In regard to books I may remark that he came in later years rather to avoid reading.

But that was only quite towards the end.

The papers and magazines ordered in great profusion by Varvara Petrovna he was continually reading.

He never lost interest in the successes of Russian literature either, though he always maintained a dignified attitude with regard to them.

He was at one time engrossed in the study of our home and foreign politics, but he soon gave up the undertaking with a gesture of despair.