suppressed by the authorities because of an article by Strakhov, called The Fatal Problem, which dealt with Russian Polish relations in a spirit of opposition to the Government. Being without work, Strakhov began translating books into Russian, chiefly on philosophical, scientific, and literary subjects.
Tolstoi's friendship with Strakhov began in 1871. When some one asked him about the friendship, Strakhov sent him the following autobiographical note: "The origin of my acquaintance with L. N. Tolstoi in 1871, was as follows:—After my articles on War and Peace, I decided to write him a letter, asking him to let the Sarya have some of his work. He replied that he had nothing at present, but added a pressing invitation to come and see him at Yasnaya Polyana whenever an opportunity should present itself. In 1871 I received 400 roubles from the Sarya, and in June I went to stay with my people in Poltava. On my way back to Petersburg I stopped at Tula for the night, and in the morning took a cab and drove out to Yasnaya Polyana. After that we used to see each other every year, that is, I used to stay a month or six weeks with him every summer. At times we quarrelled and grew cool to each other, but good feeling always won the day; his family got to like me, and now they see in me an old, faithful friend, which indeed I am."
With Strakhov, Tolstoi was on very friendly terms, which allowed complete frankness between
