Letters of Anton Chekhov (Tchekhov) - Penn State University

Anton ChekhovTO I. L. SHTCHEGLOV.MELIHOVO, March 9, 1892.… Yes, such men as Ratchinsky are very rare in this world. I understandyour enthusiasm, my dear fellow. After the suffocation onefeels in the proximity of A. and B.—and the world is full of them—Ratchinsky with his ideas, his humanity, and his purity, seems like abreath of spring. I am ready to lay down my life for Ratchinsky;but, dear friend,—allow me that “but” and don’t be vexed—I wouldnot send my children to his school. Why? I received a religious educationin my childhood—with church singing, with reading of the“apostles” and the psalms in church, with regular attendance atmatins, with obligation to assist at the altar and ring the bells. And,do you know, when I think now of my childhood, it seems to merather gloomy. I have no religion now. Do you know, when mybrothers and I used to stand in the middle of the church and singthe trio “May my prayer be exalted,” or “The Archangel’s Voice,”everyone looked at us with emotion and envied our parents, but weat that moment felt like little convicts. Yes, dear boy! Ratchinsky Iunderstand, but the children who are trained by him I don’t know.Their souls are dark for me. If there is joy in their souls, then theyare happier than I and my brothers, whose childhood was suffering.It is nice to be a lord. There is plenty of room, it’s warm, peopleare not continually pulling at the bell; and it is easy to descend fromone’s lordship and serve as concierge or porter. My estate, sir, costthirteen thousand, and I have only paid a third, the rest is a debtwhich will keep me long years on the chain.Come and see me, Jean, together with Suvorin. Make a plan withhim. I have such a garden! Such a naive courtyard, such geese! Writea little oftener.295