Russian Memories

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Russian Memories by Olga Alekseevna Novikova, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Olga Alekseevna Novikova ISBN: 9781465626110
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Olga Alekseevna Novikova
ISBN: 9781465626110
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English

It is perhaps a little superfluous for one of my years to write an introduction for one so well known and so much esteemed and admired as Madame Novikoff. And yet it may seem just, if it does not seem vain, that a full-hearted tribute should come to her from this generation which profits by the result of her life and her work—the great new friendship between England and Russia. She is one of the most interesting women in European diplomatic circles. She is a picturesque personality, but more than that she is one who has really done a great deal in her life. You cannot say of her, as of so many brilliant women, "She was born, she was admired, she passed!" Destiny used her to accomplish great ends. For many in our society life, she stood for Russia, was Russia. For the poor people of England Russia was represented by the filth of the Ghetto and the crimes of the so-called "political" refugees; for the middle classes who read Seton Merriman, Russia was a fantastic country of revolutionaries and bloodthirsty police; but fortunately the ruling and upper classes always have had some better vision, they have had the means of travel, they have seen real representative Russians in their midst. "They are barbarians, these Russians!" says someone to his friend. But the friend turns a deaf ear. "I happen to know one of them," says he. A beautiful and clever woman always charms, whatever her nationality may be, and it is possible for her to make conquests that predicate nothing of the nation to which she belongs. That is true, and therein lay the true grace and genius of Madame Novikoff. She was not merely a clever and charming woman, she was Russia herself. Russia lent her charm. Thus her friends were drawn from serious and vital England. Gladstone learned from her what Russia was. The great Liberal, the man who, whatever his virtues, and despite his high religious fervour, yet committed Liberalism to anti-clericalism and secularism, learned from her to pronounce the phrase, "Holy Russia." He esteemed her. With his whole spiritual nature he exalted her. She was his Beatrice, and to her more than to anyone in his life he brought flowers. Morley has somehow omitted this in his biography of Gladstone. Like so many intellectual Radicals he is afraid of idealism. But in truth the key to the more beautiful side of Gladstone's character might have been found in his relationship to Madame Novikoff. And possibly that friendship laid the real foundation of the understanding between the two nations.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

It is perhaps a little superfluous for one of my years to write an introduction for one so well known and so much esteemed and admired as Madame Novikoff. And yet it may seem just, if it does not seem vain, that a full-hearted tribute should come to her from this generation which profits by the result of her life and her work—the great new friendship between England and Russia. She is one of the most interesting women in European diplomatic circles. She is a picturesque personality, but more than that she is one who has really done a great deal in her life. You cannot say of her, as of so many brilliant women, "She was born, she was admired, she passed!" Destiny used her to accomplish great ends. For many in our society life, she stood for Russia, was Russia. For the poor people of England Russia was represented by the filth of the Ghetto and the crimes of the so-called "political" refugees; for the middle classes who read Seton Merriman, Russia was a fantastic country of revolutionaries and bloodthirsty police; but fortunately the ruling and upper classes always have had some better vision, they have had the means of travel, they have seen real representative Russians in their midst. "They are barbarians, these Russians!" says someone to his friend. But the friend turns a deaf ear. "I happen to know one of them," says he. A beautiful and clever woman always charms, whatever her nationality may be, and it is possible for her to make conquests that predicate nothing of the nation to which she belongs. That is true, and therein lay the true grace and genius of Madame Novikoff. She was not merely a clever and charming woman, she was Russia herself. Russia lent her charm. Thus her friends were drawn from serious and vital England. Gladstone learned from her what Russia was. The great Liberal, the man who, whatever his virtues, and despite his high religious fervour, yet committed Liberalism to anti-clericalism and secularism, learned from her to pronounce the phrase, "Holy Russia." He esteemed her. With his whole spiritual nature he exalted her. She was his Beatrice, and to her more than to anyone in his life he brought flowers. Morley has somehow omitted this in his biography of Gladstone. Like so many intellectual Radicals he is afraid of idealism. But in truth the key to the more beautiful side of Gladstone's character might have been found in his relationship to Madame Novikoff. And possibly that friendship laid the real foundation of the understanding between the two nations.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book For Love of Country: A Story of Land and Sea in the Days of the Revolution by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book The New World of Islam by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book The Early Life and Adventures of Sylvia Scarlett by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book Pictorial Photography in America 1922 by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book Six Centuries of Painting by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book Early Australian Voyages: Pelsart, Tasman, Dampier by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book The Adventures of a Dog and a Good Dog Too by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book The Whirling Ecstasy by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book From Farm House to the White House: The Life of George Washington, His Boyhood, Youth, Manhood Public and Private Life and Services by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book Life and Lillian Gish by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book D. Antonio Alves Martins: Bispo De Vizeu: Esboço Biographico by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book Equatorial America: Descriptive of a Visit to St. Thomas, Martinique, Barbadoes and the Principal Capitals of South America by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book Frédérique (Complete) by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. Luke by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
Cover of the book Life in London Or, the Pitfalls of a Great City by Olga Alekseevna Novikova
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy