The following tales are, with one exception, taken from the second volume
of Count L. N. Tolstoï's collected works, and are representative of his
literary activity between 1852 and 1859.
The first story, though only a fragment of a projected novel to be called
"A Russian Proprietor," is perfect and complete in itself. One cannot help
feeling that it is autobiographical; Count Tolstoï himself, it will be
remembered, having suddenly quitted the University of Kazan, in spite of
the entreaties of his friends, and retired to his paternal estate of
Yasnaya Polyana, near Tula. The aunt whose letter is quoted in the first
chapter must have been Count Tolstoï's aunt, mentioned in the second
chapter of "My Confession."
The "Recollections of a Scorer" and "Two Hussars" are both evidently
reminiscent of Count Tolstoï's gambling-days. Both must have been suggested
by some such terrible experience as that told of the count's gambling-debt
in the Caucasus.
"Lucerne" and "Albert" are likewise evidently transcripts from the author's
own experience. The strange benefactor in each, and the shadowy Prince
Nekhliudof, are all Count Tolstoï in phases quite distinct from what he is
at present.
"The Three Deaths," written in 1859, has little of the sombre power of
"Iván Ilyitch." The scalpel which was so remorselessly applied to the soul
in the latter is wholly hidden. It is realism pure and simple; and the
contrast between the death of the peasant and of the lady is left to
inference, made all the stronger by the unexpected and grandiose finale in
the death of the tree.
In interesting contrast to these characteristic stories is the little gem
entitled "A Prisoner in the Caucasus," which is found in Vol. IV. of the
Count's works under the heading "Tales for Children." The style is
perfectly simple and lucid; the pictures of life in the Tatar village among
the mountains are intensely vivid, painted with strong and masterly
touches; and the reader will not soon forget the little laughing maiden
Dina, with the rubles jingling in her braided hair. She stands forth as one
of the most fascinating of the author's creations.