Page:The Spirit of Russia by T G Masaryk, volume 2.pdf/69

Rh was revolutionary in tone. His introduction to the practical revolutionary movement was by way of literature.

My final judgment is that by his participation in the revolution Černyševskii furnished a stimulating example to the radical generation of his day. Upon many, doubtless, his arrest and exile exercised an inhibitive and sobering influence; but conversely, energetic men were by his fate rendered more hostile to absolutism, and the revolutionary movement was thereby strengthened and accelerated. It is futile to enquire whether Černyševskii, even in exile, might not have written more and better. He was a fighter, and fell in battle without a word of complaint, and perhaps without a thought of repentance.

In 1874 the government attempted to induce Černyševskii to sue for pardon, but he rejected the suggestion with manly pride, and in the most decisive terms.

MUST now say a few words concerning Černyševskii in Siberia. Since his literary activities before the days of his exile endured for barely half the number of years that he spent in Siberia, it will be interesting to consider his thoughts and his writings during banishment. This has been rendered possible by a report published in 1910 by Rusanov (Kudrin), a specialist upon Russian socialism in general and Černyševskii's work in particular, dealing with the latter's Siberian correspondence. We still await the publication of the actual letters, and there is other material that has yet to see the light—Černyševskii's diary, and his letters written before he was sent to Siberia.

My own views concerning Černyševskii were formed from my knowledge of the writings of the earlier phase, and I had hardly expected that these views would be confirmed as fully as they have been confirmed by the information that has now become available concerning Černyševskii's philosophical and literary occupations in Siberia.