Nicholas's letter to Alix, dated May 18/30, 1894

Sources:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 2: Engagement and Marriage, 1894, pages 103 to 104, by George Hawkins, 2023

https://disk.yandex.com/mail?hash=Pr3%2B9BqSbVsjjgV6xvio2QYWT4c8a9OyIUIZXJLFUpg%3D%3A

The letter:

Мая 18/30 1894.

№ 28.

Красное Село.

Моя милая дорогая Аликс,

Tenderest kisses & loving thanks for your dear letter № 26, that I was oh! so happy to receive! Bless you darling! for all the kind things you say. If I were now by your side sweety, I feel I would have nearly throttled you with my kisses! I am afraid I have spoiled your photos, standing on my table, on that account, by pressing the image of your beloved face to my lips. Is it a sacrilège? — Darling, what are you talking about being gouty! Only those who have consumed too much wine in their youth have got it — either it is inherited! Both not being the case I don't believe it — I mean what Dr Oliver thinks! But still it is too tiresome for words, that my poor little girly-dear should suffer now & being so young too. How I wish it were me, who had those pains & not you my own true love! These are not simple words, but a deeply felt regret! — I have again been to Gatchina for a few hours, stayed there for dinner & am now back. It is getting warm, thank goodness, as the cold & damp have a bad effect upon my poor soldiers. There were 7 men laid up this morning with fever, rheumatisms etc. which is not astonishing as the poor people live in tents. — I got a very sweet letter from dear Toria today, she is so awfully sorry that she sees you & has seen you so very seldom — which I also find. But we absolutely must, darling, try & get away for a few days & spend them with aunt Alix & the girls. I do love old Marlborough H. it was quite a second home to me last year! But except that I don't want to go anywhere & shall certainly not allow anybody to separate me from my sweet little bride no! no! for nothing in the world!

Forgive me if this letter is dull & short, but I have nothing to write about; that after all is no excuse, because were I clever & not a simple old Spötter, you might have received such funny letters full of wit & of pretty verses. But I know nothing & can only copy what I have heard other people say or the little I remember of my reading. "The Prince of India" is coming to an end; I read it by fragments, going or coming back from Gatchina. It is a lovely book! What was the novel called you have just finished, sweety? — Now I must finish this idiotic epistle of mine not to send you quite asleep, my beloved little owl! Good-bye, my sweet primrose, my delightful pink-flower! Your old cowslip sends you his hearty wishes of health & happiness & prays God to send down upon you all His blessings & bestow you with His merciful gifts! A 1000 tender kisses my own Alix fr. yr. ever deeply loving old

Nicky

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of TatianaZ on Flickr.

Note: Spötter = mocker.