Tint TOLSTOY CELEBRATION. [TO THE EDITOR Or THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—It
appears to be certain that Count Tolstoy, while desiring to hold completely aloof from all responsibility for the celebration of his eightieth birthday on August 28th, is yet not displeased at the idea of an appreciative and sympathetic recognition of his labours by those who have been consistently his friends in England. This Committee therefore will now proceed to carry out the scheme which has already been laid before the public. They propose (1) to prepare an address of congratulation to be signed by all persons who are in sympathy with Count Tolstoy ; and (2) to publish and distribute as widely as possible a cheap edition of his writings in English (since this, it is understood, would please him more than anything else). The latter involves the translating of a number of his works still untranslated, buying the copyright of certain translations which do not
belong to him, and securing a publisher against loss involved in publishing a popular edition. • The edition should be worthy of Tolstoy and his English admirers. We feel sure that Tolstoy's English readers and disciples recognise his unique position, and will join us in carrying out these objects in a manner suitable to so exceptional an occasion. The address will lie for signature on or after June 15th at 14 St. James's Square, S.W. ; Messrs. Williams and Norgate's, 14 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden ; Mr. A. C. Fifield's, 44 Fleet Street, E.C. Cheques or postal orders may be sent to Messrs. Barclay and Co., 1 Pall Nall East, payable to " Tolstoy Fund," or to the Hon. Secretary, 14 St. James's Square, S.W.—I am, Hon. Secretary : C. Hagberg Wright, 14 St. James's Square, London, S.W.
The Committee is as follows :—Hon. Maurice Baring, J. M. Barrie, Esq., John Galsworthy, Esq., Mrs. Garnett, Thomas Hardy, Esq., Maurice Hewlett, Esq., Laurence Irving, Esq., Henry James, Esq., The Earl of Lytton, Aylmer Maude, Esq., George Meredith, Esq., 0.M., Prof. Gilbert Murray, H. W. Nevinson, Esq., The Lord Redesdale, G.C.V.O., G. Bernard Shaw, Esq., Alfred Sutro, Esq., Professor P. Vinogradoff, Sir Donald Wallace, K.C.I.E., H. G. Wells, Esq., The Lord VVeardale.
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