of the editors offered any sort of honorarium, but
simply returned his contributions, when, as happened with one of the
Odessa journals, he asked three kopecks a line from it. This same
paper, however, commissioned him to write a report of the World's Fair
at Nijni Novgorod in the year 1896.

Gorki gladly agreed, and his reports excited general attention. But
they were shockingly remunerated, and he was forced to live under such
wretched conditions that his lungs became affected.

Korolenko now exerted himself seriously on Gorki's behalf. And the
advocacy of a power in the literary world effected what all his highly
characteristic achievements had not accomplished for him. It made him
known and desirable. New journals enlisted him as a permanent
colleague on their staff. Henceforward existence was no concern to the
literary vagabond, who on his own showing had had four teachers: the
cook on the Volga steamer, the advocate Lanin, the idler whom he
describes in Kaluschny, and Korolenko.

Seldom is it the case that an author comes to his own as early as
Gorki. This was undoubtedly due to the courageous manner in which he
struck out into the social currents that were agitating his country.
And the rapid impression he made was due as much to the peculiar
conditions of the Russian Empire as to his own talent. There, where
there can be no public expression of schemes for the future, no open
desire for self-development, Art is always the realisation of greater
hopes than it can be where a free path has already been laid down. And
it is thus that men like Gorki can exert an overwhelming influence
which is absolutely inconceivable to other nationalities. It is not
merely the result of their artistic temperament. It derives at least
as strongly from their significance to Humanity, their effect upon
culture, their aggressive energy.

On the other hand, it would be a perversion to ascribe the success of
such individuals to circumstances alone, and to what they say, and the
inflexible virile courage with which they say it. Talent, genius, the
why and wherefore, are all factors. In Russia there are not a few who
share the experiences and insight of Gorki. But they lack means of
expression; they are wanting in executive ability.

Not that many capable men are not also on the scene at present. But
maybe they are not the "whole man," who puts the matter together,
without fear or ruth, as Gorki has done so often.