To P. Jurgenson.
“Kamenka, May 7th (19th), 1881.
“As my sister is ill and has gone away with her husband, I am playing the part of the head of the family and spend most of my time with the children. This would be a nuisance if I did not care for them as though they were my own.... I have no inclination to compose. I wish you would commission something. Is there really nothing you want? Some external impulse might perhaps reawaken my suspended activity. Perhaps I am getting old and all my songs are sung.”
To Nadejda von Meck.
“Kamenka, May 8th (20th), 1881.
“I think I have now found a temporary occupation. In my present religious frame of mind it will do me good to dip into Russian church music. At present I am studying the ‘rites,’ that is to say, the root of our church tunes, and I want to try to harmonise them.
“Every day I pray that God may preserve and uphold you for the sake of so many people.”
To P. Jurgenson.
“Kamenka, May 9th (21st), 1881.
“I beg you to send me the following:—