* This letter was written to a near relation, belonging to the upper class of Russian society, in which the children are generally sent to the high schools (gymnasia), where they are crammed with much knowledge, chiefly in order to pass examinations and to obtain certain privileges (e.g. diminution of military service). The ‘X.’ mentioned is the husband of the lady addressed. [A. M.]
† This is meant to be taken comparatively and not absolutely. Elsewhere Tolstoy has expressed the opinion that a child may reasonably do lessons for eight hours a day; though he should not be compelled to learn what he does not wish to learn. [A. M.]