To A. I. Urusov, 6 February 1891. Moscow.
А. И. УРУСОВУ, 6 февраля 1891 г. Москва.
Headnote
A brief, playful cover note to Prince Alexander Ivanovich Urusov (1843-1900), the prominent Moscow lawyer and theater/literary critic whom Chekhov had met socially in Suvorin’s circle the previous year. This appears to be Chekhov’s first surviving direct letter to Urusov. It accompanies a "heavy, unwieldy parcel" – ironically dubbed "the brainchild of philanthropy" – already discussed between them in person; Chekhov gives no further detail on its contents. The note is addressed to Urusov’s own house in Nikolsky Lane, off the Arbat.
6 February 1891. Moscow.
6 февраля 1891 г. Москва.
6 February.
6 февраль.
I am sending you, dear Alexander Ivanovich, philanthropy’s own brainchild – a heavy, unwieldy parcel, the one I spoke of. A safe journey to it!
Посылаю Вам, уважаемый Александр Иванович, исчадие филантропии – тяжелый и громоздкий пакет, о котором говорил. Счастливого пути!
Yours, A. Chekhov.
Ваш А. Чехов.
On the envelope:
На конверте:
his own house
собственный дом