Letters of Anton Chekhov (Tchekhov) - Penn State University

Anton ChekhovTO G. I. ROSSOLIMO.YALTA, January 21, 1900.DEAR GRIGORY IVANOVITCH,… I send you in a registered parcel what I have that seems suitablefor children—two stories of the life of a dog. And I think I havenothing else of the sort. I don’t know how to write for children; Iwrite for them once in ten years, and so-called children’s books Idon’t like and don’t believe in. Children ought only to be givenwhat is suitable also for grown-up people. Andersen, “The FrigatePallada,” Gogol, are easily read by children and also by grown-uppeople. Books should not be written for children, but one ought toknow how to choose from what has been written for grown-uppeople—that is, from real works of art. To be able to select amongdrugs, and to administer them in suitable doses, is more direct andconsistent than trying to invent a special remedy for the patientbecause he is a child. Forgive the medical comparison. It’s in keepingwith the moment, perhaps, as for the last four days I have beenoccupied with medicine, doctoring my mother and myself. Influenzano doubt. Fever and headache.If I write anything, I will let you know in due time, but anythingI write can only be published by one man—Marks! For anythingpublished by anyone else I have to pay a fine of 5,000 roubles (persignature) ….387