Alix's letter to Ernst, dated January 11, 1890

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Alix wrote this letter to her brother Ernst on January 11, 1890.

The letter:

My darling Ernie dear,
I intended writing to you before now, but really had so little time, Papa and Louie being [ill]. I was always running from one to the other, and doing lessons in between time. Now Papa is up again and about, only has still a tiresome cough. Louie is also up half of the day, and is in high spirits, and gets teazed very much by me, and yells in consequence. Yesterday Thora and Christle came over for a few hours. —

How sad that the poor old Empress has died, I pitty the Grand Duchess of Baden so. Really it is terribly being so often in mourning. — Everybody is vicious, having to go into mourning for 4 weeks, the officers with black for 3 weeks, & everyone at Wiesbaden for 6 weeks. The Cousins are inraged, and call it tactless, and I do not know what else of the poor old lady dying just at the time when one wishes to amuse oneself, & dance &c. But I call it shame of them, how could she help dying then, it was not her fault. —

Aunt Vicky and the Cousins I hear are on the way to Berlin, I hope you will still see them; — Uncle Christian has also gone. — Now even our skating is over, as it thaws and reins, which is most odious, really one can scarcely do anything any more, & of course we cannot go to the Theatre so soon. — Perhaps Papa will arrange a Rutschbahn for the house, — I have asked Thora to enquire at the Knoops how theirs was made, and about how much it costs. From Cousins' description it is quite different to the one at Zarskoe, & can be pushed about if necessary. It would be too delightful to have one. —

Well, how did your Ball go off, was it very amusing — do tell me something about it, if you have time, as it would be fun to know what it was like. — I enclose a Card from Xenia. I got a Telegramme from her, that our cards had arrived, and that all thanked for them. — Tebe sends you and Pebe her very best love; she is most unhappy now that no balls can be given, & that the ice has stopped, as she will have no occasions for being with Pebe. — After the mourning is over, there are still ten days for dancing before Lent, but then I suppose he will already be gone. I wish Papa would give a hop at Mitfasten, & that you would be here for it, it would be such fun. —

But now I cannot write any more, as my hair is nearly done,

A fond, long kiss, from yr ever loving old Alix.

[P. S.] Gretchen has also got the Influenza.

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.