Война и мир

Chapter 10

           

           OfthethreepreceptsofFreemasonryPierrerealizedthathedidnotfulfilltheonewhichenjoinedeveryMasontosetanexampleofmorallife,andthatofthesevenvirtueshelackedtwo—moralityandtheloveofdeath.Heconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtthathefulfilledanotheroftheprecepts—thatofreformingthehumanrace—andhadothervirtues—loveofhisneighbor,andespeciallygenerosity.

           Inthespringof1807hedecidedtoreturntoPetersburg.OnthewayheintendedtovisitallhisestatesandseeforhimselfhowfarhisordershadbeencarriedoutandinwhatstateweretheserfswhomGodhadentrustedtohiscareandwhomheintendedtobenefit.

           Thechiefsteward,whoconsideredtheyoungcount’sattemptsalmostinsane—unprofitabletohimself,tothecount,andtotheserfs—madesomeconcessions.Continuingtorepresenttheliberationoftheserfsasimpracticable,hearrangedfortheerectionoflargebuildings—schools,hospitals,andasylums—onalltheestatesbeforethemasterarrived.Everywherepreparationsweremadenotforceremoniouswelcomes(whichheknewPierrewouldnotlike),butforjustsuchgratefullyreligiousones,withofferingsoficonsandthebreadandsaltofhospitality,as,accordingtohisunderstandingofhismaster,wouldtouchanddeludehim.

           Thesouthernspring,thecomfortablerapidtravelinginaViennacarriage,andthesolitudeoftheroad,allhadagladdeningeffectonPierre.Theestateshehadnotbeforevisitedwereeachmorepicturesquethantheother;theserfseverywhereseemedthrivingandtouchinglygratefulforthebenefitsconferredonthem.

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