Mumu, and the Diary of a Superfluous Man (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884. Excerpt: ... DIARY OF A SUPERFLUOUS MAN. Hamlet Op Ovechiy-voda, March 20. The physician has just left the Louse. At last have I drawn out the truth from him, however skilfully he tried to conceal it; he had to come out with it at last. Yes, I will soon die--very soon. The rivers will throw off their icy cover, and I shall disappear with the last snow. 1 shall depart. Where to? God knows. I shall also vanish in a sea. Well, and is there any evil in this? If death be inevitable, it is better to die in the spring. But is it not ridiculous to begin writing a diary about a fortnight before death? And what of that? Are fourteen days of less consequence than fourteen years, or even fourteen centuries, in the sight of eternity? But is not the idea of eternity a foolish fancy? My mind, it seems, is wandering off in a labyrinth of abstract speculations; that is an evil omen. It seems that I am losing courage. It would be better were I to narrate something. The air is damp and chilly, and I may not go out. What shall I narrate? Something about my sickness? No respectable person speaks about his pains. Shall 1 compose a-tale? That is not in my line. Shall I write on some philosophical subject? I am not equal to such a task. Shall I describe my surroundings? They are tiresome to me, much more so would they be to the reader. I am tired of idling, and too lazy even to read a book. A wonderful idea strikes my mind I shall tell myself the story of my own life. That is just the thing a person ought to do before his death, and it cannot offend anybody. I shall go to work at once. I was born thirty years ago. My parents were wellto-do land-owners. My father was a passionate gambler, and my mother was a woman with a character, a very benevolent lady. I never knew a woman whom benevolenc...