1896-09-23 to Leo Tolstoy

Autograph letter signed, Leo Tolstoy State Museum (Moscow), 242 words

[Edited for paragraph breaks, capitalization, spelling and punctuation.]

92 Victoria Street

October 5th 1896

My dear Sir

My admiration for your character and writings has sorely tempted me to send you one of my books. I can think of no greater honour than to be read by you. But I am aware that every one who writes a book is desirous of that high distinction. So I have refrained, although there is no doubt in my mind that Esther Waters is more likely to interest you than any novel that has been published written for a long while. I think that even you would be pleased to receive the enclosed letter; I am more proud of it than of any literary criticism.

But I might never have found courage to send you my book had it not happened that I wrote an article comparing Anna Karenina with Vanity Fair. It would not be quite fitting of me to send you this article without sending you Esther Waters. So accident at last compels me to do what I had wished to do these many years.

The last book I read of yours is My Religion. I may say that this book has awaked a new sense of life in me. I am deeply grateful to you for having written it.

I am, my dear Sir,

Faithfully yours

George Moore