Briggs: Moscow. Rostopchin's broadsheets. Pierre hears of Marya's arrival.
Maude: Moscow after the Emperor's visit. Rostopchin's broadsheets. Julie's farewell soiree. Forfeits for speaking French. Pierre hears of Princess Mary's arrival in Moscow
Pevear and Volokhonsky: Moscow as the French approach. Rastopchin's posters. Julie's farewell soiree.
Translation:
XVII.
After the departure of the sovereign from Moscow, Moscow life flowed in the same ordinary order, and during this, life was so usual that it was difficult to remember about the former other day patriotic delight and hobbies, and it was difficult to believe that really Russia was in danger and that the members of the English club were cruxed together with those sons of the fatherland, ready for them to all be victims. Only what reminded about the former time of the stay of the sovereign in Moscow was the overall enthusiastic patriotic mood, was the demand for donations of people and money which, as soon they were made, donned on a lawful, official uniform and it seemed inevitable.
With the approach of the enemy to Moscow, the look of the Muscovites in their position not only was not made more serious, but oppositely more frivolous, as this always is with people that see approaching big danger. At the approaching dangers, always two voices equally strongly speak in the soul of a human: one quite reasonably speaks about so that the person thinks over the very property of dangers and means for deliverance from it; another still more reasonably speaks that it is too heavy and painful to think about dangers, so how to foresee all and to save from the common passage of affairs is not in the authorities of a human, and because it is better to turn away from the heavy, since while it is not advanced, and to think about the pleasant. In one person the most part gives back the first voice, in society the opposite — the second. So it was now with the inhabitants of Moscow. For a long time there was not such fun in Moscow, as this year.
Rastopchin posters with the image of a drinking at home, kissing man and Moscow tradesman Karpushka Chigirin, which, being in the warriors and drinking in excess hook to a poke, heard, as if Bonaparte wanted to go into Moscow, angered, scolded bad words at all the French, got out from drinking at home and began talking under the brave gathered people, read and discussed on par with the last rhyming game of Vasiliy Lvovich Pushkin.
In the club, in the corner of the room, went on readings of these posters, and some liked how Karpushka teased above the French, saying that they from cabbage will swell, from porridge will be shoveled, from cabbage soup will be suffocated, that they are all dwarfs, and that only three women with pitchforks alone will throw them. Some did not approve of this tone and said that this was gone and stupid. Was told about how the French and even all foreigners Rastopchin sent from Moscow, that between them were spies and agents of Napoleon; but this was told predominantly so that in this case to deliver witty words, said Rastopchin in his dispatch. Foreigners were sent to the barge in the lower, and Rastopchin said to them: They enter themselves, and in this boat try so that this boat is not made for you the boat of Charon.652 It was told that now deported from Moscow all public places and here again added the thing of Shinshin that for this alone Moscow should be grateful for Napoleon. It was told that Mamonov’s regiment will stand at 800 thousand, that Bezuhov stood at still in his warriors, but that better only in the act of Bezuhov is that he himself dressed in uniform and rode on horseback before the regiment and will not take for the places with those that will look at him.
— You do not have mercy for anyone, — said Juli Drubetskaya, collecting and clutching a bunch of plucked lint in her thin fingers, covered with rings.
Juli was going on the next day to leave from Moscow and was made a farewell evening.
— Bezuhov is ridiculous,653 but he is so nice, so dear. What is behind the pleasure to be so spiteful?654
— Fine! — said a young person in a militia uniform, whom Juli called: "my knight,"655 and whom with her together rode in the lower.
In the society of Juli, as in many societies of Moscow, it was laid to speak only in Russian, and those whom were mistaken, saying French words, paid a fine in favor of the committee donation.
— Another fine for gallicism, — said a Russian writer, arriving in the living room. —"A pleasure to be" — is not Russian.
— You do not have mercy for anyone, — continued Juli to the militiaman, not turning attention to the comment of the writer. For caustique (spiteful) I am to blame, — she said, — and will pay, and for the pleasure to tell you the truth I am ready to pay more; for gallicisms I will not answer, — she turned to the writer: — In me is no money, or time, as Prince Golitsin, to take a teacher and learn Russian. Ah, here and he, — said Juli.— When...656... No, no, — she turned to the militiaman, — do not catch it. When speaking about the sun — you see his rays, — said the hostess, kindly smiling at Pierre. — We only spoke about you, — with a peculiar societal woman's freedom to lie, said Juli. — We said that your regiment rightly will be better than Mamonov’s.
— Ah, do not speak to me about my regiment, — was the response of Pierre, kissing the hand of the mistress and sitting down beside her. — It has me so bothered!
— Because you rightly will command them yourself? — said Juli, slyly and mockingly exchanging glances with the militiaman.
The militiaman in the presence of Pierre was now not so mocking,657 and on his face expressed perplexity to what was meant by the smile of Juli. Despite his distraction and good nature, the personality of Pierre stopped immediately again all sorts of attempts at mockery in his presence.
— No, — laughing was the response of Pierre, looking around his great, thick body. — I am too easy to get for the French, yes and I am afraid that I will not climb on a horse...
In the number of the enumerated persons for the subject of conversation in the society of Juli was the horror of the Rostovs.
— Very, they say, bad are their affairs, — said Juli. — And he is so stupid — the count himself. Razumovksy would like to buy his house near Moscow, and all those stretches. It is treasured.
— No, it seems the other day took place a sale, — said someone. — Although now it is crazy to buy something in Moscow.
— From what? — said Juli. — Is it really that you think there is danger for Moscow?
— From what again do you ride?
— I? Here it is weird. I am going, because... well because of how all ride, and then I am not Joan D’arc and not an Amazon.
— Well, yes, yes, give me more rags.
— Should he be able to be lucky in affairs, he may pay all his debts, — continued the militiamen about Rostov.
— Kind old man, but very bad.658 And for what do they live so long? They for a long time would like to go to the village. Natalie, it seems, is healthy now? — with a sly smile asked Juli to Pierre.
— They wait for the younger son, — said Pierre. — He entered in the Cossacks of Obolensky and went to White Church. There is formed a regiment. But now they transferred him to my regiment and wait every day. The count for a long time wanted to go, but the countess for that does not agree to leave from Moscow, while the son does not come.
— I saw them three days at the Arharovs. Natalie again has become prettier and cheered up. She sang one romance. How all easily passes in some people!
— What passes? — displeased, asked Pierre. Juli smiled.
— You know, count, that such a knight as you, are only in the novels of madam Syuza.659
— What knight? From what? — blushing ask Pierre.
— Well, completely, sweet count, this all Moscow knows. Right, I am surprised by you.660
— Fine! Fine! — said the militiaman.
— Well, okay. It cannot be to speak, how boring!
— What knows all Moscow?661 — angrily getting up said Pierre.
— Completely, count. You know!
— I know nothing, — said Pierre.
— I know that you were friendly with Natalie, and because... no, I am always friendlier with Vera. This pretty Vera!662
— No, madam,663 — continued Pierre in a dissatisfied tone. — I quite not take on myself the role of knight for the Rostovs, and I now for almost a month have not been at them. Yet I do not understand cruelty...
— Who excuses, then I blame myself,664 — smiling and waving the lint, said Juli, and, so that for her left the latter word, now again changed conversation. — What is, I now recognize: poor Marie Bolkonskaya arrived yesterday in Moscow. You have heard, she lost her father?
— Is it really! Where is she? I would very much desire to see her, — said Pierre.
— I yesterday held with her an evening. She now tomorrow morning rides to near Moscow with her nephew.
— Well what is she, and how? — said Pierre.
— Nothing, sad. But do you know who saved her? This is a whole novel. Nicolas Rostov. She was surrounded, and would like to be killed, wounded by her people. He rushed and saved her...
— More novel, — said the militiaman. — Resolutely, this common escape was done so that all old brides go to get married. Catiche one, Princess Bolkonskaya another.
— You know that I in the very case think that she a little fell in love with the young person.665
— Fine! Fine! Fine!
— Yet how again do you say this in Russian?..
652 "Rentrez en vous même, entrez dans la barque et n'en faites pas une barque de Charon. ("Get inside yourself, get in the boat and don't make it a Charon boat.)
653 est ridicule, (is ridiculous,)
654 caustique (caustic)
655 mon chevalier (my knight)
656 Quand on (When we)
657 caustique (caustic)
658 pauvre sire. (poor sir.)
659 Madame Suza. (Madame Suza.)
660 c'est la fable de tout Moscou. Je vous admire, ma parole d’honneur. (is the fable of all Moscow. I admire you, my word of honor.)
661 Qu’est ce qui est la fable de tout Moscou? (What is the fable of all Moscow?)
662 Cette chère Véra! (That dear Vera!)
663 Non, madame, (No, ma'am,)
664 Qui s’excuse — s’accuse, (Who excuses - accuses,)
665 un petit peu amoureuse du jeune homme. (a little bit in love with the young man.)
Mentioned: the following day, few days, the other day, last evening
Locations: Moscow (also Muscovites and Moscou in the French)
Mentioned: Russia, English club, French, Nizhni-Novgorod, the Rostovs house and suburban estate, Byelaya Tserkov (Belaya Tserkov in Maude, Briggs, and Pevear and Volokhonsky.)
Pevear and Volokhonsky Notes: "Moscow life flowed on in its former, habitual way, and the course of that life was so habitual that it was hard to remember the recent days of patriotic rapture and enthusiasm, and it was had to believe that Russia was actually in danger".
The reason for this is that the people of Moscow have unconsciously decided collectively that it is better not to think of the danger. Evidently Pierre has decided to ride out with his militia, but we follow Julie's farewell soiree in which they have decided to speak Russian and fine those for who speak French (and this provides most of the comedy in the chapter).
Count Rostov is attempting to sell his Moscow property but is asking too much for it. Julie torments Pierre for his closeness to Natasha. Revealingly, Julie reveals that she has always been closer to Vera than Natasha.
Characters (characters who do not appear, but are mentioned are placed in italics. First appearances are in Bold. First mentions are underlined. Final appearance denoted by *):
Alexander ("sovereign")
Rostopchin
Vasili Lvovitch Pushkin (see Bromfield in post on Chapter 143. "...Lvovich..." in Wiener, Edmonds, and Maude. "Vassily Lvovitch Pushkin" in Garnett. "Vasily Lvovich Pushkin" in Dunnigan. Only "Pouschkine" in Bell.)
Karpushka Chigirin (in Rostopchin's placards.)
Napoleon Bonaparte
Shinshin (Bell has Julie speaking to Shinshin for some reason.)
Mamonof
Pierre Bezukhoi
Julie Drubetskaya
A young man, in a militia-uniform (whom Julie called "Mon chevalier". Bell translates this as "My knight".)
Prince Golitsuin
Razumovskys
Count Rostof
Natasha ("Nathalie" and "Mlle. Rostova".)
Petya ("youngest son")
Countess Rostova ("countess")
Obolyensky
Viera (Dole uses "Vera" in the French.)
Princess Mariya ("Marie Bolkonskaya")
Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky ("father")
Nikolushka ("little nephew")
Nikolai ("Nicolas Rostof")
Catiche (assumedly one of the princesses from Book 1 Part 1 related to Pierre.)
Abridged Versions: Start of Chapter 20 in Bell with no break at the end.
Gibian: Chapter 17.
Fuller: Entire chapter is cut.
Komroff: The introduction about the mood of Moscow is shortened to just two sentences, moving to Rastoptchin's posters much quicker. the basic information about this is kept, though the Pushkin reference is removed. However, the Julie and Pierre portion of the chapter is basically preserved.
Kropotkin: Chapter 13: Chapter is preserved.
Bromfield: The information in this chapter is chapter 10. Chapter 8 follows de Beausset and Fabvier at Napoleon's headquarters with him. A general warns Napoleon to stop and spend the winter in Smolensk, but "fate had evidently decided otherwise" as Napoleon uses the good weather as an excuse to continue their march on. We then have the episode of the King of Rome painting. Napoleon then rides out to field of Borodino and listens to his generals and advisers opinions. Chapter 9 is the Shevardino redoubt in which ten thousand people die on the 24th and the 26th is the battle of Borodino "which historians call a great event" with both sides declaring themselves winners. "But to us, the generations who have followed after these events, it all seems just as sad an event as a single murder, and more interesting only to the extent that eighty thousand murders committed in a single day at a single spot are more interesting than one"
"The actions taken by Napoleon and Kutuzov at the Battle of Borodino were involuntary and meaningless. Why, in the first place, was battle given at Borodino? It did not make sense for either the French or the Russians."
This makes the move into chapter 10, which mirrors this chapter (other than the focus is on Pierre and we don't get the conversations about Natasha and Marya), seem really jarring.
Simmons: Chapter 17: entire chapter is cut and replaced with "After the patriotic excitement of the Emperor's visit to Moscow, life flows on as usual there. It even grows frivolous with the enemy's approach to the city. Julie Drubetskoya, Boris' wife, twits Pierre on becoming Natasha's knight; he is offended at the gossip. Julie also tells him of Princess Mary's arrival in Moscow and of her rescue by Nicholas Rostov."
Additional Notes:
Dole: "Vasili Lvovitch Pushkin, the uncle of the poet Aleksandr Sergyeyevitch Pushkin, was born at Moscow in April, 1770; served in the body guard in the Izmailovsky regiment till 1797; began to contribute to the Petersburg "Mercury," 1793; wrote an immense number of episteld, elegies, fables, epigrams, madrigals, etc. The war of 1812 sent him to Nizhni Novgorod, where he remained till 1815. He died September 1, 1830, about seven years before his more famous namesake was killed. His best known work...A Dangerous Neighbor has been thrice republished...."
Maude: "Adelaide Filleul Souza-Bothelho (1761-1836), author of the long-forgotten novel Adele de Senange, whose works were popular in Russia because she was the wife of the Portuguese ambassador."
Rey/Emanuel: Page 231: "In March 1812, wanting to win over anti-French opinion, Alexander named Count Rostopchin governor-general of Moscow: as we have seen, he was close to Catherine Pavlovna and had written virulent pamphlets against the French, so his appointment appeared highly symbolic."
Mikaberidze: Page 28: “as Catherine II lay on her deathbed in November 1796, Rostopchin was among those few who could be confident about the future. Indeed, his career took off under Emperor Paul, who appreciated the young man’s commitment and keen wit...Emperor Alexander I, disliked Rostopchin...effectively turning himself into an unofficial mouthpiece of the anti-French traditionalist party that gradually gained prominence in the upper circles of Russian society. Among its more vocal members was Grand Duchess Catherine Pavlovna, Emperor Alexander’s beloved sister, who had declined a marriage proposal from Napoleon and instead married a Gerrman princeling, George of Oldenburg.”
Page 29: “In the spring of 1812 Emperor Alexander granted his sister’s wish and appointed Rostopchin military governor of Moscow...In late July Rostopchin received even greater authority when Alexander appointed him commander-in-chief of Moscow….A clever man, skilful courtier, wit and cynic, he proved an able administrator and sought to restore the order that had waned under his predecessor’s lax governing...He demanded tighter supervision of the city to put an end to ‘debauchery, drunkenness, (and) outrages of various kinds’...At the same time, eager to ingratiate himself with influential Muscovites, Rostopchin presided over a seemingly unending series of balls, banquets, dinners and other parties, causing some to remark that the 1812 season was the most brilliant people had known in a long time.”
Bila Tserkva is about 86 kilometers south of Kyiv.
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