G.B.S. SHOCKS TOLSTOY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 876, 23 July 1910, Page 9

G.B.S. SHOCKS TOLSTOY.

According to tho "Birjheviya Viedomosti," Mr. Bernard Shaw lias sent his latest play io Leo Tolstoy, accompanied by a letter in which lie put forward his views on religion in a jocular style. The great Russian writer was greatly annoyed at the tone of the letter, and sent an acid reply, staling that he was not accustomed to joke about religion. Perhaps, in the hope of converting his correspondent, ho took the occasion to expound his own religious views. ■ "There is," said Sir. G. B. Shaw, in reply to an inquiry! on the subject, "a certain clement of truth' in tho statomeiit. 1 and Tolstoy are in the habit of corresponding, and he asked me to send him a' copy of my play, 'Blanco Posnet.' I die! so, and aoconipanied it with a longish letter on the subject of tlio play and religion generally. At the end of my letter: I believe I said in reference to liis view that I jest too much, that 'humour was a divineattribute, and for all I know it may bo tha,t tho universe is a joke of God's. If that is so, don't you think it worth while'to' make a good joke and not a bad one?' ''Tolstoy, in reply, expressed his approbation of the play, but took exee[>tion to my joke, by which ho seoms to have beoTi greatly startled."