liveries, and lackeys, was a hundred-fold greater than all that these
ladies could earn; not to mention the outlay, the trip hither of all
these ladies and gentlemen; the gloves, linen, extra time, the
candles, the tea, the sugar, and the cakes had cost the hostess a
hundred times more than what they were engaged in making here. I saw
all this, and therefore I could understand, that precisely here I
should find no sympathy with my mission: but I had come in order to
make my proposition, and, difficult as this was for me, I said what I
intended. (I said very nearly the same thing that is contained in my
printed article.)

Out of all the persons there present, one individual offered me
money, saying that she did not feel equal to going among the poor
herself on account of her sensibility, but that she would give money;
how much money she would give, and when, she did not say. Another
individual and a young man offered their services in going about
among the poor, but I did not avail myself of their offer. The
principal person to whom I appealed, told me that it would be
impossible to do much because means were lacking. Means were lacking
because all the rich people in Moscow were already on the lists, and
all of them were asked for all that they could possibly give; because
on all these benefactors rank, medals, and other dignities were
bestowed; because in order to secure financial success, some new
dignities must be secured from the authorities, and that this was the
only practical means, but this was extremely difficult.

On my return home that night, I lay down to sleep not only with a
presentment that my idea would come to nothing, but with shame and a
consciousness that all day long I had been engaged in a very
repulsive and disgraceful business. But I did not give up this