Endnotes

  1. In Russian, silen.

  2. A proverbial expression in Russia.

  3. Grushenka.

  4. I.e. setter dog.

  5. Probably the public event was the Decabrist plot against the Tsar, of December 1825, in which the most distinguished men in Russia were concerned. —⁠Translator’s note

  6. When a monk’s body is carried out from the cell to the church and from the church to the graveyard, the canticle “What earthly joy⁠ ⁠…” is sung. If the deceased was a priest as well as a monk the canticle “Our Helper and Defender” is sung instead.

  7. I.e. a chime of bells.

  8. Literally: “Did you get off with a long nose made at you?”⁠—a proverbial expression in Russia for failure.

  9. Gogol is meant.