Letter to Maria Alexandrovna Ulyanova and Mark Yelizarov, March 1, 1898

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March 1, 1898

I am still waiting for news, Mother dearest, of Mitya’s release, but it is a long time coming.

I am quite well and life goes on as usual. Even winter at last seems to be coming to an end. We have got very tired of it here. Today and yesterday there has been real spring weather.

I am enclosing a letter for N.K. in case she has not yet left, and a business letter for Mark on the other side of the paper.

Yours,

V. U.

Mark,

I have received some information that compels me to change my original plan to publish the book in Moscow. The writer informs me that censorship conditions in Moscow are impossible. Bulgakov’s book (about markets) was held up for a year by the censors! That is something quite unbelievable! If that is the case we cannot even think of Moscow; we must turn all our attention to St. Petersburg. The writer has every chance of publishing it at the moment but he wants to delay it till autumn (wrongly, in my opinion). As regards financing the edition, I think we can raise “an internal loan” from Mother, because the book will certainly pay for itself.

This information has put me so much off my balance that I have nothing to propose. You will probably be seeing N.K.; talk to her about it and come to a decision. To make a “decision” from here means writing, writing, writing, and all for nothing, without knowing anything, depending on guesswork, etc.

Yours,

V. U.

I hope you have not had any more unnecessary trouble over this unfortunate business. (N.K. writes that she has not sent the manuscripts.) Awaiting your answer.