Saturday, February 6, 2021

Alix's letter to Ernst, dated June 22/July 4, 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,
I am going to ask Albert Grancy to take you these lines, so as to show you, that it is not lazyness of my part, not writing, but that I really have very little time. When my lessons are over, I sit with Irène in the garden, & play the Festungsspiel, or carry Baby about. He has grown so much, & has got such a nice plump & cheery fellow, — really he is a great Duck! —

I have heard already twice from Tebe, since she is at Michelbach, where she is enjoying her stay. She sends you both many messages, & wants you to tell me everything about Pebe, & how he likes being where he is, so that I might then relate it to her. —

I suppose you were also as astonished as we were, at Louise's betrothal. I hear that they are exceedingly happy, & that the Wedding is going to be towards the end of this month. Very quick & hasty it seems. —

On the 6th is Toria of Wales Birthday, & Grf: Rantzaus. —

We have just come in from the garden, where it was very warm, & where we were stung by numerous gnats. No delight, I can assure you. — I am writing to you with a glass pen, wh. Gretchen bought for me this morning, when we were at Wiesbaden. It writes quite nicely. The shape is so: [little drawing of pen]. — This evening we are going to a Circus, wh. is here for a few days — such a pitty Irène cannot go with us. — I heard from Ella just before, — she mentions that: U. Sache, A. Minny, Xenia & Micha, A. Marie, Queen O. of Greece, with her Nicky & Minny have gone for a trip again to Finland. — By this time Ella & Serge are at Ilinskoe.
With a 1000 tender embraces, I am, Sweet old Dear, yr ever loving Alix.

[P.S.] I hope the heat is not too great, & that the gnats & Kinderwagen are not too troublesome. I hope you will enjoy seeing Dresden, & that your visite to the King & Queen will be pleasant. — Uncle Fr.[ancis] Teck comes to-morrow fr. Jugenheim, where he has been for two days. — Do not forget Tebe's messages. —


Above: Alix.


Above: Ernst.

Note: Kinderwagen = pram.

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