For it is not nearly so necessary that Chichikov should figure before the reader as though his form and person were actually present to the eye as that, on concluding a perusal of this work, the reader should be able to return, unharrowed in soul, to that cult of the card-table which is the solace and delight of all good Russians.

Yes, readers of this book, none of you really care to see humanity revealed in its nakedness.

"Why should we do so ?" you say.
"What would be the use of it?
Do we not know for ourselves that human life contains much that is gross and contemptible?
Do we not with our own eyes have to look upon much that is anything but comforting?
Far better would it be if you would put before us what is comely and attractive, so that we might forget ourselves a little." In the same fashion does a landowner say to his bailiff: "Why do you come and tell me that the affairs of my estate are in a bad way?
I know that without YOUR help.

Have you nothing else to tell me?
Kindly allow me to forget the fact, or else to remain in ignorance of it, and I shall be much obliged to you." Whereafter the said landowner probably proceeds to spend on his diversion the money which ought to have gone towards the rehabilitation of his affairs.
Possibly the author may also incur censure at the hands of those so-called "patriots" who sit quietly in corners, and become capitalists through making fortunes at the expense of others.

Yes, let but something which they conceive to be derogatory to their country occur--for instance, let there be published some book which voices the bitter truth--and out they will come from their hiding-places like a spider which perceives a fly to be caught in its web.