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on the whole of his life, as well as on his imaginative powers.
His first venture was as a kitchen-boy on a vessel. During the voyages he manifested a liking for books, and it happened that the cook, his superior, had a big box full of volumes. This chef (Smurij) and Gorky used to read together these books. This anomalous study served to feed Gorky’s romantic and poetic tastes, while practical life accustomed him to realism.
When Gorky was sixteen years old, he wished to study, and, having left the marine service, went to Kazan, where, however, in consequence of the many difficult conditions imposed on the means of instruction in Russia, he could not enter any school.
Having no employment he found himself very soon among barefooted tramps, the outcasts, and scum of mankind, who
