Letter to Maria Alexandrovna Ulyanova, June 8, 1895

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Paris, 8 juin 95

I received your letter just before I left for Paris. It is a pity things turned out so badly over Mitya’s illness; I don’t understand how they can refuse to postpone his examination if he has a doctor’s certificate to the effect that he has been ill. Why doesn’t he want to take the matter further? Why should he lose a year?

Manyasha is probably finishing or has finished her examinations by now. She ought to have a good rest this summer.

I am only just beginning to look round me a bit in Paris; it is a huge city, spread out a good deal, so that the suburbs (where I spend most of my time) give you no idea of the centre. It makes a very pleasant impression—broad, light streets, many boulevards, and lots of greenery; the people are quite unrestrained in their manners—at first it comes as rather a surprise after one had been accustomed to the sedateness and primness of St. Petersburg.

I shall have to spend several weeks here to see it properly.

Lodgings here are very cheap; for instance, 30 to 35 francs a month for two rooms and a kitchen, 6 to 10 francs a week for a furnished room—so I hope to get fixed up without spending too much.

Regards to all,

Yours,

V. Ulyanov

Are you satisfied with your place in the country?