ABSTRACT
The arrival of four young men doubled the size of the household, and it was obvious that the Chekhovs would have to make yet another move - the twelfth since they had first appeared in Moscow. During his early years in Moscow money worries were aggravated by the dishonesty and rudeness of his editors. The character of Chekhov’s first literary efforts was determined by the standards of the Russian comic papers. These papers were numerous, but did not vary much from each other in general style, nor did their humour differ greatly from what was fashionable at the same time in other countries. Chekhov’s effervescent humour was not exhausted by his efforts for the comic papers. As in Taganrog days, his sallies and improvisations could usually be relied upon to keep the family and their guests amused. As during his school-days, he carried his scepticism into the realm of politics, and in this respect differed from many of his fellow-students.
