The entire Tolstoy is already contained in the hero of this first novel;[18] his piercing vision and his persistent illusions. He observes men and women with an impeccable realism; but no sooner does he close his eyes than his dreams resume their sway; his dreams and his love of mankind. [1] From 1842 to 1847. Science was as yet unorganised; and its teachers, even in Western Europe, had not the courage of the facts they taught. Men still sought for an anchor in the philosophic systems of the ancients. The theory of evolution, put forward at the beginning of the century, had fallen into obscurity. Science was dry, dogmatic, uncoordinated, insignificant. Hence, perhaps, the contempt for science which distinguished Tolstoy throughout his life, and which made the later Tolstoy possible.--TRANS. [2] Nikolas, five years older than Leo, had completed his studies in 1844. [3] The English translation is entitled _ Childhood, Boyhood, Youth._ [4] _Youth_, six. [5] Notably in his first volumes--in the _Tales of Sebastopol_. [6] This was the time when he used to read Voltaire, and find pleasure in so doing. [7] _Confessions,_ vol. i. [8] In March and April, 1847. [9] "All that man does he does out of _amour-propre,_" says Nekhludov, in _Boyhood._ In 1853 Tolstoy writes, in his _Journal_: "My great failing: pride. A vast self-love, without justification.... I am so ambitious that if I had to choose between glory and virtue (which I love) I am sure I should choose the former." [10] "I wanted to be known by all, loved by all. I wanted every one, at the mere sound of my name, to be struck with admiration and gratitude." [11] According to a portrait dated 1848, in which year he attained his twentieth year. [12] "I thought there would be no happiness on earth for any one who had so large a nose, so thick lips, and such small eyes." [13] "I divided humanity into three classes: the 'correct,' or 'smart,' who alone were worthy of esteem; those who were not 'correct,' who deserved only contempt and hatred; and the people, the _plebs,_ who simply did not exist." (_Youth,_ xxxi.) [14] Especially during a period spent in St. Petersburg, 1847-48. [15] _Boyhood._ [16] Conversations with M. Paul Boyer _(Le Temps),_ August 28, 1901. [17] _A Russian Proprietor._ [18] Contemporary with _Childhood._ CHAPTER III YOUTH: THE ARMY Tolstoy, in the year 1850, was not as patient as Nekhludov. Yasnaya Polyana had disillusioned and disappointed him. He was as weary of the people as he was of the world of fashion; his attitude as benefactor wearied him; he could bear it no more. Moreover, he was harassed by creditors. In 1851 he escaped to the Caucasus; to the army in which his brother Nikolas was already an officer. He had hardly arrived, hardly tasted the quiet of the mountains, before he was once more master of himself; before he had recovered his God.