at Yasnaya Polyana towards the end of his life. He says what struck him
most then about Tolstoy was his sympathy and kindness more than his
intellect. He had mellowed with age, and from having been impatient,
violent in argument, and often obstinate and unjust, he had become
patient and gentle, though he was still intensely alive and caring as
ardently for things as most people of twenty-five.
The atmosphere he created round him in his old age was peculiarly
peaceful, and yet a lively and intelligent interest was taken by every
one in everything. The influence of Tolstoy seemed to make all who came
into contact with him kind and simple. There were no shams anywhere.
Tolstoy had not forced his views on his children, as he was afraid they
might follow him insincerely. He wanted them to be completely free and
sincere.
When he was eighty-two Tolstoy left his home. His reasons for doing so
are not quite clear, and we must form our own conclusions about it. A
letter written to his wife some years before, to be opened after his
death, explains a good deal.
Tolstoy wanted to devote his last days entirely to God. He wanted
complete solitude and peace, in order to avoid at the end any sort
of discord between his life and his beliefs. If he had talked about
this plan, and told his family, there would have been discussions and
perhaps quarrels, and he could not bear that. So he decided to slip
away quietly without any one knowing. In the letter he explained that
it would not mean that he was angry with his wife or any one else:
indeed, he could not bear the idea of giving her pain. He said he
should lovingly remember what his wife had been to him. But when the
time came he was very weak and had been near death several times. He
confided his secret plan to his youngest daughter Alexandra, for she,
since his favorite daughter Masha had died a few years before, had been
his companion and confidante. So one snowy night at the end of October
she helped him to depart. He went with a doctor friend of his who had
been living in the house for some time past.
His first wish was to visit his old sister and to take farewell of her.
She was living in a convent, and seeing her ending her days so happily
and peacefully, he wished he might have been able to enter a monastery,
if only it had not been necessary to believe in the Church. On his
journey by train—he had not yet made up his mind where he would settle
down—he caught cold and had to stop at a little wayside station. There,
in the station-master’s house, the cold developed into pneumonia, and
as he was very weak there was little hope of his recovery. After a week
of suffering he passed peacefully away, surrounded by his family and
friends.
Before the end came, a telegram arrived from a high dignitary of the
Church urging Tolstoy to return to the bosom of the Church. But it was
not shown to him, for a similar message had been sent some years before
when Tolstoy was very ill, and he had said, “How is it they do not
understand that even when one is face to face with death, two and two
still make four?”
Hundreds of people had flocked to the little country station when
it was known that Tolstoy lay ill there. It was an extraordinary
scene. Peasants who loved him jostled newspaper men who wanted the
latest news. Photographers and police officers, literary people and
aristocrats were there, and messages and telegrams arrived from all
over the world. Multitudes of his poor peasants came to his funeral,
and many wept aloud.
“Our great Leo is dead,” cried one. “Long live our great Leo’s spirit.”
Tolstoy’s body was laid where he had wished to lie, on the spot where
his brother Nicholas had buried the green stick on which was written
the great secret it was Tolstoy’s purpose in life to discover.
What was the secret of Tolstoy’s power?
Every one who came near him seemed to feel it, and most of those who
read his books. It is true that there still exists a certain number of
people who recognize him only as a novelist. These are generally among
the upper classes and among literary people who are impatient with him
for having neglected his art. If it had not been for his novels it is
probable that his influence would not have been nearly so far-reaching.
It is doubtful whether fashionable people would have taken any notice
of his serious books at all. But the fact that he had written “Anna
Karenina” and had made a great name, roused their curiosity and they
read his indictments against society, governments, and the Church with
some interest, and many have gradually come under his spell.
It was Tolstoy’s profound sincerity and his warm heart that made people
love him. They saw how passionate was his wish to make the world a
better place, how he hated small, mean things, and worshiped goodness
and truth. He had immense courage, and fame or the praise of men by the
time he was middle-aged meant nothing to him. But he confesses that in
his younger days he looked for and enjoyed success. His art had been a
temptation to him, and that was one of the reasons why he would have
nothing more to do with it.
Tolstoy was above all things a human being: indeed, it was his special
characteristic. Being so, he was sometimes inconsistent and swayed
by his moods and his likes and dislikes, which makes his critics say
he did not practise his doctrine of love. He asked people to turn
the other cheek and love their enemies, while he himself found it
almost impossible to be agreeable to disagreeable people or to stupid
people, and he never succeeded in tolerating those whom he considered
responsible for the evils of our social system, rulers, politicians,
and policemen.
When absorbed in thought he was forgetful and inconsiderate; he did
not mean to be selfish, but his wife’s sufferings and what people who
lived with him had to put up with did not strike him. He was impetuous,
especially in his younger days, and he was always making resolutions
which he failed very often to carry out. But all great idealists must
suffer from this; it is infinitely better than having no ideals at all
and making no mistakes. If a man with Tolstoy’s ideals could carry them
all out, he would be the perfect man, and Tolstoy was far from being
that. But no one could be more humble or more ready to blame himself,
and as he grew older he more and more succeeded in practising in his
life what he preached to others.
Tolstoy believed in God, and in the spiritual element that is in all
men and women and which all, he insisted, must cherish and try to
increase.
He believed that all men are equal as Christ did, and that all are
brothers, so there should be no such thing as rivalry among nations,
and no wars. If a man is not bent on money-making, on stealing and
grasping for himself and taking away from others, if he only desires
to treat them as he wishes they would treat himself, then will force
become unnecessary. This idea may also be applied to States, for wars
arise out of their jealousies and rivalry, in the search after power
and wealth.
Tolstoy saw that much wickedness and misery came out of poverty, and a
great deal through riches: one is often the cause of the other, and the
unequal distribution of wealth is one of the greatest problems of our
civilization.
But Tolstoy says, could the meaning of renunciation, of giving up to
others, be really understood, the battle would be won, and the need
of force would not exist. The only crime is for man to act inhumanly
to man. A change of heart is what Tolstoy pleads for, and every man
and woman, he says, can do something to help, by example and having
a purpose in life. “For life,” he says in a letter to his son, “is a
place of service, and in that service one has to suffer at times a
great deal that is hard to bear, but more often to experience a great
deal of joy. But that joy can only be real if people look upon their
life as a service and have a definite object in life outside themselves
and their personal affairs.”
On seeing the terrible sight of capital punishment in France, Tolstoy
wrote these striking words:
When I saw the head separate from the body and how they both jumped
into the box at the same moment, I understood not with my mind but
with my whole being, that no theory of the reasonableness of our
present progress can justify this deed, and that though everybody
from the creation of the world, on whatever theory had held it to be
necessary, I know it to be unnecessary and bad, and therefore the
arbiter of what is good and evil is not what people say and do and is
not progress, but is my heart and I.
Who is to be the judge of what is right or wrong? asks Tolstoy, and
answers, “A man’s own soul.” A man, he says, must not fear to stand
alone. Now the fear of standing alone is not always cowardice; often a
man has too little confidence in himself. In answer to the promptings
of his heart or conscience he will say, “Perhaps I am wrong: after all,
the majority think differently from what I do; they are probably right,
for what am I?” But it is very seldom that a man’s conscience will lead
him astray, and if he feels that a thing is bad or cruel, he should not
stifle or ignore the instinct, but, on the contrary, trust and believe
in it, for it is a divine thing created in man for his own safeguarding
to direct and help him through the difficult ways of life.
Tolstoy had much in common with W. L. Garrison, whom he greatly
admired, and wrote a preface to a Life of him written by a Russian. For
both recognized no authority but a man’s own heart and conscience, both
set themselves to the task of rousing people to a better understanding
by moral persuasion, both detested force.
It is easy to say that Tolstoy was vague, unpractical, and even absurd
in the things he taught. Some people think he was quite mistaken; those
who honestly believe in force and government by a few privileged people
must naturally think so. Tolstoy was very extreme, but what he did was
to give people a higher, more spiritual ideal, to show them that life
may be a noble thing.
Tolstoy realized as he grew older that we cannot be perfect all at
once. Therefore he says, if you cannot love another as yourself, go
as far as you can in that direction; if you cannot live in complete
simplicity, live rather more simply, and so on.
By degrees we may be able to get somewhere nearer Tolstoy’s ideals,
especially if we believe that we are naturally good, and not, as many
of us have been taught, “by nature born in sin and the children of
wrath.”
D. P.
Since this was written a great change has come about in Russia, which
may affect the whole of civilized Europe.
The People of Russia—the Workers—have risen against their rulers, and
deposed the Czar and his advisers.
It is early days yet to say what the final outcome of the Revolution
will be; but the upheaval is a step toward freedom, and behind it the
spirit of Tolstoy moves. He, above all others, helped to sow the seed
of the Russian Revolution, and maybe of other revolutions yet to come.
What joy and thankfulness would have filled his great heart could he
have seen the germination of this seed—the downfall of Czarism and the
dawning of freedom for the People of Russia!
BOOKS TO READ
The Life and Martyrdom of Girolamo Savonarola, by R. R. Madden.
Savonarola and His Times, by Villari.
Romola, by George Eliot.
William the Silent, by F. Harrison.
The Rise of the Dutch Republic, by Motley.
Life of Tycho Brahe, by J. L. E. Dreyer.
Life of Tycho Brahe, by F. R. Friis.
Cervantes, by J. Fitzmaurice Kelly.
Life of Giordano Bruno, by J. Lewis McIntyre.
Life of Giordano Bruno, the Nolan, by Miss J. Frith.
Life of Hugo Grotius, by Charles Butler.
Seven Great Statesmen (Grotius), by A. D. White.
Voltaire, by John Morley.
Life of Voltaire, by S. G. Tallantyre.
Essay on Frederick the Great, by Macaulay.
Mazzini, by Bolton King.
The Story of My Life, by Hans Andersen.
Life of W. L. Garrison, by W. P. and F. J. Garrison.
The Moral Crusader, a biographical essay on Garrison, by Goldwin Smith.
H. D. Thoreau, by F. B. Sanborn.
Life of Thoreau, by H. Salt.
Walden, by Thoreau.
The Life of Tolstoy, by Aylmer Maude.
Reminiscences of Tolstoy, by Count Ilya Tolstoy.
Childhood, Boyhood, and Youth, by Tolstoy.
STANDARD CYCLOPÆDIAS FOR YOUNG OR OLD￣￣
‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣
￣
CHAMPLIN’S￣
YOUNG FOLKS’ CYCLOPÆDIAS
By JOHN D. CHAMPLIN
_Late Associate Editor of the American Cyclopædia_
Bound in substantial red buckram. Each volume complete in itself and
sold separately. 12mo, $3.00 per volume, net.
COMMON THINGS
New, Enlarged Edition, 850 pp. Profusely Illustrated
“A book which will be of permanent value to any boy or girl to whom it
may be given, and which fills a place in the juvenile library, never,
so far as I know, supplied before.”—_Susan Coolidge._
PERSONS AND PLACES
New, Up-to-Date Edition, 985 pp. Over 375 Illustrations
“We know copies of the work to which their young owners turn instantly
for information upon every theme about which they have questions to
ask. More than this, we know that some of these copies are read daily,
as well as consulted; that their owners turn the leaves as they might
those of a fairy book, reading intently articles of which they had not
thought before seeing them, and treating the book simply as one capable
of furnishing the rarest entertainment in exhaustless quantities.”—_N.
Y. Evening Post._
LITERATURE AND ART
604 pp. 270 Illustrations
“Few poems, plays, novels, pictures, statues, or fictitious characters
that children—or most of their parents—of our day are likely to
inquire about will be missed here. Mr. Champlin’s judgment seems
unusually sound.”—_The Nation._
GAMES AND SPORTS
By JOHN D. CHAMPLIN and ARTHUR BOSTWICK
Revised Edition, 784 pp. 900 Illustrations
“Should form a part of every juvenile library, whether public or
private.”—_The Independent._
NATURAL HISTORY
By JOHN D. CHAMPLIN, assisted by FREDERICK A. LUCAS
725 pp. Over 800 Illustrations
“Here, in compact and attractive form, is valuable and reliable
information on every phase of natural history, on every item of
interest to the student. Invaluable to the teacher and school, and
should be on every teacher’s desk for ready reference, and the children
should be taught to go to this volume for information useful and
interesting.”—_Journal of Education._
HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY
NEW YORK CHICAGO
THE CHILDREN OF THE NEW FOREST
By CAPTAIN MARRYAT. Illustrated in color and line by E. BOYD SMITH.
Special library binding. $1.35 net.
THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS
By JAMES FENIMORE COOPER. Illustrated in color and line by E. BOYD
SMITH. Special library binding. $1.35 net.
In every detail of illustration and manufacture these editions are made
as if these books were being published for the first time for young
folks. This attempt to put the juvenile classics in a form which on its
looks will attract children, is meeting with widespread support from
the public and librarians.
The text is not abridged.
Mr. Smith’s pictures need no commendation, but he seems to have treated
these stories with unusual skill and sympathy.
HALF A HUNDRED HERO TALES
Of Ulysses and the Men of Old. By various authors, including
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE. Illustrated. Special library binding. $1.35 net.
The Greek and Roman mythological heroes whose stories are here
collected are not covered in any other one volume. The arrangement
gives the interest of connected narrative to the account of the fall of
Troy, the Æneas stories, and the Adventures of Ulysses.
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_BOOKS FOR YOUNG FOLKS_
MAGIC PICTURES OF THE LONG AGO
By ANNA CURTIS CHANDLER
_With some forty illustrations. $1.30 net_
These stories grew out of Miss Chandler’s popular Story Hours for
Children at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Each recounts the
youth and something of the later life of some striking character in
art, history, or literature, and is made very vivid by reproductions of
famous pictures, etc.
THE DOGS OF BOYTOWN
By WALTER A. DYER
_Author of “Pierrot, Dog of Belgium,” etc._
_Illustrated. $1.50 net_
_New York Sun_: “It takes the cake—in this case, of course, a dog
biscuit.... It is the most unusual book of its kind.... Dyer enters a
new field for boys ... all boys will want to know about Dogs—their
ways and habits, their histories and origins.... Threaded through this
wonderful textbook on dogs is the story of adventures of two boys ...
shows the reader where to find out about everything from bench shows
and the care of puppies to fleas ... illustrated with photographs and
excellent pen sketches....”
BLUE HERON COVE
By FANNIE LEE MCKINNEY
_Author of “Nora-Square-Accounts.”_
_Illustrated. $1.35 net_
Tells how Blue Heron Island and its seafaring folks change “a little
German countess in white satin” into “a real, authentic American girl.”
THE GUN BOOK
By THOMAS H. MCKEE
_Profusely illustrated. $1.60 net_
A book about guns for boys of all ages. The history is accurate; boys
will remember the anecdotes; and the technical parts are sensibly
adapted to show “just how it works.”
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_BY ALFRED BISHOP MASON_
TOM STRONG, WASHINGTON’S SCOUT
Illustrated. $1.30 net.
A story of adventure. The principal characters, a boy and a trapper,
are in the Revolutionary army from the defeat at Brooklyn to the
victory at Yorktown.
“The most important events of the Revolution and much general
historical information are woven into this interesting and very well
constructed story of Tom and a trapper, who serve their country
bravely and well. Historical details are correctly given.”—_American
Library Association Booklet._
TOM STRONG, BOY-CAPTAIN
Illustrated. $1.30 net.
Tom Strong and a sturdy old trapper take part in such stirring events
following the Revolution as the Indian raid with Crawford and a
flat-boat voyage from Pittsburgh to New Orleans, etc.
TOM STRONG, JUNIOR
Illustrated. $1.30 net.
The story of the son of Tom Strong in the young United States. Tom sees
the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr; is in Washington
during the presidency of Jefferson; is on board of the “Clermont” on
its first trip, and serves in the United States Navy during the War of
1812.
TOM STRONG, THIRD
Illustrated. $1.30 net.
Tom Strong, Junior’s son helps his father build the first railroad in
the United States and then goes with Kit Carson on the Lewis and Clarke
Expedition.
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COMPANION STORIES OF COUNTRY LIFE
FOR BOYS _By CHARLES P. BURTON_
THE BOYS OF BOB’S HILL
Illustrated by GEORGE A. WILLIAMS. 12mo. $1.35 net.
A lively story of a party of boys in a small New England town.
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THE BOB’S CAVE BOYS
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into trouble and out again, but frank, honest, and clean.”—_The
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THE BOB’S HILL BRAVES
Illustrated by H. S. DELAY. 12mo. $1.35 net.
The “Bob’s Hill” band spend a vacation in Illinois, where they play at
being Indians, hear thrilling tales of real Indians, and learn much
frontier history. A history of especial interest to “Boy Scouts.”
“Merry youngsters. Capital. Thrilling tales of the red
men and explorers. These healthy red-blooded, New England
boys.”—_Philadelphia Press._
THE BOY SCOUTS OF BOB’S HILL
Illustrated by GORDON GRANT. 12mo. $1.35 net.
The “Bob’s Hill” band organizes a Boy Scouts band and have many
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The account of a camping trip of the Raven Patrol of the Boy Scouts to
the Massachusetts coast, with much real boy fun and wholesome adventure.
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THE HOME BOOK OF VERSE FOR YOUNG FOLKS
_Compiled by_ BURTON E. STEVENSON, _Editor of “The Home Book of
Verse.”_
_With cover, and illustrations in color and black and white by WILLY
POGANY. Over 500 pages, large 12mo. $2.25 net._
Not a rambling, haphazard collection but a vade-mecum for youth from
the ages of six or seven to sixteen or seventeen. It opens with Nursery
Rhymes and lullabies, progresses through child rhymes and jingles to
more mature nonsense verse; then come fairy verses and Christmas poems;
then nature verse and favorite rhymed stories; then through the trumpet
and drum period (where an attempt is made to teach true patriotism) to
the final appeal of “Life Lessons” and “A Garland of Gold” (the great
poems for all ages).
This arrangement secures sequence of sentiment and a sort of cumulative
appeal. Nearly all the children’s classics are included, and along with
them a body of verse not so well known but almost equally deserving.
There are many real “finds,” most of which have never before appeared
in any anthology.
Mr. Stevenson has banished doleful and pessimistic verse, and has dwelt
on hope, courage, cheerfulness and helpfulness. The book should serve,
too, as an introduction to the greater poems, informing taste for them
and appreciation of them, against the time when the boy or girl, grown
into youth and maiden, is ready to swim out into the full current of
English poetry.
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