State Museum Preserve "Tsarskoe Selo"
Tsarskoselskaya Restoration Workshop
State Catalog of the Museum Fund of the Russian Federation (Gosfond)
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
The Mauve Boudoir writing desk's STUNNING TRANSFORMATION!
Sources:
State Museum Preserve "Tsarskoe Selo"
Tsarskoselskaya Restoration Workshop
State Catalog of the Museum Fund of the Russian Federation (Gosfond)
Saturday, April 24, 2021
Alix's diary entries from May 4 to May 8, 1889
Source:
Transcripts (edited to fit the pages) and photos of scans of diary pages courtesy of GARF via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK.
The diary entries:
MAI 4
Saturday
Kiеl
Breakfast at 9. — Stayed in, the whole morning. Lunched at 1½ with Gefolge. — Dr. Hinspeter came. — Played Piano.
At 4 we went on board the "Irène" & had tea there. Henry's cabins are charming. — In short, das drilt längste I fancy. —
Very warm, sunny, but yet a breeze. — Supped. Watched the Ehrengards in the Courtyard, & the Carriage rehearsal. Went fireworks off again. To-bed past 9. —
Heard from Ella. —
--
MAI 5
Sunday
Went to the station to receive William & Dona. Grand reception.
"Die Allerhöchsten, & höchsten Herrschaften versammelten sich gegen 12½ Uhr in den Käiserzimmern. — Die Gefolge Ihrer Kaiserlichen & Königlichen Majestäten & der Höchsten Herrschaften, sowie die übrigen, geladenen Taufzeugenen [illegible] 12½ Uhr, in diese als Taufkapelle hergeriehteten Rittersaal-Stellung. Unmittelbar war dieses Beginne des Taufaktes, traten die Allerhöchsten & höchsten Herrschaften in die Taufkapelle ein, & gruppirten viel im Halbkreis [illegible] den Alter. — Ihre Königl. Hoheit, die Fr. Prz. Heinrich nahmen, während der Taufzug sich näherte, in der Taufkapelle, (rechts vom Altar, wenn man vor demselben stand), Platz. — Nachdem der Durchlauchtigste Täufling, in die der Taufkapelle zunächst gelegenen Kaiserlichen Gemächern in Begleitung der Leib[illegible], Ihre Königl: Hoheiten, des Pr. v der Fr. Prss. Heinrich von Prz gebracht worden war, wurde Höchstderselbe, geführt von den Hofmarschall, Freiherrn von Bekendorff, von der Oberhof[illegible], FrFr: von Bekendorff, in die Taufkapelle, bis vor den Altar getragen; die Hofdame, Grf: zu Rantzau, welche die Schluppe des Hohen Täuflings hielt, folgte, der Kammerherr Graf Hahn-Neulauss, der den Zug schloss. — Die heilige Handlung vollzog, in Gegenwart des Generalsuperintendenten Dr. Jensen, & des Pastor Beck der Marine-Oberpfarrer Langheld. — Im Moment der Taube, übernahm Seine Majestät der Kaiser & König den Hohen Täufling. — Am Schlusse der heiligen Handlung, übernahm Seine Majestät, den Hohen Täufling, der Fr. Oberhofm: Frfr: von Bekendorff, die den Prinzen dem Ihr. Königl. Hoh. der Fr. Prss. Heinrich überreichte.. Nachdem der Geistliche den Segen über I. K. Hoheit & den Hohen Täufling gesprochen, wurde Höchstderselbe im Zuge nach den Kaiserlichen Gemächern zurückgebracht." —
After this we all congratulated Irène, when in the Waffensaal, & dann gerechte sie eine Defilir-Cour der übrigen Thufzeugen anzunehem. — After, [illegible] was en Galatafel im weissen Saal. — Die Schluppe, was the Wedding train of Empress Augusta, — all her Children & all her [illegible], were baptized in it, their names are embroidered in gold on it. —
--
MAI 6
Willy's eldest Boy's B. D.
For a drive, Barracken, &c.
Supper with Gefolge. —
--
MAI 7
Kiel
For a drive
Donа left before Luncheon.
Had tea on S. M. S. "Kaiser"
Willy & Bernhard left.
--
MAI 8
Wednesday
Kiel
Stayed at home, as Charlotte & I had bad throats. Did nothing particular.
Rained. —
Above: Alix. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.
Notes (I can't translate everything): Gefolge = entourage, retinue.
Waffensaal = armoury.
Barracken = barracks.
Friday, April 23, 2021
Alix's diary entries from May 1 and May 3, 1889
Source:
Transcripts (edited to fit the pages) and photos of scans of diary pages courtesy of GARF via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK.
The diary entries:
MAI 1
Wednesday
Uncle Arthur's B.D. — Very warm, a beautifully sunny. Breakfast at 9. Went with Gretchen shopping, & then a round about way home. Frl. Textor. Then Toni, so as to finish "Auf Biblischen Pladen", wh. we also did. Luncheon, to wh. Victoria & Louis came.
Ernie went to the Dentist to Frankfort, but returned at 3. — Went in the Garden, Victoria read to us; we had tea there. Then Papa left for Potsdam, & V. & L. at 6 for Jugenheim. —
Packed. Piano. Wrote to Xenia. Ernie out to supper (Brauchitsch). —
Supper at 8. Played cards. —
Bed at 10½. —
--
MAI 3
Friday
Kiel.
Thoras B.D. —
Arrived here at 10. Breakfasted. Charlotte & Bernhardt came at 3½, & then we lunched. — Baby was put in the cloak & train, & the Ladies carried him & there ... practice.
Stayed with Irène.
Supped at 7½. —
Sent fireworks off. To bed at 9. —
Lovely, warm, sunny weather.
Baby is toо sweet for words, with large blue eyes, & long fingers, & tiny mouth. —
Above: Alix with Irène, Prince Henry of Prussia and the baby Prince Waldemar. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.
Alix's diary entries from April 26 to April 30, 1889
Source:
Transcripts (edited to fit the pages) and photos of scans of diary pages courtesy of GARF via Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK.
The diary entries:
APRIL 26
Friday
Breakfast alone at 9½, as Papa had not yet returned with Ernie from a turn with the new Horses. — Went in the Garden & further with Gretchen. Lessons. Drawing lesson. Luncheon. A. Julie payed a visite. Then Papa, Ernie, Wilhelmine & I drove in the Linieke with the horses. Musik Lesson. Tea. Went to see the "Taming of the Shrew" had only seen the Dark [?], but the piece is charming.
Supper. Bed. —
--
APRIL 27
Saturday
Breakfast at 9. Tried on, worked. Lessons. Luncheon at 2. Band played. Went with Gretchen to the Alte Palais Garden, & then round about. Worked. At about 5 Toni come for reading & working, & stayed till nearly 8. — Papa left at 7 for shooting but returns to-morrow morning. — Supper at 8.
At 9 Ernie & I went up, as Frankenberg was coming to say goodbye to him, as he leaves to-morrow, early for Spandau, where he is commanded to, for 6 months.
Rather cold to-day, & scarcely any sun. —
--
APRIL 28
Sunday
Breakfast at 9. Papa back. — Worked & wrote. At 12, Papa drove Ernie, Abby & me with the 4 Juncker to Jugenheim. Lunched at 1½. Picked flowers, walked about, played Piano, — had tea in the Garten-Saal. Left at 5½. Off to the "Hugenotten". Came only to the second act. Never seen it before. Quite lovely. Sung so well. Bär got a reath.
To bed at nearly 11. —
Beautiful & quite warm.
--
APRIL 29
Monday
Breakfast at 9. —
Went to the Pr. Emil's Garden with Wilhelmine. Lessons. U. Christian & Abby came to Luncheon.
~~~~
Lessons. Tea. lessons.
~~~~
Papa left for Beerfelden.
Supper à nous quatre at 8. — Cards. Bed.
--
APRIL 30
Tuesday
Up at 8½.
Breakfast at 9. Papa returned from Beerfelden having shot a Birkhahn. Then I went with him to the Pr. Emil's Garden. —
Lessons. Luncheon. Went with Gretchen to Herrngarten. Frl. v. Bechtold too ill to come to the lesson, (we sent her some fоod). —
So Toni came for reading & working & tea. At 6½ to see her Bluthochzeit. —
Supper & Bed.
Papa gone & gentlemen luncheon here at 2, to wh. we Ladies did not go down. —
Above: Alix.
Notes: à nous quatre = the four of us.
Birkhahn = blackcock.
Bluthochzeit = blood wedding [?].
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Sunday, April 18, 2021
Friday, April 16, 2021
Nicholas's letter to Alix on her birthday, dated May 24 and 25/June 6 and 7, 1894
Sources:
Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 2: Engagement and Marriage, 1894, pages 128 to 130, by George Hawkins, 2023
Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook
The letter:
Your blessed Birthday 1894. Gatchina.
No. 35
My sweet darling Alix,
This instant they brought me yr dear telegram for which many thanks. How delighted I am that you said — for the 20th you hoped to come to Walton, perhaps somebody else might possibly also be turning about that date! Oh! my love, I have been thinking & longing for you so — the whole day long — that my head nearly cracked! It is worse than I can say this separation, it has worn me out! To know that my poor beloved little girly has spent this day all by herself — no relation whatever near you — to know it, it made me sick at heart!
What a joy! They have now brought me your letter — I must stop, put the pen down & read it, or better — devour it up! There. Unluckily the best moment of the day has passed. No, what do I say — that's rude, because I love writing to my little girly-darling; in fact I could not do without sending you a letter every day. I must have at least an hour's chat with my beloved precious little bride. So you like that title — the affianced husband — I think it rather official, but cannot bear being called the bride groom — it is deeply offending towards the bride; taking her for a horse, people give her a groom to look after. Shocking idea!!
I receive among different foreign papers — an Italian illustration; in the last No., that I got today, they put our four pictures in: your's, Xenia's, Sandro's & mine. Then I looked through the short article following the engagements & knowing of course what was the subject about — understood it perfectly! Sweet love, I never thanked you, beast that I always am, for your dear long interesting letter! How dare you say that your letter was dull & that you were sorry not to be able of giving me news concerning other people! Much do I care for them, especially in your dear letters, where each syllable about yourself is a treasure & still more when my darling tells me about her having been to Church & what are her impressions, idea's etc! about the sermons! To speak of ramolli well, I was one & a formidable one to day — and that was a result of staying up so late at night, I am speaking of yesterday's evening. If it had not been for your sake I should have refused to go. Do you know what they told me? That I had written often enough to you, but that I had never drunken yr health together with them & that it did not matter if I left a day out in our correspondence! Really impudent of them. But today I laughed at them; in the morning they appeared with impossible faces — eyes half open & swollen — where as I felt only ramolli (Please to mark the difference) but looked as fresh as a cow might look on a fine summer morning, grazing contentedly in the midst of a meadow!
After finishing my letter this morning, I went out to thank the men for congratulating me. They got their double rations to day & had no work to do! Then I left & arrived in time here for the luncheon. Yuri & Stana Leuchtenberg also came to see Papa, they both send you many messages. Do you know I received a good lot of telegrams fr different people — it touched me very much to be remembered on some one else's dear birthday! Why is it so agreeable? Dear Papa & the others haben mir zugetrunken for my Alixy-dear's health. I use the same expression you did on the 18th in your letter. Did you congratulate the Landgräfin on Illa's birthday — the marriageable daughter! To think only, that she dared propose her to Mama to be married to me! It would be the same if that charming Alek had espoused you, my poor little chicken — well I am sorry for you, but am afraid you won't be a bit better with a half grown up cow — what a desolate peep into the future?
Your dear birthday has passed away & so I must also pass away into slumber. Oh! how I hope that I may dream of you my beloved primrosy-dear. Sweet one — I love you — oh! so fully & so deeply; you have linked me to you with such chains that death itself could not break; I have become a thorough prisoner of year heart. This is what I wish you before saying good-bye: "O frage nicht, was ich Dir wünsche" etc. you know the rest better than I do.
By-by, my own precious little girly darlling; sleep well & God keep watch over you.
Darling! My joy!
"Hush! My dear, lie still & slumber;
Holy angels guard thy bed!
Heavenly blessings without number,
Gently falling on thy bed."
June 7th. Good morning! sweetest darling! I hope you feel as fresh & "munter" as I do this morning. The weather is lovely — it is the day of Ascension — we are going to church & I shall pray fervently God — for His blessing & helping & comforting my own little bride through her difficulties & troubles. — I am so glad Victoria came to spend yr birthday with you! Now I must end this long epistle of mine. My darling, how can I get tired of hearing about yr unending devotion, wh. is the greatest blessing & happiness to me!
Good-bye, my one & all — Most tender kisses & fondest love to you my sweet little darling Alix, fr yr ever truly devoted & deeply loving old
Niki
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.
Notes: ramolli = weakened.
"Dear Papa & the others haben mir zugetrunken for my Alixy-dear's health." = "Dear Papa & the others drank to me for my Alixy-dear's health."
"O frage nicht, was ich Dir wünsche" = "Oh, do not ask what I wish you."
munter = cheerful.
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Nicholas's letter to Alix, dated April 30/May 12, 1894
Sources:
Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 2: Engagement and Marriage, 1894, pages 42 to 43, by George Hawkins, 2023
Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook
The letter:
Apr 30th/May 12th
Good morning my own darling. Whilst I have had the pleasure of dreaming of you my little girly-dear, but luckily everything was right, no uncle Alexei in the middle of us two. It was in the Rosenau, just the repetition of what we used to do there! In two hours your sweet letter must come, it is the best time of the day for me. You spoil me my love with your writing to me – and yet it would now seem very hard if a letter did not come once upon a time, you have accustomed yr stupid cow to receiving daily your charming epistles. I miss you my own darling so dreadfully, that I am afraid I bore everyone here to death, I talk very little & certainly do not enliven the family in the least. Oh! how I want you, my own sweet Pelly-dear; it puts me in despair to think that all these days have past in vain & who knows how many shall yet spend away. Now quickly something to revive one: Nachtwächter-variation.
Wenn ein Nachtwächter mit seinen Spiesz in der Hand, seinen Hund hinter sich, in's Horn stoszt, so wird sich gewiez Niemand wundern. Wenn aber derselbe Nacht wächter, seinen Hund in der Hand, sein Horn hinter sich, in seinen Spiesz stiesze, oder seinen Spiesz hinter sich, sich selbst in der Hand sein Horn in der Hund stiesze, oder, sich selbst hinter sich, seinen Hund in der Hand seinen Spiesz in das Horn stiesze – so würde sich gewiez die ganze welt verwundern. –
Well! I think that is a down right rotten story! Forgive me dearest for putting it in my letter. Now I must end. Good bye my own love, my soul, my light of the life & may God never allow sorrow & grief to approach you; I pray to Him that all your life may be like a continual glorious sunshine. God bless you + my sweet beloved little Alix. With fondest kisses O
I am darling little girly-dear
ever & ever your old stupid
but devoted for life old
cow & loving
Nicky
Above: Nicholas and Alix.
Notes: "Nachtwächter-variation" = "Night watchman-variation."
"Wenn ein Nachtwächter mit seinen Spiesz in der Hand, seinen Hund hinter sich, in's Horn stoszt, so wird sich gewiez Niemand wundern. Wenn aber derselbe Nacht wächter, seinen Hund in der Hand, sein Horn hinter sich, in seinen Spiesz stiesze, oder seinen Spiesz hinter sich, sich selbst in der Hand sein Horn in der Hund stiesze, oder, sich selbst hinter sich, seinen Hund in der Hand seinen Spiesz in das Horn stiesze – so würde sich gewiez die ganze welt verwundern." = "If a night watchman with his spear in hand, with his dog behind him, blows his horn, nobody will be surprised. But when the same night watchman, his dog in hand, his horn behind him, pokes his spear, or his spike behind him, thrusting his horn into the dog in his hand, or, behind himself, thrusting his dog into his hand, thrusts his spear into the horn – the whole world would surely be amazed."
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