Gogol read as hardly anyone else knows how to read. It was the peak of astounding perfection. I can even say the following ; As spendidly as his comedies were performed , or more precisely , as admirably as many of the roles were interpreted , they never made the same impression on me as they did in his readings . Once at a large gathering at my house in 1834 or 1835 , he read his "The Marriage". When he came to the suitor's declaration of Love to his intended - 'In which church were you last Sunday ? What flower do you Love most?" - interrupted three times by silence , he expressed this silence so well , it appeared so clearly in his face , in his eyes that the whole audience literally doubled over with laughter , while he kept silent as if nothing had happended and only let his eyes wander.

Gogol 1809-1852

peace jjakh