Of all Tchaikovsky’s family, Anatol was the only one able to go to Moscow, and he arrived too late to prevent his brother from taking the rash and foolish step he had decided upon. The marriage took place on July 6th (18th). I shall not attempt to follow step by step the whole sad story of my brother’s marriage. First of all, I do not possess the necessary sense of impartiality; secondly, I have no evidence for the other side of the case, nor any hope of procuring it in the future; and thirdly, I do not wish to hurt the legitimate sensitiveness of several people still living, I can only say that from the first hour of his married life Tchaikovsky had to pay the penalty of his rash and ill-considered act and was profoundly miserable. On the evening of the wedding-day the newly married couple left for St. Petersburg and returned to Moscow at the end of a week. They then paid a short visit to the bride’s mother, who lived in the country, after which it was settled that Tchaikovsky should go alone to Kamenka, while his wife prepared the new home in Moscow. On July 26th (August 7th) he wrote to N. F. von Meck: “I leave in an hour’s time. A few days longer, and I swear I should have gone mad.” _To N. F. von Meck._ “KAMENKA, _August_ 2_nd_ (14_th_), 1877. “If I were to say that I had returned to my normal condition, it would not be true. But this is impossible. Only time can cure me, and I have no doubt that gradually I shall become reconciled. I am quiet here, and begin to look the future in the face without fear. One thing annoys me; I am absolutely incapable of taking up my work. Yet it would be the finest remedy for my morbid state of mind. I must hope that the hunger for work will return ere long.” _To N. F. von Meck._ “_August_ 11_th_ (23_rd_), 1877. “I am much better.... I feel _sure_ I shall now triumph over my difficult and critical situation. I must struggle against _my feeling of estrangement_ from my wife and try to keep all her good qualities in view. For undoubtedly she has good qualities. “I have so far improved that I have taken in hand the orchestration of _your_ symphony. One of my brothers, whose judgment I value, is very pleased with such parts of it as I have played to him. I hope _you_ will be equally pleased. That is the chief thing.” _To N. F. von Meck._ “KAMENKA, _August_ 12_th_ (24_th_), 1877.