115 - Jurgis Kasimirovich BALTRUCHAITIS (1873–1944)

Jurgis Kasimirovich BALTRUCHAITIS (1873–1944) A collection of about ten personal letters, written in Russian, addressed to his wife Maria Ivanovna BALTRUCHAITIS, née Olovyanichnikova (c. 1879–1948), written daily from May 18 to 31, 1917—sometimes twice a day, with the last ones written in Moscow. He describes his daily life and the people he associates with, but above all, his inner feelings and reflections. In the letter dated May 31, he mentions events in Moscow that worry him. On several occasions, something prevents him from leaving the city. -"May 20, 1917 - I feel at the peak of my creative ability… Morning—I feel at the peak of my creative ability, and I must set the entire bell tower and everything in motion...” -"May 21, 1917—Yesterday I said goodbye to the Serbs (...) The Serb left me his photograph and asked me to send his regards to you. Morning—I’m beginning to think he shot himself in Rostov… Yesterday I said goodbye to the Serbs, to defend and protect… the Serbian army against the Great Powers. Much of the situation is very difficult and distressing. I feel particularly sorry for poor, sick Gojpoвич. The Serb leaves his photograph and earnestly asks me to convey his regards to you. " -"May 22, 17—Judging by the people, a new life is beginning, but no one is in a hurry to embrace it for themselves. Morning—I am very firm in my decision, and it has truly become my very essence. I live entirely in the unity of will (...) which is already deeply carrying out its painful spiritual work. Today is the Day of the Spirit, and I pray to the Spirit of the Worlds for the last day of autumn. It seems to people that a new life is at the threshold, but no one is in a hurry to become a vessel for this new life… And I will burn away everything old within myself so that the commandment of the world may be embodied and fulfilled in my own heart. The fate of the world depends on all people, across all countries, when each one builds, and each one is one; and therefore the fate of the world depends on the strength and… of a single person…” -"May 27—In many respects, I will be an ascetic in the world. In the most important respects. All of a person’s energy must be vigilantly focused on a single axis. In many respects, I will be a monk in the world. In the most important respects. All of a person’s energy must be relentlessly focused on a single axis. The inner *—in which my purpose lies*—must strictly correspond to **, everyday readiness, *and will, like a single stride, a passion born of the spiritual tension of self-control… Dear Marita—I’m not planning to do all this, I don’t think I’ll do it; I’m doing it.” -May 31, morning—An emergency in Moscow. MC Source -Jurgis Kasimirovich Baltruchaïtis (1873–1944), Lithuanian diplomat and poet. -Their son, Jurgis Jurgissovich Baltruchaïtis (1903–1988), historian. -His wife, Hélène Baltruchaïtis (1908–2004), née Castel-Focillon, daughter of Henri Focillon (1881–1943). -Then through descendants.