Аннотация: The Short Story about Sergei Witte and Russian literature
The Short Story about Sergei Witte and Russian literature
Have reported to Sergei Yulyevich Witte about the Tsar's train disaster near the Borki [O.S. 17 October 1888]. Involuntarily Sergei Yulyevich's thought has addressed rather recent event. Hasn't passed a year as executed five participants of unfortunate assassination attempt [O.S. 8 May 1887] at the Emperor [Alexander III].
Sergei Yulyevich works, carries out the official duties. And the thought comes back to unpleasant events.
Sergei Yulyevich has decided to find out, just in case, what, in general, moods.
Different materials were bringing to him . And in one of documents Sergei Yulyevich discovers that the brother of Alexander Ulyanov, of the member of the failed assassination attempt on the Emperor, - Vladimir Ulyanov, - read "Ward No. 6", the short story by writer Anton Chekhov, and was very excited after this reading.
About Chekhov Sergei Yulyevich, of course, heard, but a lot of duties, professional loading is large, is there time to read a works of all the writers? But after obtaining information about Vladimir Ulyanov decided to get acquainted with the Chekhov's works in more detail.
He has read works by Chekhov, and mood him have deteriorated.
And a foreign policy news - very disturbing, also were added to it.
Even more Sergei Yulyevich was disturbed when news of the Chekhov's death has come [Chekhov (1860 - 1904)].
"Something here not that! Gogol [(1809 - 1852)] before the Crimean war [1853-1856] has written "Dead Souls" [1842], and Chekhov before Russo-Japanese War [1904-1905] has gone to Sakhalin [1890] and has written "Ward No. 6" [1892]!".
"Yes, even in 1825 it was necessary to constitute European political orders! Pushkin after all not for good reason in this time wrote "Boris Godunov" [1825]!"
"All terms for political improvements have passed! An urgent need to go to the Emperor!"
Sergei Yulyevich has gone to the Emperor. "You understand, your Majesty! If you read Chekhov about his journey to Sakhalin, then great doubts about the results of the war with Japan appear!" "Literary works, notes, letters by Chekhov - is actually the military and political forecast!" "Chekhov is not a rich man. But at his own expense he made, in fact, the all-state forecast!" "In addition, count Tolstoy thinks around the clock. In "Meaningless aspirations" and other works he proves that it is necessary to change political orders!"
"You are right, Sergei Yulyevich. Many challenges arose before the Empire. But any steps must be well prepared!"
Witte came out after the end of the audience, and in excitement breathes fresh air in the nearby park.
The Grand Prince Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia [(1856-1929)] approaches him. Recalls: "The railway accident in Borki showed, that you, Sergei Yulyevich, is the reliable person, the good, qualified specialist!"
Witte shows to the Grand Prince the Chekhov's book about his trip to Sakhalin. "Can we, dear Nicholas Nikolaevich, win the war with Japan, if Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, driving through Siberia, could not get a normal lunch?! Chekhov remembered the great lunch, which he was treated by Zalesski in the Ishim. [approximately on May 14-17, 1890]. But after all, this Zalesski, probably, arrived from the former Rzeczpospolita. He, after some historical events, was, probably, sent, exiled to Siberia!"
The Grand Prince looked through the book by Chekhov: "If Chekhov, the writer with a correspondent certificate and money, could not find a good dinners in almost all the Siberia, then the need for change is beyond doubt!"
"I go to the Emperor!"
Nicholas Nikolaevich comes to the Emperor [Nicholas II] and says: "Everyone already understands that political changes are necessary. Sergei Witte - versed in the details! He'll prepare the papers. You must make the appropriate decision. And if you do not agree, I have a revolver with me, and I will shoot myself with this revolver in your presence."
The Emperor formulates the answer, but the important official enters this moment and reports about the beginning of the general strike. Or it is necessary to launch a dictatorship, or - to begin political reforms. But the dictatorship - it's the victims. The Tsar - by the nature of people European, humane. He not inclined to the human victims. Moreover, and the count Leo Tolstoy almost doesn't sleep, writes works nearly every day - like, changes are necessary! And all are reading the works by Tolstoy. Nearly all Russia corresponds with him. The count is the count, wish - not wish, but is necessary to take into account...
The Emperor has agreed to create the State Duma - the Russian parliament.
The situation began to calm down. Witte was "detached away supreme power".
And in the State Duma there were many independent deputies, and they openly showed displeasure.
Had to dismiss the Duma, to dissolve her. And the electoral law - to change.
Witte was very dissatisfied. But he already was out of the Governmental work. He invites the former employee, Peter Nikolaevich Durnovo: "You, Peter Nikolaevich, have a conservative reputation, therefore I count on you".
Witte told to Peter Durnovo about the results of the analysis of own life experience and Russian literature. "The situation is the very difficult, Peter Nikolaevich!"
"I understand, Sergei Yulyevich! I will write the Note to the Emperor. I will try to state the integrated, many-sided forecast of a situation!" "Yes! The Durnovo's letter to Nicholas II! The Durnovo Memorandum!"
While they were talking, brought a Newspapers. Filled with a news!
Some journalists were mourning the termination of a terrestrial life of Leo Tolstoy [(1828-1910)].
Other media thinkers were discussing the prospects of the Council of Ministers of the Russian Empire. The surnames of Stolypin and Kokovtsov sound. Thinkers are putting the surname "Goremykin" at the top the list, then the bottom.
A brisk feathers are writing about a growth of tension between Germany and some other great powers. In China is restlessly very much ...
Witte [(1849 - 1915)] and Durnovo [(1845 - 1915)] have glanced at each other ...
"And Gogol! He have have deeply understood the Russian life!"
"So and Chekhov has much understood!"
Have shaken hands each other and have said goodbye.
September 26, 2018 - September 27, 2018.
Translation from Russian into English: September 27, 2018 19:09.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Рассказ о Сергее Витте и русской литературе'.