General Afrosimov, a Possible Prototype of Famusov, and His Appetite Before Death

One of the directors of the Assembly of the Nobility, Pavel Afanasyevich Afrosimov, a retired major general, a fearfully important and dreadfully rich Moscow grandee, whom some call the prototype of Griboyedov's Famusov, was dying at the age of 64. His contemporaries left some amusing recollections of the dying itself. Quite out of keeping with his years, the general was a complete wreck and an insufferable glutton.

To the doctors who visited him Afrosimov complained of only one thing: that he was not fed enough. Meanwhile his close friend Mar Ivanna Rimskaya-Korsakova sent the old man gifts of food: stewed strawberries and blackberries, compote, jelly and brawn made from calves' feet, adding that "it seems too much for a dying man, but he eats remarkably well."

When Pavel Afanasyich had already received the last rites and preparations were under way for his departure to the next world, he suddenly woke up, perked up and began talking about food, and gave orders for watercress and pigeons, stuffed with eggs like chickens, for Easter Sunday. To his last minute, in perfect possession of his wits, Afrosimov went on feasting and thinking what else he might eat.

All I can say is: a lucky man.