第1章
DeadSouls，firstpublishedin1842，isthegreatproseclassicofRussia。Thatamazinginstitution，“theRussiannovel，“notonlybeganitscareerwiththisunfinishedmasterpiecebyNikolaiVasil"evichGogol，butpracticallyalltheRussianmasterpiecesthathavecomesincehavegrownoutofit，likethelimbsofasingletree。
Dostoieffskygoessofarastobestowthistributeuponanearlierworkbythesameauthor，ashortstoryentitledTheCloak；thisideahasbeenwittilyexpressedbyanothercompatriot，whosays：“WehaveallissuedoutofGogol"sCloak。“
DeadSouls，whichbearstheword“Poem“uponthetitlepageoftheoriginal，hasbeengenerallycomparedtoDonQuixoteandtothePickwickPapers，whileE。M。VogueplacesitsauthorsomewherebetweenCervantesandLeSage。HoweverconsiderabletheinfluencesofCervantesandDickensmayhavebeen——thefirstinthematterofstructure，theotherinbackground，humour，anddetailofcharacterisation——thepredominatinganddistinguishingqualityoftheworkisundeniablysomethingforeigntobothandquitepeculiartoitself；somethingwhich，forwantofabetterterm，mightbecalledthequalityoftheRussiansoul。TheEnglishreaderfamiliarwiththeworksofDostoieffsky，Turgenev，andTolstoi，needhardlybetoldwhatthisimplies；itmightbedefinedinthewordsoftheFrenchcriticjustnamedas“atendencytopity。“Onemightindeedgofurtherandsaythatitimpliesacertaintoleranceofone"scharacterseventhoughtheybe，intheconventionalsense，knaves，products，asthecasemightbe，ofconditionsorcircumstance，whichafterallisthethingtobecriticisedandnottheman。Butpityandtolerancearerareinsatire，eveninclashwithit，producingintheresultadeepsenseoftragichumour。ItisthisthatmakesofDeadSoulsauniquework，peculiarlyGogolian，peculiarlyRussian，anddistinctfromitsauthor"sSpanishandEnglishmasters。
Stillmoreprofoundarethecontradictionstobeseenintheauthor"spersonalcharacter；andunfortunatelytheypreventedhimfromcompletinghiswork。Thetroubleisthathemadehisartoutoflife，andwheninhisfinalyearshecarriedhisstruggle，asTolstoididlater，backintolife，herepentedofallhehadwritten，andinthefrenzyofawakefulnightburnedallhismanuscripts，includingthesecondpartofDeadSouls，onlyfragmentsofwhichweresaved。Therewasyetathirdparttobewritten。Indeed，thesecondparthadbeenwrittenandburnedtwice。Accountsdifferastowhyhehadburneditfinally。Religiousremorse，furyatadversecriticism，anddespairatnotreachingidealperfectionareamongthereasonsgiven。Againitissaidthathehaddestroyedthemanuscriptwiththeothersinadvertently。
ThepoetPushkin，whosaidofGogolthat“behindhislaughteryoufeeltheunseentears，“washischieffriendandinspirer。ItwashewhosuggestedtheplotofDeadSoulsaswellastheplotoftheearlierworkTheRevisor，whichisalmosttheonlycomedyinRussian。TheimportanceofbothistheirintroductionofthesocialelementinRussianliterature，asPrinceKropotkinpointsout。BothholdupthemirrortoRussianofficialdomandtheeffectsithasproducedonthenationalcharacter。TheplotofDeadSoulsissimpleenough，andissaidtohavebeensuggestedbyanactualepisode。
ItwasthedayofserfdominRussia，andaman"sstandingwasoftenjudgedbythenumbersof“souls“hepossessed。Therewasaperiodicalcensusofserfs，sayonceeverytenortwentyyears。Thisbeingthecase，anownerhadtopayataxonevery“soul“registeredatthelastcensus，thoughsomeoftheserfsmighthavediedinthemeantime。
Nevertheless，thesystemhaditsmaterialadvantages，inasmuchasanownermightborrowmoneyfromabankonthe“deadsouls“nolessthanonthelivingones。TheplanofChichikov，Gogol"shero-villain，wasthereforetomakeajourneythroughRussiaandbuyupthe“deadsouls，“atreducedratesofcourse，savingtheirownersthegovernmenttax，andacquiringforhimselfalistoffictitiousserfs，whichhemeanttomortgagetoabankforaconsiderablesum。Withthismoneyhewouldbuyanestateandsomereallifeserfs，andmakethebeginningofafortune。
Obviously，thisplot，whichisreallynoplotatallbutmerelyarusetoenableChichikovtogoacrossRussiainatroika，withSelifanthecoachmanasasortofRussianSanchoPanza，givesGogolamagnificentopportunitytorevealhisgeniusasapainterofRussianpanorama，peopledwithcharacteristicnativetypescommonplaceenoughbutdrawnincomicrelief。“Thecomic，“explainedtheauthoryetatthebeginningofhiscareer，“ishiddeneverywhere，onlylivinginthemidstofitwearenotconsciousofit；butiftheartistbringsitintohisart，onthestagesay，weshallrollaboutwithlaughterandonlywonderwedidnotnoticeitbefore。“ButthecomicinDeadSoulsismerelyexternal。LetusseehowPushkin，wholovedtolaugh，regardedthework。AsGogolreaditaloudtohimfromthemanuscriptthepoetgrewmoreandmoregloomyandatlastcriedout：“God！WhatasadcountryRussiais！”Andlaterhesaidofit：“Gogolinventsnothing；itisthesimpletruth，theterribletruth。“
TheworkononehandwasreceivedasnothinglessthananexposureofallRussia——whatwouldforeignersthinkofit？Theliberalelements，however，thecriticalBelinskyamongthem，welcomeditasarevelation，asanomenofafreerfuture。Gogol，whohadmeanttodoaservicetoRussiaandnottoheapridiculeuponher，tookthecriticismsoftheSlavophilestoheart；andhepalliatedhiscriticsbypromisingtobringaboutinthesucceedingpartsofhisnoveltheredemptionofChichikovandtheother“knavesandblockheads。“Butthe“Westerner“Belinskyandothersoftheliberalcampweremistrustful。
Itwasaboutthistime(1847)thatGogolpublishedhisCorrespondencewithFriends，andarousedaliterarycontroversythatisalivetothisday。Tolstoiistobefoundamonghisapologists。
OpinionsastotheactualsignificanceofGogol"smasterpiecediffer。
SomeconsidertheauthorarealistwhohasdrawnwithmeticulousdetailapictureofRussia；others，Merejkovskyamongthem，seeinhimagreatsymbolist；theverytitleDeadSoulsistakentodescribethelivingofRussiaaswellasitsdead。Chichikovhimselfisnowgenerallyregardedasauniversalcharacter。WefindanAmericanprofessor，WilliamLyonPhelps[1]，ofYale，holdingtheopinionthat“noonecantravelfarinAmericawithoutmeetingscoresofChichikovs；indeed，heisanaccurateportraitoftheAmericanpromoter，ofthesuccessfulcommercialtravellerwhosesuccessdependsentirelynotontherealvalueandusefulnessofhisstock-in-trade，butonhisknowledgeofhumannatureandofthepersuasivepowerofhistongue。“ThisisalsotheopinionheldbyPrinceKropotkin[2]，whosays：“Chichikovmaybuydeadsouls，orrailwayshares，orhemaycollectfundsforsomecharitableinstitution，orlookforapositioninabank，butheisanimmortalinternationaltype；wemeethimeverywhere；heisofalllandsandofalltimes；hebuttakesdifferentformstosuittherequirementsofnationalityandtime。“
[1]EssaysonRussianNovelists。Macmillan。
[2]IdealsandRealitiesinRussianLiterature。DuckworthandCo。
Again，theworkbearsaninterestingrelationtoGogolhimself。A
romantic，writingofrealities，hewasappalledatthecommonplacesoflife，atfindingnooutletforhisloveofcolourderivedfromhisCossackancestry。Herealisedthathehaddrawnahostof“heroes，“
“onemorecommonplacethananother，thattherewasnotasinglepalliatingcircumstance，thattherewasnotasingleplacewherethereadermightfindpausetorestandtoconsolehimself，andthatwhenhehadfinishedthebookitwasasthoughhehadwalkedoutofanoppressivecellarintotheopenair。“HefeltperhapsinwardneedtoredeemChichikov；inMerejkovsky"sopinionhereallywantedtosavehisownsoul，buthadsucceededonlyinlosingit。Hislastyearswerespentmorbidly；hesufferedtormentsandranfromplacetoplacelikeonehunted；butreallyalwaysrunningfromhimself。Romewashisfavouriterefuge，andhereturnedtoitagainandagain。In1848，hemadeapilgrimagetotheHolyLand，buthecouldfindnopeaceforhissoul。SomethingofthismoodhadreflecteditselfevenmuchearlierintheMemoirsofaMadman：“Oh，littlemother，saveyourpoorson！
Lookhowtheyaretormentinghim……There"snoplaceforhimonearth！He"sbeingdriven！……Oh，littlemother，takepityonthypoorchild。“
AllthecontradictionsofGogol"scharacterarenottobedisposedofinabriefessay。Suchastrangecombinationofthetragicandthecomicwastrulyseldomseeninoneman。He，forone，realisedthat“itisdangeroustojestwithlaughter。““EverythingthatIlaughedatbecamesad。““Andterrible，“addsMerejkovsky。Butearlierhishumourwaslighter，lesstingedwiththetragic；inthosedaysPushkinneverfailedtobeamusedbywhatGogolhadbroughttoreadtohim。EvenRevizor(1835)，withitstragicundercurrent，wasatriflecomparedtoDeadSouls，sothatoneisnotastonishedtohearthatnotonlydidtheTsar，NicholasI，givepermissiontohaveitacted，inspiteofitsbeingacriticismofofficialrottenness，butlaugheduproariously，andledtheapplause。Moreover，hegaveGogolagrantofmoney，andaskedthatitssourceshouldnotberevealedtotheauthorlest“hemightfeelobligedtowritefromtheofficialpointofview。“
GogolwasbornatSorotchinetz，LittleRussia，inMarch1809。HeleftcollegeatnineteenandwenttoSt。Petersburg，wherehesecuredapositionascopyingclerkinagovernmentdepartment。Hedidnotkeephispositionlong，yetlongenoughtostoreawayinhismindanumberofbureaucratictypeswhichprovedusefullater。HequitesuddenlystartedforAmericawithmoneygiventohimbyhismotherforanotherpurpose，butwhenhegotasfarasLubeckheturnedback。Hethenwantedtobecomeanactor，buthisvoiceprovednotstrongenough。
Laterhewroteapoemwhichwasunkindlyreceived。Asthecopiesremainedunsold，hegatheredthemallupatthevariousshopsandburnedtheminhisroom。
Hisnexteffort，EveningsattheFarmofDikanka(1831)wasmoresuccessful。ItwasaseriesofgayandcolourfulpicturesofUkraine，thelandheknewandloved，andifheisoccasionallyalittleoverromantichereandthere，healsoachievessomebeautifullylyricalpassages。ThencameanotherevenfinerseriescalledMirgorod，whichwontheadmirationofPushkin。Nextheplanneda“HistoryofLittleRussia“anda“HistoryoftheMiddleAges，“thislastworktobeineightorninevolumes。TheresultofallthisstudywasabeautifulandshortHomericepicinprose，calledTarasBulba。Hisappointmenttoaprofessorshipinhistorywasaridiculousepisodeinhislife。
Afterabrilliantfirstlecture，inwhichhehadevidentlysaidallhehadtosay，hesettledtoalifeofboredomforhimselfandhispupils。Whenheresignedhesaidjoyously：“IamoncemoreafreeCossack。“Between1834and1835heproducedanewseriesofstories，includinghisfamousCloak，whichmayberegardedasthelegitimatebeginningoftheRussiannovel。
Gogolknewlittleaboutwomen，whoplayedanequallyminorroleinhislifeandinhisbooks。Thismaybepartlybecausehispersonalappearancewasnotprepossessing。Heisdescribedbyacontemporaryas“alittlemanwithlegstooshortforhisbody。Hewalkedcrookedly；
hewasclumsy，ill-dressed，andratherridiculous-looking，withhislonglockofhairflappingonhisforehead，andhislargeprominentnose。“
From1835Gogolspentalmosthisentiretimeabroad；somestrangeunrest——possiblyhisCossackblood——possessedhimlikeademon，andheneverstoppedanywhereverylong。Afterhispilgrimagein1848toJerusalem，hereturnedtoMoscow，hisentirepossessionsinalittlebag；theseconsistedofpamphlets，critiques，andnewspaperarticlesmostlyinimicaltohimself。Hewanderedaboutwiththesefromhousetohouse。Everythinghehadofvaluehegaveawaytothepoor。Heceasedworkentirely。Accordingtoallaccountshespenthislastdaysinprayingandfasting。Visionscametohim。Hisdeath，whichcamein1852，wasextremelyfantastic。Hislastwords，utteredinaloudfrenzy，were：“Aladder！Quick，aladder！”Thiscallforaladder——“aspiritualladder，“inthewordsofMerejkovsky——hadbeenmadeonanearlieroccasionbyacertainRussiansaint，whousedalmostthesamelanguage。“Ishalllaughmybitterlaugh“[3]wastheinscriptionplacedonGogol"sgrave。
JOHNCOURNOS
[3]ThisisgenerallyreferredtointheRussiancriticismsofGogolasaquotationfromJeremiah。Itappearsuponinvestigation，however，thatitactuallyoccursonlyintheSlavonicversionfromtheGreek，andnotintheRussiantranslationmadedirectfromtheHebrew。
EveningsontheFarmneartheDikanka，1829-31；Mirgorod，1831-33；
TarasBulba，1834；Arabesques(includestales，ThePortraitandA
Madman"sDiary)，1831-35；TheCloak，1835；TheRevizor(TheInspector-
General)，1836；DeadSouls，1842；CorrespondencewithFriends，1847。
ENGLISHTRANSLATIONS：CossackTales(TheNightofChristmasEve，TarassBoolba)，trans。byG。Tolstoy，1860；St。John"sEveandOtherStories，trans。byIsabelF。Hapgood，NewYork，Crowell，1886；TarasBulba：AlsoSt。John"sEveandOtherStories，London，Vizetelly，1887；
TarasBulba，trans。byB。C。Baskerville，London，Scott，1907；TheInspector：aComedy，Calcutta，1890；TheInspector-General，trans。byA。A。Sykes，London，Scott，1892；Revizor，trans。fortheYaleDramaticAssociationbyMaxS。Mandell，NewHaven，Conn。，1908；HomeLifeinRussia(adaptationofDeadSouls)，London，Hurst，1854；
Tchitchikoff"sJourney"s；orDeadSouls，trans。byIsabelF。Hapgood，NewYork，Crowell，1886；DeadSouls，London，Vizetelly，1887；DeadSouls，London，Maxwell1887；MeditationsontheDivineLiturgy，trans。
byL。Alexeieff，London，A。R。MowbrayandCo。，1913。
LIVES，etc。：(Russian)Kotlyarevsky(N。A。)，1903；Shenrok(V。I。)，MaterialsforaBiography，1892；(French)Leger(L。)，NicholasGogol，1914。
AUTHOR"SPREFACE
TOTHEFIRSTPORTIONOFTHISWORK
SecondEditionpublishedin1846
FromtheAuthortotheReaderReader，whosoeverorwheresoeveryoube，andwhatsoeverbeyourstation——whetherthatofamemberofthehigherranksofsocietyorthatofamemberoftheplainerwalksoflife——Ibegofyou，ifGodshallhavegivenyouanyskillinletters，andmybookshallfallintoyourhands，toextendtomeyourassistance。
Forinthebookwhichliesbeforeyou，andwhich，probably，youhavereadinitsfirstedition，thereisportrayedamanwhoisatypetakenfromourRussianEmpire。ThismantravelsabouttheRussianlandandmeetswithfolkofeverycondition——fromthenobly-borntothehumbletoiler。HimIhavetakenasatypetoshowforththevicesandthefailings，ratherthanthemeritsandthevirtues，ofthecommonplaceRussianindividual；andthecharacterswhichrevolvearoundhimhavealsobeenselectedforthepurposeofdemonstratingournationalweaknessesandshortcomings。Asformenandwomenofthebettersort，Iproposetoportraytheminsubsequentvolumes。ProbablymuchofwhatIhavedescribedisimprobableanddoesnothappenasthingscustomarilyhappeninRussia；andthereasonforthatisthatformetolearnallthatIhavewishedtodohasbeenimpossible，inthathumanlifeisnotsufficientlylongtobecomeacquaintedwithevenahundredthpartofwhattakesplacewithinthebordersoftheRussianEmpire。Also，carelessness，inexperience，andlackoftimehaveledtomyperpetratingnumerouserrorsandinaccuraciesofdetail；withtheresultthatineverylineofthebookthereissomethingwhichcallsforcorrection。ForthesereasonsIbegofyou，myreader，toactalsoasmycorrector。Donotdespisethetask，for，howeversuperiorbeyoureducation，andhoweverloftyyourstation，andhoweverinsignificant，inyoureyes，mybook，andhowevertriflingtheapparentlabourofcorrectingandcommentinguponthatbook，I
imploreyoutodoasIhavesaid。Andyoutoo，Oreaderoflowlyeducationandsimplestatus，Ibeseechyounottolookuponyourselfastooignoranttobeableinsomefashion，howeversmall，tohelpme。
Everymanwhohaslivedintheworldandmixedwithhisfellowmenwillhaveremarkedsomethingwhichhasremainedhiddenfromtheeyesofothers；andthereforeIbegofyounottodeprivemeofyourcomments，seeingthatitcannotbethat，shouldyoureadmybookwithattention，youwillhaveNOTHINGtosayatsomepointtherein。
Forexample，howexcellentitwouldbeifsomereaderwhoissufficientlyrichinexperienceandtheknowledgeoflifetobeacquaintedwiththesortofcharacterswhichIhavedescribedhereinwouldannotateindetailthebook，withoutmissingasinglepage，andundertaketoreaditpreciselyasthough，layingpenandpaperbeforehim，hewerefirsttoperuseafewpagesofthework，andthentorecallhisownlife，andthelivesoffolkwithwhomhehascomeincontact，andeverythingwhichhehasseenwithhisowneyesorhasheardoffromothers，andtoproceedtoannotate，insofarasmaytallywithhisownexperienceorotherwise，whatissetforthinthebook，andtojotdownthewholeexactlyasitstandspicturedtohismemory，and，lastly，tosendmethejottingsastheymayissuefromhispen，andtocontinuedoingsountilhehascoveredtheentirework！Yes，hewouldindeeddomeavitalservice！Ofstyleorbeautyofexpressionhewouldneedtotakenoaccount，forthevalueofabookliesinitstruthanditsactualityratherthaninitswording。
Norwouldheneedtoconsidermyfeelingsifatanypointheshouldfeelmindedtoblameortoupbraidme，ortodemonstratetheharmratherthanthegoodwhichhasbeendonethroughanylackofthoughtorverisimilitudeofwhichIhavebeenguilty。Inshort，foranythingandforeverythinginthewayofcriticismIshouldbethankful。
Also，itwouldbeanexcellentthingifsomereaderinthehigherwalksoflife，somepersonwhostandsremote，bothbylifeandbyeducation，fromthecircleoffolkwhichIhavepicturedinmybook，butwhoknowsthelifeofthecircleinwhichhehimselfrevolves，wouldundertaketoreadmyworkinsimilarfashion，andmethodicallytorecalltohismindanymembersofsuperiorsocialclasseswhomhehasmet，andcarefullytoobservewhetherthereexistsanyresemblancebetweenonesuchclassandanother，andwhether，attimes，theremaynotberepeatedinahigherspherewhatisdoneinalower，andlikewisetonoteanyadditionalfactinthesameconnectionwhichmayoccurtohim(thatistosay，anyfactpertainingtothehigherranksofsocietywhichwouldseemtoconfirmortodisprovehisconclusions)，and，lastly，torecordthatfactasitmayhaveoccurredwithinhisownexperience，whilegivingfulldetailsofpersons(ofindividualmanners，tendencies，andcustoms)andalsoofinanimatesurroundings(ofdress，furniture，fittingsofhouses，andsoforth)。
ForIneedknowledgeoftheclassesinquestion，whicharetheflowerofourpeople。Infact，thisveryreason——thereasonthatIdonotyetknowRussianlifeinallitsaspects，andinthedegreetowhichitisnecessaryformetoknowitinordertobecomeasuccessfulauthor——iswhathas，untilnow，preventedmefrompublishinganysubsequentvolumesofthisstory。
Again，itwouldbeanexcellentthingifsomeonewhoisendowedwiththefacultyofimaginingandvividlypicturingtohimselfthevarioussituationswhereinacharactermaybeplaced，andofmentallyfollowingupacharacter"scareerinonefieldandanother——bythisI
meansomeonewhopossessesthepowerofenteringintoanddevelopingtheideasoftheauthorwhoseworkhemaybereading——wouldscaneachcharacterhereinportrayed，andtellmehoweachcharacteroughttohaveactedatagivenjuncture，andwhat，tojudgefromthebeginningsofeachcharacter，oughttohavebecomeofthatcharacterlater，andwhatnewcircumstancesmightbedevisedinconnectiontherewith，andwhatnewdetailsmightadvantageouslybeaddedtothosealreadydescribed。HonestlycanIsaythattoconsiderthesepointsagainstthetimewhenaneweditionofmybookmaybepublishedinadifferentandabetterformwouldgivemethegreatestpossiblepleasure。
OnethinginparticularwouldIaskofanyreaderwhomaybewillingtogivemethebenefitofhisadvice。Thatistosay，Iwouldbegofhimtosuppose，whilerecordinghisremarks，thatitisforthebenefitofamaninnowayhisequalineducation，orsimilartohimintastesandideas，orcapableofapprehendingcriticismswithoutfullexplanationappended，thatheisdoingso。RatherwouldIasksuchareadertosupposethatbeforehimtherestandsamanofincomparablyinferiorenlightenmentandschooling——arudecountrybumpkinwhoselife，throughout，hasbeenpassedinretirement——abumpkintowhomitisnecessarytoexplaineachcircumstanceindetail，whileneverforgettingtobeassimpleofspeechasthoughhewereachild，andateverysteptherewereadangerofemployingtermsbeyondhisunderstanding。Shouldtheseprecautionsbekeptconstantlyinviewbyanyreaderundertakingtoannotatemybook，thatreader"sremarkswillexceedinweightandinterestevenhisownexpectations，andwillbringmeveryrealadvantage。
Thus，providedthatmyearnestrequestbeheededbymyreaders，andthatamongthemtherebefoundafewkindspiritstodoasIdesire，thefollowingisthemannerinwhichIwouldrequestthemtotransmittheirnotesformyconsideration。Inscribingthepackagewithmyname，letthemthenenclosethatpackageinasecondoneaddressedeithertotheRectoroftheUniversityofSt。PetersburgortoProfessorShevirevoftheUniversityofMoscow，accordingastheoneortheotherofthosetwocitiesmaybethenearertothesender。
Lastly，whilethankingalljournalistsandlitterateursfortheirpreviouslypublishedcriticismsofmybook——criticismswhich，inspiteofaspiceofthatintemperanceandprejudicewhichiscommontoallhumanity，haveprovedofthegreatestusebothtomyheadandtomyheart——Ibegofsuchwritersagaintofavourmewiththeirreviews。
ForinallsincerityIcanassurethemthatwhatsoevertheymaybepleasedtosayformyimprovementandmyinstructionwillbereceivedbymewithnaughtbutgratitude。
DEADSOULS
PARTI
CHAPTERI
TothedoorofaninnintheprovincialtownofN。theredrewupasmartbritchka——alightspring-carriageofthesortaffectedbybachelors，retiredlieutenant-colonels，staff-captains，land-ownerspossessedofaboutahundredsouls，and，inshort，allpersonswhorankasgentlemenoftheintermediatecategory。Inthebritchkawasseatedsuchagentleman——amanwho，thoughnothandsome，wasnotill-favoured，notover-fat，andnotover-thin。Also，thoughnotover-elderly，hewasnotover-young。Hisarrivalproducednostirinthetown，andwasaccompaniedbynoparticularincident，beyondthatacoupleofpeasantswhohappenedtobestandingatthedoorofadramshopexchangedafewcommentswithreferencetotheequipageratherthantotheindividualwhowasseatedinit。“Lookatthatcarriage，“oneofthemsaidtotheother。“ThinkyouitwillbegoingasfarasMoscow？”“Ithinkitwill，“repliedhiscompanion。“ButnotasfarasKazan，eh？”“No，notasfarasKazan。“Withthattheconversationended。Presently，asthebritchkawasapproachingtheinn，itwasmetbyayoungmaninapairofveryshort，verytightbreechesofwhitedimity，aquasi-fashionablefrockcoat，andadickeyfastenedwithapistol-shapedbronzetie-pin。Theyoungmanturnedhisheadashepassedthebritchkaandeyeditattentively；afterwhichheclappedhishandtohiscap(whichwasindangerofbeingremovedbythewind)andresumedhisway。Onthevehiclereachingtheinndoor，itsoccupantfoundstandingtheretowelcomehimthepolevoi，orwaiter，oftheestablishment——anindividualofsuchnimbleandbriskmovementthateventodistinguishthecharacterofhisfacewasimpossible。Runningoutwithanapkininonehandandhislankyformcladinatailcoat，reachingalmosttothenapeofhisneck，hetossedbackhislocks，andescortedthegentlemanupstairs，alongawoodengallery，andsotothebedchamberwhichGodhadpreparedforthegentleman"sreception。Thesaidbedchamberwasofquiteordinaryappearance，sincetheinnbelongedtothespeciestobefoundinallprovincialtowns——thespecieswherein，fortworoublesaday，travellersmayobtainaroomswarmingwithblack-beetles，andcommunicatingbyadoorwaywiththeapartmentadjoining。True，thedoorwaymaybeblockedupwithawardrobe；yetbehindit，inallprobability，therewillbestandingasilent，motionlessneighbourwhoseearsareburningtolearneverypossibledetailconcerningthelatestarrival。Theinn"sexteriorcorrespondedwithitsinterior。
Long，andconsistingonlyoftwostoreys，thebuildinghaditslowerhalfdestituteofstucco；withtheresultthatthedark-redbricks，originallymoreorlessdingy，hadgrownyetdingierundertheinfluenceofatmosphericchanges。Asfortheupperhalfofthebuilding，itwas，ofcourse，paintedtheusualtintofunfadingyellow。Within，onthegroundfloor，therestoodanumberofbenchesheapedwithhorse-collars，rope，andsheepskins；whilethewindow-seataccommodatedasbitentshik[1]，cheekbyjowlwithasamovar[2]——thelattersocloselyresemblingtheformerinappearancethat，butforthefactofthesamovarpossessingapitch-blacklip，thesamovarandthesbitentshikmighthavebeentwoofapair。
[1]Anurnforbrewinghoneytea。
[2]Anurnforbrewingordinarytea。
Duringthetraveller"sinspectionofhisroomhisluggagewasbroughtintotheapartment。Firstcameaportmanteauofwhiteleatherwhoseraggednessindicatedthatthereceptaclehadmadeseveralpreviousjourneys。Thebearersofthesamewerethegentleman"scoachman，Selifan(alittlemaninalargeovercoat)，andthegentleman"svalet，Petrushka——thelatterafellowofaboutthirty，cladinaworn，over-amplejacketwhichformerlyhadgracedhismaster"sshoulders，andpossessedofanoseandapairoflipswhosecoarsenesscommunicatedtohisfaceratherasullenexpression。Behindtheportmanteaucameasmalldispatch-boxofredwood，linedwithbirchbark，aboot-case，and(wrappedinbluepaper)aroastfowl；allofwhichhavingbeendeposited，thecoachmandepartedtolookafterhishorses，andthevalettoestablishhimselfinthelittledarkanteroomorkennelwherealreadyhehadstoredacloak，abagfuloflivery，andhisownpeculiarsmell。Pressingthenarrowbedsteadbackagainstthewall，hecovereditwiththetinyremnantofmattress——aremnantasthinandflat(perhapsalsoasgreasy)asapancake——whichhehadmanagedtobegofthelandlordoftheestablishment。
Whiletheattendantshadbeenthussettingthingsstraightthegentlemanhadrepairedtothecommonparlour。Theappearanceofcommonparloursofthekindisknowntoeveryonewhotravels。Alwaystheyhavevarnishedwallswhich，grownblackintheirupperportionswithtobaccosmoke，are，intheirlower，grownshinywiththefrictionofcustomers"backs——moreespeciallywiththatofthebacksofsuchlocaltradesmenas，onmarket-days，makeittheirregularpracticetoresorttothelocalhostelryforaglassoftea。Also，parloursofthiskindinvariablycontainsmuttyceilings，anequallysmuttychandelier，anumberofpendentshadeswhichjumpandrattlewheneverthewaiterscurriesacrosstheshabbyoilclothwithatrayfulofglasses(theglasseslookinglikeaflockofbirdsroostingbytheseashore)，andaselectionofoilpaintings。Inshort，therearecertainobjectswhichoneseesineveryinn。Inthepresentcasetheonlyoutstandingfeatureoftheroomwasthefactthatinoneofthepaintingsanymphwasportrayedaspossessingbreastsofasizesuchasthereadercanneverinhislifehavebeheld。Asimilarcaricaturingofnatureistobenotedinthehistoricalpictures(ofunknownorigin，period，andcreation)whichreachus——sometimesthroughtheinstrumentalityofRussianmagnateswhoprofesstobeconnoisseursofart——fromItaly；
owingtothesaidmagnateshavingmadesuchpurchasessolelyontheadviceofthecourierswhohaveescortedthem。
Toresume，however——ourtravellerremovedhiscap，anddivestedhisneckofaparti-colouredwoollenscarfofthekindwhichawifemakesforherhusbandwithherownhands，whileaccompanyingthegiftwithinterminableinjunctionsastohowbestsuchagarmentoughttobefolded。True，bachelorsalsowearsimilargauds，but，intheircase，Godaloneknowswhomayhavemanufacturedthearticles！Formypart，I
cannotendurethem。Havingunfoldedthescarf，thegentlemanordereddinner，andwhilstthevariousdisheswerebeinggotready——cabbagesoup，apieseveralweeksold，adishofmarrowandpeas，adishofsausagesandcabbage，aroastfowl，somesaltedcucumber，andthesweettartwhichstandsperpetuallyreadyforuseinsuchestablishments；whilst，Isay，thesethingswereeitherbeingwarmeduporbroughtincold，thegentlemaninducedthewaitertoretailcertainfragmentsoftittle-tattleconcerningthelatelandlordofthehostelry，theamountofincomewhichthehostelryproduced，andthecharacterofitspresentproprietor。Tothelast-mentionedinquirythewaiterreturnedtheanswerinvariablygiveninsuchcases——namely，“Mymasterisaterriblyhardman，sir。“CuriousthatinenlightenedRussiasomanypeoplecannoteventakeamealataninnwithoutchatteringtotheattendantandmakingfreewithhim！NeverthelessnotALLthequestionswhichthegentlemanaskedwereaimlessones，forheinquiredwhowasGovernorofthetown，whoPresidentoftheLocalCouncil，andwhoPublicProsecutor。Inshort，heomittednosingleofficialofnote，whileaskingalso(thoughwithanairofdetachment)
themostexactparticularsconcerningthelandownersoftheneighbourhood。Whichofthem，heinquired，possessedserfs，andhowmanyofthem？Howfarfromthetowndidthoselandownersreside？Whatwasthecharacterofeachlandowner，andwasheinthehabitofpayingfrequentvisitstothetown？Thegentlemanalsomadesearchinginquiriesconcerningthehygienicconditionofthecountryside。Wasthere，heasked，muchsicknessabout——whethersporadicfever，fatalformsofague，smallpox，orwhatnot？Yet，thoughhissolicitudeconcerningthesemattersshowedmorethanordinarycuriosity，hisbearingretaineditsgravityunimpaired，andfromtimetotimeheblewhisnosewithportentousfervour。Indeed，themannerinwhichheaccomplishedthislatterfeatwasmarvellousintheextreme，for，thoughthatmemberemittedsoundsequaltothoseofatrumpetinintensity，hecouldyet，withhisaccompanyingairofguilelessdignity，evokethewaiter"sundividedrespect——somuchsothat，wheneverthesoundsofthenosereachedthatmenial"sears，hewouldshakebackhislocks，straightenhimselfintoapostureofmarkedsolicitude，andinquireafresh，withheadslightlyinclined，whetherthegentlemanhappenedtorequireanythingfurther。Afterdinnertheguestconsumedacupofcoffee，andthen，seatinghimselfuponthesofa，with，behindhim，oneofthosewool-coveredcushionswhich，inRussiantaverns，resemblenothingsomuchasacobblestoneorabrick，felltosnoring；whereafter，returningwithastarttoconsciousness，heorderedhimselftobeconductedtohisroom，flunghimselfatfulllengthuponthebed，andoncemoresleptsoundlyforacoupleofhours。Aroused，eventually，bythewaiter，he，atthelatter"srequest，inscribedafragmentofpaperwithhisname，hissurname，andhisrank(forcommunication，inaccordancewiththelaw，tothepolice)：andonthatpaperthewaiter，leaningforwardfromthecorridor，read，syllablebysyllable：“PaulIvanovitchChichikov，CollegiateCouncillor——Landowner——TravellingonPrivateAffairs。“ThewaiterhadjusttimetoaccomplishthisfeatbeforePaulIvanovitchChichikovsetforthtoinspectthetown。Apparentlytheplacesucceededinsatisfyinghim，and，totellthetruth，itwasatleastuptotheusualstandardofourprovincialcapitals。Wherethestaringyellowofstoneedificesdidnotgreethiseyehefoundhimselfconfrontedwiththemoremodestgreyofwoodenones；which，consisting，forthemostpart，ofoneortwostoreys(addedtotherangeofatticswhichprovincialarchitectslovesowell)，lookedalmostlostamidtheexpansesofstreetandinterveningmedleysofbrokenorhalf-finishedpartition-walls。Atotherpointsevidenceofmorelifeandmovementwastobeseen，andherethehousesstoodcrowdedtogetheranddisplayeddilapidated，rain-blurredsignboardswhereonbootsofcakesorpairsofbluebreechesinscribed“Arshavski，Tailor，“andsoforth，weredepicted。Overashopcontaininghatsandcapswaswritten“VassiliThedorov，Foreigner“；while，atanotherspot，asignboardportrayedabilliardtableandtwoplayers——thelattercladinfrockcoatsofthekindusuallyaffectedbyactorswhosepartitistoenterthestageduringtheclosingactofapiece，eventhough，witharmssharplycrookedandlegsslightlybent，thesaidbilliardplayersweretakingthemostcarefulaim，butsucceedingonlyinmakingabortivestrokesintheair。Eachemporiumofthesorthadwrittenoverit：“Thisisthebestestablishmentofitskindinthetown。“Also，alfrescointhestreetstherestoodtablesheapedwithnuts，soap，andgingerbread(thelatterbutlittledistinguishablefromthesoap)，andataneating-housetherewasdisplayedthesignofaplumpfishtransfixedwithagaff。ButthesignmostfrequentlytobediscernedwastheinsigniaoftheState，thedouble-headedeagle(nowreplaced，inthisconnection，withthelaconicinscription“Dramshop“)。Asforthepavingofthetown，itwasuniformlybad。
Thegentlemanpeeredalsointothemunicipalgardens，whichcontainedonlyafewsorrytreesthatwerepoorlyselected，requiringtobeproppedwithoil-painted，triangulargreensupports，andabletoboastofaheightnogreaterthanthatofanordinarywalking-stick。Yetrecentlythelocalpaperhadsaid(aproposofagala)that，“ThankstotheeffortsofourCivilGovernor，thetownhasbecomeenrichedwithapleasauncefullofumbrageous，spaciously-branchingtrees。Evenonthemostsultrydaytheyaffordagreeableshade，andindeedgratifyingwasittoseetheheartsofourcitizenspantingwithanimpulseofgratitudeastheireyesshedtearsinrecognitionofallthattheirGovernorhasdoneforthem！”
Next，afterinquiringofagendarmeastothebestwaysandmeansoffindingthelocalcouncil，thelocallaw-courts，andthelocalGovernor，shouldhe(Chichikov)haveneedofthem，thegentlemanwentontoinspecttheriverwhichranthroughthetown。Enroutehetoreoffanoticeaffixedtoapost，inorderthathemightthemoreconvenientlyreaditafterhisreturntotheinn。Also，hebestoweduponaladyofpleasantexteriorwho，escortedbyafootmanladenwithabundle，happenedtobepassingalongawoodensidewalkaprolongedstare。Lastly，hethrewaroundhimacomprehensiveglance(asthoughtofixinhismindthegeneraltopographyoftheplace)andbetookhimselfhome。There，gentlyaidedbythewaiter，heascendedthestairstohisbedroom，drankaglassoftea，and，seatinghimselfatthetable，calledforacandle；whichhavingbeenbroughthim，heproducedfromhispocketthenotice，helditclosetotheflame，andconneditstenour——slightlycontractinghisrighteyeashedidso。
Yettherewaslittleinthenoticetocallforremark。AllthatitsaidwasthatshortlyoneofKotzebue"s[3]playswouldbegiven，andthatoneofthepartsintheplaywastobetakenbyacertainMonsieurPoplevin，andanotherbyacertainMademoiselleZiablova，whiletheremainingpartsweretobefilledbyanumberoflessimportantpersonages。Neverthelessthegentlemanperusedthenoticewithcarefulattention，andevenjotteddownthepricestobeaskedforseatsfortheperformance。Also，heremarkedthatthebillhadbeenprintedinthepressoftheProvincialGovernment。Next，heturnedoverthepaper，inordertoseeifanythingfurtherwastobereadonthereverseside；but，findingnothingthere，herefoldedthedocument，placeditintheboxwhichservedhimasareceptacleforoddsandends，andbroughtthedaytoaclosewithaportionofcoldveal，abottleofpickles，andasoundsleep。
[3]AGermandramatist(1761-1819)whoalsofilledsundrypostsintheserviceoftheRussianGovernment。
Thefollowingdayhedevotedtopayingcallsuponthevariousmunicipalofficials——afirst，andaveryrespectful，visitbeingpaidtotheGovernor。ThispersonageturnedouttoresembleChichikovhimselfinthathewasneitherfatnorthin。Also，heworetheribandoftheorderofSaintAnnaabouthisneck，andwasreportedtohavebeenrecommendedalsoforthestar。Fortherest，hewaslargeandgood-natured，andhadahabitofamusinghimselfwithoccasionalspellsofknitting。Next，ChichikovrepairedtotheVice-Governor"s，andthencetothehouseofthePublicProsecutor，tothatofthePresidentoftheLocalCouncil，tothatoftheChiefofPolice，tothatoftheCommissionerofTaxes，andtothatofthelocalDirectorofStateFactories。True，thetaskofrememberingeverybig-wiginthisworldofoursisnotaveryeasyone；butatleastourvisitordisplayedthegreatestactivityinhisworkofpayingcalls，seeingthathewentsofarastopayhisrespectsalsototheInspectoroftheMunicipalDepartmentofMedicineandtotheCityArchitect。
Thereafterhesatthoughtfullyinhisbritchka——plungedinmeditationonthesubjectofwhomelseitmightbewelltovisit。However，notasinglemagnatehadbeenneglected，andinconversationwithhishostshehadcontrivedtoflattereachseparateone。ForinstancetotheGovernorhehadhintedthatastranger，onarrivinginhis，theGovernor"sprovince，wouldconceivethathehadreachedParadise，sovelvetyweretheroads。“Governorswhoappointcapablesubordinates，“
hadsaidChichikov，“aredeservingofthemostamplemeedofpraise。“
Again，totheChiefofPoliceourherohadpassedamostgratifyingremarkonthesubjectofthelocalgendarmery；whileinhisconversationwiththeVice-GovernorandthePresidentoftheLocalCouncil(neitherofwhomhad，asyet，risenabovetherankofStateCouncillor)hehadtwicebeenguiltyofthegaucherieofaddressinghisinterlocutorswiththetitleof“YourExcellency“——ablunderwhichhadnotfailedtodelightthem。IntheresulttheGovernorhadinvitedhimtoareceptionthesameevening，andcertainotherofficialshadfollowedsuitbyinvitinghim，oneofthemtodinner，asecondtoatea-party，andsoforth，andsoforth。
Ofhimself，however，thetravellerhadspokenlittle；or，ifhehadspokenatanylength，hehaddonesoinageneralsortofwayandwithmarkedmodesty。Indeed，atmomentsofthekindhisdiscoursehadassumedsomethingofaliteraryvein，inthatinvariablyhehadstatedthat，beingawormofnoaccountintheworld，hewasdeservingofnoconsiderationatthehandsofhisfellows；thatinhistimehehadundergonemanystrangeexperiences；thatsubsequentlyhehadsufferedmuchinthecauseofTruth；thathehadmanyenemiesseekinghislife；
andthat，beingdesirousofrest，hewasnowengagedinsearchingforaspotwhereintodwell——wherefore，havingstumbleduponthetowninwhichhenowfoundhimself，hehadconsideredithisboundendutytoevincehisrespectforthechiefauthoritiesoftheplace。This，andnomore，wasallthat，forthemoment，thetownsucceededinlearningaboutthenewarrival。NaturallyhelostnotimeinpresentinghimselfattheGovernor"seveningparty。First，however，hispreparationsforthatfunctionoccupiedaspaceofovertwohours，andnecessitatedanattentiontohistoiletofakindnotcommonlyseen。Thatistosay，afterabriefpost-grandialnaphecalledforsoapandwater，andspentaconsiderableperiodinthetaskofscrubbinghischeeks(which，forthepurpose，hesupportedfromwithinwithhistongue)andthenofdryinghisfull，roundface，fromtheearsdownwards，withatowelwhichhetookfromthewaiter"sshoulder。Twicehesnortedintothewaiter"scountenanceashedidthis，andthenhepostedhimselfinfrontofthemirror，donnedafalseshirt-front，pluckedoutacoupleofhairswhichwereprotrudingfromhisnose，andappearedvestedinafrockcoatofbilberry-colouredcheck。Thereafterdrivingthroughbroadstreetssparselylightedwithlanterns，hearrivedattheGovernor"sresidencetofinditilluminatedasforaball。Baroucheswithgleaminglamps，acoupleofgendarmespostedbeforethedoors，ababelofpostillions"cries——nothingofakindlikelytobeimpressivewaswanting；and，onreachingthesalon，thevisitoractuallyfoundhimselfobligedtoclosehiseyesforamoment，sostrongwasthemingledsheenoflamps，candles，andfeminineapparel。Everythingseemedsuffusedwithlight，andeverywhere，flittingandflashing，weretobeseenblackcoats——evenasonahotsummer"sdayfliesrevolvearoundasugarloafwhiletheoldhousekeeperiscuttingitintocubesbeforetheopenwindow，andthechildrenofthehousecrowdaroundhertowatchthemovementsofherruggedhandsasthosemembersplythesmokingpestle；andairysquadronsofflies，borneonthebreeze，enterboldly，asthoughfreeofthehouse，and，takingadvantageofthefactthattheglareofthesunshineistroublingtheoldlady"ssight，dispersethemselvesoverbrokenandunbrokenfragmentsalike，eventhoughthelethargyinducedbytheopulenceofsummerandtherichshowerofdaintiestobeencounteredateverystephasinducedthemtoenterlessforthepurposeofeatingthanforthatofshowingthemselvesinpublic，ofparadingupanddownthesugarloaf，ofrubbingboththeirhindquartersandtheirforeagainstoneanother，ofcleaningtheirbodiesunderthewings，ofextendingtheirforelegsovertheirheadsandgroomingthemselves，andofflyingoutofthewindowagaintoreturnwithotherpredatorysquadrons。Indeed，sodazedwasChichikovthatscarcelydidherealisethattheGovernorwastakinghimbythearmandpresentinghimtohis(theGovernor"s)
lady。Yetthenewly-arrivedguestkepthisheadsufficientlytocontrivetomurmursomesuchcomplimentasmightfittinglycomefromamiddle-agedindividualofarankneitherexcessivelyhighnorexcessivelylow。Next，whencoupleshadbeenformedfordancingandtheremainderofthecompanyfounditselfpressedbackagainstthewalls，Chichikovfoldedhisarms，andcarefullyscrutinisedthedancers。Someoftheladiesweredressedwellandinthefashion，whiletheremainderwerecladinsuchgarmentsasGodusuallybestowsuponaprovincialtown。Alsohere，aselsewhere，themenbelongedtotwoseparateanddistinctcategories；oneofwhichcomprisedslenderindividualswho，flittingaroundtheladies，werescarcelytobedistinguishedfromdenizensofthemetropolis，socarefully，soartistically，groomedweretheirwhiskers，sopresentabletheiroval，clean-shavenfaces，soeasythemanneroftheirdancingattendanceupontheirwomenfolk，soglibtheirFrenchconversationastheyquizzedtheirfemalecompanions。Asfortheothercategory，itcomprisedindividualswho，stout，orofthesamebuildasChichikov(thatistosay，neitherveryportlynorverylean)，backedandsidledawayfromtheladies，andkeptpeeringhitherandthithertoseewhethertheGovernor"sfootmenhadsetoutgreentablesforwhist。
Theirfeatureswerefullandplump，someofthemhadbeards，andinnocasewastheirhaircurledorwavedorarrangedinwhattheFrenchcall“thedevil-may-care“style。Onthecontrary，theirheadswereeitherclose-croppedorbrushedverysmooth，andtheirfaceswereroundandfirm。Thiscategoryrepresentedthemorerespectableofficialsofthetown。Inpassing，Imaysaythatinbusinessmattersfatmenalwaysprovesuperiortotheirleanerbrethren；whichisprobablythereasonwhythelatteraremostlytobefoundinthePoliticalPolice，oractingasmerecipherswhoseexistenceisapurelyhopeless，airy，trivialone。Again，stoutindividualsnevertakeabackseat，butalwaysafrontone，and，wheresoeveritbe，theysitfirmly，andwithconfidence，anddeclinetobudgeeventhoughtheseatcrackandbendwiththeirweight。Forcomelinessofexteriortheycarenotarap，andthereforeadresscoatsitslesseasilyontheirfiguresthanisthecasewithfiguresofleanerindividuals。Yetinvariablyfatmenamassthegreaterwealth。Inthreeyears"timeathinmanwillnothaveasingleserfwhomhehasleftunpledged；
whereas——well，praylookatafatman"sfortunes，andwhatwillyousee？Firstofallasuburbanvilla，andthenalargersuburbanvilla，andthenavillaclosetoatown，andlastlyacountryestatewhichcompriseseveryamenity！Thatistosay，havingservedbothGodandtheState，thestoutindividualhaswonuniversalrespect，andwillendbyretiringfrombusiness，reorderinghismodeoflife，andbecomingaRussianlandowner——inotherwords，afinegentlemanwhodispenseshospitality，livesincomfortandluxury，andisdestinedtoleavehispropertytoheirswhoarepurposingtosquanderthesameonforeigntravel。
ThattheforegoingrepresentsprettymuchthegistofChichikov"sreflectionsashestoodwatchingthecompanyIwillnotattempttodeny。Andofthosereflectionstheupshotwasthathedecidedtojoinhimselftothestoutersectionoftheguests，amongwhomhehadalreadyrecognisedseveralfamiliarfaces——namely，thoseofthePublicProsecutor(amanwithbeetlingbrowsovereyeswhichseemedtobesayingwithawink，“Comeintothenextroom，myfriend，forIhavesomethingtosaytoyou“——though，inthemain，theirownerwasamanofgraveandtaciturnhabit)，ofthePostmaster(aninsignificant-lookingindividual，yetawould-bewitandaphilosopher)，andofthePresidentoftheLocalCouncil(amanofmuchamiabilityandgoodsense)。ThesethreepersonagesgreetedChichikovasanoldacquaintance，andtotheirsalutationsherespondedwithasidelong，yetasufficientlycivil，bow。Also，hebecameacquaintedwithanextremelyunctuousandapproachablelandownernamedManilov，andwithalandownerofmoreuncouthexteriornamedSobakevitch——thelatterofwhombegantheacquaintancebytreadingheavilyuponChichikov"stoes，andthenbegginghispardon。Next，Chichikovreceivedanofferofa“cutin“atwhist，andacceptedthesamewithhisusualcourteousinclinationofthehead。Seatingthemselvesatagreentable，thepartydidnotrisetherefromtillsuppertime；andduringthatperiodallconversationbetweentheplayersbecamehushed，asisthecustomwhenmenhavegiventhemselvesuptoareallyseriouspursuit。EventhePostmaster——atalkativemanbynature——hadnosoonertakenthecardsintohishandsthanheassumedanexpressionofprofoundthought，pursedhislips，andretainedthisattitudeunchangedthroughoutthegame。Onlywhenplayingacourtcardwasithiscustomtostrikethetablewithhisfist，andtoexclaim(ifthecardhappenedtobeaqueen)，“Now，oldpopadia[4]！”and(ifthecardhappenedtobeaking)，“Now，peasantofTambov！”TowhichejaculationsinvariablythePresidentoftheLocalCouncilretorted，“Ah，Ihavehimbytheears，Ihavehimbytheears！”Andfromtheneighbourhoodofthetableotherstrongejaculationsrelativetotheplaywouldarise，interposedwithoneoranotherofthosenicknameswhichparticipantsinagameareapttoapplytomembersofthevarioussuits。Ineedhardlyaddthat，thegameover，theplayersfelltoquarrelling，andthatinthedisputeourfriendjoined，thoughsoartfullyastoleteveryoneseethat，inspiteofthefactthathewaswrangling，hewasdoingsoonlyinthemostamicablefashionpossible。Neverdidhesayoutright，“Youplayedthewrongcardatsuchandsuchapoint。“No，healwaysemployedsomesuchphraseas，“Youpermittedyourselftomakeaslip，andthusaffordedmethehonourofcoveringyourdeuce。“Indeed，thebettertokeepinaccordwithhisantagonists，hekeptofferingthemhissilver-enamelledsnuff-box(atthebottomofwhichlayacoupleofviolets，placedthereforthesakeoftheirscent)。InparticulardidthenewcomerpayattentiontolandownersManilovandSobakevitch；somuchsothathishastetoarriveongoodtermswiththemledtohisleavingthePresidentandthePostmasterratherintheshade。Atthesametime，certainquestionswhichheputtothosetwolandownersevincednotonlycuriosity，butalsoacertainamountofsoundintelligence；forhebeganbyaskinghowmanypeasantsoulseachofthempossessed，andhowtheiraffairshappenedatpresenttobesituated，andthenproceededtoenlightenhimselfalsoastheirstandingandtheirfamilies。Indeed，itwasnotlongbeforehehadsucceededinfairlyenchantinghisnewfriends。InparticulardidManilov——amanstillinhisprime，andpossessedofapairofeyeswhich，sweetassugar，blinkedwheneverhelaughed——findhimselfunabletomakeenoughofhisenchanter。ClaspingChichikovlongandferventlybythehand，hebesoughthimtodohim，Manilov，thehonourofvisitinghiscountryhouse(whichhedeclaredtolieatadistanceofnotmorethanfifteenverstsfromtheboundariesofthetown)；andinreturnChichikovaverred(withanexceedinglyaffablebowandamostsincerehandshake)
thathewaspreparednotonlytofulfilhisfriend"sbehest，butalsotolookuponthefulfillingofitasasacredduty。InthesamewaySobakevitchsaidtohimlaconically：“AnddoyoupayMEavisit，“
andthenproceededtoshuffleapairofbootsofsuchdimensionsthattofindapairtocorrespondwiththemwouldhavebeenindeeddifficult——moreespeciallyatthepresentday，whentheraceofepicheroesisbeginningtodieoutinRussia。
[4]Priest"swife。
NextdayChichikovdinedandspenttheeveningatthehouseoftheChiefofPolice——aresidencewhere，threehoursafterdinner，everyonesatdowntowhist，andremainedsoseateduntiltwoo"clockinthemorning。OnthisoccasionChichikovmadetheacquaintanceof，amongothers，alandownernamedNozdrev——adissipatedlittlefellowofthirtywhohadnosoonerexchangedthreeorfourwordswithhisnewacquaintancethanhebegantoaddresshiminthesecondpersonsingular。YetalthoughhedidthesametotheChiefofPoliceandthePublicProsecutor，thecompanyhadnosoonerseatedthemselvesatthecard-tablethanboththeoneandtheotherofthesefunctionariesstartedtokeepacarefuleyeuponNozdrev"stricks，andtowatchpracticallyeverycardwhichheplayed。ThefollowingeveningChichikovspentwiththePresidentoftheLocalCouncil，whoreceivedhisguests——eventhoughthelatterincludedtwoladies——inagreasydressing-gown。UponthatfollowedaneveningattheVice-Governor"s，alargedinnerpartyatthehouseoftheCommissionerofTaxes，asmallerdinner-partyatthehouseofthePublicProsecutor(averywealthyman)，andasubsequentreceptiongivenbytheMayor。Inshort，notanhourofthedaydidChichikovfindhimselfforcedtospendathome，andhisreturntotheinnbecamenecessaryonlyforthepurposesofsleeping。Somehoworotherhehadlandedonhisfeet，andeverywherehefiguredasanexperiencedmanoftheworld。Nomatterwhattheconversationchancedtobeabout，healwayscontrivedtomaintainhispartinthesame。Didthediscourseturnuponhorse-breeding，uponhorse-breedinghehappenedtobepeculiarlywell-qualifiedtospeak。Didthecompanyfalltodiscussingwell-breddogs，atoncehehadremarksofthemostpertinentkindpossibletooffer。DidthecompanytouchuponaprosecutionwhichhadrecentlybeencarriedoutbytheExciseDepartment，instantlyheshowedthathetoowasnotwhollyunacquaintedwithlegalaffairs。Didanopinionchancetobeexpressedconcerningbilliards，onthatsubjecttoohewasatleastabletoavoidcommittingablunder。Didareferenceoccurtovirtue，concerningvirtuehehastenedtodeliverhimselfinawaywhichbroughttearstoeveryeye。Didthesubjectinhandhappentobethedistillingofbrandy——well，thatwasamatterconcerningwhichhehadthesoundestofknowledge。DidanyonehappentomentionCustomsofficialsandinspectors，fromthatmomentheexpatiatedasthoughhetoohadbeenbothaminorfunctionaryandamajor。Yetaremarkablefactwasthecircumstancethathealwayscontrivedtotemperhisomnisciencewithacertainreadinesstogiveway，acertainabilitysotokeepareinuponhimselfthatneverdidhisutterancesbecometooloudortoosoft，ortranscendwhatwasperfectlybefitting。Inaword，hewasalwaysagentlemanofexcellentmanners，andeveryofficialintheplacefeltpleasedwhenhesawhimenterthedoor。
ThustheGovernorgaveitashisopinionthatChichikovwasamanofexcellentintentions；thePublicProsecutor，thathewasagoodmanofbusiness；theChiefofGendarmery，thathewasamanofeducation；thePresidentoftheLocalCouncil，thathewasamanofbreedingandrefinement；andthewifeoftheChiefofGendarmery，thathispolitenessofbehaviourwasequalledonlybyhisaffabilityofbearing。Nay，evenSobakevitch——whoasaruleneverspokewellofANY
ONE——saidtohislankywifewhen，onreturninglatefromthetown，heundressedandbetookhimselftobedbyherside：“Mydear，thisevening，afterdiningwiththeChiefofPolice，IwentontotheGovernor"s，andmetthere，amongothers，acertainPaulIvanovitchChichikov，whoisaCollegiateCouncillorandaverypleasantfellow。“
Tothishisspousereplied“Hm！”andthendealthimaheartykickintheribs。
Suchweretheflatteringopinionsearnedbythenewcomertothetown；
andtheseopinionsheretaineduntilthetimewhenacertainspecialityofhis，acertainschemeofhis(thereaderwilllearnpresentlywhatitwas)，plungedthemajorityofthetownsfolkintoaseaofperplexity。
CHAPTERII
Formorethantwoweeksthevisitorlivedamidaroundofeveningpartiesanddinners；whereforehespent(asthesayinggoes)averypleasanttime。FinallyhedecidedtoextendhisvisitsbeyondtheurbanboundariesbygoingandcallinguponlandownersManilovandSobakevitch，seeingthathehadpromisedonhishonourtodoso。Yetwhatreallyincitedhimtothismayhavebeenamoreessentialcause，amatterofgreatergravity，apurposewhichstoodnearertohisheart，thanthemotivewhichIhavejustgiven；andofthatpurposethereaderwilllearnifonlyhewillhavethepatiencetoreadthisprefatorynarrative(which，lengthythoughitbe，mayyetdevelopandexpandinproportionasweapproachthedenouementwithwhichthepresentworkisdestinedtobecrowned)。
Oneevening，therefore，Selifanthecoachmanreceivedorderstohavethehorsesharnessedingoodtimenextmorning；whilePetrushkareceivedorderstoremainbehind，forthepurposeoflookingaftertheportmanteauandtheroom。Inpassing，thereadermaycaretobecomemorefullyacquaintedwiththetwoserving-menofwhomIhavespoken。
Naturally，theywerenotpersonsofmuchnote，butmerelywhatfolkcallcharactersofsecondary，orevenoftertiary，importance。Yet，despitethefactthatthespringsandthethreadofthisromancewillnotDEPENDuponthem，butonlytouchuponthem，andoccasionallyincludethem，theauthorhasapassionforcircumstantiality，and，liketheaverageRussian，suchadesireforaccuracyasevenaGermancouldnotrival。TowhatthereaderalreadyknowsconcerningthepersonagesinhanditisthereforenecessarytoaddthatPetrushkausuallyworeacast-offbrownjacketofasizetoolargeforhim，asalsothathehad(accordingtothecustomofindividualsofhiscalling)apairofthicklipsandaveryprominentnose。Intemperamenthewastaciturnratherthanloquacious，andhecherishedayearningforself-education。Thatistosay，helovedtoreadbooks，eventhoughtheircontentscamealiketohimwhethertheywerebooksofheroicadventureormeregrammarsorliturgicalcompendia。AsI
say，heperusedeverybookwithanequalamountofattention，and，hadhebeenofferedaworkonchemistry，wouldhaveacceptedthatalso。
Notthewordswhichheread，butthemeresolacederivedfromtheactofreading，waswhatespeciallypleasedhismind；eventhoughatanymomenttheremightlaunchitselffromthepagesomedevil-sentwordwhereofhecouldmakeneitherheadnortail。Forthemostpart，histaskofreadingwasperformedinarecumbentpositionintheanteroom；
whichcircumstanceendedbycausinghismattresstobecomeasraggedandasthinasawafer。Inadditiontohisloveofporingoverbooks，hecouldboastoftwohabitswhichconstitutedtwootheressentialfeaturesofhischaracter——namely，ahabitofretiringtorestinhisclothes(thatistosay，inthebrownjacketabove-mentioned)andahabitofeverywherebearingwithhimhisownpeculiaratmosphere，hisownpeculiarsmell——asmellwhichfilledanylodgingwithsuchsubtletythatheneededbuttomakeuphisbedanywhere，eveninaroomhithertountenanted，andtodragthitherhisgreatcoatandotherimpedimenta，forthatroomatoncetoassumeanairofhavingbeenlivedinduringthepasttenyears。Nevertheless，thoughafastidious，andevenanirritable，man，Chichikovwouldmerelyfrownwhenhisnosecaughtthissmellamidthefreshnessofthemorning，andexclaimwithatossofhishead：“Thedevilonlyknowswhatisupwithyou！Surelyyousweatagooddeal，doyounot？Thebestthingyoucandoistogoandtakeabath。“TothisPetrushkawouldmakenoreply，but，approaching，brushinhand，thespotwherehismaster"scoatwouldbependent，orstartingtoarrangeoneandanotherarticleinorder，wouldstrivetoseemwhollyimmersedinhiswork。Yetofwhatwashethinkingasheremainedthussilent？Perhapshewassayingtohimself：
“Mymasterisagoodfellow，butforhimtokeeponsayingthesamethingfortytimesoverisalittlewearisome。“OnlyGodknowsandseesallthings；whereforeforamerehumanbeingtoknowwhatisinthemindofaservantwhilehismasterisscoldinghimiswhollyimpossible。However，nomoreneedbesaidaboutPetrushka。Ontheotherhand，CoachmanSelifan——
ButhereletmeremarkthatIdonotlikeengagingthereader"sattentioninconnectionwithpersonsofalowerclassthanhimself；
forexperiencehastaughtmethatwedonotwillinglyfamiliariseourselveswiththelowerorders——thatitisthecustomoftheaverageRussiantoyearnexclusivelyforinformationconcerningpersonsonthehigherrungsofthesocialladder。Infact，evenabowingacquaintancewithaprinceoralordcounts，inhiseyes，formorethandothemostintimateofrelationswithordinaryfolk。Forthesamereasontheauthorfeelsapprehensiveonhishero"saccount，seeingthathehasmadethatheroamereCollegiateCouncillor——amerepersonwithwhomAulicCouncillorsmightconsort，butuponwhompersonsofthegradeoffullGeneral[1]wouldprobablybestowoneofthoseglancespropertoamanwhoiscringingattheiraugustfeet。Worsestill，suchpersonsofthegradeofGeneralarelikelytotreatChichikovwithstudiednegligence——andtoanauthorstudiednegligencespellsdeath。
[1]InthiscasethetermGeneralreferstoacivilgradeequivalenttothemilitaryrankofthesametitle。
However，inspiteofthedistressfulnessoftheforegoingpossibilities，itistimethatIreturnedtomyhero。Afterissuing，overnight，thenecessaryorders，heawokeearly，washedhimself，rubbedhimselffromheadtofootwithawetsponge(aperformanceexecutedonlyonSundays——andthedayinquestionhappenedtobeaSunday)，shavedhisfacewithsuchcarethathischeeksissuedofabsolutelysatin-likesmoothnessandpolish，donnedfirsthisbilberry-coloured，spottedfrockcoat，andthenhisbearskinovercoat，descendedthestaircase(attended，throughout，bythewaiter)andenteredhisbritchka。Withaloudrattlethevehiclelefttheinn-yard，andissuedintothestreet。Apassingpriestdoffedhiscap，andafewurchinsingrimyshirtsshouted，“Gentleman，pleasegiveapoororphanatrifle！”Presentlythedrivernoticedthatasturdyyoungrascalwasonthepointofclimbingontothesplashboard；
whereforehecrackedhiswhipandthebritchkaleaptforwardwithincreasedspeedoverthecobblestones。Atlast，withafeelingofrelief，thetravellerscaughtsightofmacadamahead，whichpromisedanendbothtothecobblestonesandtosundryotherannoyances。And，sureenough，afterhisheadhadbeenbumpedafewmoretimesagainstthebootoftheconveyance，Chichikovfoundhimselfbowlingoversofterground。Onthetownrecedingintothedistance，thesidesoftheroadbegantobevariedwiththeusualhillocks，firtrees，clumpsofyoungpine，treeswithold，scarredtrunks，bushesofwildjuniper，andsoforth，Presentlytherecameintoviewalsostringsofcountryvillaswhich，withtheircarvedsupportsandgreyroofs(thelatterlookinglikependent，embroideredtablecloths)，resembled，rather，bundlesofoldfaggots。Likewisethecustomarypeasants，dressedinsheepskinjackets，couldbeseenyawningonbenchesbeforetheirhuts，whiletheirwomenfolk，fatoffeatureandswathedofbosom，gazedoutofupperwindows，andthewindowsbelowdisplayed，hereapeeringcalf，andtheretheunsightlyjawsofapig。Inshort，theviewwasoneofthefamiliartype。Afterpassingthefifteenthverst-stoneChichikovsuddenlyrecollectedthat，accordingtoManilov，fifteenverstswastheexactdistancebetweenhiscountryhouseandthetown；
butthesixteenthverststoneflewby，andthesaidcountryhousewasstillnowheretobeseen。Infact，butforthecircumstancethatthetravellershappenedtoencounteracoupleofpeasants，theywouldhavecomeontheirerrandinvain。ToaqueryastowhetherthecountryhouseknownasZamanilovkawasanywhereintheneighbourhoodthepeasantsrepliedbydoffingtheircaps；afterwhichoneofthemwhoseemedtoboastofalittlemoreintelligencethanhiscompanion，andwhoworeawedge-shapedbeard，madeanswer：
“PerhapsyoumeanManilovka——notZAmanilovka？”
“Yes，yes——Manilovka。“
“Manilovka，eh？Well，youmustcontinueforanotherverst，andthenyouwillseeitstraightbeforeyou，ontheright。“
“Ontheright？”re-echoedthecoachman。
“Yes，ontheright，“affirmedthepeasant。“YouareontheproperroadforManilovka，butZAmanilovka——well，thereisnosuchplace。ThehouseyoumeaniscalledManilovkabecauseManilovkaisitsname；butnohouseatalliscalledZAmanilovka。Thehouseyoumeanstandsthere，onthathill，andisastonehouseinwhichagentlemanlives，anditsnameisManilovka；butZAmanilovkadoesnotstandhereabouts，noreverhasstood。“
SothetravellersproceededinsearchofManilovka，and，afterdrivinganadditionaltwoversts，arrivedataspotwhencetherebranchedoffaby-road。Yettwo，three，orfourverstsoftheby-roadhadbeencoveredbeforetheysawtheleastsignofatwo-storiedstonemansion。
ThenitwasthatChichikovsuddenlyrecollectedthat，whenafriendhasinvitedonetovisithiscountryhouse，andhassaidthatthedistancetheretoisfifteenversts，thedistanceissuretoturnouttobeatleastthirty。
NotmanypeoplewouldhaveadmiredthesituationofManilov"sabode，foritstoodonanisolatedriseandwasopentoeverywindthatblew。
Ontheslopeoftheriselayclosely-mownturf，while，disposedhereandthere，aftertheEnglishfashion，wereflower-bedscontainingclumpsoflilacandyellowacacia。Also，therewereafewinsignificantgroupsofslender-leaved，pointed-tippedbirchtrees，with，undertwoofthelatter，anarbourhavingashabbygreencupola，someblue-paintedwoodensupports，andtheinscription“ThisistheTempleofSolitaryThought。“Lowerdowntheslopelayagreen-coatedpond——green-coatedpondsconstituteafrequentspectacleinthegardensofRussianlandowners；and，lastly，fromthefootofthedeclivitytherestretchedalineofmouldy，log-builthutswhich，forsomeobscurereasonoranother，ourherosethimselftocount。Uptotwohundredormoredidhecount，butnowherecouldheperceiveasingleleafofvegetationorasinglestickoftimber。Theonlythingtogreettheeyewasthelogsofwhichthehutswereconstructed。
Neverthelessthescenewastoacertainextentenlivenedbythespectacleoftwopeasantwomenwho，withclothespicturesquelytuckedup，werewadingknee-deepinthepondanddraggingbehindthem，withwoodenhandles，araggedfishing-net，inthemeshesofwhichtwocrawfishandaroachwithglisteningscaleswereentangled。Thewomenappearedtohavecauseofdisputebetweenthemselves——toberatingoneanotheraboutsomething。Inthebackground，andtoonesideofthehouse，showedafaint，duskyblurofpinewood，andeventheweatherwasinkeepingwiththesurroundings，sincethedaywasneitherclearnordull，butofthegreytintwhichmaybenotedinuniformsofgarrisonsoldierswhichhaveseenlongservice。Tocompletethepicture，acock，therecognisedharbingerofatmosphericmutations，waspresent；and，inspiteofthefactthatacertainconnectionwithaffairsofgallantryhadledtohishavinghadhisheadpeckedbarebyothercocks，heflappedapairofwings——appendagesasbareastwopiecesofbast——andcrowedloudly。
AsChichikovapproachedthecourtyardofthemansionhecaughtsightofhishost(cladinagreenfrockcoat)standingontheverandahandpressingonehandtohiseyestoshieldthemfromthesunandsogetabetterviewoftheapproachingcarriage。Inproportionasthebritchkadrewnearerandnearertotheverandah，thehost"seyesassumedamoreandmoredelightedexpression，andhissmileabroaderandbroadersweep。
“PaulIvanovitch！”heexclaimedwhenatlengthChichikovleaptfromthevehicle。“NevershouldIhavebelievedthatyouwouldhaverememberedus！”
Thetwofriendsexchangedheartyembraces，andManilovthenconductedhisguesttothedrawing-room。Duringthebrieftimethattheyaretraversingthehall，theanteroom，andthedining-room，letmetrytosaysomethingconcerningthemasterofthehouse。Butsuchanundertakingbristleswithdifficulties——itpromisestobeafarlesseasytaskthanthedepictingofsomeoutstandingpersonalitywhichcallsbutforawholesaledashingofcoloursuponthecanvas——thecoloursofapairofdark，burningeyes，apairofdark，beetlingbrows，aforeheadseamedwithwrinkles，ablack，orafiery-red，cloakthrownbackwardsovertheshoulder，andsoforth，andsoforth。Yet，sonumerousareRussianserfownersthat，thoughcarefulscrutinyrevealstoone"ssightaquantityofoutrepeculiarities，theyare，asaclass，exceedinglydifficulttoportray，andoneneedstostrainone"sfacultiestotheutmostbeforeitbecomespossibletopickouttheirvariouslysubtle，theiralmostinvisible，features。Inshort，oneneeds，beforedoingthis，tocarryoutaprolongedprobingwiththeaidofaninsightsharpenedintheacuteschoolofresearch。
OnlyGodcansaywhatManilov"srealcharacterwas。Aclassofmenexistswhomtheproverbhasdescribedas“menuntothemselves，neitherthisnorthat——neitherBogdanofthecitynorSelifanofthevillage。“
AndtothatclasswehadbetterassignalsoManilov。Outwardlyhewaspresentableenough，forhisfeatureswerenotwantinginamiability，butthatamiabilitywasaqualityintowhichthereenteredtoomuchofthesugaryelement，sothathiseverygesture，hiseveryattitude，seemedtoconnoteanexcessofeagernesstocurryfavourandcultivateacloseracquaintance。Onfirstspeakingtotheman，hisingratiatingsmile，hisflaxenhair，andhisblueeyeswouldleadonetosay，“Whatapleasant，good-temperedfellowheseems！”yetduringthenextmomentortwoonewouldfeelinclinedtosaynothingatall，and，duringthethirdmoment，onlytosay，“Thedevilaloneknowswhatheis！”Andshould，thereafter，onenothastentodepart，onewouldinevitablybecomeoverpoweredwiththedeadlysenseofennuiwhichcomesoftheintuitionthatnothingintheleastinterestingistobelookedfor，butonlyaseriesofwearisomeutterancesofthekindwhichareapttofallfromthelipsofamanwhosehobbyhasoncebeentouchedupon。
ForeverymanHAShishobby。Oneman"smaybesportingdogs；anotherman"smaybethatofbelievinghimselftobealoverofmusic，andabletosoundthearttoitsinmostdepths；another"smaybethatofposingasaconnoisseurofrecherchecookery；another"smaybethatofaspiringtoplayrolesofakindhigherthannaturehasassignedhim；
another"s(thoughthisisamorelimitedambition)maybethatofgettingdrunk，andofdreamingthatheisedifyingbothhisfriends，hisacquaintances，andpeoplewithwhomhehasnoconnectionatallbywalkingarm-in-armwithanImperialaide-de-camp；another"smaybethatofpossessingahandabletochipcornersoffacesanddeucesofdiamonds；another"smaybethatofyearningtosetthingsstraight——inotherwords，toapproximatehispersonalitytothatofastationmasteroradirectorofposts。Inshort，almosteverymanhashishobbyorhisleaning；yetManilovhadnonesuch，forathomehespokelittle，andspentthegreaterpartofhistimeinmeditation——thoughGodonlyknowswhatthatmeditationcomprised！Norcanitbesaidthathetookmuchinterestinthemanagementofhisestate，forheneverrodeintothecountry，andtheestatepracticallymanageditself。Wheneverthebailiffsaidtohim，“Itmightbewelltohavesuch-and-suchathingdone，“hewouldreply，“Yes，thatisnotabadidea，“andthengoonsmokinghispipe——ahabitwhichhehadacquiredduringhisserviceinthearmy，wherehehadbeenlookeduponasanofficerofmodesty，delicacy，andrefinement。“Yes，itisNOTabadidea，“hewouldrepeat。Again，wheneverapeasantapproachedhimand，rubbingthebackofhisneck，said“Barin，mayIhaveleavetogoandworkformyself，inorderthatImayearnmyobrok[2]？”hewouldsnapout，withpipeinmouthasusual，“Yes，go！”andnevertroublehisheadastowhetherthepeasant"srealobjectmightnotbetogoandgetdrunk。True，atintervalshewouldsay，whilegazingfromtheverandahtothecourtyard，andfromthecourtyardtothepond，thatitwouldbeindeedsplendidifacarriagedrivecouldsuddenlymaterialise，andthepondassuddenlybecomespannedwithastonebridge，andlittleshopsassuddenlyarisewhencepedlarscoulddispensethepettymerchandiseofthekindwhichpeasantrymostneed。Andatsuchmomentshiseyeswouldgrowwinning，andhisfeaturesassumeanexpressionofintensesatisfaction。Yetneverdidtheseprojectspassbeyondthestageofdebate。Likewisetherelayinhisstudyabookwiththefourteenthpagepermanentlyturneddown。Itwasabookwhichhehadbeenreadingforthepasttwoyears！Ingeneral，somethingseemedtobewantingintheestablishment。Forinstance，althoughthedrawing-roomwasfilledwithbeautifulfurniture，andupholsteredinsomefinesilkenmaterialwhichclearlyhadcostnoinconsiderablesum，twoofthechairslackedanycoveringbutbast，andforsomeyearspastthemasterhadbeenaccustomedtowarnhisguestswiththewords，“Donotsituponthesechairs；theyarenotyetreadyforuse。“Anotherroomcontainednofurnitureatall，although，afewdaysafterthemarriage，ithadbeensaid：“Mydear，to-morrowletussetaboutprocuringatleastsomeTEMPORARYfurnitureforthisroom。“Also，everyeveningwouldseeplaceduponthedrawing-roomtableafinebronzecandelabrum，astatuetterepresentativeoftheThreeGraces，atrayinlaidwithmother-of-pearl，andarickety，lop-sidedcopperinvalide。Yetofthefactthatallfourarticleswerethicklycoatedwithgreaseneitherthemasterofthehousenorthemistressnortheservantsseemedtoentertaintheleastsuspicion。Atthesametime，Manilovandhiswifewerequitesatisfiedwitheachother。Morethaneightyearshadelapsedsincetheirmarriage，yetoneofthemwasforeverofferinghisorherpartnerapieceofappleorabonbonoranut，whilemurmuringsometendersomethingwhichvoicedawhole-heartedaffection。“Openyourmouth，dearest“——thusrantheformula——“andletmepopintoitthistitbit。“Youmaybesurethatonsuchoccasionsthe“dearestmouth“parteditslipsmostgraciously！Fortheirmutualbirthdaysthepairalwayscontrivedsome“surprisepresent“intheshapeofaglassreceptaclefortooth-powder，orwhatnot；andastheysattogetheronthesofahewouldsuddenly，andforsomeunknownreason，layasidehispipe，andsheherwork(ifatthemomentshehappenedtobeholdingitinherhands)andhusbandandwifewouldimprintupononeanother"scheekssuchaprolongedandlanguishingkissthatduringitscontinuanceyoucouldhavesmokedasmallcigar。
Inshort，theywerewhatisknownas“averyhappycouple。“Yetitmayberemarkedthatahouseholdrequiresotherpursuitstobeengagedinthanlengthyembracingsandthepreparingofcunning“surprises。“Yes，manyafunctioncallsforfulfilment。Forinstance，whyshoulditbethoughtfoolishorlowtosuperintendthekitchen？Whyshouldcarenotbetakenthatthestoreroomneverlackssupplies？Whyshouldahousekeeperbeallowedtothieve？Whyshouldslovenlyanddrunkenservantsexist？Whyshouldadomesticstaffbesufferedinindulgeinboutsofunconscionabledebaucheryduringitsleisuretime？YetnoneofthesethingswerethoughtworthyofconsiderationbyManilov"swife，forshehadbeengentlybroughtup，andgentlenurture，asweallknow，istobeacquiredonlyinboardingschools，andboardingschools，asweknow，holdthethreeprincipalsubjectswhichconstitutethebasisofhumanvirtuetobetheFrenchlanguage(athingindispensabletothehappinessofmarriedlife)，piano-playing(athingwherewithtobeguileahusband"sleisuremoments)，andthatparticulardepartmentofhousewiferywhichiscomprisedintheknittingofpursesandother“surprises。“Neverthelesschangesandimprovementshavebeguntotakeplace，sincethingsnowaregovernedmorebythepersonalinclinationsandidiosyncraciesofthekeepersofsuchestablishments。Forinstance，insomeseminariestheregimenplacespiano-playingfirst，andtheFrenchlanguagesecond，andthentheabovedepartmentofhousewifery；whileinotherseminariestheknittingof“surprises“headsthelist，andthentheFrenchlanguage，andthentheplayingofpianos——sodiversearethesystemsinforce！
Nonetheless，ImayremarkthatMadameManilov——
[2]Anannualtaxuponpeasants，paymentofwhichsecuredtothepayertherightofremoval。
ButletmeconfessthatIalwaysshrinkfromsayingtoomuchaboutladies。Moreover，itistimethatwereturnedtoourheroes，who，duringthepastfewminutes，havebeenstandinginfrontofthedrawing-roomdoor，andengagedinurgingoneanothertoenterfirst。
“Praybesogoodasnottoinconvenienceyourselfonmyaccount，“saidChichikov。“_I_willfollowYOU。“
“No，PaulIvanovitch——no！Youaremyguest。“AndManilovpointedtowardsthedoorway。
“Makenodifficultyaboutit，Ipray，“urgedChichikov。“Ibegofyoutomakenodifficultyaboutit，buttopassintotheroom。“
“Pardonme，Iwillnot。NevercouldIallowsodistinguishedandsowelcomeaguestasyourselftotakesecondplace。“
“Whycallme"distinguished，"mydearsir？Ibegofyoutoproceed。“
“Nay；beYOUpleasedtodoso。“
“Andwhy？”
“ForthereasonwhichIhavestated。“AndManilovsmiledhisverypleasantestsmile。