The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse, 1878-1916, edited by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010
The letter:
My darling Ernie,
We have just returned from a delightful expedition. We two, Vicky, Sophie, Mossy, Mlle de Perpignon, Ethel Cadogan & two Officers of the Victoria & Albert went on the Helena. We had Consequences, & then tea & shrimps cake &c. One of the Officers buttered & cut the bread, & Mademoiselle poured out the tea. We were very merry. Irène & one Officer, as well as Mossy, stuffed themselves with shrimps &c, & then some sketched.
Then the three Cousins, one Officer & Maudy went in one boat, & we four in an other, horrid little thing. Of course they got on much faster, having 4 oars & we only three, & besides Irène & Ethel were not very skilful & we had nothing for stearing; I tried to with a logg of wood, but it did not succeed, & we remained far behind. So we let ourselves be towed by the steam launch, only my feet got so horribly wet, that we got in the steam launch, & went close to the Victoria & Albert, where we waited till the others came. We just were going on board, when began a discussion, if we should go, or not, and it ended in our getting into the steamlaunch again, & towing the others. Near the shore, we got in their boat & went as far as possible in the sand, but could not get very far, so in to the water jumped the two Officers, with their lovely creamish white trousers, & carried some on crossed hands across, & 2 sailors came up, from the other boat & carried also some, but not very comfortably, as one nearly fell slipping, but they said one was safe. —
But now Adio, with hearty kiss, Ever yr own loving Sister Alix.
Above: Alix.
Above: Ernst.
Note: Adio = goodbye
No comments:
Post a Comment