I'm sure you'll do an excellent job.
the last letter before Pushkin's duel
Здравствуй. В июне мы отмечаем1 несколько совершенно значимых дат: День России (12 июня), День Рождение Александра Пушкина (6 июня) и День Русского языка (6 июня). Да-да, именно потому, что А. Пушкин дал толчок к формированию2 современного русского языка. Unlike his contemporaries, мы сейчас говорим на языке а-ля минимализм3.
I remember reading somewhere that the last letter Alexander Sergeevich sent was addressed to a woman whom we today hardly remember or know anything about. И это письмо содержало следующие сроки:
Милостивая государыня Александра Осиповна.
Крайне жалею, что мне невозможно будет сегодня явиться на Ваше приглашение. Покамест честь имею препроводить к Вам Barry Cornwall. Вы найдёте в конце книги пьесы, отмеченные карандашом, переведите их, как умеете, — уверяю Вас, что переведёте как нельзя лучше.
Сегодня я нечаянно открыл Вашу «Историю в рассказах» и поневоле зачитался. Вот как надобно писать!
С глубочайшим почтением и совершенной преданностию честь имею быть, милостивая государыня, Вашим покорнейшим слугою.
— А. Пушкин Александре Осиповне Ишимовой, 27 января 1837 г.4
Заметил(а) ли ты, дорогой читатель, что слово одно странновато написана? Как только найдёшь, проверь — правильно ли —> 5.
Но не только Пушкин высоко отозвался6 о сборнике. For her work, Aleksandra Osipovna received a prize and a commendatory review from a prestigious institution Демидовской комиссии7, а также пенсию по 400 рублей ежегодно8, which was personally awarded to her by Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (the wife of Nicholas I).
П. А. Плетнёв оставил на книгу такую рецензию: «В её слоге есть истинная простота, жизнь и чувство того, чем увлекается детский игривый ум9».
And V. G. Belinsky devoted an entire article to analyыing the History, in which he thoroughly examined the stories and noted что «Рассказ г-жи Ишимовой до того картинен, жив, увлекателен, язык так прекрасен, что чтение её “Истории” есть истинное наслаждение — не для детей, которым чтение истории какой бы то ни было совершенно бесполезно, потому что для них в ней нет ничего интересного и доступного, а для молодых, взрослых и даже старых людей10».
Aleksandra Osipovna Ishimova was not only a translator and writer, but also a publisher. С 1842 по 1863 год она издавала «Звёздочку» (The Little Star): a children’s journal dedicated to the noble female students of Her Imperial Majesty’s institutions.
The journal had several sections:
Literature, where novellas, stories, fairy tales, and poems were published;
Sciences, which featured essays on history, natural science, and geography;
New Books, a review of the best literary works with information on where they could be purchased;
Miscellany, containing short articles, various bits of news, games, and charades.
Такая удивительная женщина11, а сколько претерпела12 она в свои юношеские годы.
According to archival documents, Alexandra’s father was at that time engaged in a major legal dispute with a wealthy landowner who turned out to be a relative of General Arakcheev, the head of the Imperial Chancellery. The landowner used his connections, and Osip Ishimov was sent into exile, given only three days to prepare. The case was then dropped.
According to Alexandra Osipovna’s own recollections, their meeting went nothing like she had planned. The Emperor encountered them during a walk, Alexandra became so overwhelmed that her speech was incoherent, eventually she bursted into tears. Nevertheless, returning to the palace, Alexander I forwarded their petition to the Main Postal Office, adding a note: “assign Ishimov to my personal chancellery.” However General Arakcheev ignored the order and instead substituted exile to the Solovki Islands with exile to Arkhangelsk.
You can find a soft copy of a collection containing a few stories here.
celebrate
sparked the development
minimalist style of language
My Dearest Madame Aleksandra Osipovna,
I am extremely sorry that I will be quite unable to attend your invitation today. In the meantime, I have the honour of sending you Mr. Barry Cornwall. You will find at the end of the book some plays marked in pencil — please translate them as best you can. I assure you, you will do it as well as could be wished.
Today, I accidentally came across your History in Tales and found myself utterly engrossed. Now, that is how one ought to write!
With the deepest respect and unwavering devotion,
I remain, my dearest madam, your most humble servant.
“Преданностию” вместо “преданностью”. Это дореволюционная форма письма.
spoke highly
The Demidov Prize is one of the most prestigious non-governmental scientific awards in Russia. The prize was created in 1832 by Pavel Demidov, a patron of art and member of the famous family of Ural industrialists, to support those who devote themselves to the "constant work and the modest glory of academia", as was noted by the former President of the Academy of Sciences, Count S.Uvarov during the first award session known in Russia and abroad.
During the 19th century, the award was conferred upon the great chemist D.Mendeleev, the famous surgeon N.Pirogov, the famous travellers and geographers I.Kruzenshtern and F.Wrangel. There is a common belief that Alfred Nobel borrowed the idea of awarding scientific prizes from Pavel Demidov. The two awards, Nobel and Demidov, have many common features: from the nomination procedure to the decision-making during which academics have the last say.
annually
In her style, there is true simplicity, life, and a sense of what captivates the playful mind of a child.
The story by Madame Ishimova is so vivid, lively, and engaging, and the language is so beautiful, that reading her History is a true pleasure—not for children, for whom reading any history is completely useless, as there is nothing interesting or accessible for them in it, but rather for young people, adults, and even the elderly.
Such a remarkable woman
endured <in her youth>