Letters of Anton Chekhov (Tchekhov) - Penn State University

Letters of Anton Chekhov to His Family and Friends with biographical sketchTO V. A. TIHONOV.MOSCOW, February 22, 1892.… You are mistaken in thinking you were drunk at Shtcheglov’sname-day party. You had had a drop, that was all. You danced whenthey all danced, and your jigitivka on the cabman’s box excited nothingbut general delight. As for your criticism, it was most likely farfrom severe, as I don’t remember it. I only remember that Vvedenskyand I for some reason roared with laughter as we listened to you.Do you want my biography? Here it is. I was born in Taganrog in1860. I finished the course at Taganrog high school in 1879. In1884 I took my degree in medicine at the University of Moscow. In1888 I gained the Pushkin prize. In 1890 I made a journey to Sahalinacross Siberia and back by sea. In 1891 I made a tour in Europe,where I drank excellent wine and ate oysters. In 1892 I took part inan orgy in the company of V. A. Tihonov at a name-day party. Ibegan writing in 1879. The published collections of my works are:“Motley Tales,” “In the Twilight,” “Stories,” “Surly People,” and anovel, “The Duel.” I have sinned in the dramatic line too, thoughwith moderation. I have been translated into all the languages withthe exception of the foreign ones, though I have indeed long agobeen translated by the Germans. The Czechs and the Serbs approveof me also, and the French are not indifferent. The mysteries of loveI fathomed at the age of thirteen. With my colleagues, doctors, andliterary men alike, I am on the best of terms. I am a bachelor. Ishould like to receive a pension. I practice medicine, and so muchso that sometimes in the summer I perform post-mortems, thoughI have not done so for two or three years. Of authors my favourite isTolstoy, of doctors Zaharin.All that is nonsense though. Write what you like. If you haven’tfacts make up with lyricism.292