Letters of Anton Chekhov (Tchekhov) - Penn State University

Anton ChekhovJuly 22.… Yesterday we went to Shah-Mamai Aivazovsky’s estate, twentyfiveversts from Feodosia. It is a magnificent estate, rather like fairyland;such estates may probably be seen in Persia. Aivazovsky* himself,a vigorous old man of seventy-five, is a mixture of a goodnaturedArmenian and an overfed bishop; he is full of dignity, hassoft hands, and offers them like a general. He is not very intelligent,but is a complex nature worthy of attention. He combines in himselfa general, a bishop, an artist, an Armenian, a naive old peasant,and an Othello. He is married to a young and very beautiful womanwhom he rules with a rod of iron. He is friendly with Sultans, Shahs,and Amirs. He collaborated with Glinka in writing “Ruslan andLiudmila.” He was a friend of Pushkin, but has never read him. Hehas not read a single book in his life. When it is suggested to himthat he should read something he answers, “Why should I read whenI have opinions of my own?” I spent a whole day in his house andhad dinner there. The dinner was fearfully long, with endless toasts.By the way, at that dinner I was introduced to the lady doctor, wifeof the well-known professor. She is a fat, bulky piece of flesh. If shewere undressed and painted green she would look just like a frog.After talking to her I mentally scratched her off the list of womendoctors ….*Translator’s Note: The famous marine painter.85