Alexandra's letter to Ernst, dated September 2/14, 1895

Alexandra wrote this letter to her brother Ernest on September 2 (O.S.; New Style date 14), 1895.

Source:

mashkaromanova on Tumblr.

https://mashkaromanova.tumblr.com/post/187707123870/alexandra-sunny-feodorovna-1895-my-darling

The letter:

My darling Ernie,
I must send you again a few lines to-day, to tell you how much my thoughts are with you, now that all the Sisters are at Wolfsgarten. It must be a great joy for you having them all to-gether — for Ducky it must seem most strange. — Yesterday we had a beautiful day, but to-day it is rainy, tho' warm. The roads are so wet, that Nicky won't let me walk this morning, so I am going to drive to the Baby & he will meet me there. — I wonder how you have put up all the guests? Now Ross' house is most useful, I should think! — You might get Ella to finish painting the doors in the back sitting room of my house. — Mossy sent me the photos of her Children, alas, the eldest must be a little monster, but my Godchild, Max, looks nice & plump. —

Yesterday N. shot again two ducks; & I lay reading on the balconey & listening to the gentle ripple of the waves. — This afternoon we went in the electric launch as the weather had quite cleared up. It was most enjoyable. — I sent little Irina out for her first drive. — I am glad you got all my letters & our beasts — I hope Paul would have telegraphed on his arrival! — I also just got a telegram of thanks from Ella, wh. pleased me much — every bit of news from home is happiness, & I eagerly tare open the telegrams when I see Wolfsgarten written on them. —

Do make Germann photograph you all on the stairs at W. — At last Georgie, Xenia & Sandro have left for Liebau — they had to put off their journey first on account of Georgie & then on account of a storm. — I am very industrious, trying to arrange a sort of Ladies' working guild, what I had also wanted to do at home. Cocky sent me all the papers of Auntie's guild in the I. of Wight. Of course many things must be changed for here, but I am most anxious to begin it. — Most odd, but scarcely any ladies work here — simple stiching I mean. —

Then I have done another thing, have founded a society of wh. I am at the head for helping & augmenting workhouses for the poor. It is so necessary here, & I think the people will interest themselves in it. I must now choose the vice-president & members, wh. will not be easy. I dread the idea of having to be present at some of the sittings; I shall die of shyness. I should much less dread seeing each member alone. They sent me the statutes, arranged by a small society I had picked out, & I with Schneiderlein's aid translated them for myself into German, so as to be able to properly to understand them & then to agree with them. —

This minute Irène's dear letter has been brought me — please thank & kiss her from me. I am so glad to hear how they have all been put up. How amusing Joccs should have taken Ella for me — does he remember my name still? Fancy Baby having already 3 teeth, she is in a hurry! How proud you both must be of her. — Please thank Wilhelmino also for her letter. — It is so strange to hear of all of you being to-gether, & that only I should be so far away — but all my hopes are for this time next year, if you will have us. —

But I must stop now. Kissing you all tenderly, I remain, yr very loving old Sunny.

P. S. How is it Serge has gone to Venice? — Please give many messages to all the Gefolge, German & Russian. —

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.

Above: Ernest.

Above: Elisabeth, Ernest's daughter and Alexandra's niece.