Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated May 15, 1889

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:

Darling Ernie
At last I manage to find time to write to you, as Irène is going to sleep. We miss you awfully — it seems so odd not to see you, & one wants you to make one merry. — I am sorry to hear that you cannot get out until 4, but hope that you won't overwork yourself.

Charly leaves this evening for Berlin & we to-morrow for Darmstadt. — Irène has irgend eine inwendige Verdehnung & wird darum einige Wochen liegen müssen. Es ist möglich, dass sie sich das zugeeignet hat, den Tag wie sie auf den Kaiser ging, denn die Treppen waren sehr steil. Sie hat aber jetzt weniger Schmerzen & ist guter Dinge. Wenn sie sich also sehr ruhig hält, wird es, hoffen wir, bald wieder gut. Don't be anxious. Did you get a present on the 12th, the great day?

If you wish to write to Nicky for his birthday, you must do so immediately as his is on Saturday, the 18th of May! —

But now Darling, Goodbye & God bless you. Ever your most loving Alicky.

P. S. I shall write as soon as I can again.

Tino is at Homburg — Baby is flourishing, wiegt 11 Pfund.

Many very tender kisses. — All send their love.


Above: Alix.


Above: Ernst.

Notes: "Irène has irgend eine inwendige Verdehnung & wird darum einige Wochen liegen müssen. Es ist möglich, dass sie sich das zugeeignet hat, den Tag wie sie auf den Kaiser ging, denn die Treppen waren sehr steil. Sie hat aber jetzt weniger Schmerzen & ist guter Dinge. Wenn sie sich also sehr ruhig hält, wird es, hoffen wir, bald wieder gut." = "Irène has some internal strain & will therefore have to lie for a few weeks. It is possible that she got it the day she went to the Kaiser, because the stairs were very steep. But now she has less pain & is in good spirits. So if she stays very quiet, we hope she'll be fine again soon."

"wiegt 11 Pfund" = "weighs 11 pounds."

May 12, 1889 was the second anniversary of the AETA Club of Alix, Ernst, Toni Becker, and Baron Alexander von Frankenburg und Ludwigsdorf.

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