I've come back to Moscow. Mayakovsky arrived from Pertrograd and was staying in Stoleshnikov lane. In the morning, I went to visit him at the hotel. He was getting up, and while dressing, read me the new “War and Peace.” I did not share my opinion on it.
He read it in my eyes. Besides, he was aware of the effect he had on me. I started talking about futurism and said that it would have been great if he openly sent it all to hell. Laughing, he almost agreed with me.
Many in musical circles are saying it’s time we got rid of “Lord, save the Tsar” and came up with a new national anthem. Personally, I think that we could no better than with Glinka’s “Glory”, only with new words of course. What could be more inspiring and noble? See more
With all my heart I welcome the revolution. I celebrate the overthrow of the Romanovs. They, of course, were leading Russia to the cliff edge. There can be no two ways about this. And then I went to the cafe “PrivalCafe "Prival komediantov", the gathering place of pre-revolutionary intelligence and poets in St. Petersburg.”. It was empty, sleepy and boring. The place was almost unoccupied save for a few Jews. And suddenly I became painfully sorry for the fate of our “Empire”.
While it may be conceded that the class struggle is necessary, it can never be said to be a Christian truth or religious good. Christianity sees a higher truth in the giving away of one’s riches to one’s neighbours, but never in the taking of one’s neighbours riches. See more
One of the regiments of the 4th rifle division skillfully, with love, and with great effort built a camp church by our positions. First weeks of the revolution… The demagogue lieutenant decided that his squadron was housed badly and that the church is a superstition. He installed his squadron there without permission, and by the altar dug a small ditch for… See more
Honor and glory to the Russian people. The sun of freedom is shining over Russia and has immediately illuminated the deep bed of the lake—the genius of the Russian people. And this genius tells us of generosity towards the past and of able energy in the future.
I have never before been among the aristocracy. The February Revolution destroyed all class divisions.
The Ambassador of the United States, my dear Francis (but not a diplomat), certainly wanted America to recognise the first Russian coup. And I willingly joined him in a small conspiracy. Francis was received by the government in a solemn audience.
The enthusiastic girl, looking with curiosity around her, pinned the young soldier to the shop door: “Well, comrade, how was the revolution received at the war front? Tell us about it. After all, you just arrived today.” The soldier is embarrassed and he says quietly: “We were very happy. Immediately all the salo was eaten.” The girl is perplexed.
When this was over and the groups broke up and mingled, I attacked General Manikovski, who was acting for M. Guchkov as Minister of War. I said that these were merely diplomatic words, but what of the situation at Dvinsk, where Keilson had told me that the men were streaming back from the trenches with the officers powerless to control. I said the same thing to M. Kerenski. See more
When the Empress sent for me on the morning of March 10th, I found her lying on the couch in her boudoir. The Emperor was with her; she motioned me to come and sit beside her, and the Emperor talked to us. He first described an incident which had impressed him most strongly that very morning. See more
Quickly and happily we arrived at Tsarskoe Selo at 11:30. Good Lord, what a difference in the streets and the palace surroundings, within the park were sentries, and on the porch such insolence! I went upstairs and there 124 I saw dear Alix and our dear children. She appeared well and healthy. See more