A NOTED RUSSIAN.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 1239, 22 October 1908, Page 4

A NOTED RUSSIAN.

FACTS AHOUT TOLSTOY.

Mr Aylmer Maude disposes of some Tolstoy legends in an atticle contributed to the "Onristian Commonwealth." Tolstoy, he says, lives with bis wife and family in a large and well built house on an estate which was his, and is now his wife's, situated about 130 miles south of Moscow. They bave men servants and maidservants, and, though the house is plainly furnished, eveiytning in it is substantial, and it contains many signs of culture. Tolstoy comes down to breakfast between eight and nine, and then goes to his study to write, undisturbed till after the rest of the family bave bad their lunch, when ho comes out and has his vegetarian meal either by himself or in the company of those who wish to talk to him. In the afternoon he goes for a walk or a ride. .

It is many year?, Mr Maude goes on to say, since Tolstoy made boots as an ibdonr occupation, and it is also at least n'fteeo years since ha did rnuoh ploughing or outdoor agricultural work. There was a time, lasting for more than ton years, when he devoted the greater pare of each summer to' doing field work, such as the peasants do. One year be saved a poor peasant woman'from distress by doing for her "the worn dhe would otherwise have had to hire a man to do. He also endeavours to give his servants as little trouble as possible, and does aa much as he can for himself, tie owns no property, having transferred it all to his wife and children. His wife. , of course, gives him what be wants ; but he tries to want as littlo as possible. In dress, in food, and in all other respects, lie aims at simplicity.