mi n ali ty was n o t e qual .

If e xclai m e d the Pri nc e e xci te dly yo u know anythi ng

”
, ,

furth e r conc e rni ng the ca se for God s sak e te ll i t me at once

,
’
.

O nly the o th e r day di d I forward a re comm e nda ti on tha t S t .

”
P e te rsburg should re mi t a porti on o f the se n te nc e .

Your H i ghn e ss re pl i e d Murazo v I do n o t m e an that I

”
, ,

kn ow o f anythi ng wh i ch do e s no t li e al so wi thi n your o wn co g

ni san ce , thou gh o n e c i rcu m stanc e th e r e was w hi ch m i g h t have
 1 8 D e ad S o u l s
3
told ‘
i n t h e lad s favour had’
he n o t r e f u se d to adm i t i t l e st ,

ano th e r should su ffe r i njury All tha t I have i n my mi nd i s th i s

. .

On tha t occa si on we re yo u n o t a l i ttl e ove r ha sty i n comi ng to a -

conclu si on ? Yo u wi ll und e rstand o f course tha t I am jud gi ng , ,

only accord i ng to my o wn poor l i gh ts and for the re a son tha t o n ,

more than o ne occa si on yo u hav e urg e d me to be frank I n the .

days wh e n I myse lf ac te d as a ch i e f of g e ndarm e ry I cam e i n con

tac t wi th a gre a t numb e r o f accu se d — som e o f th e m bad som e ,

o f th e m good ; and i n e ach case I found i t w e ll al so to con si d e r

a man s p ast care e r for the re a son tha t unl e ss o ne vi e ws
’
, ,

th i ng s calmly i n ste ad o f at onc e d e cryi ng a man he i s ap t to

, ,

tak e al arm and to mak e i t i mpo ssi bl e th e re afte r to ge t any re al

,

confe ssi on from hi m I f on the o th e r hand yo u qu e sti on a man

.
, ,

as fri e nd m i gh t q u e sti on fri e nd the re sul t wi ll be tha t stra i gh t

,

way he wi ll te ll you e v e rythi ng no r a sk for m i ti ga ti on of hi s ,

p e nal ty nor b e ar you the l e a st mal i c e i n tha t he w i ll und e r

, ,

stand tha t i t i s n o t yo u who hav e pun i sh e d hi m but the la w

”
.
,

The Pri nc e re lap se d i n to though t ; un ti l pre se ntly th e re

e n te re d a young tchi novni h Portfol i o i n hand th i s o fli ci al stood
.
,

wai ti ng re spe c tfully Care and hard work had alre ady i mpri nte d
.

th e i r i n si gni a upon hi s fr e sh youn g fac e ; fo r e vi d e n tly he had

n o t b e e n i n the S e rvi c e for no th i ng A s a ma tte r o f fac t hi s .
,

gre ate st j o y was to labour at a tangl e d case and succe ssfully to ,

unrav e l i t .

! A t thi s p o i nt a lo ng hi a tus occurs i n the ori gi nal !

.

I wi ll nd c o rn to the local i ti e s whe re fami n e i s worst

se ,

sa i d Mura z o v for I und e rstand tha t sort o f work b e tte r than

,

do the tchi novni ks and wi ll p e rsonally se e to the n e e d s of e ach

,

p e rson Al so i f you w i ll allow me your H i ghn e ss I wi ll go and

.
, , ,

have a tal k wi th the Raskolni ki Th e y are more l i ke ly to l i ste n .

to a pla i n man than to an o fli ci al Go d k nows wh e th e r I shall .

succ e e d i n calm i ng th e m bu t a t l e a st no tchi novn i k could do so

, ,

fo r o ffi ci al s of the ki nd m e re ly dra w up re ports and lo se th e i r

—
w y among the i r o wn docum e n ts wi th the re sul t tha t no th i ng
a

com e s o f i t No r wi ll I acc e p t from you any mon e y for th e se

.

purpo se s si nc e I am a sham e d to d e vo te so much as a though t

,

t o my o wn poc k e t at a ti m e wh e n me n are dyi ng o f hung e r I .

have a large stock o f grai n lyi ng i n my granari e s ; i n add i ti on

to whi ch I hav e se n t ord e rs to S i b e ri a tha t a n e w con si gnm e n t
,

shall be forward e d me b e for e the com i ng summ e r

”
.

Of a sure ty wi ll Go d re ward you for your se rvi c e s Athanasi ,

Vassi li e vi tch ! No t ano th e r word wi ll I sa to o u o n the subj e c t

y y ,
320 D e ad S o u l s
that ofChi chi ko v He found the pr i sone r che e rfully e nj oyi ng a
.

he arty d i nne r wh i ch , und e r ho t cove rs, had b e e n brough t hi m

from an e xce e d i ngly e xce lle n t i tche n B ut almo st the first k .

S
word s wh i ch he u tte re d howe d Murazo v that the pr i sone r had
be e n havi ng d e al i ngs wi th the army of bri b e s ta e rs ; as al so that -
k
in t ho se tran sac t i on s hi s lawy e r had play e d th e pr i nc i pal part .

”
Li ste n , Paul Ivanovi tch , the old man sa i d I bri ng you
—
.

your fre e dom , but only o n th i s cond i ti on that you d e part o ut

o f the t own for thw i th T
he re fore gathe r t o e the r your e ffe cts,
. g
and waste n o t a mome nt le st w orse be fall you Al so of all that
,
.
,

a ce rtai n pe rson has contri ve d to d e vi se o n your b e half I am

aware ; whe re fore le t me te ll you as b e twe e n ourse l ve s that , ,

should the con sp i racy co me t o l i gh t no th i ng o n e ar th can save ,

hi m and i n hi s fall he w i ll i n vo lve o the rs ra the r than be l e ft

'

unaccompani e d i n the lurch and n o t se e the gu i lt S hare d How

,
.

i s i t that whe n I l e f t you but re ce n tly you we re i n a b e tte r frame

o f m i nd than you are no w ? I be g o f you n o t t o tri fle w i th the
matte r Ah me ! what boo ts that we al th fo r wh i ch me n d i spu te
.

and cut o ne ano th e r s throats ? Do th e y th i n k tha t i t i s po ssi bl e

’

to pro sp e r i n th i s world w i thou t th i n k i n g o f the world to com e ?

B e l i e ve me whe n I say that un ti l a man shall ha ve re nounce d
,

all tha t l e ad s h uman i ty t o con te nd w i thou t g i v i n g a tho ugh t t o

the ord e r i ng o f sp i ri tual we al th he w i ll n e ve r se t hi s te mporal

,

good s e i the r upon a sati sfactory foundati on Ye s e ve n as ti me s .

,

o f wan t and scarc i ty may com e upon nat i on s so may th e y com e ,

upon i nd i vi dual s N o m atte r what may be sa i d to the contrary

.
,

the body can n e v e r d i sp e n se w i th the soul Why th e n w i ll you .

, ,

n o t try t o w al k i n the r i gh t way and by th i n k i ng no lon ge r of , ,

de ad soul s but only of your o wn l i vi ng o ne re ga i n w i th God s

, , ,
’

he lp the b e tte r road ? I to o am l e avi ng the t own to morrow

,
-
.

H as te n the re fore le st be re ft o f my assi stance you me e t w i th

, , , ,
”
s om e d i re m i sfor tun e .

And the o ld man d e parte d le avi ng Chi chi ko v plunge d i n ,

thought O nce more had the grav i ty of li fe b e gun t o loom large

.

be fore hi m .

Ye s Murazo v was r i gh t he sai d to h i m se lf

, ,
I t i s ti me .

that I we re mo v i ng
”

—
.

L av ng he pri son a warde r carryi ng hi s e ffe c ts i n hi s

e i t
—
wake he found Se li fan and Pe tru shk a o ve rj oye d at se e i ng the i r
maste r once more at l i be rt y .

We ll good fe llows ? he sai d k i ndly

, And HOW we muS t .

pack and be o ff ”
.

“
True tru e Paul Ivanov i tch agre e d Se li fan
, , And by , .
 D e ad S o u l s 3 2 I

th i s ti meroa ds w i ll have b e co me firm e r for m uch snow has

the ,

fall e n Ye s h i gh ti me i s i t that we we re cle ar o f the town S o

.
,
.

we ary o f i t am I that the si ght o f i t hurts my e ye s .

”
GO t o the coachbu i lde r s command e d Chi chi ko v
’
, ,

have sl e d ge runne rs fitte d to the koli aska

-

—
.

Chi chi ko v the n mad e hi s way i n t o the t o w n thou gh n o t w i th

the Obj e c t of payi n g fare we ll v i si ts (i n v i e w of re c e n t e ve n t s ,

tha t m i gh t have g i v e n r i se t o so m e aw k w ardn e ss) bu t for the ,

purpo se of payi n g an unob tru si ve call at the shop whe re he had

ob ta i ne d the clo th fo r hi s late st su i t The re he now purcha se d
—
.

four more arshi ns of the sam e sm o ke d gre y sho t w i th flame - - -

colour mate ri al as he had had b e fore w i th the i n te n ti on o f,

havi ng i t mad e up by the tai lor who had fash i one d the pre vi ou s
costu me ; and by prom i si n g doubl e re nu me rati on he i nduce d
the t a i lor i n qu e sti on so t o ha ste n the cu tt i n g o ut o f the g arm e n ts
tha t throu gh si tti n g up all n i gh t ove r the w ork the man m i gh t
, ,

have the w hol e re ady by bre ak o f day Tru e the g ood s we re .

,

de l i ve re d a tri fle af ter the appo i nte d hour ye t the followi n g ,

m orn i ng saw the coat and bre e che s comple te d ; and wh i le the
horse s we re be i n g p ut to Chi chi ko v tr i e d on the clothe s and
, ,

found the m e qual to the pre vi ou s cre ati on e ve n thou gh dur i n g ,

the proce ss he cau gh t S i gh t o f a b ald pat ch o n hi s h e ad and was ,

le d mournfully t o re fle c t : Alas ! W hy di d I gi ve w ay to such

d e spa i r ? S ure ly I ne e d no t have torn my ha i r o u t S O fre e ly ?
The n w he n the ta i lor had b e e n pa i d o ur h e ro l e ft the t own
—
.
, ,

B ut no lon ge r was he the Old Chi chi ko v he was o nly a ru i n of

what he had be e n and hi s fram e o f m i nd mi ght have b e e n com
,

pare d to a bu i ld i n g re c e ntly pulle d down to mak e roo m f or a ne w

o ne w h i le the ne w o ne has n o t ye t b e e n e re c te d ow i n g t o the non
,

re ce i p t o f the plan s fro m the arch i te c t Murazo v to o had .

, ,

d e parte d but at an e arl i e r hour and i n a ti l t w agg on w i th I van

, ,
-

Po tap i tch .

An hour late r the Gove rnor Ge ne ral i ssu e d to all and sundry
-

offic i als a no ti ce that on the occasi on o f hi s d e parture f or S t

,
.

Pe te rsburg he w ould be glad to se e the corp s o f tchi novni ks at

,

a pri vate m e e ti ng Accord i n gly all rank s and grad e s o f Offi ci al

—
.

do m re p ai re d to hi s re si de nce an d the re aw a i te d n o t w i thou t

—
,

a ce rtai n me asure o f tre p i dati on and of se arch i ng o f he art the

Gove rnor Ge ne ral s e ntry Whe n that t ook place he looke d
-
’
.

n e i the r cle ar n o r dull Ye t hi s b e ar i n g was proud and hi s ste p

—
.
,

assure d The tchi novni ks bowe d som e o f the m t o the wa i st

.
,

and he an swe re d th e i r salu tat i ons w i th a sl i gh t i ncl i nati on of the

h e ad The n he spoke as follow s :
.
3 22 D e ad S o ul s
Si nce I am abou t pay a v i si t to St Pe te rsburg I have
to .
,

t hough t i t r i gh t t o m e e t yo u and t o e xp la,

i n t o you pr i v a te ly my

re asons for do i ng so An a ffai r o f a most scandalou s characte r

.

has take n place i n o ur m i d st To what a ffa i r I am re fe rr i n g I

.

th i n k mo st o f tho se pre se n t w i ll gu e ss Now an au tom a ti c

.
,

proce ss has le d to that aff ai r bri ngi ng abou t the d i scove ry al so

o f o th e r ma tte rs Tho se matte rs are no l e ss d i shonourabl e than
.

the pr i mary o ne ; and to that I re gre t t o have to add tha t th e re

stand i n v olve d i n the m ce r ta i n p e r son s whom I had h i th e rt o
be li e ve d to be honourable O f the obj e c t a i me d at by tho se who
.

have compl i cate d matte rs to the po i nt o f mak i ng the i r re solu

ti on almo st i mpo ssi bl e by ord i nary m e thod s I am aware ; as
al so I am aware o f the i d e nti ty o f the r i ngle ad e r d e sp i te the ,

sk i ll w i th wh i ch he has sou gh t to conce al hi s sh are i n the

scandal . B ut the pr i nc i pal po i n t i s tha t I propo se to d e c i d e
,

th e se m atte rs n o t by formal docum e n t ary proce ss but by the

, ,

more summary proce ss of court m arti al and that I hope whe n -

, ,

the c i rcum stance s have b e e n la i d b e fore hi s I mpe ri al Maj e sty t o ,

re ce i ve from hi m authori ty to adop t the course wh i ch I have

me nt i one d For I conce i ve that whe n i t has be com e i 1np o ssi ble to
.

re solve a case by c i vi l me an s and some o f the ne ce ssary docu

,

m e nts have be e n burn t and atte mpts have be e n made (both

,

through the adduc ti on o f an e xc e ss o f fal se and e xtrane ou s

e v i d e nce and throu gh the fram i n g o f fic ti ti ou s re por ts) t o cloud

an alre ady sufii ci e ntly ob scure i nve sti gati on w i th an add e d

‘

me asure o f comple xi ty whe n all the se c i rcu m stance s have

,
-

ari se n I conce i ve that the only po ssi ble tr i bunal to d e al w i th

,

the m i s a m i l i tary tr i bunal B ut o n that po i nt I should l i ke

.

”
your Op i n i on .

The Pr i nc e pau se d for a mome n t o r two as thou gh awa i ti ng ,

a re ply ; but none came se e i ng that e ve ry man had hi s e ye s

,

b e n t upon the floor and many o f the aud i e nce had turne d whi te
,

i n the face .

The n he we nt o n I may say that I am aware also of 2

,
”
,

matte r wh1ch tho se who have carri e d i t throu gh be l i e ve to li e

only w i th i n the cogn is ance o f the m se l ve s The par ti culars 0 .

that matte r w i ll n o t be se t forth i n docum e n tary form but onl

y ,
through proce ss o f myse lf ac ti n g as pla i n ti ff and p e ti ti on e r anc
,
produc i ng none but ocular e v i d e nce .

Among the throng o f tchi noo ni ks some o ne gave a start ant ,

t he re by cau se d o the rs o f the m ore appre h e n si ve to fall t c
t re mbl i ng i n th e i r S hoe s .

Wi thout sayi ng doe s i t g o that the pri me consp i rators ough

 D e ad S o u l s
i n ne e d . Ye t, had th e y r ally lov d ju ti c
e and the g ood o f th e ir
e s e

country I thi nk tha t th e y would ha v e b e e n l e ss pron e to tak e

,

o ff e nc e at the coldn e ss o f my a tti tud e but w ould hav e sacri fic e d

,

th e i r f e e l i ng s and th e i r p e rsonal i ty to th e i r sup e r i or convi c ti ons .

Fo r hardly can i t be tha t I fa i l e d to no te th e i r ov e r tur e s and the

lofti n ess of th e i r mo ti v e s or tha t I would no t hav e acc e p te d
,

any wi se and u se ful advi c e proff e re d A t the sam e ti m e i t i s .

,

for a subord i na te to adap t hi m se lf to the ton e o f hi s sup e ri or ,

rath e r than fo r a sup e ri or to adap t h i m se lf to the ton e o f hi s

subord i na te S uch a course i s at onc e mor e r e gular and more
.

smoo th of work i ng si nc e a corp s o f subord i na t e ha s but o n e

,

d i r e c tor wh e re as a di r e c tor may ha v e a hundr e d subord i na te s

, .

B ut le t u s p ut a si d e the q u e sti on o f compara ti v e culpab i l i ty .

The i mpor tan t po i n t i s tha t b e for e us all l i e s the du ty of r e scu i ng

,

o ur fa th e rland Our fa th e rland i s suff e ri ng no t from the i ncur

.
,

si on o f a scor e of al i e n tongu e s but from o ur own ac ts i n tha t

, , ,

i n add i ti on to the lawful adm i n i stra ti on th e r e has grown up a ,

se cond adm i n i stra ti on po sse sse d o f i nfin i t e ly gr e a t e r pow e r s

the syste m e stabl i sh e d by law And that se cond admi ni

.

ti on has e stabl i sh e d i ts cond i ti on s fi x e d i ts ta ri ff o f pri c e s

.

, ,

publ i sh e d tha t tari ff abroad ; no r could any rul e r ,

the wi se st o f l eg i sla tors an

the e vi l than l i m i t i t i n the conduc t o f hi s mor e
by se tti ng o v e r th e m as th e i r sup e rvi sors me n o f s
, ,

re cti tud e NO un ti l e ach o f us shall com e to f e e l tha t

.
, ,

arm s w e r e tak e n up duri ng the p e ri od o f the uph e aval

nat1o n s so now e ach of u s mu st ma k e a stand aga i n st d i sh
,

all re m e d i e s wi ll e nd i n fa i lure A s a Rus .

o n e bo und to you by con sangu i n i ty and i d

m ak e to yo u my app e al I mak e i t to tho se

.

stand whe re 1n l i e s nob i l i ty o f though t

.

I .

r e m e mb e r the du ty whi ch confron ts u s whatso ,

sp e cti ve stat1o ns
; I 1 n v i t e th e m to Ob se r v e mor e
d uty and to k e e p mor e c o n stan tly i n m i nd th e i r obli gat
)

hold i ng tru e to th e i r coun try i n th at b e fo r e us the fu tur e

,

d ar k and tha t we can scarc e ly

,

! He re the manu s cri t o the

p f o ri
gi n al co me s abrup tly to an e nd
!