Alix's letter to Ernst, dated August 25/September 6, 1887

Source:

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,
I hope you were not angry with me for not having written by the last messenger, but I had been writing other letters, and so was rather faul. So I must now thank you for the dear letter you wrote me. — Excuse that this letter begins on the wrong side, but I only discovered it when I had already begun. — I shall not mention anything in this letter about what you told me, as someone might see it, and that would not do. I feel very much for them, poor Creatures. —

I hope you have finer weather than here, for here it pours every day. Liko showed us the other day, one of the German Newspapers, so that we could see how you were marching. How just like you, taking the basket of that poor woman, — I am sure God will reward you, if you go on doing such kind things. — What horse are you riding?, as the newspapers speak about your riding? — Irène has already ridden twice, since she is here, and I have driven myself twice.

Where is your Hauptquartir going to be? Ach! how stupid I am to ask you these questions, as you will of course have no time to answer them. We are going to drive this morning with Grandmama to the Simons, to buy Bonbons for Papa's Birth Day. — If we have time, I shall get you some also. —

The three little Connaughts arrived here on Saturday. Patsy is still looking very pale, as her teeth give her some much trouble. Luckily the eyeteeth have come threw. — Daisy and Arthur lunch with us, and the latter is always chattering, and telling such trash. Yesterday he always spoke about a daddy longlegs. How he stuffed bread into it, and that he put it on the dogs back, and that when the dog turned round, its back always ran round; rather peculiar. He is really too ridiculous.

But now, I must say Goodbye, as we shall be soon driving off; with many kisses, I remain darling Ernie, Ever your most loing and truely devoted little Sister & Friend Alix.

P. S. Is P. B. with you?

Above: Alix.

Above: Ernst.

Notes: faul = lazy

Hauptquartir (Hauptquartier) = headquarters