Saltykov Shchedrin history of the city content. Analysis of the work "The History of a City", Saltykov Shchedrin. Empress Anna Ioannovna. Unknown artist. XVIII century. State Hermitage

History of one city(summary by chapter)

Contents of the chapter: Inventory to the mayors ...

This chapter lists the names of the mayors of Glupov and briefly mentions their "achievements".

It speaks of twenty-two rulers. So, for example, about one of the city governors in the document it is written as follows: “22) Intercept-Zalikhvatsky, Archangel Stratilatovich, Major. I will keep silent about this. He rode into Foolov on a white horse, burned the gymnasium and abolished the sciences.

The history of one city (full text chapter by chapter)

Inventory to the mayors, at different times, in the city of Stupid from the higher authorities appointed (1731-1826)

1) Klementy, Amadeus Manuilovich. Taken out of Italy by Biron, Duke of Courland, for skillful cooking of pasta; then, being suddenly promoted to the proper rank, sent by the mayor. Arriving in Foolov, not only did he not give up pasta, but he even forced many people to do so, which made him glorify himself. For treason, in 1734 he was beaten with a whip and, after tearing out his nostrils, exiled to Berezov.

2) Ferapontov, Fotiy Petrovich, foreman *. Former barber of the same Duke of Courland *. He repeatedly made campaigns against the short-earners and was so eager for spectacles that he did not trust anyone to flog without himself. In 1738, being in the forest, he was torn to pieces by dogs.

3) Velikanov, Ivan Matveevich. He imposed in his favor the inhabitants with a tribute of three kopecks from the soul, having previously drowned the director in the river of economy *. He killed many police captains in the blood. In 1740, during the reign of the meek Elizabeth, having been caught in a love affair with Avdotya Lopukhina, he was beaten with a whip * and, after curtailing his tongue, was exiled to imprisonment in the Cherdyn prison.

4) Urus-Kugush-Kildibaev, Manyl Samylovich, captain-lieutenant of the Life Campanians *. He was distinguished by insane courage, and once even took the city of Foolov by storm. By bringing this to the attention, he did not receive praise and in 1745 he was dismissed with publication *.

5) Lamvrokakis, a fugitive Greek, without a name or patronymic, and even without a rank, caught by Count Kiril Razumovsky in Nizhyn, in the market. Traded Greek soap, sponge and nuts; moreover, he was a supporter of classical education. In 1756 he was found in bed, bitten by bedbugs.

6) Baklan, Ivan Matveyevich*, foreman. He was three arshins and three vershoks tall, and boasted of what was happening in a straight line from Ivan the Great (the bell tower known in Moscow). Broken in half during a storm that raged in 1761.

7) Pfeifer, Bogdan Bogdanovich, guard sergeant, native of Holstein. Having accomplished nothing, he was replaced in 1762 for ignorance *.

8) Busty, Dementy Varlamovich *. He was appointed in a hurry and had some special device in his head, for which he was nicknamed "Organ". This did not prevent him, however, from putting in order the arrears started by his successor. During this reign there was a pernicious anarchy, which lasted seven days, as will be narrated below.

9) Dvoekurov, Semyon Konstantinovich, civilian adviser and cavalier. He paved Bolshaya and Dvoryanskaya streets, started brewing and mead making, introduced mustard and bay leaves, collected arrears, patronized the sciences and petitioned for the establishment of an academy in Foolov. Wrote an essay: "Biographies of the most remarkable monkeys." Being of a strong physique, he had eight amants in succession. His wife, Lukerya Terentyevna, was also very indulgent, and thus greatly contributed to the brilliance of this reign. He died a natural death in 1770.

10) Marquis de Sanglot, Anton Protasievich, a French native and friend of Diderot. He was frivolous and liked to sing obscene songs. It flew through the air in the city garden, and almost flew away completely, as it caught on the tails of a spitz, and was removed from there with great difficulty. For this undertaking, he was fired in 1772, and the next year, without losing heart, he gave performances at Isler on mineral waters *.

11) Ferdyshchenko, Petr Petrovich, foreman. Former batman of Prince Potemkin. With a not very extensive mind, he was tongue-tied. Arrears launched; he liked to eat boiled pork and goose with cabbage. During his tenure, the city was subjected to famine and fire. He died in 1779 from overeating.

12) Borodavkin, Vasilisk Semyonovich. * This city administration was the longest and most brilliant. He led a campaign against the arrears, burned down thirty-three villages and, with the help of these measures, recovered the arrears of two rubles and a half. Introduced the game lamouche * and olive oil; paved the market square and planted birch trees on the street leading to government offices; again petitioned for the establishment of an academy in Foolov, but, having received a refusal, he built a movable house *. He died in 1798, at the execution, admonished by the police captain.

13) Scoundrels *, Onufry Ivanovich, former Gatchina stoker. He placed the streets paved with its predecessors and set up monuments from the extracted stone *. He was replaced in 1802 for disagreeing with Novosiltsev, Czartorysky and Strogonov (the famous triumvirate in his time) about constitutions, in which he was justified by the consequences.

14) Mikaladze, Prince Xavier Georgievich, Cherkashenin, a descendant of the voluptuous Princess Tamara. He had a seductive appearance, and was so eager for the female sex that he almost doubled the population of Foolov. Left a useful guide on this subject. He died in 1814 from exhaustion.

15) Benevolensky *, Feofilakt Irinarkhovich, State Councilor, comrade of Speransky in the seminary. He was wise and showed a penchant for legislation. He predicted public courts and zemstvos.* He had a love affair with the merchant Raspopova, with whom, on Saturdays, he ate pies with filling. In his free time, he composed sermons for city priests and translated from the Latin works of Thomas a Kempis. Re-introduced, as if useful, mustard, bay leaf and olive oil. The first taxed a tribute, from which he received three thousand rubles a year. In 1811, for pandering to Bonaparte, he was called to account and exiled to prison.

16) Pimple, major, Ivan Panteleevich. He turned out with a stuffed head, which was convicted by the local marshal of the nobility. *

17) Ivanov, State Councilor, Nikodim Osipovich. He was so small in stature that he could not contain extensive laws. He died in 1819 from strain, trying to comprehend some Senate decree.

18) Du Chario, viscount, Angel Dorofeevich, French native. He liked to dress up in a woman's dress and feast on frogs. Upon examination, it turned out to be a girl. Exiled in 1821 abroad.

20) Sadtilov, Erast Andreevich, State Councilor. Friend of Karamzin. He was distinguished by tenderness and sensitivity, hearts *, he liked to drink tea in the city grove, and could not see without tears how black grouse were playing. He left behind several idyllic compositions and died of melancholy in 1825. The tribute from the ransom was raised to five thousand rubles a year.

21) Gloomy-Grumbling, a former scoundrel. destroyed Old city and built another in a new place.

22) Interception-Zalikhvatsky *, Archangel * Stratilatovich, major. I will keep silent about this. He rode into Foolov on a white horse, burned the gymnasium and abolished the sciences.

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The story describes the life of the city of Glupov for a hundred years until 1825. The chronicle of the city during this time was kept by four archivists. The history of Glupov is directly connected with the period of government of various mayors. In the first prehistoric chapter, the author considers the question of the origin of the city's population. The people of the bunglers were able to defeat other tribes. The bunglers decided to find a prince to manage them. Many rulers refused to rule over stupid people. One of them agreed, but did not live in the city, leaving instead of himself a governor - a newcomer. The governor turned out to be a thief. The prince sent a noose to a dishonest newcomer. But he did not wait and stabbed himself with a cucumber. After this, the prince appointed several more rulers in his place. But they all stole terribly. The prince himself arrived in Foolov and from that moment began a historical period in the life of the city. Further, the work provides a description of the mayors of Glupov, tells the biographies of the most significant.

Dementy Varlamovich Brodysty was very gloomy and taciturn. He always used two phrases: "I will not tolerate and I will ruin." Once the clerk saw an incredible picture. The busty man was sitting at the table as usual, but his head was separate and completely empty. It turned out that the head of the mayor contained only two organs with melodies: I will not stand it and I will ruin it. But somehow, due to dampness, the head became unusable. Watchmaker Baibakov ordered a new head in the capital. But she did not come on time, so Brody was without a head.

After that, two self-proclaimed chiefs appeared in the city. A messenger from the province quickly picked them up. And Foolov plunged into anarchy. During the week, the city was ruled by six women mayors. Residents quickly got tired of such confusion. Semyon Konstantinovich Dvoekurov became the new mayor. His activities for the city had a positive meaning, he even dreamed of opening an academy in the city.

Pyotr Petrovich Ferdyshchenko managed the city very well for the first six years, while Glupov prospered during these years. But then the mayor was beguiled by a demon. He kindled with feelings for the wife of the coachman Alenka. She refused the mayor. Then Ferdyshchenko exiled her husband to Siberia, and Alenka had to obey. But as a punishment for such actions, a drought came to the city, followed by famine. Residents then threw Alenka from the bell tower. Ferdyshchenko wrote various letters to his superiors, even a detachment of soldiers arrived in Foolov. When the mayor fell in love with Domashka again, strong fires began in the city. The ruler was frightened and refused Domashka. Ferdyshchenko's reign ended in travel when he died from overeating.

Vasilisk Semyonovich Borodavkin became the new mayor. He considered himself a smart ruler and even waged wars to educate the people. During his reign, Foolov began to decline.

Another ruler, Theophylact Irinarkhovich Benevolsky, liked to issue various laws, although he did not have the right to do so. Therefore, he scattered leaflets with laws at night. The mayor was dismissed for cooperation with Napoleon.

Then Lieutenant-Colonel Pryshch controlled Glupov. He did not actually participate in the management, but the city surprisingly developed due to excellent harvests. It turned out that Pimple had a stuffed head, which the leader ate, smelling truffles from it.

Under the next mayor - State Councilor Erast Andreevich Sadtilov, Glupov did not develop at all. Laziness and debauchery became characteristic features of the Foolovites. The mayor spent all his time at balls. Soon famine came to Foolov. Sadtilov was soon removed. For a hundred years, the last mayor was Ugryum Burcheev. He was not very intelligent, in fact, was an idiot. Burcheev decided to completely rebuild the city. Foolov was destroyed to the ground. The river interfered with the new construction, but Burcheev failed to block its channel, although he tried very hard. Therefore, Burcheev led the Foolovites to a lowland, it was decided to build a city there. But something went wrong. The mayor literally vanished into thin air and disappeared without a trace. The story ended there.

From the publisher

For a long time already I had the intention to write the history of some city (or region) in a given period of time, but various circumstances prevented this enterprise. Mostly, however, the lack of material, any reliable and plausible, prevented. Now, rummaging through the Foolovsky city archives, I accidentally came across a rather voluminous bunch of notebooks, bearing the general name of the "Folupovsky Chronicler", and, having examined them, I found that they can serve as an important help in the implementation of my intention. The content of the Chronicler is rather monotonous; it is almost exclusively limited to the biographies of the city governors, who for almost a whole century controlled the fate of the city of Glupov, and a description of their most remarkable actions, such as: an early ride on the post office, the energetic collection of arrears, campaigns against the townsfolk, the construction and disorder of pavements, the taxation of tax-farmers, etc. Nevertheless, even from these meager facts, it is possible to grasp the physiognomy of the city and trace how its history reflected the various changes that simultaneously took place in the higher spheres. So, for example, the mayors of the time of Biron are distinguished by their recklessness, the mayors of the time of Potemkin - by diligence, and the mayors of the times of Razumovsky - of unknown origin and chivalrous courage. All of them whip the townsfolk, but the first ones absolutely whip, the second explain the reasons for their management by the requirements of civilization, the third want the townsfolk to rely on their courage in everything. Such a variety of events, of course, could not but affect the innermost warehouse of philistine life; in the first case the townsfolk trembled unconsciously, in the second they trembled with the consciousness of their own benefit, in the third they rose to a trembling filled with confidence. Even an energetic ride on the postal - and that inevitably had to have a certain share of influence, strengthening the philistine spirit with examples of horse vigor and restlessness. [Resilience - Endurance.]

The chronicle was kept successively by four city archivists [An archivist is an official in charge of an archive.] and embraces the time period from 1731 to 1825. This year, apparently, even for archivists, literary activity has ceased to be accessible. The appearance of the "Chronicler" has a very real look, that is, one that does not allow for a moment to doubt its authenticity; its sheets are just as yellow and dotted with scribbles, just as eaten by mice and polluted by flies, like the sheets of any monument of Pogodin's ancient repository. One can feel how some archival Pimen was sitting over them, illuminating his work with a tremulously burning tallow candle and in every possible way protecting him from the inevitable curiosity of Messrs. Shubinsky, Mordovtsev and Melnikov. The chronicle is preceded by a special code, or "inventory", compiled, obviously, by the last chronicler; in addition, in the form of supporting documents, several children's notebooks are attached to it, containing original exercises on various topics of administrative and theoretical content. Such, for example, are the arguments: “about the administrative unanimity of all city governors”, “about the plausible appearance of city governors”, “about the salutary pacification (with pictures)”, “thoughts when collecting arrears”, “the perverse course of time” and, finally, a rather voluminous dissertation "About severity." We can affirmatively say that these exercises owe their origin to the pen of various city governors (many of them are even signed) and have the precious property that, firstly, they give an absolutely correct idea of current situation Russian orthography and, secondly, describe their authors much more fully, more conclusively and more figuratively than even the stories of the Chronicler.

As for the internal content of the Chronicler, it is predominantly fantastic and in places even almost unbelievable in our enlightened time. Such, for example, is the completely inconsistent story about the mayor with music. In one place, the Chronicler tells how the mayor flew through the air, in another - how another mayor, whose feet were turned back with his feet, almost escaped from the boundaries of the city administration. The publisher, however, did not consider himself entitled to withhold these details; on the contrary, he thinks that the possibility of such facts in the past will point the reader even more clearly to the abyss that separates us from him. Moreover, the publisher was guided by the idea that the fantastic nature of the stories does not in the least eliminate their administrative and educational significance and that the reckless arrogance of the flying mayor can even now serve as a saving warning for those of today's administrators who do not want to be prematurely dismissed from office.

In any case, in order to prevent malicious interpretations, the publisher considers it his duty to make a reservation that all his work in this case consists only in the fact that he corrected the heavy and outdated style of the Chronicler and had proper supervision of spelling, without in the least touching the content of the chronicle . From the first minute to the last, the formidable image of Mikhail Petrovich Pogodin did not leave the publisher, and this alone can already serve as a guarantee with what respectful trepidation he treated his task.

By creating the ironic grotesque "History of a City," Saltykov-Shchedrin hoped to arouse in the reader not laughter, but a "bitter feeling" of shame. The idea of the work is built on the image of a certain hierarchy: a simple people who will not resist the instructions of often stupid rulers, and the tyrannical rulers themselves. In the face of the common people in this story, the inhabitants of the city of Foolov act, and their oppressors are the mayors. Saltykov-Shchedrin notes with irony that this people needs a leader, one who will give them instructions and keep them in "hedgehogs", otherwise the whole people will fall into anarchy.

History of creation

The concept and idea of the novel "The History of a City" were formed gradually. In 1867, the writer wrote the fairy-tale-fantastic work "The Tale of the Governor with a Stuffed Head", which subsequently formed the basis of the chapter "Organchik". In 1868 Saltykov-Shchedrin began working on The History of a City and finished in 1870. Initially, the author wanted to give the work the name "Glupovsky Chronicler". The novel was published in the then popular magazine Otechestvennye Zapiski.

The plot of the work

(Illustrations by the creative team of Soviet graphic artists "Kukryniksy")

The story is told from the perspective of the chronicler. He talks about the inhabitants of the city, who were so stupid that their city was given the name "Stupid". The novel begins with the chapter "On the Root of the Origin of the Foolovites", in which the history of this people is given. It tells in particular about the tribe of bunglers, who, after defeating the neighboring tribes of onion-eaters, thick-eaters, walrus-eaters, kosobryukhy and others, decided to find a ruler for themselves, because they wanted to restore order in the tribe. Only one prince decided to rule, and even he sent a thief-innovator instead of himself. When he stole, the prince sent him a noose, but the thief was able to get out in a sense and stabbed himself with a cucumber. As you can see, irony and the grotesque coexist perfectly in the work.

After several unsuccessful candidates for the role of deputies, the prince appeared in the city in person. Becoming the first ruler, he marked the "historical time" of the city. Twenty-two rulers with their accomplishments are said to have ruled the city, but the Inventory lists twenty-one. Apparently, the missing one is the founder of the city.

Main characters

Each of the mayors performs its task in implementing the writer's idea through the grotesque to show the absurdity of their government. In many types, traits are visible historical figures. For greater recognition, Saltykov-Shchedrin not only described the style of their government, ridiculously distorted the names, but also gave apt descriptions pointing to a historical prototype. Some personalities of city governors are images collected from characteristic features different faces of the history of the Russian state.

So, the third ruler Ivan Matveyevich Velikanov, famous for drowning the director of economic affairs and imposing taxes at three kopecks per person, was exiled to prison for having an affair with Avdotya Lopukhina, the first wife of Peter I.

Brigadier Ivan Matveyevich Baklan, the sixth mayor, was tall and proud of being a follower of Ivan the Terrible's line. The reader understands what is meant by the bell tower in Moscow. The ruler found death in the spirit of the same grotesque image that fills the novel - the foreman was broken in half during a storm.

The personality of Peter III in the image of Guards Sergeant Bogdan Bogdanovich Pfeifer is indicated by the characteristic given to him - "a Holstein native", the style of government of the mayor and his outcome - removed from the post of ruler "for ignorance".

Dementy Varlamovich Brodysty is nicknamed "Organchik" for the presence of a mechanism in his head. He kept the city at bay because he was gloomy and withdrawn. When trying to take the head of the mayor for repair to the capital's masters, she was thrown out by a frightened coachman from the carriage. After the reign of Organchik, chaos reigned in the city for 7 days.

The short period of prosperity of the townspeople is associated with the name of the ninth mayor, Semyon Konstantinovich Dvoekurov. A civilian adviser and innovator, he took up appearance cities, started honey and brewing. Tried to open an academy.

The longest reign was marked by the twelfth mayor, Vasilisk Semenovich Borodavkin, who reminds the reader of the style of government of Peter I. His “glorious deeds” also indicate the connection of the character with the historical figure - he destroyed the Streltsy and Dung settlements, and the difficult relationship with the eradication of the ignorance of the people - spent four years in Foolov wars for education and three - against. He resolutely prepared the city for burning, but suddenly died.

Onufriy Ivanovich Negodyaev, a former peasant by origin, who heated stoves before serving as a mayor, destroyed the streets paved by the former ruler and erected monuments on these resources. The image was copied from Paul I, which is also indicated by the circumstances of his removal: he was fired for disagreeing with the triumvirate about constitutions.

Under the state councilor Erast Andreevich Sadtilov, the stupid elite was busy with balls and night meetings with reading the works of a certain gentleman. As in the reign of Alexander I, the mayor did not care about the people, who were impoverished and starving.

Scoundrel, idiot and "Satan" Ugryum-Burcheev bears a "talking" surname and is "written off" from Count Arakcheev. He finally destroys Foolov and decides to build the city of Neprekolnsk in a new place. When trying to implement such a grandiose project, the “end of the world” occurred: the sun faded, the earth shook, and the mayor disappeared without a trace. Thus ended the story of "one city".

Analysis of the work

Saltykov-Shchedrin, with the help of satire and the grotesque, aims to reach out to the human soul. He wants to convince the reader that the human institution must be based on Christian principles. Otherwise, a person's life can be deformed, mutilated, and in the end can lead to the death of the human soul.

"The History of a City" is an innovative work that has overcome the usual framework of artistic satire. Each image in the novel has pronounced grotesque features, but is recognizable at the same time. That gave rise to a flurry of criticism against the author. He was accused of "slandering" the people and rulers.

Indeed, the story of Glupov is largely written off from the chronicle of Nestor, which tells about the time of the beginning of Rus' - "The Tale of Bygone Years". The author intentionally emphasized this parallel in order to make it clear who he means by the Foolovites, and that all these mayors are by no means a flight of fancy, but real Russian rulers. At the same time, the author makes it clear that he is not describing the entire human race, namely Russia, rewriting its history in his own satirical way.

However, the purpose of creating the work Saltykov-Shchedrin did not make a mockery of Russia. The writer's task was to encourage society to critically rethink its history in order to eradicate existing vices. The grotesque plays a huge role in creating an artistic image in the work of Saltykov-Shchedrin. The main goal of the writer is to show the vices of people who are not noticed by society.

The writer ridiculed the ugliness of society and was called the "great mocker" among such predecessors as Griboyedov and Gogol. Reading the ironic grotesque, the reader wanted to laugh, but there was something sinister in this laughter - the audience "felt how the scourge was whipping itself."

This story is a "genuine" chronicle of the city of Glupov, "Glupovsky Chronicler", embracing the period from 1731 to 1825, which was "successively composed" by four of Stupov's archivists. In the chapter "From the Publisher", the author especially insists on the authenticity of the Chronicler and invites the reader to "catch the physiognomy of the city and follow how its history reflected the various changes that simultaneously took place in the higher spheres."

The Chronicler opens with "An address to the reader from the last archivist-chronicler." The archivist sees the task of the chronicler in "being a depiction" of "touching correspondence" - the authorities, "daring in measure", and the people, "thankfully giving thanks". History, therefore, is the history of the reign of various city governors.

First, a prehistoric chapter “On the root of the origin of the Foolovites” is given, which tells how ancient people the bunglers defeated the neighboring tribes of walrus-eaters, onion-eaters, kosobryukhy, etc. But, not knowing what to do so that there was order, the bunglers went to look for a prince. They turned to more than one prince, but even the most stupid princes did not want to “rule the stupid” and, having taught them with a rod, let them go with honor. Then the bunglers called in a thief-innovator who helped them find the prince. The prince agreed to "rule" them, but did not go to live with them, sending a thief-innovator instead. The prince himself called the bunglers "stupid", hence the name of the city.

The Foolovites were a submissive people, but the Novotor needed riots to pacify them. But soon he was stealing so much that the prince "sent a noose to the unfaithful slave." But the Novotor “and then dodged: ‹…› without waiting for the loop, he stabbed himself with a cucumber.”

The prince also sent other rulers - an Odoev, an Orlov, a Kalyazin - but they all turned out to be sheer thieves. Then the prince "... arrived in his own person to Foolov and yelled:" I'll screw it up! With these words began historical times.

In 1762, Dementy Varlamovich Brodasty arrived in Foolov. He immediately struck the Foolovites with his sullenness and reticence. His single words were "I won't stand it!" and "I'll break it!". The city was lost in conjecture, until one day the clerk, entering with a report, saw a strange sight: the body of the mayor, as usual, was sitting at the table, while his head was completely empty on the table. Foolov was shocked. But then they remembered about the watch and organ affairs of master Baibakov, who secretly visited the mayor, and, having called him, they found out everything. In the head of the mayor, in one corner, there was an organ that could play two pieces of music: “I will ruin!” and "I will not stand it!". But on the way, the head got damp and needed to be repaired. Baibakov himself could not cope and turned to St. Petersburg for help, from where they promised to send a new head, but for some reason the head was delayed.

Anarchy ensued, ending with the appearance of two identical mayors at once. “The impostors met and measured each other with their eyes. The crowd dispersed slowly and in silence. A messenger immediately arrived from the province and took away both impostors. And the Foolovites, left without a mayor, immediately fell into anarchy.

Anarchy continued throughout next week, during which six mayors changed in the city. The townsfolk rushed from Iraida Lukinichna Paleologova to Clementine de Bourbon, and from her to Amalia Karlovna Stockfish. The claims of the first were based on the short-term activity of the mayor of her husband, the second - of her father, and the third - she herself was a mayor's pompadour. The claims of Nelka Lyadokhovskaya, and then Dunka the fat-footed and Matryonka the nostrils, were even less substantiated. In between hostilities, the Foolovites threw some citizens from the bell tower and drowned others. But they are also tired of anarchy. Finally, a new mayor arrived in the city - Semyon Konstantinovich Dvoekurov. His activity in Foolovo was beneficial. “He introduced mead and brewing, and made mustard and bay leaf", and also wanted to establish an academy in Glupov.

Under the next ruler, Peter Petrovich Ferdyshchenko, the city flourished for six years. But in the seventh year, "Ferdyshchenko was embarrassed by the demon." The mayor was inflamed with love for the coachman's wife Alenka. But Alenka refused him. Then, with the help of a series of successive measures, Alenka's husband, Mitka, was branded and sent to Siberia, and Alenka came to her senses. A drought fell upon the Foolovs through the sins of the mayor, and famine followed it. People started dying. Then came the end of Foolov's patience. First they sent a walker to Ferdyshchenko, but the walker did not return. Then they sent a petition, but this did not help either. Then they finally got to Alenka, and they threw her off the bell tower. But Ferdyshchenko did not doze off either, but wrote reports to his superiors. No bread was sent to him, but a team of soldiers arrived.

Through the next hobby of Ferdyshchenko, archer Domashka, fires came to the city. Pushkarskaya Sloboda was on fire, followed by Bolotnaya Sloboda and Scoundrel Sloboda. Ferdyshchenko again shied away, returned Domashka to the “optism” and called the team.

The reign of Ferdyshchenko ended with a journey. The mayor went to the city pasture. In different places, the townspeople greeted him and dinner was waiting for him. On the third day of the journey, Ferdyshchenko died of overeating.

Ferdyshchenko's successor, Vasilisk Semyonovich Borodavkin, took up his post resolutely. Having studied the history of Glupov, he found only one role model - Dvoekurov. But his achievements were already forgotten, and the Foolovites even stopped sowing mustard. Wartkin ordered that this mistake be corrected, and added Provence oil as punishment. But the fools did not give in. Then Borodavkin went on a military campaign against Streletskaya Sloboda. Not everything in the nine-day campaign was successful. In the dark, they fought with their own. Many real soldiers were fired and replaced with tin soldiers. But Wartkin survived. Having reached the settlement and not finding anyone, he began to pull the houses into logs. And then the settlement, and behind it the whole city, surrendered. Subsequently, there were several more wars for enlightenment. In general, the reign led to the impoverishment of the city, which finally ended under the next ruler, Negodyaev. In this state, Foolov found the Circassian Mikeladze.

No events were held during this period. Mikeladze stepped aside from administrative measures and dealt only with the female sex, to which he was a great hunter. The city was resting. "The visible facts were few, but the consequences are innumerable."

The Circassian was replaced by Feofilakt Irinarkhovich Benevolensky, a friend and comrade of Speransky in the seminary. He had a passion for law. But since the mayor did not have the right to issue his own laws, Benevolensky issued laws secretly, in the house of the merchant Raspopova, and scattered them around the city at night. However, he was soon dismissed for relations with Napoleon.

The next was Lieutenant Colonel Pryshch. He did not deal with business at all, but the city flourished. The harvests were huge. The fools were worried. And the secret of Pimple was revealed by the leader of the nobility. A great lover of minced meat, the leader sensed that the head of the mayor smelled of truffles and, unable to stand it, attacked and ate the stuffed head.

After that, state councilor Ivanov arrived in the city, but "turned out to be so small that he could not contain anything spacious," and died. His successor, the immigrant Vicomte de Chario, constantly had fun and was sent abroad by order of his superiors. Upon examination, it turned out to be a girl.

Finally, State Councilor Erast Andreevich Sadtilov appeared in Foolov. By this time, the Foolovites had forgotten true God and cleave to idols. Under him, the city was completely mired in debauchery and laziness. Hoping for their happiness, they stopped sowing, and famine came to the city. Sadtilov was busy with daily balls. But everything suddenly changed when she appeared to him. The wife of the pharmacist Pfeifer showed Sadtilov the path of goodness. The holy fools and the wretched, who experienced hard days during the worship of idols, became the main people in the city. The Foolovites repented, but the fields remained empty. The Glupovsky beau monde gathered at night to read Mr. Strakhov and "admiration", which the authorities soon found out about, and Sadtilov was removed.

The last Foolovsky mayor, Ugryum-Burcheev, was an idiot. He set a goal - to turn the Foolovs into "the city of Nepreklonsk, eternally worthy of the memory of the Grand Duke Svyatoslav Igorevich" with straight identical streets, "companies", identical houses for identical families, etc. Ugryum-Burcheev thought out the plan in detail and proceeded to execution. The city was destroyed to the ground, and it was possible to start building, but the river interfered. She did not fit into the plans of Ugryum-Burcheev. The indefatigable mayor led an offensive against her. All the garbage, all that was left of the city, was put into action, but the river washed away all the dams. And then Moody-Grumbling turned around and walked away from the river, leading the Foolovites with him. A completely flat lowland was chosen for the city, and construction began. But something has changed. However, the notebooks with the details of this story have been lost, and the publisher gives only the denouement: "... the earth shook, the sun faded‹...> It came." Without explaining what exactly, the author only reports that “the scoundrel instantly disappeared, as if dissolved in thin air. History has stopped flowing."

The story is closed by "acquittal documents", i.e., the writings of various city governors, such as: Borodavkin, Mikeladze and Benevolensky, written as a warning to other city governors.

Summary"History of one city" Saltykov-Shchedrin

Saltykov Shchedrin history of the city content. Analysis of the work "The History of a City", Saltykov Shchedrin. Empress Anna Ioannovna. Unknown artist. XVIII century. State Hermitage

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