No More Learning

" They were,
however, drawing rapidly to a close. Unrivalled distinction rarely
fails to arouse bitter animosity amongst the envious, and Pushkin's
existence had latterly been embittered by groundless insinuations
against his wife's reputation in the shape of anonymous letters
addressed to himself and couched in very insulting language. He
fancied he had traced them to one Georges d'Anthes, a Frenchman
in the Cavalier Guard, who had been adopted by the Dutch envoy
Heeckeren. D'Anthes, though he had espoused Madame Pushkin's
sister, had conducted himself with impropriety towards the former
lady. The poet displayed in this affair a fierce hostility quite
characteristic of his African origin but which drove him to his
destruction. D'Anthes, it was subsequently admitted, was not the
author of the anonymous letters; but as usual when a duel is
proposed, an appeal to reason was thought to smack of cowardice.
The encounter took place in February 1837 on one of the islands of
the Neva. The weapons used were pistols, and the combat was of a
determined, nay ferocious character. Pushkin was shot before he
had time to fire, and, in his fall, the barrel of his pistol
became clogged with snow which lay deep upon the ground at the
time. Raising himself on his elbow, the wounded man called for
another pistol, crying, "I've strength left to fire my shot! " He
fired, and slightly wounded his opponent, shouting "Bravo! " when
he heard him exclaim that he was hit. D'Anthes was, however, but
slightly contused whilst Pushkin was shot through the abdomen. He
was transported to his residence and expired after several days
passed in extreme agony. Thus perished in the thirty-eighth year of
his age this distinguished poet, in a manner and amid surroundings
which make the duel scene in the sixth canto of this poem seem
almost prophetic.
His reflections on the premature death of Lenski
appear indeed strangely applicable to his own fate, as generally
to the premature extinction of genius.

Pushkin was endowed with a powerful physical organisation. He was
fond of long walks, unlike the generality of his countrymen, and
at one time of his career used daily to foot it into St. Petersburg
and back, from his residence in the suburbs, to conduct his
investigations in the Government archives when employed on the
History of Peter the Great. He was a good swordsman, rode well,
and at one time aspired to enter the cavalry; but his father not
being able to furnish the necessary funds he declined serving in
the less romantic infantry. Latterly he was regular in his habits;
rose early, retired late, and managed to get along with but very
little sleep. On rising he betook himself forthwith to his literary
occupations, which were continued till afternoon, when they gave
place to physical exercise. Strange as it will appear to many, he
preferred the autumn months, especially when rainy, chill and
misty, for the production of his literary compositions, and was
proportionally depressed by the approach of spring. (Cf. Canto
VII st. ii. )

Mournful is thine approach to me,
O Spring, thou chosen time of love

He usually left St. Petersburg about the middle of September and
remained in the country till December. In this space of time it was
his custom to develop and perfect the inspirations of the
remaining portion of the year. He was of an impetuous yet
affectionate nature and much beloved by a numerous circle of
friends. An attractive feature in his character was his unalterable
attachment to his aged nurse, a sentiment which we find reflected
in the pages of _Eugene Oneguine_ and elsewhere.