To A. N. Pleshcheyev, 27 November 1889. Moscow.
А. Н. ПЛЕЩЕЕВУ, 27 ноября 1889 г. Москва.
Headnote
Letter to Alexei Nikolaevich Pleshcheev, 27 November 1889, Moscow.
Pleshcheev (1825-1893) was a poet, critic, and senior editor at the journal Severny vestnik ("The Northern Herald"), a close literary confidant of Chekhov’s in this period and a frequent correspondent. This letter apologizes for a long silence, then moves through a run of characteristic topics: Chekhov’s play "The Wood Demon" (Leshii), gossip about the fate of Severny vestnik, a wish to visit St. Petersburg, family news (a long visit from Natasha Lintvareva), theater gossip about a Daudet adaptation, praise of the young Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, a remark on his own accumulating story ideas, an inquiry about Pleshcheev’s health (an influenza was going around), and closing greetings from the Chekhov household at their Luka estate.
Chekhov opens with a mock-Church-Slavonic flourish apologizing for idleness (a comic paraphrase of a Lenten prayer of repentance – see note below). He declines Pleshcheev’s offer to publish "The Wood Demon" in Severny vestnik before it has been staged and revised through rehearsal, worried it would look like editorial favoritism toward him. He dismisses a rumor that the journal is about to pass to Vladimir Chuiko and affirms solidarity ("we shall hold on"). He expresses a wish to visit Petersburg incognito to avoid a "million visits." He reports a joyful three-week visit from Natasha Lintvareva (daughter of the Lintvarev family, near whose estate at Luka the Chekhovs summered). He asks about Pleshcheev’s translation/staging of a Daudet play at Abramova’s theater and notes it is also playing at two other Moscow theaters (Goreva’s and Korsh’s). He speaks warmly and a little paternally of the young Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, predicting he will become a real playwright. He notes he has a backlog of story ideas. He asks after Pleshcheev’s health given a going-round influenza. He closes with family greetings, including a bow to Elena Alekseevna (Pleshcheeva) from his sister, and warm closing sentiments.