THE RUSSIAN WRITER.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12750, 23 March 1910, Page 4

THE RUSSIAN WRITER.

Mr Henry George, junior, paid a visit to Count Leo Tolstoy recently, and his impressions of nis host are recorded in an article published in "The World's Work." Mr George .found 1 the venerable author and philosopher in his Russian home at Yasmnaya Polyaiia, and noticed that age had laid its hand heavily on , the man who had been his father's friend. Tolstoy told his interviewer that he did not expect to live much longer. "To-morrow I die," he said with a swe.-et smile. "Meanwhile I. have another book to write." Asked what the book was about, he said it treated of moral questions, and not of political economy. This led him to talk of Henry George's teachings, and he handed Mr George a manuscript giving his ideas on the social, governmental, and the revolutionary conditions in Russia to-day, as well as showing the vigour ■ and hope lighting up this wonderful old. man's mind. "The land question," ran one sentence, "is, indeed, the question of the deliverance of mankind from slavery^ produced by the private ownership of land." Sir .George' mentioned Britain's concern about naval supremacy and national defence. Tolstoy replied that navies were not necessary to. people who desired to be at peace, but only to people who wishedjx) "rob and murder." The building of great Sects was a sign that, -some men who had power were prepared to enter upon new r schemes of conquest. Another side of the wonderful old man was shown when- he'was asked what hei thought of. bis own novels. "I believe I have forgotten what they were about," he answered. When his visitor was leaving Tolstoy remarked that they would not meet again. "I shall see your father soon," he said. "IS| there any commission you would nave me take him?" "Tell' him the work is going on," replied Mr George. Tolstoy^odded, and the young American withdrew, feeling, he. writes,, that Tic had been privileged to talk with. -the greatest man on earth.