Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Alexandra's letter to Maria, year 1907

Alexandra wrote this letter to her third daughter Maria on December 30, 1907. (Today (June 26, 2019) is the 120th anniversary of Maria's birth).

Source:

Transcript and photos of letter courtesy of GARF (State Archives of the Russian Federation) via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK







Transcript:

Dec. 30th 1907. Ц. С.
My darling little Marie,
I hope you will be able to read this letter all alone, tho' it is in English. Many thanks for yr. nice letter.

I am delighted that you are all so much better. — God grant I shall soon see you all again. I am going to have quite a party in my bedroom to luncheon; Papa, Olga & Anastasia; is it not grand?

My headache has quite passed, but the head feels still rather tired. —

Now I must read the Bible & prayers, as I do not go to Church. I hope you & Tatiana do so too. —

Very fondest kisses, my little girly dear, fr. yr. loving old
Mama. —

God bless you. —


Above: Alexandra with Maria.

Letter to Alexandra from Olga, dated August 6, 1903

Alexandra's eldest daughter Olga Nikolaevna wrote this letter to her on August 6, 1903.

Sources:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 3: The Young Empress, 1895-1905, page 178, by George Hawkins, 2024

Transcript and photos of letter courtesy of GARF (State Archives of the Russian Federation) via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK





Transcript (with modernised spelling):

Милая дорогая Мама,
Я тебя очень благодарю за письмо и карту. Я не могла все прочесть. Крепко целую.
Ольга.
6-го Авг. 1903

English translation (my own):

My sweet Mama dear,
I thank you very much for the letter and card. I couldn't read everything. I kiss you lovingly.
Olga
August 6, 1903


Above: Alexandra with Olga.

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Alexandra's letter to Maria, year 1910

Alexandra wrote this letter to her third daughter, Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna, on February 4, 1910.

Source:

Transcript and photo of letter courtesy of GARF (State Archives of the Russian Federation) via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK


Transcript:

Feb. 4. 1910. Ц. С.
Sweet little Marie,
Your tiny letter touched me very much. Certainly you can hang the ring up at the Immage. I shall keep it for you, & then we can think over when & how to do it. —

Sleep well. God bless you try always to love Him above all & to be a good, patient little girl and try never to be disobedient.
I kiss you very tenderly.
Your own Mama +


Above: Alexandra with Maria.

Alexandra's letter to Tatiana, dated January 24, 1909

Alexandra wrote this letter to Tatiana on January 24, 1909.

Source:

Transcript and photo of letter courtesy of GARF (State Archives of the Russian Federation) via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK










Transcript:

For Tatiana

Jan. 24. 1909
My darling Tatiana,
Very tender kisses & thanks for your dear letter. —

Thats a dear you pray for old Mama perhaps God may — make her better — but sometimes He send illness for the good of ones soul. You only be as good as you can & don't cause me any anxiety, then I shall be quiet as & cannot go upstairs to see how the lessons are going to see if you are behaving talking. —
A good hug fr. yr. loving old
Mama +


Above: Alexandra with Tatiana.

Alexandra's letter to Tatiana, year 1910

Alexandra wrote this letter to her second daughter, Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna, on March 24, 1910.

Source

Transcript and photo of letter courtesy of GARF (State Archives of the Russian Federation) via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK







Transcript:

For Tatiana

March 24th 1910.
Darling Tatiana,
Many thanks for yr. dear letter. Yes dear you must show a good example to the little ones & not always turn round & look about in Church. Auntie & Olga are working hard at the puzzle — Papa & Dmitri — at the other one. —

I am lying on the sopha, working for yr. dresses. Kisses & blessings fr. yr. loving old
Mama +


Above: Alexandra with Tatiana.

Friday, June 21, 2019

Alexandra's telegram to Xenia, dated July 10, 1897

Alexandra sent this telegram to her sister-in-law Xenia on July 10, 1897.

Source:

Transcript and photo of telegram courtesy of GARF (State Archives of the Russian Federation) via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK




The telegram:

Tenderest thanks congratulation. Going upstairs. Today give over Baby to nursery. Lovely weather. Nicky inspected Russia yesterday. Fondest love to chicken* family darling Georgie from my family.
Alix.


Above: Alexandra with baby Tatiana, year 1897.


Above: Xenia.

Note: "Chicken" was Alexandra's nickname for Xenia.

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Alix's telegram to Xenia, dated January 30, 1897

Alix sent this telegram to her sister-in-law, Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, on January 30, 1897.

Source:

Transcript and photo of telegram courtesy of GARF (State Archives of the Russian Federation) via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_40186

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_40186&z=photo-56510987_456251889%2Fwall-56510987_40187


Transcript:

В.К. Ксении Александровне

Tender thanks telegram regret immensely that we shal not meet soon long to see You all and the new Baby fondest kisses from trio.

Alix


Above: Nicholas and Alexandra with their eldest daughter Olga, year 1896.


Above: Xenia.

Alix's letter to Nicholas, year 1894

Alix wrote this letter to Nicholas on May 2, 1894.

Source:

Transcript and scanned photos of letter courtesy of GARF (State Archives of the Russian Federation) via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_27351

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_27351&z=photo-56510987_456245049%2Fwall-56510987_27352

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_27351&z=photo-56510987_456245051%2Fwall-56510987_27353




Transcript:

N. I. Alix. Darmstadt
April May 2-nd 1894
Wednesday evening 11½
My own precious Darling,
I am lying in bed, but cannot go to sleep before I have written to you as speak alas we cannot.

Oh, how I miss you, it is not to be described & I long for the two hours all alone with you. No good night kiss & blessing, it is hard. But our thoughts will meet won't they? Your dear telegram made my heart rejoice, & have got it is near me. What a delight it will be to find your letter at Windsor. And there you are rattling away in the beastly train, whilst I am comfortable installed in my bed in my own "sweet home".

It reminds me all so much of last week — how glad I am you have been there, & know my rooms a bit. I want you badly. — Our journey went off well & let Schweinfurt we got out for ¾ of an hour, & took tea, then at Würzburg we stopped too, & drove in the town but it was grey & dreary only later the sunset over the Main was glorious.

I wonder how you spent the last hours at Coburg, & whether you kept away from the Rosenau. The little "Tear" is so sweet, but you must not spoil me so, do you hear, my boysy dear?

We have tomorrow already at 11:16 & before a dressmaker comes. — I wish we remained here longer, instead of [...] off again.

"Loin des yeux, mais pres du cœur."


Above: Nicholas and Alix, year 1894.

Note: Loin des yeux, mais pres du cœur = Far from the eyes, but close to the heart.

Alix's Easter gift for Nicholas, 1894

Alix sent this book as an Easter present for Nicholas on April 29, 1894.

Source:

Transcript and scanned photo of book courtesy of GARF (State Archives of the Russian Federation) via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_27729

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?z=photo-56510987_456245285%2Fwall-56510987_27730


Transcript:

For my own darling Nicky, with every possible good-wish and blessing for Easter.
April 29th.
Coburg.
fr. yr. deeply loving old
Alix


Above: Nicholas and Alix on their engagement day, 1894.

Alix's poem-letter to Nicholas, year 1894

Alix wrote these poems and letter to Nicholas on August 7, 1894.

Source:

Transcript and scanned photos of letter courtesy of GARF (State Archives of the Russian Federation) via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_27763

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_27763&z=photo-56510987_456245309%2Fwall-56510987_27765

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_27763&z=photo-56510987_456245311%2Fwall-56510987_27766






Transcript:

Wolfsgarten

"O, my dear one, how I love you,
Better, better every day,
With unending, true devotion
Deeper far than I can say.

When at evening dies the day light
Lost at length in night's embrace.
All the gloom is steeped in sunshine
By the memory of your face.
And with morning comes the whisper of the name that I adore,
And I waken, sleep forsaking.
Wake to love you more and more. —

————

Love triumphant! Love undying!
Love that lives for evermore! —

————

"When the earth woke up in gladness,
To welcome the rising sun,
And the woods were fill'd with music
Now the silent night was done.
Didst thou think of me?
As I did of thee? —
When the shadows lay so deeply,
Beneath the acacia trees,
And I bared my throbbing temples
To the welcome evening breeze,
Didst thou think of me?
As I did of thee? —
When the fragrant night closed round me,
And I watch'd the stars first gleam
And the moon of longest hearty,
All her glory on me stream
Didst thou think of me?
As I did of thee?" —

————

"So love with a love that can never die
A smile for a smile, a sigh for a sigh,
To love with a love that is ever the same,
A beacon of light, an ever bright flame. —
To love & to care not when amaranths fade,
Or earth be bathed in sunshine or shade,
To love and to be loved again,
Whatever the joy, whatever the pain. — (Walton)
To love and to tell it on soft summer eves.
Amid the rustling of green summer leaves,
To feel sweet moments vanish away,
And to know there is still so much to say. —
To love as we love, in the bye & bye,
To-gether to live, to-gether to die.
One hope, one faith, both loyal & brave.
Through life heart to heart, side by side in the grave.
To live, love & die.
We know not the rest
We dream of a land
Mid the Isles of the Blest,
Those Islands of beauty,
That peace circled shore
Where love is immortal for ever and evermore." —

"I want no stars in heaven to guide me
I need no moon, no sun to shine
While I have you, sweetheart beside me,
While I know that you are mine.
I need not fear whate'er believe me
For straight & sweet my pathway lies,
I want no stars in heaven to guide me
While I gaze in your dear eyes. —
I hear no birds at twilight calling,
I catch no music in the streams,
While your golden words are falling,
While you whisper in my dreams.
Ev'ry sound of joy enthralling
Speaks in your dear voice along,
While I hear your fond lips calling,
Wile you speak to me, mine own." —

"Count how many stars are in heaven,
Go reckon the sand on the shore,
And when so many kisses you've given,
I still will be asking for more."

For my own precious, beloved darling Nicky dear, from yr. ever truly devoted, affectionate & loving bridy.
Alix

God bless you! —

Aug. 7th 1894.



Above: Nicholas and Alix, year 1894.

Alix's letter to Nicholas, dated May 9, 1889

Alix wrote this letter to Nicholas on May 9, 1889.

Sources:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, page 67, by George Hawkins, 2023

Transcript and scanned photos of letter courtesy of GARF (State Archives of the Russian Federation) via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?z=photo-56510987_456244031%2Falbum-56510987_00%2Frev

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?z=photo-56510987_456244032%2Fwall-56510987_25411




The letter:

Mainz
May 9th 1889
Dearest Nicky,
So many thanks for your dear letter, which gave me great pleasure. It was so kind of you to remember the old Toads Birth Day. —

Yes, it does seem a long time ago, since we were at Petersburg!

Ella told us about Petioucha's engagement & I am sure you must be very glad.

The heat here is tremendous & so we usually go out at 7½ in the morning, and in the afternoon on the Rhein.
With much love,
One of the Pelly Party
Alix

Toad, Goat, Frog. —


Above: Alix, year 1889.


Above: Nicholas, year 1888-1890.

Alix's letter to Nicholas, dated March 17/29, 1889

Alix wrote this letter to Nicholas on March 17 (Old Style date), 1889.

Sources:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, page 56, by George Hawkins, 2023

Transcript and scanned photos of letter courtesy of GARF (State Archives of the Russian Federation) via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?z=photo-56510987_456244280%2Falbum-56510987_00%2Frev

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?z=photo-56510987_456244281%2Fwall-56510987_26149



Transcript:

Friday Darmstadt
March 17/29 1889
Dearest Nicky,
So many thanks for your Note enclosed in Xenia's letter. It was so good of you to write, & it gave me great pleasure. —

My mad letter amused you then all — well I have been cracked enough to write another.

We went last night to see the "Rhein-Gold" & I hope next week to see the "Walküre" & "Siegfried". —

But now I must say Goodbye, as I am going out driving,
Ever your loving
Alix

Many messages to the Weeping Willow. —

We have quite warm weather.

Papa & Ernie are gone out shooting now. —


Above: Alix, year 1889.


Above: Nicholas, late 1880s.

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Alexandra's note in Nicholas's diary, dated February 11, 1901

Alexandra wrote this note in her husband's diary on February 11, 1901.

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/182744771885/alexandra-feodorovna-and-nicholas-ii-from-a

The note:

Sweet one, a tiny word before going to bed. I am longing to have you quite to myself again; we have seen so little of each other these last weeks and I do love you so terribly. All these years go on, my love for huzy sweet increases — it grows always deeper and truer. God bless you, my Darling, for all your love, sleep well, and wake up strong and healthy. I cover your precious face with tender kisses. Night, night my angel. I have just kissed & blessed our sleeping girlies.


Above: Portraits of Nicholas and Alexandra in a magazine, year 1901. Courtesy of the same source.

Alexandra's note in Nicholas's diary, 1896.

Alexandra wrote this note in her husband's diary on March 29, 1896.

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/183791595525/nicholas-ii-and-alexandra-feodorovna-1896-sweet

The note:

Sweet precious Nicky mine, no words can express how deeply I love you — more and more, day by day, deeper — truer. Lovy sweet do you believe it, do you feel hearty throb so quickly, and only for you, my husband.


Above: Nicholas and Alexandra, year 1896. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ (Tatiana Danilova) on Flickr.

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated May 27, 1889

Alix wrote this letter to her brother Ernest on May 27, 1889.

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/185171309115/princess-alix-of-hesse-and-by-rhine-1889-darling

The letter:

Darling Ernie,
I must really write to you & this time also on some paper Tebe* gave me the other day. — She had made it at the Fair, the monogramms I mean, as they can do my sort of Monogramm you like, & very quickly. This was the only way she could get notepaper with Aeta* on it. — She sends you very many messages, and also Pebe*. Please send the enclosed envelope with the flowers to him. — She would like to tell him also that she picked the green on the 12th, and that the other flowers were brought to her house on that day. —

I payed her twice a visit, the last week & brought her once flowers. I had picked with Gretchen* at the Prince Emil's Garden. — That same afternoon Gretchen & I drove to Jugenheim, & returned after Supper. A beautiful warm day. Papa was then at Munich. — On Friday we spent the day there & Aunt Vicky, the cousins & Tino also. — We arrived here Saturday afternoon. Reception, 100 officers, your Hpt Kraatze also. — Vorbeimarsch. — I live in the rooms Victoria & Ella had in 81, to the left of the Saal.

Last night there was a Dinner 5 Ladies, & Gentlemen. Shy work, & I had to speak such a lot to those good Ladies. I dish wish for one of you still for the beginning, but afterwards got it all right. — Tomorrow the Bishopp & other Clergey come, also in the evening. This morning Papa drove me from 8-10, we went to Wiesbaden. The heat is tremendous, & so the only thing is to go out before Breakfast, or in the evening. We can only drive because of Papa's knee.

I hope you are getting on nicely, & don't suffer too much under the heat. U. Henry and Abby lunched here yesterday — I heard from Xenia to-day and entre autre she told me that she is going to wear a long dress & train, St Catherines ribbon & star for Paul's Wedding. I should like to see her.

With a long kiss, Ever Darling Ernie Dear, Yr  Most loving Sunny

[P. S.] How nice for A. Beatrice having a little boy. How do you like your Gentleman. I write with a simple white envelope, because the black edged ones are too small for enclosing the Flowers in.


Above: Alix and Ernie, year 1889.

Notes: Tebe = Toni Becker

Aeta = the AETA Club (Alix, Ernest, Toni and Alexander [Baron von Frankenburg und Ludwigsdorf)

Pebe = the abovementioned Alexander

Gretchen = Margarethe "Gretchen" von Fabrice

"Vorbeimarsch" = parade

Alix's letter to Ernie, dated December 13, 1886

Fourteen year old Alix wrote the following letter to her brother Ernst ("Ernie") on December 13, 1886, the eve of the eighth anniversary of their mother's death.




Transcript:

Neues Palais
DARMSTADT
Dec. 13th /86
Darling Ernie,
A little line for you, dear old boy. — What a sad day to-morrow will be for dear Papa & us, & dear Grandmama. I wish you were with us in the morning, for driving to the Rosenhöhe, I shall think of you, dear Ella & Irène.

I hope I shall see you to-morrow, at some time.

To-day I did not see you any where. —

You will be astonished to get the letter, I am sure, but as I do not see you much, I want you at least to hear from me.

God bless and protect you, my old darling, & let us all try to be what dear Mama wanted us. 8 years it will be tomorrow. —

Now goodnight deary, sleep well, & think of your loving & true little
Sunny

Many kisses for you. —

Good night!

Good morning!




Above: Alix and Ernst, year 1885.

Note, 1-29-24: This letter has been published in Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, by George Hawkins, 2023.