[273] In a letter to Chertkov, January 18, 1898, Tolstoi wrote: “Letters with threats have, of course, no effect, but they are unpleasant, in this sense, that there should be people who hate futilely. I am always ready to die and that is _the thing_. I thought a little while ago: ... that when one is healthy one ought to try to live better on the outside, but when one is ill then learn to die better. Besides, these letters haven’t even this merit: they are so stupidly written that they have been conceived evidently only to frighten.” [274] Concerning this illness, Tolstoi, mentioning it in his letter to the Chertkovs, December 28, 1897, said: “The illness was the usual one, biliousness, and has now passed away.” [275] Tolstoi began and finished this drama only in 1900. [276] Tolstoi’s brother-in-law, A. A. Behrs. [277] Sergei Mickailovich Soloviev (1820–1879), the Russian historian, the father of the philosopher, Vladimir Sergeevich, and the novelist, Vsevolod Sergeevich Soloviev. [278] The preface to the English edition, _What Is Art?_ In his letter to Chertkov, December 27, 1897, Tolstoi wrote: “Wouldn’t such a preface be suitable? “The book which is about to appear cannot be published in its entirety in Russia on account of the censor, and therefore it is being published in England in translation, the correctness of which I have not the least doubt of. The five chapters printed in Russia in the magazine _Problems of Philosophy and Psychology_ have already suffered several deletions and changes; the following chapters, especially those which explain the essence of my point of view on art, will surely not be permitted in Russia and therefore I ask all those who are interested in this book to judge it only by this present edition.” [279] Nicholas Evgrafovich Phedoseev, a political exile, who went by _étape_ with the Dukhobors exiled to Siberia. In his letter Fedosiev told Tolstoi about the interviews given to him by the Dukhobors themselves, concerning the suffering those who were sent to the Ekaterinograd disciplinary battalion had to undergo, and he also gave him information about the Dukhobors in Siberia. This letter was printed in Leaflets of _The Free Press_, 1898, No. I. [280] “I received a letter through the Chertkovs,” wrote Tolstoi, January 18, 1898--_from G. Bedborough, the publisher of The Adult_, a letter with questions about sex-problems and a very light-headed program. [281] Written in English, in the original. [282] Ilya Efimovich Repine. Concerning this visit, Tolstoi wrote to Chertkov, January 21, 1898: “One of the recent pleasant impressions was the meeting with Repine. I think we made a good impression on each other.” [283] Countess Alexandra Lvovna Tolstoi (born, 1884), Tolstoi’s youngest daughter.