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the beginning of 1860 Tolstoy was very much alarmed by the failing health of his elder brother Nicolas. The doctors suspected consumption, and advised him to go for a cure at Soden, where he went next summer, accompanied by his brother Sergius. His illness caused great anxiety to many friends, Fet and Turgenef amongst them, who were attached to Nicolas and held him in high esteem. Turgenef wrote:

“Your news about the illness of Nicolas Tolstoy has deeply grieved me. Is it possible that this dear and lovable man must perish? And how did it happen that this illness was allowed to develop? Can he not overcome his indolence and go abroad for a cure? Was he not travelling in the Caucasus by coach, and the devil knows in what other ways? Let him come to Soden! One meets here, at every step, consumptives. It seems that the waters of Soden are the best cure for such illness. I am writing to you from two thousand